“Hi, Angie, they’ve done a few more tests on Christopher and the tests have come back all clear, everything seems fine. That’s good news isn’t it?”
“I suppose that depends on whether he still doesn’t remember me. Anyway, I was thinking of coming back in to see him. Would that be OK?”
“Yes, you come right in. I’ll still be here for a good while yet. I’m sure when you get here he’ll remember you, and if he doesn’t, then I’m sure it won’t be long before he does. I’ll see you soon, Angie, bye.”
Angie wished that she had the same eternal optimism as Louise, and although niggling doubts continued to creep into her head, she had already made up her mind not to surrender. She would take everything one step at a time. Hoping that Chris would now remember their life together, Angie also accepted that if his memory failed to return she would find a way to rebuild their relationship regardless. The blue LED digits on the alarm clock told Angie that if she wanted to catch the next bus she wouldn’t have time for a meal. Grabbing a banana from the fruit bowl and a chocolate bar from the fridge, Angie figured that now she’d get a sugar fix and a nutritional fix combined. Squeezing the food into her oversized bag, Angie was soon ready to go. Just as she was about to leave the telephone rang, and the caller id showed that it was her mother. Angie decided to let the answering machine take the call. Angie hadn’t told her parents about the accident yet, and now just wasn’t the time. There was no point in worrying her parents, especially as her father wasn’t too well of late. Doreen and Bill had been devastated when they had discovered that Chris had moved out, and they made no secret of the fact that they hoped reconciliation was on the cards. There was little point in them knowing that not only had Chris been involved in a car accident, but he had also failed to recognize their daughter. With any luck in a few hours time, Chris would remember Angie and she would then persuade him to give things another try. Who knows, when she got around to returning her mother’s call, Angie might actually have some good news to deliver for a change. Of course the first step would be to actually make it to the hospital and speak to her husband, so not for the first time today, Angie made a mad dash to catch the bus. Just making it in time, she boarded the half empty bus and quickly made her way to towards the back. Running out of empty spaces and avoiding the seat behind the canoodling teenagers, Angie settled herself into the seat in front of the daydreaming pensioner.
The journey to the hospital gave Angie time to reflect on everything that had happened up until now. Munching on her banana with one hand, Angie rubbed the dirty window with the other. Immediately realizing that the marks were on the outside her mind drifted to other things. She began thinking about her parents, and began hoping that she could soon give them something to smile about. She remembered how happy they were when Chris asked them if he could marry their daughter. Their faces were beaming. When the wedding day arrived, both Doreen and Bill were brimming over with pride as Bill walked his only daughter down the aisle. Angie was still wearing the wedding ring that Chris had placed on her finger back then, on the day that they had both promised ‘till death do us part’. Even though they had been living apart for a while now, she’d never felt quite ready to remove the ring. The ring had belonged to Chris’ mother, and the plain simple gold band still held sentimental value. Granted it hadn’t brought his mother much luck in the love department, but it was one of the few things that Chris treasured, and he had lovingly given it to her. As she glanced through the dingy bus window, Angie took herself back to the day of her wedding and remembered with fondness one of the best days of her life.
Chapter Twelve
It was the November 10th 1992. It would have been Chris’ mother’s fifty-fourth birthday, and it was Angie and Chris’ wedding day. From the moment Chris and Angie had decided to get married, they both knew exactly what they wanted. The couple totally agreed with each other that it should be a traditional church wedding. The planning had been going on for months, and now the day had finally arrived. It was a slightly chilly day with a light wind, but nothing other than a hurricane was going to spoil the occasion. For once, everyone hoped that the weather forecasters had got it right, and that it would be a sunny day with no chance of rain.
The flowers had arrived a week earlier, and had been chosen in silk deliberately. Everlasting silk flowers could be kept safe, and hopefully one day Chris and Angie’s daughter or granddaughter might walk down the aisle clutching the beautiful bouquet. A red rose boutonniere for the groom and white for the rest of the wedding party. The bride’s bouquet was a cascading array of deep red roses mingling alongside delicate gypsophila.
The elegant glistening tiara had been specially designed to complement the flowers. Made up of tiny crystal flowers, the two interlinked deep red crystal hearts were most definitely the pièce de résistance. The wedding dress was also designed to Angie’s own specification. Since she was a little girl, Angie had had a clear picture in her mind of the perfect wedding dress, and there was no way she’d find it in any wedding boutique. The white exquisitely embroidered lace-covered satin dress displayed a full floor length skirt. The neatly fitted bodice had a sweetheart neckline, and the long lace sleeves came to a gentle point just past the wrist.
When it came to choosing a veil, Angie had decided it was best not to bother. She was quite proud of her shiny long brown hair, even though as a young teenager she’d wished she had been born light blonde. Angie still had the perm she’d acquired a couple of years ago, and although the style was much softer than it was back then, she figured a veil might be a bit bulky looking, and her personalized sparkling tiara was all that she needed.
The dainty white wedding shoes would be hidden, but were still chosen to complement the rest of the outfit. Having already teased her parents that she might just don her well-worn running shoes, Angie settled for medium-height block-heeled white satin shoes.
