Author’s note:

This is the prologue to the Glimpses into the Future Universe story by the same name. The prologue takes place in the Here and Now Universe.

During the girls’ junior year of high school…

Although Manor House had many spare bedrooms, Trixie, Honey, and Di had opted to spread sleeping bags in front of the big screen television in the recreation room. Stray pieces of popcorn that somehow had escaped the bowl littered the floor; however, the girls weren’t too concerned about the mess. They were too enthralled with the movie on TV. Collectively, they had watched “Father of the Bride” at least fifty times, but that didn’t matter.

The girls sighed happily as the end credits began to roll.

“That is the best movie EVER!” Honey exclaimed.

“Yeah, I’m not one for chick flicks, but I’m willing to make an exception in this case,” Trixie said. “The only thing that would’ve made it better is if—”

“They would’ve had a redhead in the lead male role,” Diana quickly interjected.

Trixie made a face at her. “That’s not what I was going to say.”

“So, what were you going to say?” Honey prompted.

Trixie crossed her arms in front of her. “I’m not telling now,” she retorted, with a stubborn jut of her chin.

“C’mon, Trix,” Diana cajoled. “You might as well tell us what you were going to say. It’ll drive you crazy otherwise.”

“Fine,” Trixie huffed, knowing deep down that Diana was correct in her assessment. She continued in an indignant tone. “I was just going to say that, while George Newbern was adorable as Bryan MacKenzie, I would’ve liked to have seen Ewan McGregor in that role.” Giggling madly, she dove for cover in a vain attempt to dodge the pillows that were being smacked against her.

“I knew it!” Diana gloated. “I just knew you were going to say something about a redhead!”

“Sorry, but you’re too predictable, Trixie!” Honey chirped.

“Okay, so you busted me,” Trixie admitted, laughing. “But for the record, Honey only likes this movie because the leading man’s name is the same as Brian’s, and Di only likes it because he has blue eyes like Mart.”

“George Newbern’s eyes are nice, but they aren’t nearly as dreamy as Mart’s,” Diana asserted.

Trixie snorted loudly. “Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, Di!”

“Well, that Bryan isn’t even close to being as perfectly perfect as my Brian,” Honey maintained.

“Since when did he become ‘your’ Brian?” Trixie scoffed.

Honey’s face ruffled with displeasure. “You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do,” Trixie murmured, patting Honey’s hand. “I was only teasing.”

“For your information,” Honey began pensively, “even if Ewan McGregor were playing Bryan MacKenzie instead of George Newbern, this movie would still be one of my all-time favorites.” She expelled a theatrical sigh. “I just love wedding movies!”

“Me too!” Diana agreed.

Trixie cocked her head to one side and studied her two friends through narrowed eyes. “I don’t get it. What’s the big deal about wedding movies?”

Honey spoke slowly as to give each word more weight. “The big deal is that wedding movies are the most romantic movies in the world,” she explained.

“Definitely!” Diana vigorously nodded her head, causing her ponytail to swing jauntily from the crown of her head. “Everyone knows that if you want to fall in love, you should watch a wedding movie!”

“Oh my goodness!” Trixie clutched her sandy blonde curls and let out a shriek. “How have I managed to live a successful life thus far without knowing that? I have really been missing out!”

Diana allowed a reluctant smile to play across her rosy mouth. “Go ahead and make fun of us, Trixie, but someday you’ll discover that we’re right.”

“Well, maybe you are,” Trixie conceded. “But I still don’t see what’s so wonderful about sappy movies where people get married.”

“If you don’t like weddings, why do you like ‘Father of the Bride’?” Honey demanded.

Trixie shrugged her shoulders. “What can I say? I enjoy a good comedy. It made Bravo’s list of 100 funniest movies, you know.”

Honey nodded her head in agreement. “That doesn’t surprise me.”

“And Martin Short’s character cracks me up,” Trixie added. “He’s a hoot!”

“Franck Eggelhoffer was funny,” Diana giggled. She assumed a perfect imitation of the accent the wedding planner had used. “Armani also don’t make ‘polyaster’, Meester Bawnks.”

