Page 114 of Beau & Autumn

Beau’s always doing sweet things like this.

I quickly rip the tissue paper and two toppers fall out. The first is me: a country girl dressed in jeans and a flannel sitting on a hay bale with a camera slung around my neck. Beau is sitting on the other side of the bale with his gaming station, controls in hand, with jeans and a hoodie. It’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. The detail is amazing.

“Oh, Beau! These are amazing!”

“You like them?”

I wrap my arms around him excitedly. “I love them! I hope you didn’t have to do anything too unpleasant to get a special order.”

He kisses my nose. “Nope. Just used my southern hospitality charm, ma’am.”

I laugh as he puts on a strong southern accent. Beau’s way of getting anything in life is by being nice. He hasn’t got a mean or demanding bone in his body. “I’m glad to hear someone finds you charming.”

He starts to tickle me. “Yeah, you wanna say that again?”

“Beau, no!”

He doesn’t let up and I fall on my back trying to kick him off as he pins me down. My attempt is futile. “That’s unusual, you’re normally screaming, ‘Beau, yes!’”

“Stop it!”

“Don’t pretend you don’t love it when my hands are on you.”

“Not when you’re tickling me!”

I smile at the memory, as well as the day I drove to Memphis to spend the weekend with my friends as well as Mom and Gran to pick out my wedding dress. I wanted it to be special, and share those moments with all of them. Since the night of the dinner, Mom and I have been on much better terms. She’s really making an effort, and our relationship continues to grow. It’s not perfect, and maybe it never will be, but at least we don’t fight every time we see each other.

Gran cried when I walked out in a beautiful 1940s inspired lace wedding dress. “You look so beautiful.” Her hands were shaking as she took me in. I could see the pride written all over her face as I twirled around on the podium.

“You really do, Autumn,” Mom agreed. “You look absolutely stunning.”

We all cried. The dress I chose is a long A-line style. White and silky, with long floaty sleeves, an open V at the back with a lace trim, and V neckline which has a modest plunge.

Now the day is finally here, I’m more giddy than ever. Carrie curled my hair for me; I’m wearing it down but she added some beautiful baby’s breath flowers to the vintage clip on one side of my hair to set it back. Gran gave me the clip for good luck, and for something borrowed; she wore it on her own wedding day.

Georgia-Blue wanted to do my makeup since she did make-up artistry years ago and loved it. I went to the salon yesterday so Dolly could do my nails. She did a pretty French polish with tiny pink nail art bows on each one.

“I’ll never forget you doing this for me,” I say. Georgia finishes off the soft pink blush to my cheeks and steps back in her fluffy slippers to look at me. We’re in her casita enjoying the morning and drinking champagne.

“Doing your makeup?” She slides back toward me to add a little more highlighter with her brush.

“Yes, it’s so sweet of you.”

She waves it off. “At least we’re invited to this one.”

I laugh and she flashes me a wink.

I hired another makeup artist to help Georgia today because it’s not like she could do the entire bridal party herself. I want all the girls to feel pampered.

“Who’s up for another round of champagne!” Gran pops the cork on a bottle of pink and us girls all shriek with laughter.

“Gran!” I giggle. “Are you trying to get me tipsy before my wedding day?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, my darling.” She sounds a little too smug for her own good.

Ever since our ‘chat’ that day, we’ve been closer than ever. I don’t want to keep secrets from my parents, but they don’t need to know the real reason Beau and I first got together.

“Let me help.” Eden takes the bottle from Gran and tops up the glasses.

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