Facing Redemption (36 page)

“Aww.  You can’t blame a girl for trying.”  Chastity laughed. 

“I saw him earlier.”  Anne sang while finishing up her makeup.  Chastity just rolled her eyes.  “He looked gorgeous!”

It was then that all the girls heard the screeching from the parking lot. 

“What the?”  Kimmy said.  She peeked out the window, which had a perfect view to the front of the church.  “Oh - nice driving.” She stated.

“What’s going on?”  Anne peeked around Kimmy’s head.  Anne saw Opal taking off, like she was running from the law.  “Oh it’s nothing.”  Anne lied and smiled at Chastity.  “Probably just one of Timothy’s cousins.”

Anne gave Kimmy a warning stare, and smiled at Chastity.  “Kimmy,” Anne whispered.  “Get a few more pictures of Chaz.  Whatever you do…keep her busy for a few more minutes.” 

Kimmy nodded and pulled out her camera, while Anne walked as casually as she could to Cheryl. 

“You better go check in with Curtis.  That was his van speeding out of the church parking lot.  That can’t be good.”  Anne whispered in Cheryl’s ear.

“Hey, what are you guys whispering about over there?” Chastity teased, before posing for another picture with her bouquet.

Cheryl smiled in return.  “You don’t need to know everything.  You just stand there and look pretty.  Let us do all the rest.”  Cheryl’s eyes darted back to Anne.  “Okay.”  She whispered.  “I was supposed to give Chaz her something borrowed and something blue.  Will you do it for me while I go take care of this?”

Anne nodded and held out her hands.  “Yes ma’am.” 

Cheryl gently pulled out a soft silver and purple scarf.  “This matches her wedding colors and I thought she could borrow it to wrap around the stems of her floral bouquet.  And this …” Cheryl paused and sighed, “… is her mom’s.” 

Cheryl pulled a pendant necklace from a pocket in her purse.  “It will look beautiful with the neckline she has.  I know she bought jewelry to go with her dress but I thought she’d need something old of her mom’s today.”

Anne’s eyes watered up, and she shook her head.  “No.”  She pushed the items back at Cheryl.  “You should do the honors for this one.  This is too personal and it would mean more coming from you.”

Whitney popped in with a short knock at the door.  “Knock knock – it’s just me.  I’m here to let you know that guests are filling the atrium and I’m almost out of room in the guest book.  This is so exciting!”  Whitney left as fast as she came.

Everyone laughed.  The nervous energy in the room just doubled.  Cheryl looked to Anne and nodded. 

“Okay. Hand them back over and get out there. You need to go get the rings anyway.”

“Ugh.  I’ve been trying to avoid Guy like the plague.”  Anne groaned.  “I’ll be back and fill you in.”

“Good luck.  He’s awfully full of himself.”  Cheryl laughed. 

Anne turned before leaving to take it all in.  Her best friend was getting married, and she couldn’t be happier.  She watched the intimate moment between two friends as they exchanged emotions and gifts.  She watched Chastity as she reached for a tissue, when Cheryl slid the pendant necklace around her long neck. It was the most bittersweet moment she’d witnessed in her life.  The necklace was a clear reminder of the mom Chastity lost, but of a love she never would.  She was glad Kimmy was there to document it all, because these were moments to be treasured. 

Chapter 51

             
In the interest of time, Guy was trying to pin on his boutonniere himself.  The purple rose didn’t look so scary.  After all he was a doctor, and had been told he was very good with his hands.  Guy chuckled to himself, until he felt a searing pain in the center of his thumb. 

             
“Yeeeouch!”  He yelled and stuck it in his mouth for safety. 

             
“Guy!  Are you kidding me?”  Timothy laughed.  “You’re sucking your thumb?”

             
Landon snickered in response and Timothy shot him a warning glare.  Both boys sat up a little straighter in their chairs, and diverted their eyes. 

             
“Sorry Tim.”  Chase mumbled.

