Troy, Donna and Burt hustled everyone out of Winnie’s house before it was very late and Grace was able to help her mother get ready for bed.
“When we’re not in wedding mode, Lin Su will be able to settle me for the night,” Winnie said apologetically.
“I’m happy to do it, Mama.”
“I’ve had many reasons to resent this blasted condition, but I think tonight brought home to me the best reason to resent it.” She sighed. “I think you and Troy will have lots of children. I think you’ll be wonderful with them, even if you don’t have the stamina to turn them into great athletes.” She sniffed. “I hope heaven has a good window, Grace. I really want to watch them grow.”
“Oh, Mama...”
“We’re not going to snivel and drown in self-pity,” Winnie said. “Instead we’re going to get you married. You picked a good one. How you did that without my advice, I’ll never know.”
Grace laughed through sentimental tears. “It’s a wonder, isn’t it?”
“His family,” Winnie said. “Nice people. I think they like you.”
“I hope so.”
“They’re going to tell all their friends that you’re a champion,” Winnie said. “You’ll be a better mother than I was.”
“I’m not so sure about that...”
“Work on it, then. I was better than my mother, you’ll be better than I was, your daughters will be better than you. But Grace...Izzy,” she said, adding the name Grace had gone by as a girl. “Tell me one thing. I was a hard mother, I know, but did you ever doubt I loved you?”
Grace shook her head. “No. Your love was fierce.”
“Ah,” Winnie said, satisfied, settling back and letting her eyes close softly.
“A little controlling,” Grace added.
“A little?” came a voice from the bedroom doorway. Mikhail stood there watching them. He held up a DVD in a plastic sleeve. “If the Empress is ready for bed, we will watch another show together. Now the house is quiet and the little dancers have gone home to bed. I can tuck her in for you.”
“Do you feel up to it, Mama?” Grace asked.
“I’m fine, Grace. But you must be tired. I remember—that was the first thing about being a little pregnant—so tired. Go and rest. Leave any more cleanup to the baby’s father.”
Grace kissed her mother’s forehead while Mikhail settled into the comfy chair beside the bed.
Grace didn’t bother with anything in the kitchen or great room. She wasn’t too tired to think about the way things had turned out. She felt reasonably sure this ALS, with the limits it put on Winnie’s life, had softened her. Winnie had always been a difficult, stubborn woman; their relationship had been challenging. If Winnie wasn’t sick right now the chances were good that they’d be fighting over all these details—the wedding, the groom’s family, everything. That was the history they’d had—one power struggle after another with very brief periods of affection.
Now, when it was almost too late, Winnie was becoming the kind of mother Grace had always longed for. Tolerant. Warm.
Rather than cry about it, she’d be grateful for this. It was a gift.
* * *
Winnie sat up in the bed. The television was a gray blur; the DVD had stopped playing. She looked at her phone—it was the middle of the night. It was the snoring combined with her full bladder that had roused her. She turned on the light and stretched a leg toward Mikhail’s knee, giving him a kick.
He jolted awake, startled. “Shits of the gods,” he grumbled.
“You should go to bed. You’re snoring.”
“You are sure it wasn’t you, snoring?” he said.
“The snoring had a Russian accent. Go to bed,” she said, looking at her phone.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“I call Grace when I have to get up, when I need something,” she said.
“Ach, let the girl rest. I will get what you need.”
She smirked. “The toilet?”
“I will take you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! I’m not peeing in front of you!”
“Of course not!” he barked. “I take you, you hold the bars, I leave, I close door, you sit, you make it rain, you do what you do—I suppose you don’t shake it off like a man. Then you can pull yourself up on the bars. Then what? Whistle?”
She was shocked silent for a moment. But then she smiled. “I’ll call Grace.”
“No, let the child sleep. You want I should get you some water?”
“First the bathroom,” she said, scooting to the very edge of the bed.
