Chapter 13: Spring

Wedding to-do List:

1. Send invitations

2. Book hotel/ restaurant/garden/house with garden

3. Find a dressmaker

4. Choose menu

Mrs. Evans snatched the notebook from under Lila's hand. "Lila! This isn't a detailed plan

of the wedding. This is a to-do list," she exclaimed horrified. "I knew I should've contacted the planner. She's wonderful, my dear. Don't roll your eyes at me, young lady!"

"Mum, this is just a summary of the larger list. I ought to start out with the simple and then expand on each one," Lila insisted.

The entire afternoon had consisted of squabbles over the most mundane details like the order of the list, the color of the flowers, the venue for the reception. Mrs. Evans was tirelessly fastidious over every single detail. The list was disorganized, the colors were horrible, and the venue was not grand enough for her. A secluded wedding on a garden venue with less than 50 people attending would be boring, she argued. Lila's grandmother dressed her bridesmaids in peach, so she couldn't use that color again. And, celebrating a wedding at another person's mansion was ridiculous; they might as well book a hotel salon.

Lila fumed at her mother's every argument and Kate remained quiet through everything, that is until Mrs. Evans turned her cocked eyebrow at and asked a question.

"This is too much work for the two of you, Catherine—" said Mrs. Evans.

"She's just Kate, Mum," Lila mumbled annoyed.

"Forgive me, Kate. Would you agree with me that a planner would ease the load off Lila's back? The planner finds the options and shows them to the bride, and then she gets to decide. It would be much easier to decide that way." She used her sweet mother-like voice on me. I was caught like the deer in the headlights by the hunter. Though, I had to admit, she was right.

I didn't answer Mrs. Evans, but used my persuasion skills on Lila. She was exhausted after a week of design class presentations.

"It wouldn't hurt, Lila. Besides, planners have the contact of just about every florist, dressmaker, hotel, or venue you could want. It would make things easier for you."

"See, my love, Kate agrees with me. It is either planning everything on time or postponing the wedding until Jonathan comes back in a year or two."

"Wait! did your mother just say a year or two?" I blurted. Lila gazed at me guiltily. Shoot. She'd hidden something from me!

Mrs. Evans, undeterred on her quest to get her daughter to accept to hire a planner, continued the speech. "Just think of the beautiful wedding you would get, plus just in time for both of you, dearest. Unless, that is, you don't want to get married so soon," she trailed of nonchalantly. "In which case, we can all hop on the next plane to London and move to Japan with your father."

"No," Lila countered vehemently. "I am going to marry Jonathan that is non-negotiable."

Mrs. Evans smirked across the kitchen counter at her daughter.

"What the hell is going on, Lila?" I cried out. The suspense was killing me. They both looked at me with wide eyes, like they'd forgotten I was there.

"Kate, I'm so sorry. Jonathan just told me. I haven't even graduated from college! For heaven's sake, this is great news, but nerve-racking for me. I don't know what to do," she cried throwing up her arms.

The mother cocked an eyebrow at her daughter's reaction. "Jonathan just got news this past Friday that he's been offered a part time job and scholarship to study a master's degree in Italy. The scholarship includes a monthly allowance which can be upgraded if he has family—that is, a wife. However, to take Lila with him they ought to present the legal papers of their marriage and finish filling in applications, health certificates…etc. Ah, and he has to accept or decline the offer by the end of this week."

It took me a moment or two to take it all in. "What?" I breathed. "If he accepts, then how soon would they leave?"

"May," answered Mrs. Evans. Lila was still freaking out on the couch.

"May," I echoed. "And, they would need official documents when they leave or weeks before?"

"Weeks before to apply for a language institute for both of them. They would learn the language first, all paid by the company hiring Jonathan."

"Lila, did you know about this?" I called her out and shook her shoulders.

"Of course I knew," she gasped. "He told me months ago, but we forgot all about it right after the engagement. Jonathan swore he wouldn't get selected, but applied nonetheless."

My face must have been as pale as Lila's. Her mother was the only calm one out of the group.

"So, it's get married ASAP with the help of planner or ask Jonathan to stay," Mrs. Evans added. She sounded a little too smug for my taste. It was the ace under her sleeve, the card she hadn't planned to take out, but fate had given her the opportunity to play. If she pushed Lila the tiniest bit, she would call off the wedding, and I feared Lila would regret it for the rest of her life.

"You can still come with us to Japan, dearest. Your father and I will be leaving in June, right after you finish your fourth semester. Think about it." The gut of that woman. Couldn't she tell Lila was on the brink of a nervous breakdown?

"Look at that," she said raising her wrist clad in a peach-colored Michael Kors watch, "It's time for tea with Mrs. Rusell at the Embassy. I've got to go, girls." She blew a kiss to us and strut out of the apartment in her clicking heels. And, here I thought she was an angelic woman; appearances deceive.

Lila looked helpless with her face buried in her hands. I took the seat her mother had previously occupied.

"I can't ask Jonathan to decline the offer. He's been dreaming of an opportunity like this one for years. How could I ever look him in the eye after asking him to quit his dream? Or, let him go, only because I fretted over getting married so soon?"

