“What do you mean?” She questions me. “If we don’t have a place,howare we going to get married?”
My hand goes to her cheek, and I feel her body soften at the touch. “We do have a place.” I point out the kitchen windows to the massive backyard.
“Are you serious? Do you have any idea how hard it’s going to be to fit our families back there?”
Cami butts in. “Girl, we’ve done it before during the holidays. We can totally pull it off for your wedding.”
Tonya turns her gaze back to me. “Are you sure?”
“We could get married in a dirty alley, and I wouldn’t care. I’ll marry you anywhere, as long as I get to be your husband.”
The girls sigh a collective, “aw.” Travis on the other hand mutters, “kiss ass” under his breath.
Tonya exhales. “Okay, a backyard wedding it is. We have 3 days to turn this place around.”
Darcy is already busy making a list of things we need to do to turn the yard into something beautiful. “How many people can we get to help with yard maintenance and altering the decorations?”
“My mom was planning on taking the rest of the week off to help wherever we need her,” I supply. “The shop has been slow so I’m sure Rick would let me take off.”
“Great,” Darcy chirps. “Let’s do this thing.”
By the time everything is planned out, I’m exhausted. I’m happy that we found a solution. Even still, there’s a small part in the back of my head that wonders if I can be the husband Tonya needs, especially since she didn’t even want to tell me what was going through her mind. We definitely need to talk…and soon.
Seven
Tonya
In two days,I’ll be married. The nerves that crept up before are nothing compared to what I’m feeling now. A part of me still wonders if it’s too soon. If we need to date longer. But the bigger part is excited to see where my journey with Reaf takes us. Planning this wedding has definitely taken its toll on me, and our relationship. I haven’t handled the stress very well, and tried to make important decisions without the one person I’m supposed to rely on. It’s new territory for me, though. My parents and Cami are the people I’ve gone to for so long, and it’s weird not to turn to them first. I’ll do better. I have to.
The sun is shining through the kitchen window, and I watch a crew of guys working on the final touches in the yard. Mom hired a landscaping company to make the front and back yard pretty. There are bright flowers lining the sidewalk leading up to the door, and small bushes planted along the fence. One either side of the gate that leads to the backyard are two big rose bushes. Not all of them have bloomed yet, but I’m completely okay with that. Already this backyard wedding is shaping up to be more than I could have imagined, and I’m happy Reaf suggested it. We could have saved a lot time, money, and stress if we would have gone this route from the beginning. I’m kicking myself for not thinking of it.
“Whatcha doing?” Cami sidles up beside me while Darcy comes to stand on the other side.
“Just admiring the view. Hoping we can pull this off without a hitch.”
“Bad things come in threes,” Darcy says. “And, we’ve already had three issues happen. I think we’re good.”
“We also don’t have to worry about forgetting anything the day of the wedding because everything will be here.” Cami elbows me in the ribs.
I grab my side. “Ow. Why did you do that? Are you trying to bruise me up before my wedding?”
“Stop being a drama queen,” she stares me down. “You aren’t allowed to have any more meltdowns for the rest of the year. Especially after the one you had the other day. You should have a little more faith in your friends… And Reaf.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You didn’t even tell him about the church. I know you’re used to shouldering it all by yourself, but you have a partner in life, now. You have to learn to share those burdens.”
“I know. I’ve been used to you being my partner in crime. Even when you’re away at school.”
She turns me toward her, and places her hands on my shoulder. “I’ll always be here for you, no matter what. But it’s time to start relying on your future husband. I have no doubt I’m leaving you in capable hands.”
Tears begin welling in my eyes, as she pulls me into a hug. Darcy puts her arms around me, too. We’re one tiny group hug, and I couldn’t be happier with the friends I have. They know exactly what to say to get me through whatever I’m feeling.
Cami is the first to pull back. “Now, enough of the emotional craziness. Instead of doing a bachelorette party, we’re going to spend the day together doing all sorts of stuff. Now, go get ready. We have to swing by and pick up Caroline in an hour.”
“We can’t have an all-day party,” I argue. “There’s still so much that needs to be done.”
“Calm down, Tonya.” Darcy throws her arm around my shoulder. “Your mom and Maggie are taking care of the arch, and picking up the chairs, tables and everything else.”