Chapter 8 part 2
The Mockingbird Country Club - Fort Worth, Texas
“You’re gonna be fine.” Lucy yawns then dives face flat on the bed beside an anxious Liam, who came knocking on her room early in the morning and forced her to listen to him recite his vows. He rented rooms in the country club for them, Abbie’s family, and members of the wedding entourage for the weekend to save time and energy on the wedding day.
Lucy was up all night. Struggling to decode Kate’s expression in the ballroom. She didn’t check her in the room Liam allotted for the bridesmaids. Too scared to find a sparkling diamond on Kate’s finger and confirm her suspicions. A knock on the door got Lucy sitting back up. “Who is it now?” She grumbles. She hauls herself to stand and opens the door.
“Mornin’!” Lauren peers behind her and then pushes the door wide open. “I knew it!” She walks in, leaves Lucy to close the door, and then sinks on the bed opposite Liam. Lucy flops down on the bed. Lauren reaches over to pat Liam on the head. “Make your vow short but meaningful. Save the rest for Abbie’s ears only,” she says, aware of the cause of his anxiety.
There’s another knock on the door. Lucy grumbles louder, then pulls up to open it.
“Liam here?” Lenny says.
Lucy swings the door and waves her arm inside to the bed Liam and Lauren have invaded. “Come in, I guess.” She closes the door and then leap walks to get back on the bed beside Liam.
“Did you practice the dance steps without me?” Lenny crimps his brow.
“The steps are easy, Len. Here,” Lauren taps the space on the bed beside her. Lenny reclines, careful not to bump Lucy’s head.
“Did you love… the pair-ups for the recessional, Luce?” Liam asks.
Lucy grunts. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
Her siblings laugh in chorus.
“You should have seen the relief on her face when I was paired with Abbie’s sister,” Lenny says between laughs.
"Oh..." Lauren reaches up to pull Lucy’s hair. "You were glowing like a star! And Chuchi approves.” Lucy's grimace grows with the sound of laughter in the room.
Liam props his head on his elbow and asks Lucy, “What’s the score with you and your ‘not boss, boss’?”
“I don’t know. It’s complicated and fucking confusing!”
“Language, young lady,” Lenny says.
She responds to Lenny. “Holy sh... I’m sorry, Father.”
They all laugh and then Liam jabs her on the arm. "Hey, since when did you do non-complicated?"
“My heart can use a pass on complicated for once.” Lucy covers her eyes with her right forearm.
“Your heart?! Oh…” Lauren hoists herself up. She tugs Lucy’s hair again and sings a line from Beyonce’s ‘Love on Top’. The song played in the background at the recession practice. “Everybody asks me why I’m smiling out from ear to ear. But I know...”
Liam sits up and chimes in. “Baby, it’s you!”
Lenny bounces up and joins Liam and Lauren in singing. “You're the one I love. You’re the one I need. You’re the only one I see. Come on, baby, it’s you.”
Lucy grabs the pillow on her side and flings it on each of them. “Oh my god! Don’t make this about me, you jerks!” Another round of laughter fills the room. She groans and then flops back on the bed.
When the laughter subsides, her siblings lie back on the bed. Liam rubs his eyes with the back of his hands. “I miss mom. She knows what to do with these moments.”
Lenny clears his throat. Warning Liam.
“Hey! Don’t make it weird. She’s my mom too, and this is my day,” Liam says, knowing Lucy and Lenny's discomfort over the topic. He reaches to tap Lauren on the head. “How’d you do it on your day, Lauren?”
“Lenny and I did the mom thing,” Lauren says.
“What thing?” Lucy asks.
Lenny gets up and then taps Liam on the knee. “Up.”
Liam sits up. Lauren and Lucy do the same and watch as Lenny crouches to Liam’s eye level. He grabs Liam’s nape and joins their foreheads. “Close your eyes. Breathe in. Breathe out.” Liam does what he’s told. Lauren rubs a hand on Liam’s back. Lucy nods, recognizing what Lenny is about to do. It’s what their mother did to calm them down when the night got scary when they were little, and when they felt too overwhelmed with many things as they grew up. “Good. Again. With me. Breathe in. Breathe out.” Liam holds onto Lenny’s forearms. “That’s good. Now, listen to the beat of your heart and answer my questions with a yes or a no.” Liam hums. “Are you nervous?”
