by Cee, DW
“She is.” Max spoke and the rest of the men agreed.
“All right then. I guess we’re all set.”
The ride was a quick one. Twenty minutes later, we were nicely settled in the Old Course. Donovan had planned out our day.
“How are we pairing up?” My brother-in-law, Adair, asked.
“How about we go the US vs. the UK?”
“I hope you’re as good as your wife, Chap. The four of us play a lot of golf.”
Adair had no idea how competitive Donovan Taylor could get. “Game on!” he declared.
After refreshing ourselves with lunch, we were ready to play. I thought we should make this a little more interesting, just like the last time we met up here.
“What say you to a bet, Gents?”
The glint in Donovan’s eyes was unmistakable. “Michael, you’re talking my language. What’s the bet?”
“How about losing team has to do an original wedding song and dance?” Nick suggested. “That would be a sight to see.”
“I like it, Nick.” That was brilliant. “Chloe will love watching either group go up and make fools of themselves.”
We all agreed to the bet and walked to the first tee.
“Wait up!” we heard yelling from afar.
“Am I imagining it or does that sound like my wife?” Donovan turned toward the voice. “I’ll be damned,” he chuckled. “It is my wife; the ringer is here.” His foolish grin was met by a matching one on Laney Taylor’s face.
“I’m so glad I caught up with you.” She was out of breath but able to say all she wanted to say. “How are we pairing up?”
“What, may I ask, are you doing here?” Donovan pretended to be upset. “This is a men’s getaway. There’s no room for you, Little Woman.”
Laney’s eye roll had the rest of us laughing at him. “Do you want to win?” she challenged.
“Yes, Ma’am,” he asserted with a loud kiss to her cheek. “Let’s go kick some ass, Little Woman.”
That’s how our round began. Competition was fierce between the nine of us. They did have an unfair advantage because of Laney. Thankfully, it was decided at the onset that their highest score would be dropped. That was usually Laney’s score, which pissed her off.
“By the way, Laney, did you just ditch my fiancée’s shower to play golf? Should I be offended?”
“You only need to worry about your golf game, Your Grace. All is well with the shower and I’ll be attending as soon as I kick your asses.”
“Ooooh! Talking big for someone whose score can’t count.” Niles teased.
Ron added, “Ruby told me you’re a mother of three in addition to being a famous surgeon. When do you have time to play?”
“I play next to never, Ron.”
“Then how the hell do you have a single handicap?”
Donovan explained to us all, “She practices into the net in our backyard, or she’ll be at the range when the boys are taking their golf lessons. You think she’s good at golf, wait until you see her on a snowboard.”
“And a surfboard,” Jake added.
“And a kiteboard,” Max also spoke.
“What about that Scrabble board?” Nick was always the kidder. “She always kicks our asses with her Mensa vocabulary.”
My family was impressed. Adair asked, “Is there anything you can’t do?”
Laney’s family answered in unison. “Sing!”
It wasn’t until we Brits won the round of golf that I learned my fiancée was at the Old Course as well. Laney explained, “I convinced Gram to do the entire spa day out here. She was amenable since they have a wonderful facility and since Chloe said she’s always wanted to see this iconic place. Though in reality, I think Chloe was doing me a favor. I really wanted to play.”
“So what are all the women doing right now?”
“The spa can’t accommodate all of us since we’ve grown so big. We’re taking turns and I’m at the very end. In fact, I think I see our daughter running toward us now.”
We saw Lilah dragging her cousin, Elizabeth, while waving her hands furiously.
“Mama! Look!” She showed her beautifully polished nails. “Gigi told me I can paint my toes, too, just like Ellie.” She now plopped herself on the grass, took off her shoes, and displayed her purple and pink toenails. “Isn’t it bootiful? Now, I look just like Aurora.”
We saw the love in Donovan and Laney’s eyes. “You look gorgeous, my Sleeping Beauty. Give your daddy a kiss.”
“Lilah, did you say hello to everyone?” Her mom asked.
“Hello.” She waved until she saw me. “Uncle Michael! Thank you for the coprise under my pillow. I love the pretty box and all the sparkly jewels in there.”
Elizabeth added, “Me too, Mr. Bennington. Thank you for the surprise jewelry box. My mom says I need to keep my presents in a special place because they’re all precious.”
“I was told you have a tiara that’s the most special of all your jewelry collection, Elizabeth.”
She grinned. “Yeah. It’s beautiful but I don’t know where I’d wear it. It’s not like I can wear it to school.”
“I’ll wear it to school for you, Ellie. Can I? Please?”
We could all tell Elizabeth did not want to share her tiara.
“Let’s talk about it later, Lilah. I think we need to head back for dinner.”
