47 Destinies: Finding Grace

by Perez, Marlies Schmudlach

  “I can’t disagree with you there, but I am not explaining myself clearly. Grace, I have fallen in love with you, Bella and Mattias. Now, it will take time for me to really like Brent and I am not sure I will ever fully trust Leslie, but none of that matters. All that matters is that I want to commit to this relationship. I never thought I could love again, but you have done nothing but reveal yourself to me fully; all of you. I couldn’t ask for anything more than that. I wanted this time to make sure that I could commit to not only you, but also to Bella and Mattias. They deserve a man who is willing to step into a fatherly role in their lives. They miss their father and need someone to be there for them. I want to be that person, if you will let me. My sweet Grace, I love you.” Todd pulled Grace toward him and crushed his mouth against hers. Tears flowed freely from Grace’s eyes. They were tears of utter joy.

  “Todd, I love you too. I was so worried that you were going to say goodbye. And here you are saying hello. I am so overwhelmed. I’m not making any sense.”

  “You make sense to me, Grace Ann. You are everything to me. It was terrible not to talk with you this week. I have become accustomed to you being in my life, but I needed to step away in order to step forward. I hope you understand. I know now that you are not Melissa and I cannot hold the mistakes she made over you. I am willing to make this relationship work if that is what you want, too.”

  Grace could not contain her happiness. “I want this more than anything in the world. Can I show you just how much?”

  “About that, I have been thinking about the last time we were intimate. I am still not sure exactly what happened. However, I think for now, we should maybe be more respectful. This is, after all, your house with Derek. Would you be okay if we weren’t intimate here? We do have my house. There aren’t any spirits living there that I know of.”

  Grace thought about it a moment before she answered. “I think that would be a good idea. I am still not sure why Derek has appeared in my life again. Maybe once I have some answers to that question, we will know more.”

  “Plus, I promised you that we would take things slow. And, we both know how challenging it has been to keep that promise,” Todd rationalized.

  “Well, I have been a bit of a temptress,” Grace admitted.

  “I’ll say!” Todd playfully remarked as he tickled Grace. “So, are we good?”

  “We are really good, Mr. Harcourt. I love you so much! It feels incredible to say those words to you!”

  “Well, you are my girlfriend. Hey, will you be my date for Cora and Brent’s wedding? It is just a few weeks away.”

  Grace rolled her eyes and then replied, “I guess. There is just one thing you probably should know.”

  Todd winced. “Let me guess, more family to meet?”

  Grace nodded her head. “Yes. My mother and father are coming out from Georgia. They think the world of Brent.”

  “Why am I not surprised? Be straight with me, how bad is this going to be?”

  “Honestly, my mother already loves you. I’ve been talking to her about you since we started getting to know each other. My dad is a kind southern gentleman who doesn’t meddle in other’s business. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by their acceptance of you.”

  “I want to believe that, but don’t blame me for being gun shy. Your family hasn’t been the easiest to get to know.”

  “I know. Trust me. This time it will be different,” Grace grinned. “Since I have put you through so much torture, when will you reciprocate?”

  Todd folded his arms across his chest. “Lucky for you, my parents don’t live here in the States. They live in Europe. I don’t see them very often. We had a large falling out several years back when I was going through my divorce.” Todd offered no additional details and Grace was not the type to prod. She was, however, very curious as to what happened between Todd and his parents. Todd was such a kind man; it was unfortunate that he was currently estranged from his family.

  “The good news is that I have enough family for the both of us!” Grace rationalized.

  “You can say that again,” Todd mumbled playfully. “Come here and give me a kiss,” Todd demanded as he pulled Grace into one of his infamous bear hugs.

  “There is nothing I would like more! I wasn’t sure you would want to kiss me ever again after Bella’s party, Mr. Harcourt.”

  “I was thinking about doing this all week. I missed you, Grace.”

  “I missed you too.”

  Grace and Todd cuddled on the couch. They talked and shared and laughed. Their time apart served to bring them even closer together than before. Their relationship was stronger than ever.

