Chapter 13
Kelsey stood in front of the full-length mirror in the Lincoln Bedroom trying to calm her nerves. She had just taken a deep breath and was letting it out slowly when there was a knock on
the door.
"Who is it?"
"C.J. and friends."
"Come in."
C.J. walked into the room wearing the lavender dress she and Kelsey had picked out. Donna, Zoey, Abbey, and Mrs. Landingham followed her in.
"You look fabulous!" C.J. remarked as she hugged Cess.
"Thanks. How’s Toby doing?"
"Nervous, but Leo’s trying to keep him calm."
"I don’t envy Leo one bit," Donna joked.
"To what do I owe the honor of this visit?" inquired Kelsey.
"Well, we have a few things that you need in order to get married," explained Zoey.
"And that would be?"
"Something old," Abbey said as she handed a gold box to Kelsey.
Opening the box, Kelsey found a beautiful antique lace handkerchief.
"It was my grandmother's," Abbey explained. "She carried it on her wedding day."
"Thank you," Kelsey replied as she hugged the First Lady.
"And now from something new," declared Donna as she handed a small gift bag to the bride.
Inside the bag was a small box, which Kelsey opened with trembling hands.
"Oh, Donna! They're beautiful!" exclaimed Kelsey as she held the earrings up and looked into the mirror. "Thank you!"
As the two women hugged, C.J. handed her friend the next box.
"Something borrowed."
"My favorite one!" Kelsey remarked as C.J. helped her put on the bracelet that was inside the present.
"And last, but not least…something blue!" Zoey said, handing Kelsey another gift bag.
Kelsey laughed as she pulled out a blue garter from the bag. C.J. helped her to slip it on her leg. They were just about to walk out the door when Mrs. Landingham stopped them.
"Just a moment. There is another line to that poem," the older woman explained as she held out a small package. "It ends…'and a sixpence in your shoe.'"
Opening up the hinged box, Kelsey found a sixpence inside. Mrs. Landingham took the coin out of the box and placed it into the bride's hand.
"My mother gave me this coin on the day I married my husband. You're a very lucky woman to be marrying Toby and I hope that you both have a long and happy life together."
Kelsey fell into Mrs. Landingham's arms and felt herself being hugged tightly.
"Thank you. It means a lot to me," Kelsey whispered into Mrs. Landingham's ear.
"All right now enough of this. Your make-up is going to be a mess," declared Mrs. Landingham as she handed Kelsey a tissue.
"Is everyone decent in there?" A male voice called from the other side of the door.
"Come on in, Danny."
"Wow!" Danny declared as he walked into the room. "Is this bevy of beauties all for me?"
"Only in your dreams, fish boy!" remarked C.J., smiling.
"It's time."