by Emily Sharpe
He grinned. "It's going to be fine."
When the drinks arrived and the server took their meal orders, Worth ordered a bottle of champagne, as well as sparkling water for the expectant mother. When it arrived and glasses had been poured all around, he stood. "I'd like to propose a toast." The others picked up their glasses as he said, "To Chet and Carol. May you have many happy years together."
In unison, the rest of the group echoed, "To Chet and Carol."
After everyone had taken a sip, Worth spoke again. "I would also like to toast the beautiful lady sitting next to me. Jessica agreed last weekend to be my wife. It looks like there will be not one, but two, weddings in the family."
Chet and Carol exchanged a look before beaming at Jessica. Chet stood and held up his glass. "To Jessica and Worth." The others followed suit, Layla wishing loudly that she could partake of the champagne too.
Later, as everyone enjoyed their dinners and caught up on other, albeit less exciting news, Carol left her chair to walk around behind Jessica and kiss her cheek, whispering, "I am so very happy for the two of you! I wasn't expecting this so soon, but from my own experience with Chet, when you know it's right, there's no reason to wait."
"Thank you, Mom," Jessica said with tears in her eyes. "We feel the same way."
For the rest of the get-together, conversation centered on weddings and the baby. The women decided to get together for a planning session Saturday. There were bridal showers, a baby shower—could Carol and Jessica possibly fly out—and two weddings to schedule. The men mostly listened and shook their heads, glad to let the women plan and plot for the time being.
By dessert, it appeared to Carol and Chet that their hope for a happy blended family was becoming a reality before their very eyes. After Chet's family excused themselves for the evening to return to their respective hotels, the other couples stayed to discuss dates over coffee.
Chet and Carol wanted a private ceremony with only the children present, followed by a reception for friends. Surely, a month was long enough to plan that, they agreed. They would put both houses on the market and buy a new one together; Jessica offered to help.
"Thanks, Jess!" Chet said. "I've put a bug in my kids' ears to move back, but we don't want to wait. With everything else on your plate, that's very generous of you."
Jessica looked at Worth and grinned. "I have a pretty understanding boss."
"I'll help, too," he offered, adding with mock sternness, "as long as you meet your deadlines." They shared a laugh. "My mother—everyone calls her Molly—is chomping at the bit to help with our wedding so that will take some of the pressure off Jessica."
"We're all set, so now you two need to set a date," Carol said. "Any idea how soon you want to do this?"
"We definitely do not want a long engagement," Jessica mused. She checked the calendar app on her phone. "What about four months from now? October?" She and Worth suddenly looked at each other, eyes wide. In unison, they cried, "Halloween!"
Carol threw up her hands. "No! You do not want every anniversary from now on to be spent opening the door for trick-or-treaters!"
The couple laughed at their secret, but Jessica deferred to her mother's wisdom. "Halloween's on a Saturday night this year. Sunday, November first?"
"November first, it is." Carol nodded. "Believe me, that's the better choice. That gives us time to concentrate on our wedding first. Keith and Layla's baby won't be here yet so hopefully they can come back for it. The weather will be cooler. Sounds perfect!"
They each keyed in the date on their phones. Chet and Carol said goodnight, leaving Worth and Jessica at the big table by themselves. "I think I'll call Molly, now that we have a definite time frame. It's the middle of the night there, but she won't mind."
Sitting beside Worth, Jessica could clearly hear Molly's shriek of delight, "I've already spoken to my designer friend and she will be glad to help with the gown. Just let me know when Jessica can swing a trip to Paris, and I'll set it up."
Worth handed the phone to Jessica so that Molly could repeat herself. "Oh my, that's exciting," Jessica said. "We'll look at our schedules and make it happen."
Worth laughed as he grabbed his phone back. "We'll let you know this week, Molly."
"Au revoir, mon fils," Molly cooed before the connection ended.
"I love you, you know," Worth said as he stood up to stretch. "'Want some more coffee before we leave?"