In spite of her exasperation, Honey had to laugh with her friends. “Yes, Franck was hilarious.”

“I wish he could help me plan my wedding someday,” Diana remarked. “He’d certainly keep things interesting.”

“Yeah, I’m going to need all the help I can get when it’s my turn,” Trixie replied.

Diana flashed her a toothy grin. “We’ll be there to help you, won’t we, Hon?”

“Sure we will!” Honey exclaimed. “I absolutely love weddings!”

Trixie drew back in feigned surprise. “Are you serious? I thought you hated them.”

“Ha, ha.” Honey rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “I can’t help it that I’m so obsessed.”

“Have you ever thought about being a wedding coordinator?” Diana asked.

“There was a time when I considered it,” Honey admitted. “But then I met Trixie, and we decided to become detectives—”

“You can’t back out now, Hon!” Trixie interjected. “I’ll just die if you don’t help me open the agency! It’s our dream!”

Honey chuckled. “Don’t worry, Trixie. I’m not about to change my mind about being a detective. Sleuthing must be in my blood.”

“Whew, that’s a relief!” Trixie said after expelling a long, unsteady breath.

“Yeah, for a moment there, I thought you’d have to force Honey to change careers,” Diana teased.

With a defiant thrust of her chin, Trixie turned her attention to Diana. “For your information, I wouldn’t force Honey to do anything.” She paused dramatically, and then added, “I might lay a huge guilt trip on her or nag until she changes her mind, but I wouldn’t force her.”

Once they saw the jesting expression on Trixie’s face, Honey and Diana felt free to chuckle along with her. Trixie laughed the heartiest of all.

“Okay, so maybe I would try and force her,” Trixie ventured at last. “But it would be for her own good. I mean, who would want to work with a bunch of Bridezillas?”

“Personally, I think it sounds like fun,” Diana commented.

“Hey, Di, maybe we should go into business,” Honey suggested with a wink.

Trixie wagged a scolding finger in her future associate’s face. “Don’t even think about it, Honey Wheeler! We’re starting this detective agency if it’s the last thing we do!”

“I’m just kidding, Trix,” Honey soothed, patting Trixie’s arm. “It’s kind of fun watching you blow up. I think I know now why Jim likes it when you get indignant.”

Her cheeks coloring prettily, Trixie ignored the last comment. “Well, planning weddings may look easy, but it would be a bigger hassle than you realize. Can you imagine taking care of all those little nitpicky details like the napkins and flowers and all the rest of the junk that goes into a wedding? Blech! I’d be bored out of my gourd!”

“Actually, I don’t think it would be a hassle,” Honey contradicted. “I already have my own wedding planned, right down to the thank-you cards I’ll send promptly after the honeymoon.”

Diana’s eyes glowed with pleasure. “You do?” she squealed. “That’s so neat, Honey!”

Trixie wrinkled her nose. The word “neat” wasn’t exactly the one she’d have chosen. “Why would you waste your time doing that? It’s not like you’re getting married next week.” With a waggle of her sandy brows, she added, “Or is there something you need to tell us?”

“Don’t be silly,” Honey tittered. “Even though I won’t be a bride any time soon, there’s nothing wrong with being prepared.”

“Sometimes I think you really are related to Jim,” Trixie snickered.

“Besides,” Honey went on, “I’ve had a lot of fun making a scrapbook that holds all my ideas. It gives me something to do when we aren’t chasing criminals.”

“Well, I truly think that’s interesting,” Diana insisted. “In fact, I might start my own scrapbook.”

Trixie gasped. “Don’t tell me that you daydream about getting married, too!”

“Occasionally I do,” Diana admitted. Her eyes dancing with humor, she lowered her voice to a conspiratorial tone. “Of course, I spend a lot more time imagining the honeymoon.”

The girls collapsed in a fit of giggles.

“And who, pray tell, is the groom in these fantasies, or do I even need to ask?” Honey gasped.

Before Diana could answer, Trixie held up a silencing hand. “I don’t mind talking about weddings, but I draw the lines at fantasies. Especially when they involve my brother.” She concluded her protest with a shudder.

