Something New

Mimi grew impatient, standing in front of the mirror. "Jen."

Her friend had gone back to reading her notes and mouthing the words.

"You aren't going to have to speak in front of people at all if my dress never gets zipped."

"Oh crap, sorry." Jen stepped up behind her and slid the zipper upward. Martha and her mother had given them a little privacy. Jen lifted a curl that had been trapped under the fabric, freeing it to bounce against her back. "Your dress is a confection. It's so pretty on you."

Mimi adjusted the neckline. "You think it's alright."

"It is the prettiest thing I have ever seen. It suits you more than that giant white cake like monstrosity you wore the first time."

Mimi grimaced. "My ex insisted on shopping with me." She swayed back and forth, enjoying how the skirt moved. "His mother wore the same kind of dress when she got married."

"Did you feel pretty that day?"

"I felt like a parade float."

Jen adjusted one of the blooms in her hair. "And today?"

"I feel pretty."

"You are beautiful."

She heard the stomp of her dad's boots in the hall. "Mimi?"

"Yes, Pa."

"Your Ma sent me to bring you your flowers. Time is getting close. The band is here."

"There is going to be music?"

"Punkin, you are getting married, and I don't plan on doing this again. We gotta at least make an afternoon of this. Your fellow agrees with me. Can I come in? Are you presentable?"

Jen fumbled with her phone, pretty in a cornflower blue, tea length dress. She whispered, "I want to get a first look picture."

The door opened and her father's sun-worn face appeared. When he saw her, his mouth dropped open. Mimi spun and gave him a twirl like she had when she was little.

He shut his mouth and pressed his hand to his heart, crushing a few of the daffodils into his chest.

Mimi asked, "Do you like it?"

His eyes were shiny. Speechless, he nodded.

Jen sighed and lowered her phone. "That is exactly how I want my dad to look at me on my wedding day."

With a sniffle, her father thrust the flowers toward her. "You are right pretty."

Slipping around his outstretched arm, Mimi wound her arms around the tough old bear. She hugged him tight until his arms circled around her. He grumbled, "Don't you start crying. I don't want this thing to run late."

Rising up on her toes, she kissed his leathery cheek. "Thank you for all of this."

He nodded as she stepped back and pushed the flowers into her hands. "Don't y'all be taking too long." He took one last look at her and brushed the back of his worn hand against his cheek. "We're getting this thing started in fifteen."

As the door shut, Jen scrolled through the pictures she had taken. "I love your dad."

"Me too." Mimi stepped into her strappy heals and checked to make sure that everything was in place. Lightly settling her fingertips over the handkerchief hidden in her bodice, she said, "Jen, will you go make sure Adam isn't in the house?" She smiled at her best friend. "You heard the man. Let's get this show on the road."

***

Standing in the spring sun, a breeze came up through the garden, perfuming the air with the scent of herbs and recently turned soil. Mimi held her father's arm in a death grip as they waited for the music to start. She hadn't considered the soft ground when she chose the strappy golden heals. To keep from sinking, she kept her weight forward on her toes.

Her father's hair was slicked back, and he had changed into church clothes in the ten minutes since she'd last seen him. Holding on to his steel cable of an arm, Mimi was pretty sure he was the only reason she hadn't fallen.

When the music started, he whispered to her, "You sure, punkin? Last chance to change your mind. We can run for it if you kick off those heals. That license can be annulled."

After a calming breath, she said, "I'm sure. Adam and I are doing this."

He stepped her forward, and they came around the side of the house. There were so many people. Marge and her wife were familiar, but it looked like Adam's whole damn team had shown up, along with her crew from the rescue. By the grill, two men remained focused on their task, busy in their aprons, trying to be quiet with their tongs. Jen was ahead of them, standing behind Adam. Handsome in his suit, he dampened his lips when he saw her and the way he looked at her made her shiver. Keeping her eyes on him, she ignored Noah quivering next to him, barely containing his enthusiasm.

Underfoot, they crushed crimson camelia blooms with every step. Sarah tossed them on the winter dry grass as she walked ahead of them. Mimi could hardly breathe. What was she doing? Half way up the make shift isle, her father whispered, "Last chance." In response, she squeezed his arm and continued forward until they reached the make shift alter under the sheltering pecan trees that shaded the back of the house.

Eyes on Adam, she ducked her head as her father pressed a kiss to her forehead. Jen's voice was buzzing bees, and she couldn't make out what she was saying. Mimi froze until Adam extended his hand and she reached for it like he was offering a life preserver. They were in this together, whatever this was. When she looked up into his handsome face, he mouthed the word, "Wow."

Stunned by the smile he gave her, she didn't respond to Jen's prompts. The third time, Mimi heard her and nodded. Did she mean it this time, to love this man forever? To be his. Her throat felt tight. She might, and that terrified her.

Focused on his mouth as he made his vows, her inner fool, the little romantic wished his words were a real promise to love and honor her. The part of her she'd buried under the dirt of her failed marriage ached with longing. Would it be so bad to pretend that when he said "I do," he meant it? With the way he was looking at her, she could fool herself.

When he drew a glittering sapphire engagement ring out of his pocket, she gulped. His grandmother's wedding band already encircled her finger, placed there at the courthouse. She had no ring for him. Mouth filling with ash, she listened to Adam say the words as he slid the beautiful ring onto her finger with a promise. Maybe that would always be their way, doing things backward. He sounded confident and certain. With almost no wetness in her mouth, she said, "I do."

