All That Matters

by E. L. Todd

  He left the parking garage then headed outside the city. “It was such a pain to ship it here from London.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “It took six weeks. And I was terrified the ship would sink and take my car with it.”

  “Looks like she made it here in one piece.”

  “Take my advice and never move anywhere far away,” he said. “Unless you plan on selling everything.”

  “Cayson and I are never going to move.” We were staying put in that house until we died. I didn’t want to live anywhere else and neither did he.

  He turned on the radio during the drive. “How’s motherhood?”

  “Good. But my nipples hurt all the time.”

  He laughed loudly. “Clementine said the same thing.”

  “It’s not a laughing matter,” I said. “Cedric sucks them raw. When I run empty he still wants more.”

  “Poor Cayson. Sometimes Clementine’s breasts are too sore to play with.” He pouted. “And then I’m sad.”

  I chuckled. “Cayson plays with them anyway.”

  “That’s the spirit.” He kept driving and we entered Connecticut. The skyscrapers disappeared and the pastureland was on either side of the road. “How did you get to New York anyway?”

  “Cayson took me to work with him.”

  “Why?”

  “Because…” I hadn’t prepared an explanation for that. “I had a doctor’s appointment.”

  Ward accepted the explanation. “Everything alright?”

  “Yeah. Just a routine check-up.”

  He nodded and kept driving with one hand on the wheel. When we approached my house he started to pull over.

  “How about you drop me off at my parents?” Everyone’s cars were parked in my driveway and I didn’t want Ward to notice them.

  “Uh, sure.” He kept driving until he reached the next driveway. Then he entered the gates and drove around the cement roundabout with the statue in the center. He put the car in park but didn’t kill the engine.

  “Come inside with me.”

  “What?” he asked. “Why?”

  “My dad would want to say hi to you.”

  “I just saw him,” he said with a laugh. “I see that bastard every day.”

  “Well, don’t you want to see Cedric?” I felt terrible using my son as an excuse.

  He considered it before he nodded. “Actually, I would like to see the lad.”

  “Great. Let’s go.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Ward

  We stepped through the entryway, and I immediately noticed something was off. There was no furniture in the living room. Everything had been removed and tables were there instead.

  “Redecorating?” I asked.

  Skye’s attitude completely changed once we were inside the house. She was carefree a moment ago, and now she was anxious like a lit firecracker. She stood in front of me and started fixing my hair.

  “What are you doing…?”

  “Just touching you up.” She grabbed a boutonniere from the table and pinned it to the front of my suit.

  “Again, what are you doing?”

  Skye stepped back and sighed. “I need to explain something…”

  I’d never been more clueless in my life. She asked for a ride home but now it was turning into something else entirely. Was there another surprise wedding? Would someone else really do that right after Arsen and Silke? If someone else got married before I did, I would scream—literally. “Please do.”

  “Okay,” Skye said. “Clementine wanted—”

  “Is that my boy?” Mom came around the corner wearing a formal dress and hat. She gasped as she took me in, her eyes lit up like a display of fireworks. “So handsome.” She dabbed her eyes then moved into my side for a hug.

  “Mom…?”

  Dad came around the corner next, wearing a suit. “Looking spiffy like usual, I see.” He joined us for a group hug.

  I returned the embrace automatically but was in a confused daze.

  “Mom…Dad…what’s going on?” I pulled away then turned to Skye for guidance.

  Skye lowered her voice. “This is your wedding. Everyone is gathered outside in white chairs waiting for you to make your entrance. Once you do, the ceremony will begin.”

  It took me a full ten seconds to process what she said. “I’m getting married?”

  Skye nodded, and there was a wide smile on her lips.

  “Wait…what?”

  “Clementine arranged everything. You’re going to walk down with your parents and then Clementine will come down with her parents. But you need to get down there first.”

  This is really happening?

  I woke up this morning thinking it was an ordinary day, but in reality it was my wedding day.

  Clementine planned for all of this?

  She called all my family members?

  Skye grabbed my shoulders and gave me a gentle squeeze. “I’m so happy for you. I know this is what you’ve wanted for a long time.”

  “Yeah…I can’t believe it.”

  “She wanted to surprise you.”

  “Well, mission accomplished.”

  Skye headed to the backdoor. “Walk out when you’re ready.” Then she shut it behind her.

  “Are you ready, Son?” Mom asked. She hooked her arm through mine.

  I was ready to marry Clementine a long time ago. I knew I wanted something serious on our first date. She infected me with her love, but it was a disease I wanted to have. She was the mother of my child and the love of my life.

  And now she would be my wife. “I am.”

  Dad patted me on the back. “So proud of you.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  The three of us walked out of the back door together, and once we were on the patio we saw all the white chairs lined in three rows. A large gazebo had been erected and it contained hundreds of white flowers. Despite the winter chill, it was beautiful. Everyone turned my way once they saw me with my parents. I spotted Willow, her husband, and their two kids as we began to walk.

  A woman on the harp began to play as we made our entrance. Slowly, we walked down the aisle. Mom dabbed her tears away with her handkerchief. Dad walked proudly beside me, smiling with pure joy.

