“There aren't any guests,” I said. “This is a family wedding.”
“Whatever,” Lula said. “Let's get going.”
“How'dit go with Bernie?” I asked Diesel on the way to my parents' house.
“He's back with Betty. At least for a while. And he's lost his ability to give people hives. When we get Kloughn married off, all the loose ends will be tied, and you can have Annie.”
“Probably the charges will be dropped by the time I bring Annie in. If not, I'll make sure she's immediately bonded out again, so she doesn't sit in jail.”
“Appreciate it,” Diesel said. “She's from the Planet Ick, but she's a good person.”
Stephanie Plum 12.5 - Plum Lovin
Chapter 13
“This is a surprise,” my mother said when Diesel and Bob and I walked through the door. “Are you staying for dinner?” Her eyes got wide. “What's that on your forehead?”
“It's a hive, and we just came to visit.”
“You don't get hives,” my mother said. “I've never known you to get hives.”
Grandma bustled in from the kitchen. “Look at this, it's the big guy! Isn't this a treat.”
“Thanks,” Diesel said.
I gave him an elbow. “She's talking about Bob.”
A car door slammed behind us, and Mary Alice galloped into the house. She was followed by Angie and Albert and Valerie with the baby. They were all dressed up.
“Goodness,” my mother said. “What's going on?”
“Did you tell her?” Valerie asked.
“No. I just got here.”
“Well, tell her!” Valerie said. “This is so exciting!”
The doorbell rang. It was Annie and the justice of the peace.
“Oh dear,” Annie said when she saw my forehead.
Annie was hives from head to toe, but they were fading, and she was uniformly covered in white salve and makeup.
My father was in the living room, watching television. He turned the sound up and hunkered down in his chair.
I looked at Diesel. He was rocked back on his heels, smiling. “Go ahead, honey,” he said to me. “Tell them the happy news.”
“I'm getting to it,” I said.
“What?” Grandma wanted to know. “What?”
“Diesel and I have decided to get married… today.”
My mother went white and made the sign of the cross. “Holy Mary, mother of God…”
“What about Joseph?” Grandma asked.
I could feel panic rising in my throat. I looked to Diesel for help.