Life's Next Chapter

by Sarah Goodman

  “Baby, I didn’t know you sang so well. You have a good voice,” Kate mumbles against my cheek. Oh shit, she’s getting drunk. I can’t have her drunk for what I am going to do.

  “I’ll sing to you every night, my sunshine. No more drinks for you!” I ask the waitress to bring two glasses of water for my girl.

  It’s approaching midnight and it’s almost ‘Show Time’ for me. The female announcer calls me up on the stage. I grab the mic and tell the audience, “This song is for my country girl!” Then I point to her. She hides her face in her hands then throws her head back and laughs.

  The band starts up with the guitarist strumming the strings. I start to sing the song that made me fall head over heels in love with her. I sing to her our song, I Want Crazy by Hunter Hayes. Kate’s bright blue eyes are on me the whole time. I’m trying my damnedest to sing out every feeling I have for her. The crowd seems to really enjoy my performance; even the guitarist stands next to me and we rock together. Who knows, maybe my next career choice just might be singing!

  The song comes to an end and Kate stands up, clapping away and even blows me a kiss. I stand there with the mic and everyone is waiting for the female announcer to come up and announce the next song.

  “I was going to take a break, but, hey, I’m on a roll. So, this is my last song for my beautiful girl. But for me to sing it, I need her up here by my side.”

  Kate looks blown away. The guys know what I am up to, so Jacob grabs Kate’s hand and walks her to the stage. The staff at the bar knows of my plans and the female announcer comes out with a chair to sit on. Kate has a dumbfounded expression on her face. She comes to me and I give her a kiss and guide her to her chair. I look behind me to the band to signal it’s okay to start.

  The guitarist stands next to me and slowly starts the chords to the song. I softly sing to her, and only to her. Once she realizes I am singing the song Marry Me by Train, I see the happy tears pool in her eyes. In that moment I want the song to be over, but I keep going because this song has so many heartfelt words that I feel towards her. Once the song is over, the guitarist takes the mic, and I get down on bended knee in front of her. She places her hand over her mouth and is doing a combo of laughing and crying at the same time. I grab her hands and place them in mine.

  “My sunshine, my beautiful Kate. I love you more today than I did when I first told you I love you. I promise to love you a little more every day. I promise to be your everything, just as you are my everything. I want to spend forever with you. I love you, Kate. Please make me the luckiest man in the world and marry me.”

  She swings her arms around my neck and shouts, “YES! YES! YESSS!”

  I pull out the ring that has been in my pocket all night. I take her left hand and slide the beautiful solitaire canary diamond ring, smaller white diamonds surround the stone and around the platinum band. She gasps when she sees the ring, it might be a little big for her taste, but she holds the sun for me and the sun is big.

  “I decided on yellow, because you’re my sunshine, you’re the light I’m destined to follow forever. I love you.”

  “Oh my God, Luke, this is amazing. I love it, and I love you so much. This is the best birthday ever.”

  Hearing those words, I know I did good.

  TODAY IS THE day that I have dreamt of since I was a little girl. Today is the day I thought would never come. I chuckle at the memory of Beth and I playing brides, and we would get in so much trouble for using all the toilet paper for our veils and trains. Nana would make us roll it all back up. Those are such fun memories.

  I’m lying in Beth’s guest bed. Luke and the men have taken over my house. What a tidal wave of experiences for Luke and me, these last six months have been. Out of the last six months, June was the hardest for us. Luke tried his hardest to get my mind focused on the wedding, but the preceding weeks of Luka’s due date were especially hard. Then Luke’s birthday was on Father’s day this year and that was difficult. If fate had other plans, Luka would have been with Luke and me on his birthday and Father’s day.

  Next it was the Fourth of July, and the families all got together for a barbecue. Luke and I sat in the driveway for an extra fifteen minutes while I tried to control my tears. Seeing the kids run around and the babies in their parents’ arms, it was agony to put on a happy face. Granted we didn’t stay long and it wasn’t because of me. Julia got stung by a wasp and had an allergic reaction to it. So, we spent the evening in the ER.