He stooped, put her slippers on her slender feet and pulled her up. “Lean on me,” he said. “I’m not a young man to carry you, but you can still walk ten steps. You’ll be fine, then back in the bed, yes?”
“Mikhail,” she said with a laugh. “Make it rain? Really?”
“You have trouble to understand meaning of this? I trust you know what to do.”
“I’m going to do it right here if you keep making me laugh,” she said.
“Please, no,” he said. “I am wearing the stocking feet.”
Winnie did all she could to comply, though a middle-of-the-night trip to the bathroom had never been so entertaining. She did as he suggested, holding the handicap rail beside the commode until he left. Then, adjusting her nightgown, lowered herself, made it rain—with a little laughter at the thought—and then stood. And flushed. Oh, how she wished she could whistle.
There was a little light tapping.
“Yes, come in. I’m waiting for you,” she said. “I’m going to get a whistle!”
“Shits of the gods,” he muttered. “Come, your highness,” he said, tucking her arm in his. “Is not good for your rest to have so much talking in the night. In bed you go. Come, come.”
He held the sheets back, lifted her feet to help her, took the slippers off and covered her up. Then he returned to the chair, pulled the throw over him and stretched his legs out. He crossed his arms over his chest.
“What are you doing?”
“Going again to sleep.”
“Go to bed! That’s uncomfortable!”
“Ach, is perfect. Is excellent. I never had better sleep. Stop with the talking.”
“You’ll never sleep!”
“You are correct! I will never sleep! Someone cannot shut her royal mouth! Enough!”
She looked at him for a long moment, then reluctantly turned off the light and lay down.
In the dark he said, “If I am right here, I’ll know if you’re dead,” he said.
“How will you know?” she asked.
“It will finally be quiet.”
* * *
Troy, his brother and dad, Cooper and Spencer, set up on the beach for the wedding. There were tables for the food, provided by Carrie. An arch that Iris and Ginger had covered with flowers had to be anchored. There was a stack of beach blankets that Cooper stored in the basement of the bar and a pile of canvas and aluminum beach chairs for people to use. There were a few picnic tables around, too heavy to move closer to the party but useful just the same.
The flower van was parked in the drive of Winnie’s house; the catering van would be parked on the beach as the time drew near. In addition to food and flowers, Cooper arranged for a couple of kegs and several large bottles of wine. Twenty or so people had been formally invited, another twenty-five had been informally invited, still another twenty-five would probably show up.
Troy was told to get ready downstairs in their little apartment while Grace would be on the main level with her mother. Because it was her mother’s event, too, a beautician had been called to do hair and makeup. Winnie could not have done it herself and God knew Grace couldn’t do it for her. Iris and Ginger came over early to bring flowers and help; Ginger brought the dress.
Several times during the week Grace had looked at her wedding gown, a work in progress. She’d tried it on a couple of times and been happy with it. It was so different now, less
than an hour before the vows, Grace’s hair pulled back and caught up in curls that cascaded down in back, makeup finished. She stepped into the dress, Iris closed up the many small buttons in the back, and she turned toward the mirror on the inside of the closet door.
“Oh, my God,” Winnie said in a breath. “Stunning. Beyond stunning.”
“It’s beautiful, Ginger,” Iris said. “You’re amazing.”
“Thank you,” she said a bit shyly. “It was a joy.”
“It almost looks like Pippa Middleton’s dress,” Grace said. “Oh, Ginger, I’m never going to be able to thank you properly for all you’ve done for me.”
“Well, that goes both ways,” she said. “I came to this little town to get a break, a changed perspective, and look what I found. A job I love, good friends, a new lease on life. A lot of that is made possible by you, Grace.”
“You do love that little flower shop,” she said. “You treat it like your own.”
“I love it,” she said. “If you think I could stay on awhile, I’m willing.”
“There’s a place for you as long as you want it.”
