by Terri Reid
She drove back to Adventureland without her earlier zest. She needed to return the bear foot before anyone got in the next morning. The opposite lanes were full of cars coming from the park and heading back into Prairie Grove. If she had held onto any hope of catching Henry at the gala, watching the catering truck pass by squelched all of them.
Pulling into the parking lot, she saw the gate was still wide open where the carriage had been. She pulled the car closer. The gate to the reserve driveway was also open. She could drive all the way up to the final gate in Lorraine’s car if she wanted.
“Well, why not?” she demanded. “I’m all dressed up with nowhere to go.”
She parked the car at the gate and pulled the keys out of her purse. Her high heels slid into the soft ground as she walked to the gate, so she stopped and pulled them off. With the gate pushed open, she went back and drove the car to the front of the new concessionary. Grabbing her purse and the bear foot, she left the car.
The moon was full, and the light was bright enough for Stacy to walk up the stairs and type the key code into the lock. She opened the door and flipped on the switch. Hundreds of tiny white lights came to life and glittered all around the room. Picking up the hem of her dress, she slowly entered the room, enchanted by the fairytale-like atmosphere.
She stopped at the top of the staircase, imagining herself at the ball, and took a deep breath before walking onto the open dance floor. Making a quick detour, she dropped her purse and the fuzzy bear foot onto the checkout counter and pressed the button for the intercom music to resume. She had spent hours creating a playlist that was both romantic and magical for background music.
A slow waltz began to play. Tiptoeing to the middle of the room, Stacy closed her eyes and began to sway to the music. She imagined how it would have been if she had made it in time. She imagined Henry standing in a crowd of people, laughing with them. Then he would look up and see her standing at the top of the stairs. With no thought to anyone else in the room, he would come to her side and guide her to the dance floor. She sighed as she imagined his arms around her, and she started to slowly move around the room in a graceful waltz.
Henry stood in the doorway, a bemused smile on his face. He had seen Lorraine’s car enter the park when he was leaving the main building and decided to follow it, keeping far enough away to discover any mischief she might have been up to. He never, in his wildest dreams, could have imagined he would find Stacy here, dressed like a princess, dancing with an invisible partner.
He watched her smile turn dreamy, and a flash of jealousy for the unknown suitor shot through him. Slipping off his shoes so she wouldn’t hear him, he walked down the stairs and came up behind her.
She was waltzing, her eyes softly closed, her left hand raised in the air and her right hand holding her dress. Henry watched for another moment, anticipating her movement and then, just at the right time, stepped up behind her and slipped his hand around her waist and captured her left hand in his.
“Oh,” she cried out, stopping the dance and looking back behind her.
“May I have this dance?” Henry asked, gently pulling her back against him and guiding her back into the waltz.
Her heart pounding against her ribcage, she followed his lead and leaned against him as he led her around the room.
“You look magical,” he whispered, his breath tickling the small hairs on the back of her neck.
“Thank you,” she stammered. “You surprised me.”
“I didn’t think you were real,” he said, his cheek resting against the side of her head. “Are you real, or are you just a fantasy come to life?”
She glanced at the mirrors and saw their reflection, her back pressed against his chest, his hand splayed along her waist, their hands clasped together and his head alongside her own.
“I feel like a fantasy,” she whispered.
“Good,” he said, turning his face and pressing a kiss onto the base of her neck.
She shivered in his arms, and he pulled her closer, winding his arm around her waist. “I’ve missed you,” he murmured, trailing kisses up the side of her neck.
She moaned softly.
He released his hold around her waist and turned her, so they were face to face. His hand stole around her waist, to the small of her back, and he pulled her to him. He studied her face as he moved with her under the twinkling lights. “You are so beautiful,” he said.
“Henry,” she said.
He shook his head. “No, not yet,” he whispered. “Be my fantasy for just a little bit longer.”
Pulling her closer, he bent his head and crushed her lips with his. She could feel the hard planes of his body against the softer curves of her own. He slid his mouth from her lips, down along her jawline to the sensitive line of her neck. “I’ve waited so long to hold you in my arms again,” he whispered. “I thought we’d never get this chance.”
He slid his hands up her back, clutching the fabric of her dress as he pulled her tighter against his body. She shivered with passion as the scraping from his stubbled jawline against her delicate skin sent jolts of passion through her body. Her body was thrumming with desire, and the pressure building inside of her was almost too intense to bear. She whimpered softly when his teeth grazed softly over her lower lip. “Henry,” she cried out as the heat threatened to overwhelm her.
Taking a deep breath, he wrapped his arms around her, tucked her against his chest and held her as her tremors of passion subsided. Finally, he stepped back, keeping his arms looped around her waist, and met her eyes. “Why didn’t you come earlier?” he asked.
“I had some logistical issues,” she replied. “My date wasn’t where he was supposed to be.”
Henry felt like he’d been stabbed in the gut. She had a date. Obviously she had moved on with her life. “Whoever he is, he’s an idiot,” he said angrily.
