“No, not at all. I think it will be perfect. You know, we have never talked about wedding rings either.”
“No, I guess we haven’t. I assumed you would buy mine and I would buy yours.”
“I was thinking, I would like to take care of the rings and plan the honeymoon. You can plan the wedding.”
“I was going to plan the wedding anyway,” I joke. “What do you have in mind for the rings and honeymoon?”
“Nothing planned yet, but I do have some ideas.”
“Mason, you have to promise me, nothing extravagant. No big flashy rings and no over-the-top honeymoon.”
“I can do that. Nothing flashy and nothing over the top.”
It’s Thursday and I kiss Mason goodbye. My client, Marilyn, is out of town, but I need to put the last finishing touches in the lanai. The luau is scheduled for next weekend, and I am ahead of schedule, thanks to an early delivery of the furniture. I drive my loaded-down SUV and let myself in using the key she left for me.
The waterfall has been installed and looks beautiful dead center on the focal point wall straight ahead. It can be seen anywhere from the lanai. The gas fireplace has been built out of stone and is elegant on the opposite wall of the waterfall. The delivery for the live indoor plants arrived right on schedule. I arrange the tall indoor trees and plants, add the lighting to the base of them, and fluff the pale yellow and green pillows on the outdoor furniture.
I turn on the gas fireplace with the light switch and it comes on and off as it’s supposed to. I turn the waterfall on and off the same way and am pleased it works without difficulty. I turn everything on including the new bamboo ceiling fans and walk around the pool. I snap some pictures for my portfolio and leave a thank-you gift — a bottle of champagne — and the house key on the kitchen island.
Marilyn, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to design an area in your home. I personally love it. The waterfall and gas fireplace were excellent additions. I was able to complete it sooner than expected. It was wonderful working with you, and I hope you get many years of enjoyment from it. Angel.
I also leave a case of white pillar candles with instructions of where to place them the night of the luau. If I put them out now, the Florida heat will surely melt them. Even in October it’s very warm.
I get a call from Marilyn telling me she is expecting to see me and Mason at her luau. She thanks me for my small thank-you gift and tells me that is her favorite brand of champagne. I promise Mason and I will be there and I am looking forward to it.
It’s the night of the luau and I bought Mason and me something special to wear. When he is in the shower, I lay his clothes out on the bed. Happy with my decision, I go into the guest bedroom and change. When I put the last finishing touches on, I walk out into the lanai, where I know Mason will be. He is watching the dolphins feeding and has his back to me. He is wearing the white linen pants, the white floral Hawaiian shirt, and the tan Sperrys I bought him. He has a glass of wine already poured and sitting on the outside table, waiting for me.
I take the wine, walk over to him, and wrap my arm around his waist. “You look very Hawaiian tonight,” I smile.
He looks down at his shirt. “Thank you, my fiancé has excellent taste.”
“I like the way that sounds.”
“I like ‘wife’ better, but I’ll settle for ‘fiancé’ for now. You look very Hawaiian yourself,” he says, twirling me around. I decided on a white dress with very large colorful flowers. It matches Mason’s shirt but isn’t identical.
“Do you think it’s too much?”
“No, I think it’s very appropriate for tonight. Are you ready?”
“I am.”
We arrive at the party and are greeted warmly. “Welcome, darling, and this must be your very handsome Mason Myles.”
“Hello, Marilyn. Marilyn, I would like to introduce Mason Myles. Mason, this is Marilyn Wilson.”
“Oh, Mason, it’s very nice to finally meet you. I have heard some wonderful things about you.”
“Likewise, Mrs. Wilson, and thank you. You have a very lovely home.”
“No, no, please cut the formalities, just call me Marilyn.”
“Ok, Marilyn.”
“First put these on,” she says, handing us leis. “Then go outside and get yourselves a drink. Mason, look around at the fabulous job Angel has done. You wouldn’t believe the before and after. The space is absolutely stunning.”
“Ok, thank you, we will.”
“And I have had people wanting to know who my designer is. So you’ll be meeting future clients as well. Just tell them you are already booked up for the next year.” Marilyn winks.
