It was three days before the wedding. I was out with Connie picking up the little suits the boys would be wearing. Suddenly the world stopped. I saw him before he saw me. Is it awful that my heart skipped a beat when I saw him. He still looked dangerous. He must have felt me staring because
he looked up. I think seeing me must have shocked him. I waved and he came over.
Me – “Hi Donnie.”
Donnie – “Hey Jess. It’s good to see you.”
Me – “You too.” It is an awkward moment. I laugh a little. “We’re being silly.” I throw my arms around
him in a hug. He quickly squeezes me back.
I back away. “How are you doing?”
Donnie – “Good. Are these yours?” He points to Noah and Tommy.
Me – “Yeap those are my boys.”
Donnie – “I just had a little girl
back in July. I was picking up her christening gown”
Me – “really their birthday is July
17th.”
Donnie – “Colleen’s is the 29th. Do you live in LA now?”
Me – “For the time being. I’m getting married on Saturday in Kentucky, Brian will probably want to move there.”
Donnie – “You’re going to try
the whole marriage thing again.”
Me – “Well it seems to be working
for you and I have never quite made it the whole way down the aisle. I’m
hoping I get at least that far this time.” Some how I can tell that it’s
okay to joke about it now.
Donnie – “I’ve got a feeling
you will. Joey told me about you working at MTV.”
Me – “I was but then I went on the
directing videos and stuff. Stephen and I are actually getting ready to make
a movie together. You should come audition for it.”
Donnie – “Nah I don’t think
so. You would give me the part out of guilt.”
Me – “No I wouldn’t. I’ve seen your movies I think you were very good in Southie.
Bobbo well he’s just another story.” Donnie laughs. “How’s your family?”
Donnie – “They’re good.”
Me – “Tell your mom I said hi.”
Donnie – “I will. Same to yours.”
Me – “Okay. Um well I should probably go but here’s my card.” I
give it to him. “And I’m not just saying this to be polite but please
call me. We should keep in touch.”
Donnie – “I will. Good luck and everything.”
Me – “Thanks. Take care.” He leans in and kisses my cheek.
As he is walking away Connie asks., “Who
was that?”
Me – “My first real love. I almost married him.”
Connie – “Good for Brian you didn’t
huh.”
Me – “yeah. Lucky for me too. Come on let’s get home. We’ve got to get ready for the flight in the morning.”
That night I’m sitting on my bed going through
my photo albums, waiting for Brian’s call. The phone rings and I reach
over to pick it up and spill my soda on the bed spread. I cuss and answer the
phone at the same time.
Brian – “hey is that anyway to answer
the phone.”
Me – “Sorry. I just spilt cream soda all over the bed.”
Brian – “Good thing it’s a cream
colored spread.”
Me – “Ha ha very funny.”
Brian – “After spending the day with
your mother I need some humor.”
Me – “Was it that bad?”
Brian – “Let me put it to you this
way I’m glad we’re doing this thing in three days cause if we took as long to plan this thing as you’re
suppose to we would definitely elope.”
Me – “What has she done?”
Brian – “Nothing major. She just reseated everyone at the reception.”
Me – “Just let her do whatever she
wants as long as she doesn’t touch the actual ceremony.”
Brian – “okay and I was supposed to
remind you that you have to be at Melissa’s dress shop at three tomorrow.
The girls will meet you there.”
Me – “Okay I got a hold of Brit she’s
going to come.”
Brian – “Great. Is she bringing Justin?”
Me – “I don’t know. But if she does you be nice.”
Brian – “hey I don’t care who
shows up as long as you make it.”
Me – “I will. Hey you’ll never guess who I ran into today.”
Brian – “Who?”
Me – “Donnie. It was so weird I was getting the boys their suits and he was there getting his daughter her christening
gown.”
Brian – “And?”
Me – “We talked for a few minutes,
he’s doing good. His little girl’s birthday is July 29th. Isn’t that weird?”
Brian – “yeah weird.”
Me – “Relax baby I can here it in
your voice.”
Brian – “What?”
Me – “I’m coming to Lexington to marry you, stop worrying.”
Brian – “I’ll stop worrying
after they say I give you Mr. and Mrs. Brian Thomas Littrell.”
Me – “You are paranoid. So are you picking us up at the airport?”
Brian – “Yes, the flight gets in at
12:15 our time so you’ll have time to make your appointment.”
Me – “Like I was worried.”
Brian – “So anyway, whatcha wearing.” I giggle.
Me – ‘Stop being a pervert I’ll
see you tomorrow.”
Brian – “Okay how’s the guys?”
Me – “Good, sleeping. I think they miss their daddy.”
Brian – “I definitely miss them. Well I should go it’s getting late and I’m worn out from driving your
mom around today.”
Me – “Alright get some sleep. I love you.”
Brian – “Love you too. I’ll see you in the morning.” We hang up and go
to sleep.
Two days to go…
Connie and I get off the plane and see Brian waiting. I wave as soon as I do I hear a girl behind me scream.
