Revealing Destiny

by C. J. Corbin

  "To Marcus and Nancy!" We toasted once again.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  The next morning after breakfast, we met in the library with the dress designer. She was an older woman who appeared to be no-nonsense. Her fingers were quick and skilled as she measured and marked the dresses. Handing the dresses off to her assistants, they immediately sat down and started making the alterations.

  Nancy was radiant in her wedding dress. It was an ivory satin and lace column sheath which was off the shoulders with a court train. Her elegance was breathtaking. It brought tears to my eyes.

  "Oh Nancy, you’re beautiful." I said.

  "It is wonderful, isn't it? I feel like Cinderella." Nancy sighed.

  Marie let out a whistle, "You do clean up fine!"

  We laughed.

  "Okay Miss Elizabeth, your turn." Madam Bernard indicated.

  I shrugged off my robe and she slipped a tight white piece of satin over my head. It clung to all right places and she made some marks around my belly as she kneeled in front of me. I was confused, this wasn't the dress I had tried on several months ago.

  "Is this the right dress, Madam Bernard?" I asked.

  She looked up at me and took the pins out of her mouth. "No, Miss Elizabeth. I'm using this for measurements only." She patted my belly affectionately, "You have a little more than you had the last time you were here, but we can make do. It won't show at all."

  "Really? I feel like a big fat pregnant woman." I countered.

  Nancy hugged my shoulders, "Oh Elizabeth, you’re far from being big and fat. It’s wonderful to see the baby growing."

  Marie squeezed my waist, "Oh Cher we are so glad that Michael found you."

  "Now," Madam Bernard interjected, "Let's see what the maid-of-honor dress looks like."

  I loved these women. Their friendship meant a great deal to me and it reminded me of how fortunate I was to have them in my life.

  Our fittings continued until the early afternoon. Madam Bernard was satisfied with all the necessary alterations and whisked the dresses away to make the final changes. It had tired me out though and I went upstairs to rest up before the party. A beautiful spring day greeted me when I opened the French doors leading to the balcony to let the breeze in.

  Twilight had arrived when I awoke and found a small quilt covering me. Michael must have returned from his errands. I took a quick shower and then slipped into my cocktail dress. It was black, tight, short, and showed off my little pooch.

  I patted my belly. I was rather proud of my pooch. I looked in the mirror and liked what I saw. Even with the baby bump, I wanted to look sexy for Michael. I had to make do with a flat pair of sandals. The bruising and swelling on my ankle had cleared enough so it wasn't hideous to look at. However, there was no way I could wear heels yet.

  Making my way down the stairs, I headed toward the library where I heard voices. Most likely, everyone would be meeting there. I didn't knock but ambled on into the room. What I saw stopped me in my tracks. Oh no!

  There with his arms around her, and holding her in a tight embrace were Michael and Brigitte. He was murmuring something into her ear. My first inclination was to turn and run. My heart started racing so fast I thought it was going to leap out of my chest. No. This cannot be happening. Then a single word popped into my mind.

  Trust. Trust Michael. Trust him.

  He looked up in alarm when he saw the expression on my face. But, I stood there. I didn't move.

  "Elizabeth," he ventured.

  I held up my hand to stop him while Brigitte turned around. She had tears running down her face and she quickly used a tissue to blot at her eyes.

  "Oh, I'm sorry. Hi Elizabeth. My goodness, I didn't mean to blubber like a school girl," she began. "Big brother Michael was comforting me about my recent break-up."

  I walked over to them and put my hand on her arm. "I'm so sorry to hear that, Brigitte."

  "I will recover. I always do. I had better get dressed for the party. You look lovely, Elizabeth. Thank you, Michael." She left the room.

  Michael cupped my face in his hands. "Are you okay?"

  I nodded, "Yes. I'm fine."

  He smiled and his mouth covered mine with a soft kiss. "Trust?" He uttered cautiously.

  "Trust," I replied. "Implicit."