I didn't have an answer for that, but patted her shoulder instead.

"You wouldn't mind getting married so promptly, would you?"

Lila's surprise at my words rendered her speechless. "I thought you didn't approve of my getting married so quickly," she mused.

I hesitated to respond, but did anyway. "To be honest, I didn't in the beginning. You haven't graduated yet—"

"Actually, Jonathan can finish off his undergrad right away. He already spoke with his department's dean."

"What about you, though? You wouldn't finish the semester?"

She stuttered that she'd asked if anything could be done and apparently it could, but she would have to plan the wedding and take on more assignments. "So what's stopping you?" I asked her sincerely.

"The suddenness of everything," she shrugged her shoulders. "I thought it would be one way and now it's all changed. It's not the path I thought I would walk down and it scares me. Yet, at the same time, I can't let Jonathan go. I would be able to finish my degree, but separated from him. And, I can't ask him to stay for me because that would be selfish."

"He said he would decline?"

"If that's what I wanted," she murmured gloomily.

I said I was going to support Lila. And, I felt right about the words which would follow.

"You told me you guys would fight to make things work. Look at how far you've both come, working to build a future for yourselves, striving through hard-work, even though your parents offered to pay for everything. You guys are so damn brave; you make me feel like a good-for-nothing."

Lila sniffled, "Don't say that, you are pretty brave yourself, Kate."

"Well, not as much as your fiancé and yourself. I am sure you guys can get through it. Pray some more, talk it out, and make sure you both want this. And, if in the end you agree, then for heaven's sake, hire that wedding planner!"

Lila giggled a lot after my encouraging speech. She gave me her thanks with a bear-tight hug. I'd done for Lila what Andrew had done for me almost a month ago: give me words of hope and encouragement.

The days on the calendar flew like leaves blown by the autumn breeze. Kate worked extra hard on her designs, persevering through the criticism, and maintaining a grateful attitude throughout every day. She reminded herself to put an effort to stay conscious of the good things going on in her life and remain thankful for the beloved ones surrounding her. Before working on assignments, Kate set apart a time to pray, to give thanks, and bless the work of her hands through the talent God had given her. A supernatural peace settled in her heart, giving her strength to tackle on whatever was ahead.

Simultaneously, she assisted Lila with wedding details, accompanied her to a handful of venue appointments with Mrs. Evans. During said time, she sensed the mother was calmer than before now that she had a say in Lila's wedding arrangements. She was overjoyed with the planning whilst making sure the day would be special for her only daughter. Once she understood that Lila and Jonathan meant their promise to work hard together, Mrs. Evans' strategy switched from threats to support just like that. It was marvelous, really, how that woman could bring down the moon and stars to get everything for her daughter. Lila complained about the cost, nevertheless, her mother ended up winning the argument.

One day after class, Ruth and Melissa called me to hang out for late lunch at the mall. Gabi would arrive as soon as her shift ended. We met at the campus parking lot and Ruth drove us there. At the food court with watering mouths, we argued over what to buy. It was a tradition to buy something for the whole group and split the bill. We settled for Little Caesar's hot-n-ready cheese pizza.

"Ruth, you are going to burn your tongue," Melissa warned.

"I don't care," the famished girl protested. Her teeth ripped of a steaming piece of hot cheesy cheese pizza.

"Ruth, eat like a lady. There are cute guys watching us!" Melissa put a hand on her face as if that would make the guys look away.

"Where are they?" Both Ruth and I chanted turning our heads to the left. Ruth with her squirrel cheeks filled with pizza, I with cheese dripping of my pizza in elastic strings.

"You guys are so embarrassing," Melissa groaned. "Where's Gabi when I need some normalcy?"

I cracked up. Gabi? Normal? "Are you kidding me? Gabi would've done exactly the same thing." That laughter fit increased when Ruth actually burned herself with a second slice of pizza. How the second slice was hotter than the first, I did not know, but it made me lose my grip on sanity. I couldn't stop laughing and soon the girls couldn't help themselves.

Melissa slouched on her chair and snuck a glance to her side. "They glanced at us a couple of times."

"Go talk to them, Mel," I encouraged laughingly. She gave me a glare.

"You go to talk to them," she countered.

Ruth piped up. "Girl, I'm gonna tell Andrew about you flirting with other men."

"Oh no, not you guys, too," I groaned.

They giggled together. "You have been spoken for, darling Kate. Your man has spoken loud with his actions; in fact, louder than any other guy that has ever tried to woe Melissa," Ruth supplied.

"He's not my man," I said defensively.

"Honey, don't listen to Ruth. You can't say he is your man until he confesses his undying love for you like Mr. Darcy."

Ruth looked in disbelief at her friend. "Said the girl who was flirting with the guys on the table across the hall."

