A Promise To Keep

by Christina Tetreault

  A large living room furnished with an L-shaped sofa as well as a breakfast table opened out onto a balcony. Two closed doors led off the living room. She passed through the living room and opened one of the three glass sliders leading onto the balcony. Down below stretched Waikiki beach and the Pacific Ocean.

  “You were right. This view is spectacular.”

  “It’s why I like staying in this tower. You get a better view from down on the beach, but if you look to the left, you can see Diamond Head. And over there is the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon.” He pointed toward the lagoon surrounded by sand. Kelsey could see people on paddleboards and water bikes enjoying the calm, clear water.

  “You’ve probably done it before, but I’d like to visit Diamond Head while we are here. Pearl Harbor too.”

  “I’ve been, but I don’t mind going back.”

  Housekeeping had left orchids on the table inside. She’d seen him grab one on their way out. Now he tucked it behind her ear.

  “I made reservations for a luau one night, but nothing else. This vacation is for you. We can take surf lessons, go for a helicopter tour, lounge by the pool, and drink fruity drinks.”

  “Sipping fruity drinks by the pool is appealing.” As was everything else he listed; unfortunately, they only had a week there.

  “We could go hiking. Get married. You name it, and we’ll do it while we’re here.”

  Get married? Kelsey had excellent hearing, and he’d definitely added getting married to his list of activities, right along with hiking. Was he serious or trying to get a reaction from her? There was only one way to find out.

  Sometime during the flight from Boston to Salt Lake City, he’d decided to propose the first chance he got. The sooner he did it, the sooner he’d have an answer. So, during their layover, while she’d gone to use the restroom, he’d removed the engagement ring from his carry-on bag and stuck it in his pocket. It stayed there for the rest of the trip. Since they were discussing ways to spend their vacation and he hoped they made a trip to the wedding chapel before they left, he added getting married to his list of proposed activities.

  Reaching into his pocket, he touched the jewelry box. One word from Kelsey and he’d give it to her.

  “I just have to say the word, and we’ll do it?” She eyed him suspiciously, as if trying to decide whether or not she’d heard him correctly. He could understand her doubt. Most men didn’t put getting married and hiking in the same sentence. He wasn’t most men, and theirs wasn’t your everyday relationship.

  He nodded.

  “You listed a lot of options.” She backed away from the railing and sat down. “And we’re only here a week.”

  Perspiration slipped down his spine. Damn, does she think I’m joking? So much for being clever. “This time. We’ll come back soon and make it a longer stay.”

  She tapped her fingers against her chin. “In that case, let’s lounge by the pool with some fruity drinks.”

  He sucked in a deep breath and prepared to give her a proper proposal.

  “And get married. Or maybe we should get married first and then sit by the pool. Either way, a helicopter tour and some scuba diving can be on our to-do list for next time.”

  She didn’t think he was serious, and now she was waiting for his reaction. He could tell. Drew took the box from his pocket and opened it. “If we’re getting married this week, you’ll need this.” He held the box toward her.

  Her lips formed a perfect circle. Kelsey looked back and forth from the ring to him. She never reached for the jewelry box. “You’re serious?”

  Did she think he presented engagement rings to women every day? “One hundred percent.” He removed the ring from the box and took her hand. “I want to marry you. I called the chapel here at the resort before we left. They can perform the ceremony this week. When we get home, we can celebrate with our family and friends.” She hadn’t agreed, but he slipped the ring on her finger anyway. “But if you’d rather wait and have a traditional ceremony, we can.”

  Kelsey shook her head. How should he interpret her reaction?

  “I don’t want to wait. Let’s get married while we’re here.”

  Relief exploded inside him. He’d accomplished his goal. In a week when they returned to North Salem, they’d be husband and wife. Kelsey would be able to follow her dreams, and he’d kept his promise to Ian.

  “Before we do anything else today, let me call the chapel and see when we can come in.” Drew went inside to find the number. When he came back out, Kelsey was admiring the ring on her finger. “Do you like it?” He’d opted for a superior quality diamond but a simple setting. The little jewelry Kelsey did wear wasn’t showy. She wouldn’t want a huge rock that screamed look at me.

  “It’s perfect. One I would’ve picked out for myself.” She gave him the most dazzling smile. “You know me well.”

  “Well enough to know you’re going to hate what I’m about to suggest.” He’d bought the engagement ring, but no wedding bands. They’d have to go shopping for those before the ceremony.

  “We need to go shopping for wedding rings, and maybe a dress.” He’d seen what she’d packed. The suitcase only contained shorts and T-shirts. Not even Kelsey would want to get married dressed so casually.

  Her smile dimmed a little, but she nodded in agreement. “Shorts and a tank top won’t do. I guess I have to make another trip to a mall.”

  Drew dialed the chapel’s phone number. “There’s a nice one over on Ala Moana Boulevard. It’s close enough to walk to. After I make this phone call, we can head over and get it over with.”

  ***

  He sat on the sideline dressed in his North Salem High School football uniform. Out on the field, Coach Striker ran the players through drills. When the coach blew his whistle, both the players and Coach Striker vanished, and only Ian remained. He jogged across the field and joined Drew.