  He let out a big sigh of relief. "You are the sexiest woman on the planet tonight. This dress makes me want to ravage you right here."

  I laughed, "Ma Mére would have a heart attack."

  He grinned, "It would be worth it."

  He did not plunder me on the spot. We waited until after the party when we could pillage each other properly in our room.

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  The week went by in a whirlwind and before I knew it, Thursday arrived. Everyone was in high spirits at the church during the rehearsal, I could only imagine the dinner afterwards. We were all ready to let off some steam. The limos lined up outside the church waiting to whisk us off to the restaurant. I’d only met Nancy's family briefly before and enjoyed getting to know them during the week. She certainly received her sense of humor from both of her parents. They were a typical noisy Italian family.

  By the time we quit clowning around at the church and arrived at the restaurant, the party was in full swing. If a party of thirty-five people could be called intimate, then this was it. Cajun music greeted us immediately as we entered the room. Room had been set aside for a dance floor and Tommy grabbed my hand as soon as he saw me.

  "You owe me a dance Cher. I'll make it easy for you... I'll do all the footwork." He said as he took my hands and started dancing around me as I stood still. He mouthed the words of the song as he pirouetted around me.

  I clapped when the song was finished and gave him a big hug. Michael stepped in quickly and wrapped his arms around me.

  "Cher," he whispered Tommy's nickname for me in my ear. "Do you love me?" We started dancing to "Tell it Like it Is."

  I whispered in his ear, "I love you more every day." I pulled on his earlobe with my teeth and could feel a shiver run through him.

  "You make me crazy wanting you to be mine."

  "I'm already yours," I replied.

  He pulled slightly back and that's when I realized that we were the only two on the dance floor. Michael pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket and went down on one knee in front of me.

  "Then let's make it official. Marry me, Elizabeth. Marry me on Sunday." He opened the box and inside was my engagement ring, but it was different. Around the main stone, a small circle of diamonds had been added.

  The shock on my face was evident. The band stopped playing and I looked around, not one person was speaking.

  "Sunday?" I stammered. "This Sunday?"

  Michael gave me his sincerest blue-eyed puppy dog look, "Yes. We can get married out at Tommy and Marie's house. Just us two. Very simple. Two I do’s and we're married."

  My mind was spinning. I felt dizzy. He stood up, I looked into his eyes, and I knew the only possible answer.

  "Yes," I whispered. "I’ll marry you on Sunday." What was I doing? Hell if I knew. I did know, however, this was the only man I ever wanted and if he wanted me on Sunday, he’d have me on Sunday.

  He bent to kiss me and the room erupted in thunderous applause and cheers. He slipped the ring on my finger, "This is where it belongs."

  "How?" I asked.

  He grinned mischievously, "You should know by now I have my ways. You never realized I picked up the ring from the counter in the kitchen and then hurried you along."

  I smiled and looked at it closely, "It's beautiful."

  "Do you approve of the changes?"

  "Absolutely. I love it." I captured his lips with a promise of more to come.

  Marcus called for bottles of champagne and soon they were toasting us. The evening went at a blurring speed. I only wanted to be in Michael's arms and found myself snuggled against him during dinner. I didn't care what anyone thought about the two of us. This
is what I wanted.

  "I don't want you to stay at the hotel tonight. I want you to stay with me," I whispered against him.

  He looked at my wistfully, "Babe, I'm not going to stay with you until we're married."

  "What?" My face registered surprise. "Why not?"

  "We're going to be married on Sunday. I want a proper distance from you for the next few days."

  I pursed my lips together, "When did you get so decorous?"

  He chuckled and kissed my ear, "Let's do this the right way. I've already knocked you up."

  I laughed and patted my belly, "Did you hear that muffin? Daddy has admitted to knocking mommy up!"

  Christina came up behind us and draped herself over our shoulders. "You two are way too cozy in this corner. Someone might think you're getting married on Sunday! Way to go big brother! I like your style."

  "Hey, what about me?" I protested, "I said yes, you know."

