by Cee, DW
Even though we could be caught in flagrant delicto, it was difficult for either of us to move after we were done. My fiancée was in her usual pleasured-buzz after an orgasm and I, plain and simple, didn’t want to separate.
“Max and Jane are probably looking for us.” That was my cue to pull out. I didn’t accept.
“They’re probably in some private corner doing the same thing.”
I helped a laughing Delaney clean up the mess we’d created and we joined Max and Jane on the terrace to begin our sunset dinner.
“By the rosy cheeks and happy mugs, I see you two had your fun already.” Jane and Max grinned at us.
“How can you not in such a setting?” I challenged Max.
“I agree. I’m sure lots of fun will be had by all.” Max had that same glint I had before I entered the caves.
This relationship the four of us built in the past few months was one I’d treasure for the rest of my life. Never was I more grateful that both Delaney and Max chose to forgive us for our stupidity. The fact that Jane and I stayed good friends and would be eventual business partners, had me thanking my lucky stars daily.
“Is your dress done?” Jane and Delaney got into wedding talk, and Max and I talked about the firm.
“It is but I’m being told by Gram I need to lose a little weight. I was told to only eat white meat chicken and vegetables from now till wedding day.”
“Are you going to listen? No vino for you?”
“She’s been putting me on a scale twice a week. I don’t have a choice. A little vino here, but no pasta, cheese or dessert for me. I don’t know if Italians make anything with white meat chicken but that’s what I’ll be enjoying.”
“You’re perfect the way you are. There’s no need to lose weight.”
“Donovan. Have you ever seen Gram when she gets an idea in her head? There’s no fighting it and since she’s being militant for my own good, I’ll comply. The wedding dress is gorgeous and I would look better having lost a few pounds.”
“Yeah. Your grandmother has kicked my ass a time or two.” I answered remembering my younger days with Jake.
“Have you guys set a date?” Delaney asked.
“I’m glad you asked. We’re getting married on May 31st and Max and I just came up with a list of bridesmaids and groomsmen and I was wondering if you might want to be one of my bridesmaids?”
“Oh my gosh! Really?”
“Yes. Really!”
“Of course I do!” The two women hugged and jumped up and down as if they’d won the lotto. Truth be told, I wasn’t thrilled with my wife walking down the aisle with any other man but myself. It was selfish of me, but I couldn’t help feeling jealous of that fact. “Who else will be in the wedding?”
“It’ll be you, Evie, Becky, Ashley, and Emily. And for the guys, we’ll ask Garret and Josh, Jake and...” She turned to Max and he finished her sentence.
“Though you and I had a rocky start, I think we’ve patched up our relationship nicely and I look forward to bonding as a family. And I think I know you well enough to believe that you will not be happy watching another man standing next to your woman at the altar. I thought maybe...”
He didn’t have to say anymore. “I do!” I answered like an expectant bride. Everyone laughed, and I shook Max’s hand. This guy was all right in my book.
When I got back to London, the Eggleston group had come up to bat, at last! I was now in a frenzy to draw up a mutually satisfying agreement so I could be done. The wedding was less than three weeks away and I needed to be out of here.
“Roland.” Of course now that I had movement, my soon-to-be grandfather up and moved continents. “The Eggleston group wants a contract drawn up. The sale is imminent.”
“I knew they’d give in. How much?” Roland went dead silent when I told him the price. “You’re shitting me. Those guys have that kind of money?”
“Remember my trip around Europe a few weeks ago? That netted some huge clients and our projections for next year increased by 20%. So of course I had to increase the sale price and they agreed.”
“Shit! Hurry up and get them to sign. Whatever they want, give it to them, and get the hell out of there.”
“I plan to, Roland!”
As usual, plans never went accordingly, and there were a myriad of complications everywhere I turned. Nevertheless, I still had a wedding to plan.
“Why are you calling me again?” Bee complained though I knew she loved it when I called.
“Auntie Bee. How can you say that to your favorite nephew?”
“Why are you calling? You and your fiancée are going to put me in the loony-bin real soon if you don’t stop asking for favors.”
I chuckled. “I wanted to make sure you found the red tulle for the reception dress. I bought her a few fabulous ruby charms to attach to her camellia necklace. It’ll look perfect with the dress.”
“Don’t you have a company to sell?”
“It’s being sold. The buyers have agreed to all our terms, and we’ve agreed to all their terms. Now if I can get the banks to cooperate and make a hasty transaction, I should be out of here within the week.”
“Congrats!”
“Thank you. But I also need one more favor.”
“Damn you! You know I need to make a living, too.”
I laughed at her some more. Bee had no idea what was coming to her when this was all done. She’d be living easier once I got back to the States. “Can you make sure Delaney picks out all the window treatments and any kitchen changes she might like to make? Mom and Ma already made one trip with her and she picked out a few things but I need decisions made within the next few days. Construction will happen while we’re on our honeymoon.”
“Yes, Mr. Multitasker. I’ll do as you ask.” There was a sad tone to Bee’s comment.
“What’s the matter?”