“All right, I won’t tell you my wicked plans for Mart,” Diana conceded. “However, let the record show that you don’t mind talking about weddings, so that’s still open for discussion.”

“Is there any possible way to close that topic?” Trixie inquired hopefully.

Diana assumed a stern tone. “You’ve got a choice, Belden: weddings or fantasies that involve your brother. What will it be?”

“Weddings,” Trixie mumbled.

“I had a feeling you’d say that!” Diana clapped her hands in delight. “Go get your scrapbook, Honey. I’m dying to see it!”

It didn’t take Honey long to go upstairs to her room and locate her album. She grabbed it and brought it back to the recreation room for her friends to see.

“It’s not quite finished yet,” she warned, holding the large pink and yellow leather-bound book with the white “M” on the cover.

“Gleeps, Hon!” Trixie exclaimed. “How long have you been working on that thing? It’s huge!”

A flush of color invaded Honey’s cheeks. “Ever since I was about ten,” she admitted quietly. “I used to work on it when I was at boarding school. I was lonely there, and it gave me something to do in the evenings. I know it might seem silly to you, but—”

“It doesn’t sound silly at all,” Diana interrupted. “Does it Trixie?”

“No, of course not,” Trixie said through a gulp. “I didn’t mean to give you that impression, Honey. Honest I didn’t. I’m just surprised that you’ve put so much work into your scrapbook.”

“I know you didn’t,” Honey told them. “I guess I’m just worried that you’ll think it’s silly.”

“We won’t think any such thing,” Diana assured. “Like I said before, I think it’s neat that you have your wedding to Brian all planned.”

“I never said I was marrying Brian,” Honey said, her blush returning.

“Of course you’re going to marry Brian!” Diana insisted. “And I’m going to marry Mart, and Trixie’s going to marry Jim, and Dan’s—”

“Never ever going to marry Hallie!” Trixie finished hastily.

“We’ll just have to see about that,” Diana chuckled. “Now, let’s sit down and take a look at this book.”

The girls settled onto the sectional. Honey, from her spot in the middle, took a deep breath and opened the album. Several pictures featuring both the exterior and interior of a large church had been taped to the first two pages.

“Hey, that’s the historical church at the corner of Broadway and Wall Street,” Trixie observed.

Honey nodded. “Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to have my wedding at Trinity Church. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Ooh, it is,” Diana murmured. “I’ve always loved that Gothic Revival style of architecture. It’s a perfect setting for your wedding.”

“And the inside ain’t too shabby, either,” Trixie remarked.

“The only downside is that I’ll bet it’s hard to book,” Diana said.

Honey’s smile made her hazel eyes sparkle like topazes. “It’s almost impossible to find an open Saturday at Trinity during wedding season. Thankfully, Daddy’s good friends with the rector.”

“How convenient!” Diana laughed. “Maybe your father’s friend can put in a good word for me when it’s time to book my wedding.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Honey promised as she turned the page.

Trixie pointed down to the picture that took up the entire left page. “I assume this is your dress…”

“Well, unless Honey wants her bridesmaids to wear white, I’d assume you’re correct,” Diana replied cheekily.

“Yes, that’s the dress,” Honey affirmed. She released a breathy sigh. “Isn’t it the most beautiful gown you’ve ever seen?”

“It’s gorgeous,” Diana agreed. “I love the beading on the scalloped sweetheart neckline. It’s very elegant.”

Honey touched a particular area of the photograph with her index finger. “And look how that beadwork continues down the front of the skirt.”

“It’s so intricate!” Diana exclaimed. She scooted up in her seat so she could look over at Trixie. “What do you think, Trix? You’re being awfully quiet over there.”

Creases puckered Trixie’s forehead as she considered her words. “I think it’s really pretty, but the skirt’s awfully poofy.”

“It’s a ball gown, so it’s supposed to be poofy,” Honey explained gently.

“And if Honey’s having a formal wedding, then a ball gown is the perfect choice,” Diana added.

