The Chauffeur

by A. P. Hallmark

  The following morning, April and I get up early, and Matt is waiting with the Range Rover to drive us to pick up her parents. After the short wait near the gate, April’s mother comes rushing down the corridor and into her daughter’s arms. A lot of the passengers look in our direction, but mother and daughter apparently don’t care and continue to scream.

  Tom rolls his eyes at them and walks over to me, shaking my hand in greeting.

  “Hey, what about me?” he says to April. Releasing her mother, April melts against her father. When we see Tom whisper something in April’s ear, she pulls back and looks at him, and her eyes fill with tears. April nods and then he takes her back into a hug.

  “Come on, Jason. Let’s go get our bags,” Maria says, wrapping her arm around mine.

  After a thirty-minute wait, we’re finally on our way to the car, but when we offer to take them to dinner, Tom and Maria refuse to go anywhere but home. They have a granddaughter to meet.

  Once we pull up to the front of the house, Maria rushes through the door on a mission to find our daughter.

  “Grace! Where is she?” Maria shouts, looking in every room she passes.

  “We’re in the library, Maria,” my mother calls out in response.

  Maria runs in the direction of her voice, and Tom follows. I look over at April and we both shrug. We no longer exist—it’s all about Antoinette.

  “Oh my, Tom, do you believe this?” Maria says, holding Toni out so they can get a better look at her. “She looks just like April!”

  “She sure does, Maria. Just like her,” Tom agrees.

  “Well, I guess I was right, baby,” I say, kissing April’s temple while the parents coo over the baby. One thing is certain—we’ll never have a shortage of babysitters.

  Tomorrow is the rehearsal dinner, and everyone that’s family and in the wedding is invited. April wanted it relatively small, having Emily as her maid of honor along with Sam and Nicole standing up with her. Sam was pleased to be asked to be her bridesman since they’ve been best friends for years. I have Kyle as my best man with Adam and Paul as groomsmen. I’m very pleased that Paul and I have become best friends again.

  Rita serves an informal dinner outside on the patio since it’s a balmy night, and Garrett sets up Toni’s swing next to the table between Maria and Grace.

  “Sometimes I wonder whose child she is,” I whisper to April.

  “She belongs to everyone,” she replies lovingly. “She’s a very lucky little girl to have so many people love her.”

  “That she is,” I reply, kissing her cheek. “That she is.”

  “All right, everyone,” Carl says, standing. “The next two weeks are all about Jason and April. Grace claims April is chomping at the bit to become more involved in the working end of things.” Everyone looks over at April and begins talking over each other. “I think we need to take a vote on whether she should be given a pass to do manual labor or reap the rewards of being the pampered queen around here for a few more weeks.”

  “Carl, is this necessary?” April’s cheeks flush, and she folds her arms over her chest.

  “Apparently it is, because, frankly, you’re getting on everyone’s nerves. Now, why can’t you just sit there and watch everyone clean, run errands, worry, and take care of you? Jason is.”

  “That’s because he’s used to it and I’m not,” she replies.

  “Well, get used to it,” my mother adds. “April, this is your wedding. It’s your job to allow us to do the dirty work. Your bridesmaids and man have their duties, and your family has theirs. Read Emily Post, dear—she’ll enlighten you,” my mother says taking a sip of her wine.

  “We have some activities planned for everyone,” Emily chimes in, passing around the entertainment schedule. “We’re going to the lake for a picnic, we have a tennis match scheduled with a trophy and prizes, and we have a bowling tournament planned … boys against the girls.”

  “April, sweetie, you just had my granddaughter. You should take this time, enjoy her and relax. Let us do the dirty work,” Maria adds.

  “Listen to them, baby. Let them do this for you, all right?” I ask, hoping she’ll relent.

  “All right, but I get more time with my daughter then. You guys can’t have all the fun and have Antoinette at the same time. I need some fun time too!”

  “Deal,” Maria says as she takes Toni out of her swing to cuddle with her. Looking over at April, I catch her rolling her eyes at how effective her compromise is working already.

