Emotion choked her, and she nodded, leaning slightly against Harper, who led her to a chair. Tessa placed the flower behind her right ear, and held up a mirror, letting her see how perfect the flowers set off the upswept hairstyle.
“I peeked in the sanctuary and the guys are all standing up front in their tuxes.” Camilla closed the door softly behind her. “It’s definitely a sight I never expected to see. Heath dressed in a formal black tuxedo? My muscle-bound, leather-wearing, motorcycle-riding honey in pretty much anything but jeans and a T-shirt? It makes my heart go pitter-patter.” She chuckled. “The rest of those Boudreau boys don’t look half bad either, I gotta say.”
Glancing around the room, Ms. Patti watched each of the women who’d become part of her family. Part of her life. Part of the joy that filled her each day and she thanked God they’d become her daughters. She couldn’t have picked anyone better for each of her sons.
Her lone regret today was that Beth couldn’t be here. The women had told her earlier that morning the entire purpose of the party had been Beth’s idea from the start, and she’d worked harder than anyone to make sure everything was perfect. She’d even been putting flowers on the church pews when she’d been in labor. Giving birth to Patrick had been a miracle, and something Ms. Patti would never regret, not for an instant, but she wished Beth was here, by her side, so she could hug her and tell her how touched and honored she was to have her for a daughter.
“I love you. All of you. I probably don’t say it enough, but you have brought light and joy into my life, into the lives of my sons. I realize I can get all up in your business sometimes, thinking my way is always the right way, but you’ve all proven time and again you fit perfectly into the Boudreau clan, and I couldn’t be happier to have you here.”
“Oh, darn it, now you’ve done it. You made me cry.” Tina grabbed the box of tissue and pulled a couple free before passing the box on to the next woman.
“It wasn’t easy pulling the wool over your eyes, Ms. Patti. We were afraid somebody in town was going to spill the beans and tell you what we were planning.”
She shook her head. “Nobody told me anything, I swear.”
Nobody had to tell me anything. While I love you gals to pieces, you’re not exactly cut out for the sleuthing lifestyle. I figured out what y’all were doing right from the start, but you were having so much fun trying to fool Douglas and me, I couldn’t take that away from you. And look at what you’ve accomplished. This will be the perfect wedding.
A quiet knock sounded on the door, and Harper opened it a crack, before turning to face the room, a huge smile on her face.
“Look who decided to show up.” Pulling the door open, Ms. Patti gasped as she spotted Beth standing in the doorway, holding the baby in her arms.
“Beth!”
“You didn’t think I was about to miss the big day, did you?” Walking over to Ms. Patti, she leaned forward and pressed a kiss against her cheek. “I had to blackmail Doctor Stevens with the promise of a whole tray of Jill’s black-and-white brownies in order to let me come, but it’ll totally be worth it.” She cast a sheepish smile toward Jill. “Um, I guess I’m going to need some brownies.”
“I’ve got you covered, girlfriend. We’re all glad you’re here, too.”
Tessa pulled another chair from against the wall, and helped Beth sit beside Ms. Patti, before reaching for little Patrick. All the ladies crowded around, touching the little fingers peeking out from the blanket, or brushing their hand against his baby-soft cheek. Light blond hair covered his head, and he gave a big yawn, never waking from his peaceful slumber to notice the passel of women surrounding him.
Another knock on the door, this one a sharp staccato rap, signified it was time to start the ceremony. Nica walked over and gently lifted Patrick from Tessa’s arms, cradling him against her chest.
“I’m going to take care of this precious bundle, Momma.” She brushed a soft kiss against his head. “I’ll be watching every second. You and Dad, you deserve all the happiness in the world. You’ve always made me feel loved and special and it’s about time we do the same for you.”
“But, Nica, you’re supposed to be part of the entourage, and walk down the aisle too. You’re as much a part of everything as we all are.” Tessa looked between Nica and her mother, noting the almost silent communication between them, and threw her hands up and stepped back.
“That’s right, Tessa, we all have our part. I’ve had Momma from the moment I came into this world, and I’ll always have her. Right now, my place is here, with the newest Boudreau.”
Serena approached Ms. Patti, the wedding bouquet in her hands. Ms. Patti’s breath caught in her throat at the sight, the gorgeous flowers arranged in a simple yet elegant spray she’d hold in front of her as she walked down the aisle. It was small enough that she’d be able to hold it with one hand and maneuver her cane with the other.
“Are you ready, Ms. Patti?” Renee asked softly, looking lovely in her pale green dress.
She took a deep breath and nodded. “I’m ready.”
“Okay, then, ladies, you know what to do. Let’s line up in the order we practiced.”
Tessa lined up first, followed by Serena, then Beth, Maggie, Jill, Camilla, Renee, Tina, Destiny, Ruby, and finally Lauren, all with matching flowers in their hands, smaller versions of her own bridal bouquet.
The double doors to the sanctuary opened, and the music began, each one walking down the center aisle toward the front, where her sons stood straight and proud beside their father. Douglas. The man she’d loved for what seemed like her whole life. From the moment she’d locked eyes with him in New Orleans, nobody else existed for her. Now he stood at the front of their family church, waiting for her. To affirm and swear that he loved her, would love her until the end of time. Darn her sprained ankle. She wanted to sprint down to the front and throw herself into his arms. Yet at the same time, she wanted to savor every second of the pomp and ceremony that their children had made possible. Her heart felt like it would explode in her chest from happiness.
Now it was her turn. The music changed to the Wedding March by Mendelssohn and everyone inside the church stood and turned around to watch her. Taking a deep breath, she jolted when a masculine arm curved around hers.
“I hope you don’t mind, Ms. Patti, if I walk you down the aisle?”
Nick. He’d come all the way from Australia, and he was here. She could only nod and clutch the flowers tighter in her left hand, as they started toward the front. Having Nick here, one of her beloved “Lost Boys” made this day even more special.
Her eyes to the front, she carefully measured each step, holding onto Nick, knowing he wouldn’t let her fall. They’d only made it about a third of the way down the aisle when he stopped, leaned down to kiss her cheek, and stepped back. Within seconds, another arm was linked through hers, and her eyes welled with tears as Brian smiled at her.
“You didn’t think I’d miss today, did you, Ms. Patti?”
