Mercedes Charice Jones and Samuel Dwight Evans
are proud to celebrate with you,
their celebration of matrimony on this Sunday,
the twelfth of June, two-thousand and twenty-two,
at four o'clock in Lexington, Kentucky.
Parents of the Bride: Mrs. Viola Charice Jones-Owens & Dr. Jeremy Lamont Owens
Parents of the Groom: Mr. Dwight Anthony Evans & Mrs. Mary Annette Evans
Matron of Honor: Tina Anne Chang Jr.
Best Man: Steven Nicholas Evans
Groomsmen: Michael Chang Jr., Arthur Tyler Abrams, & Finn Christopher Hudson
Bridesmaids: Lucy Quinn Fabray, Santana Carmen Lopez, & Stacey Maryette Evans
Ring Bearer: Michael Chang III
Flower Girl: Elizabeth Grace Anderson
Special thanks, with love, from the bride and groom to Mr. Kurt Hummel-Anderson
In order to avoid potential paparazzi encounters as well as the superstition of the bride and groom seeing each other before they're supposed to, Mercedes stayed at the Evans house with: Sam's parents, Stacey, Quinn, Tina, Santana, Brittany Kurt, Blaine, and the children. And just as everyone assumed, the local news meteorologist promised a very warm summer day ahead of them. But regardless of the predicted weather, it had no affect on the bride's previous night of rest. She had been a pleasantly restless bride-to-be throughout. Somehow, she managed to get some sleep. Some time that morning however, she awoke to the whispers of her bridesmaids.
"Kurt said we have to be ready for pictures at 2!"
"Shhh! You're gonna wake her up!"
Somebody giggled while another person said, "So what? That's the point, right?"
Suddenly the room grew quiet. The girls stood at the foot of the bed, all clad in pajamas and matching fuchsia satin robes with their bridal party title embroidered on the back in sapphire blue.
Mercedes cracked her eyes open just as Tina, Quinn, Stacey and Santana broke out into a boisterous chorus of, "Happy Birthday," substituting the word "birthday" for "wedding day". She rolled her eyes shut but smiled and playfully groaned while pulling the covers up over her head.
Santana and Stacey grabbed the other end of the blankets and yanked them off entirely, causing the bride to cuddle into herself. "Oh hell no! You guys know you're wrong for that!" she grinned while throwing a pillow at each of them.
Santana dodged hers while Stacey caught hers and threw it back. "Time to get uuup! We're gonna have breakfast before the hair and makeup people get here."
"Yeah, I called Mike to see if the guys were up. They are, but the guy at the front desk told him that the stalkerazzi got tipped off about them being there," informed Tina.
Mercedes gave a drawn-out, "Greeeat." Her slight upset was briefly forgotten when she suddenly asked, "Hey where's Brittany? And Mikey and Sawyer"
"Brittany's downstairs helping Kurt," answered Santana, who was peeking out of the only window's shutters.
"And Mikey's downstairs with Lizzie and Blaine. Sawyer's with Mrs. Evans. I'm gonna go check on them in a bit, but there's more I have to tell you," Tina said. Quinn gave her a look of warning but Tina ignored it, "Rachel's flight got delayed earlier but she's in Kentucky now and said she'd be here soon…with her date."
"Her date? Who?" asked a highly surprised Mercedes.
"Take a wild guess," answered Tina. "She said it was an old friend."
Realization crept across Mercedes' face fast. "Oh Lord," she groaned with a roll of her eyes. She caught the blatantly averse expression that flashed across Quinn's face, telling Mercedes that her blonde bestie was probably thinking exactly what was about to come out of her mouth. "If this turns into junior prom drama all over again, I'm going to kill someone."
