"We don't need a planner, Viv. That's why I have you." I said into the phone.
"Are you almost here?" She asked.
I walked into her house, hanging up the phone. "Here."
She laughed. "Hi, Charley. I've called in for back up."
I raised my eyebrows, following her into the kitchen. "Okay, ladies! We've got a wedding to plan!" She cried, clapping her hands. At least eight women, as well as Vic and Papa Fuentes, were seated around Mike's mother's kitchen, instantly quiet when she started talking. "You haven't met our bride. This is the lovely Charley!"
"Hi." I smiled.
"This is the Fuentes family, extended edition." Viv said. "Have a seat, Charley. Are you hungry? I just made some carne asada."
"That sounds great." I smiled, looking at all the women around me.
"You're even more beautiful in person." A girl who was maybe sixteen said in awe.
"That's my niece! Alex!" Viv called.
"I always ask Mike, how the hell did you get with Charley?" His sister joked.
"Claire!" Viv said, bringing me my food. "Let's get to work. Let's talk venue. I'm thinking Lobo Castle in LA."
"A castle?" I asked, mesmerized.
"Nothing less for my princess. Sorry I'm late." Mike said, walking in and sitting beside me. "A castle?"
"It's beautiful." I said, looking at the website Viv had pulled up on her Macbook. "I don't want to see anything else. That's what I want."
"If that's what Charley wants, that's what I want." Mike agreed.
"Lights told me about Cake Studio. They've got some really pretty ones." I said.
"Entertainment. . .?" Viv asked, going through her checklist.
"Lana." I said automatically.
"Lana?" Viv asked cluelessly.
"Charley's in love with Lana Del Rey, Mom." Vic rolled his eyes.
"What kind of name is Lana Del Rey?" She asked, still confused.
"I'll have our manager call Lana's." Mike said. "What's next?"
"Caterer. And stores you want to register for gifts." Viv said.
"21 Oceanfront for food." Mike said. I nodded. "And Tiffany's, Bloomingdale's, Scully & Scully."
"Dress." Viv said, looking at me sternly. "Charley, won't you even considering talking to your mother again? She-"
"No." I said stubbornly. "After she told me I would never amount to anything and kicked me out of her house?"
"But things have changed, babe. We're getting married." Mike said gently.
"I'll think about it, okay? Can we just stop talking about it?" I asked tensely.
"Vera Wang. You would look darling in Vera Wang." Viv said. "How about tomorrow you, me, and your bridesmaids go look? Speaking of bridesmaids-"
"Jenna, Lights, Alex's girlfriend Lisa, Jaime's girlfriend Jessica, Claire, Alex." I grinned at her mischievously.
"Really?!" She cried.
"Wait, how old are you?" I asked.
"I'll be eighteen next week." She said.
"Are you having a party?" I asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"I might make a cameo." I grinned. "You'll be eighteen, cool. We can go to Chippendales then."
"If you're going to a strip club then I'm going to a strip club." Mike argued.
"You're not going to do shit." I rolled my eyes. "We need to set a date."
"It's January. . . So maybe end of summer? August?" Mike said.
"Right after my birthday. Jesus, I'm getting old. Twenty seven." I said. "So my birthday is July 31. Let's have the wedding August 1."
"Sounds great." Viv said. "Talk to your girls, we'll go dress shopping tomorrow, okay?"
"Let's go, wife." Mike said. Cheers to a perfect wedding.