She tried to make light of her situation. “I hope one day some man will think of what I’d like as window treatments in my new house. I don’t even ask that he surprise me with a new house. I just need him to care enough to think of me with a few of the minor details.”
“Things not progressing well with Nick?”
“They’re not and I don’t know that I want them to progress any further. He’s a commitment-phobe and I don’t know that I want to change that after Beau.”
“Not all men are assholes like Beau. Things just started with you and Nick. I say give it a little time and if it goes nowhere, then so be it. There are many more men out there.”
“Yeah...” I didn’t like the way she sounded. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine and though I bitch, I am happy to be a part of yours and Laney’s wedding. She’s become like a little sister to me.”
“Delaney and I both love you and wish you the best. We will do everything in our strength to help you.”
“Your future wife is already helping too much. I need her to stop setting us up every chance she gets.”
“She wants to see you and Nick happy and settled.”
“Tell her thanks but no thanks.”
“I’ll see you soon and thank you, again.”
“See you soon.”
The next phone call was to the two mothers. “Hello Moms.”
They both groaned. “What can we do for you today, Son?” Ma asked.
“I’m calling to check on the progress of a few things.”
“Fire away, Son.” This time it was Mom who was annoyed with me.
“Restoration of the carriage?”
“Checked and indescribably magical!” Mom answered before I could say anymore.
“The DJ?”
“Your cousin Matthew said the guy he recommended was the preeminent DJ, and the DJ recommended a band he works with—all done!”
“The aunts...”
“We’ve collected all the diamonds and dropped them off with the jeweler. He promised to have it ready a couple days before Chr
istmas.”
“Ma, you’ll have to inspect it for me. I don’t think I’m coming in till early Christmas morning now.”
“Donny. That’s cutting it awfully close.”
“I don’t have a choice, Mom. If I don’t want to be bothered during our honeymoon I have to get it all done here.”
“Donny, you’ve yet to tell us where you’re going for your honeymoon.”
“That’s a secret, Ma.”
“Seriously?” Ma and Mom were annoyed. “You make us do all this work and you won’t even give us a hint?”
“Nope. Sorry. I love you both and I’ll see you soon.”
“See you...”
“Wait! One more thing!”
“What?” They groaned again.
“Movers are coming tomorrow to take everything out of Uncle Dave’s—correction, our new home—can you get Delaney out somewhere with you?”
“We have appointments all day and Laney has school. You need to pass that job onto someone else.”
“Will do, Mom. Love and kisses to you both.”
Onto the next family members... “Hello Fathers.” I got them on a three-way call with me. “I trust you are well?”
“We are very well, Son. How can we help you?” Pa asked.
“Why do you assume I need help? Can’t a son call his fathers just to say hello?”
“Other sons can, but apparently, you can’t.” The chief was always a cynical one.
“The movers are coming to clear out Uncle Dave’s belongings, and I need Delaney away from the cul-de-sac. Any chance either of you can take her out tomorrow? The Moms are busy.”
“I know her last class is my seminar. We’re both done by two. Scott, you want to meet at the club and golf?”
“Hell yeah, I want to golf. I’ll finish up early at the clinic and meet you at the club by three. We’ll play eighteen holes, have dinner, and play cards. Can my newest daughter play cards?”
“Pa, she plays a little poker. Go easy on her.” I could tell the chief was laughing.
“Does that sound good, Henry?”
“It sounds like the perfect day to me. All done, Son. Go back and finish up on the sale of the company.”
“Will do, Chief. Thank you, Pa.”
Now that all my “work” calls were done, it was time to call the wife.
“Hello, Little Woman. How are you doing?”
“Little Woman is working on a paper that’s due next week. When is the Little Woman’s man coming home?”
“Well...” Did I want to tell her the bad news now or later?
“You’re not making it to the wedding?” she asked sarcastically. “Shall I get another man to stand in for you as the groom? I wonder what Michael is doing on Christmas Day.”
“Little Woman is going to get the spanking of her life if she continues with this pissy attitude.”
“Well this Little Woman welcomes a spanking from her man, but won’t ever get one because he’s not coming home!” She was a little pissed. “And not only is he not coming home, he refuses to help with any of the wedding planning. I know selling the law firm is a great deal of work, but what could be more important than his own wedding day?” If she only knew...
“I will be home in the wee hours of our wedding day. I want you at our house, naked, and ready to do all I ask.”
“You’re coming home on our wedding day??? What if you miss your flight? What if your flight gets cancelled? What if...”
“I’ll be the sole passenger on Roland’s plane, aside from the crew. I have everything planned down to the second. I will be standing next to you at the altar, my beautiful bride. Do not fret.”
“Is the company sold now?” The bluster was gone. Now she sounded like a deflated balloon.
“It is just about as good as sold. I need a few more t’s crossed, and i’s dotted. In the meanwhile, just remember how much I love you and how much I miss you.”
“I love you too. I’m sorry for being a brat. I just miss you a lot.”
“The feelings are mutual. I’ll talk to you soon?”
“Talk to you soon.”
