WILLIAM

The first thing my eyes focus on as I wake up are the empty wrappers of taffy on the night table. The memories of last night make me smile and I'm glad I got to share them with London. If we ever have children, I hope I can give them the same experiences. Something they can cherish even more when they are adults.

Today, we will witness the commitment of unconditional love of two special people. We've worked hard to make Carter and Dennis' dreams come true. I must admit the idea of realizing a circus-themed wedding had me doubtful, but once I sat down to work on the stationery, I wished we would do more themed weddings like this.

Jimmy's loud snore makes me look at him and I snap a photo while he sleeps deeply while clutching to a little teddy bear Grayson won for him last night. He had a mean ball throw and admitted to having played baseball when he was younger. Jimmy watched him with admiration as he tumbled those cans effortlessly. Even the guy manning the game station was impressed.

"Jimmy, wake up. We need to get started," I pull the covers back and cover him again as quickly. "Why on earth are you naked?"

"Oh... Am I?" He sits on the bed and looks groggily around. "I must have pulled my boxer off while sleeping," he rummages under the covers, pulls the piece of underwear and throws it in a corner. 

"Why did you get your boxer off? Never mind, I don't want to know."

"What time is it?" He says as he gets out of bed.

"What the... It's too early to watch this," I shield my eyes as he walks around the room.

"What's the problem? You have the same junk as me," he shrugs as he gets a clean pair of boxers from his suitcase.

"Exactly my point. I don't need to see yours," I say as I get out of bed and head to get my clothes for today ready. "Hey, are you as curious as me about what Didier has planned? Only Thomas has seen it and it impressed him."

"Not even Abigail knows the details. She overheard him discussing with the rental company about bolting a table to the ground. It's quite an odd request, right?"

"Peculiar. Maybe when we get there we'll hear more," I get my phone from the dresser and see I have a message from Thomas. "We are meeting in the lobby. Then we'll head for breakfast at the café next to the hotel."

"What's wrong with the restaurant here?" Jimmy asks from inside the bathroom and I wonder the same.

We meet with Thomas, Abigail and Didier in the lobby and head to the café. Thomas explains that several guests are staying at the hotel and he wants to be out of earshot while discussing last-minute details. Brian Connor recommended going to the café and let his friend Charlie know he sent us.

When we arrive, Charlie Monroe, the café owner, receives us and it seems Brian gave him a heads up because he brings us to a corner table away from the rest of the early diners where we can discuss our plans. The food isn't only excellent. It's the best bread I've tasted in my life. Even better than O'Brien's.

At the fairgrounds, Brian waits for us sitting on the stairs of his house and then escorts us to a place where we can park by the venue. As we get closer, the trees part to show a white tent.

"Not very circus-like," Jimmy says.

"Wait for it," Abigail answers with a knowing smile.

Next to the tent, white chairs with sky blue bows are perfectly aligned in front of a gazebo that has been decorated with garlands of red roses and tiny red apples. Ambers comes down a ladder and examines her work.

"Not that I have ever doubted you," Thomas begins. "But this is one of the most stunning projects you've ever done for us."

"It is, right? The flowers guide me, I don't guide them. I can sketch whatever you want, but it will never be the same when I make them. The rest of my team is inside with Victoria. Since the catering wasn't here, I had to put the rest of the flowers in the fridge at the Connors. Bless them. I've never come across people so helpful and kind."

"They are," Didier says. "I don't think we could have pulled this off without all their knowledge and willingness to make it work. Is there anything we can do for you?"

"Now that you say it... I can't reach the center of the gazebo with my ladder to mount that flower orb."

Didier obliges and in no time, the orb made of red flowers with several golden ribbons hanging from it hangs from the top of the gazebo.

"Do the ribbons have a function?" I ask, feeling curious as I've never seen a flower arrangement like that.

"Not really," Amber shrugs. "I'm just bringing a bit of the circus experience outside."

She then gets the first ribbon and fastens it to the top rail of the gazebo. It's then when I figure their purpose. Once in place, the inside of the gazebo will look like a striped tent. If that's a preview of the rest of the decorations, I can't wait to see the inside of the tent. 

