“Finally. Where have you been? Father Bryant is ready to start the rehearsal.”
Julie Parks reached for the work bag with wedding notes and detailed seating charts and slung it over her shoulder as she slid from the car. She followed her niece into the magnificent old church and marched down the aisle, heels tapping on the marble floor. Organ music filled the sanctuary as the musicians warmed up. Young people stood in clusters, chatting.
She wanted to reassure her niece about the upcoming wedding but Emma was young and in love. She wanted perfection, not yet appreciating life’s little hiccups. Julie was on the south side of forty, almost over her last break up and had settled into her quiet life with satisfaction. But she was still open to possibilities.
“There’s Zack. Come on and say hi and meet Father Bryant and then you can whip this side show into shape.” Julie allowed Emma to lead her forward but worried the young couple expected too much from her. She directed community theater. She had planned Emma’s older sister’s fairytale wedding to a flawless finish last year but she had participated in enough weddings and plays to know anything could happen.
“Father, this is my aunt. She’s directing the wedding and she’ll fix everything.” Emma’s face glowed.
“Great to meet you. I hope you can help me get these attendants in place. I know very few of them by name.”
Julie looked around. “I know most of them, at least a little bit.”
Emma grabbed her arm and pulled her away, leaving Zack with the priest. “There’s Luke and Maddie. He’s Zack’s uncle and wants to help you with the ushers. Maddie’s the flower girl.”
“This is my Aunt Julie, Luke. She’s a writer too.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m a writer. I sometimes help re-write plays I direct for the after school program where I work.”
“Nice to meet the famous Aunt Julie,” Luke said, his brown eyes sparkling with a wide smile, and she blushed. He was much too attractive.
“I think Emma may have exaggerated my talents but I’ll do my best. And I know Maddie. I met her at one of the bridal showers along with your wife.” She bent low to greet the little girl and admire her ringlet of blond curls.
Emma and Luke both laughed. “Luke isn’t Maddie’s father. He’s her uncle, just home from reporting on the war in the middle east. He’s single too.”
Julie blinked. “Oh, I don’t have all the in-laws straight. yet We may have to redo some place cards before tomorrow.”
“Sounds like you’re on top of everything,” he remarked as she pulled out her phone and keyed a quick note. “Maybe we can be stuck at the singles table together.”
She looked up sharply. Was he flirting with her?
“I’ve only planned two weddings.” Julie stammered as Emma walked away with the little girl, turning to wink at her aunt. She seemed determined to play matchmaker.
“I’m sure you’ll do fine, and I’ll help. I’ve been an usher more times than I want to admit and I know all of these boys, friends of Zack’s.” He was nice. She would let him line up the guys and give them some helpful tips about seating people.
The priest took his place and the musicians paused. “We’re ready if you are, Ms. Parks.”
She lined up the bridesmaids at the back of the church while Luke brought the groomsmen to the front to take their places. After a few run throughs with the music, Zack and Emma stood in front of the priest. He explained their movements for tomorrow evening while Luke took the ushers to the back to practice seating the guests.
“Looks good. I think we all know what to expect,” the priest said, releasing them for dinner with a short prayer.
Emma hugged her aunt and whispered. “I’ve put Luke beside you for dinner tonight.”
***
After the wedding gifts were opened and the speeches made, dinner was served. “I want to see your next play,” Luke said. “When will it open?“
“Not for a while, actually. We start practicing in January for ‘Annie’. You’ll likely be back in the middle east before it opens.”
“I’ve taken an extended leave and I’m not sure what I’ll do next. I’m ready to settle down after living from a suitcase and writing about nothing but death and destruction.”
“I can’t imagine that life. My only action comes from reading a mystery novel.”
“I’m craving that quiet now. Will you go out with me sometime, Julie?”
“Sure. Why not?” She smiled at him and took a sip of wine.
It seemed new beginnings were floating in the air along with love tonight.