Wedding Haters (Event to Remember Series-Book 2) (10 page)

“Good morning, Ellie,” I say cheerfully.

“Madie, can you please talk to Sienna? I have
been asking her what I can do to help today. She refuses to let me
help; she keeps saying that everything is done. What are you going
to do about this?” she demands, all without even saying hello.

“Ellie, I really appreciate you offering to
help. Honestly, this shower has been planned for months. I hired
her, and she’s just very particular about her events. I promise
it’s nothing personal.” I already know how this is going to go. I
learned a long time ago that Ellie doesn’t like not getting her
way.

“So, that’s it. You really don’t want me or
Stephy being a part of this day, do you? Well, maybe we just won’t
come at all.” And with that, she hangs up on me.

“Good, please don’t come,” I say out loud. I
really wish she were still on the line to have heard that, but of
course, she’s not.

I call Sienna to let her know about the
lovely conversation I just had with my dear cousin. She apologizes
for all of it being her fault. I remind her that this issue goes
back way before my shower or wedding plans. Needless to say, we are
both praying that she will follow through on her threat of not
coming. I should be so lucky!

When I arrive at the Korral House, I’m very
impressed. Sienna and her team have outdone themselves once again.
I had requested a Hawaiian luau-themed shower. I know some people
may think the luau theme is overdone, but I have always loved
luaus, and because we are going to Hawaii on our honeymoon, it
seemed like a fun idea. As soon as I walk in, I’m welcomed with an
authentic Hawaiian lei. Not the cheap party store kind either but
gorgeous fresh orchids. Their smell is so overpowering that it has
filled the room. The décor is subtle and tasteful, but I still feel
like I’m in the Pacific. They have even hired real hula instructors
to teach Polynesian dancing. I had to talk Craig out of the fire
dancers. In his words, every party should have men in loincloths
performing, but I thought that would have been a bit much.
Seriously, though, how many times do I have to remind everyone that
this is not a bachelorette party?

The guests are starting to arrive, and
everyone is loving being greeted with a lei and a drink in a
coconut glass. I’m having such a great time already that I
completely forget about the incident with Ellie this morning.
Unfortunately, that’s short-lived because she didn’t keep her
promise of not coming. She and Stephy arrive about twenty minutes
late, and I can tell she has an agenda.

“Are you kidding me? A luau?” She spits out
the word as if it’s the most disgusting thing ever. “I thought
Sienna was some big shot event planner, and this is all she could
come up with? I’m sure there is something that I could have done
today, but noooo, she had to be selfish so that she could take all
the glory for this. I probably shouldn’t have even come.”

I know what she’s trying to do; I can let her
get to me or I can just ignore her. She continues to complain, and
I guess I finally snap. I must have really had enough because it
doesn’t even occur to me that some of my guests may overhear me
losing it.

“Stop!” I yell. “I’m so sick of all of this.
Are you trying to ruin my day? I told you this has been planned for
months, and you refused to listen to me. If you don’t want to be
here, then you are more than welcome to leave.”

I think I completely throw her off guard
because she doesn’t say a word. Unfortunately, while I’m going off
on my tangent I don’t notice my grandmother, Susan, and my mom
standing behind me. I know I’m going to hear about this later.

“Madison, what in the world?” I hear my
mother’s voice from behind me. I close my eyes and pray I imagined
that. Like maybe she is actually the little angel on my
shoulder.

“Mom, hi! When did you get here? I’m so happy
you’re here.” I turn around to hug her. Thankfully, Susan escorts
Grandmother away, but I have no doubt that I will have to answer to
her later. That’s going to be lots of fun.

“Aunt Karen, it’s so good to see you,” Ellie
interrupts as she gives her a big hug. “I’m sorry you had to see
all of that. I can explain—I had graciously offered to help with
the shower today. However, Madison and Sienna made it clear they
didn’t need or want my help.”

Wow, I really want to punch her, as in a
possible beat down not just a shut-her-up kind of punch. Seriously,
what’s happening to me? I’m turning into a monster; these girls
bring out the absolute worst in me.

