“I can’t let my granddaughter be disappointed.” She put her hands on the armrest to push up as Pittypat bounded to the floor. “Let’s cheer her on.”
The three of them exchanged surprised and victorious glances as Eli took his mother’s hand, helping her to her feet.
“Nolie also mentioned getting you in a grandmother-of-the-bride dress?—”
She pointed a finger at him. “Don’t push your luck.”
As they laughed at that and headed downstairs, Vivien couldn’t help but think something in the world had completely shifted…and it was good.
* * *
The goodness continuedas Akari took her place at a speaker’s podium under the tent, holding a microphone to welcome the guests and kick off the show. Tessa and Lacey stood at the beach end of the boardwalk, looking proud and a little nervous as the music for the “Mothers of the Brides” collection began the event.
Jo Ellen absolutely sparkled in silver, along with a few other older models, slowing her step as she passed a front-row table where Maggie—and Pittypat—sat. The two women exchanged looks, but from Vivien’s perspective at the other end of the boardwalk, it was impossible to interpret what that might mean.
“I’m hopeful,” Crista whispered to Vivien.
Vivien turned and touched her sister’s cheek, noticing the whole thing had made her pale and even the professional makeup artist didn’t fully cover the shadows under her eyes.
“You okay?” she asked. “This has been stressful.”
“It’s not stress,” Crista said. “You’re going to be an aunt again.”
Vivien gasped just as the music changed, which was the cue for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to partner up and start their walk.
“Crista!” Vivien pressed fisted hands to her lips to keep from letting out a cry of joy.
But then Peter was next to her, offering his arm. “Let’s go, gorgeous.”
Crista just laughed and gave her a nudge. “We’ll talk,” she promised. “Go show off that dress, Auntie.”
Laughing, Vivien looked up at her partner for the fashion show, not the least bit surprised that Tessa had paired her with Peter. But she was surprised that this no-nonsense detective looked positively swoony in a dark suit with a narrow black tie.
“I’d dance with you at any wedding,” she teased, purposely flirting as they stepped onto the wooden planks.
“Dance?” He snorted softly. “Are you all signed, sealed, and divorced now?”
“The deed is done,” she said through a smile she gave to the crowd as they walked.
“Then I’ll be hoping for our first kiss right here on the sands of Destin.”
Laughing softly, she tugged him closer. “I wanted that thirty years ago, Detective.”
“It’ll be worth the wait.”
Still laughing and maybe floating a little, she turned to her left to smile at the crowd like Tessa had instructed, but something—someone—caught her attention at one of the back tables.
Was that…Danny Sullivan? And, whoa, Fiona Buckman?
Fiona sat up a little straighter and gave a nervous smile, adding a little, uncharacteristic wave.
What wasshedoing here?
There was no time to give it much thought as they finished their walk and reached the end of the boardwalk. They stepped off the wood to their waiting areas, the bridesmaids separated from the groomsmen.
She turned back to face the boardwalk as the music dropped and became more playful and all eyes shifted for the one and only Figsworth the Flower Girl.
The music softened after Akari announced her, leading into Tchaikovsky’s playfulWaltz of the Flowersjust as Nolie took her first careful step forward.
