“I’ll tell the girls to come and help you get dressed,” Paul said as he ushered Taylor off the bus.
oOo
Paul, Taylor, David, and Bryce, made their way to the tourist administration office to pay the head curator his bribe money for allowing the wedding to take place at the top of one of the pyramids. Tourists were not typically allowed to climb the structures. Claire, Tracy, and Regina boarded the bus a minute after Paul and Taylor stepped off.
“It turned out beautiful, Rhees.” Claire’s mouth hung open in admiration when they finished getting Rhees into her wedding dress.
“Think Paul will like it? He’s been so worried about my ability to make it myself.”
“Paul will love it. You could be naked, and he’d love it—wait, this is Paul. Of course he’d love to see you naked.” They all broke into laughter. Tracy and Regina didn’t quite get it as much as Claire and Rhees, but they laughed all the same.
“I’m getting married! I’m marrying Paul Weaver.” Rhees suddenly felt weak in the knees and had to sit in one of the seats. She took a deep breath and then looked up at Claire with desperation in her eyes. “Am I doing the right thing? What if he realizes this is all just a big mistake? He’ll resent me.”
“Not going to happen.”
“You an idiot or something?” Regina asked, livid. “Go out there and get yourself married to that beautiful man while you can. Who cares if he changes his mind, it will be too late. I sure as hell would not never let him off the fishhook. I would squeeze every second I could possible squeeze out of that man.”
“Possibly squeeze,” Tracy corrected.
“Oh, Regina. I love you. I hope you know that.” Rhees jumped up and gave her a hug, imagining how Regina must feel to know she’d be watching Rhees, her own friend, walk down the aisle to marry the man of her dreams, the man Regina wanted but could never have.
“Of course I know that. I am not a stupid girl. Even I can see you are better for him . . . than even I could be.” Regina gave her a sly smile. “If it was not the truth, I would have poisoned you long ago.”
“Thank you for looking out for him all this time, before I got here. It means a lot to me to know you’ve always been his guardian angel.”
Regina’s eyes grew teary. She nodded and her lips quivered before she boldly stated, “But now you had better take care of him. I still have poison. And, just so that you are guaranteed, if I ever have the circumstance to have an affair with your husband, you can bet your ass I will unquestionably be going to do it.”
“You will unquestionably do it,” Tracy corrected again. “And if you ever have the opportunity to have an affair—”
“Shut up your big mouth, Tracy. Rhees knows what I mean.”
Rhees opened her arm to invite Tracy into the hug.
“Me too,” Tracy said. “I’d have an affair with Paul, too, if the opportunity ever presented itself.” She eyed Regina with a shrug. “Putting it out there, just in case.”
“Understood,” Rhees said, giving them both a squeeze. “But keep in mind. I can probably get a hold of some poison too.”
“If I ever catch him having an affair with anyone,” Claire cut in, “I’ll be poisoning Paul.” They all giggled and hugged each other.
“She does not have nothing to be worried about,” Regina said. “Paul’s eyes are only for Rhees now. I have pictures of him, the way he looks at her. He’ll never want anyone else again.”
Regina reached for her camera. “I will add those to the wedding pictures, the ones of you looking at him too.” She made a googly-eyed face, poking fun at Rhees, and they all laughed, knowing how often they’d seen the two lovebirds stealing glimpses of each other.
“I’m going to let everyone know you’re ready.” Claire sighed with resignation. “I say it’s time to make this happen . . . Finally!”
She gave Rhees a wink. Tracy and Regina had no idea just how finally it was going to be.
oOo
The setting didn’t allow for Rhees to be unseen by the groom before she actually walked down the aisle, or up the pyramid in this case. Claire improvised by gathering everyone around the bus door as though Rhees coming down the steps would be like her appearing at the door of a chapel. She lined everyone into two rows so Rhees would have to walk down an aisle made of guests, to reach Paul at the end.
