Page 80 of Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope
“Y’all have a great time,” the elf said as he assisted them out of the vehicle. “Bring the blanket with you to use during the ceremony.”
“Oh, okay.” Morgan grabbed the blanket and together she and Greyson made their way to a log near the back of the ceremony area. She smiled and waved at several familiar faces.
Spotting her Grampy, she went over to join him. Greyson sat beside her, and they wrapped the warm blanket around them.
“Let the circus show begin,” Grampy said, making Morgan laugh.
“Let’s just hope it doesn’t involve a runaway bride.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Let’s make sure I have everything,” Rosie said, glancing around at her friends in the bridal ‘suite’ of the Harvey Farms event barn. “Let’s see, something blue—”
“I think your hair has that one covered,” Ruby giggled as she checked over Rosie’s wedding dress, smoothing out the train. It was a lovely gown, trimmed with sequins, pearl, and lace snowflakes and butterflies covering the long silky train.
“Something old—”
“No worries. She’s definitely got that one covered,” Maybelle muttered under her breath.
Rosie gave her friend a squinty-eyed, sugary-sweet smile. “So nice of you to have volunteered for that position for me, Maybelle.”
Ruby and Claudia giggled.
“For your ‘something new,’ too bad you didn’t ‘borrow’ some new best friends to wear these ugly bridesmaids’ dresses,” Maybelle said dryly.
“They’re supposed to be ugly,” Rosie said, taking another look in the mirror to check her makeup. “It’s an ugly Christmas sweater-themed wedding. All the guests will be wearing them.”
“You could have at least spared the bridesmaids.”
“Now, now, Maybelle, this is my day so just smile and pretend you love your dress.”
“Don’t think I don’t know that you purposely put me in this...this...” Maybelle glanced down at the gaudy sweater clinging to her body. “This monstrosity of a Christmas sweater to ensure I didn’t outshine you on your big day.”
“Now, Maybelle, would I do that?” Rosie smiled sweetly again. “But I tell you what, if you ever find someone crazy enough to marry you again, I’ll wear whatever you pick without making the slightest whimper of complaint.”
Maybelle eyed her, then slyly smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Rosie snorted. “After five decades of you being single, I’m not worried.”
Maybelle just kept smiling.
“Oh! It’s time,” Ruby said, fluffing Rosie’s dress once more, then sighing. “Our dresses may be lacking in beauty, but this really is one of the most beautiful wedding dresses I’ve ever seen. I love the pearls and iridescent sequins and, oh, it’s just gorgeous. Not sure you qualify to wear white, though.”
Claudia slapped her hand over her mouth.
“I’d have gone with something bold, maybe in blue to match my hair, but Lou wanted me in white. I wasn’t so sure that wouldn’t be boring, but I do make it look good, don’t I?” Rosie asked with a waggle of her drawn-on brows. “Now, y’all come give me a hug, but don’t mess up my makeup, and definitely don’t say anything too sweet or I’ll cry.”
“No worries there. Just you make sure you make it down the aisle or we’ll never forgive you for making us go out in public in these hideous things.”
The gleam in Rosie’s eyes had the other three Butterflies exchanging looks even before she said, “Now, Maybelle, do you think I’d do something so diabolical as to set you up that way?”
“I can’t wait to see Ralphie,” Greyson said, wiggling around to take in all the festive activities around them. “He’s so cute. Maybe I can feed him a carrot again.”
“Maybe. If not, we’ll definitely come to visit another time,” Morgan promised, thinking it would be a fun mother-son trip.
The music changed and Morgan turned back to see the Butterflies lined up in comical Christmas sweater dresses. Her mouth fell open. Oh my. Rosie had outdone herself with those numbers.
Her Grammy was first. She carried a bouquet of neon pink and green poinsettias and wore a green sweater bedecked with tinsel garland and a tribute to the twelve days of Christmas, complete with a partridge in a pear tree. Ruby was next and carried bright blue and green poinsettias. Her sweater dress was a different shade of green and had similar tinsel garland zig-zagging across it. It was dotted with colorful gumdrops, and oversized plastic candy canes and peppermints dangled all over it. As the matron of honor, Maybelle was last and carried silver and gold poinsettias. Her red and green dress was decorated with stuffed abominable snow monster faces—along with every other grumpy Christmas character to ever exist.
