Chapter Seventeen
Cedar
I sat in a crowded café with Katie and Dr. Lee, sipping a much-needed cup of coffee. We were only three days away from the wedding, and I could feel the weight of it pressing in on me.
All around us, people chatted or clacked away on laptops, but my mind was somewhere else entirely—on cake tiers, bridesmaid dresses, seating charts, and the never-ending to-do list that Heather and I had been juggling.
“I don’t know how I’d have survived this if it weren’t for Heather’s help,” I said, shaking my head. Even as I spoke, my gaze slid to my phone on the table, where messages from vendors and well-wishers kept piling up.
Katie leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “I can imagine. You’ve been running nonstop—meetings, fittings, shopping. I’m amazed you can still form coherent sentences.”
I let out a shaky laugh. “I know, right? You wouldn’t believe how many people want to ‘quickly’ meet the soon-to-be Mrs. Jefferson. Sometimes I feel like a novelty item, like the town’s newest attraction. I’m just waiting for someone to put me on a brochure.”
Dr. Lee chuckled, stirring her mocha with a small wooden stick. “Well, you kind of are a big deal, Cedar. You’re marrying into one of the most influential families in Kailua, plus the most sought-after bachelor in Hawaii. That’s bound to generate a little buzz.”
I rolled my eyes, only half-joking. “Yeah, yeah. But sometimes I feel like I’m losing myself in the shuffle. I’m a doctor, for crying out loud—someone who likes to help people quietly, not deal with paparazzi or well-meaning but nosy bloggers.
If I could just eat a burrito without being labeled some cultural appropriator or trendsetter, I’d be happy.”
Katie reached out and squeezed my hand. “I get it. But maybe try seeing it as an expansion of your world, not a loss of who you are. Think of all the new resources you’ll have to help people.”
Dr. Lee nodded in agreement. “Exactly. And you know Flynn’s crazy about you. He’s the type who’d give up everything if it made you happy.”
At that, I felt my heart warm. “Thanks, guys. You always know how to make me see things differently.”
We chatted a while longer, moving from the heavy topic of media attention to lighter ones, like how lavishly frosted our five-tier wedding cake was going to be, and how gracefully the bridesmaids’ dresses had turned out.
I couldn’t help but smile, picturing my best friends and family walking down the aisle behind me in their pale-blue gowns.
Just then, Heather burst into the café, hair slightly askew, her eyes darting around until she spotted us. “Girls, I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said breathlessly, sliding into the seat beside me.
“I had a last-minute crisis with the florist—something about the wrong shade of blue hydrangeas. I swear, if there’s one more shade of blue in this world, I’m gonna lose it.”
I stood and gave her a quick hug. “No worries, Heather. We were just catching up. How did you sort it out?”
She exhaled dramatically. “I reminded them of our contract and threatened to leave a scathing Yelp review if they couldn’t match the exact color we chose. That usually does the trick.”
The four of us shared a laugh—Heather’s fiery determination was our secret weapon in planning this wedding.
“It’s all good now,” Heather continued, flipping through some notes on her phone. “The cathedral’s on schedule, the music is set, and the catering will be delivered exactly on time. I think, by some miracle, we’re pulling this off.”
I grinned, feeling excitement tingle up my spine. “We definitely are, thanks to you, your mom, and my mom. They’ve been amazing.”
Heather beamed, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “We make a good team, don’t we? Oh, and have you seen the bridesmaids’ dresses yet? They arrived in perfect condition.”
Katie nodded. “We were just talking about them. Cedar’s really happy with how they turned out.”
Heather practically glowed with pride. “I helped your mom pick the color and design, you know. I wasn’t completely sold at first, but once I saw a sample of the fabric, I knew it would be gorgeous—especially with your dress, Cedar. There’s no competition, just a subtle compliment.”
I put my coffee down, touched by her thoughtfulness. “You really thought of everything. I’d be falling apart if it weren’t for you.”
Heather reached over and patted my hand. “You’re never alone in this. I promise.”
Just then, Dr. Lee piped up, “Heather, have you thought about opening your own event-planning agency? You’ve got a knack for this.”
“Seriously,” Katie added. “We’re all in awe.”
Heather laughed and waved a dismissive hand. “Nah, I’m too lazy to do this professionally. I only put in this much effort because it’s Cedar’s wedding.”
“What? Have you met yourself?” I teased. “I’ve never seen someone single-handedly coordinate a florist, a caterer, and a string quartet all at once.”
Heather made a face. “Yeah, yeah, but doing this for strangers all year round? I’m not sure I’d have the stamina.”
Katie and Dr. Lee teased her a bit more, but she eventually promised to “think about it.” Soon after, we gathered our things, eager to tackle the rest of the day’s wedding tasks, from checking seating charts to confirming the final designs for our wedding favors.
