Fools Rush in(108)

“Well, now it’s your turn,” Trish said, cracking a smile.

“I guess so,” I said, smiling back. I grabbed a tissue and wiped my eyes, smearing my so-called waterproof mascara.

A knock came on the door, and Curtis stuck his head in. “Millie, Mitch saw the evil queen! She’s—oh, sorry!” he said, stunned, popping back out. “Sorry!” he said again through the closed door. Trish rolled her eyes.

“I should let you finish getting ready,” Trish said. “I’m glad we talked, Millie.”

“Me, too, Trish,” I said. “I’d like us to be closer.”

Trish’s big chocolate eyes filled with tears. “That would be great,” she whispered. She wiped her eyes (her mascara didn’t smear) and stood.

“Here, let me fix your makeup,” she said, picking up a compact and frowning at its label. “I should really send you some better stuff. Oh, shit, sorry.” She grinned sheepishly, then dabbed some powder under my eyes. “We’re about to have a lot in common,” she went on, opening the mascara for a reapplication. “Sam will get on your nerves, you know. He’s always right, and that gets pretty irritating. And he sulks when he’s mad. Well, you’ll find out, if you haven’t already. You can call me to complain. I’ll know just what you’re talking about.”

I laughed as she finished repairing me. She stepped back for a closer look. “There. Perfect. And Millie—”

“Yes?”

“Sam’s the best guy in the world.” Trish flashed me her brilliant smile, and I stepped up and hugged her hard. After all these years, my sister had come through.

“You have to stay, Trish,” I said.

“Oh, I…I don’t know,” she murmured. “I don’t want to…”

“Upstage me?” I suggested. She gave a shaky laugh. “Really, Trish. If you’re okay with it, I’d really like you to be here.”

She smiled, took a breath and nodded. “Okay. Absolutely.”

I went to the door and whispered to Katie, then returned to Trish.

“Nobody knows you’re here?” I asked.

“Just Katie and your friend there.”

Just then, Danny came in. “What’s up, Millie?” he asked. Then he saw his mother.

“Mom!” He bounded over to her and enveloped her in a huge hug. “Good for you, Mom. I knew you’d make it.” He murmured something to her, still hugging her tight, and she kissed his cheek soundly, her eyes bright with tears once more. “Come on, Mom,” Danny continued. “We’ll definitely nail the award for ‘Best Adjusted Family Members.’ And at least we can dance. Have you seen Millie and Sam? Total car wreck.”

“I resent that,” I said, laughing.

Trish looked at me, her eyes hopeful. “Are you sure, Millie?”

“Positive. Danny, why don’t you take your mom downstairs, then send Grandpa up so we can get this show on the road, okay?”

“You bet,” Danny said. “And, Mil, you look really pretty, by the way. Aunt Stepmother. It’s so freaky.” He pretended to shudder, then turned to Trish and took her arm. “Mom, I’m so glad you came. Let’s go surprise Dad.”

“Thanks, Millie,” Trish whispered.

“No problem.” I smiled wetly as Curtis came back in.

“Sorry about that, Trish,” he muttered.

“Which one are you again?” Trish asked. She flashed me a grin and I felt a rush of affection for her as she left with her son.

Curtis and I followed them to the landing, then hunkered down.

“What’s going on?” Katie hissed, kneeling next to us.

“Shh. Look.” We crouched down low enough to see as Danny and Trish entered the salon. We saw Sam do a double take when he saw Trish. Then, as a huge smile lit up his face, he went over to Trish and kissed her on the cheek, hugged her. We couldn’t hear what they were saying, but we didn’t need to. The best guy in the world, indeed. He looked up suddenly and our eyes met, and for a second, it was just the two of us, hearts full, ready for the rest of our life.

My dad lumbered up the stairs.

“I’ll get our flowers,” Katie said, zipping into the bedroom.

“You ready, punkin?” my dad asked as I stood up and smoothed out my dress.

“You bet.”

“Let’s get going, then. It’s time for Sam Nickerson to steal another one of my daughters.”

Katie reappeared with our bouquets. Glancing up, Curtis nodded and gave the string quartet the high sign. The music started, and I went downstairs to marry the love of my life.