“No, that’s not what happened,” I say in a
loud whisper because the guests are starting to multiply. “I told
you that I had hired Sienna to plan my shower months ago before you
showed any interest in my wedding. I told her what theme I wanted
and let her take full control. And yes, I chose the luau theme.” I
can read Ellie’s expression, and I know she wants to say something
else but she stays quiet.

“Hello, ladies!” Craig interrupts loudly.
“Well, well, well, the cousins have arrived. I have been looking
forward to meeting both of you for weeks. I’m Craig. I work with
Sheer Happiness Events, and I’m one of Madison’s best friends.” He
reaches out and shakes both of their hands. Both of the girls are
friendly, and Craig manages to distract them from me as he leads
them to the bar to get a drink. He’s awesome; I need to remember to
buy him a gift. My mom is still standing in front of me with her
arms folded in disappointment.

“Mom, you can save your lecture for later.” I
hold up my hand because I know she has plenty to say. “I know how
disappointed you are in me, and you will have plenty of time to
tell me about it after my shower. For now, I’m going to enjoy my
day and spend time with my friends.”

When I turn around Abby is waiting for me. I
walk over to her, and she gives me a hug. She doesn’t say a word,
but she knows she doesn’t need to.

I’m having so much fun, especially because I
have managed to avoid my entire family for most of the day. I could
definitely get used to this on a regular basis. Everyone loved the
hula lessons; even Ellie was out there practicing. I took a picture
so I had proof, just in case. The shower is a huge success until
Craig has a brilliant idea, actually a not so brilliant idea. He
decides we should go around the room and everyone should share a
memory or message about me. Oh no! Why? I whisper to him that I
specifically requested no games. He insists that this is not a game
and that it gives everyone a chance to share something wonderful
about me. He’s obviously forgetting that family is here, and my
stomach starts to turn into knots. This is going to be a
disaster.

As the game, or whatever it is, gets
underway, I realize how many great friends I have. Most of the
guests are sharing stories about how we met or what they love about
me. There are lots of laughs and even a few tears. There is a bit
of a gasp when Kellie, a friend from high school, tells a few
stories about us getting drunk on wine coolers, getting tattoos,
and throwing up in the pool at the YMCA. To this day, I’m not even
sure how we got to the YMCA that night. Anyway, Grandmother
obviously didn’t know I have a tattoo. I see her rub her temples;
she must be getting a migraine, or at least that’s the excuse she
will use when she leaves early. Slowly we are making our way around
the room, and Stephy’s turn is approaching. Maybe I should create a
diversion? I could always pull the fire alarm. I glance at Sienna
who gives me a nervous smile.

“Hi, everyone. I’m Stephanie Smith, Madie’s
cousin. I’m happy to be here today to celebrate my cousin’s
wedding. Madie is like another sister to us and she deserves all
the happiness in the world.” She pauses as she takes a sip of her
tropical drink. For a second I think she is finished talking, but
of course, I’m not that lucky. She continues, “I have always
admired Madie; she’s a hard worker and has risen above her
challenges.”

Ahhh . . . Yes, here it comes. I plaster a
huge goofy, fake smile on my face. “School was not always easy for
her; she was even held back a whole year. But that didn’t stop
her—she realized that mainstream college classes probably weren’t
for her and went to cosmetology school. She’s done very well!
Madie, I’m so proud of you.” She runs over to me and gives me a
hug. The plastered smile is still there. If my Grandmother wasn’t
here, I’d be halfway through a bottle of tequila by now. Of course,
I would need to save the other half for whatever Ellie has to say.
And now it’s Grandmother’s turn. I close my eyes and remind myself
that this will all be over soon enough.

“Hello, everyone.” She doesn’t stand up but
gives everyone a Miss America kind of wave. “Such a wonderful
occasion to celebrate. I have been extremely blessed with three
beautiful and talented granddaughters. I’m thankful that Madison’s
marriage has brought my girls together again. Thank you.” She
smiles and waves again. That’s it, that’s her message to me,
nothing about me alone, no mention of my accomplishments. Wow, just
wow. If I had that bottle of tequila it would be completely gone,
and Ellie hasn’t even shared her glowing tribute to me yet.

“How are you holding up?” Abby whispers from
beside me as she gives me a sympathetic look. “You know, on the
whole, I don’t think it’s been that bad.” I know Abby is trying to
make me feel better, and she is right. It really could have been so
much worse. I look up to see Ellie standing; she is the last of my
guests to talk. Here we go.

