“This wedding should be about you and James celebrating the love that you both have for each other. Nothing and no one else should matter,” she said with feeling.
There was a pause in the conversation as she reached for the pancake batter and began pouring perfect circles.
“It doesn’t matter where it happens as long as it’s what you both want. Even if you chose to elope, it’s entirely your decision…but don’t do that,” she quickly tacked on, pointing the spatula in her daughter’s direction for emphasis. This earned a small chuckle from Rory.
“I just wish James could understand where I’m coming from,” Rory sighed. Andrea looked over her shoulder as she flipped the pancakes and nodded in understanding.
“Give it time, sweetie. You are two people from different worlds that chose to fall in love. What that means is that you have to work on nurturing this love, and that takes understanding and compromise, especially now that you’ll be spending the rest of your life together.”
“Yeah. I guess I didn’t look at it that way.”
Andrea turned to look at Rory. She could see the reservation in her daughter’s eyes even though a smile ruffled her lips and her head bobbed in agreement.
“Are you sure there isn’t anything else bothering you?” she prodded softly.
Rory’s face clouded over, and it took her nearly a minute to answer. Plastering a reassuring smile on her lips, she replied, “Everything’s okay, Mom. I was thinking about how busy it’ll be when Jenny gets here.”
“Jenny?” Andrea’s face scrunched in confusion as she tried to determine if she knew the person.
“My wedding planner. She’s coming a week before the wedding, so we can finalize everything,” Rory explained.
“Oh…okay.” Andrea turned back to the griddle, cracking the eggs, and shaking a reasonable amount of salt and pepper over them. Her eyes narrowed in thought, and she turned back to her daughter.
“But won’t that be too late?” she reasoned.
“Um, no…not really,” Rory replied. “Do you want some help?” she asked, gesturing to the remaining items on the counter.
“Thanks, sweetie. You can replace the filter in the coffee maker and add the beans,” she instructed.
Rory reached for the coffee maker. Andrea turned back to the pan and started easing the eggs onto the waiting platter.
“Jenny’s taking care of most of the heavy lifting. We’ve already decided on the theme, and she’s already sourced the floral arrangements, the food and the band that’ll be playing at the reception. We’re getting the coroners.”
Andrea inclined her head in her daughter’s direction and smiled. “Isn’t that the band you became obsessed with back in college?”
“Yup,” Rory replied, popping the ‘p.” A satisfied grin broke across her face. “I can’t wait.”
Andrea smiled, and some of the tension she’d felt from her daughter’s obvious stress began to dissipate.
“Also, my friends will be coming in a few days early for my bridal shower. Marg said she’s already booked the rooms for them and the groomsmen. James’ parents and their guests will stay in town at the Candlewood Suites; it’s more in keeping with their expectations.”
A ping sounded, and Rory reached into her pocket to retrieve her phone. Andrea watched her carefully, noticing the deep furrowing of her brows as she stared at the screen.
“Everything okay?”
Rory looked up at her mother before staring at the phone once more. Pocketing the device, she plastered a smile on her lips and replied.
“Everything’s fine.”
“Okay,” Andrea replied hesitantly.
“Want me to help set the table?” she asked, changing the conversation.
“Yeah, that would be great,” Andrea replied.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“For what?”