She shrugged. “Well, actually, it’s not really his fault,” she said. “I was supposed to find him. I don’t know if he even realized that we were supposed to go to the gala together.”
“Find him?” Henry asked. “What do you mean?”
She stepped out of his arms and walked across the room to the checkout counter. Picking up the bear foot, she brought it to him. “I was supposed to find the foot that fit into this shoe,” she said. “It was a weird Cinderella thing. Only the one who wore it could accompany me to the gala.”
Henry stepped forward and lifted the furry brown bear foot from her hands. The beginnings of a smile played on his lips. “I think I recognize this shoe,” he said softly.
“I was hoping you would,” she whispered. “I thought I lost my chance when I got to your house and found out that Charlene had convinced you to go.”
“You wanted me to go with you?” he asked.
“I couldn’t go with anyone else,” she replied. “I was wrong, Henry. I didn’t trust you when I should have. I hope you can forgive me.”
“I don’t understand,” he said. “This isn’t about your parents?”
Confused, she looked up at him. “My parents?” she asked.
He took a deep breath. “The day of the storm, I ran outside to get my mitt, and I forgot to latch the storm door when I came back in,” he said. “When your parents were pulled out, I just assumed it was my fault. My thoughtless actions had killed your parents.”
Realization dawned on her. “That’s why you went away?” she asked. “That’s why you stopped being my friend?”
He nodded. “I knew you would hate me,” he explained. “Hell, I hated myself.”
“But Grandma locked the door after you came in,” she said.
He was shocked. “You knew that?”
“I saw her do it,” she replied. “Why didn’t you ask me?”
“Because I couldn’t bear to see the look on your face when I told you I was responsible for their deaths,” he admitted.
“Is that what you wanted to tell me?” she asked. “After the storm?”
He nod
ded. “I had to tell you the truth,” he said. “Before—”
“Before?” she asked, her eyes searching his and her heart pounding in anticipation.
He dropped the shoe on the floor and took her hands in his, bringing them to his lips. “Tell me, Cinderella, what do you want?”
She ran her tongue over her suddenly dry lips and shivered when she saw the desire in his eyes. He bent down and ran his lips lightly over the places her tongue had just touched.
“Henry,” she moaned.
He pulled her into his arms. “What do you want, Stacy?” he whispered into her ear. “Tell me.”
She closed her eyes, feeling the love surging through her body, making her knees weak with passion. “You,” she breathed, her throat tight with desire. “I want to be with you.”
“I love you,” he said softly, “with all my heart and soul. I think I’ve always loved you.”
She smiled, the joy in her heart overflowing. “I love you, too,” she said. “I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
He placed a soft kiss on her lips. “I don’t want a life without you in it,” he replied. “I want us to be together forever.”
“No, that’s not long enough,” she said, love shining in her eyes.
He kissed her again. “How long do you want us to be together?” he murmured against her neck.
She felt the shiver of passion slip down her body, inhaled sharply and trembled. She would never stop loving him. Slipping her arms around his neck, she reached up and whispered in his ear, “Beyond happily ever after.”
Epilogue
Autumn leaves of gold, red and yellow swirled down from the trees surrounding the concessionary, creating a blanket of color all around the new outside pavilion. The pillars supporting the pergola were laced with satin ribbons of gold and white. The linen-covered tables each had a birch bark box in the center with bunches of burgundy, green, and soft brown hydrangea blossoms spilling out of them.
Soft music played in the background as guests made their way to the chairs in front of the raised platform. Soft expressions of laughter could be heard as the guests passed the buffet table and the wedding cake that featured as toppers both a glass slipper and a bear foot. The muffled clopping of horses’ hooves echoed in the background as guests were trolleyed from the parking lot to the Wildlife Reserve and let off at the concessionary. Finally, the music stopped and the guests were ushered to their chairs.
The groom, tall and handsome, walked out of the concessionary in his trim, fitted tuxedo and more than a few hearts fluttered. But his eyes were only directed at the gate, which was also festooned in satin ribbons and greenery. He strolled down the aisle, past the guests, and walked to the gate, picking up a small container and holding it in his hands.
The strains of the bridal march wafted delicately through the trees, and the sound of another horse-drawn carriage approaching caused the guests to crane their necks to see. This time, the open carriage was white and sparkling, with large, pumpkin-colored wheels. It was covered with flowers and ribbons but was still put to shame by the beauty of the bride sitting inside.
She was dressed in an ivory gown edged in pearls and lace. Her dark hair was braided and wound around her head with a coronet of baby’s breath, roses and pearls holding it in place. A long, lace veil hung from the back of the coronet, covering her shoulders and falling down the length of her train. Across from her in the carriage sat her grandmother, dressed in a soft apricot gown and lace shawl, and Sam Rayburn, dressed in a tuxedo that matched Henry’s.
The carriage stopped several yards from the gate. The music also stopped and the crowd murmured in surprise. What were they doing?
