by Tracy Ellen
Anna’s attendants, Mac, Kenna, Jazy, Tre, Pam, and I, stayed in the salon to have our hair styled in updos. Anna was the only girl wearing her hair down in long, loose curls. Our makeup was professionally applied and dramatically colorful to carry off the wedding theme of the teal dresses and burgundy red cascading rose bouquets.
My stylist noticed the bruises before I did, and thank God Anna was off somewhere else in the room. I must have been zoning totally in the bathroom earlier in the morning to have missed the purplish-black imprints of five distinct digits on each of my biceps.
I put a finger to my lips and pointed to the bride. Anna was giving explicit directions to another stylist on the perfect shade of lipstick for Pam, who was still looking a little green around the gills.
I explained with a rueful smile, “I had a little altercation at the bar last night with a wild drunken woman during the bachelorette party. The bride will kill me if I screw up the pictures. The dress has off the shoulder sleeves that will cover up most of the bruises, but do you have a heavy duty makeup that will help?”
My stylist was a hip younger girl in her early twenties and she grinned easily. “Yeah, it should be no problem to hide them from the bride, and definitely from the camera.”
She found the product she needed and was as good as her word. The pancake makeup blended in with my tan beautifully.
We dressed for the ceremony in the Bridal Room the hotel provided in the same area where the South and East Bridal Chapels were located.
That half an hour before the wedding was a flurry of smiles, confusion, teasing, and helping. Anna was a happy mess. She often shook her hands like they were hummingbird wings and trilled with laughter, giddy her wedding day was no longer in the future, but happening that very moment.
One minute it was chaos, the next the final zipper was up, the last small button was looped, and our sleeves were perfectly aligned. We all “oohed” over Anna in her strapless, pure white wedding dress. We clustered around the bride, colorful acolytes in our vibrant teal dresses, holding our fragrant cascading bouquets of red roses, and wearing the pearl chokers that were gifts from Anna. We helped her attach the short veil to her head while Stella aimed the iPad and FaceTimed with NanaBel and the baron.
“Anna, my darling girl,” NanaBel’s voice called out, clear as if she was in the room with us. Anna ran over to the iPad, and the rest of us listened around her. “You’ve been a part of our lives since the first day you came home with Anabel after school in Kindergarten and blessed our family with your special sunshine. You couldn’t be more loved by me than if you were one of my own granddaughters, but now I’ll never need to use that caveat again. On this special day, you and Reggie are making one of my dearest wishes come true.”
“Mine, too,” Anna agreed fervently, smiling around at our listening faces.
NanaBel cleared her throat and continued, “Your something old are the lovely pearl and diamond earrings that were part of your Johnson heritage, your something borrowed is Anabel’s peridot ring and the emergency breath mint,” Anna and I bumped fists and everyone giggled, “and your something blue is the frilly garter under your dress. But I want to give you a special token of my love to represent the something new. In a few minutes, you will become the wife of my only grandson. God willing, you will be the only granddaughter-in-law I’ll ever have, and soon the mother of the next generation of Axelrods.”
A knock sounded on the door, and then Diego entered the room carrying a square leather case. Always handsome, he was incredibly hunky in a tuxedo. He smiled warmly at Mac, but put a hand to his heart when he stopped before Anna.
He bowed his head formally and said something in Spanish that turned her cheeks pink before he stated with a flourish, “For the most magnificent of brides on her wedding day.”
We all clapped, as NanaBel laughed. “Thank you, Diego. Please open the case, Anna.”
Anna eagerly snapped open the lid and immediately squealed, jumping up and down. Her something new was a signature choker necklace of several strands of large white South Sea pearls connecting to a center cluster of diamonds set in silver. It wasn’t noticeable upon first glance, but the swirling diamond centerpiece was a monogram of the initial “A.”
“Oh, NanaBel, it’s beautiful. I love you, thank you so much,” Anna cried to the iPad in Stella’s hands.
