Chapter 49 #2
Downtown was only a few blocks long, but the brick building with the courthouse looked stately, with two columns under the May sky.
It was just before noon when we parked and unloaded.
Kipp might have thought he was going to get one by us, but he didn’t know that Hats had let us all in on their plans.
Mattie had already spoken with the clerk and gotten a spot for all of us to hide until they arrived.
“I’ve got my two best girls. Now remember, Oppie, we’ve got to be ninjas. Stealthy.” Opal took our hands, swinging off them like she was a monkey taking little hops as we went.
“What’s sfealthy mean?” she struggled around the word. Rhodes had her in the cutest little gingham dress, but her Mary Jane shoes looked like they already had dirt on them. I’d bet that while I was at the shop, she had been outside with her fairy houses chasing Cheese.
“Quiet.” He held his finger to his lips. “It’s a surprise, remember?”
“Ninjas. Sfealthy. Like pandas?”
She screwed up her nose as we skirted around the edge of the building to the back entrance.
“I’m not sure they’re very stealthy.” Rhodes chuckled.
“They’re like ninjas. They’ve got masks, Daddy. Like the movie.” She released his hand and made kung fu motions.
“Ohhh. You’re right. Exactly like that. Let’s practice.” He gave me a wink, and I held back a little chuckle. Somehow, I didn’t think we needed to be that quiet.
Maggie was waiting for us down one of the hallways and motioned us forward, tucking Opal against her as they giggled together in the excitement of hiding.
We all crammed together as the rest of the Holts showed up, East and Lila sneaking around the corner first. The area wasn’t that big, so Rhodes had pulled me close against him, his hand splayed over my stomach, and his breath warm against my hair.
It was easy to relax against him even as we squashed into the space and Chloe jabbed Wade in the ribs.
“Tell me when you see them. I want to give Hattie her flowers.” I waved them at Phiny.
“I will. Be quiet,” Phiny snapped back.
Everyone snickered nervously, and just when I was wondering if I’d have to sneak out to pee, I caught sight of Hattie’s waterfall of blonde hair next to my brother’s broad shoulders.
The alcove we were crammed in happened to be just off to the side of the corridor they’d pass by to the judges’ chambers.
“Uncle Kippers!” Opal darted between us with an alacrity that might be alarming if it weren’t so funny as we all gasped. “Aunt Hattie!”
Apparently, our stealth move was up as Kipp and Hattie turned to meet the crowd. Kipp swept Opal up in a hug, complimenting her dress. “Look who we found. What a surprise.” He didn’t look surprised at all, and I wondered if he’d known all along.
“We’re here to see you get married. Daddy says I have to be quiet, but I was quiet enough.” Opal huffed as if we’d asked for a miracle.
“We’re so glad you came,” Hattie sidearmed me. “Those are perfect, Sage.” Thank you so much. Her lip wobbled a little as she took the bouquet I made for her.
She looked beautiful in her simple white sundress, but it was the love in her eyes as she looked at my brother that was worth a million dollars.
Kipp clasped her hands tightly while they recited their vows in front of old Judge McGinty, as if she were the only person in the universe who meant it would keep turning.
His usual laid-back grin had softened into something reverent as he leaned in and whispered something just for her, making her tilt her head back and laugh.
Finally, Judge McGinty cleared his throat and droned in that official voice, “Do you, Kipp Holt, take Josephine Harriet Harper to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
Kipp’s throat bobbed. His voice was thick with emotion as he answered. “I do.”
Rhodes’ hand squeezed mine, and I wondered what he was thinking right now.
His marriage had gone so wrong before, but it had started for the wrong reasons.
Did he think the institution was a complete disaster?
Catherine hadn’t shown back up again, but we knew she was still close by.
Rhodes said she was living over in Alder Creek.
I was hopeful that she’d leave us alone, but I also knew that together we could handle whatever mess she stirred up.
Unlike my previous relationship, this one was built on a solid foundation.
No ex-wife was going to mess it up, especially her.
I slanted a look his way and then made myself look away.
Judge McGinty’s crinkly eyes smiled fondly at Kipp and Hattie for a second before he continued, “Let’s get to the next part then. Hattie? Do you take Kipp Holt to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”
Hattie nodded. “Yes. I absolutely do.” Her smile was absolutely radiant as they each slid bands onto the other’s finger.
“Now, by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
We all whooped and hollered as Hattie jumped forward, looping her arms around his neck before Kipp cupped her face, sealing the promise.
“Go on. Get going and celebrate,” Judge McGinty made shooing motions. “I don’t need you young people crowding me. Sign your certificate and be gone.”
I sniffed back a tear while I watched them place their signatures on the marriage certificate. It was official. I had another sister.
We might have been a little noisy leaving the courthouse, but I doubted it could be helped.
Opal led the charge with her little fists pumping the air while she tossed the small handfuls of biodegradable confetti she’d been handed.
The small bits of colored paper fluttered around Kipp and Hattie as they came down the steps like rainbow snow.
“You guys. This was a wonderful surprise. How did you even know?” Kipp winked at me, which solidified my theory that he’d been told we were crashing his little ceremony.
“Hattie might have cracked,” Maggie hinted, sniffing into a Kleenex. “She knew we’d want to be here.”
East slapped Kipp on the back with enough force to make him stumble a step. “Congrats. Seriously? The courthouse. Geez.” He gave a mock eye roll, as if he and Lila hadn’t snuck off on their own to get married. “Lazy.”
“Couldn’t wait, and we’ve got a bun in the oven.” Hattie smiled smugly. “I had to lock your brother down before he got away.”
Lila pulled Hattie into an embrace. “You look beautiful. Welcome to the family. Glad you locked that down.”
Rhodes took a step back and snapped a few photos before Maggie started fussing and dabbing at her tears. “Group photo,” she called.
Dutifully, we all crammed together, our arms slung over each other and our faces pressed close.
East’s grin was wide with Lila tucked under his arm, her eyes sparkling.
Kipp and Hattie were in the middle, with confetti in their hair and Hattie’s eyes full of tears.
Phiny made faces at Wade while Chloe held Opal.
Rhodes had pulled me back against him. Being so tall was an advantage here.
We wrangled a passerby to snap a few photos while we threw more confetti, until it drifted in the air.
It was messy and chaotic. A true representation of family.
“Well, that’s done. All married.” Hattie held up her hand, as if that had settled it.
“Why don’t you come on over to the house for some barbecue? We may have ordered some, and Lila and Phiny have a cake. You guys can dip out whenever you want. Purely a casual celebration,” Rhodes offered. It sounded spur-of-the-moment, but we’d planned it all.
“That sounds amazing. We’ll be there.” Hattie clasped Kipp’s hand in hers, her eyes shining. “Thanks, guys.”
When we finally said our goodbyes and Rhodes started the truck’s engine, he glanced at me with a small smile. "That was something.”
"Yeah," I agreed, leaning back in the seat. “That was.”
The unease I’d felt earlier from Cedric's weird behavior at the shop fluttered through me, but I stomped it down. I didn’t want to think about it right now.
Glancing over at Rhodes, I settled my hand on his thigh, enjoying the smile he sent me.
I knew I’d need to tell him later, but I could do that in a few hours.