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The Limousine

The wedding party gathered in the narthex to form a reception line. Holly was holding the baby in one hand and directing everyone to their positions with her free hand. “Boy, girl, boy, girl. Let me see what that looks like. Hurry up!”

Toby stood beside Meredith, staring at his rented, high-polish dress shoes.

“Admiring your reflection?” Meredith chuckled.

“Huh?” He turned to her. “No, I…”

“I’m just teasing.” She hid her smile behind her bouquet.

“You look amazing.”

“You’re not half bad yourself, big guy. You clean up pretty nicely.”

He looked down at his tuxedo. “It’s alright, but it’s not especially comfortable.”

“Hmm, the price we pay for beauty.”

“Ha, yeah.” He tugged at his collar. His tuxedo had a vest that matched her bodice and his bowtie was the deep green satin of her sash and bow. “Hey, when everything settles down, I want to talk to you about some things.”

Her heart nearly stopped. “Um, sure.” She bit her lip and turned to look at the commotion Holly was trying to orchestrate. ‘That is not good. That is not good at all. That is not something a guy should say to his fiancée.’ She fought the urge to kick him in the shin.

Once everyone was arranged to Holly’s satisfaction, the guests began to file by. Meredith exchanged pleasantries with people, not knowing who any of them were. Beside her, Toby was glad-handing and calling them by name. ‘Big jerk.’

After the crowd had abated, some milled around in clusters of conversation while others drifted out to head to the hotel for the reception. Meredith hustled over to Ivy and Holly. “What do you need me to do?”

“Grab your coat.” Holly said. “The limousine should be here in a moment.”

“Meri, is everything alright?” Ivy asked.

“Don’t worry about me. It’s your day.”

“Hey, how can I enjoy it if I know something’s not right? What’s the matter, honey?”

“I think Toby’s getting cold feet.”

“What?”

“There was something eating him during the ceremony. I think he realized he jumped the gun.”

“No.” Ivy led her to the coat rack. “There’s no way he’d pull a 180 like that. He’s nuts about you.”

Meredith slid her coat on. “I think he realized he’s just plain nuts. He’s going to bail on me.”

“Well, if he does, I’ll drown him in the punch bowl. Let’s be sure first.”

“I don’t know. I got a really strange feeling from him a couple of times.”

“Oh, I don’t know, Meri. I’ve never known him to be that fickle. Maybe his socks itch or something.”

“Well, he did say his tux was uncomfortable.” Meredith helped Ivy drape her coat over her shoulders. “This is such a beautiful dress.”

“I’m sure your dress will be, too.”

“If I even get to wear one.” Her eyes welled up. “Ivy, I’m so scared. I don’t know what I’ll do if we break up.”

“Hey, don’t get ahead of yourself. He was probably just choking on that bowtie.”

“He looks so cute all dressed up like that.”

“Did he say if he liked your dress?”

“Yes, he did.”

“I don’t think he would compliment you on your dress if he was planning to escape. You need to talk with him and see what’s going on.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“Well, for better or worse, you need to talk to him to know for sure.”

“We should probably wait until after the reception to talk. Don’t you think?” Meredith looked at him. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold it together if he dumps me.”

Ivy pulled her phone out of her coat pocket.

Ian felt his phone buzzing in his pocket.

Meri thinks Toby is going to dump her. Handle this.

“Toby, why does Meredith think you’re going to dump her?”

“What?”

Ian showed him his phone.

“That’s crazy.” Toby pulled at his bowtie. “I can’t imagine my life without her. Why would she say that?”

“I don’t know, but it seems like something you need to get straightened out.”

“What’s the matter?” Steve looked over Ian’s shoulder. “Toby? Why would you do that?”

“But I’m not! Not at all. I asked her because I couldn’t stand the idea of never seeing her again. I meant it. Why would I flip overnight like that?”

Jeff wandered over. “Hey, Toby, it’s none of my business, but Ange says that she heard you’re planning to dump Meredith.”

“That’s not true. I don’t know why she thinks that. I didn’t say anything that would make her think that. How did this get to be my fault? I didn’t do anything.”

“Whoa, whoa, big guy.” Steve massaged his shoulders. “Everybody take a deep breath. The limousine just got here. We’re all going to be packed in like sardines and Toby will have a perfect opportunity to assure her that he’s not breaking up with her. Right?”

“Right.” Toby massaged his temples. “How do you even begin to discuss something that was never going to happen?”

“We’ll figure something out.” Steve clapped his shoulder. “Get your coat. It’s time to go.”

Everyone headed out to the parking lot. Steve ushered everyone into the stretch limo and closed the door behind him. “Is everybody comfy?”

The wedding party was squashed arm to arm in the horseshoe seating. “Yeah, Steve, it’s great.” Ivy said, sitting halfway on Ian’s lap.

Toby stretched his arm out behind Meredith, but she shied away from the embrace.

“Meri, what’s the matter?”

“Nothing.” She was hugging herself, nearly doubled over.

“Seriously, tell me what I did.”

“Look, I just want to get through this without any drama, Toby.”

“What drama? Why are you telling people I’m going to dump you? I haven’t changed my mind. Not even a little.”

“I saw you, Toby. I know a disappointed face when I see it.” Meredith sobbed.

He smacked his face. “Of course, I’m disappointed, Meri. With myself.”

“What?”

“I was cussing myself out for not doing all the right stuff. I didn’t ask your parents’ permission. I haven’t even met them. I didn’t have a ring. I did the whole thing wrong, but you said yes anyway. Why would I ever want to mess that up? You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”