Chapter 51 – Mabel
Chapter Fifty-One
MABEL
“Elle, you’re literally getting married this weekend! You need to decide what you want to do for your bachelorette party.”
“Oh, fuck off! Someone of us have work to fucking do.”
“Lola’s the busiest person we both know, and she’s here to get this planned .”
That earns me a glare hot enough to burn but she knows it’s true.
Lola sits in one of the chairs in front of Elle’s desk, a smirk pulling at her lips.
“Listen, I knew this was going to be difficult for you. I took some liberties and we’ll be spending the night at the Honeyville B&B.
Chilling with room service and a scary movie.
” I lean forward to rest my arms on my knees and wiggle my eyebrows at my soon-to-be married sister.
I’m pretty proud of myself, coming up with this evening for Elle.
No matter how much she’s opened up since being with Patrick, she’ll never be one to make a big fuss about herself.
If it was up to her, she would have carted Patrick down to City Hall the afternoon he proposed and sealed the deal.
The only way she agreed to having an actual wedding was by some sweet-talking from her fiance.
“That sounds lovely, thank you.” Elle grumbles out. I gasp as loudly as I can, widen my eyes and turn to our baby sister.
“Call 911! I think my heart has stopped in surprise!” I start to slide off my chair. “Everything’s getting dark, tell Mama it’s okay to admit I’m the favorite. Goodbye cruel world!” I spread myself across the floor, eyes now closed to relay that I’ve died of shock.
“Boo, not convincing at all. Everyone knows your eyes stay open when you die.” The mirth is evident in Elle’s voice but I do my best to keep a smile off my face.
“I agree with Elle, two out of ten. Would not recommend. Call the Academy, we need to remove Mabel’s name from the best supporting actress category .” Lola deadpans.
No matter how committed to the bit I am, I just cannot let that stand. I sit up, shooting glares at my sisters.
“You wouldn’t dare! You know this is my last chance to get my hands on that little golden dude.”
“What the fuck ever. You’ve just barely passed your prime, you could totally make a comeback in a year or two. You’ll totally win for being so brave.”
God, I love Elle’s dry humor. Pushing myself to stand, I snap my fingers, and blow Elle a kiss. “You’re so smart, Bubs. Finish up whatever you need to do, pack a bag and get ready for a night you’ll never forget.”
Lola stands to walk out with me. We’re in the doorway and she turns, “At least until tomorrow night. We all hope that it will be a little bit more memorable.”
Elle’s cheeks burn red, “Get out, freaks.” Her gaze returns to her computer, the sound of her frantic typing follows us out of the education center.
“You’re getting fucking married tomorrow!” Lola squeals, wrapping her arms around Elle and jumping up and down. Elle does not join her in her jumps but does grace us with one of her rare smiles.
“Fuck yeah, I am!” I can’t stop a bark of laughter before I let out a whoop and do a little dance to join in the celebration.
Lola never swears, the complete opposite of Elle, but we are all so excited for Elle she had to let one slip.
“Get over here, Mabel!” Lola loosens her grip to wave me over, I don’t hesitate to close the distance between the three of us.
“Group hug!” Elle lets out a grunt when Lola and I squeeze as tight as we can.
“Get off of me, you freaks!”
“Ugh, flashbacks. I remember when you first let us hug you, last year.” I tease her about our most recent group hug.
It had happened during a hike we took to Timpanogas Cave, a Farm tradition for new employees.
This hike just happened to be the one to introduce Patrick, our newest employee at the time, to the caves.
I’m not taking credit for their love story but I may have shared a word or two of encouragement, claiming Patrick as my hiking partner and interrogating him.
“That was not the first time. I’m sure Mama forced us to hug for a picture or two when we were children.” Elle grumbles against my shoulder, “Now let me go before I get the urge to bite.” Lola and I jump back, releasing Elle.
I point a finger at our bride-to-be, “I don’t need to know about your kinks, little sister.”
Lola slaps her hands over her ears, shaking her head. “Nope, this is not how this evening is going to go!”
“Oh, littlest sister, don’t tell me you’re going to spoil my fun! As the maid of honor, I do believe this is my right.”
“Co-maid of honor, miss ma’am.”
I scoff at Lola’s correction,not really offended but needed to tease my sisters as much as I can. “I’m very close to being offended. Elle, pick a movie while I order dinner. Lola, gather the pillows and blankets. It’s officially blanket fort bachelorette time!” We all separate to handle our tasks.
I can’t stop reminiscing of another night, just like this with my sisters. We’d had to go to Salt Lake City to discuss the possibility of some type of coordination with the new Utah hockey team. I hadn’t really paid attention, too entranced by hockey players’ butts .
The night before the game, Elle had confessed not only her feelings for Patrick to us but how terrible her ex-boyfriend, and ex-Farm accountant, was during their time together. We built a fort very similar to the one Lola is working on now, and it was one of the best nights of my life.
The only thing that would have made it better was if Paul could have joined us.
This year has been difficult to get all four of us together.
Outside of family dinners and our July vacation there haven’t really been any times where the siblings have been able to get together.
Paul and Lola are both so busy with work and Elle doing what she could to prepare for the time she’ll be missing due to her wedding and honeymoon.
I can’t stop myself from feeling guilty about that.
I’m not delusional enough to think that I’m responsible for keeping the siblings together but I’ve definitely not been trying to plan to get together with the siblings as I’ve been indulging myself with Jude but that’s over.
My stomach clenches at the thought of my gentle giant. No, not mine. I push all feelings that aren’t excitement for Elle deep down and lock them in a box. Right next to all the other sad feelings I actively work to ignore.
“Mabel, get your crazy ass over here! It’s scary movie time!”