42. EVERLEE – BECKETT’S WEDDING
EVERLEE – BECKETT’S WEDDING
“Oh my God. It’s over. The wedding…” He turns toward me, his face a combination of sadness and disbelief.
“What do you mean, Beckett?” I ask.
“That was Emmett. He just called and said a sprinkler busted overnight at our venue and everything is ruined.”
“No.”
Beckett falls to his knees and buries his face in his hands.
Turning to Knox, I’m frozen for a moment.
“Who’s ready to get married bitches!” Lizzy asks, bursting into the room, hands flared into the air. “Oh no. What happened?” Her eyes dart from Beckett to me.
Not wanting to say the words out loud again, I walk over to her. “Sprinkler burst at their venue last night, and flooded the place.”
“Oh shiznit.”
“Yeah.” Flipping my phone over, I look at the time.
Ten after ten.
The wedding is supposed to be in just under seven hours.
“What are we going to do?” Lizzy asks, sitting down in the closest chair.
“I’m thinking.” My hands rub over my ever-growing belly as I try to come up with an idea. It has taken Beckett his entire life to get to this point. Before Will, he was a playboy who stopped at comm in the word commitment.
When I look over my shoulder, Knox is on the ground with Beckett, trying to console him.
“I got an idea, but you need to come with me,” I say.
Lizzy nods, equal parts excited and apprehensive.
“Knox. Get Beckett ready. We’re still having this wedding. I’ll text you and let you know where to bring him.”
Grabbing Lizzy’s hand, we turn towards the door. Mom and dad are walking in at the same time we’re leaving, so I grab Mom’s hand and pull her along with us.
“What’s going on? What happened?”
“The venue is ruined and Beckett thinks his wedding is over.”
“They could just go to the courthouse.”
“Mom. We’re giving Beckett the wedding he never knew he wanted.”
“Well, don’t you overdo it.” She rubs my stomach.
“I won’t. That’s why I have Lizzy.”
“I’ll try… pulled a muscle in my back.” She presses her hand to lower back and lets out a wince.
“I told you that the swing you installed in your house was going to hurt you.”
“Well, it was better than the clap down pole Tony wanted.”
“What?” Mom asks, confused.
“You know… clap twice and the pole descends from the ceiling.”
“Tony wanted that?” Mom asks.
“Well, no. I lied. I did. Do. But Tony’s still trying to figure out how to make it work.”
“I can’t with you.” I laugh.
“Yeah.”
“Mom.” I look over my shoulder to see her falling behind, so I stop.
“How do you walk so fast being so pregnant? My goodness.”
“Mom. Focus. Do you know the guys at Beckett’s firehouse?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Do you have their numbers or addresses? Any way to get hold of them?”
“Well.” She looks at the ceiling for a moment. “Yes. I have Goose’s mom’s number. Denise. So sweet.”
“Mom.” God bless this woman, but I need her to focus. And I’m hungry. It may be ten o’clock, but I freaking want Emmett’s French onion soup.
“Yes. Yes. I’m calling now.”
“Thank you. Ask her to have Goose call me.”
Seven hours to pull off Beckett’s wedding.
When I get in the car, Brady is sitting behind the wheel. He’s back for a few weeks, before he goes back out to work with Michael on some job. He doesn’t talk about it and I don’t really ask.
The guys asked him to stay with me today, because they don’t want me driving around. After today, Brady’s going to head to the beach for a few weeks and relax.
He turns around and hands me a thermos.
“What’s this?”
“Gift from the guys. I was just about to come inside and get you when you were walking out.”
My heart swells with excitement.
When I twist the lid off, the hot smell of French onion soup swirls around me.
“That’s not soup, is it?” Lizzy asks.
“The guys know me so well.”
“Don’t you need like bread and stuff with it?”
“I just like the broth. The bread gets too soggy and hits my gag reflex.”
“You have one of those?” she asks coyly.
My eyes shoot open wide, then look at Brady in the front.
“Oh please. Let’s not pretend Brady knows nothing. You have four guys and three holes.”
“Fuck Lizzy. Shut up.”
