Because life was fun when Teeny was in it.
Then Emma and Andrew showed up, dancing with them, delight in their eyes. The bracelet Melanie had given her the night before glinted in the flashing lights, representing the newly united family.
The traditional first dances had been sedate and sentimental. This was altogether different. This was a celebration. As if sensing the same, the band rolled right into “Celebration.”
Melanie giggled when Tennyson grabbed her hand and twirled her beneath her arm. She returned the favor, much as she’d done when they were eleven years old, dancing to Kool and the Gang when the song was new. Joseph appeared, looking very much the hot cop that Tennyson had dubbed him, in his tuxedo with the purple tie that she bet Tennyson had paid too much for. He grabbed Tennyson around the waist and grooved with her.
Kit joined them, too, looking less joyous but determined that the wedding reception would be one to remember for Emma and Andrew. He caught her eye, and she smiled at him.
Maybe.
She wasn’t sure if she and Kit would make it. Oh, she still loved him, but sometimes love wasn’t enough. Not if it erased one of the people.
Kit took her hand and pulled her to him. “You look gorgeous tonight, Mel. Even prettier than the day I married you. Thank you for giving me the world.”
Melanie smiled. “You’re welcome.”
Then she let his hand go and grabbed Tennyson’s. Her friend rocked and rolled, her feet bare because no one could dance in the things she’d worn for the wedding.
“I have something for you,” Melanie yelled over the music.
“You do?” Tennyson asked, dipping low.
“Your boobs are about to fall out,” Melanie called down to her.
Tennyson’s eyes lit with amusement. “That’s why I’m taped up.”
The song ended, and everyone moved over to the table with the cake, where Marc stood looking perturbed that the band had gone rogue and gotten him off schedule. The confection was gorgeous with beautiful flowers that mimicked the ballet-pink ones on Emma’s dress. Melanie’s daughter and new son-in-law stood behind the cake and thanked everyone for coming. A photographer swarmed like a yellow jacket, snapping pictures, buzzing this way and that. He turned and snapped one of her and Tennyson when they were unprepared.
“Lord, I’m all sweaty,” Melanie said.
“Me too, but who cares? We just burned a crap ton of calories. I’m eating a big piece of cake. Now what did you want to give me?”
Melanie held up her wrist and unclasped one of the bracelets she wore. She took Tennyson’s arm and fastened the bracelet there. Tennyson watched with a bemused look on her face. After Melanie released her hand, Tennyson brought her arm up and caught hold of the gold circlet with the small medallion that read 4EVER.
“That’s what we forgot,” Melanie said.
“What?”
“You bought us the best friends necklace. We should have added the 4ever. That’s been the problem. We forgot the 4ever.”
Tennyson’s eyes sheened with tears. “Well, of course. How stupid of us.”
“Yep. And I have one, too. To remind me that some things should be forever.” Melanie held her own arm up and wriggled it so the bracelet flashed in the dim lighting. It was her apology, her promise to her friend.
Together they turned as Andrew smashed a piece of cake all over Emma’s face.
“He totally takes after his mother.” Melanie laughed.
Emma retaliated by pouring champagne on Andrew’s head. The two young newlyweds then dissolved into laughter, kissing one another and licking the icing off their fingers. Everyone around them smiled and clapped.
“How come no one clapped when we did that?” Tennyson asked.
“Because we were displaying ‘bad behavior,’” Melanie said, hooking her fingers in the air and grinning.
“Well, my dear, that’s the absolute best kind,” Tennyson said, wiping away the moisture glistening in her eyes.
Melanie smiled as the band struck up “Brick House.” “They’re playing our song.”
Tennyson nodded. “Let’s go.”
Melanie had a sneaking suspicion that she would be hearing those words often in the next few years. And that was perfectly fine with her.
Time to fly.