\u201cBig Papi? Really? He pitched to BIG PAPI?\u201d<\/p>\n
Molly laughed at Noemi\u2019s open-mouthed expression, which was half surprise and half envy. Okay, probably more than half envy. \u201cSo Schrodinger says,\u201d she assured her. \u201cAnd that was apparently only the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow many arrest warrants did they acquire?\u201d Jade asked, dropping down into the beach chair next to Molly. Her swimsuit was a deep blue, covered with snowflakes; her silver hair fell in an intricate braid down her back, and she sported large sunglasses, which hid her dancing green eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cNone that I know of,\u201d Molly said, marveling again at the sight of the Snow Queen lounging on the sand, the cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean nibbling on her dainty toes. \u201cWell,\u201d she corrected herself, \u201cnone that Drew or Schrodinger would admit to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sworn to secrecy,<\/em> the CrossCat said from his blanket. What happens at the bachelor party stays at the bachelor party. That\u2019s what we were told.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou have to ask Pavel,\u201d Jade told her. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t consider it a successful evening unless he collects at least one, and he\u2019s always willing to boast, provided you get him drunk enough.\u201d<\/p>\n I wouldn\u2019t count on it this time,<\/em> Schrodinger told her.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Drew and Schrodinger came dragging in at dawn, and I can only imagine the hangovers at the Station this morning, so it was apparently a very good night,\u201d Molly said. \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t tell me where they went after the ball game, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLuke wouldn\u2019t say anything either, but he\u2019s got a lovely bruise he tried to hide in the shower this morning,\u201d Sue said, giggling. \u201cSo I\u2019m betting there was at least one bar fight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMolly! Molly!\u201d<\/p>\n Molly, Jade, Sue and Noemi turned as Lily, Jack and Zoey came running up the beach, with Corrine and Lai behind them. Lai was dragging a large wagon, and Corrine pushed a baby carriage. The other four jumped up to help them, as Lily and Zoey went whooping into the water.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t go too far!\u201d Corrine shouted at them, and then shook her head ruefully. \u201cOh well, hopefully they heard me.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack paused at the edge of the water and turned back to them. I\u2019m on it,<\/em> he assured her. Coming, Schrodinger?<\/em><\/p>\n In the water?<\/em> The CrossCat looked dubiously at him. Are you sure you want to get wet?<\/em><\/p>\n Yes!<\/em> The dog barked enthusiastically. It\u2019s fun!<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cGo on,\u201d Molly said to Schrodinger. \u201cWe\u2019ve got plenty of towels if you don\u2019t like it.\u201d Then she turned back to the carriage and cooed, \u201cHow are you, beautiful?\u201d<\/p>\n Her newest niece Kaylee blew bubbles at her and waved chubby fists in the air.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get her under the pop-up, and then you can play with her to your heart\u2019s content,\u201d Corrine said, pushing the carriage under the brightly-colored shade that Molly and Sue had erected when they\u2019d arrived. The sand was covered with a rug and then blankets, and pillows were scattered around to lounge on. There were large coolers at the back of it, and Lai had dragged her wagon over to that area, where she was now unloading a portable grill.<\/p>\n In short order, everything was unpacked, and Kaylee was lying on the blankets, being adored by everyone. Lily and Zoey had convinced Schrodinger into the water, and the foursome were body-surfing on the waves that rolled in.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, ladies, let\u2019s get this party started,\u201d Lai said, handing around champagne flutes. \u201cPeach bellinis, with a virgin one for the new mom,\u201d she added, handing one to Corrine. \u201cAnd while there may be some new holes in the wall at the Hanging Scorpion, I am pleased to report that there are no new outstanding warrants for anyone in the wedding party.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood lord, they went to the Scorpion? No wonder Luke had bruises,\u201d Sue said, laughing. \u201cWhat convinced them to go there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot what, who,\u201d Jade said. \u201cPavel loves the Scorpion, and I\u2019d not be surprised if he set it up.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hanging Scorpion was one of the most notorious bars in the nearby realms, and Molly was not surprised to hear the bachelor party had ended up there. Nor did it surprise her to learn Pavel was a regular there. He probably had a permanent tab there.<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you find out?\u201d she asked Lai, who winked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI have my sources,\u201d Lai said mysteriously.<\/p>\n \u201cWill we meet this source at the wedding?\u201d Noemi teased her.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe,\u201d Lai said, and forestalled any other questions by turning back to the grill. \u201cDid you bring the burgers, Molly?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, they\u2019re in the cooler next to you, along with everything else.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, it seems a bit much to have the bride bring the food for her own bachelorette party,\u201d Sue said.