No one doubted that, but Quinn chimed in, "Look, don't worry about them, or even the paparazzi. This isn't your day to be upset. We're all older and more mature than we were in high school. Plus Finn and Rachel have moved on from each other for good now." For a moment she rubbed her slight baby bump, but her attention remained slanted to Mercedes. "And forget the paparazzi. If anything, they'll just snag a few pictures of Sam and the boys getting into the limo, but you know Kurt's going to have everything under control here at the house." She sat down next to Mercedes and lightheartedly shook the girl's shoulders. "So get up, get up, get up!"
They smiled at each other while Mercedes sat up in the bed and pulled her nightcap off. In no time her excitement overrode her brief upset and lack of sleep, and pulled her out of bed to brush her teeth and shower. When she returned from the bathroom, she was wrapped up in a white satin robe with "Future Mrs. Evans" emblazoned across the back in glittering fuchsia.
Tina had gone from the room to check on her sons—both of who were being watched by Sam's parents—and Stacey tagged along, but they soon returned with bagels, fruit and juice for everyone. Coming in behind them was an exceptionally ecstatic flower girl, Lizzie Anderson, whose presence alone brought on a new layer of joy to the room.
Not long after breakfast, the nail beautician, make-up artist, hair stylist & one of the three photographers joined the girls to occupy the next couple hours of their time. While Mercedes had her nails redone in fresh French-tipped acrylics, the hair stylist started on Lizzie's braided crown. Eventually all of the girls had a braid incorporated in their hair: Quinn received a braided crown as well, but the rest of her medium-length hair was wound into a sophisticated bun. Santana had two braids hanging on either side of her head with the rest of her free-flowing hair, and Tina's hair was gathered into a single braid that rested in the middle of her back.
None of them had seen Kurt yet. He was far too busy turning the Evans' grove and yard into an intimate, elegant ceremony and reception site. A few times, Mercedes would relay messages to him through her bridesmaids but she did her best not to bother him while he worked and she got ready.
Once their hair and make-up was done, the girls slipped into their dresses—with the exception of Mercedes. All four bridesmaids, including Tina, donned identical cerulean taffeta v-neck dresses with pleated waistlines. The fabric flared slightly at the waist and stopped at the knee—a flattering and weather-friendly selection for all four young women. Being the first one ready, Santana helped Lizzie into her fuchsia spaghetti strap dress. By the time she and the young girl finished, Tina had excused herself to check on Sawyer and Mikey downstairs, and Quinn joined her this time.
As the hair and makeup artists stood in front of Mercedes to look over their work, Lizzie squeezed herself between them to stand in front of the bride. "I'm a princess! Look Aunt 'Cedes!" she announced, stepping forward to perform a perfect pirouette for the bride.
Mercedes smiled adoringly at the young girl and granted her a playful curtsy. "Yes you are, your Hotness. I thought today was my day, but look at you! You're the prettiest princess in all the land."
Lizzie blushed and giggled, "Can I go show Daddy and Papa?"
"Yeah, let's go see if we can find them," she said, reaching for the girl's hand. "Be right back Santana."
Mercedes continued to shower the little girl in compliments the entire way to the stairs, but they only made it past the second step before they were halted by a grey-suited Kurt. He raised a palm to the bride while staring eye level at her.
"Um, where do you think you're going?"
Mercedes brows furrowed, "Downstairs? Lizzie wanted to give you and Blaine a mini fashion show."
"IIII don't think so," he promptly answered. As quick as the switch of a light he looked sweetly to his daughter, "Lizzie you look adorable, sweetie. Why don't you go downstairs and find Daddy and Uncle Sammy?"
Lizzie beamed, "'Kay Papa!" and hopped down each step.
Right away, Kurt turned his attention back to Mercedes. "You on the other hand don't get to see my masterpiece before it's finished. Besides, Sam might see you and you're not even in your dress yet! Go back upstairs and get that photographer to take some more pictures of your make-up artist pretending to blush your cheeks or something."
As her forehead smoothed out again, Mercedes put her hands on her hips, "You do know there's a window with a view of the yard from the room that I'm in, don't you?"