  The following months flew by; my mom and nana were making sure this would be the wedding of the year. For Halloween, we stuck with tradition and went to Danika’s. We had pizza, and Danika and her roommates had a blast dressing the girls up as princesses. My children looked like something out of Toddlers and Tiara’s. I couldn’t believe the amount of makeup. I was calm and bit my tongue, but Luke wasn’t too pleased. Luke was out numbered, but only because it was Halloween.

  Just two days ago was Thanksgiving. It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since the fiasco of the last Thanksgiving. This year we held it at our place. We rented a tent and had this huge outdoor Thanksgiving dinner. The kids had a blast running around, we went horseback riding, and ate a ton. Last night was our rehearsal dinner, it was at the same restaurant Luke and I confessed our love to one another and the place where I told him I was pregnant, just over a year ago. It was a bittersweet moment, but we wanted it there for those reasons. It was beautiful; Luke’s parents went over and beyond. Luke and I enjoyed our family and friends. We laughed the whole night through.

  Luke gifted me beautiful diamond and sapphire earrings to wear today for my something blue. Nothing huge, but simple sapphires surrounded by smaller white diamonds. Luke says the stone matches the color of my eyes.

  My other favorite moment of the night was when our loved ones gave speeches. The only one that didn’t present one was my Granddaddy. He said he was saving it for the big day. I know I’m going to need a ton of waterproof mascara.

  Beth barges into my room as I continue to reminisce over the last six months. “Katie! Wakey-wakey. You’re getting married today! EEEEKK!” She squeals as she runs and plops on the bed next to me. “Girlfriend, do you know how long I have waited for this day…Twenty-seven years. Even though it seems like yesterday we were playing toilet paper bride. I’m so excited for you. This is going to be the biggest, best wedding this side of town has ever seen.”

  “Yes, it is. Like I say…go big or go home!” And boy, have we. Between Luke’s parents, my mom, my grandparents, and us we’re giving ourselves the wedding we always wanted. I’m looking forward to the moment that I walk across the mansion’s gardens and see Luke waiting for me by the lake. I can’t wait to see his face. We’re getting married at a huge historic mansion on one of the million lakes in Florida. We’ll have the ceremony in the garden, cocktails in the parlor, and then the reception in one of the ballrooms.

  “Alright, let’s get up and go eat. First go brush your damn teeth, you have the worst morning breath ever.”

  “Shut up, Beth! Damn, I’m sure you don’t wake up smelling like vanilla and cherries.” I grunt as I throw a pillow at her.

  I go downstairs to see the kids running around and all my bridesmaids, mom, Nana, Ella’s mom, and Beth’s mom sipping on Mojitos around platters of bagels. Ella is sitting on the couch nursing Carly, and Maddie is in her Jumperoo, laughing as the triplets, twins, and Ella’s girl run around. Looking at all the women and children, I couldn’t be happier. I run back up stairs and grab my camera to take pictures. It’s these kinds of moments I want to cherish and remember.

  “Kate, I swear to God, if you take a picture of me this early in the morning nursing, I will cut up your dress,” Ella gripes to me.

  “OUCH, Mama! Don’t worry; I’m not. Plus, I don’t want your saggy tit in my picture.”

  “Kate! I do not have saggy tits! Maldita perra!” Ella runs from English to Spanish. She only speaks Spanish when she curses.

  I walk over to the
couch she’s sitting on, “You aren’t allowed to call me a bitch on my wedding day. Anyways, we all know you have gorgeous tits.” I kiss her on the cheek, and then Carly’s head. I get up and make my way to the coffee maker.

  We all sit down to bagels, fruit, and lots of Mojitos and coffee. By ten o’clock the makeup and hair team have arrived. Beth’s poor house looks like the circus came to town. We have a dozen hair people and six makeup people.

  God bless the women who work on the little girls. I imagined a wedding like Kate and Prince William. I want to have all the kids in the wedding. There are Ella’s daughters, but I decided to make Alexis a junior bridesmaid, since she didn’t want to be dressed like the little girls. Alexis is wearing a light purple dress and my bridesmaids are wearing the color eggplant. I thought it would be a disgusting color, but once I saw the dress on the girls it was beautiful. Ella’s youngest, Brooke, and my girls are the official flower girls. They are dressed in white satin and tulle dresses that have purple flower petals floating at the bottom of the dress. A purple sash goes around their waist and they’ll have purple and white baby roses in their hair.