She cackles and leans her head back, closing her eyes. “You’ll need to watch that dirty mouth of yours once you have your littles running around.”
Ignoring her comment, I ask, “Didn’t get a lot of sleep last night?”
“Just a wee bit tired.”
Hmm. I’ve noticed she seems to be tired a lot more lately. Every time I bring it up, she dismisses me. Tony has been traveling more, so I hope everything is ok between them.
“Well, take a nap now, because we have a very busy day ahead of us.”
She opens her one eye and looks at me before closing it as her hands brushes over her stomach and she settles into the chair.
Oh my God.
Lizzy’s eyes shoot open. “What?”
“You’re tired.”
“Yes.”
I poke her boob left boob, and she quickly jerks back, letting out a loud scream. “And your boobs are sore.” My voice gets louder with each word that passes through my lips.
She looks at me, but doesn’t speak.
“Lizzy…”
“Everlee…” Her eyes dance with a secret as a smile creeps across her lips.
“Lizzy…”
“Everlee…” she mocks.
“Liz-”
“Oh fine! Yes. I’m pregnant. Happy?”
I slap her on the arm. “Yes, I am happy! I’m going to be an auntie! But why didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s Beck’s day.”
“Hmmm. Like it was your day.”
“I see the irony in the situation and was going to pretend I didn’t find out until after, so you couldn’t throw it back in my face.”
Laughter consumes me. “I can’t believe you would rob me of one second of this!”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“How far along are you?”
She pulls her bottom lip. “So…”
“Lizzy. How far along are you?” My hand presses into the seat.
“Don’t be mad.”
“Lizzy.”
“I’m like four months.”
“Four! Four freaking months, Lizzy! Were you ever going to tell me?” I rub my hand over her stomach and feel her little bump. “You have a little bump.” My lip puckers out in equal parts excitement and anger. “You have a little bump!”
“I know, I know! I’m a shit friend for not telling you sooner, but there’s been so much going on.”
“I don’t give a shit if the world is exploding and aliens are invading! You tell your best friend these things.” I cross my arms and look out of the window, trying to process. A second later, I snap my head towards her. “Obviously, I’m super happy and excited for you, but I’m not happy with you.” I lean over and kiss her belly, then look up and glare at her. “You have me conflicted, woman!” Anger winning for now, I look out of the window. Moments later, her hand slips into mine, and our fingers intertwine. We both give each other a gentle squeeze, but I don’t turn to look at her.
7 HOURS LATER
Nerves threaten to tear my muscles apart as the jitters I’ve had for the last thirty minutes have caused my legs and arms to be a fidgeting mess.
“It’s going to be fine. It looks absolutely amazing. Beckett and Will are going to love it,” Lizzy says, grabbing my hand.
“You think so?”
“Honey. I know.”
Once mom was able to speak to Goose and have him call me, the news of the five-alarm fire that was Beckett and Will's wedding spread like wildfire and everyone pitched in to help. Their crew from both firehouses sprang into action. I went to Beckett’s firehouse and spoke with the chief and he agreed to clear one of the bays where the trucks park and allow us to set up there.
Fortunately, they were having a small wedding with mostly comprised the men and women at their firehouses, so they had the day off, anyway.
We grabbed the boxes of flowers from the venue, the chairs and anything else we could salvage and brought them to the firehouse. It’s convenient that most of their friends drive trucks. What looked funny was the line of trucks lined one after the other, with an archway and loads of flowers and decorations looking like a convoy through town.
Jax took Will away for the day, while Knox had his hands full with a panicking Beckett. I almost had to block Knox’s number for the day with the number of calls I’ve been getting.
But I didn’t.
Emmett helped manage the food and refreshments, Callum directed once I told him my vision and mom made sure I was hydrated.
A hand slides around my waist and lips press to my neck. Leaning my head back, I savor the kiss, unsure who it is. When I feel a gentle nibble, that gives it away.
Jax.
He loves to bite.
“Will is here. Where do you want him?”
“Any word from Knox?”
“I’ve had lots of words from him today.”
