by Claire Adams
That said, I had taken quite a liking to her and felt excited by the notion that she would be joining us again next year for Stacey’s wedding. There was something about her that reminded me of myself. Perhaps it was her sheer dedication to her work. She was much older than I was and I felt like I had been learning a whole lot from her about running a business as a woman.
I watched her direct Fabio in admiration before getting seated for my hair and makeup.
Stacey came half-way into my make-up and exclaimed, “Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas!” we all exclaimed back.
“But more importantly,” she said, sitting down next to me. “Happy wedding day to the best best-friend in the whole world!”
“That would be you.” I smiled, which made Fabio give me a stern look. I was supposed to be sitting still. “Can I have one moment, Fabio? I want to look at my maid-of-honor.”
“If you must,” he said reluctantly.
“Stacey, you look amazing!” I exclaimed upon turning around to look at her. She was wearing a bright purple dress of her own choosing – I didn’t believe in subjecting my maid-of-honor to a hideous dress of my choice – and her hair was tied up in a neat bun.
“Nothing compared to the bride of course, you’re going to be turning heads in all of Central Park today, mark my words.”
I beamed delightedly. “We will be,” I said, reaching out both my hands to grab hers. “I can’t believe this is happening, Stace. I am actually getting married today!”
She joined my squealing, which made me feel a whole lot better about me acting like a little girl all morning.
“Now let Fabio finish getting you ready so you can go get married.”
---
When Stacey, Nick and I arrived at Central Park – we had a separate limo sent to us than Zayden’s – nobody was there except an old lady with bright blonde hair dressed in a designer red outfit.
“You must be Zayden’s mother,” I said brightly approaching her. I realized it was the lady I had met at his house that one morning.
“You must be his newest play toy,” she said with a fake smile. “Good for you, hun. Make sure he gets to play well, since you’ll be getting quite a lot of monetary advantage in this situation.”
“That is incredibly rude,” I said with a smile still plastered to my face. “And under any other circumstances I would have responded with an equal - if not more – sass, and believe me I may look small but I am capable of a lot. However, it is my wedding day and you are the mother of the most important person in my life, so I will be nice. Look, Mrs. Sinclair, I understand you have your own little pre-conceived notions about who I am and what I want from your son. And you know what, in a way it’s oddly endearing. It means you care about him in your own little weird way. But make no mistake, I care about him too and I will not have anybody questioning my intentions. Of course, I can’t expect you to change your mind based on my words alone – anyone can claim anything, after all, as you witnessed from the whole disaster with Gina, a woman I believe you did in fact approve of for your son. All I ask of you is you reserve some judgment until you get to know me. After a month or two, if you still feel like I am using your son for money and don’t actually care about him, feel free to hate me.”
“Bold. I like that. I should have known Zayden wouldn’t be marrying some wussy,” Mrs. Sinclair said with an awkward – but what I suspected to be genuine – smile. “And pretty too. Very pretty,” she said those words with a sternness that almost felt like an insult. “Well, I guess I can reserve judgment after all.”
“Thank you,” I said, trying to sound softer. Somehow her approval of my boldness made me soften towards her a little. She was an old woman and the thing that mattered most was that she cared about Zayden. “I, on the other hand, don’t need to reserve any judgment,” I said smilingly. “You seem to care about Zayden which wins my approval of you.”
“I don’t recall asking for your approval,” she said in a stern voice, but seemed somewhat amused.
“You didn’t have to.” I grinned. “Now if you excuse me, I have to go get married to your son.”
I turned away, realizing a little too late that the effect couldn’t have been as grand as I had hoped considering that Zayden had yet to even arrive. I simply sat down on one of the benches by the tree where we were holding the ceremony and admired the breath-taking view. Getting married on Christmas Day was a stroke of pure genius, for New York City looked like it had been embellished with the joy that I was feeling.
All the trees in Central Park were covered in Christmas Lights, and the buildings on the edge of the horizon appeared to be glowing in celebration of my big day. Everything was bright and shiny. The crisp winter air of December didn’t even bother me – despite wearing a sleeveless dress – because the happiness of the moment was enough to keep me warm from within.
When Zayden’s limo pulled in and he got out of it, I was sure my heart stopped for a few moments. He looked just like a movie star in his tuxedo and I took a deep breath, unable to believe that this was the man I would soon marry. The look on his face mirrored my awe and I could swear I saw the hint of tears in his eyes. He wasn’t supposed to see me yet, but since we were getting married in a park there was nowhere to hide.
My mother walked me down the aisle, something I was very happy about. She had, after all, been both my mom and dad for me the last few years and she deserved this honor. I hadn’t even thought to look for my dad to invite him to this wedding. He had decided to run away and with that lost all my respect. But mom looked radiant and proud as she took my hand and walked with me right until I stood face to face with Zayden. Nick and Stacey were next to me while Ned stood cheerfully behind Zayden.
The minister began the ceremony and half-way through asked if we had written our own vows.
“Yes,” we both said. And I went first, because I didn’t think I would be capable of speaking after I heard what Zayden has to say.