             
“Were you guys serious about helping out today?”  Timothy stared them down and both stood up.

             
“Yes sir.”  They said in unison.  Guy looked up to Timothy under his eyebrows with a look that only Timothy would understand.  Guy was impressed.

             
“Okay. Go tell Curtis to get in here and then I want to see you two as professional as you can be.  When you leave here, don’t come back.  Go stand at your stations and seat the guests.  They’ll be arriving soon.”

             
Both boys walked with purpose.  Landon hesitated before opening the door.  He turned around and walked back to pull Timothy in a quick embrace.

             
“Good luck today.”  Landon said quickly and then ran out to join his brother.

             
Guy busted out laughing after the door shut. “Man, what did your police buddy do to them last night?”

             
“Apparently they got shoved in a holding cell with some interesting characters.”

             
Scott and Guy laughed in response.

Curtis stuck his head in.  “The boys said you needed to see me. Everything okay?  We’ve got 40 minutes to countdown. Oh my goodness!  What have you done?”  Curtis flew across the room and began brushing Guy’s chest off, which sent Timothy into more giggles. Guy was not amused.

“What?  What’s wrong with my…” Guy stopped when he saw the blood on the front of his white shirt.  “Oh man. Timothy, I’m so sorry.  The straight pin went dead center into my thumb.”

“If this isn’t the day of all days!” Curtis exclaimed.  “I am officially naming this my ‘Murphy’s Law’ wedding!  If it can happen, it will!”  Curtis tapped his earpiece.  “Yes, it’s me.”  He spewed into his headset.  “Get in here with club soda and a hair dryer…stat!”

Guy leaned back and looked down at Curtis with a bit more respect.  “You really are a miracle worker.  I would have just tried water.”

Curtis gasped. “Oh thank goodness I came in when I did.  This is fire number five today.  Sheesh!”

Timothy sat down to put on his shoes and tied them up tight. “Hey Curtis.  Is there anything I can do?  What’s going on?”

“Oh well where do I start?  The limo company went out of business, the caterer’s dad died today and she won’t be here but her part-time high school help will be.”  Curtis’ voice was getting louder by the sentence.  “The bakery is missing in action with the cake, and guests are arriving.  I have a pregnant, sick bridesmaid lying down in the pastor’s office.  And as it stands I have no transportation for you and your bride to leave the church!”  Curtis finally took a breath.

Guy and Scott looked at him in shock and then started to laugh.

“This is not a laughing matter.”  Curtis yelled, and then brought his voice down a couple of octaves.  “I am a professional and I will get us out of this!  Chastity will have her dream day and she will be as ignorant as I can make her of any of this.”

“We’re not laughing at you, man.” Scott promised through the last of his laughter.  “We just can’t believe the hits.  They just keep coming.  It’s like the wedding from he…”

“Bite your tongue!”  Curtis barked at Scott.

Just then the men heard someone knocking.  Anne slowly opened the door and stepped in backwards.

“Everyone better be decent, because I can hear Curtis in there and I need him now.”  Anne slowly turned around and smiled. In her hands were a bottle of spritzer and a hair dryer. “One of your staff gave this to me as I was coming down the hall to see you.”  Anne offered them to Curtis.  “I assume they’re for you?”

“And I was hoping you were coming for me.”  Guy pretended to look disappointed. 

Anne rolled her eyes in disgust.  “Not likely.  So who punched you in the nose?”

“Huh?” Guy asked
           
“Someone finally got smart and punched you in the nose?  There’s blood on your
shirt. Never mind.”  She abruptly turned her attention to Curtis and turned her back on Guy.  “Hey I saw Opal tearing out of the parking lot.  Everything okay?”

“No!  That’s what I was just going over with the groom, but we’ve got it handled. I promise. Thanks for these.”  He took the dryer and can of soda from Anne.

“Can I do anything to help?”  Anne asked unsure.  She heard Guy clear his throat behind her and ignored him.