  Two days later, exactly two weeks from our wedding day, we hold the tennis tournament. Kyle and I grew up playing tennis, and both of us were on our college tennis teams. We have this in the bag.

  That is until Tom and April take the court. It’s them against us. In the last set, we lose to the father-daughter team. Who would have thought?

  “Well, look who shocked the hell out of me?” I ask, smacking her ass with my tennis racket.

  “Okay, gather ‘round,” my dad yells, placing the trophy on the picnic table. The entire wedding party and their dates are here, along with Rita, Garrett, and Matt.

  “It was a tough tournament, with Matt and Paul being the first team to be eliminated,” my dad jokes, making Paul and Matt blush in embarrassment. “Sue and Sam gave a good show, but we have our winners: April and Tom!” Everyone claps and whistles for them as Tom hands the trophy to April.

  “Thank you, everyone, it was an easy win,” Tom says as we laugh at his soaking wet T-shirt and April’s drenched hair. “Jason and Kyle barely gave us any competition or made us break a sweat.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Kyle speaks up. “I thought I’d have to give you CPR, old man.”

  “Your lips ain’t goin’ nowhere near mine, pal!”

  “Eww, Dad,” April giggles. “I think this trophy should go on the mantle until the next tournament, and there’s no doubt it will remain in the Sanders family.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that, April. You become a Rowe in two weeks so that it might stay in the Rowe family after that!” Adam pipes in, taking a sip of beer.

  “Once a Sanders always a Sanders, right Dad?” she boasts, hugging the trophy to her chest. “Come on, let’s go for a swim.”

  That night, after everyone leaves, Grace and Maria plan dinner for the family, giving Rita and Garrett a well-deserved night off. April has just finished feeding Antoinette and hands her to me to burp. It doesn’t take long until a deep and loud belch comes out of my little girl, shocking herself and making her cry.

  “Ah, it’s all right, baby,” I say, nuzzling my daughter. I hold her up in the air, and she and I just look at each other. It’s then my daughter lets out the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard and then smiles down at me, kicking her legs. Yeah, she’s her daddy’s girl all right—she likes to fly.

  After suffering days of scheduled activity, I decide to take my two girls for a private picnic in the country. Rita packs a basket of bread, various cheeses and a variety of fruit. Opening a chilled bottle of wine, I set it aside while April sets up a nap area for Toni. It doesn’t take long before she’s out, allowing April and me to enjoy a few hours to ourselves. After we snack on Rita’s lunch, we get comfortable and settle in to read. Both of us appreciate the quiet to the point we set our books down and enjoy a nap of our own. That is until I feel her small hand play with my overgrown hair.

  “What’s up, baby?” I ask, my eyes still closed from my nap.

  “Mmm, just thinking that next week, I’ll be Mrs. Rowe,” she says lazily.

  “I know. Did you ever believe that we’d reach this point when you first saw me?” I ask, contemplating that time in my life. “Even though I was with Kate in the back of your limo, you were in my head the moment I saw your eyes in the rear-view mirror.”

  “You weren’t quite in my head … you were a pain in my ass!” Her laughter causes Toni to stir in her sleep.

  “I was, wasn’t I? I think I was in love with you the minute I looked up and saw this tiny th
ing driving that big car.” I still shake my head remembering how small she looked standing next to it.

  “Jason,” she asks, rolling over onto her side, facing me. “Promise me that we’ll never leave each other. No matter what.”

  I weave my hands through her hair and pull her face up to mine, looking deep into her eyes. “I love you so fucking much. I’m in this for the rest of my life, baby. If we hit a rough spot, we’ll work it out, all right? We don’t run away,” I say, tugging on her hair with each word I speak. “Don’t leave me either.”

  “Never.”

  ~.~

  Today, four days before the wedding, Andrew Scott is found guilty. My father, myself, Paul and Matt attend the verdict. Even though we have his confession on tape, he still pleads not guilty.

  Matt drives us home from court, with Paul in the front seat, my father and I in the back. It’s during the ride that dad and I notice Matt and Paul sneaking quick peeks at each other.

