The rain had finally stopped, and the sun peeked through the clouds, casting a soft golden glow over the estate. Avery took a deep breath, feeling a flicker of relief as the weather cleared. The ceremony had gone off beautifully in the ballroom, but now that it was time for the reception, she hoped to take a few moments outdoors for photos and to soak in the day’s beauty.
As she stepped into the bridal suite to freshen up before the reception, Janice followed her, carrying Avery’s bouquet.
“See? I told you it would all work out,” Janice said, grinning as she set the flowers down on the vanity. “Even the weather is cooperating now.”
Avery smiled weakly, her nerves still buzzing. “Yeah, it’s turning out okay.”
She glanced at the small pile of items she’d packed for the day—her makeup bag, her emergency flats, and her vows. Her heart suddenly stopped.
“Wait,” Avery said, her voice sharp. “Where are my vows?”
Janice turned, her smile fading. “Aren’t they in your bag?”
Avery rummaged through her things, her movements growing frantic. “No, they’re not here! I had them on the desk earlier when I was reviewing them, and then—oh my God. Did I throw them away?”
“What?” Janice’s eyes widened. “How would you throw them away?”
“I was clearing space because there was so much clutter,” Avery said, her voice rising. “I must have put them in the trash without thinking!”
Panic gripped Avery as she began tearing through the bridal suite, checking under cushions, inside drawers, and in every possible corner.
“They have to be here somewhere,” she muttered to herself, her voice trembling.
Janice grabbed Avery’s arm, forcing her to stop for a moment. “Okay, calm down. Let’s retrace your steps. Where’s the trash can?”
Avery pointed to a small bin in the corner. “There! But Clara might have emptied it when she tidied up.”
Janice groaned. “Alright, I’ll check with Clara. You keep looking here. Don’t freak out!”
“Too late for that,” Avery called after her.
Janice found Clara in the hallway, helping set up the dessert table.
“Clara, emergency!” Janice said, waving her arms dramatically.
Clara blinked, startled. “What happened?”
“Did you empty the trash in the bridal suite earlier?”
“Yes, I did,” Clara said, her brow furrowing. “Why?”
“Avery’s vows might be in there,” Janice said.
Clara’s eyes widened. “Oh no! The trash from the bridal suite gets taken straight to the main bins outside.”
“Of course it does,” Janice muttered. “Where exactly are these bins?”
Clara pointed toward the back of the estate. “By the staff entrance. I’ll come help.”
Meanwhile, Avery paced the bridal suite, her anxiety mounting. When Janice returned with Clara and delivered the news, Avery felt like crying.
“So you’re saying my vows are… in the dumpster?” Avery asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Technically, the trash bins,” Janice corrected, trying to lighten the mood. “But same idea. Don’t worry, we’ll find them.”
Avery buried her face in her hands. “This is a nightmare. What if I don’t have them for the reception toast? I spent weeks writing those vows!”
Janice grabbed Avery’s shoulders and shook her gently. “Pull it together, Bridezilla. We’re going to fix this. Clara and I will dive into those bins if we have to.”
“I’ll come too,” Avery said.
“No, you won’t,” Janice said firmly. “You’re wearing a wedding dress, and there’s no way I’m letting you ruin it by dumpster diving. Sit tight. We’ve got this.”
Janice, Clara, and one of the estate’s staff members, Alex, headed to the staff entrance, where three large bins were lined up.
“Alright,” Janice said, tying her hair back into a ponytail. “Let’s find those vows.”
Clara handed out gloves, and they began rifling through the trash.
“This is definitely not how I thought I’d be spending the day,” Janice muttered, holding up a crumpled napkin before tossing it aside.
Clara chuckled nervously. “At least it’ll make a great story someday.”
After ten minutes of searching, Alex exclaimed, “Found something!”
He held up a small stack of folded papers, slightly smudged but still intact.
“That’s it!” Janice shouted, grabbing the papers and holding them up triumphantly. “We did it!”
Back in the bridal suite, Avery was pacing when Janice burst in, holding the vows aloft like a trophy.
“Mission accomplished!” Janice declared.
Avery ran to her, grabbing the papers and clutching them to her chest. “Oh my God, you found them! I don’t even know how to thank you.”
“Well,” Janice said, smirking, “naming your secondborn after me would be a good start.”
“Don’t push it,” Avery said, laughing through her tears.