  She laughed, "Finally set a date, too! Very brave of you. Oh and remember the dress you I showed you back at home?"

  "Yes?" I looked at her warily.

  She grinned like the Cheshire cat. "Our designer happens to have one just like it in your size!"

  "What?" Then the realization hit me. "Was that what she had me try on when she said she was just using it for my measurement?"

  Christina nodded. "It will be ready for you on Saturday."

  I looked at both Michael and Christina, then leaned over to Tommy and Marie who were listening into our conversation, and then across the table to Nancy and Markus. "You've all been in on this haven't you? I've been set up."

  Nancy reached over and squeezed my hand. "You don't mind do you?"

  I grinned, "I just hate being a foregone conclusion."

  Tommy kissed my hand, "Anything for Michael and you, Cher. It's going to be one hell of a weekend."

  They laughed. I leaned over to Marie and Tommy and in gratitude said. "Thank you for the use of your house. It will be perfect." I could feel the tears filling my eyes.

  "Babe, why are you crying?" He gently kissed me.

  "You've made me very happy."

  "And you make me very happy," he replied.

  We partied the night away and as the limos took us our separate ways, I knew there would be no late night naked women for Michael. Looking at Marcus and Tommy, I doubted for them either.

  CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

  The next morning, all the women met at Vacherie for breakfast. The anxiety was palatable. Nancy wasn't saying too much and taking too many sips from her bloody mary. I had no appetite and barely nibbled on my breakfast bread pudding. It was delicious, but my mind was whirling. I had one day, tomorrow, to concentrate on my wedding. Today was strictly Nancy's day.

  Michael told me that I could make it as simple as I wanted. Marie suggested using her garden for the ceremony, which was now in full bloom. They’d set up the porch with tables and chairs for the reception. Great Me-maw had volunteered to be in charge of all the food. I knew everything would be perfect in her capable hands.

  A judge friend of Marcus’s would officiate at the wedding. Michael was spending the morning picking up our wedding license and the same judge was officially waiving the normal seventy-two hour waiting period. It was good to have friends in high places.

  I leaned over to Nancy and noted that she was only poking at her eggs benedict. "Nerves?" I asked kindly.

  She smiled. "The day is finally here. I can't believe it. If you hadn't met Michael, I’d never have met Marcus. It's so funny how fate works. I remember barely nine months ago being on the book tour with you and meeting Marcus the first time. He swept me off my feet the first evening and I fell madly in love with him."

  "And he's madly in love with you Nancy. You can see it when he looks at you. There’s no one else in the room when he sees you."

  "I hope so," she said wistfully. "He is so alpha. He puts me up on a pedestal and it drives me crazy sometimes."

  "Are you ready?"

  She nodded. "Yes. I better be."

  "Eat something or that drink is going to play havoc with your stomach," I advised.

  "It already has," she agreed. Nancy picked up her fork, speared a piece of english muffin, and poached egg. She swirled it in the cajun hollandaise sauce and popped it in her mouth. "Mmmm..." she said as she savored it and slowly chewed. "The food in this city is going to kill me. I have to work out all the time to maintain my figure. These people party all the time and there’s always food."

  "You don't have to eat it all," I quipped.

  "Oh yes I do!" She laughed and took another swig of her cocktail.

  We finished our breakfast and headed back to the house. Once again, Simone had worked her magic on the house. The ballroom was finished, as was the tent outside. There were fresh cut flowers everywhere in the house. Even though I’d just finished breakfast, the smells coming from the kitchen were divine. Madam Bernard, Mr. Henri and the makeup artists were upstairs ready to help us dress.

  Madam Bernard and her assistants came into my room first. She had both dresses with her.

  "Let us try the important dress first. I want to make sure I got it right." She said holding up my wedding dress.

  There was a knock on the door and I heard Christina's voice. "Can I see?"

  "Come in, I'm putting it on right now." I called.

  Madam Bernard held the dress over my head and helped me to slip into it. The satin glided over my skin softly. Both Christina and she let out an audible breath.