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but who else was going to do it justice?\u201d Corrine said. \u201cAnd did you really want to hear her complain all night about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would not!\u201d Molly said.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, you would, especially after a few more of those bellinis,\u201d Noemi said, and they all laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, at least you let me take care of the catering for the actual wedding,\u201d Jade said, leaning back against a pillow and dangling her fingers in front of the baby\u2019s face. \u201cI think Drew about fell over when he heard that.\u201d<\/p>\n Molly didn\u2019t mention how hard it had been to do that, smiling instead at Jade. \u201cIt was a very thoughtful gift, and we all appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n Especially Drew, who didn\u2019t want to deal with Molly trying to cook enough for 125 people and the cafe at the same time<\/em>, Schrodinger said, padding up to them, water streaming from his fur.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you dare shake yourself off here,\u201d Molly warned him, and he backed up obligingly, then shook himself vigorously.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, she\u2019s a kitchen witch,\u201d Jade said. \u201cIt\u2019s a hazard of the job. And luckily, Aunt Margie gave you the week off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue,\u201d Molly said. \u201cBut that just means I\u2019m at home, making stuff for the next two weeks while we\u2019re gone.\u201d She drained her bellini and held it out to Noemi. \u201cSince you\u2019re up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a pitcher of mix,\u201d Lai told her. \u201cAnd the champagne is next to it.\u201d<\/p>\n The afternoon passed in a haze of sun and champagne, watching the waves and the girls swimming. Lai handled the grill and Noemi opted to bartend. Molly thought it was the best bachelorette party she could have asked for.<\/p>\n As the sun was starting to fade towards the trees at the back of the cove, they dug a pit in the sand and built a bonfire, then dragged the chairs around it and settled in with marshmallow sticks.<\/p>\n \u201cSo this is a s\u2019more,\u201d Jade said, looking suspiciously at the graham cracker sandwich Lily handed her. \u201cIs it good?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the best part of summer after swimming,\u201d Lily told her, and the Snow Queen took a small bite. Her eyes widened in surprise. Lily clapped in delight. \u201cSee, I told you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe totally need a picture of this,\u201d Sue said, grabbing her camera. \u201cThe Snow Queen, in a swimsuit, on a beach, eating a s\u2019more. The world will never believe it actually happened otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n Molly laughed, agreeing. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to get Jack to put a fire pit in at the cottage,\u201d she told Jade. \u201cThat way, you can have s\u2019mores any time you want.\u201d<\/p>\n The Snow Queen sniffed. \u201cI can put one in myself, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, but why expend the effort when you can have him do it?\u201d Lai said, waving her marshmallow stick in the air. \u201cBesides, it keeps him out of trouble for a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly for a bit,\u201d Jade said. \u201cRemember, he and Pavel are friends.\u201d<\/p>\n They all laughed at that. Then Corrine sighed regretfully and looked at her watch. \u201cOkay, girls, it\u2019s time to go. We\u2019ve got to get Kaylee home.\u201d<\/p>\n Lily and Zoey pouted a bit, and Molly hugged them. \u201cHang on a minute. I\u2019ve got something for all of you, and this is as good a time as any to give them to you.\u201d She went over to the pop-up, now softly lit by thousands of tiny sparkling snowflakes that Jade had conjured up, and came back carrying a soft grocery sack.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are for you,\u201d Molly said, handing Lily and Zoey wrapped boxes. \u201cI hope you\u2019ll wear them Saturday.\u201d<\/p>\n The two girls ripped off the paper and opened them, then gasped. \u201cOh, Molly, really?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally,\u201d Molly assured them, as they lifted out coronets that sparkled in the firelight. Jade raised her hand, and a globe of softly-glowing light drifted up, illuminating the group.<\/p>\n The coronets were covered with crystals that reflected both the light and the fire interspersed with sapphire roses, with ribbons trailing off the back that fluttered in the slight breeze.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be the prettiest flower girls ever!\u201d Zoey breathed, and Lily nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope so!\u201d Molly said, and then she handed out small bags to the others. \u201cThis is just a small thing, but thank you so much for being a part of this with me.\u201d<\/p>\n The bags contained a small clutch purse in various shades of blue, Molly\u2019s color. Noemi was the first to open hers, and she squealed in delight. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I had fun with these,\u201d Molly admitted, as the others opened theirs to discover, not an empty purse, but a portable drink kit, complete with monogrammed flask, a rocks glass, and, tucked into the glass itself, a silver chain with a sapphire rose in the middle of it, with emerald leaves. \u201cAnd I\u2019m sure you could all use them.\u201d<\/p>\n Then she turned to Sue. \u201cAnd for you.