"Hey, I'm a hopeless romantic, don't get me started—"

Their squabble got too noisy for my ears, so I excused myself to refill the soda cup. The bubbles spilled over the cup while I took a look around the food court. I panicked when I saw the spill on the machine and almost crashed onto the person lining up behind me. Hadn't it been for that move, I wouldn't have seen Gabi walking through the food court's automatic glass doors with James. My cousin, my usually confident cousin, ducked her head and scratched her ear when Lila's older brother smiled down at her with a heart-breaking beautiful smile. Gabriela Marisa Ortiz del Carmen was nervous! Most extraordinary!

I hurried back to my seat, hoping Gabriela hadn't noticed me gaping at their figures. James took off before reaching our table, suddenly looking nervous himself.

"Isn't that Lila's brother?" Melissa piped up. It would've been impossible not to notice his tall figure and blonde hair amidst a sea of black-haired heads.

"Hey girls," Gabi emphasized her salutation. "Nice to see you, too."

"Sorry," Melissa shrugged her shoulder sheepishly. "He's really cute. It's nice to see you, Gabriela."

She sat down beside me on the empty chair. "Yeah, it was Lila's brother James."

"Please don't tell me he's a model," Ruth jested. "Those are heartbreakers"

"Nope, not a model. Journalist, actually."

"Wow," we all said with awe. "That's even more romantic," Melissa added with a sigh. "He could write you poetry or love letters with rhymes."

"Stop, right there, Mel. No more of your day dreams, I plead." Gabi asked me to come with her to buy a drink.

"So, who found who?" I inquired cocking an eyebrow.

Without any poking, my cousin told me everything. James had gone to the coffee shop to buy an iced latte just as she finished her shift. They talked while she prepared a couple of orders and he waited for her to register her shift was over. Gabriela said with regret that she had somewhere to go, maybe they could talk another day, she had to catch the bus, but James offered to drive her to the mall. She accepted his kindness and climbed onto the rented car. At first, James behaved a bit awkward, stuttering a sentence or two, but eased into conversation with Gabriela's bubbly remarks. He went as far as to escort her to the food court. Gabriela looked at me helplessly.

"He's really nice, Kate." She pursed her lips.

"I am sure he is. He's Lila's brother after all," I concluded with a chuckle.

Gabi paid for the drink at Little Caesar's counter and then we went back to our seats. I thought she wanted to say more about James, but she held back, and I let her mull over those thoughts. A conversation over the upcoming nuptials occupied their thoughts.

"There's not enough time to organize a bridal shower. Lila's got loads of homework to turn in before the wedding and afterwards. I propose to make a nice, well-planned goodbye party when everything's been settled for their trip," I announced.

The girls agreed it would be better to help Lila as much as we could and give her gifts instead of throwing a bridal shower party, because of time's sake.

"Now, schedule overview. This weekend we have an appointment with the dressmaker for fitting. Next week, 3rd week of March, second fitting of dress and surprising Lila with bridal shower gifts instead of a party. Last week of March, rehearsal at the church—Lila hasn't decided upon one, yet, so I'll inform you when that's set. April 1st week, we have one more rehearsal at church and one at the venue. That's about it as far as bridesmaid duties are concerned."

"Do we get to choose our partners for the walking-down-the-aisle thingy?" Gabi inquired.

"Uh…" I checked my notebook. "Actually, no. Jonathan's choosing them. Sorry." The girls' faces fell at that.

"They are probably going to be from the soccer team, don't worry," I added with mischievous smile on Ruth's direction. She had a thing for Jonathan's soccer teammate, Jorge, aka "el flaco."

"What about the bridesmaids dresses?" Ruth inquired turning the conversation away from her romantic interest.

I checked my notebook to re-acquaint myself with the details. "Lila said we could choose between these three options: a single pastel color, peach; monochromatic dresses, each one a tone lighter than the other; or, all aqua." We concluded the monochromatic would be too troublesome, although, it sounded like an awesome idea.

"Pastel peach goes nicely with the garden-themed wedding," Gabriela offered.

"Raise your hand if you want peach," I said. Four hands, including mine, rose in the air.

"All right, that's it for today's wedding planning."

The girls went back to eating pizza while I marked off things from the to-do list. Even though Lila declined to name one of us her maid of honor, I was the one who'd helped her the most, maybe because our schedules fit together, so that whatever free time we had, we had at the same time.

"Mrs. Evans is quite the force to be reckoned with, isn't she, Kate?"

I sighed. "You have no idea, Ruth. She's the bride-to-be's momzilla. Don't get me wrong, she can get things done in a jiff, but she tramples down the wedding planner whenever something isn't done on schedule. I've had to sit through two or three of those quarrels." I shivered. I didn't want to be on that woman's bad side.

"I'm sorry for that wedding planner," Ruth mused.

Melissa remembered something and interrupted my ongoing conversation with Ruth. "Lila said she's trying out dresses this coming weekend!" She squealed.

"She is the hopeless romantic," Gabriela chuckled, "No doubt about it, now eh Ruth?"

"She reprimands me for being hungry, but won't let me shush her down."

We took the trash from the table while Melissa gushed over pictures of dresses on Pinterest. She didn't realize we were gone until we called out for her from the entrance to the food court.

"Wait for me!" she cried out running towards us.