“Yes.”
“That’s ok. It’s alright. It’s a big life decision. Are you scared?”
“Yes.”
“That’s ok. It’s alright. We all get scared sometimes. Do you want Abbie in your life?”
“Yes.”
“Do you need Abbie in your life?”
“Yes.”
“Do you love Abbie?”
Liam takes a deep breath and then quivers. “Yes.”
“I didn’t hear you. Do you love Abbie?”
“Yes!” Liam takes another deep breath but answers louder. “Yes! Yes!”
Lenny pulls back and rises to his feet, pulling Liam up with him. “Then go marry your girl, bro!”
“Yes!” Liam grins and thrusts his fist in the air. “Yes! Yes!” He kisses Lauren and Lucy on the cheeks, walks to the door, turns mid-step, and finger guns his siblings. “I am marrying my girl! The love of my life!”
The whole thing uplifts Lucy’s mood. It may be complicated and confusing, but she knows Kate is all worth it.
Lauren chuckles and stands to follow Liam out of the room, tugging Lenny’s arm to do the same.
He nods in agreement but turns to Lucy, wrapping an arm over her shoulders. “Just be careful, Luce.” He whispers, then releases her and skips out of the room.
— — —
The Mockingbird Country Club
Later that afternoon, guests of the Preston - Tara Nuptials pour into the country club as the ceremony is about to start. The sky outside has a slight indication of the downpour from yesterday, and thick, dense clouds start to crowd. The trimmed grass is wet mainly due to the several fountains scattered all over the place, including the largest one by the main entrance.
Candle-lit lamps line the aisle, and drapes in shades of blue and white on the walls complete the decor of the great hall. Pots and lavender baskets were added as the bride requested to add more fragrance to the venue. Liam puffs breaths of air through his fists but is more grounded than he was this morning. Lauren checks Liam and Lenny’s tie and suit one more time, then reaches over to Lucy to swipe her stray curls.
Lucy tip-toes on her derby platforms and careens her neck around the great hall. A small smile paints her face as her eyes find Kate in a sea of bridesmaids in cornflower blue. Her wavy hair in a half-up half-down style. Her new pair of glasses complements the shape of her face anew. She’s wearing a long chiffon strapless dress hugging her upper body and flowing loose from the waist down to cover her feet. Gorgeous.
The pianist and cellist keys up Christina Perri’s ‘A Thousand Years’ to signal the wedding party to take their places for the procession. Liam and his entourage marched down the aisle as instructed from yesterday’s rehearsal. Lucy is so eager to stand behind her brother so she can take a good look at Kate in her dress.
Abbie’s entourage walks down the aisle next. Lucy’s eyes fixed on one tall, blonde in killer heels of a bridesmaid. Kate’s red-painted lips curve up in a corner. Her smile reaches her eyes as she meets Lucy’s gaze. Lucy gulps a breath. She smiled. That’s a good sign.
The ceremony proceeds as planned. Liam is misty-eyed as he says his vows, while Lucy keeps peering at Kate. Checking at her hands under the bouquet. Drumming her feet against the floor the whole time. The Bellas’ (Pitch Perfect) version of ‘Love on Top’ plays, and the wedding coordinator cues the wedding party for the recessional. Lucy bounces on her heels to meet Kate at the end of the line for the entourage’s exit.
“Hello,” she says, offering an open palm for Kate to hold.
“Hello yourself.” Kate takes her hand, to Lucy’s relief.
She caresses the back of Kate’s left hand with her thumb. No ring. Hell yeah! She leans closer. “You’re stunning in that dress.” She says, her voice husky than usual.
Kate turns her head above Lucy’s ear. “You don’t look so bad either.”
They separate at the entrance of the grand ballroom to take their seat with their respective groups. They exchange glances and smiles through the reception. The father and sister of the bride made their toast. Ybrrahim gives his toast and message to the newlyweds then Lucy is called to deliver her speech.
“Hi, y’all! I’m not gonna make this long. Lenny and Lauren made sure of that yesterday.” She starts, making everyone laugh. She proceeds to say how much she appreciates Liam as a brother and a ‘one phone call away’ doctor. Thanks him for being the laid-back brother in contrast to Lenny. But assures Abbie that he will love and protect her above everything else. She welcomes Abbie into the family and thanks her for making her brother the happiest he can be. “And since I can see y’all eyeing the bar already,” she continues as more laughter blasts the ballroom, “I’d like to give the mic to Liam to give y’all a final thank-you gift for joining us today.” She waves the mic for Liam to take.