A smile parts my lips. “Recently.”
“No. He’s been a little too quiet. Which is always concerning.”
When I turn around, I see a small crowd of people gathered outside of the firehouse doors.
“Let’s get this show started.” The sharp crack of my hand clap echoes through the large warehouse like building, causing me to jump when it bounces back to me. “I just wanted to thank you all for your helping this afternoon, getting this set up. I know you had all planned on attending this wedding, but maybe not being such an integral part. It goes without saying, but thank you so much. You have turned this firehouse into a gay man’s dream.” The crowd laughs.
“All because of you,” a muffled female’s voice echoes from beside me. When I turn, I find Lizzy with her hands cupped around her lips and tears streaming down her face.
“Because of everyone. I simply had the most to gain by not hearing Beckett moan for the next fifty years about his wedding.” The babies have a foot lodged in my rib cage, so I press it down, then continue. “But in all seriousness, thank you! It looks truly amazing!”
Giving the band a quick nod, they start playing music while Goose and another guy lift the bay door. The groomsmen start to seat people while Lizzy grabs my hand.
“I know you’re his best wo-man and what not, but your guys have given me instructions that you aren’t to be walking back and forth too much.”
Patting her hand, I give her a smile. “I’ll be fine.”
“But I won’t be if I fail your men in best friend duty. So… they scare me slightly more than you.”
“Seriously?”
“I mean, only by a little. Your pregnancy hormones have you…” she holds her hand in the air near her head.
“No, I meant you won’t let me walk.”
“Oh.” She quickly tucks her hand behind her. “That’s awkward. I was only kidding about your hormones. You’ve been perfectly normal.”
Overcome with emotion, I reach across the space and pull her into a hug.
“Oh, ok. We’re doing this. Cool, cool.”
“I love you, Lizzy. So freaking much. You are the very best friend a girl could ever hope to have.”
“Back at you.”
Twenty minutes later, Beckett’s jeep pulls up with Knox driving and Beckett blindfolded and his arms pinned behind him.
“Fuck me. What did he do?” Jax asks, standing beside me, jaw on the ground.
Knox gets out of the Jeep and runs around. “Well, don’t just stand there. I’m passing the baton. He’s been so unbearable. I didn’t even have time to coif my hair.”
Coif? I can’t get the question out of my mouth because of my smile.
“Coif?” Jax mumbles beside me as we walk over to the Jeep.
“Are we here? Where are we? I hear violins,” Beckett calls from the Jeep, swiveling his head from side to side.
“Knox?” I ask softly, staring at the scene in front of me.
“He was freaking out, and I thought you wanted it to be a surprise, but he was fighting me. So I had to bind his hands. Side note, he may have a kink. If it was Will,” he hurried out the last part.
“Ew Knox!” I slap at his chest.
“Fucker, kept saying you’ve been Knoxxed, by Knots,” Beckett calls, struggling with the binds. More for show than panic now.
“Idiot,” Jax mumbles.
“Knots was his nickname.”
“Yeah, I got that after the thirty-minute ride and explanation.”
“Thirty minutes? Where were you?”
“Oh, I’ve been driving in circles,” Knox smiles, proud of himself, then pats Beckett on the shoulder. “You may need to get gas now, though. This thing is a real gas guzzler.”
“Gas guzzler? I can’t.” Jax bats his hand in the air and walks away.
“Don’t leave me with him!” Beckett and Knox call out at the same time.
Jax stops and walks back. “Knox, go grab Lizzy.”
“The Queen has arrived. Or is arriving.” Lizzy laughs. “You know, since I’m still walking. I guess that was a little premature. Anywhoozle! Also, Emmett said he’s ready.”
“Liz?” Beckett turns his body.
“Who else has a voice-” Jax starts, but Lizzy interrupts him.
“Has a voice like an angel?” Lizzy finishes. “So sweet.” She wraps her arms around Jax, who keeps his arms in the air, then gives a quick pat on top of her head. “Ev, your parents are waiting for you.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I see them lined up at the mouth of the bay. “Keep his blindfold on until he’s ready to walk down the aisle. I want to see his face.”