  Chapter 10

  It was the week of Cora and Brent’s wedding. Anticipation and excitement filled the air. The ceremony was at the Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco on Filbert Street. The nuptial mass began at three o’clock in the afternoon with the reception and dinner immediately following at The Mark Hopkins.

  When Brent and Cora were first engaged, Grace was a bit saddened by the thought of celebrating love. However, now that Todd was in her life, her perspective shifted dramatically. Love was the greatest gift anyone could ever give or receive. It should be celebrated and revered. Grace couldn’t wait to partake in the outpouring of the love Brent and Cora shared. It was going to be a day to cherish forever.

  Grace’s parents flew in a few days before the wedding in order to catch up with Grace, Mattias and Bella. Grace’s mother, Rose Chandler, was also secretively looking forward to officially meeting Todd. She had heard many wonderful things from Grace and wanted to see if he was that impressive in person.

  The Chandlers, along with Grace and the children, attended the rehearsal dinner. Grace’s parents had met Cora on several family occasions and sincerely enjoyed her spirit and kindness. They could sense the special bond Grace and Cora had developed. Grace’s mother pulled Cora aside to learn even more about Todd. Cora would not stop singing his praises. The two swapped countless stories about the couple and hoped that perhaps another family wedding would occur in the next year or two.

  On the day of the wedding, Bella’s enthusiasm was off the charts. She couldn’t wait to perform her flower girl duties and show off her fancy dress. She begged Grace to let her wear the dress before the wedding, but Grace would not budge. They finally compromised on Bella wearing the tiara Brent provided her for the special occasion. Bella felt like royalty as she skipped around the house. Every few minutes, she would ask someone how much longer until the wedding began. Grace couldn’t help but smile.

  Much to Bella’s satisfaction, around 1:00pm, Grace allowed Bella to put on her dress. She fixed Bella’s hair and even allowed her to wear blush on her cheeks. Grace wore a silky floor-length, light-pink satin dress. The one shoulder strap elongated Grace’s already lengthy body. Grace styled her hair in a sophisticated bun and wore a diamond necklace, earrings, and combs in her hair. Grace looked absolutely stunning.

  Todd arrived at the house at 1:30pm to meet Grace’s parents before they all went over to the wedding. He wore a black suit, white shirt and a black tie. The black contrasted flawlessly with his sandy blond hair and fit him perfectly in all the right places. His hair was subtly slicked back, which gave him a touch of class. He looked incredible. Todd walked to the door with bouquets of flowers in hand. Todd felt the love in the air and wanted to bask in the joy of it all.

  “I’ll get it,” Grace cried out upon hearing the doorbell ring. She opened the door and her jaw dropped. “Wow, you look incredibly handsome!”

  “Me? You are a vision, Sexy Legs. You better watch out, nobody is supposed to look better than the bride on her special day. We may need to rub a little mud on your face or throw some punch on your dress because you look straight out of a fairy tale.”

  “Well, aren’t you just one charming gentleman?” Grace gestured to the flowers in Todd’s hands in her most pronounced Southern drawl. “Did you rob a florist on your way over here?”

/>   “I sure did. Can I come inside before the police find me?” Todd pleaded.

  “As long as some of those are for me,” Grace teased back. Todd gave Grace a huge bouquet of white lilies mixed with pink roses.

  “I thought these would match your pink dress.”

  “Aren’t you the romantic? Thank you. They are glorious. Let me get some vases.”

  After Grace went off to find the vases, her mother walked down the stairs and into the foyer. Grace’s mother didn’t look a day over 40. Her legs were long and toned like Grace’s. Her blond hair was short and showed no signs of gray. If Todd didn’t know better, he would have guessed that she was Grace’s older sister. Her sea green eyes were an identical match to Grace’s and were currently searching Todd’s in an attempt to learn more about him.

  “Mrs. Chandler, these are for you,” Todd said as he handed Grace’s mother a huge bouquet of white roses.

  Grace’s mother’s face lit up. “My, my… aren’t you just the sweetest thing! They are simply marvelous. Come here, Sugar, and give me a hug.” Todd quickly obeyed and was drawn into her scent of wildflowers mixed with perfume.

  “I can see where Grace received her incredible beauty, Mrs. Chandler,” Todd proclaimed.

