A Nantucket Wedding(10)
“Goodness,” Felicity said. “You’re certainly thorough.”
“And you girls can relax. No worries, as everyone says now. Heather will be taking care of most of the details. She’s sent Save the Date cards to our friends, and she’s working with Brie at the hotel about the food, the flowers, that sort of thing. And she’s on island often to personally check on things. She and her husband have a house on Nantucket.”
“Wow,” Jane said softly. “How posh, Mom.”
“It’s not because we’re too busy or not interested in it all, we are,” Alison said. “But David is still managing his company, and I want to put all my energies into creating a perfectly wonderful summer for you and for David’s children. And our grandchildren, of course. I want to focus on making everyone happy. I want to make this house so welcoming, so warm, that my family and David’s get to know each other. So we can be, really, one big happy family. I want to sit on the deck with an iced tea and watch Alice and Luke play with Daphne and Hunter. I want to watch Noah and Scott and Patrick and Ethan play poker here on a rainy day. I want you girls and David’s daughter, Poppy, to watch silly romantic movies with me, all snuggled together on the sofa.”
“That’s so sweet, Mom,” Jane said, adding, “and maybe a bit unrealistic?”
Felicity asked, “Okay, but what about your wedding gown? And our gowns? We are attendants, aren’t we? Could Alice be your flower girl? Luke could be the ring bearer!”
“We’ll have to talk. Poppy has little ones, too,” Alison said. “I’ve chosen my gown, and I’ve got a computer file of possibilities for you two to study. When you’ve decided on one, we’ll have Anya fly in with the dresses and make all the necessary alterations.”
“So you’re not exactly following a normal wedding planner calendar,” Jane said.
“No, I’m not,” Alison replied smoothly. “Why should I? David and I are doing it the way we want to.”
“I can’t believe you live like this,” Felicity said.
“David has worked very hard for his financial success,” Alison reminded her daughters. “We’re old enough to want to spend our time the way we want. So! Let’s look at the possibilities for your dresses.”
Jane expected to see gowns on hangers, but no, models wore the gowns, turning at a click of the remote to display the back and sides. Alison’s gown came first, a strapless bodice of ivory satin with a knee-length ruched satin skirt and a lace shrug she could take off later for dancing.
“Wow, Mom, that’s so—wow!” Jane exclaimed.
Alison laughed. “I know. Not like my usual under-the-radar style.”
“This is so weird, Mom,” Felicity said. “It should be the mother helping the bride pick her dress.”
“Well, darling, my mother is dead. You’re so busy with the children, and I didn’t want to make Jane travel from New York just to watch me try on clothes.” With a level glance at Felicity, Alison said, “Anyway, I don’t think you and I would have the same taste. And I knew what I wanted—a short skirt, because I’ve still got good legs—”
“You’ve got killer legs,” Jane agreed.
“And the color makes it not so virgin-bride-ish, and the ruched skirt adds a bit of fabulous, don’t you think?”
“You’ll look amazing,” Felicity agreed.
“Now let me show you what I’m thinking for you two.”
She clicked the remote. Felicity of course burbled over the pastels with Little Bo Peep wide-skirted shapes. Jane preferred the sleek form-fitting black, but both her mother and Felicity refused to consider that. They all liked the strapless dresses that echoed Alison’s but were shorter, the hem falling a few inches above the knee—Alison’s daughters had killer legs, too. Felicity chose pale pink, Jane, a darker rose. Because Alison’s jewelry would be the diamond earrings and necklace David had given her, Felicity demanded at least a little bling for her and Jane. So they added a sparkling ornament at the waist. They would all wear their hair up and glittery earrings.
“What’s David going to wear?” Jane asked.
“A tuxedo with a cummerbund that matches my dress. Ethan and Poppy will be his attendants, and David knows the details of what I’m wearing—although he hasn’t seen the dress, of course.”
“What about Poppy? What is she wearing?”
Alison took a moment to gather her thoughts. “I’ve emailed Poppy about the gowns. I sent her the video file showing her the dresses I’ve just shown you. She hasn’t responded.”
“That’s rude,” Felicity said.
“I don’t know, Felicity, maybe she hasn’t had time. She’s working and she has two children and a husband, so she must be wildly busy.”
“Have David tell Poppy to get on the stick,” Jane said.
“No, honey. I want to work out some kind of relationship with Poppy. She’s coming down next weekend, and I can talk with her then. And Anya is good to go on any alterations on any gown Poppy might choose.” Alison stood up. “Now. Red grapes and movie time!”
They ate dessert while watching Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway in Bride Wars. They tidied the kitchen together, talking about weddings and gowns with seven layers of tulle until Alison said, “Time for bed, girls. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”