Room for Just a Little Bit More(28)

“Honey, I’m gonna take your dress up to Brody’s room, okay?” JoAnn appeared in the doorway carrying my wedding dress bag.

“Sure, thanks.” I smiled.

“Wait, Brody built this house for his parents, right?” Alexa rubbed her chin, staring off into space as she tried to remember.

“Yep.”

“Then why does he have a bedroom here?”

“It’s not like a childhood bedroom. You’ll see when we go up there. It’s actually pretty cool.”





An hour or so later, we all looked absolutely stunning from the neck up. From the neck down, we all had on baggy button-down plaid shirts. Lucy’s and Piper’s went all the way to their ankles, which they thought was hilarious.

“Okay.” I took a deep breath. “Dress time.”

We all walked slowly upstairs, careful not to lose a bobby pin or uncurl a curl. I opened the door to Brody’s room and everyone filed inside.

“Holy crap.” Alexa spun slowly with her mouth open. “It’s like a Brody shrine.”

She was right. The room did have a big bed and a large couch in it, in case Brody ever wanted to spend the night, but it was so much more than that. A large dark walnut shelf sat prominently in the middle of the largest wall, and it was overflowing with Brody’s hockey memorabilia, both from the Wild and from college. His college goalie helmet sat on the top shelf with a tiny spotlight on it. Dozens of glossy action shots and newspaper articles were framed and stuck in between hockey pucks and sets of gloves, each with their own significance. I stared at the big shelf, feeling a little sad that I didn’t know him then. I know if I had, things between us might not be the same, but I wish I could’ve seen him get his first NHL save.

“Awww!” Lauren’s coos pulled me from my trance. I turned toward the door as Lucy and Piper walked into the room in their ice blue dresses, with my mom following along behind. My hands flew up to my mouth and tears stung my eyes when I saw them. They looked so grown-up with their blonde hair pulled up in loose buns and a few soft pieces curling around their faces.

I walked over to them and squatted when I got close. “You guys look so beautiful. No one’s gonna notice me today because they’re going to be too busy looking at you.” I sniffed.

Neither responded, but they both smiled shyly, not used to all the attention.

“Is that mascara?” I squinted and got closer to Lucy.

“Uh huh. Gigi put it on us.” She beamed.

Mom winked at me. “Just a tad.”

“You two are just the sweetest little things,” JoAnn said, shaking her head slowly. “Kacie, I’m gonna leave you girls to get dressed. I have to get ready myself.”

“I’m gonna take them and head downstairs too.” My mom followed. “You three need to get moving and you don’t need us gawking at ya. We’ll see you downstairs in a bit.”

I bent down and planted soft kisses on Lucy’s and Piper’s cheeks. “See you soon, loves.”





“Kacie, what’s this?” Lauren picked up a small blue box on the desk. “It has your name on it.”

“It does?” I took a couple steps across the room and she handed it to me.

It was a simple little ice blue box with a perfectly wrapped white ribbon on it. Before I lifted the lid, I knew exactly who it was from, though that didn’t lessen my shock when I saw the shiny necklace looking back at me. It was a beautiful, delicate white gold chain with a large diamond in the middle and two stones on either side.

“Wow, that’s so gorgeous.” Lauren peered over the top of the box.

“It really is,” Alexa agreed. “Are those emeralds?”

“No.” I shook my head as a small smile crossed my lips. “They’re peridots, the birthstone for August.”

“Oh my God…” Alexa took a step back, tilting her head to the side as she laughed incredulously. “Lucy and Piper’s birthstone.”

I nodded at her as a tear rolled down my cheek.

“No. No. No crying,” Lauren squeaked as she jumped up and grabbed a tissue off the desk. “Your make-up looks fantastic. No more crying.”

“Sorry.” I sniffled as she wiped my eyes.

Alexa took the box from me and set it back on the desk. “Hurry up. Get in your dress so I can put that thing around your neck.”

Lauren unzipped the bag and pulled my dress out as Alexa helped me undo my buttons. “Do you think he knew, about the birthstones?”

“He knew.” I nodded confidently. “He pays attention like that.”

“Wait.” Alexa stood up and stared me square in the eye, pulling her perfect brows in tight. “Did you get him a wedding present?”

My face grew hot as I looked toward the ground, not wanting the girls to see me.

Alexa gasped. “What did you do?”

“Nothing,” I snapped defensively. “I’m not telling you guys. It’s embarrassing.”

“Like hell you aren’t.” Lauren was practically drooling as she abandoned my wedding dress and sat on the edge of the couch. “Spill it, girl.”

Sighing, I peeked around the corner to make sure Brody’s mom wasn’t coming down the hallway. I closed the door quietly and plopped down on the bed, dropping my head into my hands. After another deep breath, I looked at Alexa and Lauren, pleading with my eyes. “You guys can’t tell anyone, promise?”