  “What’s going on?” my dad mouths to me. I frown in return and shrug.

  We continue to watch them, and it looks like they could be touching or holding hands. Dad sends me another curious look. I shrug again. I know Paul is gay, but Matt?

  “Okay, you two. What’s the deal?” my father asks, breaking the thick silence. We both look at the two in the front seat as they guiltily look at each other, neither one wanting to be the first one to speak.

  “Come on, something’s up with you two. Out with it,” Dad says again.

  Matt nods meaningfully at Paul, who turns around in his seat.

  “Um, we’re kind of dating.”

  “Matt, when did you get gay?” my father asks, making all of us laugh at his terminology.

  “Dad, you don’t get gay.”

  Geez!

  Chapter 34

  ~April~

  Here comes the bride … all dressed in white … I think I’m gonna throw up … and then run and hide!

  I can’t seem to get the silly jingle out of my head and made up countless lyrics over the last two days, but now that I’m about to walk to where Jason’s waiting, my nerves have kicked into overdrive. Who would have thought that two magical words, I do, would make me as nervous as I am right now? Nervous enough to throw up my scant breakfast.

  Jason, on the other hand, looks cool as a cucumber, just waiting. I smile when he glances down the aisle. He told me he couldn’t wait to make me his.

  Is this thing going to start or what? When Grace gives the nod, the Bridal March begins to play over the sound system. Once the first note is heard, a huge smile comes over him.

  First, Emily and Kyle, followed by Sam and Paul, then Nicole and Adam walk down the aisle that’s littered with white rose petals. The girl’s mint green dresses gracefully move with the breeze, and everyone notices their jeweled toe sandals. The boys are dressed in dove gray tuxedos with matching mint green ties. I love how perfect they look.

  It’s my turn now, so I take my father’s arm, and as soon as his hand covers mine, we start the long walk to the man who has made me the happiest woman on the planet.

  Jason eyes my bare feet adorned in pearls, then his gaze makes its way up my legs. My dress is similar to Emily and Nicole’s, only in a soft white. When his eyes rake over my breasts, he gives me that sexy grin that makes my stomach tingle.

  I’m anxious, but as soon as our eyes meet, it’s like a wave of calm washes over me, and after taking a deep cleansing breath, I smile at him and reach for his hand.

  When the pastor motions for everyone to sit, I give my bouquet to Emily. Jason swallows thickly and begins his vow.

  “April, I love you. On the day I first saw you, our eyes met in your rear-view mirror. I knew then I had found a home for my heart. I always believed I would find you, and I thank God every day that I have. My promise to you is that I will strive to show you every single day that you are loved. I will protect you, honor you, and worship you. I will love you for the rest of your life.” Tears glisten in both of our eyes as he slips on the wedding band, raises my hand to his lips and kisses it. Thankfully, Emily flutters a handkerchief over my shoulder. With a sniff, I begin my vows.

  “Jason, I love you. I can’t express how comforting just saying those three words are to me. You show me every day how loved and cherished I am, and every day when I open my eyes, I’m so grateful to have you in my life. You make me feel protected and safe, and more importantly, I feel your love even when you are away. I can only endeavor to make you feel the same. When you walked out your front door that day, you didn’t see me, but I saw you. I knew, the moment I saw you, I was in trouble. I fought my feelings for so long, but I vow to love you for the rest of your life and never give you a reason to doubt that. I will honor you, worship you and hold your heart next to mine. But more importantly, I thank you for giving us Antoinette.”

  As soon as my vows are complete, I raise Jason’s large hand to my lips and place a kiss on the finger that will wear my ring for the rest of his life. When Jason gives the pastor a questioning look, the man gives the nod, and Jason gently takes me in his arms and, looking down into my eyes, he kisses me.

  “Wife,” he whispers in my ear, and I melt.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, before the eyes of God, and you as their witness, Jason and April have consented to be husband and wife. May your love be blessed, may your marriage be blessed and may your lives be blessed. It is with great pleasure that I am the first to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Jason and April Rowe,” the pastor announces.