"I'm ready to go if you are," Jessica said, standing up and retrieving her shoulder purse from where it hung on the chair back. "With all this talk of weddings and dresses, I'm suddenly very nervous."
Worth hugged her close with a low, sexy chuckle. "Are you sure you want to marry me, or do you just love Bathroom Guy?"
Jessica broke free from him and started walking toward the door, looking back with a little wink. "You are a complicated man, Worth Vincent, no matter what planet you're from. So many personalities! Bathroom Guy, Darth Vader, Mr. Prim and Proper, Mr. Vincent, Vincent Alexander." She crossed the distance back into his arms with a little skip, melting into an embrace. "And I love you all."
Chapter 20
Wedding Times Three
Chet and Carol's wedding was all they had hoped it would be, a small family gathering in an old one-room church in the country. The bride was beautiful in an ivory lace, knee-length dress with ivory heels. She carried a small bouquet of pink roses, with one rose in her hair. Chet wore a gray suit with a white shirt and rose and gray striped tie. Jessica was the maid-of-honor, radiant in a flowing pale pink gauze dress with a handkerchief hem. Keith, also in gray, served as his father's best man. The only guests were Worth and the rest of Chet's family.
The reception was just as lovely in the Three Oaks' special party room—a wedding gift from Worth. The enormous room had ample space for the many former coworkers, friends and family members, all eager to celebrate the marriage, enjoy the buffet, and dance to the three-piece band Worth had hired.
Jessica sat alone at the head table and looked around the room with a contented smile. Her mother and new stepfather were making the rounds, visiting with their guests after a splendid meal. A few weeks earlier, many of the same people had gathered for Chet's retirement ceremony. The commendation she had received from the fire department had a prominent place at Worth's condo. She was completely moved in now.
Worth approached with the plate of fruit that Jessica had requested. As she took it from him, she nodded in her mother's direction. "They look so happy, don't they?"
He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips as he took a seat beside her. "Yes, they do. It was a nice ceremony. Simple, elegant, just what they wanted."
"It was perfect," she sighed. "And I can't wait to say 'I do' to the handsome man sitting next to me."
"You're beautiful, Jessica. I'll be proud to have you as my wife." He glanced up as a familiar tune caught his attention. "The Way You Look Tonight—very appropriate. Dance with me?"
They made their way to the dance floor to join the other couples there. Things were beginning to wind down after several hours of festivities. Chet and Carol were leaving immediately after the reception to catch a late-night flight to Florida where they would board a ship for a seven-day cruise the next afternoon. Their children would take home the photos and personal decorations, but the Three Oaks staff would take care of the rest.
As summer had melted into autumn, more good news had come. Both Jon and Keith had found teaching positions in the suburbs, under an hour away. It had been a whirlwind of moving vans, new paint and boxes, but the entire family was now close enough for Chet's retirement, the weddings, and all the accompanying parties. They had managed to get her mom and Chet moved into their new home last week, downsizing to a two-bedroom condo. They'd made sure, though, to keep looking until they found one with a large outside screened-in area—plenty of room for everyone to gather in warm weather or for the grandchildren to play. Chet had laughed and said, "Only one on the way now, but I've got high
hopes!"
Not long after, Jessica and the rest of the family hugged the newlywed couple outside. It had been a long day, but everyone stayed to give Carol and Chet a proper send-off. Jessica had helped her mother change into a comfortable pantsuit for the flight ahead, but Chet decided to keep it simple and just go as he was. Worth had arranged for a limousine to pick them up outside the building. Blowing kisses and calling goodbyes, friends and family watched as the limo's taillights disappeared and they all called it a night.
Settling into bed next to Worth later, Jessica sighed as she rubbed lavender lotion onto her hands. It was new, a little parting gift from her mother. She held a hand up to Worth's nose teasingly. "You like?"
In response, Worth kissed her hand. "I like." Turning over, he kissed her long and hard on the mouth, whispering, "I love."