  Now, the little men in my wedding party will be decked out in tuxedos matching the groomsmen, but they have purple bow ties instead of the neckties the groomsmen will be wearing. I have a huge surprise for Luke when those boys walk down the aisle. I really hope they do what I taught them last night.

  I slowly zone out as I’m getting my hair done. Since I’m ‘go big’ and all that, I’m sitting here getting extensions put in my hair. I want thick, long, big hair for my wedding. Luke loves my hair down, especially when I curl it, so I am going all out for him. The bridal party will either wear, or carry, one yellow rose in memory of Luka. Luke and I always make sure she has yellow roses displayed at her cross. We wanted Luka to be a part of our special day, and what better way than having her yellow roses a part of it.

  As soon as everyone’s hair and makeup is done, we’re on our way to the historic mansion. My mom, Ella’s mom, and Beth’s mom already loaded the kids in our trucks and drove to the venue. Grabbing our dresses we walk out front to the Hummer Limo escorting us. The driver took our dresses and bags and we huddle in the limo. The ladies and I drink champagne and laugh the whole way to my wedding.

  When the limo pulls up to the front of the mansion, I gasp at the decorating done by my wedding planner and florist. There are different hues of yellow and purple roses, purple hydrangeas, lilacs, sweet pea, lavender, hyacinth, and cream-colored roses all over the place, with deep purple and white fabric draped around the columns. Walking into the foyer there are more flowers. I’m so giddy and full of joy. I feel like I’m floating on clouds, or it may be the alcohol, but either way, I’m so happy. I meet our wedding planner in the foyer and she ushers the girls and me up to our room to finish getting ready. She assures me Luke wasn’t even there yet. That was my biggest requirement: he couldn’t see me. I’m a traditionalist and I want to stick with this tradition. Our dressing room looks out over the ceremony sight. Tears spring to my eyes as I look over the colorful garden. White chairs are set across the lawn, all with purple sashes. The pergola is adorned with the same flowers we saw out front. They have a table with jars of different color sand. Instead of doing a unity candle, we wanted to unite us all as a family.

  The mothers walk into the room with the little kids and we bribe the shit out of them to sit still so they don’t’ ruin anything. My mother, Nana, and Beth help me into my gown. The girls joke that my dress is so big and poufy that it could stand by itself. But I wanted the epitome of a wedding dress, and boy did I get it. I’m zipped into my princess ball gown dress, with a sweetheart neckline, a beaded bodice with a tulle skirt. My nana places my something old on my head, which was the tiara she wore at her wedding. She and Granddaddy have been married for fifty-five years, so it’s got to have some good luck, right? My mom places my cathedral veil on my head, behind the tiara. Danika sits on the floor and helps me into my shoes.

  The wedding planner comes into the room with the florist. The florist gives us all our bouquets and the basket of rose petals to the girls. Danika, Beth, and Ella snatch the baskets before I even open my mouth. My wedding planner informs me she’s going to get my Granddaddy. I’m so nervous for him to see me. He has been so much more than a father figure in my life. I’m extremely close to him and I’m so grateful that he’ll be walking me down the aisle. I’m sure it saddens him that he never got to do it for my mom.

  I stare at my beautiful step-daughter and sisters, the ones formed by friendship and the others brought into my life by marriages, who are dressed in deep purple sweetheart satin gowns. Danika is my maid of honor. I felt she deserved it the most and the ladies understood why I picked her. Luke was not having his daughter in a strapless gown, so Danika’s has straps. All the girls are beautiful and I’m so anxious to see Luke. We’ve been through so much in the past year. I hope our next chapter in life is just like this, pure happiness.

  Granddaddy walks in with a handkerchief already to his face, crying. I’m assuming Nana warned him. He walks to me and I bend down a little to hug him. I’m sporting four-inch heels. When the time comes, I want to get as close as I can to Luke’s lips.

  “Darling, you are absolutely stunning. I’m happy we have a doctor in the wedding party, because Luke’s going to have a heart attack when he sees you. WOW! Katie, you are breathtaking.”

  “Granddaddy, don’t go saying stuff like that. No one is going to need doctors. But, thank you. If anything, I hope I do leave him breathless.”