The groom chose a black suit accompanied by a white shirt and a deep red waistcoat with matching tie.
There were three bridesmaids, Maria, Melissa, and Sophie. Maria was Angie’s best friend through high school. It seemed only right to choose her two sisters-in-law as bridesmaids, as she had been bridesmaid for both of them. All three bridesmaids wore simple full-length deep red taffeta dresses. They each carried a small posy of white roses, dotted with small deep red rose buds.
With everyone else already gone, Bill Aitken helped his only daughter into the wedding car. On the journey to the church, Bill couldn’t stop staring at his beautiful daughter.
“Are you happy, Angela?”
“Yes, yes, yes; I’ve never been so happy in my life, Dad,” beamed a gleeful Angie.
“Then I’m happy too. You look so beautiful today. Your mom and I are so proud of you and we know you’re going to have a wonderful life with Chris. But if ever you need us we’ll be there for you,” Bill finished with a noticeable quaver in his voice.
“Oh Dad shush, or I’m going to start blubbering. Seriously though, thanks for being such wonderful parents, even when I was a difficult teenager. I love you and Mom so much. I just hope me and Chris can be half as happy together as you and Mom have been.”
“It isn’t always easy, sweetheart. You have to work hard at it. You learn as you go on, but I soon found out that it’s important that you both give and take. It’s no good being all one-sided. Just be kind to each other and try to accept each other’s faults.”
“What faults?” Angie glared at her father for a second, holding her breath and feigning annoyance. This left Bill lost for words, but before he had worked out how to answer she couldn’t keep up the pretence and burst out laughing. “Sorry, Dad, I just couldn’t resist it.”
Father and daughter laughed warmly together as they made their way to the ceremony. The white wedding car pulled up outside the traditional church, and while a crowd of well-wishers oohed and ahhed, the proud father led his stunning daughter into the building. Once inside the church, the bride and her father were immediately
hit by the beautiful scent of fresh flowers. Angie peeked round the corner, not just to get a sneaky look at the congregation, but also to confirm that the groom had indeed turned up. It was immediately noticeable that the left hand side was of the church, where Angie’s family and friends were seated, was substantially fuller than the right hand side housing Chris’. As the bridal march began to play pews creaked, as one by one the congregation turned to see the bride. Chris’ grandmother was sitting, neck craned, beaming with pride, tears streaming, and Angie knew that Chris had every bit as much love coming from his grandmother as Angie had from her over abundant family.
From the moment that she walked arm in arm down the aisle with her father, Angie spent the rest of the day in a dream state. She was walking on air, head in the clouds, basking in the ocean of love that surrounded her. The church was perfect and the ceremony was perfect. The after wedding reception was perfect, the meal was delicious, and the wedding cake looked stunning. Indeed the entire day was perfect.
The evening reception party was the finale, and it was a chance for everyone to let their hair down and relax. Chris and Angie had danced the night away. They had played all of the usual party songs, and almost everyone was dancing. The special requests had all been taken care of, and everyone remained in high spirits. The evening was moving on so swiftly that Angie felt like Cinderella, one eye on her watch, dreading the moment that the ball was over.
When the couple had been dancing for quite some time, Chris mumbled something incoherent in Angie’s ear then disappeared. With Chris gone, Angie took the opportunity to chat with family and friends. The day had gone so fast that Angie hadn’t had time to properly speak with many of the guests, and now was her chance. However, just as she was beginning to get more deeply involved in conversation Chris returned. With Chris back by her side, Angie took his hand and walked him back onto the dance floor. Just the touch of his hand sent a tingle right through her. The glorious night would soon be over and she didn’t want to waste a second. Chris hadn’t been back more than a couple of moments when the music stopped. The DJ tapped his microphone and cleared his throat to speak.
“One, two, one two,” he fiddled with the volume knob on the amplifier; “can I have everyone’s attention please. Chris has put together a special musical extravaganza for his gorgeous bride. So can I have everybody off the dance floor, except for the bride and groom?”
Amidst a host of wolf-whistles, furious hand clapping, and extra loud cheers, the happy couple was left standing alone on the dance floor. Angie waited with eager anticipation to see just what songs Chris had chosen. When the first song began, Angie quite literally became the blushing bride. As ‘Color Me Badd’ burst into song, so did Chris. He had clearly rehearsed his routine to perfection, and as he danced around her singing as he went, his polished performance left her standing speechless.
“I will never leave you sugar, this I guarantee,” he warbled, as Angie stood there giggling, hands over her mouth like a shy schoolgirl. When the song was over everyone cheered, but the room soon fell silent again as track two began to play. The unmistakable piano chords came first, followed by the sultry gravelly voice of Bryan Adams. Featured in a blockbuster movie that Chris and Angie had seen the previous year, this song had hit the top of the charts around the globe. This evening’s performance was not a solo though, it was a duet. The supremely talented Bryan Adams was accompanied by the not so talented Christopher Morris, who struggled terribly when it came to reaching the higher notes. “Take me as I am, take my life, I would give it all, I would sacrifice,” Chris warbled. He was half way through the song, and clearly struggling. A captivated audience sensed that he needed help. One by one they joined in, until a chorus of voices was helping him out wherever they could. As the song drew to an end the room fell quite again, leaving only the original duo to finish the song.
