21. Susan
Chapter twenty-one
Susan
T he scent of fresh carnations and baby's breath greeted me as I pushed open the Rivermint Cove Community Center door, my arms straining under the weight of the fairy lights and linens. Mom and Emily chatted behind me, their laughter floating through the empty space as our footsteps echoed loudly across the wooden floor.
I paused to take it all in—the soaring ceilings, the tall windows letting in warm streams of sunlight, and the blank canvas of tables and chairs just waiting to be transformed. This room would be filled with our family and friends in less than two hours, celebrating our engagement. A nervous flutter rose in my chest.
"Alright, ladies," Mom said, setting down a large box with a thud. "Let's get to work decorating this place for the happy couple."
Emily giggled, giving me a playful nudge. I stuck my tongue out at her, then grabbed a bundle of lights. It was time to turn this place into something magical.
We spent the next couple of hours draping fairy lights along the walls, softening the space with their warm glow. Ivory linens added an elegant touch to the tables, although Mom insisted on accenting them with mismatched floral bows she'd found at a thrift store.
"It adds character," she said, holding up a neon orange one.
Emily and I burst into laughter. Only my mom would think so. But the crazy bows made it feel more personal, and I loved vintage things.
I paused to take it all in again as we put the finishing touches on the decor. The once-empty room now shimmered with light and new life. It was everything I had imagined for this celebration of love. I couldn't wait to share it with Nate.
I was admiring our handiwork when Emily's other best friend, Amelia, breezed in, arms loaded with vibrant flower arrangements. Though not quite as close as Emily and me, Amelia's presence was always a welcome addition to any project. She wore her typical bohemian ensemble: a flowing skirt dotted with sunflowers, a white blouse tied at the waist, and an array of bangles adorn her wrist. And although I didn’t want to admit it, their personalities were probably better matched than mine and Emily's.
"Let me add a little pizzazz to those tables," she said, setting down the flowers with a flourish.
Amelia began meticulously arranging the colorful blooms in the center of each table, her artistic eye and flair for design instantly brightening up the room.
"Gorgeous!" Mom exclaimed as Amelia put the finishing touches on the last arrangement. "You've outdone yourself!"
Amelia beamed, clearly in her creative element. "What can I say? I love playing with flowers. I think it adds that special touch for celebrations of love. "
I had to agree. The flowers added a joyful pop of color that perfectly complemented the dreamy, romantic lighting.
"They're absolutely perfect," I said, giving Amelia a grateful hug. She had gone above and beyond.
With the decor finally complete, it was time to set up the games and activities. Emily and I focused on creating the "Engagement Trivia" station, filling a large poster board with funny stories and special milestones from my relationship with Nate.
"They'll get a kick out of guessing some of these," Emily said with a smirk, writing down the story of how Nate and I first met as MysteryDoc and Boundless Bookworm on the ‘ Find A Mate On A Blind Date’ app .
We stepped back, admiring our work. The hall was ready for a night of celebration and fun with our loved ones. My heart swelled, and I thought about sharing it all with Nate soon. This was going to be a night to remember.
As the first guests began to arrive, I felt a flutter of excitement. I greeted Aunt Leslie and Uncle George at the door with hugs.
"So this is the young man who finally captured Susie's heart," Aunt Leslie said. She had always insisted on calling me by a nickname. They approached the poster board. "We better brush up on our trivia!"
I laughed. "The quiz is all in good fun. Though I have to say, some of those stories are a bit embarrassing."
Aunt Leslie waved her hand. "Oh, we love embarrassing stories about you, dear."
Soon, more family and friends filled the hall, drawn to the trivia station with amusement. It warmed my heart to hear the sounds of laughter and speculation as they tried to puzzle out the stories.
Lost in the joy of reminiscing, I didn't notice Nate sneak in. He slipped his arms around me from behind.
"I hope you didn't give away all our secrets," he whispered in my ear.
I turned and melted into his embrace. "Just enough to entertain our loved ones. But some memories are just for us."
Nate smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Then here's to making many more." He pulled me close in a tight hug and planted a kiss on my lips.
I smiled up at Nate, still thrilled that he was here by my side after everything. Our guests were immersed in the games Emily and Amelia had orchestrated, laughing and sharing stories as they pinned paper hearts along our relationship timeline.
A sudden yowling rose over the chatter. We turned to see Baxter poised in the middle of the room, his bow tie slightly askew, baying his heart out. The room erupted in applause and whistles. Baxter sat back on his haunches, tongue lolling, clearly pleased with himself.