  “Now Todd, please call me Rose. After all, you are courting my one and only child. We don’t have to be so formal. I have heard a lot about you and I must say, you are as handsome as my dear daughter described you to be.”

  “Thank you, Rose. I love that Georgia accent. It is much more pronounced than Grace’s,” Todd acknowledged. Rose smiled. Everyone in California though Rose had an accent. She couldn’t hear it, but it brought her joy when someone mentioned it.

  “It’s because Grace has gone all city on us living in San Francisco for so long. I tried to get her to move back home after Derek…” Rose stopped speaking. “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to be inappropriate bringing up Grace’s deceased husband. Will you please forgive me?” Rose felt terrible. It was not a proper way to meet Grace’s boyfriend.

  “Rose, no worries. There is nothing to forgive. Grace and I talk about Derek all the time. He will always be a part of Grace, Mattias and Bella’s lives. It doesn’t bother me. I have no intention of taking Derek’s place. That wouldn’t even be possible. Please continue,” Todd said as he touched Rose’s arm reassuringly.

  “I can see why Grace likes you so very much, Honey. You are very understanding. Ok, well, a few months after Derek passed, I came out to see how she was doing. I tried everything to get her to move back home, but she wouldn’t. She told me that nothing would ever cause her to leave here. She is a strong, independent woman. She said that San Francisco was a part of her and in her blood forever. As much as I wanted her home, I was proud that she was able to face the situation without running away from it. What about you, Todd? Are you also in love with San Francisco?”

  “I have to say, I am just like Grace. This city is a part of me. I also have to confess that I am in love with your daughter. Did she tell you that, too?” Todd asked with a huge grin on his face.

  “Sugar, you should know that a good southern girl doesn’t keep any secrets from her mama,” Rose slyly answered back. By this time, Grace had returned to the foyer with two large vases.

  “What are you two up to? Why are my ears burning? Should I be worried?” Grace said as she narrowed her smiling eyes at the two partners in crime. It was a relief to see them getting on so well, especially after the previous encounters with Leslie.

  “Just getting to know each other a little better,” Rose replied. “Thanks for the vase.”

  Bella charged into the room. “TODD!!!!” As usual, she jumped right into his open arms.

  “Princess Bella! You look so very pretty. I love your tiara. I have something for you,” Todd said as he went back outside. He came back in with another large bouquet of flowers. The bouquet was bursting with the brightest rainbow of spring colors. “I saw these and thought of you, Bella. Do you like them?”

  Bella squealed with joy and threw her arms around Todd’s neck. “I love you.” She took the flowers and went to show her grandfather.

  “Todd, that was very kind of you,” Grace remarked. “Mama, can you see why he is my Prince Charming?”

  “I sure can, Honey. I sure can,” Rose answered as she hooked her arm in Todd’s. “You better watch yourself; we may all be in love with you soon enough.”

  “That would make me very happy, Rose,” Todd replied, more than happy to be spending the day with them.

  Todd went into the living room and met Grace’s father. They talked passionately about sports, hunting and national events. Todd enjoyed their discussion and felt very at ease with Grace’s father. The group left the house at little after 2:00pm in order to deliver Bella and Mattias on time for their wedding party duties. Mattias was the ring bearer. Unlike Bella, he was not thrilled about his assignment for the day. He wanted to wear jeans instead of a suit. He also thought it was silly to carry a goofy white pillow up the aisle. He complained to his mom and tried to get out of it, but Grace told him it would make Uncle Brent happy. Mattias couldn’t understand why Uncle Brent would want a small stupid pillow on his wedding day.

  The group arrived at Saints Peter and Paul Church. It was located in Little Italy, which wasn’t far from Grace’s home in Baker Beach. San Francisco was a compact city so the locals could zoom around the various districts in no time.

  “The church is known as the Italian Cathedral of the West,” Grace announced as they walked up to the church. “The original structure was built in 1884 and destroyed by the 1906 earthquake. This current building was completed in 1924. The church is 100 feet wide and 160 feet long. The two identical spires span 191 feet into the air. There is a rose colored window in the interior which is 14 feet in diameter.”