My heart beats faster with anticipation and I hold my stationery tighter, fearing I will let it drop from the emotion of getting to see the reception space. London and I haven't talked about the details of our wedding, but I want to feel like this.

"Will, the escort cards will hang from there," Thomas points at a vintage white dresser and vanity set.

As I come closer, I see a flower arrangement on the vanity with red roses, apples, and small feathers. Make up brushes and perfume bottles are streamed over the surface, and a tin with rouge and an open tub of white face paint finish what could have been a place for clowns and acrobats to prepare their faces for their acts. Where the mirror should be in the vanity, I find rows of golden cord with tiny clothespins to hang the cards I made. From the half-open dresser, a few clothing items with sequins and feathers peek out.

Once done, I take a few photos with my phone and I will ask the grooms and my brother later if I'm allowed to use them on my website. Behind me, a red carpet awaits the guests to guide them inside, but right now it is covered in plastic to keep it neat. The entrance has an arch of flowers and the sea breeze makes the long golden ribbons flutter. It is whimsical, almost like a dream.

Curiosity is killing me and I walk inside. Candy red fabric runs from the middle of the tent, all the way to the sides, creating the striped tent effect. The staff from the lighting company is busy getting the light rigs in place, but it surprises me that there isn't a stage or a center ring. Unless the area set aside for dancing will be used for some kind of entertainment. But since Jimmy is busy mounting equipment in that space I have my doubts.

"Are you okay?" Didier's deep voice interrupts my train of thought.

"Oh yes. I'm just in awe of everything happening in here. I don't know what London would like, but right now this in front of me is just dreamy. I remember little about the times we went to the circus, and Abigail said that it wasn't all glitter and glamour."

"It's what I experienced, but this is the idealized version people expect," he gazes around. "I rather have this version than the reality behind the scenes. Abigail asked me to hand you the seating chart for all cards. Excuse me," he says and heads to the people mounting the lights who seem to have a question for him.

The reception tables are covered in sky blue tablecloths and are surrounded by golden garden chairs with a red bow. In the middle, it has a spectacular centerpiece of a thin glass vase with a mix of red flowers and two long golden feathers. I place the cards carefully above the place settings and work my way through all tables when I feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket.

Carter and Dennis are in Lonstino. I'm right now with Dennis at the Connors. Carter is at the hotel.

I've been so engrossed in my task I didn't realize Thomas wasn't around. Marissa arrives with a platform cart topped with boxes, and we greet each other with a wave.

"Do you need help?" I ask her.

"I do. I have a few more boxes in the van."

Marissa starts mounting tiered platforms while I get the boxes. Everything looks so tempting.

"Stop!" Marissa hits my hand, and then I realize I was dangerously close to grabbing a cupcake. "What is it with you Morgan boys that can't stop shoving sweets in your mouths?"

"I'm starting to believe you spike them with something."

Marissa laughs and Abigail approaches us. "What is so funny?"

"I've been accused of putting drugs in my food by your brother. I think it's more that your brothers don't have self control."

"Non-existing," Abigail shakes her head. "We need to go by Serendipity to pick the special order we placed with Luke. He left it ready and we only need to display it about an hour before the reception ends. Amber is making the area ready right now."

"Good to know. I'll put a reminder in my phone," Marissa says. "When I'm done here, I'll head to the hotel to rest and get ready. Woke up at an ungodly hour to finish the sweets and drove at turtle speed to make sure everything arrived in one piece."

We let Marissa finish her work since I fear she will try to punch me next for taking a cake, and I walk together with Abigail outside.

"What have you prepared for Carter and Dennis after the wedding?"

"Can't really tell you now. I'm afraid I will jinx it. What I can reveal is that Carter wants a special moment with his brand-new husband."

"I'm sure it will be lovely."

Abigail looks in her tablet and we only seem to miss the catering. Everything else is in progress or almost done. Jimmy tests the speakers by playing Lady Marmalade and I take my sister for a spin while doing my best Christina Aguilera impression. My sister laughs so hard that she lets a snort out. Can't wait for the party to get started.