She whirled, allowing Mac and Diego to help clasp the necklace around her neck.
“You’re welcome. Perhaps my something new gift can become my great grandchild’s something old gift at their wedding.”
“I would love nothing more,” Anna replied softly with a trembling smile and a hand caressing her stomach.
Miraculously Anna wasn’t crying, but I saw a silent trail of tears drop down Stella’s cheeks, as she held the iPad steady while NanaBel and Anna each kissed their finger and touched their screens.
I smiled encouragingly at my crying niece, wondering if she was nervous anticipating her special day tomorrow. She smiled in return, carefully wiping one eye and then the other, making sure not to jiggle the camera.
Music started playing over a speaker in the Bridal Room.
I called out, “That’s our cue.” I smiled at my grandmother. “Are you ready to walk this little missy down the aisle, so we can finally get rid of her…I mean, give her away?”
NanaBel chuckled. “As long as it’s to my grandson.”
Taking Anna’s hand, I led her over to the full length mirror. Our eyes met while I carefully adjusted the veil over her face and we grinned.
She whispered, “Not bad for the suckiest maid of honor ever. I love you, Anabel Axelrod.”
I whispered back, “I love you, too, Anna Lynn Johnson, breeder of the next super baby. Are you ready to go make my brother the most happy of married men on the planet, or die trying?”
“You bet I am!”
“Happier than Diego?”
“No fair, he’s so handsome, Mac doesn’t even have to try hard.”
“True story. Happier than Bill Clinton?”
“All of my dresses will be blue,” she vowed on a giggle.
“Good enough for government work,” I laughed, as we looped our arms. “Let’s go get your future started, shall we?”
My brother was safely ensconced inside the South Wedding Chapel, so we could line up for the wedding procession in the lobby area outside the chapel’s closed double doors. Standing a few feet from the door, Luke was darkly gorgeous in the charcoal gray tux and silver vest all the men wore. I’m sure the other men were equally stunning, but I had eyes only for my Dark Prince.
The bridal staff was organizing us into our correct positions, so we had no time to speak. I blew Luke a kiss while he motioned to my dress with a wide, admiring grin.
We all listened attentively to last minute instructions and then soft strains of Wagner’s “Here Comes The Bride” played by a three-string trio drifted out from the South Chapel.
Henry and I watched each couple do the stuttered walk down the white runner of the aisle to be greeted by my grinning brother. I looked over to Anna and flashed her the prearranged peace sign signal that the angel had landed when Kenna and Luke reached the end of the aisle without mishap. Not that Kenna had been drinking, but pharmaceuticals could not be overlooked, or any other hair triggers that could flip the female switch without warning.
Reg kept standing on his toes and leaning slightly sideways, impatiently waiting for a glimpse of his bride. A bridal staff member had the woman in white out of sight until her grand entrance.
Then it was our turn, and Henry and I walked down the aisle arm in arm. I noticed the small chapel was beautifully decorated with burning candles of all sizes and huge bouquets of burgundy roses tied with teal satin ribbons, but I had a hard time looking away from Luke’s mesmerizing eyes that never left my face.
Arriving at the small altar, I separated from Henry. After giving Reg’s cheek a quick kiss, we all turned to face the double doors, as did the guest
s in the pews.
The music changed from soft notes to a bold crescendo and Anna appeared in all her wedding glory.
Without NanaBel to escort the bride, Eric George’s dad, Jerry Jasnik, had gallantly offered his services as a stand-in father and iPad bearer. He wore a classic black and white tux with the black bow tie that Stella’s groomsmen would wear tomorrow.
I know it’s polite to say all brides are beautiful, but my best friend truly glowed with happiness. Her sheer, short veil could not disguise her shining cheeks and the brown eyes that sparkled brighter than any diamonds. As she took her slow measured steps towards my brother to join their life together, their eyes locked. The naked emotions on Anna’s face, the joy of this moment, made my lips tremble in happiness.
