Chapter 34: Wedding Plans
******Friday After Finals******
"Is everyone coming?" Logan asked Veronica.
"Yes, Mac and Dick are already on their way. Mac said Parker was with them," Veronica replied.
"I can't believe you waited so long to plan your wedding!" Trina said. "That's a little on the insane side, especially when you want the wedding to be in three weeks."
Veronica gave her a sullen look. "We've had a lot going on. Besides, now that school is out of the way, I figured with all of us putting our heads together, we can pull it off. I don't want anything over the top."
The doorbell rang. Wallace and Thea stepped inside without waiting for Veronica to open the door.
"We brought the pizza!" Wallace announced. Logan came up and relieved him of his load.
"Thanks, dude," Logan said.
"Thea is leaving for Chicago tomorrow, so I told her she had to join us," Wallace said.
"I hope it's okay," Thea said, giving Veronica an embarrassed smile.
"Of course, it is! The more heads and hands the better! I have to prove to Trina that it is possible to plan a wedding in three weeks!" Veronica said.
The doorbell rang again. Veronica opened the door, welcoming Jason and Weevil inside.
"Glad you made it!" Veronica said, smiling at them.
"Why are we here exactly?" Weevil said.
"Wedding planning," Veronica replied.
Weevil gave her a disgruntled expression. "Want in the hell do I know about wedding planning?" he asked.
"Everybody is going to help so suck it up!" Veronica said. "Pizza's on the kitchen table so go grab some food."
"Fine," Weevil said sourly.
Veronica stopped Jason. "How's Jazmin doing?" she asked.
"Good. She's off phone restrictions now so you can call her," Jason said.
"She wasn't allowed to use the phone?" Wallace asked.
"Her first week in the center getting treatment they don't allow outside contact. They want her to focus on getting better," Jason explained.
"That makes sense," Veronica said.
"Will she be out in time for Christmas?" Thea asked.
"Yes. Probably in time for our family's annual holiday party," Jason said.
"Bet she's excited about that," Thea said.
Veronica snickered. "Jazmin's family parties aren't exactly like yours," she told Thea.
"She hates our parties mainly because they tend to be full of more business associates of my dad than real friends," Jason explained.
Dick, Mac, Parker, and Daisy came in. Duncan was right behind them.
"How did your finals go?" Duncan asked Parker.
"Good. Glad it's over, though," she said to him. "How about yours?"
"They were fine. Don't have much to do these days except study," Duncan said with a shrug. "Soccer practice picks up more next semester since it's a spring sport."
"Yeah, cheerleading takes up a lot of time. I'm not sure I'll do it next year," Parker said.
"Is Piz coming?" Duncan asked.
"No, he had to work," Parker said.
Duncan was happy that for once he wouldn't have to watch her with him.
Jason was surprised when Daisy actually approached him. "When are you moving your sister's stuff into your place?" she asked him.
Jason shrugged. "I don't know. Why?" he asked.
"Well, I have to clear all my stuff out of the dorms since I'm not going to be there next semester," Daisy said.
"You're not?" Jason asked in surprise.
"No. Mac asked me to move in with her and Parker since Jazmin's moving out," Daisy explained.
"Oh. Well, that's good. I'm sure you'll enjoy that," he said, smiling at her. He knew how much she longed for close girlfriends. Befriending Mac and Veronica had meant a lot to her.
"I hope so," she said. "Do you think Jazmin will mind if I move some boxes into her room? I won't touch her stuff. I'll be taking most of the clothes home with me."
"I'm sure she won't. But I'll mention it to her," Jason said.
"How's she doing?" Daisy asked.
"Do you care?" Jason asked bluntly.
Daisy glared at him. "Of course, I do!" she exclaimed.
"There's no of course about it," Jason said somberly. "You haven't exactly been either compassionate or understanding when it comes to my sister."
Veronica was watching Jason and Daisy carefully. Since it didn't look like a happy make-up session was in their future, she stepped up to them, interrupting. "Daisy, when do you head home?" she asked.