Liam asks everyone to have a minute of silence to remember his mom, whom he says he misses dearly on this special day. He puffs his chest and exhales big breaths after, then thanks all guests for coming to his wedding. “And as a special thank you to everyone,” he motions for Lenny and Lauren to join him and Lucy on the floor. “As my mom says, a Tara party will not be complete without us four dancing. So DJ hit that song!”
‘Shut Up and Dance’ by Walk the Moon plays. The four of them step to dance three stanzas and the song's chorus then Liam returns to their table and guides Abbie onto the dance floor. Lenny takes off next and tugs Isabel to dance. Lauren does the same. Carefully making her way to where Alistair sits, and pulls him up. Lucy mutters to her knees to stop shaking as she walks to the bridesmaids’ table. She offers her hand to Kate. “May I have this dance?” She asks.
It takes a beat… Two… Three… Four… Five… Then Kate nods and takes her hand, to Lucy’s delight. When the four siblings are reunited on the dance floor, they dance to complete the song with their respective partners and then wave to the guests. Inviting to join them. The DJ plays the song a few more times then Kina Grannis’ version of the same song plays next.
— — —
Lucy looks great in a blue three-piece suit. The layers of the clothes didn’t hinder in showing off the right curves of her body. The choice of not wearing a button-down shirt under her light blue waistcoat had Kate’s breath hitching as she walked up the aisle and took her place opposite the groom’s entourage.
When Lucy is called to deliver her best lady speech, Kate takes that time to have another look at Lucy. She wears her hair up in a ponytail with strands framing her face. Her eyes are accentuated further by her thick long lashes that she curled today. So pretty.
Lucy finishes her speech and calls Liam to the floor. He asks everyone first for a minute of silence to honor his mother, the late Mrs. Lucia Tara. He thanks everyone, then cues the DJ to play an upbeat song to which the Tara brood starts dancing. Liam takes his newlywed wife to dance with him. Lenny playfully asks for Isabel’s hand for a dance. Lauren follows suit and guides a reluctant Alistair to dance with her. Then Lucy makes her way to the bridesmaids’ table where Kate is sitting. “May I have this dance?” She asks, offering a hand.
Kate blinks as she feels a whirl of air in her head. She can not remember the last time she danced since Noah’s passing. Her brother loved dancing. Upbeat and slow. He would often pull Kate and their mom into a dance every holiday, and at every party, they got to celebrate. Now it’s Lucy asking her to dance. She takes a deep breath and exhales extensively, then takes Lucy’s hand and joins the Taras on the dance floor. “I don’t know the steps to this,” she says over Lucy’s ear.
Lucy squeezes her hand and leans up, “I gotcha.” She starts thrusting up her right arm and then draws it down. She repeats the move with her left arm, then brings both hands in the air and swings them down as she steps back. Next, she places her arms in front, crossing one over the other, uncrosses them in a swiping motion, and slowly shakes her hips. Kate wrinkles her forehead but imitates Lucy’s movements. She doubles over at Kate’s clumsy attempt. The sound of her laughter sends a lot of pesky zings shooting through Kate’s chest, washing all of her apprehensions. It is priceless.
Kate has sworn off relationships after a messy heartbreak in pre-Law. It was traumatizing. No. It was more. It was ruinous. Traumatizing happened in middle school. When her dog was run over by a drunk truck driver right before her eyes. Her gentle heart was further shattered when they had to move to a different state, and her dad disapproved of burying her dog in the backyard of their new settlement.
By freshman year in high school, she was done making friends. The frequent move to different states due to her parents’ roles in the army made it impossible for her to form a lasting bond with anyone. Noah was her staple.
The DJ keeps playing the same song a few more times as guests join them on the dance floor then Kina Grannis’ slowed version of the same song starts playing in the background. Lucy closes in, eyes holding Kate’s gaze. She tugs Kate’s hands, encouraging her to place them on her hips. Kate obliges and is about to put Lucy’s arms on her shoulders when Lenny steps back and crashes into Lucy. He turns to them. Apologizing as he pulls Lucy up by the arms to break her fall. Kate’s eyes fix on Lenny, and it feels like a bucket of ice was thrown over her head.