“Oh,” Trixie mumbled. “Then I guess it’s a perfectly perfect dress, Hon.”

Diana giggled. “Honey, what Trixie really means is that she’s glad you’re wearing it and not her.”

“Is it that obvious?” Trixie asked, smiling sheepishly.

Since she knew Trixie better than she knew herself, Honey laughed good-naturedly. “Sort of.”

“I do like your bouquet,” Trixie said, motioning to the flower arrangements that were featured on the right-hand side of the scrapbook.

Honey’s mouth tilted upward in a grin. “I’m glad you like my flowers, but it’s okay even if you don’t.”

“No, I do like the peach roses,” Trixie insisted. “They’re really pretty, even if they aren’t orchids.”

“She just doesn’t care for your dress,” Diana whispered.

Trixie fought to keep from laughing, but she couldn’t help it. “I’m sorry, Hon, but it looks really itchy…”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” Honey assured her. With a wink, she added, “You don’t have to like my dress as long as I don’t have to like yours.”

Trixie stuck her tongue out at her friend. “I didn’t say that I didn’t like it. I think it’ll look beautiful on you, Honey. But on me it would be a disaster. I’m not nearly as glamorous as you, so I couldn’t pull off that look in a million years.”

“Oh, Trixie!” Diana exploded. “You’re much too hard on yourself.”

“Sorry, but I don’t think it’s even remotely possible that my boobs could squeeze into that bodice,” Trixie said with a shrug of her shoulders. “And gravity would only make it worse. That dress is strapless, and it would take an act of God to keep the girls from falling out.”

Diana chuckled. “You’d be surprised how a good bra can help keep the girls in their holster. Within the last year, I’ve almost caught up to you, and I was able to wear a strapless dress to prom.”

“You’re a very brave woman,” Trixie said somberly.

“Well, I’m not nearly as well endowed as you either of you,” Honey lamented. “I think I have just enough to hold it up. No more, no less.”

Diana cast her friend a consoling smile. “Yeah, but you have legs that go on for three miles. I’d love to have legs as long as yours.”

“Me too!” Trixie exclaimed. “It’d be much easier for me to chase criminals if I had longer legs. I have to run twice as fast with these little stubs of mine.”

The girls laughed as they flipped the page to several pictures of a variety of light green dresses.

“I haven’t decided on the bridesmaids’ dresses yet,” Honey told them, “but these are a few of the choices.”

Fear caused Trixie’s eyes to grow wide. “Oh, Honey,” she murmured. “What did I ever do to make you hate me so much?”

Honey laughed. “I don’t hate you, you silly goose. Why would you think something like that?”

“That’s the only way I could explain those horrible dresses,” Trixie replied sadly. “You’d have to really hate someone to make her wear something like that.”

“They aren’t that bad,” Diana chuckled.

“Yeah, right!” Trixie snorted.

Diana turned up her palms in a gesture of surrender. “Okay, Trixie’s right! Those dresses are horrible, Honey.”

“What’s so bad about them?” Honey prompted.

“Well, for starters,” Diana began, pointing to one of the dresses, “that particular shade of green looks like something the twinnies used to poop out. It’s disgusting.”

“But chartreuse is a very popular color this season…” Honey muttered.

“And look at the bow on the back of that mint green one,” Trixie told her. “You might as well paint a wide load sign on my caboose.”

Honey dismissed her claim with a wave of her hand. “That’s ridiculous, Trixie.”

“Furthermore, just look at the ruffles on that sage green one.” Diana shook her head in despair. “The eighties were over a long time ago, Honey. Don’t help bring them back.”

As hard as she tried, Honey couldn’t keep from giggling. “It’s not that bad…”

“You’re right; it isn’t bad. It’s terrible!” Trixie crossed her arms and leveled her disconcerting gaze on her best friend. “Would you want to wear any of these dresses?”

Training her lips into a straight line, Honey answered, “Well, you see, I’m not a bridesmaid, so I don’t have to wear one of these dresses. My gown’s back there on the other page—”

“A-ha!” Trixie yelled in triumph. “So you wouldn’t be caught in any of these dresses either!”