\u201d She held out a small bag. \u201cI hope you like it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u201d was a similar clutch purse, but instead of a flask, inside Sue\u2019s was an envelope. Molly held her breath as she opened it, and even in the dim light, she could see the blood drain from Sue\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cYou aren\u2019t serious.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am.\u201d Molly hoped this was a good thing.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2026how did you get this?\u201d Sue whispered, looking up at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI know a few people.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d Lai demanded. \u201cYou\u2019re killing us with the suspense!\u201d<\/p>\n Sue swallowed, and looked back down at the envelope in her hand. \u201cIt\u2019s tickets,\u201d she said finally. \u201cTo the Undercity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Undercity?\u201d Noemi said. \u201cThe REAL Undercity?\u201d<\/p>\n Sue nodded. \u201cTo their museum,\u201d she clarified. \u201cA season pass.\u201d She looked back up at Molly. \u201cThis is\u2026amazing. Thank you so much!\u201d<\/p>\n Relief flooded through Molly, and she grinned. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome! I know you\u2019ve wanted to go there forever, and, well, Pavel helped me\u2026\u201d The rest of her words were lost as Sue hugged her tightly. \u201cJust take lots of pictures!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will, oh, I will!\u201d<\/p>\n The Undercity was a realm usually closed to outsiders, which meant the rumors of what was there ran rampant. The dwarves who supplied CrossRoads towns with the generators that ran the Gates lived there, creating all sorts of magical mechanical miracles. The museum there was the only place that they allowed non-citizens, and those passes were hard to get. But the look on Sue\u2019s face had been worth everything Molly had done to get them.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, before they go, we have a gift for you,\u201d Lai said, and Corrine nodded. \u201cDid you girls bring it?\u201d<\/p>\n Zoey and Lily handed their coronets to Corrine, and then ran over to Kaylee\u2019s stroller. From underneath, they pulled out something that looked suspiciously like a flower box.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s tradition for the bridesmaids and maid of honor to make sure you have something special for your wedding night,\u201d Sue said, recovering herself.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I open this in front of these two?\u201d Molly asked, as the girls handed her the box with great ceremony.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Corrine said. \u201cAnd Drew will adore it.\u201d<\/p>\n Molly eyed them all skeptically but pulled the ribbon off the box and opened it. Then she burst into laughter.<\/p>\n \u201cPull it out!\u201d Noemi said, so Molly pulled out what she\u2019d found.<\/p>\n Far from the slinky lingerie she\u2019d been expecting, there was a Red Sox jersey and a pair of baseball shorts, with \u201cMolly\u201d on the back and \u201c2015\u201d instead of a number. She showed it off, still laughing, and then realized a second, smaller package was still in the box.<\/p>\n \u201cThat one you can open later,\u201d Corrine said hastily. \u201cCome on, girls, it\u2019s time to go home.\u201d<\/p>\n Zoey and Lily pouted a little, but then went with Corrine after Molly said, \u201cWe\u2019ll see you guys tomorrow – it\u2019s the shower, remember? Besides, we\u2019re just going to bed soon too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, sort of,\u201d Noemi murmured. \u201cFor loose interpretations of the word bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHush,\u201d Jade told her.<\/p>\n After the girls had left, Molly opened the smaller package, which contained lingerie, as she\u2019d suspected. Then the others started to clean up, after shoving her and Jade over to the fire.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was a great idea,\u201d Jade said, settling down into her chair. \u201cI had no idea the beach was so much fun.\u201d She glanced over at Molly. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing,\u201d Molly said, shaking her head. \u201cProbably nothing, anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s worrying you, it\u2019s not nothing,\u201d Jade said. \u201cTell me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Drew. He\u2019s been acting weird the last two days.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s getting married in three days,\u201d Jade reminded her. \u201cNerves, for both of you, are not unexpected.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it\u2019s more than that. He looks\u2026\u201d Molly broke off, not sure how to continue. \u201cHe\u2019s distant.\u201d<\/p>\n Schrodinger had come to join them, and now he said, I think he\u2019s not looking forward to seeing his family again.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019re right,\u201d Molly said. \u201cBut he won\u2019t say why.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere has to be a reason,\u201d Jade told her, reaching out and taking her hand. \u201cAnd when he\u2019s ready to tell you, he will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hope so,\u201d Molly said, looking at the remains of the bonfire. \u201cI hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cBig Papi? Really? He pitched to BIG PAPI?\u201d Molly laughed at Noemi\u2019s open-mouthed expression, which was half surprise and half envy. Okay, probably more than half envy. \u201cSo Schrodinger says,\u201d she assured her. \u201cAnd that was apparently only the beginning.\u201d \u201cHow many arrest warrants did they acquire?\u201d Jade asked, dropping down into the beach chair …<\/p>\n