We enter the room and Mason automatically waves to someone in the other room. I look around; other than Marilyn and Mason, I don’t know anyone. We walk outside to the bar and see Julia standing there. Mason holds me closer and continues to his destination. I love that Mason backs down to no one.
Mason orders us two glasses of champagne. I wait for Julia to come over, but she doesn’t. To my surprise she leaves the room, alone.
Mason takes my hand and leads me to a sitting area near the lit fireplace.
“Here, Beauty. Are you cold?” he asks, handing me my glass of champagne.
“No, I’m fine. The fire feels nice.”
“She is right,” Mason says, while looking around the lanai.
“About what?”
“You are very talented.”
“I can’t take all the credit; this place didn’t need that much work to begin with. It was already beautiful the way it was.”
Mason and I walk around and dance to the Hawaiian music playing on the surround sound. We eat a variety of Hawaiian appetizers and dishes like Laulau, Kalua Pig, Poke, and Pineapple. Marilyn went all out on the caterer. The Hawaiian dishes were delicious.
I laugh and smile so much my cheeks begin to hurt.
Several people come over to Mason and he introduces me. I will never be able to remember everyone.
Mason and I are standing at the bar with another couple when Marilyn comes up to us with Julia. I turn around and almost choke.
“Are you all right, Angel?”
“I’m sorry, yes, I’m fine. The drink is a little strong, that’s all.”
“Julia just told me she had to meet my designer so I had to introduce you. Julia Johnson, this is my personal designer and friend, Angel Perez, and this is her beau, Mason Myles. Angel and Mason, this is Julia Johnson. Julia is one of the best attorneys around. I swear she can get the guilty to be found innocent.”
Now it’s Mason’s turn to choke.
I reach my hand out for Julia’s. I can play this game. “It’s nice to meet you. So you like my work?” Ha, there you go.
Julia barely touches my hand to shake it. “Yes, it’s very unique.”
“Now, Julia, you were just saying how much you loved her work and how you were looking for someone with her taste.” Marilyn smiles.
“Yes, I supposed I did. You do have exquisite taste. What was your name again? Was it Angie?”
Mason clears his throat and takes a step forward. I reach my arm out to let me know I am all right. “No, it’s Angel. If you’ll excuse us, I promised my fiancé the next slow dance,” I say, taking Mason by the hand.
“Now don’t forget, I have Angel booked up for the next year, so don’t try to steal her from me, Julia. I know how you work,” Marilyn laughs.
“No, Marilyn, I wouldn’t think of it. Angel, you do great work and it was very nice meeting you and Mason.” Julia nods and walks away.
Mason leads me to the dance floor and holds me close. “That went better than I thought.”
“It did, you must have put the fear of God in her.”
“Well, nobody wants to lose something they worked so hard to get.”
“Can you really get her debarred?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll die trying and she knows it.”
“Thank you.”
On the drive home from the party, Mason and I laugh the entire drive back. I was worried I wouldn’t fit in, but I did. We both had a lot of fun. Mason knew a lot of the people there, so that was nice.
“Mason, did you happen to use the restroom while you were there?”
“I did, why?”
“Because, every time I went to the restroom red rose petals were floating in the toilet.”
We both laugh and I know I have had too much to drink. He introduced me to more people than I can remember. Marilyn didn’t know Mason but has heard of his family. The Myles family name has a great reputation in the area. Everyone either knows them or has heard of them.
Chapter Twelve: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue (Destined to Love)
Mason
Once we are done and the wedding rehearsal is over, we head over to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse for the rehearsal dinner.
When dinner is over, Brea cries and Vincent tries to comfort her. I know it’s the emotions of the wedding. We all say our goodbyes and head home. Angel, Sara, and Brea are staying at Brea’s with Arturo, while Vincent and Donovan are staying at my place. Some rule about it being bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding.
Angel texts me to let me know they have arrived home safely. Once we are home, Donovan opens a new bottle of Scotch.
“Here’s to the good life,” Donovan says, holding up his glass.