"Trust Baxter to steal the show," I said, giving his velvety ears an affectionate rub.
"He certainly knows how to make an entrance," Nate chuckled.
As Baxter's impromptu concert ended, my mom stepped up to the microphone.
"If I could have everyone's attention, I'd like to share a few words." She gave me a playful grin. Oh no. I knew that look. This would be humiliating.
She cleared her throat and began. "Now, many of you know Susan as the quiet girl who always has her head stuck in a book. But let me reassure you, there was a time when she wasn't so composed."
My mother recounted tales of my childhood: climbing trees in frilly dresses, orchestrating elaborate stuffed animal tea parties, and even my attempt to cut my own hair at the age of six. The hall rang with laughter as she recounted my childhood misadventures.
I buried my burning face in Nate's shoulder. "Why is it always the hair stories?" I groaned. But secretly, I cherished these memories and saw the joy they brought our loved ones.
Nate wrapped me in his arms. "You were pretty cute," he teased, pointing to the table with some of our childhood pictures displayed.
I whispered, "Yeah, well, just wait until Emily gets to tell your stories."
He chuckled, the sound vibrating against my cheek. "Oh, I'm all for fairness. My life's an open book for you." The promise in his eyes sparked a flutter in my chest.
As the laughter died, I saw Frances and Mrs. Grace approach, holding something behind their backs.
"We have a little something for you," Frances said, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
They presented me with a beautifully bound antique edition of Pride and Prejudice . I ran my fingers over the embossed cover, overwhelmed. It was perfect.
"I remember how much you loved reading Austen together," Mrs. Grace said warmly. "May your love story be as timeless. "
"Thank you," I whispered, blinking back tears as I hugged them tightly. "This means the world."
Just then, Emily bounced up to the microphone.
"Hello, friends and family!" She beamed, gesturing toward me. "I'd like to welcome my new sister, Susan, into the Reynolds family!"
Emily continued radiating with warmth and excitement. "We've had a lot of laughs, a few tears, and countless games of checkers. If there's one thing you should know about my best friend turned sister-in-law," she grinned at me. "It's that she cheats at checkers."
Chuckles rippled through the room, Nate joining in the laughter with an exaggerated nod. "Oh, she definitely does," he called out, making everyone laugh harder.
"Hey!" I exclaimed, playfully swatting his arm as the room filled with cheer. Cheating at checkers was a running joke between us that had now become public.
"And to my brother Nate," she continued, fixing him with a playful grin. "Don't worry, I've already given Susan all your embarrassing stories. It's only fair!"
The room echoed with laughter again, and I couldn’t help but let out a bubbling giggle. Nate groaned playfully, rolling his eyes, but his arm remained steady around me—a beacon of warmth and security.
"But all jesting aside," Emily sobered slightly. "I am over the moon to see my brother and my best friend embark on this beautiful journey together. Nate, I've never seen you happier or more yourself than when you're with Susan. I know you will fill each other's lives with joy, love, and plenty of humor.”
"To Susan and Nate!" she concluded, raising her glass.
"To Susan and Nate!" our loved ones chorused. The sound filled me with joy.
Nate slipped his arm around me as we clinked glasses, sealing this magical moment. Our next chapter was just beginning.
The party moved smoothly, with the crowd mingling and laughing as they played the games Emily and I had prepared.
I walked around the room, chatting with friends and family as they puzzled over trivia questions about our relationship milestones.
"When was their first date?" Lizzie asked, tapping her chin in concentration.
"Hmm, I think I remember Nate gushing about some Italian restaurant," Ethan replied. They scribbled their guess, giggling together.
Nearby, Frances and her boyfriend stood before the timeline along the wall, debating over significant moments.
"Definitely pin their engagement here," Frances insisted, fastening a heart beside the correct date.
I smiled as they recounted treasured memories. Each heart pinned felt like validation, a reminder of how far we'd come.
Winners received themed gifts—vintage bookends, tea samplers, and framed quotes from our favorite novels. The games brought joy and deepened connections.
As the evening wound down, I slipped outside for some air, emotionally overwhelmed. Nate followed, lacing his fingers through mine. We gazed up at the vast sky in contented silence .
I thought back on the night—the laughter and love surrounding us—and my heart swelled with gratitude. Each person here illuminated our journey. This community would be there, lighting our way no matter what came next.