He pulled on a pair of light sweatpants and opened the bedroom door, hearing voices drifting down the hall from the kitchen. “That was awesome yesterday,” Margot was saying. “Maybe I’ll have a chance to have a little fun before I’m old and gray.”
“Don’t count on it,” James said, shuffling into the room where Daniel and Margot were talking. Daniel was already dressed and looked his usual million bucks in a pair of light slacks and a simple blouse. As usual, Daniel had style, and it showed through as Daniella.
“Are you okay?” Daniel patted his arm. “You look like hell.”
“I feel like it too.” He got a mug for coffee and felt more than saw Daniel’s gaze following him. He liked that Daniel noticed him.
“You’re really into my brother?” Margot asked in a stage whisper.
“Your brother is pretty hot,” Daniel stage-whispered back as though he was sharing a secret.
Margot snickered. “Please, he’s my brother. I don’t notice if he’s hot or not.”
“I’m right here,” James growled, pouring a mug of coffee and sitting down at the table next to Daniel, kissing his made-up cheek. “Good morning.” He did his best to smile as he waited for the pills and caffeine to do their magic. “What are we doing today?” James asked. “I’m sure Holly gave you a printed schedule with everyplace you were supposed to be.” He was only thankful that she hadn’t made one up for him.
“Mother,” Holly bellowed from the front door. Daniel jumped and squeaked a little as she barreled into the room, her eyes blazing, slamming a box down on the table. James closed his eyes and put his hands over his ears.
“She’s at the store,” Margot answered. “What crawled up your butt?”
“Look.” Holly half collapsed into the chair. “These are the programs for the service, and everything is wrong. I picked out the hymns, and they’re all different. Howard’s parents’ names are spelled wrong, and…” She lowered her head to the table. “The florist called this morning. Their shipment of white roses went bad somehow. They’re trying to get some more, but they wanted to know if they could use white carnations instead.” Holly rubbed her eyes. “This isn’t a prom from the eighties or a funeral. It’s my wedding, and I want roses.”
“Of course you do,” Daniel said, jumping up and coming around to Holly. “What did you tell the florist?”
“To get roses,” Holly said, the tears starting now that her anger was spent.
“Give James the number of the florist and a copy of the order for the wedding. He can use that policeman voice of his to put the fear of god in them and you’ll get your roses.” Daniel met his gaze, and James nodded. “Thanks, sweetheart,” Daniel added with a smile, and James’s mind skipped a thread for just a second. Damn, he loved that smile.
“I’m back,” his mother said as she came into the kitchen through the garage. “What’s wrong?” she asked, and Holly pushed the box across the table. Mom opened the box. “These look fine to me.”
“Mom! You did this?” She whirled on their mom in a second.
“These are great hymns, and what you had didn’t seem like you, so I thought this would be better.” She set her jaw, and James braced for a fight.
“How could you? That isn’t what I wanted,” Holly said softly, the tears running down her cheeks.
“I thought you’d made a mistake and would want the hymns you grew up with.” His mother pursed her lips as though she were going to argue, then sighed dramatically. “You do what you like. It’s your wedding.” James had heard that guilt-inducing tone many times before. Their mother always thought she knew what was best.
“It’s okay, we can fix it,” Daniel said gently, lightly tapping his long nails on the table. James was so grateful for Daniel’s calmness in the wake of the crisis. “Do you have your original program?” Holly nodded. “Then come on. Let’s you and I fix everything up. There has to be a printer nearby.” Daniel was already on his phone, looking up what was in the area and making calls. James returned to the bedroom to dress, and by the time he came back out, Daniel was sending the files to the printer. “They’ll email a proof in an hour, and we can have the updated programs by tomorrow.” Daniel smiled.
Holly wiped her eyes. “Oh god, thank you.” She hugged Daniel, who gently patted her back. “You saved this.”