“Hello, I’m Ellenor Smith, Madie’s other
cousin. I think Stephy said everything perfectly. We have so much
respect and love for Madie, and we do consider her another sister.
Even though we haven’t been as close as we were when we were young,
Stephy and I are making the effort. We practically had to beg her
to be bridesmaids, and thankfully, she finally agreed. Of course,
in her defense, it was last minute.” I look at Sienna and signal
the she needs to cut this off now. I see her whisper to Craig
because this was his idea to emotionally torture me for an hour.
“How terrific are her cookies? They almost look store-bought, but
don’t worry, Madie, I know you made them,” she says, pointing at
me. “I have to admit I was surprised about this hobby of hers. When
we were kids she did break our Easy-Bake Oven and almost burned our
house down, and believe me when I tell you that was not the only
stupid thing she did . . .”

“OK! Thank you so much, ladies,” Craig
interrupts Ellie. “I’m terribly sorry to cut this short, as you can
see, the dessert buffet has been set up. I know after listening to
all of these emotional tributes I could definitely go for some
chocolate. Please help yourself.”

The guests start chatting and making their
way to the dessert table, which looks amazing, I might add. Because
I don’t have tequila here, I will just have to eat my weight in
desserts. I’m not usually an emotional eater, but after today, I
probably need to be.

“So, I don’t think it was that bad,” Craig
says after he walks over with a black-and-white cookie in his hand.
“Whatever!” I exclaim. “That was brutal, thanks by the way.” I’m
not one who holds grudges, but it may take me a while to forgive
Craig for this one.

“Craig’s right. I expected much worse,” Abby
says, wrapping her arm around my shoulder.

A little while later most of the guests have
gone except for Sienna, Abby, Craig, Susan, and my family. We’re
busy gathering the gifts, décor, and the flowers.

“Madison, I can bring all the gifts to the
house. You can put everything away as you move your stuff over,”
Susan says as she looks for something in her gorgeous Louis Vuitton
bag (authentic, of course). Crap! She didn’t just say that out
loud, did she? With everything happening, I haven’t had a chance to
tell anyone about the house.

“House? What house?” Sienna is the first to
ask; everyone else is staring at me. I guess this means it’s time
to make the announcement.

“My house, well mine and Cole’s.” I give
Susan a big smile. I know she’s probably wondering why I haven’t
told anyone. “I’ve been so busy that I haven’t been able to tell
you all about this fantastic gift that we’ve been given. Cole’s
parents have given us a beautiful house for our wedding. I still
can’t believe it!” Everyone starts talking at once and asking
questions.

“Susan, what a wonderful present. Thank you!”
my mom says, giving Susan a big hug.

“What’s the square footage?” Grandmother
asks.

“Is there a pool?” asks Craig.

“We will have so much fun decorating!” Abby
exclaims.

“Are you kidding me? Who gets a free house?”
I hear Ellie whisper to Stephy.

“Where is it?” Sienna asks.

Thankfully, Susan starts answering everyone’s
questions. I pull Sienna aside to explain.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you yet. We found
out while we weren’t speaking, and then you were so busy with the
shower. Honestly, I just forgot.” I feel so bad right now; I should
have told her.

“I know we were planning to live close to
each other. Neither Cole nor I knew they were going to do this.”
I’m trying to talk as quietly as I can, especially because I see
Ellie and Stephy curiously watching us. I know they think we’re
about to argue, and I refuse to give them the satisfaction of
seeing that.

“Of course. I know that,” she says.
“Congratulations.” She gives me a quick hug and runs off to pack up
the décor.

“Honey, are you OK?” Susan asks
worriedly.

“Yes. I’m fine.”

“I invited everyone to my house for a late
dinner. That way, you can bring them to see the house. I hope
that’s OK.” How do I tell her that that is the last thing I want to
do? After everything everyone has done for me today, I don’t.

“Sounds good,” I tell her.

After we load up all the gifts into several
cars, we caravan over to Susan’s, and I guess my place, too. (Still
can’t get used to that.) My mom rides with me, and I know she just
wants to talk about my run-in with Ellie.