  I release a shrill yelp when Jason scoops me into his arms, much to the delight of our applauding friends and family. He unceremoniously carries me down the aisle and into the house where he takes me into the library, kicking the door shut with the heel of his shoe.

  “You’re mine now, baby. There’s no escaping.”

  “I’ve always been yours, Jason, and I don’t want to escape you.”

  “You know what I mean,” he says with a growl. “I want to make love to you in the worst way, it isn’t funny.” Jason leaves a trail of kisses from the curve of my neck and up to my ear.

  “When do we leave for our honeymoon?” I ask, my breathing becoming shallow.

  “Tomorrow,” my new husband replies, his lips reaching her earlobe.

  “Do you mean we have to sleep in this house on our wedding night, not leaving until tomorrow?” I ask, turning my head, seeking his warm lips.

  “Oh, fuck no! I have plans for you tonight, wife.”

  “Oh, thank God!” I sigh, opening my mouth against his in a heated kiss. Just as he’s about ready to lift my legs around his waist, the door opens, interrupting a seriously potential tryst.

  “Jason, April?” Carl says, carrying Toni in his arms, and I smile down at my daughter, who looks pretty in her little white satin dress.

  “What is it, Dad?” Jason replies with a tone of frustration in his voice. He takes Toni into his arms, making baby sounds as he cuddles her.

  “Your mother and I have a special present for our little girl here.” Grace holds out a small green box, and when she opens it, a tiny pink pearl bracelet rests on a bed of satin.

  “You know all the girls in the family have a piece of jewelry, and we can’t leave our princess out,” Carl says, slipping it over Toni’s small fist. My heart melts watching Carl slip his finger into Toni’s hand, where she grips tightly around it. He then raises her little fingers to his lips and kisses them. “I love you, baby girl.”

  Toni’s gaze follows her grandfather and grandmother as they leave the room.

  “Chipped?” I ask, looking up at my new husband.

  “Yep,” Jason replies with a nod and a smile.

  As we enter the tent, dinner is already in progress. On one side of the tent, a buffet dinner offers any cut of beef one might desire, along with just about any conceivable side dish. On the other side of the tent is an assortment of seafood, also served with sides.

  After Jason and I fill our plates, we take our seats at the
table when Kyle takes this time to make his speech.

  “Attention everyone, it’s time for me to make the expected speech to embarrass the groom.

  “Jason, I’ve known you all my life. I remember your first girlfriend, you know. Remember how you thought it would be cool to give her a frog as a gift? You used the Sunday comics as wrapping paper with a shoestring bow. Jessica didn’t even know you existed until a week later when you finally presented her with your precious gift. Remember how she screamed after seeing the dead and shriveled frog?” Everyone laughs. “After that, Mother prohibited you from giving live presents. That is until you met April. Not only did you and April give each a gift of love, but you also gave the family the gift of life. You gave us Antoinette. For that, we all thank you. April, I’ve never seen my brother as happy as he is today. You’ve brought him to life. I love you both. Cheers.”

  Everyone claps and whistles when Jason gets up from his seat to hug his brother, and we’ll never know what’s whispered between the two, but I know it’s filled with love. You can tell by the way they grab the side of each other’s necks and briefly put their brows against each other.

  “Ahem, excuse me for interrupting this love fest, but I have my own little story to tell about our bride here,” Emily says, standing to face me. “April and I have been best friends for so long I can’t even remember when we met. Okay, I do, but you know what I mean.” Everyone chuckles while she stops to take a sip of wine. “April wasn’t one to date. She had her occasional thing—you know, dinner and a movie, but not with anyone that she wanted to make an actual commitment. I remember when she came home and told me about a client that she had one day, and how he had raised the privacy window when they stopped to pick up his date. After she saw the two of them together, she knew why he raised the glass. Why, Jason, you’re blushing.” The redness of his face can be seen a mile down the road. “Anyway, April told me all about you that day. She even gave you a nickname; does anyone here know it?”