Chapter 226 Perfect Timing
“Are you crazy? You want to get married tomorrow?” Karen asked, her eyes bulging out of her head. “After all of the work we’ve put in to planning this wedding. And what about Lanshia? She’s so excited about making your dress….”
“Mom, Mom, calm down, please,” Andrea said, going back over what she’d said in her mind. Hadn’t she told her mom they were still going to have their big wedding next December? Hadn’t she said everything she could think of to try and prepare her for what she was about to say without blowing her top? “We will still do that.”
“We’re still going to have the big wedding,” Case said with a reassuring smile. “This is just… for us.”
Karen seemed to hear it better the second time, when Case said it. “What about your family?” she asked, her eyes withdrawing back into her head a little.
Case shrugged. “I wouldn’t mind if my sister was there, but I don’t really need anyone else to come. Since she won’t be able to make it in time, it’ll be just Andrea’s family. That’s fine with me.”
“My family is your family,” Andrea said, taking his hand. “Mom, do you think you could ask Brother Eric to come over and perform the ceremony? Whatever time he’s available tomorrow?”
“On Christmas Day?” Karen asked, looking at Tim, who wasn’t at all about to get into the middle of the conversation.
“We’ll make a sizable donation to the church and to the charity of his choice,” Andrea assured her.
“Gosh, it seems like a lot to ask.”
“Hello, Eric? Jack Testa here. Gotta quick favor to ask.” Andrea looked around her mother to see that Grandpa Jack had his Jitterbug phone out and was already on it, making the phone call to the local preacher to ask him to do the ceremony.
“What will you wear?” Karen asked her daughter.
“Well, what about the dress you wore when you married Tim?” Andrea asked. “Isn’t it in your closet?”
“Yes, but it’s not white. I had two kids when I married Tim. I wasn’t about to be a accused of claiming to be something I wasn’t.”
Stifling a laugh, Andrea said, “That’s okay. It’s still fairly formal. More so than anything else I have with me. It’s light blue. Close enough.”
“It’ll likely be too big.” Karen had her hands on her hips now, shaking her head.
“I doubt it. Not too big.”
“You were a lot skinnier when we got married,” Tim said innocently. Karen smacked him in the arm, and then he realized what he’d said. “Not that you’re not skinny now!”
Andrea had to put her hand over her mouth. “I’ll ask Leslie to sing something. She can stand next to me. Grandpa can give me away…. I’ll just need some flowers. We can use my engagement ring and run out and pick up a band for Case since we haven’t picked out his wedding ring yet.”
“Who will stand next to Case?” Karen asked.
“Well, Charlie was meant to be my best man. It’s okay—I don’t really need anyone to stand next to me.”
Andrea could see he looked a little sad making the comment, but then the front door opened, and everyone turned to see Leslie coming in, “Merry Christmas!” Andrea’s sister shouted, and everyone headed over to welcome her.
But she wasn’t alone, and their problem was solved. “Hope you don’t mind, but I brought someone.”
“Merry Christmas!” Charlie said, following her in.
“See—it’s a sign! It’s meant to be!” Andrea said, laughing and giving him a hug.
Confused, Charlie said, “What do you mean?”
“We’ll explain everything as soon as Mom agrees,” Andrea replied as she moved aside so that Case could hug his best friend.
“Yes, yes, okay! Let’s do it!” Karen said with a no. “Let’s get married!”
“What’s that now?” Charlie asked her. “Leslie and I are just givin’ things another go. We ain’t got that far yet.”
Laughing, Andrea said, “No, Case and I are going to get married. Tomorrow. We were just talking about how Leslie could stand up with me, but there was no one to stand by Case, and then you walked in.”
“Tomorrow? On Christmas Day? Why?” Leslie asked, brushing her hair back behind her ear.
“We’re still going to do our big wedding next year. This one is just because we are ready to get married now. We don’t want to wait that long to be man and wife.” Andrea gave her sister the quick explanation, feeling like that would be enough for her.
“Cool,” Leslie said with a smile. “I’m in. Do I still get to sing?”
“Yep. Whatever you want,” Case said.
“Great. I’ve got just the song.” Leslie winked at them, and Andrea couldn’t help but smile at her sister’s secrecy. Whatever it was, she was sure it would be perfect.
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