  My mom pushes her dad aside, and gives me a hug. Then she shows me these antique pearls she drapes in my bouquet. “These pearls were saved for me, and now they are for you. Then one day you will pass then down to your daughters.” She hugs me tight and Ella sees the tears and already runs to my rescue with tissues.

  “No more crying. This is a happy joyous day, no more tears,” Ella declares.

  IT’S TIME! TIME to go meet my soon-to-be-husband. I’m so ready for the moment I could run to him. We’re all lined up in the sunroom, which is nothing but glass walls and a glass ceiling. I can already see the men and Luke. He’s fidgeting. I can tell he’s so nervous. He looks so damn sexy in his tux…holy cow! I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything sexier than what I’m looking at now.

  “Katie, stop drooling honey, you’ll mess up your makeup.” Beth laughs to me.

  “Do you see what I am looking at? I’m going to need Danika to hold my jaw up, so I don’t drool.”

  “Kate, that’s so disgusting, that’s my father, remember.”

  “Sorry, babe, but your daddy is hot.”

  “Ugh! You are so putting nasty images in my head.”

  “Don’t worry, babe, I promise not mention our wedding night.” I wink at her. She turns around and faces the line.

  “YUCK!” she mumbles.

  Beth starts to yell at the boys, since they’re taking their signs and hitting each other with them. We came across the idea on Pinterest that the boys will carry signs. Grant’s says: ‘Luke’, and Evan’s says ‘Your Bride’, and Cole’s says: ‘Is Coming’. Beth informed me there was no way they would hold pillows like they should. So the signs are made out of cardboard and draped in ribbon to hang around the boys’ necks.

  I watch as Luke’s parents walk down the aisle, then my mother and Nana. Finally the French doors open and the wedding planner cues us when it’s time to go. Alexis is the first to go, then Leah, Lilly, Ella, Beth, and Danika. The wedding planner has Brooke, Julia, and Nicole side by side with the boys and they start to walk. Granddaddy and I laugh as it looks like a huddle of kids throwing petals and running. After I catch my breath, I look out to my man. My eyes meet his and it hits me like a ton of bricks. I could hear the quartet playing my song while Granddaddy and I make our way to Luke. Other than that, I don’t notice anything but Luke.

  The closer I get to Luke the more I see the tears rolling down his cheeks. Granddaddy was right. He
is breathless! The minister asks who gives me away, and Granddaddy, along with Nana and Mom, say, “We do.” Granddaddy gives me a kiss, and then places my hand in Luke’s and steps away. I scoot to be closer to Luke.

  “Sunshine, I don’t think I have ever seen anything so beautiful in my life. You are gorgeous.”

  “I love you,” I whisper back.

  We just gaze into each other’s eyes as the minister talks. When it comes to our vows we stick with traditional. When I finish mine, and we are about to exchange rings, a beautiful yellow and black butterfly came flying over and landed on Luke’s yellow and purple boutonniere. He and I both gasp, as we know this is Luka being a part of our day. She’s with us. Luke takes his thumb and wipes away the tear that slipped down my cheek. We exchange rings, as the butterfly still sits there. When I turn around to see Danika she has tears sliding down her cheeks. She knows what this means to us.

  The minister pronounces us husband and wife. When Luke goes in for the kiss, the butterfly flies away. We watch it fly off over the lake. We look at each other and whisper, “Luka,” then he leans in and we kiss. The crowd stands and cheers for us.

  We receive the same applause and cheers as we walk into our reception. Luke escorts me to the dance floor as the DJ announces us as Mr. and Dr. Ashton. I smile up to him. “I love the sound of that.”

  “What’s that, sunshine?”

  “Kate Ashton.”

  “That’s Dr. Kate Ashton,” Luke replies.

  We hear the music starting and Luke moves to the piano playing. “Umm, Luke this isn’t the song we picked.” We had picked out I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz, but what I’m hearing sounds more country.

  “I know. I had it changed at the last minute. As much as I love the song we picked, I wanted this song for you. To show you just how much I love you. I prayed to God every night for him to bring you to me. You showed up when I least expected it. You’ve helped me in ways you’ll never know. I’ve never been more thankful to God for finally answering my prayers when he saw fit to send me you. Baby, God gave me you.”