Tracy opened the bus door and all eyes turned to Rhees, but her gaze went straight to Paul, waiting for assurance he approved of her dress. He didn’t show any reaction for several seconds and Rhees started to worry. They locked eyes while her fingers fidgeted with the fabric on the skirt of her dress.
Paul stared expressionless until his eyelids seemed to grow heavy for his glazed-over eyes, his lips parted with a quick brush of his tongue and slowly cracked into a pleased, reverent smile. He closed his eyes as if committing her to memory and she couldn’t help but smile when it looked like he grunted his signature, “Mm!”
When he re-opened his eyes, a dazzling smile spread across his beautiful face and he mouthed a kiss to assure her he approved.
The bodice of her white dress fit perfectly snug, embellished by a scrolling white on white pattern, almost sleeveless with only a hint of a cap sleeve hanging just over her shoulders. The neckline scalloped from her shoulders and cut down to just the top of her cleavage. Soft, flouncy fabric draped from her waist as it fell to just above her knees in the front but tapered longer, mid-calf in the back. She wore white sandals and even though she would have preferred a heel, Paul wouldn’t let her risk climbing the steep steps of the pyramid in anything but flats.
Her hair had been styled simply. She’d twisted two strands of hair at her temples and tied them in the back with a thin white ribbon. Small white flowers weaved into the twists making the whole sum of her appearance simple but classic. She made her way to him, through the gauntlet, it seemed, but she stayed focused on her man to keep the jitters to a minimum.
Paul wore black dress pants that hung ever so nicely on his tall masculine frame, a suit coat to match his pants, and white shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, tucked in. She always thought she liked it un-tucked, but he looked so good. He wore black dress shoes, no belt. Casual for the rest of the world, but for Paul, he looked a little too civilized, but she wasn’t about to complain. He could have worn the bundling bag he always joked about, and he would still be beautiful.
Mrs. Michaels reached out and drew her in for a hug just before she reached the groom. Rhees still couldn’t believe Paul had arranged for her to be there. He’d asked David to come, via Utah, and accompany the old woman on the trip. David had not only agreed, but he and Bryce had started a friendly banter over who she should prefer as company, both of them treated her like royalty, escorting her everywhere, tending to her every need, and making her laugh like a schoolgirl with the way they playfully flirted with the old woman. Taylor had shared his prediction with Paul; that they were looking for a connection to Utah. They were hoping Mrs. Michaels would be their ticket to finding their own Rhees-like girls.
“I’m so happy for you, and this is the best darned wedding I’ve ever attended,” she whispered into Rhees’ ear. Rhees squeezed her back and then turned to get to her awaiting man, who took her into his arms and kissed her, forgetting where they were.
“Hey! You can’t do that yet!” Taylor yelled.
Paul grinned sheepishly, Rhees blushed, and they both looked down, embarrassed, but stealing glances at each other. He set her hand in the crook of his elbow and led the way to the pyramid with everyone following a few steps behind. On the way, he pulled the ring box from his pocket.
“I want to show you the rings now—so you aren’t taken by surprise during the ceremony.” They’d originally decided to return to the jeweler a week later, to try again to find something they could agree on, but they never did. Paul annou
nced he’d decided to go with plan A. ‘I’m choosing the ring, and you’ll have to pretend to like it’. She never did see what he’d picked out. He nervously opened the box.
“Paul, it’s huge.” She stopped walking and stared at everything she’d said she didn’t want. She looked, not only disappointed, but heartbroken, and he knew she thought he’d totally disregarded her feelings on the matter.
“Give me a second to explain.” He stopped too, and everyone behind them paused, trying to pretend they didn’t notice the bride and groom having a bit of a problem. Paul leaned down so his face touched hers while he held the box in her line of vision.