  I spotted all my friends and Clementine’s family in the chairs. Near the front were Skye, Cayson, and Cedric wrapped up in a tight bundle. When we reached the front I hugged both of my parents before they sat down. Then I stood there and waited for my darling.

  Slade stood beside me, his hands held together at his waist.

  I eyed him and gave him a quick nod.

  “I guess I do this for a living now.” He gave me a smile to tell me he was joking.

  “You’re good at it.”

  He gripped my shoulder affectionately. “Congratulations, man. I saw Clementine earlier. She’s kind of like a little sister to me, but she looked off the hook.”

  I chuckled. “Thanks.”

  Slade fell silent then moved his gaze to the house, waiting for Clementine to come.

  The music on the harp changed, and it was another slow song. I stared at the large ornate doors and waited for her to come through. My heart was beating fast because everything happened in the blink of an eye. I thought I was just giving Skye a ride, but I was actually driving to my own wedding.

  It was exactly what I wanted. Something small with just friends and family. I didn’t care for a big wedding, but I did care about being married. Clementine was the love of my life, and I wanted her to be mine forever. Maybe marriage was just a piece of paper to some people, but to me it was a lot more than that. I wanted to combine our lives together and be a single person. I wanted her last name to be mine. I wanted to have more children and grow old with her. I wanted to be buried beside her, resting in eternity forever.

  The doors opened and I saw the gleam of white from her wedding dress in the limited light. It was strapless and showed her nice shoulders. The dress was skintight and looked p
erfect on her, highlighting every curve. Her hair was pulled back and showed her gorgeous face. Her parents were on either side of her. Monnique was teary-eyed just the way my mother was. Cortland stared at Clementine’s face and seemed to glow just the way she did. In one arm he carried Ward Jr. all wrapped up in warm blankets. Only his face was visible.

  When I saw her the emotion started to kick in. To my surprise, my eyes welled up slightly. I wasn’t an emotional guy and never had been. When Slade cried at his wedding I thought it was a bit silly. But now I completely understood the sensation.

  Clementine came closer to me, holding a bouquet of winter flowers. Her eyes were glued to mine, and the same joy that burned in my heart was visible on her face. As she came closer she glided toward me, like an angel.

  I couldn’t believe this was real.

  Slowly, she made her way up the aisle, looking like a goddess that I only got to worship. Her natural beauty was highlighted in the light make up she wore. A winter flower was in her hair.

  The closer she got the more I tried to hold on. Everything I ever wanted was coming right toward me. The woman I wanted to cherish forever was just a few feet away, and my son was with her too.

  When they reached me, Monnique kissed Clementine on the cheek. “So happy for you, dear.”

  “Thank you, mama.”

  Cortland kissed her next. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

  “Thank you, Daddy.” She leaned down and kissed Ward Jr. on the forehead before she took the last step toward me.

  My hand automatically went for hers and my heart skipped a beat the moment we touched. I stared into her face and almost couldn’t believe she was real. Her eyes reflected the sun behind me, and she looked happier than I’d ever seen her.

  I faced her as my other hand found hers. I wanted to say something to show her how much this meant to me. She did all of this just for me and it couldn’t have turned out any better.

  Slade gave us a moment to stare at each other before he cleared his throat. “We’re gathered here today to witness the marriage of Ward Price and Clementine Thompson. We know Ward has been really anxious for this day so we’re happy it’s finally arrived.”

  Everyone chuckled at that comment.

  I wasn’t offended in the least. It was the truth anyway.

  “Together, they’ve made a beautiful son and now they want to share their lives forever. I know everyone here is eager to witness this union so I’m not going to bother with the objections part. It’s boring anyway. Is there something you would like to say to each other?”

  I hadn’t had a chance to prepare anything. Mentally, I’d only had a few minutes to process everything.

  “Yes,” Clementine said. “There’s something I’d like to say.”

  Slade stepped back.

  She looked me in the eye as she spoke. “When we first started seeing each other I didn’t want anything serious. I’d had my heart broken before and I didn’t want to go through that again. But, you made me fall in love with you anyway. And it turned out to be the greatest experience of my life.”

  My chest took an involuntary extra breath.

  “For a while we lost our way from each other, but then our beautiful son brought us back together. You’ve stood beside me even when I didn’t deserve it and you always take care of me. You’re the greatest father and partner I’ve ever known.” Her eyes started to twinkle with unstoppable tears.

  “Ward, is there something you’d like to say?” Slade asked.

  “There is.” My voice came out firmer than I expected. “I’ve been looking for the right woman for a long time and the second I laid eyes on you I knew. The first time I kissed you only confirmed it. I was stuck on you the moment our relationship began and I knew I didn’t want to be with anyone else for as long as I lived. You captivated me from the very beginning. And I was lost. When you had our son that love only grew even bigger. Every time I think I can’t love you more I’m always wrong. Today started off just like any other day, and then you made it magical. You do that every day of my life. As your husband I hope I can do the same for you.”

  “Awe…” She squeezed my hands.