Sam stood up, climbed out of the carriage and waited.
Addie stood up and leaned over, hugging her granddaughter. “You look just like a fairy princess,” she said. “I wish Grandpa Paul and your parents could be here.”
Stacy brushed a small tear away and smiled up at her grandmother. “They are here,” she said. “That’s why we decided to have our wedding outside, so Mom and Dad and Grandpa could have the perfect view from heaven.”
Giving Stacy another hug, Addie smiled, wiping her eyes with her handkerchief. “What a goose I am,” she laughed softly. “The wedding hasn’t even started, and I’m already in tears.”
“I love you, Grandma,” Stacy said.
“And I love you, too,” Addie replied.
Sliding over, Addie stepped to the door of the carriage, and Sam helped her down. She wrapped her arm through his, and he escorted her down the rest of the path to Henry.
“So, can I still marry her?” Henry asked with a smile.
“Yes, you may,” Addie said, “because only you can make her happy.”
He bent down, and she kissed him on the cheek. “Love her,” she whispered.
“With all my heart,” Henry promised.
A groomsman came forward, took Addie’s arm and led her to the front row of chairs. Once Addie was seated, the music began again. Sam had already walked back to the carriage, and this time he helped Stacy climb out.
Love shone from Henry’s eyes as he watched his bride walk slowly up the leaf-strewn path towards him. She smiled nervously back, nearly overwhelmed by her emotions. She still couldn’t believe she was going to marry her one, true love. She reached Henry’s side. He stepped up, ready to pull her into his arms and demonstrate just how much he loved her, but Sam stepped between them.
“Uh, uh, uh,” he chided, shaking his head at his grandson. “No kissing until the end.”
Henry looked down at Stacy and shook his head. “I don’t know if I can wait that long,” he said honestly.
She smiled up at him, love sparkling in her eyes. “Me either,” she breathed softly.
“You’re not making this any easier,” Henry said ruefully.
“Come on you two,” Sam interrupted. “You have a job to do.”
To the surprise of the guests, the music stopped once again. Stacy slipped her arm through Henry’s, and he escorted her off the path to the fence on the side of the road. They did note, however, that a white runner had been laid over the grass to protect the bride’s dress. A moment later, there was crashing in the underbrush, and some of the guests gasped as a giant bison pushed his way through the woods to stand on the other side of the chain-link. His large head and horns had taken some of the leaves and brush with him on his journey, so he looked as decorated as the rest of the wedding.
“Look, darling,” Henry teased. “George dressed up for you.”
Opening the box Henry held, Stacy pulled out an apple quarter and slipped it through the fence. “Here you are George,” she said. “You made Henry hug me the very first time.”
Henry reached in, pulled out a slice and also fed it to the big animal. “Thanks for pushing me to do what had been in my heart for years,” he said.
She pulled out another slice. “Thank you for showing me that even when I was angry with him, Henry would have risked his life for me,” she said softly and looked up at Henry. “I’ll never forget that.”
He pulled out the last apple quarter. “And thank you for showing me what a courageous and loyal woman I’m marrying,” he said, looking back down at her.
George snorted, pulled the last piece into his mouth and stepped back from the fence. Then he shook his mighty head and leaves, greenery and twigs flew in every direction.
“I think George is hinting that it’s time you two walked down the aisle,” Sam said. “You go ahead Henry; I’ll bring Stacy to you. I promise.”
Bending down quickly, he brushed his lips against hers. “Told you I couldn’t wait,” he said. “Don’t take too long.”
“I won’t,” she promised.
The ceremony was beautiful, and even the most hardened guest shed a few tears as the couple pledged themselves to each other, their love evident to all. Finally, the moment Henry had been waiting for arrived. “And you may kiss the bride,” the minister announced.
Blushing furiously, Stacy buried her head against Henry’s chest. He kissed the top of her head and then turned her to face the crowd. “My blushing bride,” he announced with a chuckle. “And I thank you for sharing the greatest day of our lives.”
He bent down and gave her another kiss. “Beyond happily ever after,” he whispered.
“At the very least,” she whispered back.
Author’s note: Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting over five million Americans today. Every 67 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s and it is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.
It’s a progressive disease that is not a normal part of the aging process. It damages and eventually destroys brain cells which lead to memory loss, changes in thinking and other brain functions. In most cases, it develops slowly, but gradually gets worse as brain function declines and brain cells eventually wither and die.
Although there are treatments to help with the symptoms, ultimately, Alzheimer’s is fatal and currently, there is no cure.
To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, please go to: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_and_figures.asp#quickFacts
About the author: Terri Reid lives near Freeport, the home of her Mary O’Reilly Mystery Series. She has always loved a good story. She lives in a hundred year-old farmhouse complete with its own ghost. She loves hearing from her readers at [email protected]
Other Books by Terri Reid:
Mary O’Reilly Paranormal Mystery Series:
Loose Ends (Book One)
Good Tidings (Book Two)