Jax and Knox help him out of the car while Lizzy straightens her back and fixes her dress. He asked me to be his maiden of honor and asked Lizzy to walk him down the aisle. He asked her a few days ago, so she’s not had a lot of time to process, which was his plan all along. We both knew if she knew beforehand, she’d be completely unbearable.
“Beckett, if I untie your hands, do you promise not to remove the blindfold?” Knox asks in a very parental tone.
Beckett sighs. “Am I getting married? Are we doing this?”
“Yes,” Lizzy says. “And you’re going to love it.”
“Fine.” He huffs and his shoulders drop. “Whatever you all did, I will love it. I would have married that man at the courthouse or in a field. Hell, even on the side of the street.” He turns to where Knox had been standing. “Knox, I know I gave you a lot of shit today, so thank you for being there for me. I’m so grateful that Ev married you and I have you in my life.”
Knox calls on the other side of him. “That was very sweet. Can you say that again, but facing me?”
“Who was I talking to?” Flabbergasted, Beckett turns to where Knox is standing now.
“No one.”
“Why didn’t you stop me?” he yells with a hint of humor mixed with frustration.
“It just sounded so nice.”
“I was talking to air!” Beckett wipes his hands over his face and everyone lurches forward, screaming for him to stop.
“Let’s do this!” I thrust my hands in the air, excitement vibrating through my body. I never thought I’d see the day Beckett would get married.
“Everything ok, darling?” Mom asks when I get to her and dad. “Why is he still blindfolded? He’s not going down the aisle like that, is he?”
“Yes, everything is fine and no,” I laugh. “He’s not going down the aisle like that.”
“Well, you youth… I don’t know what’s trending.”
“Donna,” Dad sighs.
“What?” she whispers to him. “They like to do things to be different and it’s Beckett, so there’s no tellin’.”
Chuckling, I give the sign we’re ready and the string quartet begins to play How Deep Is Your Love by Calvin Harris.
Looking over my shoulder, I find Beckett with his hands on Knox’s shoulders, following him in a mini train. Knox sees me and nods for me to turn around, then blows me a quick kiss. Part of me expects to see Knox rolling his hands in a circle and kicking his feet from side to side, but daddy Jax is walking beside them, likely making sure Knox behaves. They get to a stop at the entrance, and the photographers are taking pictures, both from behind Beckett into the bay and from the front of the aisle, by Will.
Knox gently guides Beckett's hand onto Lizzy's arm, and Jax and he maneuver their way past us, down the aisle to take their seats alongside Emmett and Callum.
Callum catches my gaze and gives me a quick wink that makes my stomach twist.
Mom clears her throat beside me, so I lead her and dad down the aisle to their seat in the front, then take my spot to the left. Beckett and Will opted for a small wedding party and really made it their own, which is great. Will has two people standing with him, and Beckett has Lizzy and me. There were plenty of other guys from the firehouse, but Beckett felt if he picked one, others may get their feelings hurt, which would lead to a huge wedding party.
For comfort, I forwent the suit I had planned and opted for a high neck black chiffon babydoll dress. The weather has still been on the warmer side down here even though it’s fall and the babies are like my personal inferno, so…
Lizzy waits a few beats before she whispers something to Beckett. His hands reach up to remove the blindfold, but he pauses. His chest puffs out and his shoulders rise. He pulls the blindfold off, but his eyes are still closed as he lets the cloth fall to the ground. When he opens his eyes, they grow wider and wider as his bottom lip trembles. His head falls to the side and tears stream down my cheeks. At the same time, his hand grips Lizzy’s as he takes in the firehouse before him.
My heart melts even more when I look at Will with his bottom lip sucked in and his hands nervously fidgeting in front of him.
Lizzy must squeeze his arm or signal to move because he gives a quick nod and they walk down the aisle. Everyone stands to admire him in his tuxedo, indigo blue bowtie, and blue suede shoes.
They take their time getting down the short aisle, where Lizzy delivers him to Will, who gives her a little wink, before she takes her spot behind me.
“We are gathered here today…”