In the blink of an eye, Kurt's naturally superior gaze sharpened, "Mercedes Jones-soon-to-be-Evans, that window better have shutters on them like the rest, and those shutters better be shut!" Little did he know, they were, but he looked past the dark-skinned diva and called over her shoulder, "Tina! Get out here and do your Matron of Honor duties please!"
Mercedes tried not to crack a smile as her best friend turned back down the stairs, flustered and muttering to himself. Despite Kurt's misguided accusation, Tina was coming up the stairs cradling her youngest boy at the same time he was marching down them. She momentarily regarded Kurt as though he were insane and then shook her head to revert her attention back to the bride. "Mercedes, don't forget about your gift for Sam!"
"Oh, right!" said Mercedes, who already had forgotten. She and Tina went back to the guest room. The stylists and artists were packing up their belongings and Santana was perched on the bed, snapping photos with her phone. The singer crouched beside her duffle and produced a thin, square black box with a golden lid.
Smiling brightly, Tina asked, "What did you get him?"
"Cufflinks, and a little something else. You'll see it on him later." She handed it to her Matron of Honor who graciously took it.
"I'll be right back. And you better get into your dress—it's 1:30!"
Another wave of excitement washed over Mercedes. "I know, I know! Okay hurry back so you, Quinn and Santana can help me."
"Mom, you're gonna end up looking like you have allergies in all the pictures," warned Sam.
A teary-eyed Mrs. Evans quietly scoffed, "I am not." She pressed both hands to the sides of her eldest's face, casting a sad smile at him. "I'm going to look like a mother who's proud of her baby."
The groom smiled back at his mother and angled his head when she stood on her toes to kiss his cheek.
She quickly wiped it away, so not to leave a pale lipstick imprint there. "Where are your brother and your friends?"
"Um…Stevie's around, somewhere—I dunno. And Mike and Artie are out back with Mach 3, Marcus and the guys. Probably checking out the horses but I told 'em if they messed up their tuxes, Mercedes was gonna slaughter 'em."
His mom giggled, "Well I couldn't blame her for that. They're welcome to come riding any time they're in town but I don't think today's the day to pick." Customary to all formal affairs, she took a step back and double checked to be sure that everything on her son was in place. Her hand tamed a feathery tuft of hair, and then moved down to smooth his cerulean tie out. She straightened the pearly white calla lily boutonniere near his right lapel and adjusted the fuchsia pocket square over his heart. Lastly, she took both of his hands. A content sigh left her lips before she pursed them and looked down. "I thank God that I'm here for this day, Samuel." When she looked up at him again, fresh tears were in her eyes.
Sam's face was stern yet sympathetic from her words; he pulled his lips into a soft smile and murmured, "I do too, Mom. And you look really beautiful."
He freed one of his hands and slowly twirled his mom around with the other. Her dress was a lighter shade of blue than his vest or tie; it came with a thin, equally blue, transparent bolero jacket and fit her slender form right to the knee-covering hem. And since Sam's visit in April, her hair had grown to shoulder-length; she seemed to have grown to love wearing hats, however, so most of it was covered by a floppy-brimmed sun hat with a fuchsia bow. Her face and limbs started filling out again, giving her a less ill appearance.
Mrs. Evans giggled softly, "Thank you, sweetheart."
"You're not tryin' to steal my lady now, are ya?" asked a deep, soft-spoken voice.
Sam grinned lightly at his dad and wittily replied, "Nope, I'm gonna nab my own today."
His dad chuckled heartily as he entered the living room. Like Kurt, Dwight Evans wore a grey suit, with a blue dress shirt that matched his wife's dress. He had one hand in his pocket while he walked, but when he approached his son his hand came out and held a small, brass pocket watch. Engraved on the back in small cursive was the phrase: Know how to live the time you are given.
Sam eyed it in awe before his green hues returned to his father. "That's Grandpa Tony's."