Almost two years after her father had died, she had just witnessed the start of a new, joyful chapter in her mother's life. And my own chapter has begun, Jessica thought, then she said aloud, "One down, one to go. Well, actually, two to go. Donna told me the other day that their wedding is only two weeks after ours. They decided to move things up to before Thanksgiving." She reached up to turn off the bedside lamp.
"Really? I'm glad you mentioned that, so I can make sure we return from our honeymoon trip in time."
"Are we going to be gone two whole weeks?" she asked, surprised.
"Close to it, but I'll make sure we get back," Worth said, turning off the lamp on his side. "I like Donna, and she's a good writer—the jury's still out on Eric."
Men. Jessica giggled as she settled back. So far, Jessica hadn't been able to cajole any honeymoon details out of him. She'd tried everything she could think of, to no avail. She'd even bribed Skip with his favorite pastry, but Worth's assistant was as close-lipped as his boss.
"How will I know what to pack?" she'd finally pouted.
"Leave that to me," was all Worth would divulge. "Don't you trust me?"
"I trust you with my heart, yes. With my life, absolutely," was her response before making a face. "With my packing, no."
"Well, you don't have much choice, my dear. My surprise, my rules."
Long after Worth had turned over and she was snuggled up tightly against his warm, furry back, Jessica lay awake, reliving the day, planning ahead. They were due to fly to Paris the end of the next week so Jessica could meet Molly and Madame Barnard, her dress designer. After that, they only had a few last-minute details to take care of. The magazine had really taken off, which added to both their workloads; Molly had been a godsend at helping with the wedding plans.
In addition to Donna, Jessica had asked Kari and Layla to be her attendants. They'd already chosen their dresses, the flowers were ordered, a photographer had been booked and the venues for both the ceremony and reception were taken care of. Molly had arranged for the catering, after Jessica and Worth chose the menu. Her own dress, though…Jessica drifted off to sleep, dreaming of lace and flowing skirts.
At Charles De Gaulle Airport, they picked up their luggage and exited immigration smoothly and quickly. A limo was waiting to take them to Le Pavillon de la Reine, the luxury hotel where Molly and Fred were also staying—Molly's wedding gift to them, along with the dress. They were waiting in the lobby to greet them. After Worth and Jessica were settled into their spacious and elegant room, the four of them had dinner together downstairs. Jessica was in awe of the city, the hotel, the food, everything about it. I'd better pinch myself; am I dreaming? Am I really in Paris?
They were scheduled to meet with the designer the next afternoon, and they would spend a few days sightseeing before flying home. As it turned out, the anticipated arduous task of choosing the perfect wedding dress had been relatively simple. The first one Madame Barnard brought out was entirely too fussy, all flounces and bows. But the second was breathtaking.
The cowl-necked sheath was pure white silk, elegant, accentuating every one of Jessica's curves. Long sleeves came to a point, reaching to her fingers. Madame Barnard suggested low-heeled satin-covered pumps that would be stylish and comfortable. She had several veils to show her that would work with the dress. Jessica chose one that was particularly delicate, a short piece at the front that would not detract from the neckline with yards flowing behind. Madame Barnard clucked as she pinched material here and there, promising to have everything altered to perfection and delivered to the hotel the next day.
With that out of the way, she and Molly decided to have coffee. The sunny day took enough off the chill in the air that they could sit outside and breathe in the atmosphere. Every time she had the opportunity to spend time with her future mother-in-law, Jessica enjoyed her more. They laughed and talked, and Jessica described her mother's wedding and new condo in great detail.
"I can't wait to meet Carol," Molly said, sipping her espresso. "I'm sure we'll get along well, and Chet sounds divine. Fred's making our reservations today, in fact. We'll be back a few weeks before the wedding so we can help with everything."
Worth and Jessica had not had as much alone time as they would have liked, but this was a gift from Molly and Fred, after all. For the next few days, the two couples roamed cobbled streets, art galleries and museums before it was time to return to the States. Molly filled in some of the gaps to Jessica's understanding of Worth's youth; Fred delighted them with stories from his own unique past. Back home, between parties and the magazine, they were quite busy until the week before the wedding. Jessica planned to take a full month off to work on last-minute details, go on her honeymoon and get settled when they returned. Even that time would be busy, however, as Worth had given her a decorating budget to redo the condo, as his gift.