“Thank you, I’ve been very happy there. When the wedding is done and things calm down a little I might look for a small apartment or something. I should give Ray Anne her life back.” She laughed conspiratorially. “Ray Anne and Al must really have to plot to have any time alone together.”
Grace’s eyes lit up. “I know what I can do,” she said. “When the wedding is over and Troy’s family leaves, he’s giving up his apartment. There’s no point in paying rent there while we’re living here. The first thing we’re going to do is bring his big leather sectional and TV over here for our downstairs.”
“I’m going to need to find something furnished.”
Grace raised one brow. “Does it have to be large? Could a studio do the trick?”
“Sure. Of course. I hope I’ll continue to spend lots of time with Ray Anne and some of my new friends. It’s just where I hang my hat...”
“How about my loft above the store?” Grace asked. “Troy’s parents are using it while they’re in town, but soon it will be empty. I don’t have any plans for it.”
It was first shock and then her features were taken over by disbelief. “You’d let me rent it from you?”
“No, I’m afraid not, Ginger. I will only let you have it if you continue to work in the shop and it will be rent-free.”
“I couldn’t!” she protested. “That’s just too much.”
“Nonsense,” Winnie said. “What use does Grace have for it now? Well, we could store my furs there...”
“Mother!” Grace said with a laugh. She looked at Ginger. “There won’t be furs to store,” she said. “My mother was very fond of them, overly fond, but we agree there is no use for furs here. We’ll keep her warm.”
“But you’ll keep at least one to remember me by, won’t you?” Winnie asked.
“Absolutely,” Grace said. “If it will make a good rug.”
“You’re incorrigible. I spoiled you as a child and what has it gotten me?”
There was a light tapping at the door. Mikhail poked his head in. “There is time before the vows and a groom is pacing out here. Put his mind at ease, my dove. Tell him you still agree to this marriage.”
“Is he showered and dressed?” Grace asked. “Because no one touches me unless he is showered and dressed.”
“I’m showered and dressed!” Troy yelled from the other room.
“He has the nerves. Come and soothe him, pupsik. He’s making me want a drink.”
Grace walked out to the great room where she noticed that Sam and Rick were sitting patiently on the sofa while Troy appeared to be pacing. When they saw her, they jumped to their feet.
“What in the world is the matter?” she asked him. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“Me? God, no! I just want to get this done before you come to your senses!”
“Well, I was all settled until I met your family and now...” She grinned at him. “I’m thinking I could be better off with young Sam.”
Sam grinned hugely. “Awesome.”
“Don’t even joke about that,” Troy said. “He has no morals.” Then he reached for her hand. “Come with me.” They walked outside onto the deck. Below them on the beach they could see the wedding activities—Carrie’s buffet tables, the bridal arch, people beginning to gather.
She smoothed his collar; he wore the shirt she had ordered for him, a black linen Tommy Bahama beachcomber style, a stark contrast to her white. He ran a finger around the low-cut cowl neck of the wedding gown. “You’re so beautiful,” he said. He pulled a box out of his pants pocket. “Let’s see if this works.”
He opened the box to her gaze, and she sighed. It was a beautiful string of pearls. “It couldn’t be more perfect.”
“I had a little help. I asked the girls. Do you like them?”
“They’re beautiful. I feel bad, Troy—we’ve been so rushed, I haven’t gotten you a gift.”
His hand slid down over her tummy. “Oh, I think you have.”
“It’s going to be the gift that keeps on giving, too,” she said with a little laugh. She turned so he could fasten the pearls around her neck. Then he put his lips there. She leaned back against him for a moment.
“Tired, honey?” he asked, his arms circling her waist, holding her.
“When this is done, I’m going to sleep for a month.”
He turned her to face him. “Did you eat anything?”
She nodded. “I know how something like this will go. I might not get a chance to sample our own wedding food.”
“We’re going to have a nice big plate made up and I’ll sneak it into the house for later. We can have a picnic in bed.”