Two rings sat nestled in the velvet-covered foam. The enormous one, her ring, had three bands. The two outer bands were simple strands of smooth platinum. The center band, also platinum, was wider with a line of small square diamonds inset along the top half of the band. It ran under a ridiculously large, square, French cut diamond solitaire with a halo of diamonds, which matched the inset row of gems in the center band.
“Look. Before you freak out, let me explain what I was thinking.”
Her hand flew to cover her mouth as if she needed to, as a precaution, to be sure she wouldn’t say anything, holding back the scolding she wanted to give him, or to hide the fact that she was one breath away from breaking into disheartened tears. He kissed her softly on the forehead before pointing to the large statement piece, watching her carefully.
“Keep an open mind,” he begged. “Today, I want to put this ring on your finger. I’d like you to wear it for the wedding . . . and maybe the honeymoon.” He looked at her with a worried, questioning expression. “I’m sorry, but I feel this overwhelming need to mark my territory, but mostly, to show the world that, yes, you were actually willing to marry my sorry ass.” Her mouth tightened into a thin line to hide the smile playing on her lips despite her disappointment.
“When we get home, we’ll put this part . . .” He pulled on the mammoth diamond and it came out with the attached, two outer bands, but the middle piece remained in the box with the other ring. He held the oversized diamond section up for her to see.
“After the honeymoon, this part goes in the safe, and you’ll never have to wear it again, if you don’t want to.” He held the box up again. The two rings still in the box looked like matching wedding bands, but the bigger one looked more masculine.
“You said you didn’t want bling any more than I did,” she said, trying not to pout.
“I didn’t, but it’s what you wanted, and I have a very hard time telling you no.”
“No, you don’t.” She tilted her head with an, I’m-on-to-you-look. He couldn’t help his smile.
“Yeah, I do. I can, when it’s important, but believe me.” He leaned in close to her ear. “He’s been very, very hard.”
“You mean, it’s been hard. . .” Her face contorted into embarrassment as she realized that what she’d said wasn’t any better. “I was talking about all the times you try to tell me I can’t go someplace or do something.”
“Sorry, I know you meant that I can be kind of bossy, but I couldn’t help it—one track mind, lately. Anyway, back to the rings.”
“These aren’t too bad, right?” He brought her attention back to the wedding bands, holding the box up to make sure she got a good look. “Just enough flash for both of us, but not too much, don’t you think? I have a little bling, you have a little bling. They match. You said you wanted matching rings.” He stared at the rings as he played with them, nervously awaiting her verdict.
“And it won’t hurt your feelings when that redonkulously, colossommoth diamond never comes out of the safe again?” she asked.
He shook his head, still anxious about what she thought of his plan, but then he grinned at her description.
“You spent a lot of money to have that sitting in the safe for the rest of our lives. How much? You know I’d be happy if you just put a twisty-tie on my finger.”
He stared off with a blank look on his face, counting to ten. His mouth twitched a few times before he turned a stern gaze back to her. “You can-nawt hassle your husband-to-be about spending money on the wedding ring. I’ll never tell, so just drop it . . . but you’re worth every penny . . . in the world.”
She looked him in the eyes, for too long, and he wondered if he’d made a mistake. He finally shrugged.
“Maybe you could wear it on our anniversaries if that makes you feel better. It would make me feel good.” He glanced down, feeling a little insecure under her scrutinizing gaze. He wondered how she always managed to make him feel so off-balance, so different from the arrogant son-of-a-bitch he knew he was. He loved it.
Her shoulders relaxed and she took the box with the two matching bands from him to get a closer look. They were beautiful, and the fact they matched really touched her. He’d balked at the jeweler’s every time she’d insisted he needed something just as flashy as what he expected her to wear. He’d said it would be too girly, but she wanted him wearing something noticeable enough to ward off other girls. These rings really were the perfect compromise.
“I love them,” she finally said. “They’re perfect, like you. I should have known I could trust you.”
“I got lucky. I’ll never be perfect, so don’t get all trusty-crazy on me.” He grinned all shy and insecure.