Curtis leaned forward and whispered.  “You better get out of here before he eats you alive.  He looks like he doesn’t get no for an answer very often.”

“I need Timothy’s ring and I’ve got Chastity’s to give you for…” Anne paused, not wanting to say his name. “Guy.” 

Guy walked around to face Anne.  “Here. Take it.  I won’t bite.”  Anne exchanged rings with him and left without words.

“Timothy, she’s a piece of work.  How do I crack that tough shell?” Guy asked, before sitting down next to him.  Scott gave Timothy a look that left little to interpretation. 

“I’m going to get some air.”  Scott turned to leave, but turned to Guy before leaving.  “You know – is it that hard to accept she’s not into you?  I mean come on.  You’re laying it on a bit thick, aren’t you?” 

“Well at least I’m not afraid to go after someone I want.”  Guy sneered.  Scott rushed across the room, with the clear intent to do more damage to Guy than the straight pin did earlier.

Curtis jumped to get out of the way.  “Don’t get any more blood on his shirt.”

Timothy jumped up for interference. “Guys!  Come on!  This is my wedding day!  Pull it together!”  He held them both at arm’s length.  “Scott.”  He looked from one friend to the other. “Guy!”  Both men took a step back.

Timothy sighed.  “I don’t expect you all to like each other.  You’re both very different.  It’s obvious you rub each other the wrong way.  However I do expect you to chill and out of respect for me, get over yourselves!”  Timothy looked to Guy.  “And you … leave it alone. She’s been hurt badly and she doesn’t need you messing with her.”  Timothy sternly said.

Guy put up his hands in defense.  “If you say so.”

“I say so.”  Timothy looked up to Curtis, who was reading a text on his phone.

“Curtis – everything okay?”

             
“We found the cake and it’s being re-routed to the church’s kitchen as we speak.”
             
“I’m sorry T.”  Scott offered.  Timothy clasped him on the shoulder. 

“Scott, I understand.  Believe me.”  Timothy reassured his friend.  “Hey Curtis? You said there’s no limo to take us to the airport, so why don’t we use my car?  Chastity and I don’t have to ride in a limo. Just get our luggage in the trunk and I’ll park it at the airport while we’re on vacation.”  Timothy got his car keys and handed them to Curtis. 

             
“Thanks Tim.  I have some calls into a couple other companies for a limo or a town car.”  Curtis offered.  “So we may not have to use yours.”

             
“This is a sure back-up plan in case you can’t find one.  Don’t worry. We’ll be okay.”  Timothy smiled and patted Curtis on the back.  “I’m not so sure about Guy’s thumb or ego, but the rest of us will be just fine.”

             
“I’m sorry Timothy.”  Guy mumbled.  “You were right.  I was being an ass.  Scott?”  Guy looked across the room.

             
“Don’t mention it.”  Scott gave him a look of acceptance.

             
Curtis smiled.  “See, this is progress…everything will be fine.  No more bloodshed.  The cake is on the way.  The food will be served professionally by high schoolers, and nothing else can stop this day!  Now, let me take care of that blood Guy.  Take your shirt off please.”

             
Guy’s eyes went wide.  Timothy and Scott broke out in laughter.

             
“You!” Curtis paused and pointed to Scott, who shrunk a little behind Timothy.

             
“Is it wrong that I’m a bit afraid of him?” Scott whispered to Timothy.

             
“You heard me.  YOU…go check on my sick bridesmaid in the pastor’s office.  Since you’re the more sensible of the groomsmen, get her on her feet since all this one wants to do is get them off their feet.”  Curtis poked Guy in the chest.  “Now I need that shirt stat!”

             
“I’m outta here.  You’re on your own.” Scott whispered to Guy when he left the room. 

             
Guy, a bit scared himself, sat down and gave over his shirt.  Curtis poured the club soda and worked his magic.  “There!  Good as new! Now plug in that dryer and get crackin’!  We have a wedding in 30 minutes!  I won’t be late!”