She laughed and touched his cheek. “Your favorite kind of picnic.”
“Luckily, the bride and groom get to sneak away. We don’t have to be the last to leave.”
“Iris and Seth are going to take the arch and van back to the flower shop and Carrie assures me there is nothing for us to help with—she’s got it covered. She has a little help. Once we go down there, we’re off duty.”
“Except for Winnie. Rick has Cooper’s little Rhino all cleaned up and parked in the garage. He’s going to be in charge of getting her up and down the hill. Lin Su is going to come to the beach for a while, then she’ll help Winnie settle in for the night. You can start your month of sleep right after you promise to love me forever.”
“I think I did that already.”
“Gracie, I didn’t think I could be this happy. Thank you. I love you.”
“Took you a while to get right with that idea, didn’t it?”
“A couple of days, maybe. You haven’t doubted me since, have you?”
She shook her head. “Not for a second. You ever doubt me?”
“No, Gracie. Not for a second.” He glanced at the beach. “In fifteen minutes the judge will be here, everyone will be ready and we can do it. Should I pull the trigger on this event?”
“Do it,” she said.
He left her on the deck and went inside. He told Rick to deliver Winnie to the beach where a comfortable chair waited for her—she insisted there would be no wheelchair at her daughter’s wedding. It wouldn’t do much good in the sand anyway. Iris got her flowers and handed a beautiful bouquet to Grace. Ginger and Mikhail got ready to make their way down all those stairs.
“Showtime,” Troy said.
* * *
Ginger wept a little when the vows were exchanged, but not because she was seized by sadness from her own past. Just the opposite. She’d never been to a wedding quite like this. It was more than a union of lovers, almost as if best friends were joining together to make a perfect family life. She was so moved by the loving exchange between Grace and Troy, by the joy shared among the guests, a tear or two escaped. And she was hardly the only one. As she glanced around she saw that many shared her sentiment. They were indeed a beautiful bride a
nd groom.
The only person who didn’t seem to be completely charmed by the casual beach wedding was Ray Anne. “I don’t go to weddings in flip-flops,” she groused. “I can’t even move in these shoes.” Quite a few of her friends and Al found humor in the fact that if Ray couldn’t dress up and wear her spike heels, it put her out of sorts. Everyone else seemed to be delighted by the circumstances. Even the bride was soon carrying her sandals in one hand, lifting her gown with the other. But Ginger noticed that before long Al was carrying Ray Anne across the beach to the stairs to Cooper’s bar where his truck was parked.
Ginger enjoyed the goings-on. Children ran and played and there were lots of children—Troy’s nieces and nephew and tons of local kids whose parents were at the wedding. People gathered around the few picnic tables, on beach chairs, enjoying an endless supply of drinks and delicious finger foods. She had on a strappy sundress she’d found in her closet from years ago, something she hadn’t fit into in a long time but had always loved. It was flattering with a jagged hem that fell in an asymmetrical pattern below her knees, like many overlying scarves. The straps crisscrossed in the back. It was an emerald color that really brought out her green eyes. And the late-afternoon sun and breeze gave her a rosy glow. She started out in sandals but in no time she was barefoot like so many others.
She enjoyed the party, brief though it was. Sam flirted with her. Well, Sam flirted with everyone and a couple of hours into the reception he seemed to have found himself an interested young woman. Ginger didn’t know if she was a guest or one of the many who happened down the beach and took advantage of the party. She was wearing a summer dress so Ginger guessed—guest. This was by far the largest gathering she had attended so she was able to visit with new friends and meet a few people for the first time. The couple who had once worked for Winnie and had later trained Grace in the flower business were there. Cooper had taken it upon himself to tend bar, assisting Rawley and Carrie. All her new women friends had their men present—Lou brought her husband, Gina was with Mac, the former town deputy. The Grants were there and Spencer, Devon and the kids. All the usual suspects.