Alien in the Family

dramatic.” Pierre went back to his call. “Black and white. Yes.” He looked at me. “Fair, excellent skin, no tanning booth for this one. Oooh, Rebecca, darling, that sounds divine.” He looked at me again. “Darling, where are you at?” I looked at him with what I knew was a blank expression. “The wedding, darling, where is it to be? And the reception?”
    I had no idea. “Uh, hold that question.” Trotted to the tanning room and knocked softly. “Paul? Can I come in? I’m so sorry, but I have to ask James something.” The door opened. I slipped inside. Gower had his arms around Reader and was rocking him. Reminded me a lot of Martini and me. “Is James okay?”
    Gower kissed the top of his head. “Yes. Just overdoing it a bit.”
    “I’m fine,” Reader said as he shifted to look at me. “Just sort of feel like you did when you called me the other night.”
    Gower reached out and pulled me into the group hug. “Now, before we tell Jeff we’ve decided to go bi and steal Kitty from him, you think you can calm down and remember that we all love you, and if you forget one, or even two, little things, it won’t really matter to her?”
    “It won’t James, I promise.” I hugged him harder.
    The door opened. “Oh, my. A camera phone would mean I was a rich man, I’d guess. Darlings, Rebecca has to know the location, wedding and reception both, and the times. Can’t save the day without those teensy details.”
    Reader took a deep breath and seemed to relax. He stepped away from Gower and me and put out his hand for the phone. He left the room, and Pierre closed the door behind them.
    “He doesn’t want me knowing anything, does he?”
    “No. He wants this to be perfect for you and Jeff. He doesn’t want you to regret anything about it.”
    “Because it’s the only one we’ll have, right?”
    “Somewhat.” Gower hugged me. “But mostly it’s because he loves you.” He kissed my forehead. “We both do. And we love Jeff, too. And,” he added softly, “he almost died. Before he could take care of this. He’s trying to make up for lost time that I know you don’t care about, because we both are happier to have him still with us than anything else.”
    “Yeah.” I leaned my head against Gower’s chest. “I just want to get it all over with and go to Cabo. Nothing’s worth getting James this upset.”
    He kissed my head. “I know. Jeff feels the same way. But you’ll be glad you have the memories of all of this, trust me.”
    “Will do.”
    Pierre popped his head in again. “Darlings, while I think I’d adore hanging with you people after hours, Dennis is here with some options, and we need to get moving.”
    We separated and went out to see another nice-looking man who was carrying a selection of veils. Reader was back to channeling Karl Lagerfeld. He had me try on all of them, discussed the fabrics with Dennis and Pierre, and seemed back to normal. Gower stayed with us, which I thought was probably a really good idea.
    Reader finally settled on a fine silk mesh with a solid silk border and white roses embroidered in it. “This reminds me of what my Nana Sadie told me she wore at her wedding.”
    Dennis nodded. “You going under the canopy?”
    “Fairly nonsecular,” Reader answered quickly. “Kitty’s a Jewish-Gentile mix, Catholic on the mother’s side, and her fiancé is Protestant.” Well, that was technically true: They’d protested the world religion. The world religion of Alpha Four, but still, I could say that without feeling a total liar.
    Dennis shrugged. “Half of your family will still appreciate the nod.”
    Reader paid for the veil, and Dennis shook hands all around.
    Pierre sighed. “Lovely man.” He looked at me. “Straight, more’s the pity.” He scrutinized the veil. “Darling, hoping not to sound sacrilegious here, but if we’re going to drape it over your head, once the ceremony is over, it would make a lovely wrap.”
    Reader looked shocked, but in a good way. “Yeah, it would.”
    “My Nana would consider that a great way to get double out of it, so no worries. I think that’s a good idea, too.”
    “Fabulous. Now, let’s get started on making you look just as your Jeff’s used to, only more so.”

CHAPTER 68

    PIERRE DID WONDERFUL THINGS WITH MY HAIR. Bouncy curls that made it look thicker and would look great with the dress. Reader had the veil safely wrapped up, and Gower finally felt it was safe to go back to the other