Chapter Text
It was the happiest day of her life. The guests were all here. The string quartet that her dad insisted on getting to “add ambience” to the breathtaking rustic backdrop started to play, signalling it was time to get started. They found this beautiful farm that had been converted just last year into a wedding venue. The old barn now housed the wedding ceremony with rustic looking benches for the guests. The aisle was lined with white and lilac rose petals. At the end of every other bench, was a bouquet of peonies and lilacs, Iris’ favourite flowers. At the front of the aisle, were old barn beams transformed into an arch with a cascade of peonies and lilacs on either side. In the middle, was an old wine barrel repurposed to be used by the priest to rest his book upon. There was a pond with a little bridge that took you over to a secondary bigger and more modern barn where the reception was to be held. You entered from the middle of the barn through these giant barn doors that pushed open on opposite sides. There were tables covered with white tablecloths each with a small bouquet of lilacs and peonies and a few candles as well. There were candles hanging from the rafters in clear glasses that seemed to magically float in the air. At the back was a fully stocked bar and a full service kitchen behind it to the right. To the right, was the dance floor. Similarly decorated with the floating candles and a few spot lights for when the party got in full swing. It was quite picturesque. The perfect spot for a lovely spring wedding.
Iris looked stunning! Her makeup was kept at a minimum. Just a bit of shimmer around her eyes and a nude lip. She wore her late mom’s pearl stud earrings as her only piece of jewellery. Her gown was a gorgeous ivory colour that complimented her smooth brown skin. It was a lace sweetheart bodice with capped sleeves with tiny delicate flowers containing pearls and Swarovski crystals in the middle of each flower and a deep low cut in the back with a tulle skirt. Her hair was in a half up, half down style with loose curls and a small comb at the side with Swarovski crystals in it. Her bouquet was a mixture of white and lilac peonies with a few lilacs scattered about in it. Her bridesmaids were all dressed in their lilac tulle dresses with white peony bouquets. She was almost ready to walk with her dad down the aisle to marry the man of her dreams. Or so she thought. She had just sat down to read the letter Eddie wrote to her before they saw each other. They agreed to do that. Now Iris regretted ever meeting that son of a bitch.
Iris,
I’m sorry. I can’t.
Eddie
Linda, her maid of honour, immediately noticed a change in her poise and was at her side faster than humanly possible. Iris, without saying a word, handed Linda Eddie’s note.
“That son of a bitch! Who the fuck does he think he is?” Linda whispered
“Uh, Caitlin, can you go get Joe please? And ladies, can we get the room? No one comes in here except for Joe, okay. No one!”
Once the room cleared, Iris lost it. She was so inconsolable, she could barely speak. Linda wrapped her arms around her friend and just held her while she cried. Her whole body heaving as sob after sob rolled over her.
Joe walked in with a huge smile on his face ready to see his baby girl and walk her down the aisle. He had always been apprehensive about Iris and Eddie but Iris seemed happy with him and as long as she was happy, so was he. But now, seeing his daughter distraught, his fatherly instincts flared up. Linda pointed to the note. Joe picked it up, read it and sighed heavily. He truly was relieved that Iris wouldn’t be tied to Eddie but heartbroken for her.
“I need a cronut and an Americano, right now!” Iris suddenly pulled away from Linda and stood up heading to the exit.
“What?” asked Joe and Linda at the same time looking at each other perplexed by what they just heard.
Iris smoothed her hands down the front of her wedding gown, grabbed a tissue, wiped her face and repeated herself.
“I need a cronut and an Americano!”
“Right now? What about your guests? What should we tell them?” Linda asked
“Tell them the groom got cold feet and the bride is heading to Jitters for a cronut and an Americano! I don’t care what you tell them. I just need to get out of here right now.”
She kicked off her heels and grabbed her running shoe she packed for her reception.
“Okay, I’ll take you, baby girl! Let’s go! Linda, can you handle things here?”
“Actually, Dad, do you mind if Linda takes me?”
“Uh, sure. Anything you want baby! Just call me if you need anything.”
“Thanks Dad! I love you!” Iris whispered as she kissed his cheek.
“Let’s go. I’ve got your phone and purse.”
As they exited the room, Caitlin, Kara and Felicity looked at Iris and Linda heading to the parking lot.
Confused, Caitlin asked “What’s going on? Where are you going? Iris, are you okay?”
“Just go talk to Joe and find out what you guys can do to help. We’ve gotta go!” Linda yelled looking over her shoulder, holding Iris’ dress up so that it doesn’t get dirty.
Linda unlocked her car door and helped Iris get in, running around to the other side of the car and quickly driving away from the venue. She looked back in her rear view mirror at the gorgeous rustic building in the background. It was so beautifully decorated. Too bad it was all going to waste, she thought.
The 20 minute drive to Jitters seemed to take forever mainly because both ladies sat in silence. Linda kept looking over at her best friend trying to gauge how she was doing. But Iris kept her face turned away from her. Every now and then Linda heard a quiet sob but she kept silent. She hated that her friend was so heartbroken right now.
After a few minutes, Iris reached over and grabbed her friend’s hand, looked over and quietly thanked her for being here. Linda just smiled at her, squeezed her hand back and held onto it for the rest of the trip.
Once they pulled up in front of Jitters, Linda was about to get out. Iris reached over, pulled her into a tight hug and told her friend to not get out.
“Iris, are you sure you don’t want me to come with you? You probably shouldn’t be alone right now. I could help you with your dress.”
“I’m sure, Linda. I’ll be fine. I’ll take my phone, house key and credit card with me. I’ll call you when I get home, okay? I promise, I’ll be fine.”
“I love you. Call me if you need anything!”
“I love you too. I will. Thanks Lin!”
Linda, still unsure she should leave her friend but knew there was no way she would win this fight, pulled her into a tight squeeze one last time before driving off.
Iris stood there for a second, waving to her friend and sighed heavily and pulled the door open to her favourite coffee shop. At least this was one thing that wouldn’t disappoint her today.