"It was," corrected Mr. Evans. "And it was mine. Now it's yours." He took his son's hand and placed the watch in his palm. "I don't know if your mom's already told ya but, we're real proud of ya, Son. Mercedes and you are the real deal and I know you two are gonna keep on makin' each other happy."
Unable to think of anything to say—other than, "Thanks,"—Sam unbuttoned his tan suit jacket and clipped the chain to his cerulean vest. As he slipped the watch into his inner pocket, Sam stepped forward to hug both his parents. "I love you guys," he murmured with a bowed head.
"What? A group hug in the living room and no one invited me?"
Sam raised his head and smirked at his younger brother. "You're welcome to join, Stevie."
The younger Evans son approached wearing an identical outfit to Sam and the other groomsmen, save the calla lily, which was fuchsia instead of white. He cast a sly smirk at his older brother, "No thanks, I really just came to see if there were any Best Man duties I needed to be fulfilling right now."
As Sam let go of his parents, he mock saluted his brother and, in his James Earl Jones voice said, "At ease, Evans."
Stevie's face flattened instantly. He started to say something inappropriate but both of his parents were well within hearing range so he closed his mouth and settled for a hard set glare. Aside from the buzz cut, blue eyes, and marginally leaner lips, he looked eerily similar to Sam at seventeen—a generally more serious Sam, that is.
"Actually, now that you mention it," said Sam. "I do have something I need you to do."
"Forget it," spat Stevie. Sam knew he hadn't meant it though, so he went on.
"I need you to take this upstairs to Mercedes. You and Tina are supposed to exchange our gifts for us since we can't see each other yet." He crossed the room and rifled through his duffle until he found a small, pink gift bag.
Stevie raised his brows as Sam held it out to him. "Is this lingerie? Because if it is, I think you can wait 'til the honeymoon and give it to 'Cedes yourself. She's about to be my sister-in-law ya'know…"
Sam sighed, "It's not—look, will ya just give it to her?"
After catching a glimpse of Sam's reddening cheeks, Stevie took the bag—his gratified smirk returning, "You got it." As he turned to leave, Tina entered the room carrying Sawyer, as well as Sam's present.
The groom perked up but his mother held her hands up to stop her, "Hang on Tina. Let me find one of the photographers." She grabbed her husband's hand, "C'mon, Dwight. Kurt said there's 3 of 'em floating around here."
Tina and Sam watched with amused faces as the elder Evans pair exit the room. When Tina faced Sam again, she asked, "How are you holding up?"
Licking his lips and rubbing his hands, Sam replied, "Nervous actually. But good too. How is she?"
Tina smiled and confidently gave the best answer she could think of, "Never better."
At that, Sam smiled. He couldn't see his bride, but he could trust Tina's response fully.
A light tap, tap, tapping of low heels neared as Mrs. Evans came back—without her husband but with one of the photographers. "Okay!" she exclaimed with a cheerful smile. "Let's see, sweetheart."
Tina stepped aside; as she finally handed the box to Sam, the photographer's camera clicked quietly. Several photos were taken throughout Sam's opening of the box. When he removed the layer of tissue paper a small note sat on top with Mercedes' neat handwriting across the middle. "I love you Honey! See you at the altar" with a heart drawn at the end.
His lips spread a little wider.
More clicks from the camera were heard.
And when he lifted note away, his teeth shone. Sitting on a cushion, near the bottom of the box were two triangle-shaped platinum cufflinks. Directly above them was a custom-designed, triangular bolo slide with the letter, "E" etched deep in the center; underneath, a dark tan leather string was coiled. For a brief moment, Sam's mind recalled junior prom—the spark that ignited his and Mercedes' relationship.
Sam looked up, still grinning. He touched his hand to the cerulean fabric around his throat and made one request to his mother. "Can you help me get this tie off, Mom?" His eyes went back to the box as he murmured, "I have something else to wear instead."
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