“Today I am fortunate enough to be entering a union with the love of my life and I doubt there is a single person on this planet that is as happy as I am. I love you Zayden Sinclair and even though I ignored your advances at first, somehow I feel like I knew this since the moment we first met. You have the wits and charms to win over the heart of any woman in the world, yet you chose me and fell for me, making me feel like the luckiest woman in the world. You are as kind as you are handsome, something not many people get to see because they haven’t spent as much time with you to know you like I do. You practically saved my family and never asked anything in return. You go out of your way to do little things for me, which in turn are things of great value. The amount of time you spent going over my homework with me. And submitting my paper to that journal. Things you had absolutely no reason to do, except that you thought somehow they would make me happy, and you were right. I have learned so much from you, Zayden, just from a few months of our time together. I yearn for our days ahead when I will only learn and grow more from your incredible company and our love, both personally and professionally. You have made me feel like the luckiest woman on this planet and I want to return your love by making you feel like the luckiest man every single day, every single hour, every single minute for the rest of our lives. I love you, Zayden Sinclair, and on our wedding day, I vow to always love you just as much as I do right now, and a little bit more with every passing day, as we build a life together and grow old together. And live happily ever after.”
Zayden beamed delightfully, as Stacey and my mom began to sob into their handkerchiefs. Even Zayden’s mom looked reluctantly moved. I found myself tear up as well, from the sheer power of the words I had spoken. Because they were true and because we were in love and because this was the most beautiful thing that had ever happened to me.
By the time Zayden spoke his vows, his voice was trembling.
“Aria, Aria, Aria. I feel like there is very little words can say that can describe just how ecstatic I am to be here
with you today, ready to make you mine forever. I think I have spoken enough of why you are so extraordinary – which no one can argue that you are one in a million – and of our past and how you made me fall in love with you so hopelessly. Today, I want to speak of our future. Oh the beautiful, magnificent future we are going to build together, Aria. I wish I could show you the things we are going to be doing together, extraordinary things, both in terms of business and our personal lives. I can’t wait to build my perfect family with my perfect partner. We will have as many kids as you want and can have. They will all take after their mom and be adorable little feisty trouble-makers. We will buy a house in every State – and country – you desire so you are never bored of a place again. Your mind is too grand to be stationed at a single town. You are capable of so much Aria. I look forward to being your business partner almost as much as I look forward to being a husband – which is still not nearly close enough, cause God I have never looked forward to anything in my life as much as I look forward to being your husband – and I know you will take my life to its highest points and my business too. You will get everything your enormous heart desires, before you even ask for it, before you even realize you want it. I will take care of all your needs and always love you with everything I have, more every day than the last. Even when we are old and wrinkly and blind. No matter what. In sickness and in health. You are right, Aria, this right here is exactly what fairy tales are made of. You are right. This is our happily ever after.”
Everyone burst into applause, as I started bawling as hard as Stacey and my mom. Even Nick was tearing up and Zayden’s mom’s eyes seemed rather twinkly. I was so overcome with emotion that for a moment, I had even forgotten where I was, until I saw that hundreds of onlookers were gazing at our wedding. Strangers dressed in bright and colorful Christmas outfits were clapping from meters away and tearing up and it was just like all my favorite weddings from my favorite movies had coalesced into one fantastical ceremony. Except the ceremony was mine and I was the heroine and in about three seconds I would be married to the love of my life.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the minister said at last. “You may now kiss the bride.”
Zayden and I wasted no time in embracing each other as tightly as we could and kissing deeply, lovingly with all our might, as the crowd continued to cheer from every corner into the visible distance. It was done, it had happened, it was over. I was now and will always be the wife of Zayden Sinclair.
Chapter 8
Zayden
The wedding ceremony had gone perfectly and I was rather thrilled that Aria wanted to keep that part small. It made it easier to let my emotions run wild. Her vows were still sending shivers down my spine. It felt so surreal to be loved so deeply and earnestly. It was hard to believe that a girl so small could harbor that much love. And for me!
---
We were at the reception at the Plaza and it was as grand as could be. Hundreds of guests – all of my colleagues and business partners and all of Aria’s friends from college and her extended family had arrived – were admiring the fantastic decoration Fiona had put together. The hall really did look like an enchanted forest, mixed with Christmas lights. I wasn’t sure I had ever seen anything quite so beautiful before. Except my wife of course.
I looked at her standing across the room and talking to my mother. It had only taken a few hours for them to start getting along. Of course, I should have thought that it would from the get go. Aria wasn’t exactly an amateur at charming someone. She had done such a fantastic job with me. My mother was hardly tougher than I was. I felt a great sense of pleasure watching them chatter delightfully, as I grabbed a glass of champagne.
The D.J. was playing all of Aria’s favorite romantic songs and I realized it was time for our first dance together. I motioned to the D.J. with a nod of my head and he understood.
“Ladies and gentleman,” the young looking guy said. “The bride and groom will now have their first dance as a newly married couple.”