Jen extended her hand, revealing a simple gold band in the center of her palm. It was the twin to the one Mimi wore. Adam smiled. "It's the wedding band my grandfather wore. I didn't think the rings should be separated."

A fat tear rolled down Mimi's cheek. These rings had united two people for a lifetime. Her promises were barely audible. Mimi's hand trembled as she slid the ring onto Adam's finger. It fit as if it was made for him.

He reached up and touched her tear with a fingertip. "Don't mess up your makeup, Mrs. Sanders."

As Jen pronounced them married, he bent down and kissed her with such tenderness that her heart ached and for a few heartbeats, it all felt real. They were two people in love, starting their life together.

***

Kids were everywhere, and Noah was doing his best to be a proper host, showing off the farm and the baby lambs. Mimi kicked off her shoes and stood barefoot on the warm ground. She was meeting so many people. Congratulations came in happy waves. Everyone wanted to talk to them. Carl's wife was a happy surprise, tall and shy. Mimi had never met her in person. Her parents stood arm and arm talking to Marge and her wife. Someone had let the dog out of the house and the terrier was weaving in and out of guests with a wagging tail. When Adam sidled up to her, his tie loosened and the sleeves of his crisp white shirt rolled up, he held a plate of food and two beers.

"I think you need this." He handed her a cold bottle. With his pinkie, he pointed out an empty table. "I say we claim those seats and sit down for a minute."

With a sigh, she sank into the folding chair. "What a day."

"It's been perfect." He clinked his bottle against hers.

"That chicken smells amazing."

She reached out to tear off a piece of meat and he teasingly drew the plate back. Adam said, "Get your own."

She started to get up, and he sat her back down with a firm hand on her thigh.

"You can have all you want, but wet wipes first." From his folded napkin, he handed her a wet nap square. "Due to our company cookouts, my guys have become pros." He pushed the plate back between them. As she wiped her hands, he looked down at her dress and undid his tie. Adam began unbuttoning his shirt.

Mimi tried to pull the sides of his shirt back together. "What are you doing?"

"Making sure you can safely try one of Jim's ribs."

The removal of his dress shirt left him in a white t-shirt and dress pants. When he offered her one of the armholes, she let him dress her like she was a little kid. Buttoning the shirt to protect her dress, he said, "Perfect." With a big grin, he handed her a plastic fork. "Have at it. The dry rub is my recipe."

Accepting the fork with a shy grin, she shifted her knees closer to his.

The wind ruffled his hair and the afternoon sunshine lit the curve of his square jaw. Her husband said, "Make sure you save room for the lemon squares."

"And cake."

"I'm eating all the cake. You only get lemon squares." Wiping his fingers with a cleansing cloth, he bumped her thigh with his own. Her first bite of the tender chicken was transcendent. Wings spread wide, a hawk sailed through the blue sky above them as someone began to tune a guitar.

***

When Adam pulled her up to dance, she followed him barefoot through the grass. They joined the people who had gathered before the makeshift band. The twins had set up a stage by laying a few pieces of plywood on the soft spring earth.

Adam leaned down to whisper, "Are your brothers going to sing?"

"Lord save us from that." Mimi beamed up at him. "Ma might though, or maybe one of your guys? The boys can play... it's just the singing that gets regrettable." Noah was the first to dance as music filled the backyard.

The day had warmed and every face around her was lit with golden sunshine as couples joined the dancing. Surprisingly agile for a big guy, Adam spun her around in dizzying circles. Her hair had done its best to escape her mother's careful attentions, and fell loose around her shoulders. As she lifted her skirts above her ankles, flowers fell from her bouncing curls like she was a cherry tree. Were weddings supposed to be this fun?

When a slower song started, Adam drew her close, and she looped her arms around him. Resting her cheek against his shoulder, a happy sigh left her parted lips. He whispered against the shell of her ear, "Our bodies fit together nicely, every way we put them together." Playfully, she gave his side a pinch. In response, he lifted her from the ground until her feet dangled, toes just brushing the tips of the grass as he swayed her back and forth. When he eased her back down to earth at the end of the song, laughter bubbled up from a deep part of her soul. Was it too early to sneak away?

Before she could suggest flight, her father stepped toward them and offered her his hand. "I believe I'm owed a dance." She beamed up at her new husband. There was time.

Hand rough and calloused in hers, her father's worn face shone with pride and Mimi's heart swelled. "Thank you Pa. This day has been magical."

"I had a bit of help in that department." He placed one of her hands on his shoulder, and stepped her side to side, dancing like they had when she was a little girl. The memory of her standing on his feet echoed through the moment. Underneath his crusty reserve, beat the heart of a teddy bear.

"I've never seen you look more happy." Glancing toward Adam, who was dancing with his baby sister, he added, "Or beautiful."

"Thank you, Pa. Adam is a good man."

The old man snorted and shifted his grip on her hand. "He better be, pumpkin. You have a few brothers who could sort him out if necessary."

"And why didn't that kick in with the last husband?"

With his dimple briefly showing as he smiled, he said, "Who is to say it didn't?"

She opened her mouth to ask, and he shook his head.

"Not a topic for today. Focus on the husband you've got right now."

When Noah moved himself into place behind their dad, Mimi's grin widened as her little brother tapped on her father's back.