“Why don’t we all walk over?” Jake suggested. “Ellie.”
“Yes, Daddy?”
“You and James are in charge of all the little ones tonight.”
The exasperation showed loudly and clearly on her face. “All right...” She left the rest unsaid.
“Is it time for a family dinner?” I asked. “Is everyone here?”
“Everyone is here but the men and women are separated. You don’t get to see your bride until the moment she walks down the aisle,” Laney explained.
Nick added, “That’s just our family tradition. Though, with all the kids now, we,” he pointed to everyone but me, “get to spend the night with our wives. You,” he pointed to me, “get to spend the night alone. Trust me when I say Gram will have Chloe locked away.”
“I thought you said it was only the English who do stupid things?” I asked Donovan.
His smirk said it all. “This is all for your good. Imagine the build-up on your wedding night. Chloe won’t know what’s gotten into her English tiger.”
There was no beating the Taylor family in the war of words. I’d have to believe him.
It never ceased to amaze me how welcoming the Reids had been toward the Benningtons. I was damn glad to have found this extended family.
Chloe: Bachelorette Celebration
“How come we’re all here at St. Andrews but I can’t see Michael? You all get to sleep with your husbands.”
“That’s the point, Chloe. Like you said, we are all sleeping with our husbands, and not our fiancés.” Gram spoke sharply. “Since you girls can’t keep from having sex and impregnating yourselves, I’m showing you how it used to be in the olden days.”
“I didn’t get pregnant with my first until months after we married,” Jane protested.
“Yeah, but you were living in sin with Max,” Gram countered.
“Here we go again,” Jane muttered. “What about Bee?”
“They were no different than you and Max if I recall.”
Bee laughed. “Gram. I was an old-maid by the time I married. Were you upset I took advantage of your sweet grandson?”
We all saw Gram trying her damnedest to hide her smile. “The worst case was Laney getting knocked up before her wedding.”
“But you didn’t even know I was knocked up until after the wedding,” Laney answered with vehemence.
“Potatoes, Potatoes” Gram answered with an American accent followed by and English accent. “The only one with true virtue here is Emily. She waited until her wedding night and produced four beautiful children.�
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“Here we go again. It’s all about Jakey.” Jake’s sister whined. “Jakey, Jakey, Jakey. It’s no wonder his head is so big.”
Emily laughed. “Oh Ladies. You know Gram is only kidding.”
“She’s not,” Laney joined in the whining. “Your family will always be Gram’s favorite, no matter what.”
“Is this family always this contentious,” I asked Gram in jest.
“Young Lady,” Gram said in her stern voice again. “You, too, are just like my other granddaughters. But, because of your age, we are all thrilled you’re carrying. We hope you and Michael can produce at least two more after this one.”
“Speaking of carrying...” Emily started. “I have a feeling I’m pregnant with our fifth.”
“You, too?” Jane asked in amazement. “I’m pregnant as well.”
Laney started howling. “So am I!”
“Um...” Bee spoke and we all stared. “Crazy enough, I think I might be too.”
“What???” we all asked.
“How can that be? You just had a baby?” I asked.
“I’m not positive, but all the signs are there. I just need to take the test, but I’ve been too chicken to do it.”
I knew what Bee was going through. That was my story, too. “Here,” I whipped out a pregnancy test from my purse and said, “go and take the test.”
“Why do you have three of those in your little cosmetic bag?” Laney asked without hiding her amusement.
“I was so freaked out about being pregnant, I waited before taking the test. Once the results came in positive, I bought out the store and took the test three more times.”
Jane asked. “So what made you stop? You have four left.”
“Michael. He, point blank, asked me before I could try again.”
The ladies liked my explanation.
“Go, Bee.” Gram urged.
None of us said a word until Bee’s return. We didn’t have to wait long. “Um...we’re ALL having a baby!” she declared.
Gram was the most excited of us all. “I hope I live long enough to see this next generation of babies born.”
“You will, Gram. I’ve no doubt.” Emily spoke with a sweet hug. “Now, I believe there’s a feast waiting for us in the next room. Shall we go celebrate Chloe’s upcoming wedding?”
As we walked into the banquet hall, Mum, Judith, and Michael’s mum walked over to me.
“As much as we love celebrating with everyone, we feel bad we didn’t plan something for you.”
“Oh Mum. That’s silly. You’re here joining us in the fun. It doesn’t matter who does the planning.”
“True, but I agree with your mother. I, too, would have liked to have done something special for you.” My future mother-in-law was kind to offer. “After the wedding, I’ll throw you a party in London. We’ll invite all the people who didn’t attend the wedding.”
There weren’t too many people to invite on my part, but I accepted her gracious offer. “Thank you. Michael and I can’t wait.”