Mr. & Mrs. Taylor
Finally, our wedding day was here! As soon as I touched down at LAX, I rushed home and made frantic love to my bride. She complained she’d have bags under her eyes at the wedding but I didn’t care. We hadn’t seen each other in weeks. I knew she’d look beautiful regardless.
“Princess, I haven’t had you in weeks.”
“You’ll have me for life after today. Must you do this at five in the morning? I need to be at the spa in a few hours. Gram is treating us to a half day of relaxation and primping.”
“Sleep at the spa.” I didn’t wait for an answer. I went from being behind her, to on top of her, and didn’t stop until I heard her pleasured scream. I smiled and told her, “That was round one. See you in a few hours for round two.”
I must’ve been tired because I didn’t hear my fiancée leave for the spa. It wasn’t until I got a call from Jake that I realized I had been knocked out for hours.
“Your bride asked me to check up on you and to make sure you got to the spa for your haircut and facial.”
“Did they schedule a mani and pedi for me, too?”
“Damn. You’re such a chick. I’d like to freak you out and say they forgot, but I believe Gram scheduled the works for you. You want to meet in half an hour?”
“Yeah. I’ll shower at the spa.”
I got to the spa and met up with Jake in the sauna. “You ready for the big day?”
“Hell yeah! I can’t wait. This was a long time coming. Have you asked around about our wives? Are they here?”
“The receptionist told me they are all here, but will not be meeting us for lunch. Your bride will see you at the altar. Gram apparently left a message saying you were lucky you saw your bride early in the morning. Reid tradition states the bride and groom may not see each other for at least twenty-four hours prior to the wedding.”
“Shit. We went three months apart. I’m so glad that’s done.”
“I’m happy for you, Man. I’m happy you’re marrying my cousin and I’m thrilled we’ll be neighbors. All you need are babies, and we’ll be living the life we’d talked about when we were younger.”
The babies would come later than I hoped, but married life on the cul-de-sac was just hours away.
I got ready for the ceremony at Jake’s house and found Sam before leaving for the church. “Don’t forget you’re in charge of getting my bride to the church on time. If she’s late, it’ll all be on you, my soon-to-be cousin.”
“The pressure...!” Sam harrumphed and tried to walk away from me.
“Also, don’t forget. You’re not welcomed in Cinderella’s carriage. That’s for my bride, only.”
She rolled her eyes and tried to kick me with her high heels. I got away just in time.
The church was beautifully and tastefully decorated to celebrate our wedding and the Christmas season. I thanked both moms as I walked in, and sat with Jake and the twins, while Emily took care of JR.
“Laney is the second most beautiful bride I’ve seen to date.” Jake spoke with a genuine smile. “She is stunning, Donovan. She’ll knock your socks off.”
“We see the carriage pulling up. It’ll take that rickety thing another ten minutes to crawl down the block. You both want to get ready?” Nick called us to our positions while Max and Doug each took a twin back to their mother.
“Ready?”
“Hell yes!”
I waited for what seemed an eternity for the music to play and for Emily to walk down the aisle with the twins so my bride could be next. Talk about cutting it close, it appeared that my bride made it to the church exactly on time.
The door opened, and a serene Emily walked in holding the hand of each child. Ellie kept whispering, which for Ellie was no different than a yell, “Unca! Looky me.” She’d smile and attempt a pirouet
te while walking down the aisle. She was so in love with the twirl of her dress that at one point, she almost fell because she twirled so hard. Emily caught her just in time and the crowd loved it. James had the tough job of holding the pillow that carried our rings. When he concentrated hard on his job, he looked identical to his father. That was probably Jake’s visage in an operating room.
When Emily got to the altar, the grandparents walked over and took each grandchild in their arms. James went willingly and looked relieved to be rid of the pillow. Ellie would not go quietly. She wanted my attention as she put out both arms asking me to hold her.
Walking over to her, I whispered, “Uncle Donovan will give you a big present when the ceremony is done. Will you wait with your Grammy until I get married to your auntie Laney?”
“My Unca!” She hollered one last time. I kissed her full cheek, and told her to sit so she could receive her big surprise. My Elizabeth Logan Reid was no dummy. She sat and waited.
The door finally opened, and Jake was wrong. Delaney didn’t just knock my socks off. She knocked me off my feet, stole my breath, and almost had me in tears—she was so beautiful. Her wedding dress similar to the one Grace Kelley wore when she married Prince Rainier, made Delaney look every bit the princess, herself. She was my princess!
She smiled when she reached me and whispered, “Hi.”
“Dazzling, Princess. You are simply dazzling!”
Her head went down with a shy smile and I pushed her veil over her head. No different than my best friend at his wedding, I stole a kiss from my bride before ceremony began.
The officiating began along with our own private conversation. My bride was in such a daze, I had to talk to her to keep her in this ceremony.
“You are too beautiful for words, my bride.”
“I am suffocating from the cummerbund being too tight. As gorgeous as this dress is, I need to get out of it and wear Bee’s creation. I can’t breathe,” she complained.
“I noticed this morning that you’d lost too much weight.”
“Obviously not enough...Gram told me yesterday to only drink water and chew on cucumbers.”