“Cheers,” Vincent and I say in unison as we clink our glasses together. We drink until the bottle is empty. Thank God for a late wedding tomorrow, I think to myself.
We wake up and nurse our hangovers until noon. Coffee and Tylenol make a sure fix. Once we are feeling better, we shower and get ready for the day. Vincent has some running around to do before the wedding. Vincent made some changes in the wedding plans and wants to surprise Brea. We shop at a few specialty shops to see if they can help him. He stops by Jared’s Jewelry Store to pick up Brea’s wedding gift from him and then he goes by Toys R Us to get a wedding gift for Arturo: a box set of 12 rattles. I can’t help but smile. They even gift-wrapped it for him in pale blue paper.
We shower and have a drink or two before heading to the Sarasota Botanical Gardens. Vincent tugs on his bowtie and stretches his neck side to side.
“You’re not choking, you know,” I say.
“I feel like I am.” He coughs and moves his head side to side again.
We arrive and see Brea’s car parked in the front. We begin to get out of the car, but Vincent doesn’t move. Donovan looks at me and I look at Vincent.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“It just dawned on me tonight I am marrying the woman of my dreams.”
“You are a lucky bastard,” I say in all seriousness.
He looks over and smiles. “I am, aren’t I?”
“Come on, let’s go so you can claim your girl,” Donovan says.
We walk to the reception center at the Botanical Gardens and are greeted by the preacher, Kenneth Kettlewell.
“Brea is already here,” he says, smiling.
“Is our son with her?”
“He is; would you like me to get him for you?”
“Please, I have missed him. I’ll also need someplace to change him, please.”
“We have a room set up for you and the male wedding party, just give me a minute.”
We walk around the reception area until we hear a baby’s cry coming from down the hall. Vincent disappears and returns with a crying Arturo. He holds him to his chest and kisses him. Vincent bounces him and then whispers something to him before humming “Old Man River.” The vibrating bass sound quiets Arturo.
“You can change him in here.” We all walk into another more private room. Donovan removes the all-white outfit and starts removing the price tags from it. Vincent changes the baby’s diaper and dresses him in his new white outfit. He holds the baby up and I smile.
“He looks like an angel,” I say, honestly. His dark hair and his all-white outfit make me think that. A lump begins to form in my throat. Vincent is holding Arturo, who is fast asleep. We walk through the room and are greeted by a woman, the wedding coordinator, Phyllis Prince.
“Hello, Vincent, gentlemen. We are about to begin; please follow me.”
We follow her out of the building and down a brick walkway, which is lined with white orchids. White twinkling lights are in all the trees. It’s dusk and the lights are just now showing up. We continue to walk through a flower-filled garden illuminated by candles and more twinkling lights. The aroma of fresh flowers fills the air.
We enter into an open garden where the water fountain is also illuminated by lighting in the water. I have never been here at night — it is breathtaking. Hundreds of chairs are lined up and filled with Brea’s and Vincent’s family and friends. We make our way to the front and stand near the white, floral, lit archway.
Vincent
I’m standing in front of the room holding my son. All eyes are on us. I feel like I am going to choke. I’ll never understand why anyone would choose to wear a monkey suit for a living. Arturo begins to fuss, so I hold him closer to me. He smells like Brea. He always smells like Brea. I kiss his dark fly-away hair again and he calms. I calm. I turn slightly and I can see Donovan, Mason, and my three cousins standing beside me all calm and in control. I feel like I’m going to lose it. I am marrying the woman of my dreams and I can’t wait. I just want to marry her and make her mine. I’m nervous and I have no idea why.
The music begins to play and I look down the aisle. Our flower girl, Sophia, walks out first. She is Brea’s two-year-old cousin. She is wearing a white dress with red roses along the bottom with black shiny shoes. She drops red rose petals as she walks towards me. Everyone oohs and ahhs. She smiles and I can’t help but smile back. She walks and stands in front of me. She looks up at me with her clear green eyes and red hair. I swear she looks like a baby doll.