"Sunday. But I can come up any time to help you," Daisy said.
"Jason, does Jazmin get day passes?" Veronica asked.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Well, I was thinking my bridesmaids and I can go dress shopping next weekend on Michigan Avenue," Veronica said.
"Oh, that would be fabulous!" Daisy said excitedly. "I have never been to Chicago."
"There's too much to see in a weekend," Jason said.
"Well, we won't really be doing much sightseeing. I thought we could shop, eat some good food, and maybe see a show," Veronica said.
"Wicked is playing," Thea said.
"I hope you'll be able to join us," Veronica said to her.
"Oh, I'd love to see that!" Parker enthused.
Veronica walked over to Duncan and put her arm around his waist and smiled up at him. "So Duncan. You think we could borrow your dad's plane next weekend?" she asked hopefully.
Duncan laughed. "Will I still have to buy you a wedding gift?" he asked her.
"The plane cost your daddy. Not you," Veronica said with a smirk.
"Yes, but I have to suffer through his lectures," Duncan said.
"Please!" Veronica begged. She gave him the head tilt for good measure.
Duncan sighed in defeat while Logan snickered. He'd never heard Duncan say no to Veronica about anything as long as they'd known her. "Fine," Duncan said.
Veronica gave a happy squeal and hugged him. "Thank you!" she said.
"Like Duncan's ever said the word no to you before," Logan said, rolling his eyes.
"Because you say the word to her so much," Duncan replied pointedly. Their friends laughed.
"Everyone, go get some pizza and something to drink. Then we'll get started," Veronica ordered.
Her friends dispersed, but Parker stopped Duncan before he could go into the kitchen. "Duncan, you gotta sec?" she asked.
Duncan was surprised but nodded. "What's up?" he asked.
"Are we okay?" she asked nervously.
"I guess," Duncan said with a shrugged. What did she want from him?
"I'd like for us to be friends," she said.
"I'd like to say I'd like that to, but I don't want to be just your friend," Duncan said honestly.
"I've seen you with Daisy, so I thought maybe you were moving on, and we could be friends," Parker said.
Duncan couldn't help but wonder if that was true or if Daisy was right and Parker hated to see him with another woman. The thought intrigued him. "Well, Daisy and I are friends. She's going through a tough time right now," Duncan said.
"Oh, okay," Parker said.
Duncan noticed she looked relieved and couldn't help adding, "But if I did move on, Daisy would be a good choice, don't you think?"
Parker's eyes widened in surprise. "I guess," she said, clearly uncomfortable with the idea.
Dick came through the kitchen with a plate of food. "Better grab some before it's gone," he said, oblivious to the undercurrents.
Duncan nodded and walked into the kitchen.
Parker sighed. She should be happy for Duncan. Daisy was perfectly nice. However, Parker knew Daisy was in love with Jason, so she didn't think things would end well for Duncan. She wanted him to be happy, but she didn't think Daisy would be the one to make him happy.
She went into the kitchen and saw Jason giving Daisy a sad look while Daisy pretended that he wasn't there. It didn't do much to reassure her.
Veronica wasn't oblivious to all the currents going through the room, but she decided that her wedding had to take priority over her friends' drama. She'd put it off long enough. "So Weevil, did you and Jason kiss and make up?" she asked pointedly.
"Yes, Weevil, did you and Jason kiss and make up?" Logan repeated with a smirk.
"I tried to get him to kiss me, but he's a bit homophobic," Jason said, grinning.
Weevil gave him a disgusted look. "Yeah, we're cool," he said.
Veronica looked at Duncan and Parker. "Piz will be at the wedding with Parker. Are you okay with that?" Veronica asked.
"Geez, Ronnie! Don't you think that's a bit much?" Duncan asked, cringing at her bluntness.