Anna was a sexy bride, too, in her strapless, sweetheart neckline that framed her cleavage, plumped up alluringly firm and tan against the white silk of her wedding dress. There was nothing furtive about Anna’s softly swaying hips. Her smile was gloriously wide and all for my brother. I peeked at Reg and the urge to cry thankfully left when I saw his dumbstruck face as he gazed at the vision walking to meet him.
Witnessing the depth of their love, all my doubts and worries for their future dissolved. I sighed blissfully and smiled at Luke. He was correct again. Anna and Reg were going to be just fine.
The man officiating Anna and Reg’s wedding ceremony, Mr. Beadle didn’t know them personally. Over a couple of phone conversations and a meeting earlier today, he’d done a great job gathering information from the couple. The details of Anna and Reg’s history together were woven skillfully into a ceremony that was personalized with anecdotes and laughter.
When the husband kissed his wife for the first time, my eyes were glossy with unshed tears as Luke and I shared a private smile.
The formal photographs took place after the ceremony. The photographer led us to various photogenic spots scattered throughout the Bellagio for the next ninety minutes.
The dinner afterwards at Michael Mina was everything Anna had dreamed of for years. Catered in a private room, the chef outdid himself. We all gorged ourselves on some of the most excellent food I’ve ever tasted. Delicious champagne was plentiful and so were toasts to the happy couple.
Luke and I sat together, which was nice, but the chairs were close together at our large table, which meant it was a futile exercise in frustration to attempt to talk privately or for long.
“Did you win?” I managed to ask in a quick whisper.
“I did, but the game didn’t finish until one o’clock this afternoon, so I’m sorry I missed the brunch. I texted you, but not before I got your text you’d left your phone in the limo.”
“I knew you’d be on time for the wedding and that was all that mattered to me.”
“Yeah, I got no sleep, though,” he smiled slowly, eyes gleaming, “but it was worth it.” He leaned over with his arm around my chair and whispered a six digit number in my ear.
I blinked. “Have I told you lately that I’m such a great girlfriend, I deserve a raise?”
He touched my cheek “Sweetheart, I’m supposed to be the one to tell you if you’re a great girlfriend.”
“Yes, but you’re tired, so I helped.” I smiled cheekily and then said with quiet urgency, “Boy, do I have a lot to tell you about what’s been happening since we got to Vegas. Heck, some of it’s pre-Vegas.”
After I was interrupted three times in a row each time I opened my mouth, Luke laughed at the expression on my face. “We should give in gracefully. Can your news wait until after the game tonight? I can wake you up.”
At my hesitation, he laughed again. “Let me put it this way. Do you promise you aren’t going to jail, or plan to kill or be killed in the next twelve to fourteen hours?”
I tilted my head to think about it, running the different possibilities through my head until Luke stopped laughing and said warningly, “Anabel?”
I shrugged. “Okay, I think I can promise that.” I kissed him on the cheek. “Yes, wake me up after the game.”
Genghis eyed me closely, but then we were interrupted with wedding toasts.
Henry’s best man speech was long. My maid of honor speech was seriously short and sweet. It was my last chance to make Anna’s day, and she ate up that gooey-mushy stuff about soul mates, fate, and love’s destiny as fast as I could dish it out. If the tears of joy running down Anna’s face when we hugged afterwards were any indication, I might not be referred to as the suckiest maid of honor for our entire lives, although Reg and Jazy looked at me like I’d gone nuts.
I know, who was I trying to kid?
When the feasting was complete, the wedding cake from the chocolate wizard was rolled in on a silver cart and stole the show. An extravagant six tiers of chocolate buttercream, each round layer was edged in teal fondant ribbon. White chocolate roses tinted all shades of red, from scarlet to pink, tumbled down the side of the cake in a graceful waterfall. Sometimes wedding cakes can look beautiful, but the taste isn’t so great. Every morsel of this cake was amazing.