The magazine and several business trips kept Worth occupied until the last few days before the wedding. All week, October rains had turned the city into dreariness, but nothing could dampen Jessica's excitement. November first, it was as if Mother Nature had gotten an invitation to the wedding herself, showing up with sunshine and just the hint of a chill to the air.
Worth arranged for a limo to bring Jessica and her attendants to the church. They had fussed and giggled as they made sure every hair was in place. Kari had produced a treasure trove of brushes and cosmetics, expertly painting and powdering, until Jessica felt like a princess. Now, as she walked down the aisle on Chet's arm, she lifted her eyes under the veil and breathed a prayer of thanks, hoping that her father was watching. How she had dreamed of him giving her away one day! Just then, Chet squeezed her hand; her heart was truly full.
The love in Worth's eyes as he watched Jessica walk slowly toward him was unmistakable. To his right, Layla, Kari, and Donna stood smiling at her in simple teal silk dresses, each in different designs so that Layla could accommodate her growing belly. To his left, Fred, Skip and Paul stood, splendid in black suits with teal ties and pocket handkerchiefs. The flowers had been carefully selected by Jessica, reminiscent of the beautiful arrangement Worth had sent her as an apology the year before, an exquisite blend of hot-house ornamentals and wildflowers adorned with teal ribbon.
As Jessica took her place next to Worth, he winked at her and squeezed her hand. The ceremony was short; they had written their own vows, each promising to cherish the other, to be true to their love and to their vows. Still, it all seemed like it was happening in slow motion to Jessica, surreal. Only when the minister said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife," did the enormity of the moment sink in. This is real! I'm really Mrs. Worth Vincent!
Much to the delight of their guests, Worth ceremoniously dipped her low to give her her first kiss as a married woman. The reception was elegant; Molly had made sure of that. They ate, drank, talked to friends and family at the hall, dancing and enjoying everything until the hour grew late. When Worth took her to the hotel where they were to spend the night before going to the airport the next day, she found that he had arranged the honeymoon suite with all the trimmings.
"Only the best for my wife on her wedding night," Worth said a
s he carried her over the threshold. She had found him to be big on tradition during the planning stage, and she loved this side of him. His heightened sense of propriety may have caused some turmoil during the roller-coaster ride of their early relationship, but in this context, she appreciated it.
The next day, Mr. and Mrs. Worth Vincent flew to Abu Dhabi where they sunned and swam at one of the many luxury hotels, November's chill back home nowhere to be found. They ate, shopped and made mad, passionate love every day and night. Despite Jessica's previous concerns, Worth had packed for her perfectly—new bikinis and sundresses for outside, with light shawls for walks in the moonlight, and nothing at all for inside their plush room.
One night when they returned from dinner, however, Jessica was unusually cranky. She had gotten too much sun that day. A headache threatened. On top of that, she had started overthinking. She was a wife now. Soon she'd be an aunt. She had no idea what would go in the next column, and she needed to plan a baby shower, and there was Donna's wedding…
After a while, Worth had had enough.
"What are you doing?" she asked crossly as he pulled her down onto his lap where he sat on the edge of the bed.
"Hmm, let's see. You are over my knee. I would think it was pretty obvious, Mrs. Cranky Pants." Worth trapped her legs with one of his, just as he had done before, the day she'd met Molly.
"I thought we agreed that it's pleasure we're about, not pain. Are you angry with me?"
Worth's tone was amused, but it had an edge. "Angry? Never, my love, but life is not just pleasure. Sometimes pain can be quite a motivator, wouldn't you agree? You touch the stove as a child, you learn to avoid it. You misbehave, you get spanked—at least that's the way I was raised."
Jessica was appalled, trying to squirm out from under the firm hand he'd placed on her back. "You're going to spank me? Seriously? We already had this conversation. I am not a child."