"Well, it's my wedding. I don't want any fighting or drunken brawls!" Veronica exclaimed. She eyed Daisy and Jason. "I know some of you have hurt feelings toward each other, and I don't mean to make light of it. However, I don't think it's too much to ask for everyone to get along for the next few weeks while we pull everything together."
"Don't worry, Veronica. We'll behave," Daisy said, giving her a knowing grin.
"You better!" Veronica said with a smile.
Twenty minutes later, they all were gathered around the living room. Mac sat next to Veronica with her laptop. Logan was on Veronica's other side. "Okay, so Mac's the maid of honor. She's responsible for planning the bachelorette party," Veronica said.
"'Cause she's such a party animal," Trina said dryly.
"Hey, you can help," Mac said, smiling.
"Trina says she doesn't want to be a bridesmaid because she's already been one for two weddings," Veronica said.
"What does that matter?" Dick asked in confusion.
"Three times a bridesmaid, never a bride," Trina said.
"Huh?" Dick said.
"It's a saying," Logan said. "Old maids worry about those kinds of things!"
Trina was crammed next to him on the couch and elbowed him in the side. "Watch it!" she ordered.
Logan snickered. "You're the one who refused to be in the wedding," Logan pointed out.
"She's in the wedding," Veronica said. "She's going to be carrying the ring bearer. Not to mention help me plan everything."
"Darrel will be glad to know he's finally outgrown the gig," Wallace said.
"Isn't little dude too little to carry the ring pillow?" Dick asked.
"Yes, doofus. That's why I'll be helping," Trina explained, rolling her eyes.
"No need to be catty," Veronica said to her. "Anyway, Wallace, do you think Darrel could handle ushering duties? I was thinking, Jason, you could help with that?"
"Sure," Jason said.
"I was going to ask Piz, but I wasn't sure if that'd be insensitive since he and I dated," Veronica said to Parker.
"I think it'd be insensitive to me!" Logan exclaimed.
"Hey, I dated her, too," Duncan reminded him.
"Don't remind me!" Logan said sourly.
Parker laughed. "Piz is fine with whatever. I actually think he'd prefer playing or singing."
Veronica's eyes brightened. "Oh, yeah? I have no idea about what music I want," she said.
"Don't you mean what we want?" Logan asked her.
Veronica grinned. "Whatever you say, honey," Veronica said, patting his knee.
"You'll only need one or two really good songs," Mac said. "Do you have a time set for the ceremony?"
"The wedding is for sure going to be New Year's Eve at around eight," Veronica said.
"Then we can party in the New Year!" Dick said happily.
"That's the plan," Logan added.
"Tuesdays are kind of lame days to have a party," Trina pointed out.
"We can't help the day New Year's falls on," Veronica replied. "That means we can do the bachelor and bachelorette parties the weekend before. No hangovers for the wedding day!"
"Good plan," Mac added. "But won't the time depend on where you decide to have it?"
"Maybe. That's why I need you guys to help me decide," Veronica replied.
"You know Lily's birthday is the day before your wedding," Duncan reminded her.
"So have her birthday party on Saturday in the afternoon," Dick said.
"I think she's got some American Girl doll fantasy thing she wants to do. My mom's on top of it. There's a place in L.A. that does that," Duncan said. "You guys can just stop by and see her on her birthday and bring her a gift."
"What do I know about buying girl stuff?" Dick asked.
"She's a preschooler. I'm sure you can manage," Duncan said dryly.
"We'll go pick something out," Mac said.
"Okay, back to the wedding," Veronica said. "Dick is the best man. Duncan, Wallace, and Weevil are the groomsmen."
"I don't want to wear a tux," Weevil said.
"Double breasted just for you! Maybe a matching hat!" Logan teased.
"The attire will depend on where we decide to have it," Veronica said. "And Weevil, you will wear whatever I tell you to wear! Jazmin told me she couldn't wait to see you all dressed up!"
She knew that would get his compliance and grinned when he said, "Fine. Whatever."
Logan and Dick both snickered at his unhappiness. Logan decided right then to dress up all the groomsmen to the max!