  Slade watched us and continued forward. “Now it’s time for the rings.” He pulled them out of his pocket and handed them to each of us. “Clemy, we’ll start with you. Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?”

  She slipped the metallic black ring onto my finger. “I do.”

  “Ward, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?”

  I placed the diamond ring on her finger. “I do.”

  “Then by the power invested in me through the state of New York I now pronounce you as husband and wife.” Slade clapped with the rest of the crowd. “Now kiss your woman.”

  My lips upturned into a smile that couldn’t be erased, and I grabbed Clementine by the waist before I forced her into a prominent dip. She was lighter than air and easy to manage. I pressed my mouth against hers and gave her a slow kiss. Her arms were wrapped around my neck and all her love for me was obvious in that tender embrace.

  I pulled her back up again and looked into the beautiful face of my wife. Now she was officially my other half, the woman I would spend the rest of my life with. This was what I wanted years ago and now it finally happened. “I love you.” It was the one thing I forgot to say but she already knew how I felt.

  “I love you too.”

  I grabbed her hand and guided her down the aisle with me. Everyone tossed rose pedals at us and clapped. A few whistles sounded.

  “Want to make another baby?” I said into her ear.

  “Maybe on our honeymoon. But right now I want to party.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Roland

  I watched Ward and Clementine dance in the middle of the room, and just behind them sat Conrad and Lexie. My eyes were trained on them, and the sadness filled my chest cavity to a breaking point. Not having my best friend in my life was heartbreaking. I didn’t know what to do with myself.

  Heath rested his hand on the area between my shoulder blades and rubbed it gently. “Give it time. He’ll come around.”

  “He hasn’t looked at me once.”

  “Well, these things take time.” Heath’s usual wisdom wasn’t going to help me this time.

  “Ugh.” I rubbed my forehead. “Why did I take that letter?”

  “Because you were trying to protect him. You aren’t the only one who’s guilty. All of us were in on it.”

  “He doesn’t see it that way.”

  “Because you’re his best friend. You should have told him the truth.”

  I raised my hand. “I don’t feel like getting a lecture right now.”

  Skye took the seat beside me. “Why aren’t you guys dancing?”

  “I prefer moping.” My eyes moved back to Conrad.

  Skye followed my gaze and sighed. “He’ll come around, Ro.”

  “He hasn’t even looked at me. It’s like I don’t exist. Doesn’t he miss me?”

  “I’m sure he does.” She patted me on the hand. “But try to enjoy yourself. It’s a wedding.”

  I’d enjoy myself a lot more if my best friend didn’t hate me.

  “There’s my wife.” Cayson extended his hand to her. “May I have this dance?”

  Skye’s face lit up before she let him pull her onto the dance floor.

  When she was gone, I sighed again.

  “Maybe you should try talking to him,” Heath advised.

  “At Clementine’s wedding?” I asked. “I don’t want there to be any drama.” I noticed no one made conversation with Conrad or Lexie, probably because everyone still despised her. I even saw Cassandra dog her with hatred.

  “Then try to think about something else.” He gripped my thigh. “Want to dance?”

  “Not really.”
r />   Dad came to our table with Cedric bundled up in his arms. He took the seat beside me then tightened his jacket around Cedric, who was already puffy like a marshmallow. “You look miserable.”

  “What gave me away?” I gave him my deepest frown.

  “Couldn’t work things out with Conrad?”

  “Nope.”

  Dad looked down into Cedric’s face, a hint of a smile on his lips. Cedric and Mom seem to be the only things that mattered to him lately.

  “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Are you asking me for advice?” Dad gloated openly.

  “Don’t be a dick about it.”

  He rocked Cedric as he looked at Conrad across the clearing. A tent was erected to keep everyone warm, as well as standing heaters at every corner. “I wouldn’t talk to him about it right now. But I would ask Lexie to dance.”

  “What good would that do?”

  “Everyone is ignoring her because they hate her. I’m sure it would mean a lot to Conrad if you tried to make her feel welcome. And he would be indebted to you if you changed the collective outlook of the group.”

  Heath nodded. “That’s a good idea.”

  “I know,” Dad said.

  I rubbed my temple in irritation.

  Heath gave me a nudge. “Put on a smile and do it. You won’t regret it.”

  Dad gave me a knowing look, like always.

  “Fine.” I left my chair and headed across the dance floor to Conrad and Lexie. I wiped the irritation off my face and approached them with a smile. The second Conrad realized I was coming toward them his guard was up. He closed off from me, wanting nothing to do with me.

  I tried not to let it bother me.

  I headed to Lexie and extended my hand. “Dance with me.”

  Conrad couldn’t hide his surprise. Both of his eyebrows moved up.

  Lexie smiled like nothing would make her happier. “I’d love to.” She took my hand and allowed me to pull her up.

  I took her to the center of the dance floor where everyone else was. They realized Lexie was there and there was a collective opinion of disapproval. But I spun Lexie around and ignored it. Together, we danced and actually had a good time. She moved her body well to the music, and she laughed every time I spun her around. Eventually, we forgot about everyone else and just had fun.