***
The sun had dipped low by the time I finally stepped out of the café. Flynn pulled up in his SUV, looking effortlessly handsome in jeans and a white polo. My heart skipped a beat—no matter how many times I saw him, that reaction never got old.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, leaning over to give me a quick kiss as I climbed in. “Long day?”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Very. Last-minute wedding crises, triple-checking every detail, you name it. My head’s spinning.”
Flynn flashed his trademark grin. “Well, hopefully, I can help you relax. I took care of some work stuff earlier, then met up with the guys for a bachelor party.”
I arched an eyebrow. “A bachelor party? Who are these ‘guys,’ and what did you do?”
He laughed, pulling away from the curb. “Devan, some of my cousins, a few college friends—they’re all in town. Let’s just say we had a good time. But I’m definitely not spilling any details.”
“Oh, I don’t want to know,” I joked, though a tiny part of me was curious. “As long as everyone’s in one piece.”
“Everyone’s fine. Promise.”
I stared out the window at the passing streetlights, thinking about how surreal all this felt—marrying Flynn, dealing with paparazzi, having a fiancé who went to a bachelor party while I wrangled florists. My life was changing so fast, but I knew in my heart it was changing for the better.
***
The next morning, I woke up early with excitement thrumming through me. After a quick breakfast, I headed to the community cathedral.
Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting rainbow shards across the polished floors. Just seeing it made my chest tighten with emotion—I would be walking down that aisle tomorrow.
Heather was already there, directing traffic like a pro. “Okay, girls, let’s line up for the procession. We need to make sure the timing is perfect.”
Behind me, Katie and Dr. Lee chatted with my other bridesmaids—close friends from medical school—comparing notes on how to step in time with the music.
Flynn stood a few feet away with his groomsmen, all of them looking relaxed yet excited. I caught his eye and my heart soared.
The aisle suddenly seemed both too short and too long—I couldn’t wait to marry him, but also wanted to savor every second of this moment.
We practiced several times, making adjustments whenever Heather noticed the tiniest mistake. Halfway through, I paused to admire the floral arrangements: tall vases bursting with white lilies and pastel roses, all carefully coordinated with the pale-blue theme.
Everything felt like a dream. I remembered, in a sudden flash, being a little girl who believed she’d never need a “fairy-tale” wedding. Yet here I was, living it.
After about an hour, Heather clapped her hands. “Perfect! I think we’re all set for tomorrow. Let’s get some dinner to celebrate and let everyone relax.”
No one argued. We drove to a nearby restaurant, where a small group—Flynn’s mom, my parents, and a few aunts and uncles—were already waiting. The moment I walked in, Khalan pulled me into a hug.
“You all look radiant,” she said, stepping back to examine me. “Tomorrow is going to be incredible.”
“Thanks, Khalan,” I said softly. “I’m a mix of nervous and excited.”
She smiled knowingly. “That’s perfectly normal.”
We settled into a long table, buzzing with conversation. Flynn’s aunt Tasha showed up, cracking jokes and wiggling her eyebrows at me. “So, Cedar, you’re going to make an honest man out of my nephew, huh?”
I rolled my eyes affectionately. “That’s the plan.”
Laughter rippled around us. Throughout the meal, I occasionally caught Flynn looking at me with an intensity that made my stomach flip.
Here we were, on the brink of becoming husband and wife—and it felt so right, I could hardly stand it.
When the plates were cleared, Flynn took my hand under the table and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m really glad we’re doing this,” he murmured, leaning in so only I could hear. “I promise to spend every day making you happy.”
A surge of affection overwhelmed me. “You’d better,” I teased, my eyes bright with unshed tears. “Otherwise, my dad—and Ciara—will come after you.”
He chuckled, a quiet sound meant for me alone. “Your dad and I are best buds now, and Ciara and I go way back. I think I’ll be okay.”
I couldn’t help but laugh softly. There was a bittersweet twinge whenever Ciara’s name came up, but I knew she’d be proud to see us finally tying the knot.
My dad cleared his throat. “Alright, lovebirds, maybe save some of this sweet talk for tomorrow. Let the rest of us breathe, okay?”
A chorus of good-natured laughter echoed around the table, and I felt a warm flush creep up my neck. “Yes, sir,” I said, saluting him playfully. Flynn just grinned, tugging me closer for a half-hug.
***
The Wedding Morning
I woke up the next morning feeling like a princess in a fairy tale. The house was already in an organized chaos—stylists were setting up their makeup stations, bridesmaids were roaming around in matching robes, and someone was making coffee in the kitchen.
