The Bride's Makeup Room
"Switch the wedding dress at the last minute?"
When Adam brought up this idea, Peggy's mom and sister weren't happy at all. 😣
This was the dress they'd spent ages picking out—how could he just suggest swapping it like that?
But then…
Adam revealed the new wedding dress.
Since they couldn't find the same style, Lisa had followed Adam's advice and picked the most expensive one they could get right away.
You get what you pay for, right?
The priciest one was, of course, the best.
It was the kind of treasure the bridal shop wouldn't even show you unless you begged—their crown jewel.
Someone who dealt with wedding shops a lot once said: "The salespeople can size up your real budget just by glancing at your underwear style."
When Erica and her mom had gone shopping, they'd picked carefully, but the options they got to see were nowhere near this level.
Peggy's bridesmaid dress had been bought separately.
Same style, but the quality? Way higher.
"Oh my gosh!" 😍
As soon as the new dress was unveiled, Erica and her mom's eyes lit up. All their grumbling and reluctance vanished in a flash, and they happily started trying it on.
Adam stepped out and headed over to the groom's side.
"David, congrats, man!"
Adam offered his best wishes.
"Thanks!"
David, decked out in his groom suit, was beaming from ear to ear.
Hmmm…
Adam had taken a quick look earlier—Peggy's mom showed no signs of pregnancy. So, this wasn't some rushed shotgun wedding.
Seeing how happy they all were, it had to be true love. 💕
The ceremony kicked off soon after.
Ted and Erica walked out first, arm in arm.
A handsome guy and a stunning girl in wedding attire—guests couldn't stop nodding in approval.
Let's be real: most people are pretty average-looking.
Ted and Erica? They were the kind of pair you'd only see on TV, especially for the small-town crowd.
But then…
When Adam walked out with Peggy right behind them, the place exploded.
Everyone was floored. 😳
"T-This… this…"
David's sister Angela, sitting in the front row, stared wide-eyed, muttering under her breath: "No way. David has to have a kid with Linda—a daughter, preferably!"
Before this, Angela hadn't cared much. Linda already had two daughters and didn't want more, and David, being the sweet husband he was, was fine with that. Angela had even quietly supported it.
She'd thought David and Linda were moving too fast—things might fall apart later.
If that happened, David would end up a single dad, which wouldn't be easy for him while he was trying to build his business.
Better to hold off on kids and see how things played out.
If their marriage stayed solid and David's career took off, then they could talk about it.
But now?
Seeing Linda's daughters—especially Peggy—looking like this?
All those "wait and see" thoughts could shove it!
They needed to have a kid! ASAP!
Even if things went south later and David ended up a single dad, so what?
She'd help her brother out—she could totally babysit!
This gorgeous, perfect girl had completely awakened Angela's maternal instincts, despite being an old singleton herself.
"I need a daughter like that now!"
Angela's eyes were practically burning. 🔥
The music swelled.
Linda, the bride, walked down the aisle for the second time on her father's arm.
In the States, dads have it rough—always getting dragged out to walk their daughters down the aisle. Twice isn't even that much; some get roped in a dozen times!
When David stepped up to take Linda's hand from her father and they walked to the altar, standing face-to-face with sweet smiles, the priest flanked them.
Ted and Erica stood just behind them on either side.
Adam and Peggy were behind Ted and Erica.
Three pairs in fancy dresses and suits—it almost looked like three couples tying the knot!
Adam and Peggy caught each other's eyes, feeling a weird little vibe.
The ceremony rolled on.
Adam and Peggy were mostly there as backup.
Ted and Erica, the best man and maid of honor, were the stars of the support crew—handing over the vows and rings right on cue.
This wasn't some cheesy drama.
No sudden door-kicking from Peggy's dad trying to win Linda back.
No random woman bursting in, screaming that David was hers.
The wedding went off without a hitch. 🎉
Next up: wedding photos!
There were all kinds of group shots.
After the newlyweds got their pics, the six of them—bride, groom, best man, maid of honor, Adam, and Peggy—posed for a few together.
Those shots would get printed and tucked into the wedding album.
Or, like Adam's sister Teddy, turned into framed photos to plaster all over the house, showing off those happy moments.
"Peggy, I'm your Aunt Angela—let's take a pic together!"
David's sister Angela swooped in after the main photos were done, all warm and friendly.
"Sure."
Peggy glanced at her and nodded.
Angela was over the moon, dragging Peggy into a ton of shots—so many that even David couldn't take it anymore.
"Alright, that's enough," he said, stepping in.
"Fine…"
Angela reluctantly backed off, then pulled David aside and whispered: "Look, Linda's not getting any younger. You guys need to hurry up and have a kid. The Grossman family can't just die out, you know!"
This total 180 threw David off.
But after Angela explained why—pointing out Peggy, the icy little beauty not far off—he started picturing a daughter with Linda who looked like her. Suddenly, he was sold.
Middle age hits different—it's not like when you're young and all about "one love forever."
"I'll talk to Linda," David said, softening.
"Awesome!"
Angela was thrilled. "Don't wait too long. Tell Linda—sure, Erica and Peggy are great, but they're not your kids with her. They'll call you Uncle David, not Dad."
"Yeah…"
David nodded.
"I've even got a name picked out! You love Jane Austen's Emma, right? Call her Emma—Emma Grossman!"
Angela was on a roll, hyping him up.
"Emma Grossman?"
David repeated it, a big grin spreading across his face. He was hooked.
"I love it!"
Still, Angela wasn't done. She quietly urged him to "go all out tonight" and skip the precautions—super private sisterly advice.
David cut her off, saying he got it, then went off to find Linda.
No matter how excited he was, he had to talk it over with his wife first—respect comes first.
In the Garden
"Boss, look over here!"
"Peggy, put your hand on his neck—yep, like that!"
"Boss, your hand! Don't be so casual—tighten up a bit!"
Lisa was in her side-hustle mode now, setting up a tripod for the video camera while snapping portrait shots of Adam and Peggy with the camera around her neck.
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