Later there was dancing at The Bank, another huge nightclub at the Bellagio. The wedding party and guests danced together for the first hour, switching partners and taking turns dancing with the bride and groom. The ex-cousin didn’t join us, but walked the edges of the dance floor. Within a few minutes, she was gone. I didn’t see her anywhere for the rest of the night. Not that I was complaining, but it was curious behavior. Why did she come to Las Vegas for her family’s weddings, but barely show up?
I didn’t let thoughts of Crazy ruin my night. Anna and Reg led us all in a few wedding line dances, Luke’s favorite being The Cha-cha Slide. I was sure the video of us all flailing away on the dance floor would be a source of hilarity for years to come. Luke and I had time for one slow dance before he had to leave again for his big game. Melting in his arms, I discovered last night’s dancing magic between us hadn’t been a fluke.
Luke asked me to walk him out, and he led me by the hand to the entrance of the night club where we could hear ourselves speak.
My Dark Prince cradled my face in his hands. “This is the last time we’ll go on a trip together when I have card games to play.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked in surprise. “Do you feel like I’m trying to hold you back?”
“Not at all.” His lips twisted in irony. “I’m the one who wants to stay with you.”
I slid my arms around his neck and kissed his mouth. “I’ll be here whenever you’re done.” I kissed him again, slower. “Think of me waiting for you.”
When our lips parted, he rested his forehead on mine for a moment. “Is this how you make it easier on me?”
My smile was innocent as I dropped my arms from his neck. “I thought my job as your girlfriend was not to make things easier on you, but harder.”
“You’re doing a great job,” he replied, eyes glittering.
I laughed, but said, “Well, hopefully I’ll see you in the morning before 8:00 AM. If it’s later, let’s plan to meet up at Stella’s wedding.” I stroked his arm. “After their shindig, we have the rest of tomorrow to spend together and get caught up, right?”
Luke leaned down to kiss my cheek. “Right, Princess.” He paused, frowning slightly as sharp green eyes appraised my face. “Are you sure everything’s okay with you?”
I waved him off. “Yeah, I’m sure. Go kick some poker butt.”
The only black cloud on the rest of the evening was NanaBel’s message they still weren’t on a plane. It looked like Stella’s wedding would be by iPad proxy, as well.
The bridal couple slipped away to begin their honeymoon not long after Luke left. For those of us past twenty-one, we had fun dancing and then playing craps in the casino for a couple more hours. At one point, I got that creepy-crawler tingling over my body again. It was followed by the stomach full of dread, but I never spotted Kyle Koch in the crowd.
I left for my suite before the party broke up. I wanted to get a few hour
s of sleep to be bright-eyed and bushy tailed for when Luke woke me up, or for Stella and Eric George’s noon wedding ceremony, whichever came first.
It was a good thing I did because it would be the last good rest I got for quite a while.
Chapter XIX
“Shut Up and Dance” by Walk The Moon
Tuesday, 01/01
11:20 AM
Eight o’clock came and went. I left the suite disappointed, but not too surprised when Luke was not back from the game.
The morning was another whirlwind few hours of getting prepared for Stella’s wedding. It started with bagels, fruit, pastries, and plenty of coffee served in her suite. Little Lucy was bouncing off the walls that her big day had arrived.
“Look, Anabel, my nails don’t have any chips, even though my mom made me clean our room,” Lucy stated blithely, wriggling her polished nails in front of my face.
Betty raised her eyes heavenward. “Yes, picking up your dirty clothes is back-breaking labor.”
Lucy nodded emphatically and mouthed to me, “It IS!”
Laughing at her antics, it hit me that with Stella marrying Eric George, I would probably be around to see a preteen Lucy make Betty and Jerry’s life a living hell.
Once the continental breakfast was over, Stella’s wedding party was off to invade the Bellagio Spa.
Compared to Anna’s radiant jubilance the evening before, Stella’s pallor under her tan and quietness were pronounced. I speculated if it was the stress of the wedding or if the baby was making her nauseous. I couldn’t imagine how awful it would be to have morning sickness during your nuptials.