Lucy shakes off her brother’s arms. “I’m fine!”
Noah was her staple. And he was enough. Until…
Kate pivots and leaves the dance floor. Running out of the grand ballroom.
Lucy’s mouth slackens. She turns to glare at Lenny and groans in frustration. “What the fuck?!”
“Excuse your language. I just saved you from falling right on your face!” Lenny responds confoundedly.
She stumps her feet, groans louder, pivots, and runs after Kate. “Kaaate! Wait!”
Kate stopped caring after Noah. Because she can’t go through the pain of another loss that goes with caring too much. So much more if it is for the sister of the man who caused her brother’s life. It will be less complicated if she stops it here. Now. Bail out before it gets too ruinous. She’s always been good at doing it. And this time, her badge and Stellar’s impending conviction are a solid excuse.
She is halfway out of the west wing when Lucy cuts in to stop her from walking.
“Kate… Wait!” Lucy grasps her arm to catch her breath.
“WE have to stop doing this, Lucy!” A muscle twitches in her jaw.
“What are WE doing, Kate?”
“This,” She rapidly swings her hand back and forth between them, “is all wrong!”
“I don’t see anything wrong with THIS,” Lucy says, mimicking her gesture.
Kate moves to walk again.
Lucy is quick to step in front of her. “Stop! Stop! Stop! You have to give me a better reason why not.”
She shakes her head.
“Is it because of work? I can ask for a transfer.”
“No!”
“Is there a... guy?” Lucy restlessly taps a leg on the floor, biting her lips.
“Oh my god, Lucy! No!” Kate strides.
Lucy chases Kate and then stops in her tracks by the doorway, “Can you please stop running?” She gazes up at the clouds. “Are you not comfortable being seen with me? I can keep it a secret.”
Kate marches on. No. Dammit with secrets!
Lucy stops chasing her. “Is it me, Kate?” Her voice quivers.
That made Kate tentative in her tracks near the mockingbird water fountain. Resisting the urge to turn around and say No. You are the utmost ruin that I am not prepared for. Spatters of rain drop from the thick, crowded clouds in the sky. She lugs her feet forward. Her rain-pelted chest became heavier with each step.
Bailing out before it gets too ruinous. It’s what she does, and she’s always been so good at doing it… before.
She’s gotten used to Lucy being around her. Looking forward to seeing her every day. The scribbled notes on her coffee. The casual drop of compliments. The ‘hide and seek’ near the fire exits. The rolls of crumpled paper Lucy hurls to grab her attention when their ‘secret task’ gets tedious. The grumbling noises her stomach makes when she’s hungry. Her adoring looks. The waves of her rippling laughter.
She’s always been so good at bailing out before it gets ruinous until… Lucy walks, skates rather, her way that Sunday afternoon with the Taras. Or was it on the stairways at Stellar? Or that walk from Boone’s? She can’t remember. There’s no use denying it. She IS already in her utmost ruin. Lucy walking into her life had taken her completely by surprise. Hooking her in too deep, too late to scurry off and… leave.
She turns around and runs towards the manor in time to see Lucy climbing up the steps to the doorway. She removes her foggy glasses and yanks Lucy’s wrist.
“Kate...” Lucy’s voice is raspy. Her eyes were damp from the rain and from crying.
“I can’t… leave," she says. Her eyes are unwavering as she gazes at Lucy’s. "I won’t leave you.”
Lucy pulls back. “I thought I was being clear.” She smiles. Her eyes shimmer despite the rain. “I was not asking you to, Kate.”
Kate pulls her close and wraps her arms around her. I know. I hope you won’t. Ever. “I am here to stay, Luce,” she says, planting multiple kisses on her head. Kate pulls back to look Lucy in the eyes and then her lips. She leans down and presses her lips on Lucy’s. Lucy cradles her nape in her hands and returns the kiss. She shuts her eyes and slides her hands around Lucy’s waistcoat. She presses her lips firmly against Lucy’s. The rain has drenched her thoughts. But the hammering of her heart against her chest feels so right. Everything is about to change... If it hasn’t yet.
— — —
Somewhere inside the manor, a pair of eyes witnessed Kate and Lucy’s tender moment in the rain.
Time to change the plan...