I'm Normally Perfect (re-upload)

Chapter Seventy-Six

As promised, in April Grant came over to help with the spring planting—it was the first time Alex had looked forward to gardening since her stroke and she caught me watching her as she dressed in her overalls. 'What?'

I grinned, 'You look so sexy in your gardening togs.'

She chuckled, 'Dry up,' and put her straw hat with the little mesh veil on her head. 'How's this?'

'You're a fashion plate.' She struck a pose and started out to meet her gardening buddy. Gina had come over, as well, and she and I had a ramble round.

'How are things?'

'Very well.'

I was trying to decide whether or not to tell her about the wedding when she asked, 'Something on your mind?'

'You know how I decided to end the book with our characters getting married?'

'Yes...Oh my God, really?' She hugged me.

'Wow, you didn't even let me tell you.'

She laughed, 'Go on, then.'

'Alex and I are a-gettin' hitched.'

She hugged me again, 'Congratulations, sweetheart. Have you started planning everything?'

'Just the date—last day of the year. The two of you are invited, of course.'

'I shall tell Grant.'

'I'm sure Alex is telling him now. She's pretty chuffed over it.'

Gina beamed, 'Is that so?'

I giggled, 'Yeah.'

'And you?'

'Where I'm from we have a phrase, "fit to bust". That's pretty much me right now.' I snorted and broke down giggling again, 'Whenever I think of it I go over either stupid or misty. Isn't that ridiculous?'

She clapped her arm around me and rubbed my shoulder, 'Not at all. That's the way it's supposed to be.'

When we came upon our companions laughing and digging Grant said, 'Congratulations, you.'

I blushed up, 'Thanks.'

Grant asked Gina, 'Have you heard the good news?'

'Oh yes.' I giggled some more, grateful for our friends and we went in to tea.

Alex and I went to Tillington in late April, as Alex wanted to see the gardens coming to life. Clem was a bit wheezier in the springtime—damn pollen—but she gamely ambled along with us as we stumped around to the hammock. As we balanced ourselves in I said, 'I'm worried about Clem.'

'She is getting up there in age. Dogs don't live forever, you know.'

'I know.' I lay my hand near the ground and when I felt her nose nudge me I scrunched her face around. 'Do you ever think about getting another one?'

'Another dog? Not p-particularly. Why, would you l-like one?'

I shrugged, 'We're getting married. Adopting is the natural next step.'

She laughed, 'If you'd like another one we shall go to the a-animal shelter and get one.'

I leaned over, 'Hear that, Clem? Someone else to drool on.' She wheezed happily and my heart broke a little.

We'd decided to tell her brother during our stay—I'd voted for shouting it out the window as we drove away, but Alex thought we should tell him early on and diffuse any possible discomfort. My response: 'Oh, well, sure, be mature about it.'