Our ring bearer, Bryson, is next. He is my two-year-old nephew. He walks out wearing a black tux. He carries the silk pillow that holds our wedding rings on it. He doesn’t smile. He probably feels like he’s choking, too. He stops halfway down the aisle and plays with the red ribbon holding our wedding rings to the pillow. Please don’t untie that bow, I think to myself. Everyone laughs and he startles. He hurries and stands beside Sophia.
Angel is next, then Brea’s three sisters. They are all wearing the same long red formal dress. Sara comes out right before Brea; Sara’s dress is a little different: same color, but off the shoulder. Once she is in place, the music changes.
Everyone stands and faces the back of the room. My heart beats faster. I feel like I can’t breathe. This is Brea, the love of my life. I haven’t been away from her for this long since I can’t remember when. I haven’t made love to her since before our son’s birth just over six weeks ago. I turn Arturo around. I want him to see Brea as I see her. She steps out from behind the bushes, with her arms linked with her Dad’s. Looking at her, I swear, she takes my breath away. She locks eyes with mine and stops. Tears fall onto her pale cheeks. I want to run up there and comfort her, but I smile instead. Her father whispers something into her ears and pats her on her hand.
She nods and begins to walk towards me. I watch my future wife take her last few steps as a single woman. The moment I make her mine can’t come fast enough. Arturo fusses so I bounce him.
I can’t wait any longer. I am supposed to meet them at the altar, but I walk to meet them. When I get to her, I take her hand. She smiles at me and leans in to kiss our son. She uses her fingers to wipe away the lipstick smudge from his small cheeks. I bend down to kiss her and she kisses me back.
Her father leans in and whispers, “That comes at the end of the ceremony.”
I lean back away from Brea, smile, and say, “Sorry, I couldn’t wait.” Everyone laughs and Brea cries.
Her father kisses her and I walk her the short distance to stand in front of the preacher. I listen intently to wh
at he says. When it is time to say our vows, I hand Arturo to Donovan. We repeat our vows and exchange rings. When it is time to kiss the bride, Brea steps back slightly.
“Slow” is all she says before she kisses me sweetly. Arturo cries and Brea looks around me and reaches for him. She kisses him and then turns around so we are facing our friends and family. The preacher introduces us as, “Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Antonio Salvatore and Family.” Everyone laughs, Brea cries, and I stand tall and proud. My family.
Angel
The wedding reception is in full swing. The grandparents left to put Arturo to bed, and Brea and Vincent also left after they cut the cake. They are getting a hotel room tonight and then leaving with the baby tomorrow to honeymoon in the Smoky Mountains.
“One last dance, Beauty?” Mason whispers in my ear.
“I turn around and smile. “I would love to, Handsome.”
He takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor; he holds me close. Mason holds my hand close to his heart and wraps his other arm around my waist. He is such a smooth dancer. I rest my head on his shoulder, and he kisses my cheek. He sings softly in my ear, and I swear I could melt. We sway to the music and I smile. I just listen to his soothing voice.
After the dance, we help with the cleanup, and Sara and Donovan walk over and announce they are leaving. The party is still going strong. Over a hundred people are still here. Brea’s sisters are dancing with Vincent’s cousins; they are laughing and having a great time.
“Are you ready?” Mason asks.
“Yes, I think so. Sara and I need to get our things first.”
We walk to the reception building and are let into the dressing room. We gather our clothing, purses, makeup bags, and shoes before exiting the room. After saying our goodbyes, Mason and I drive home.
The next few days are filled with taking the gifts over to Brea and Vincent’s house. I also received the nicest thank-you letter from my client, Marilyn:
Angel, Darling, I feel I didn’t get a chance to appropriately thank you for your efforts on adding new life to my dreadful lanai. I didn’t think it would ever be a space I truly loved, until now. The waterfall is my favorite, next to the lovely outdoor furniture. You are truly talented, and I would love for you to continue working your magic in the rest of my home. My master suite is in dire need of a facelift. Please call me when you have time so we can get this underway. You are truly a gifted and talented designer. Thank you again, Darling. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Marilyn
Starting Over Trilogy Boxset Page 49