Chapter 39
EILEEN
Two Hours before the Wedding
Four hours later, and I’m ready to murder someone.
Holy shit, weddings are a nightmare. That’s it, I’m never getting married. To quote Dr. Seuss, not here, not there. Not in a church, and never close to this bunch.
The band is fucking late. The food is too early. Marek ordered a fucking ice sculpture at the last minute because he thought that would be “romantic.”
I can’t find anywhere to put the damn thing that is supposed to be my sister’s image… and looks nothing like her.
I swear if Charlie doesn’t kill him within the next year, I’ll do it myself.
Oh, and don’t get me started on the flowers. Fortunately, the bouquets were fixed, and we managed with the floral decorations Charlie changed fifteen million times. I said it once and I’ll say it again, peonies are beautiful.
And on the list of how things were fucked a million ways, the bridesmaids have informed me that they forgot the party favors for everyone in their hotel rooms. They are staying on the other side of Colorado Springs to save money.
So, Jason had to call their hotel to get them and pay for a courier to have them sent down here.
“Fuck everyone. Let them live without their shitty party favors,” I tell him.
“Normally I’d say, that’s the spirit. But since someone said we had an obligation to be here, we might as well do it right,” he says.
I rub my temple. “I don’t think they’re worth wasting your money.”
Jason frowns. “Well, duh, but it’s not for them.”
“So, what’s—”
“This nightmare is almost over,” he reminds me, grabbing my hand and dusting kisses on my wrist. “You wanted a perfect wedding, so I’m going to make sure it happens.”
Without thinking, I hug him tightly.
“Thank you so much,” I murmur into his chest. “I don’t know how I would’ve survived today, or any of this, without you.”
He squeezes me back, kissing the top of my head. It blows me away every time this tall, muscular guy gives the gentlest hugs. He’s so high energy, but he’s also so soft.
Loving.
“Ditto, and thank you,” he says. “This could’ve been the worst few weeks of my life. But it was the exact opposite.”
I bury my face deeper in his chest, trying to hide my stupid blush.
“That was all you, birthday girl,” he says and just his presence makes this manageable.
It’s weird how this is already the best birthday I’ve had in years or maybe ever. It’s so incredibly stressful, but I don’t have to do it on my own.
The clicking of stiletto heels interrupts us.
“Your wedding is falling apart. No surprises, but I’m pitching in,” Jossie says.
Jason clears his throat. “Jossie we got—”
“Darlings, let’s be reasonable here,” she interrupts him, lifting her finger. “You’ve done a wonderful job considering the cards you were dealt. But the day of the ceremony involves a lot of oversight that you don’t have time for.”
“You’re right,” I agree, grateful for her presence. “It’d be amazing if you could help, just tell me how much we need to pay—”
“Don’t,” Jossie puts a finger on my lips. “Think of this as a wedding present to a family friend. And part one of your birthday gifts from me.”
“Part One?” My eyes get wet. “Thank you, Jossie.”
She bends over to hug me. “It’s my pleasure. You deserve it.”
This has to be a dream. My day just got so much easier.
“Now go on,” she says, shooing us away. “Go be with the bride and groom. I’ll take care of the rest.”
We’re already fifteen minutes late for the wedding when Charlie finally gets out of the restroom next to the bridal suite.
“Ready?” I ask anxiously, trying not to stare at my watch.
Charlie nods, “I’ve made the decision not to get married today.”
“What?!” Mom squawks behind me.
“I think it’s best that we postpone this ceremony indefinitely,” Charlie says with an even tone.
“Eileen,” Mom hisses. “Say something.”
Great, cold feet duty. I grunt. Well, I shouldn’t be complaining. This is a typical job for the Maid of Honor.
“Charlie,” I say slowly. “How are you feeling?”
She crosses her arms. “I woke up at five this morning to puke. How do you think I’m doing?”
Peachy?
“That’s fair,” I say. “Do you need water? A snack?”
She nods. Mom and one of her friends get her to sit down in one of the chairs the bridesmaids have been occupying while I pull out her water bottle and a granola bar from my purse.
We let her eat for a minute. Once she finishes, I kneel down in front of her.
I take a long deep breath and ask her, “Okay, how are you now?”
“Better,” she says drinking her water. “But I’m still not getting married.”
I swear, if I wasn’t looking at her, I’d guess a five year-old had spoken just about now.
Holy fuck. “Can we talk about it? Why don’t you want to get married?”
She shrugs, still eating. “It’s just so fucking stupid. Getting married because we’re having a kid together. What was I thinking?”
Finally, I think. Why couldn’t she have figured this out two fucking weeks ago.
“Let me get this straight then. We’re calling off the wedding,” I confirm, more like calling her bluff because this sounds like a last-minute temper tantrum.
Charlie shakes her head. “Just postponing it.”