My stomach flipped with nervous excitement, but also with a tinge of sadness that Ciara wasn’t physically here to see it all.
Heather practically dragged me into a chair to begin hair and makeup. “We want you perfect, Cedar,” she said, clipping up sections of my copper-brown hair. “Now close your eyes, no squirming, and trust me.”
I did as told, letting the team transform me. I listened to the chatter of my bridesmaids—Katie teasing Dr. Lee about stepping on someone’s train, Dr. Lee retorting that Katie should learn how to walk in heels without tripping. Their banter was a comforting background hum.
After a while, Heather and the stylist helped me into my gown. The moment I stood in front of the mirror, I nearly forgot to breathe.
The dress looked like it had floated out of a storybook—layers of tulle swished around my legs, a subtle sweetheart neckline accentuated my collarbones, and delicate cap sleeves added a touch of old-world charm. A beaded belt cinched my waist, catching the light every time I moved.
Heather stepped back, her eyes glistening with tears. “You look… absolutely breathtaking.”
My heart pounded with emotion. “Thank you, Heather. You look amazing too. If Devan doesn’t propose soon, I’ll have to have a chat with him.”
She blushed furiously, then scurried off, muttering something about not wanting to talk about it.
By the time we arrived at the cathedral, my nerves and excitement were at full throttle. The place was packed—family friends, neighbors, colleagues, and even a few acquaintances from my time in medical school.
Warm smiles and murmurs of congratulations seemed to rise in waves as people caught sight of me stepping through the doors.
My father was there, standing by the entrance, looking so proud it made my chest tighten. He stared at me for a few seconds, his eyes misty. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, voice thick with emotion. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”
My vision blurred with tears I tried to hold back. “Thanks, Dad,” I managed, my throat tight.
As we walked down the aisle, soft music played, blending with the rustle of dresses and murmurs from the guests.
My gaze swept over familiar faces—Mrs. Lancaster, my childhood neighbor; Connie and her parents in the back row, smiling through tears.
Each face added another layer of emotion to the day, but I fought to keep it together, not wanting to ruin Heather’s hard work on my makeup just yet.
Then, at the end of the aisle, I saw Flynn. He stood in a crisp tuxedo, looking every bit the handsome groom I’d dreamed of. Our eyes locked, and my heart stumbled over itself. I could practically feel the affection in his gaze, steadying me as I made my way closer.
Dad placed my hand in Flynn’s and whispered, “Take care of my baby girl,” his own eyes brimming with tears.
“I promise,” Flynn whispered, and I saw the genuine resolve in his eyes.
The ceremony began, and it was more beautiful than I’d ever imagined. Heather had outdone herself—the music was perfectly timed, the floral arches around the altar were pristine, and the entire cathedral glowed in warm light.
When it came time for vows, Flynn cleared his throat, a playful smile curving his lips. “I’ve known you since you could barely stand, Cedar. You used to wobble around, grabbing onto my legs whenever Ciara set you loose.”
The crowd chuckled, and a tear slid down my cheek. “It’s true,” I mouthed, and he grinned.
“But let me just say,” Flynn continued, turning a bit more serious, “You’ve somehow mastered the art of making me laugh, cry, and roll my eyes in exasperation—often all at once. That’s real talent.”
Everyone laughed. Even from the corner of my eye, I could see my mom dabbing away tears.
Flynn’s voice softened, dropping into a lower register. “From the moment Ciara introduced me to her baby sister, I knew you were special. But over the last year, you’ve become everything to me. My confidante, my partner, my best friend, and my light. Today, I promise to love you for who you are. I promise to be your anchor, your safe harbor, and your forever home—no matter what storms come our way.”
His words broke something open inside me. Tears spilled over, and this time I didn’t care if my makeup smudged. The rest of the world faded until it was just Flynn and me, bound by love and memories that included Ciara’s guiding presence.
When it was my turn, I almost couldn’t speak because of the lump in my throat. But eventually, I managed to express how Flynn had brought laughter and comfort into my life, how I admired his protective heart, and how grateful I was to build a future with him. It felt like pouring out a piece of my soul in front of everyone—and yet it was utterly right.
Before I knew it, we were declared husband and wife. Applause and cheers erupted, and Flynn leaned in to kiss me, his hands trembling slightly against my waist. My heart soared, and the cathedral seemed bathed in golden light.
We walked back down the aisle together, grinning like kids on Christmas morning. Some part of me was aware that one family member was conspicuously missing—Flynn’s Uncle Will, who’d declined to come—but at that moment, I couldn’t let it bother me. I was too full of joy, surrounded by people who loved us, celebrating the day that would forever change my life.
And just like that, we were Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson, stepping out into the warm Hawaiian sun, hand in hand, ready to greet the future.