“But, Trixie, it’s a tradition for bridesmaids to look horrible so that the bride looks even better,” Honey said brightly.

Diana rolled her eyes. “Like you’ll need help looking beautiful. You’ll be a gorgeous bride, no matter what your attendants are wearing.”

“Yeah, and just keep in mind that someday you’ll have to be in our weddings,” Trixie added. “Revenge is sweet… Saccharine sweet!”

“Then I’ll just have to get married first.” Honey ducked behind her scrapbook just in time to block an accent pillow thrown from Trixie’s direction.

“Let’s move on before someone gets hurt,” Diana suggested lightly. She hitched a thumb at the book Honey was currently using to shield her face. “I don’t suppose you have some cute guys in there, do you? They might offer a good distraction.”

“As a matter of fact, I do!” Honey set the book back down on her lap and found the right page. “This is what the men in the wedding party will be wearing.”

Diana’s eyebrows wrinkled with curiosity. “Why is that tuxedo different from the others?” she asked, pointing to a picture on the right.

“Because that’s the groom,” Honey explained. “His tux will be a little different so that he stands out.”

Trixie assumed a sober expression and made a clucking sound with her tongue. “Honey, if I were you, I wouldn’t marry that guy.”

“Why not?” Honey asked.

“Because he doesn’t have a head.” Keeping a straight face, Trixie pointed to the groom, who was, in fact, missing a head. “That might create problems for you later.”

The trio shared a laugh at the poor headless groom’s expense.

“For your information, I cut his head off on purpose,” Honey said.

“Honey Wheeler!” Diana gasped. “I had no idea that you could be so heartless. Whatever did your betrothed do to deserve suffering such a fate?”

Honey schooled her mouth into a serious line. “The man in the picture had red hair, but that was the only picture of that particular tuxedo that I could find, so I just cut his head off.”

“So you cut his head off?” Trixie bellowed.

“Yep, I sure did,” Honey affirmed with a proud jut of her chin. “With a redheaded father and a brother, it was just too squicky.”

Trixie’s eyes glimmered with humor. “You could always pretend the red-haired groom was Regan,” she suggested in a stage whisper.

“Trixie!” Honey exclaimed.

“Well, Regan already is a groom,” Diana pointed out. “And you have to admit that he’s kind of hot when he puts those big freckled hands on his hips and gives us a lecture!”

Although Trixie and Diana giggled until their eyes were teary, Honey appeared horrified.

“Diana Lynch!” she sputtered. “I can’t believe you think such things!”

“And I can’t believe that you don’t!” Diana retorted. “Hon, whether you want to admit it or not, that stable groom of yours is a real hunk of man flesh.”

Unable to speak, tears were officially rolling down Trixie’s cheeks as she hooted with laughter.

Honey flipped her hair back, angry spots dotting her high cheekbones. “I don’t believe this. Next you’ll be talking about Daddy.”

“Weeeell, Mr. Wheeler is mighty fine,” Diana drawled out. “I can’t count how many times I’ve sneaked a peek at his backside. He’s got some nice cheeks, Hon.”

Honey had to suck in a ragged breath at that revelation. “Don’t tell me that!” she hissed. “You’re talking about my father’s butt, for heaven’s sake.”

“Why not? We talk about what a beefcake Trixie’s dad is all the time,” Diana challenged.

“She does have a point, Honey,” Trixie managed. “I have to listen to you two gush about Dad’s abs all the time. Talk about squicky!”

“We can’t help it that Mr. Belden’s abdominal muscles resemble a six-pack, Trixie,” Honey tittered.

“Hey, why is it okay to talk about my dad but not yours?” Trixie groused.

“Poor, poor Daddy,” Diana lamented. “Nobody ever talks about him like that.”

“Consider yourself lucky,” Trixie muttered.

“Well, how about we change the subject,” Honey offered. “Instead of hot dads, let’s talk about flower girls and ring bearers.”

“But that’s not nearly as interesting,” Diana said, scowling.

“True, but it is a lot safer,” Honey laughed.