“Are you feeling well, Chloe?” No matter that I was marrying and having a child of my own, a mum would always be a mum. I hoped I’d be just as good a mother as my own.
“I feel great. I’m glad we are all together celebrating. Once Michael and I marry, I promise I’ll visit more often.”
“We’re going to hold you to that, Chloe.” My sister warned.
“Please do, Judith. Michael told me I should be ashamed for not knowing my nephews. I’ll be a better aunt, I promise.”
“My Chloe has grown up,” Mum declared. “There’s nothing a mother wants more than to see her daughters happily wed and settled. Thanks to His Grace, you have a large extended family who will watch over you when you’re in America. You are truly blessed, my daughter.”
What started as a celebration of marriage turned into a celebration of family. I was honored to be a part of the new as well as the existing family.
Michael: Wedding Celebration
“How do you feel, my boy?”
“Like a million pounds, Grandfather. What about you? I see that life with Estelle Cowper is treating you well.”
“You wait until you’re married. There’s nothing better than getting into bed with the woman you love. At my age, it’s even better because you’re together all the time.”
“Are you sure Gram feels the same way?” I kidded.
“She’s even more in love than I am,” Grandfather answered with a grin.
“Somehow I doubt that.”
Grandfather reached into his jacket and pulled out a jewelry box. “I wanted to give this to you before the wedding began.”
“What’s this?” I opened the box to find matching watches.
“My grandfather gifted these to me when I married and told me to hand them down to my grandson and his bride. I’ve updated Chloe’s watch with bezel diamonds but yours is the original.”
“Thank you, Grandfather. I’m honored to wear this.” I immediately placed the heirloom on my wrist.
“You’ve always made me proud, Michael. Today is no different. You’ve chosen a fine girl; you will share a lifetime of happiness.”
“Your opinion means the world to Chloe and me. Thank you for loving and guiding us. Neither Chloe nor I would be the people we are without your help.”
“Only the good Lord above knows how much longer I’ll live. Now that Estelle is mine, I just pray I’ll be around to see your firstborn. That’s all I ask.”
“I’m expecting you to be around to teach my son how to be a future duke.”
“Ha!” he laughed. “Be good to Chloe, Michael.”
“I will, Grandfather.” Those parting words and an embrace later, Grandfather was off to give Chloe her watch.
“Ready?” Niles asked.
“Yep! Let’s do this.”
“You don’t appear to have any case of nerves.”
“I’ve known Chloe since birth. There’s no reason to feel nervous about committing myself to my best friend.”
“Good to hear. You better prepare yourself for a sight to behold. I just came out of Chloe’s room and she’s stunning.”
Anticipation climbed even higher. I couldn’t wait to see my bride. “When will the wedding begin?”
“As soon as you stand at the altar, Cousin. Chloe says she’s been ready for this event for about ten years now.”
“Cheeky girl.” I mumbled.
Niles, Benjamin—Judith’s five-year-old—and I stood at the altar and the music played on cue. First, my sister walked down the aisle, then Judith followed. Right before my bride, little Lilah came in looking like a princess, waving to everyone she knew.
“Hi Uncle Michael,” she whispered, not so quietly. “Don’t I look bootiful?”
“You sure do.” I taught her the meaning of a whisper by modeling it.
The first keys to Wagner’s march began and everyone stood. There was my cue to search for the most beautiful woman in the room.
When Chloe first appeared in the room, I couldn’t see anything but her dress and the top of her head. Eventually, she raised her head and I was truly blown away. Chloe had always been a stunning woman. Today, dressed in a gown that signified her desire to be my forever mate, she was ethereal. I knew this smile would not fade any time soon.
“Hello, Pretty Lady,” was how I greeted her at the altar. “Your beauty blows me away, Chlo-No.”
She smiled in response and the formal part of this wedding was done before we knew it. Now, it was time for the party.
“I was so nervous walking down the aisle,” my bride explained when I asked her why she kept her head down for so long. “I thought I might trip and rip this gorgeous dress. Bee did an amazing job with all this lace, didn’t she?”
“It’s the woman wearing the dress who makes it unforgettable.”
“You say the sweetest things, Michael.”
That was about the only private c
onversation we had during the reception. Between greeting and receiving well-wishers, Chloe and I were busy. We had no time to sit and eat.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Laney’s father, Dr. Henry Reid, took control of the mic. “Can we all have you back at your dinner tables?” Everyone listened and we finally got a chance to rest. Katie, Chloe’s assistant and coordinator of this wedding, informed us that this would be our only time to eat; so we scarfed down our wedding dinner. “I know this isn’t a Reid wedding, but we got special permission from our newest dad to bring a little of our tradition to this English family.”