“Everything I do - I do it for you,” Chris sang. Dropping to one knee, Chris kissed Angie’s hand, winked, and with an impish grin, stood up and took a bow.
There was a tumultuous round of applause and a standing ovation for this unique performance. Chris had now set himself a benchmark that he might find hard to beat.
A couple of their favorite upbeat songs followed, with Chris joining in on every one. Angie was astonished at how well he seemed to be remembering every word of every song. The opening beat of the next song signaled that the joking around performance was over.
“Lay a whisper on my pillow,” the female began to sing. As Chris pulled Angie in close, he spoke quietly into her ear. “Remember this, Angie? Remember the movies, ‘Vivian’ and ‘Edward’? I think that was the night I knew I’d never let you go. I couldn’t imagine life without you in it.”
Angie swallowed hard, but before she had chance to say a word, Chris was singing to her again. She rested her cheek against his and became lost in the moment. When the song ended there was really only one song that could have come next. As Roy Orbison belted out his classic, almost everyone in the room joined in. The song was equally popular among the older and younger members of the wedding party, despite the fact that it had first been released long before many of them were born. There was plenty of humming going on, from those who didn’t know the words. Fortunately every few moments everyone had the chance to join in, with the familiar lyrics. “Pretty woman,” the entire room sang loudly, followed a selection of muted hum’s and mumbles, while the legendary Mr. Orbison and some of the older party members continued the lyrics.
The penultimate song came from Maria Carey, singing ‘I’ll Be There’. Chris knew all of the words to this song. As a boy, while delving through his mother’s small record collection, Chris found the original Jackson Five single, ‘I’ll Be There’. He would play the small black disc over and over, picturing his mother singing along. Chris had vague memories of his mother singing the melody to him on the rare occasions that she got to tuck him up at bedtime. Chris often wondered whether his father had bought the single for his mother, or whether their relationship was already collapsing and she’d bought the record herself. Had Catherine Morris bought this emotional vinyl disc in a vain attempt to resurrect her failing relationship with Michael, or was it because she yearned for her husband to adopt the sentiments of the song? Chris would never find out the answer to his questions, but he would always think of his mother whenever he heard the song.
When ‘I’ll Be There’ came to an end the room fell silent, as Chris took hold of Angie’s hand and headed for the DJ. Taking hold of the microphone, Chris couldn’t disguise his emotion filled voice.
“I’d like to thank everyone for sharing our special day with us, and I hope you’ve all had a great time.” Chris paused momentarily, as his voice was drowned by whistles, cheers, and claps. When the rapturous applause had died down he continued, “I’d like to sing this last song for my beautiful wife, who today made me the happiest man in the world, and for the other special woman in my life.” Chris searched the dimly lit room until he spotted his grandmother. “This one’s for you, Grandma. I know it’s your favorite. Thanks for everything you’ve done for me.” Feeling himself filling up, Chris stopped talking just in time to avoid being overcome.
When the piano notes began, a collective ‘aah’ ran throughout the room followed by silence. “Wise men say, only fools rush in, but I can’t help falling in love with you.”
As Elvis and Chris performed their duet to a captivated audience, Angie couldn’t hold back the tears. Through jubilant smiles the rivers of tears streamed down her face. There was a slight hint of nerves in Chris’ voice as he delivered the most important performance of the evening. Even where previously he had struggled, this song suited his voice perfectly. Proudly watching her only grandson’s performance, Chris’ grandmother held a small handkerchief to her nose. Life’s hardships had left their mark on her and tears didn’t come so easy anymore, but she still had emotions, and today they were working overtime. Though she didn’t often say it, when she looked into his eyes,
she saw a combination of her late husband and Chris’ mother. He had inherited their looks, their happy nature, and their steadfast will never to give up. Not normally given to self-praise, Emma Scott was unashamedly proud; both of the way she had brought Chris up and of how he had turned out as a result.
When the melody had come to end, it signaled the end of the evening reception. It was unanimously agreed that the last performance of the evening had been the best. Everyone commented on what a wonderful day it had been, and everyone left in high spirits. Precious moments that could never be repeated had been captured in photographs displayed in a beautifully decorated white wedding album. One day, Angie and Chris would show their children the pictures and rekindle the emotions of that day. At least that was their plan.
Chapter Thirteen
Rolling her wedding ring around and around her finger, the sight of the discount store told Angie that the bus was nearly at her stop. Butterflies dancing around her stomach, Angie rehearsed what she might say when she came face to face with Chris again.
Once off the bus, Angie was keen to get to the hospital and speak to Chris, but had to fight the growing fatigue, which had been brought on by the emotional roller coaster she was on. One moment she was high as a kite, full of romantic dreams of happy endings. The next moment her spirits were floundering, negative thoughts overwhelming her brain. By the time she had reached her destination, she was on the verge of exhaustion. Fumbling into her bag, Angie retrieved the small chocolate bar, which she devoured quickly. She hoped that a sugar rush might do the trick, but it had barely any effect at all.
It Must Have Been Love Page 6