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Allie’s hair was pinned back into an elegant chignon. Tear drop pearl earrings (a gift from Tom) made up the something new. Buela’s dress, which looked as if it was made for Allie (which it kind of was, with Lauren’s additions) made up the something old. Beneath it all, Allie wore a delicate ice blue bra and panty set (ensuring that only Tom would ever see the something blue!).
“Is it weird that you’re getting something borrowed from your future husband’s ex?” Lauren asked, handing Allie a small lace handkerchief that had belonged to her grandmother.
“As long as the something borrowed isn’t Tom, since I plan to hold onto him permanently.”
All three women laughed.
Mimi stilled. Something in the air suddenly felt different, making her turn around. Zeke stood in the doorway. He looked breathtakingly handsome in his black tuxedo. “Ready?” he said to Allie.
Allie smiled as she picked up her bouquet and looped her arm inside her brother’s. “Ready if you are.”
The ceremony went by quickly. As the matron of honor, it was Mimi’s job to keep track of Allie’s flowers and help her with her dress as needed.
Adding to today’s festive atmosphere, Sam and Janet and Jeremy had come to the wedding and everyone seemed pleased (including Zeke). He and Sam had stayed up the night of Claire’s graduation party talking until almost three in the morning. Zeke had come to bed that night, exhausted, but quietly at peace. When she’d asked him if he wanted to talk about it, he’d smiled and said, “Maybe later.” It was something Mimi planned to hold him to.
Claire and Cameron took turns fighting for their new “Uncle” Jeremy’s attention. Janet seemed overwhelmed by it all, and Sam…well, he might not have been the one to walk Allie down the aisle, but his eyes shone with all the pride of any father’s. Mimi hoped and prayed that the relationship between him and his adult children, so fragile right now, would strengthen and grow.
The photographer took
forever with the pictures, and it was finally time to hit the reception hall, where it seemed like half the town was already waiting for them.
The DJ introduced the new couple, who immediately went into their first dance. Ironically, or not (since it was, after all, America’s number one song for newly married couples), he played Billy Brenton’s Better Me.
After about a minute, the DJ invited everyone else to join Allie and Tom.
“Want to dance?” Zeke asked. Without waiting for an answer he took Mimi by the hand and led her to the dance floor.
“You know, I think we’ve already danced to this,” she teased.
“Have we?” He twirled her around.
“Yeah, we’ve definitely done this before,” she said cryptically.
Zeke looked at her strangely.
“So, you know how you wanted me to go see Doc Morrison?”
He stopped dancing. “Are you all right?” he asked, his face etched with concern. “Is it an ulcer?”
“Nope. Not an ulcer.”
“Okay, good.” They started dancing again.
“The rabbit died.”
Zeke blinked. Then he laughed. “Isn’t that a euphemism for…” His dark eyes went straight to her stomach.
“Yep. I’m pregnant.”
“Pregnant?” Zeke said loud enough for everyone within a mile radius to hear. They stopped dancing again. “How did that happen?”
Everyone turned to stare at them, including the newlywed couple.
“The usual way, I suspect.”
“You’re pregnant?” Allie mouthed.
Mimi nodded. Allie gave her a big thumbs up and Tom grinned like a madman. Mimi guessed that Zeke would be in for some good old fashioned ribbing later on tonight.