  “Thanks for taking care of her,” Ian said. “I knew I could count on you.”

  Before his eyes, Ian’s football uniform changed into a hospital gown.

  “I promised you I would.”

  Ian grew pale, and pain filled his face. “But you don’t have to marry her.”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  The image of Ian disappeared, replaced with one of Kelsey. Tears filled her eyes, and she stood with her arms crossed. “Why?” Anger and pain filled her voice. “Why do you have to?”

  Drew’s eyes flew open. His heart raced. Reaching over, he touched Kelsey. She was still next to him, sleeping.

  Dream, it was only a dream. However, in it he hadn’t lied to Ian. He did have to marry her.

  His conversation with Ian wasn’t the part of the dream bothering him. Kelsey’s questions in it did. Thankfully, outside of his dream, she would never question his reasons for marrying her. Unlike in his nightmare, she’d never have any reason to. He’d make sure of it. Just like he’d make sure she never learned about the deal he’d made with Jack regarding Bancroft Automotive, and the promise he’d made to Ian. If the truth ever came out, he might very well lose Kelsey forever. He couldn’t lose her.

  Drew pressed his body against her back and held her tight. He loved her, and not simply as a friend or Ian’s little sister. Maybe he always had and he’d just been too chicken to admit it. Perhaps if she’d shared her true feelings sooner, they would’ve gotten together before Ian passed away. He’d never know, and it didn’t matter anymore. In a few days, they’d be married.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Other than picturing Drew by her side, she’d never wasted time as a teenager imagining what her wedding might be like. After high school, she’d accepted the fact Drew would never marry her and stopped imagining him by her side. Somehow though, her teenage dream was about to become a reality, and she was floating on air. Only having her parents and brother there could’ve made the day any better.

  Kelsey smoothed her hands over her dress. Although white, it wasn’t anything like the wedding gown Ella had picked out for
her upcoming big day. Instead, it was a simple ankle-length sundress. Something she could wear to the luau, as well as this summer back home in North Salem. Drew had followed her lead and skipped renting a tux. She didn’t know what he planned to wear, but he assured her he’d come prepared.

  “You look beautiful.” Drew entered the room and stepped behind her, his reflection joining hers in the mirror. He’d paired khaki-colored pants with a Hawaiian-style shirt. “Are you ready?”

  Some people considered it bad luck for a groom to see the bride before the ceremony. Kelsey didn’t share the sentiment. “I’ve been ready to marry you since I was ten.”

  He kissed her shoulder before meeting her eyes in the mirror. “Ten? Really?”

  She’d told him she’d loved him for a long time, but she still hadn’t shared the whole truth. “Yep. My dad and yours took you and Ian to Fenway for your fifteenth birthday. Afterward you came back to our house. I decided that night that someday I’d marry you.”

  “Then we better go. I don’t want you to wait any longer.”

  The Waikiki Wedding Chapel was located within the resort grounds. Surrounded on three sides by gardens, it seated approximately thirty guests and overlooked the beach. Kelsey usually thought of churches and chapels as being dark, somber places. St. Mark’s, the church were Jessie and Mack got married, was filled with dark wooden pews and stained glass windows that limited the amount of natural light coming in. The chapel here was nothing like St. Mark’s. The pews and walls were white, and the floor covered in light gray marble. Large windows allowed in plenty of sunshine while providing a breathtaking view. Orchids and some other exotic flowers she couldn’t identify decorated the aisle and the altar.

  A momentarily pang of sadness hit her when she linked her arm through Drew’s and looked out at the empty pews. Dad should be standing next to her ready to walk to the altar, while Mom sat in the front row. Drew should be standing at the altar waiting with Ian, his best man, by his side.

  “I miss them too.” The muscle in his jaw moved.

  She hadn’t considered how he’d feel today. She should have. Ian had been like a brother to Drew. They’d done everything together. Ian had even opted to attend Tulane instead of Providence College when Drew accepted a scholarship to play football at LSU.

  It wasn’t only Ian and her parents missing today. Neither Drew’s parents nor his brothers were here. She didn’t even know if he’d told them he planned to propose. Actually, she didn’t know if he told his family they were together. Although more than likely they knew. It seemed like the whole town did.

  “Are you positive you don’t want your family here? We can wait and plan a small wedding when we get home?” If her parents and brother were alive, she’d want them at her wedding. She would understand if Drew changed his mind about getting married like this.

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything. The only person I need here is you.”

  The civil ceremony flew by. After what seemed like only a matter of seconds, Drew slipped a white-gold wedding band on her finger, and then she placed a matching one on his hand.

  “You may kiss the bride.” The justice of the peace barely managed to get the words out before Drew’s lips covered hers. His lips moved over hers, leaving her mouth and body burning with fire and longing.

  Gradually, he brought the kiss to an end, but the damage was already done. She wanted him naked and next to her. She didn’t know how she’d ever make it through a session with the photographer.

  “Not my best idea. We still have pictures to do.” His eyes dropped to her breasts and then back up to her face.

  Good, she wasn’t the only one turned on. “We could skip it.” She played with his shirt’s top button. “We don’t need pictures.”