The song “You and Me” by Lifehouse began to play as Aria and I slowly began walking towards each other, with everyone watching in awe.
When I held her, she put her chin against my shoulder, standing on her tip-toe in the most endearing way. We began moving together to a song that seemed to perfectly describe our moment as it was happening.
“I love you, Mrs. Sinclair,” I whispered softly against her ear and then kissed her temple.
“I love you too, Mr. Roberts,” she said with a slight giggle.
“Yeah right, so you hope.”
“How about this? We can both hyphenate. Roberts-Sinclair?”
“I really should have listened to you about that prenup, huh?” I joked, knowing that if that was what she wanted, she would have it. My name wasn’t nearly as important to me as she was. I had vowed to dedicate my life to making her happy and that was exactly what I was going to do.
“Okay, we can be Mr. and Mrs. Roberts-Sinclair,” I said after teasing her for a little bit longer. “Does that make you happy?”
“So, so happy,” she said and hugged me tighter. “Thank you, Mr. Roberts-Sinclair.”
We continued to dance into the evening, as the Christmas lights took over the wedding lights and everything was joyful and perfect. The music slowly took the form of Christmas music, as everyone danced delightedly, a little buzzed from all the champagne and wine, celebrating this extra special occasion. Soon enough, I found myself dancing with my mother, then Aria’s mother and then both of them at the same time.
After some wine in their system, the two ladies found it surprisingly easy to get along, even bonding over the music of their times, which I specifically requested the DJ to play.
I danced with Stacey as Aria waltzed away happily with Nick, who seemed to have gotten emotional after seeing one of his best friends enjoy the best night of her life. He treated her much like an older brother. Aria didn’t have any siblings and it was nice to know she had made her own family through the course of her life. Stacey, who had gotten humorously drunk, was saying some really random and funny things as we danced together.
“You know, Aria and I once went skinny dipping in our neighbor’s pool when we were fourteen,” she said giggling, while continuing to sip her champagne. “And I don’t think I am supposed to tell you this, so keep it to yourself. I hope I can trust you now that we are friends.”
“We are?” I inquired. It was nice knowing that I would now have close friends. People that looked out for you and enjoyed your company without any particular occasion to do so. It had been a long, long time since I had experienced friendship in that manner and I was looking forward to this new phase of my life.
“You know, for a brilliant billionaire, you aren’t very smart,” Stacey said pointedly. “You got Fiona Davis to plan Nick and my wedding, without us so much as asking, and more importantly you just married our best friend. And you still have to ask if we are friends? Maybe Aria didn’t make the best decision marrying you after all.” She shook her head.
“Since we are friends,” I said jovially. “I feel comfortable saying that if you repeat those words ever again, I will stab you with a dagger.”
“Do you even own a dagger?” She looked at me quizzically. “Because I do. Let me know if you ever need to borrow it. It will give much more weight to your threats, Mr. Sinclair.”
“Sure, I will gladly borrow it so that I can threaten you with it next time you call me that. For someone who calls us friends, you seem to have an awfully difficult time referring to me by anything but Mr. Sinclair.”
“Fine, Mr. Roberts-Sinclair then.” She giggled some more.
“Seriously, how do you girls find time to exchange news at such rapid speed? It has barely been half an hour since Aria and I made a decision to go with that hyphenated last name and I can swear on my favorite car that the two of you haven’t even been a foot within each other since, considering everyone has been dancing the whole time.”
&nbs
p; “We have our ways.” Stacey said and shrugged as the Christmas carol ended. “You will get used to it soon enough. Now dance with your wife, I think the party is about to come to an end.”
The final song was a perfect representation of the wedding and Christmas, as Mariah Carey sang “All I Want for Christmas is You,” just as Nick and I switched partners and Aria was back in my eager arms.
“Your friend is quite funny,” I said, starting to move with her. “And rather intoxicated I believe.”
“She should be. I would never forgive her for being sober at my wedding. I don’t plan to be sober at hers!”
“You guys have the strangest friendship,” I said, screwing my nose. “Although, I suppose you develop a very special kind of bond after skinny dipping at a neighbor’s pool when you’re fourteen. Wow, now that I think of it, that was only six years ago.”
“I am pretty sure you weren’t supposed to tell me you knew about this,” Aria said scornfully. “If you want to be friends with Stacey, you better learn how to keep her secrets.”
“That sounds like way too much work,” I joked. “I think I am fine without the friendship. I’m joking,” I added when she looked at me with almost murderous rage. “I really like your friends.”
“Good,” she said sharply and went back to placing her chin on my shoulders. “Now on to some important things. You know what all I want for Christmas is?” She looked at me with a naughty glint in her eyes.
“Me?” I suggested. “That is what the song says anyway.”
“I want to secretly disappear from our wedding reception and make our way into your hotel room. Then I want you to rip my wedding dress – and by that I mean carefully remove it from my body because if there is a single actual rip on it, I will have to kill you – and make love to me until we are both so tired we can no longer perform basic human functions such as breathing.”