What the fuck does this mean? Why does she have to pull this bullshit today of all days?
Right, because it’s Charlie.
“Charlotte, that’s—”
“Mom, please,” I snap. “Give her a minute.”
My mom fumes, but I don’t give a fuck. It’s not actually her call.
“So, you don’t want to marry Marek at all?” I ask.
“That’s not what I said,” Charlie says aggravated.
“You said we should ‘cancel indefinitely,’” I repeat her words.
“Well at least until the baby comes,” she says.
I take a deep breath. “Do you love him?”
“Yes,” she says.
“Do you want to spend the rest of your life with him?”
“Yes,” she says earnestly.
Surprising, but okay. That’s reassuring to know.
“So, what’s the problem?”
She starts crying, “All of my friends are wasted, and I can’t drink with them.”
I sigh. Okay, this is manageable. She’s just being a brat.
“Charlie, it’s one day. You can drink with them some other time, when you don’t have a baby to think about,” I say. “And wouldn’t it be nice to remember your whole wedding day, instead of how hungover you were afterward or how pretty the pictures are?”
She shrugs. “It’s not the same.”
“I get that—”
“No offense, Eileen, but what would you know about parties or having fun?”
I lean back and look at her. She seriously doesn’t know me, does she? What does she think I do with my life?
I take a deep breath. “That’s not the point, Charlie. We’re talking about you giving up on your big day. You’ve worked so hard—”
“Shut up, shut up!” She screams at me. “You’re such a fucking kill joy. You just hate me.”
I can’t believe I have to say this but— “I don’t hate you. You’re my sister. I love—”
“You’re just a bitter, heinous bitch who hates everything and wouldn’t do fucking shit for me if I were on the ground bleeding,” she says.
“Do you hear yourself?” I say, my composure breaking. “I get it, you’re stressed. It’s been a long day. If it’d make you happy, we can postpone but—”
“You’re not listening!” She shouts. “You fucking whore! I hate you.”
I swallow and cross my arms. “Then say it again. What am I not listening to?”
“This wedding is stupid, and I deserve to get drunk.” Charlie says. “Cancel it right now. Jason will just pay for the next one.”
“Okay fi—” I cut myself off.
Normally, I would just listen to her. Let it go. Move the fuck on because it doesn’t matter.
Only it does. It so fucking matters.
“No,” I say evenly. “We’re not cancelling the wedding.”
“What?” Charlie says.
“You’re going to finish that water, get up, and go get married,” I instruct her. “Everything will run smoothly from this point forward.”
Charlie goes red. “That’s not what—”
“I don’t care what you said—or think you want,” I tell her. “You know, you’ve pulled a lot of stupid stunts in your life. But this is really up there.”
“Eileen, be reasonable,” Mom says. “If she doesn’t want to get married—”
I toss my hands up in the air. Is she kidding me? It’s not okay to cancel. Does she just like to fuck with me?
“Oh no, if she didn’t want to get married, I’d support that,” I say. “Planning this wedding has been a nightmare my ungrateful family shoved on me.”
Charlie growls. “No one asked for your help!”
“Really?” I say incredulously tossing the wedding journal at her feet. “‘Eileen, use the Pinterest board. Eileen, get the roses. No, I want daisies. No, Eileen I hate daisies, what are you? A stupid bitch?’”
I find myself laughing, as a tear rolls down my cheek. “You used to be my hero, you know? I would do anything for the Charlie who would fight bullies for me and told me I could be an artist if I wanted.”
Shaking my head, I continue. “But now you’re selfish, ungrateful, and I can’t take it anymore.”
“Eileen,” my mother says in a threatening tone. “This isn’t the time—”
“It’s never the right time, Mother,” I snap. “I’m sick of making up for your neglection toward Charlie and making me pay for it.”
I dust off my dress. I sigh as Charlie glares at me. Her lip starts to wobble as if that’s going to assuage my anger.
“If you hate me, I have no problem with never seeing you again after today,” I say simply. “But Jason, myself, and a shit ton of your friends and family bent over backward to make today happen for you. Something our mother didn’t even offer to help with.”
“And it had to be today of all days.” I snort.
I look between my sister and mother. Charlie starts sobbing quietly while my mother has the decency to blush. I didn’t expect her to remember. As angry as I am, I really pity them.
“You ruined my graduation day,” I say firmly. “You stole my fucking birthday. You’re not allowed to ruin this beautiful wedding. So get over your stupid bullshit. You can have a belated bachelorette party next year. I’m sure Marek would love that.”
“Sweetheart,” my mom says, trying to reach out to me.
I wave her off. “I don’t care.”
I offer Charlie a hand. Hesitantly, she takes it.
“Come on, Charlie,” I say with a sad smirk. “Let’s get you hitched.”