  Drew pulled her hands away from the button and whispered in her ear. “You have no idea how tempted I am, but no. Someday our kids will want to see our wedding pictures. I don’t want to tell them we were too horny to get them done. Do you?”

  The justice of the peace had stepped away, but she still kept her voice low. “If you told them that, you’d scar them for life. No kid wants to think about their parents having sex.”

  “Pictures it is then,” he said.

  Drew took her hand, the ring on his finger pressing against her palm, a physical reminder their lives were forever linked. “Not too many. You said we’d spend this vacation doing whatever I want.” They started down the aisle. “And I know what I want to spend my afternoon doing, and it’s not posing for a photographer,” Kelsey said.

  A photographer with an expensive-looking camera stood outside the chapel. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the one they’d hired to do their wedding photos. She’d been inside the chapel along with the videographer, taking pictures during the ceremony, and was exiting the chapel behind them.

  The camera went up and the photographer snapped several pictures before Kelsey could form a theory of who the guy was.

  “Daniella Nault with the Star Report,” the brunette standing with the photographer said. She smiled brightly and extended her hand toward Drew.

  The media. Ugh. She’d heard Mia and Sean complain about nosy reporters countless times. She’d never imagined them invading her life.

  “Drew, you’re at the Waikiki Wedding Chapel. Did you get married this afternoon?”

  Talk about a silly question. They’d walked out of the chapel alone; what else would they have been doing inside, learning to hula dance?

  “Yes,” he answered.

  The reporter’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Congratulations.”

  The photographer took another picture.

  Daniella directed her next question to Kelsey. “How long have you and Drew been together?”

  Drew put a protective arm around her. “Please excuse my wife and me. Our photographer is waiting for us.”

  The reporter frowned but didn’t step away. “Football fans across the country will want to know you tied the knot today. Please answer a couple questions and give me a name I can use when the story runs.”

  Story runs? They’d gotten married, not robbed a bank.

  Drew had the reputation of getting along with the media. Unlike some star athletes, he didn’t ignore reporters or talk down to them. She didn’t want that to change because of her. She caught his eye and nodded.

  “I’ll answer a few,” Drew said. “But then we do need to go. I’m sure you understand, Daniella.”

  “Excellent. Thank you so much.”

  Several people stopped and looked at them as they passed through the area. Kelsey now had a good idea of how the animals in a zoo felt.

  “How long have you been together, and where did you meet?”

  “We’ve known each other most of our lives. Kelsey and I grew up in the same town.”

  Daniella jotted his answers down. “Will you be staying in Hawaii long?”

  “Only a week on this trip. We really do need to move on now.”

  The reporter flashed another friendly smile. “Of course. Thank you for your time. I appreciate it. Enjoy the rest of your stay.”

  The magazine photographer got another picture before they escaped. Thanks to the little run-in, people around them pointed and a few fans called out. A couple people even approached Drew and requested his autograph. Kelsey wasn’t surprised when he obliged them all.

  When they managed to get away from the crowd and to the beach, he said. “Sorry, sweetheart. I thought we’d manage to avoid any reporters here. Some employee at the resort or the chapel must have alerted the media.”

  She’d reached the same conclusion, since the reporter had obviously been waiting for them to exit the building. “It’s not your fault. But we probably should tell your family before they read about it on the Internet.”

  “Good point.”

  They followed the photographer’s instructions and posed between two palm trees with Diamond Head looming in the distance behind them.

  She’d let her friends get the
news either from the Internet or from someone in North Salem. They’d be disappointed she didn’t call and tell them, but they’d understand. She was now not only on vacation, but on her honeymoon. People had more enjoyable things to do on their honeymoon than call home.

  ***

  Fresh ocean air filled the bedroom. They’d left the sliding door out onto the balcony open, as well as the curtain. Kelsey’s naked body was snuggled against him, her legs entwined with his.

  “I love you.” Drew skimmed his fingertips up and down her arm.

  “I love you too.” Kelsey exhaled a long sigh of contentment. “This will sound stupid, but I’m afraid I’m dreaming.”

  “Trust me, Mrs. McKenzie, you’re not dreaming.”

  “When we get home and people start calling me Mrs. McKenzie, I’m going to be looking around for your mom.”

  “Good thing you’ll be adding doctor to the beginning soon.”

  Kelsey wiggled free and sat up. “What did your mom say when you told her?”

  He’d called and delivered the news when they returned to their suite. News spread fast on the Internet, and his parents deserved to find out he’d married Kelsey from him, not from some short media clip. After he made the call, sharing his conversation had been the last thing on his mind.

  “Nothing at first. She was too surprised to speak.” Dead silence had followed his announcement, and nothing ever rendered Mom speechless. “But she’s happy. She expects to see us as soon as we get home. I asked her to tell Dad, John, and Cody.”

  She’d also been a little disappointed because she and Dad hadn’t been there. Drew left that information out. Kelsey would’ve gone along with it, but a more traditional wedding would’ve been too hard for her. He’d seen how difficult even today had been when they first walked in the chapel. Insisting they wait until his family could be with them would’ve been unfair to her.