Girl – “Oh my god it’s you! It’s really you! Mom where’s
you’re camera!” She has a hold of Brian’s arm. His bodyguard that is never too far away when he is out in public comes up to restrain the girl while Brian
tries to calm her.
Me – “We’ll get our bags and
met you at the curb.”
Brian – “I’ll be there as soon
as I can.”
Me – “uh huh.” He gives me a hopeless look as yet another girl recognizes him. “Come
on Connie.”
We got our bags and where waiting on the curb
with a porter when a black SUV rolls up.
Me – “And this is probably our ride.” Some one who looks similar to Brian gets out of the driver side door.
Harold – “Hi I’m Harold, Brian’s
older and much more handsome brother. I’ve believe we’ve spoken on
the phone.”
Me – “Yeah nice to finally met you.”
Harold – “Brian will be a minute yet
but let’s get your bags in the back.”
He helps the porter put the bags in the back while
Connie and I put the boys in their car seats. We then get inside and wait for
Brian. Before long we see Brian and Rick running for the car. Harold starts it up and rolls as soon as Brian’s butt touches the seat.
Brian – “That was close. Did we get everyone?”
Me – “I hope so. You see what we are getting involved with Connie. Maybe it’s
not too late to go back to LA.”
Brian – “It’s not always like
that, it’s just that the airport is always a bad place to go.”
Harold – “It’s true I tried
to talk him into just letting me come get you but he said that he had to see you the minute you got off the plane.”
Connie – “that’s sweet.” She’s a good kid well she’s not really a kid she’s 20 but she’s
a great nanny. I was skeptical about her at first but she really has been great.
Me – “Oh don’t get sucker in
by their Kentucky sweet talk it’s been many a woman’s
down fall.”
Brian – “Including yours.”
Me – “Including mine.” I lean forward and kiss him. “So
Harold what do you think of your nephews?”
Harold turns at glances at them over his shoulder. “Unfortunately the look too much like him.”
Me – “Yeap they are my mini Brians.”
Brian – “You missed the turn.”
Harold – “I did not they are doing
construction on that road.”
Brian – “But this is the long way
around.”
I whisper to Connie. “And this is what I have to look forward to when they get older.” I point to the sleeping twins.
Later that day I step out of the dressing room
at Melissa’s.
Goldie – “Oh honey it’s beautiful.”
Reece – “Brian is going to be speechless.” It looks like a simple dress until you get up close.
At my waist it starts to bell out until it gets to the floor. There is
a little train but I think its called chapel length. All along the bottom there
are embroidered flowers.
Viv – “It is really beautiful.”
Me – “I wish Loren was here.”
Goldie – “Oh honey she’ll be
here tomorrow night.”
Me – “I know.”
Reece – “Okay now the veil.” I stoop down and she helps me put it on. It
simple too, just sheer fabric that attaches with a comb. I look at myself in
the mirror. Unlike when I was marrying Donnie I didn’t freak when I looked
at my own reflection. Instead I wanted to run to the church and do it right that
minute. I look at my mom.
Me – “So how did we do mom?” It was the first time she had seen the whole thing put together.
Goldie – “I think you too grown up.” She’s fighting back tears. “Melissa
you did a fantastic job.”
Melissa – “Thank you Ms. Hawn.”
Me – “Okay let’s get me out
of this thing before I spill something on it.”
That night we all got together to have a family
dinner. It was basically uneventful. Kurt
had rented out the whole backroom of the restaurant so we were mostly undisturbed. The
boys were getting tired so Connie took them home. Brian and I followed about
an hour later.
The day before…
Brian and I got up early and we all piled in the
car and headed over to his mom’s house. Brian has started to call it Mission
Control. I thought he was joking until I walked in to her house. Now I’ve only been at Jackie’s once before, it was homey but perfectly put together. The front of the house still looked good, but once I got in to the dining room I could tell that my mom
had been here.
Me – “Oh Jackie I’m sorry.”
Jackie – “For what sweetheart.”
Me – “What my mom did to your house.”
Jackie – “Oh nonsense I haven’t
had so much fun in years. I think I might have burned off 15 pounds just listening
to her talk.”
Me – “You could just do what my dad
does. He just nods and says yes every now and then.”
Kurt – “I do not do that.” He had come out of the kitchen with two cups of coffee. He hands one to Jackie. “Here you go.”
Jackie – “Thanks. Where did Harold go?”
Kurt – “Him and Goldie went to talk
to the caterer. He thinks since he’s local he might be able to help persuade
them to stop giving her the run around.”
Me – “Is there anything I can do to
help?”
Kurt – “No your mom’s got it
taken care of. How are you feeling? Are
you okay?” I’m convinced he is having me followed in case I decide
to run again.
Me – “I’m fine daddy.”
Kurt – “Okay well we have some bad
news.”
Jackie – “You’re going to tell
her now.”
Kurt – “Yeah might as well putting
it off won’t help anything.”
Me – “What’s wrong?”
Kurt – “Loren and Kevin are having
trouble getting back.”
Me – “What?”
Kurt – “Something about their passports,
they are having trouble getting out of Italy.”
I sit down in a chair. “I knew everything was going too smoothly.”