Trixie let out a whistle as she reached over to flip through the pages of the scrapbook. “Gleeps! There sure are a bunch of pages left. How long is this thing?”

“Pretty long,” Honey admitted.

“I’m just amazed at how much work you put into this,” Diana told her.

“I’ve got everything planned, right down to the place settings for the reception,” Honey replied proudly.

Unbeknownst to her, Trixie’s upper lip had curled in disgust. “Do we have to look at the rest of this tonight?” She smiled wanly, and then added, “I mean, shouldn’t we save some it for tomorrow?”

Honey laughed. “I guess we have looked at this for awhile. You’re probably sick of wedding stuff by now.”

“I wouldn’t mind looking at the rest of it, but I am a little tired,” Diana said.

“Me too,” Honey agreed, setting the scrapbook aside on the nearby coffee table.

“But I definitely want to finish it first thing in the morning!” Diana added.

Trixie swallowed hard before replying. “Yeah, me too.”

“I think we can squeeze that into our busy agenda,” Honey said with a smile.

“I think we should also set aside some time to look through Honey’s bridal magazines and find her a new groom.” Diana’s smile became mischievous. “Maybe we can find a tall, dark, and handsome one that she won’t need to decapitate.”

“We could always just find a picture of Brian, cut off the head, and then glue it onto the shoulders of the old groom,” Trixie suggested in a hopeful tone.

Honey sighed noisily. “I never said that I was going to marry Brian.”

“But you were thinking it,” Trixie argued.

“It’s too soon to say who we’ll end up with,” Honey began. “Maybe I’ll marry Brian and maybe I—”

“But you have to marry Brian!” Diana interrupted. “You’ll ruin everything if you don’t. Remember? I’m going to marry Mart, Trixie’s going to marry Jim, you’re going to marry Brian, and Dan—”

“Is going to marry Hallie over my dead body,” Trixie finished sharply.

“Now that would make for an interesting wedding ceremony,” Honey teased.

Trixie laughed at the thought. “Yes, it would be memorable, but being dead is the only way I could get through it. But in all likelihood, Honey’s right that it’s too soon to know who we’ll end up with. She might marry Mart, Diana might marry Brian, and I might end up with Dan just to spite Hallie!”

“Huh!” Diana snorted. “Only in some other universe!”

Honey grinned. “Did you notice that Trixie left Jim unattached?”

Trixie’s only response to Honey’s remark was a yawn. She made a big show of stretching her arms. “Man, I’m tired. I think it’s time for bed.”

“I’m sleepy, too.” Unlike Trixie’s yawn, Diana’s sounded real. “I’m going to brush my teeth, and then I’ll be ready to turn in.”

“Yeah, I need to get a drink of water,” Trixie commented.

“I’ll just take this upstairs.” Honey picked up the scrapbook from the table. As she carried it to her room, an old song kept running through her mind. She sang the words softly once she was alone. “Goin’ to the chapel, and we’re gonna get married…”

In spite of her earlier protests, Honey had a specific darkly handsome man in mind for the groom. And she wouldn’t even need to cut his head off.

Credits:

First of all, thank you to my wonderful editors who have been working very hard to keep up with the production schedule. Steph and Ryl, without your help, I’d be hopeless!

“Father of the Bride” is one of my all-time favorite movies. I had such a crush on George Newbern, and I always thought Kimberly Williams-Paisley was so beautiful. BTW, she is now married to WV-native and fellow Mountaineer fan, Brad Paisley, who just happens to be a huge country music star. If you look at his guitar, you can see a tiny flying WV on it. Let’s gooooo, Mountaineers!!!

“Father of the Bride” did make Bravo’s list of 100 Funniest Movies.

Trinity Church is absolutely gorgeous! It is the church that I used on the index page. No wonder Honey wants to have her wedding there!

Diana took the words right out of my mouth: The eighties were over a long time ago. DON’T help bring them back, readers! Resist those legwarmers, jelly bracelets, and sweater dresses!!!

“Squicky” is a word coined by Susan. It’s a cool word.