  “Honestly Grace, I think you should consider becoming a historian or at least a tour guide. You have the most fascinating information to share. What else can you tell us?” Todd asked genuinely. He took pleasure in learning new things, especially about San Francisco.

  “Todd has been helping me discover some of my hidden talents, Mama,” Grace whispered to her mother.

  “Well, that sounds really interesting,” Rose replied, lifting up one of her eyebrows.

  “Mama! I was talking about a possible career! Shame on you!” Grace was surprised by her mother’s candor.

  “What are you two beautiful ladies talking about over there?” Todd asked in jest.

  “I was just telling Mama how after their wedding at City Hall, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio took pictures right on the steps of this church,” Grace said, proud that she came up with something quick.

  “I saw Grace at City Hall a few months before we began dating. She was with the most interesting fellow.” Todd could barely keep from laughing.

  “Mama already knows all about that disaster date from the start to the quick finish,” Grace informed Todd. “Shall we go inside, Troublemaker?” Grace asked.

  “Have I fallen from your good graces already? Just an hour ago, you were calling me Prince Charming,” Todd smugly said.

  “Today, Brent is Prince Charming and Cora is the beautiful princess. They have something really special,” Todd announced.

  “Goodness! It sounds like you might actually like Brent.”

  “Yes, I am starting to. If you must know, we had lunch together last week. He invited me and we got to know each other better. His bark seems to be much worse than his bite. I think he might actually like me too.”

  “Who would have thought that two alpha males could actually get along? I am proud of you both,” Grace adoringly said as they walked into the church, arm in arm.

  The interior of the church was breathtaking. The church required limited decorations, as the place was practically a museum of elegance and beauty. Grace and Todd took a seat in one of the wooden pews after dropping Bella and Mattias off with Leslie. Grace’s parents sat with them as they all gazed at the statues,
white marble stairs and intricate windows. White bows and satin ribbon adorned the aisle where Cora would soon walk one last time before becoming Mrs. Brent Locke.

  The love Brent and Cora shared touched everyone around them. They had found a way to accept each for all they were and for all they were not. Their acceptance bonded them together in a union that was rare for most couples. It was beautiful to see how Cora mystically opened up Brent to share his thoughts and feelings. She brought him to life again after Derek’s death. Grace cherished everything Cora did for Brent and also the compassion she continually shared for Grace. It was a perfect union and one she would happily celebrate for many years to come.

  The processional music began with ‘Air on G String’ by Bach as Brent’s and Cora’s mother were seated. Next, the bridesmaids paraded down the aisle in their gorgeous gowns. After they were standing in position, Mattias walked in with the white pillow he detested. He appeared nervous until his eyes met with Brent’s. Mattias’ face brightened and he stood a little taller. The wedding guests oohed and aahed when sweet Bella appeared at the back of the church. She was truly the belle of the ball and right in her realm. She held a white basket, dipped her hand into the multi-colored petals and dropped them lightly to the ground. As each of the petals fell, her little curls bounced up and down. Her tiara glittered in the lights and she practically bounced down the aisle. Grace’s heart swelled with pride when she saw her.

  The church paused for one moment and then stood when the trumpets played the bridal march. Grace stared at Brent to gauge his reaction. She wanted to see his face when Cora entered the church. She was not disappointed. When Cora walked in on her father’s arm, Brent beamed. It was a special moment that Grace etched into her mind. She never wanted to forget the swell of happiness which exuded out of every aspect of Brent’s being. It was Camelot-esque.

  Gliding down the aisle toward Brent, Cora’s long black hair was done up in fancy ringlets which spanned out across her head and down her back. Her veil shimmered in the light. The jewels on her tiara caught the light and sparkled. A large diamond pendant belonging to Brent’s grandmother, counting as her ‘something borrowed’, adorned her chest. A luminous diamond tennis bracelet, a gift from Brent that morning to count as her ‘something new’, twisted back and forth on her wrist. Grace was unsure what item Cora chose as her ‘something blue’, but would surely ask her later. Cora’s dress clung to her breasts and torso and then fanned out to the floor. A six-foot train trailed her as she walked.