"Daisy, Parker, and Jazmin are my bridesmaids. Jason is going to talk to Jazmin to make sure she's up for this, but I was thinking next weekend we can go shopping for our dresses in Chicago."
"That'll be so fun!" Parker said excitedly.
"My stepdad is always generous around the holidays," Daisy added with a smile.
"So what are your colors?" Parker asked.
"We can't focus on that until we focus on a location," Mac said. "A beach wedding could require different colors."
"You can get married at my church," Duncan offered.
"It does have a nice stained-glass mural," Parker said.
Logan grimaced. "Thanks, but no thanks," he said. "I don't see us married in a church."
"Maybe a nice chapel like Dad and Alicia," Veronica said. "We want it simple but classy."
"I think a beach wedding would rock," Logan said.
"Totally," Dick said with a grin.
"We can just get married here. We have a beach out back," Logan suggested.
"I refuse to get married in this cursed town!" Veronica said, shaking her head. "Not to mention that even though I said simple, I still want it to be special."
"If you want a beach wedding in California, there's lots of choices," Trina said.
"Well, there's the Electric Riverboat that goes out of Riverside," Mac said, looking at her computer screen. "They do a four-hour cruise with a dinner and stuff. It can accommodate fifty guests easily."
"Wedding on a yacht would totally rock!" Dick enthused. "We can use my dad's yacht."
"This one does all the planning and provides the food and stuff," Mac said.
"I don't mind a boat," Logan said.
"But what if people get boat sick? I'm not sure that's a good idea," Veronica said.
"There's the Wayfarers Chapel. It's in Rancho Palos Verdas," Mac said. "It's an indoor glass chapel, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright with a view of the ocean." Veronica looked over Mac's shoulder, so she could see the picture.
"That does have a really beautiful view," Veronica said.
"There's some beautiful redwood trees. You would have the comfort of air conditioning with the view of the water," Mac said.
"True," Veronica said.
"What about a hotel and spa package?" Trina said. "Those are nice."
"Riverside has a Mission Inn and Spa that has a beautiful chapel and several outdoor sights," Mac said, reading off the screen. "You could go see it and pick which you'd prefer."
"How about a destination wedding?" Duncan suggested. "Australia's a great place. Then you can do a beach wedding."
Logan's eyes lit up. "Maybe Hawaii? That'd be fun!" Logan said.
"And expensive," Veronica said. "Not everyone has millions of dollars to throw around. I'm not sure my dad could swing a Hawaiian trip. He and Alicia are trying to save up for a bigger house."
"I can fly everyone there," Duncan said. "Or my dad's plane can."
"Your dad may actually need to use his plane," Veronica said.
"My dad has one," Jason offered. "He'd be delighted to help you."
"My dad will totally love partying with your dad," Wallace said, grinning at the thought of the ex-cop with the gangster.
"What about your mom?" Trina reminded her. "Do you think she'd be okay with a destination wedding that forces her in a small amount of space with your dad and stepmom?"
"Good point," Veronica said.
"She did stop and talk to your dad before she left town," Wallace said.
"She did? Why didn't anyone tell me?" Veronica asked.
"I guess your dad figured you knew," Wallace said.
"I told her to clear the air before the wedding, but I didn't realize she did it before she left town," Veronica said.
"Hawaii would be a lot of fun," Mac said.
"We can cover the cost of the wedding party suites," Logan said.
"Dad won't like it," Veronica said with a frown.
"Your dad will like anything that makes you happy," Logan added.
"There's too many choices," Veronica said with a groan.
"Well, we need to decide. We can't plan until we pick a location," Trina said.
"You can go this weekend and visit some of the local places," Mac suggested.
"True," Veronica said.
"Hawaii does offer several island locations that do beautiful weddings," Daisy said. "One of my cousins got married on one of the smaller islands."
Veronica put her head on Logan's shoulder. "I'm never going to decide!" she complained.
*****To Be Continued******