“If I kiss you, they’re going to make a big deal out of it again, aren’t they,” she asked with a toss of her head toward their wedding guests.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure they will.” His smile matched the glory of the sun, which happened to be close to setting.
“Okay, I’ll have to show you how happy you’ve made me later, tonight.” She bit her lower lip and looked up at him through her lashes.
“Mm!” he grunted.
He handed the ring box off to Taylor and took her arm again as they began climbing the steps up the pyramid.
“Mrs. Michaels,” Rhees gasped, suddenly worried about how her older friend would manage the steep stairs.
“We’ve got it covered,” Paul assured, understanding her concern. They both turned to check on Mrs. Michaels just as David and Bryce lifted her in a combined effort and carried her up. Mrs. Michaels giggled and gushed at the attention from the strong, younger men, enjoying every second of the attention.
“You’ve thought of everything.” Rhees leaned her head against Paul’s shoulder to let him know how he’d touched her heart.
The stone structure wasn’t as tall as some in the area, but the ancient inhabitants had built it on a high cliff overlooking the ocean. The breathtaking view seemed the perfect setting for the two of them to start their new life together. The wide, flat platform at the top accommodated the guests, giving everyone enough room to stand during the short and to the point ceremony. Not quite as quick as a Justice of the Peace, but again, a perfect compromise.
Regina, the official photographer, in spite of the short ceremony, somehow managed to get over a hundred shots before Paul protectively led Rhees down the steps again, their guests right behind.
Outside the walls of the ancient city, the locals had set up the plaza to accommodate a dinner and reception with a band and a dance floor. People from other buses wandered the fringes, spying on the festivities, while the bride and groom, and guests, ran through the customary wedding traditions, the toasting, the roasting—Taylor really let Paul have it.
Paul and Rhees cut the cake and danced their first dance as a married couple to their song, “Everything”, by Lifehouse. The fabric of Rhees’ dress spread out when Paul twirled her, and she felt like Cinderella, dancing with her prince. Paul somehow, on purpose, had lost his shoes at some point, and Rhees almost drooled at how sexy he looked wearing a suit, barefoot.
oOo
Once the obligatory ceremonial rituals were over, the bar opened up and the
real party began. Paul slipped away while the male guests kept Rhees busy by dancing with the bride. When Paul returned, he grabbed Taylor and pulled him aside.
“Will you and the guys keep an eye on things at the party? I’m sneaking Rhees out of here on another bus. It’s leaving in a few minutes. Our—your bus won’t leave for another two hours.”
“What’s the hurry?” Taylor asked. “It’s not like you haven’t been there, done that. You’ll be there, doing that the rest of your life. Stay and enjoy your party.” He waited for Paul’s reaction.
Paul didn’t give him one.
“You haven’t, have you?” Taylor shook his head, as if disappointed in his friend. “I can’t believe she won the prize by holding out on you—and you fell for it. Pussy.”
Paul exhaled. “It isn’t like that.”
“Oh, really?” Taylor laughed. “Tell me what it’s like then, sucker.”
“You saw the way she reacted when you tried to hug her in Costa Rica. She’s not holding out to win any prize—I’m no prize, it’s just—”
“No one’s that fucking special. Jesus Christ! You fucking married her. I know you and your promises, but you’re stuck with her now. I hope she’s good, because she’s all you’ll ever get from here on out.”
“I love her, Taye. I love her.”
“I know.” A forced grin twisted Taylor’s mouth. “I’m just messing with you, Bro. I don’t understand it, but even I can see she makes you happy.” Taylor looked off for a second, contemplating something with a sad, thoughtful look on his face.
“And after your mad, mad years of living crazily with that dangerous, fucking bitch, Ginger, I like seeing you happy and at peace, finally.”
“I wasn’t in my right mind.”
“No kidding. But are you sure being with Rhees isn’t swinging the pendulum a little too far the other way?”
Wet Part 3 Page 6