  "Oh c'est manifique! It is perfect, Elizabeth." She said as she zipped up the dress on the side and stepped back.

  There were tears in Christina's eyes as she stood in front of me, "Oh god, Elizabeth, you’re stunning. Michael is going to die when he sees you."

  "Do you think so?" I asked quietly as I gazed at myself in the mirror. "Oh Christina, Madam Bernard thank you so much! The dress is beautiful."

  "Non," Madam Bernard argued, "It’s not the dress, it’s you who are, beautiful. My dear Elizabeth, you’re a radiant bride." She stepped back behind me and I could see her critical eye working. "You see," she placed her hands on my hips, "We left room for your bébé too! You cannot tell you are pregnant. It is an old trick of gathering the material just enough to cover everything. I have had to do this with many brides."

  Even though the dress was so tight I looked like I had been poured into it, my little pooch didn't show at all. I was so happy I was giddy.

  After removing the gown, I continued to prepare for Nancy's wedding. Later, I joined Nancy in her room where her mother and sisters had already gathered. Mr. Henri had finished her hair and we helped her get into her dress. Her mother started crying immediately.

  "Mom stop," Nancy pleaded. "You're going to ruin your make-up."

  "Oh my little girl is getting married," her mother sobbed.

  I was beginning to tear up too and Nancy saw me, "Oh don't you start, Elizabeth."

  Her dad knocked on the door and called. "The limos are here ladies. We need to get over to the church. The boys have arrived and are inside now."

  "We'll be right there, Dad." Nancy called to him while Madam Bernard continued to fuss with her dress. "Are the horse and carriage teams at the church?"

  He chuckled, "Yes, and apparently they’re causing quite a traffic jam. Everything is okay though. They have police officers directing traffic."

  She smiled warmly, "That's my man. Marcus took care of all details. Dad, come on in."

  Her father opened the door and he started to cry too. The emotional Italians.

  Her mother started crying again, "Look at our little girl, Anthony."

  "Mom, Dad." Nancy hugged her parents. "Let's go and get me married!"

  CHAPTER FIFTY

  The only word for the wedding was marvelous. The attendees packed the church to the rafters. The wedding party was so handsome in their wedding clothes. When Michael accompanied me down the aisle at the end of the ceremony, it gave me a shiver of what was to come
on Sunday.

  Eight sets of carriages with horses lined up outside the doors to take the wedding party back to the house. By the time we arrived at the house, twilight was setting in. The house was a blaze of twinkle lights outside and I was sure every light inside was on. Valets stood outside to park the cars of the guests.

  Michael stepped out of the carriage first and then effortlessly lifted me up to set me on the pavement. My heart stopped as he kissed me and whispered. "Our turn next." His eyes reflected the soft light around us. I nodded but didn't say anything because I was overwhelmed and he noticed. "I promise it will not be this fancy." He tucked my arm into the crook of his elbow and led me into the house.

  A flurry of activity greeted us and from that moment on, there was no time to think or breathe for that matter. I enjoyed every minute, but at the end of the evening, I was exhausted. All the guests had left and the newlyweds left for their penthouse suite at the Windsor Court Hotel where they’d be staying until they left on their honeymoon on Tuesday. Michael almost had to carry me upstairs to our room. He helped me to undress and said his good night.

  "Why can't you stay?" I appealed. I knew he wanted to. The fire was evident in his eyes, and in the way, he stroked my face with his fingers.

  He leaned his forehead against mine and whispered softly, "Because this is the way it should be my love. I want to do this right. I love you Elizabeth. I'll see you for lunch tomorrow. I want you to sleep in. Frederick will have someone bring breakfast up to you."

  "Okay,” I agreed and then shut the door behind him. I could tell he didn't walk away immediately, but waited and then I heard his footsteps going down the hall.

  I lay in bed for a long time. My mind was still in overdrive. My pending wedding was foremost in my mind. As the occupants of the house settled down, the noise level abated and I finally was able to drift off to sleep.