The strapless gown she tried on was made of pure white silk that hugged her every curve. The skirt flared out gracefully below her hips, and when she walked, she looked as if she were walking on air. As she stepped out of the dressing room, the small train gracefully trailed her.
Miranda and the girls were still pulling dresses off the rack when Angel walked into the room. Hope looked up first, freezing when she saw her mother. “Wow.”
Miranda followed Hope’s gaze over to Angel, who stood on a platform in the corner of the room. “Wow,” she echoed. She put the dress in her hands on a nearby chair. “If you wear that, every man in the country is going to want to marry you.”
Angel giggled. “Do you like it?”
“It’s gorgeous!”
“I think this is the one.”
“I think you’re right.”
Grace threw down the dress in her hand and ran over to the window. “Mommy, Mommy. I see Kevin.”
The girls flew to the window as Angel peeked around the corner, not wanting Kevin to see her in what might be her wedding dress. “Where he’s going?” she wondered aloud.
“Nowhere fast apparently,” Miranda commented. “All the tourists keep stopping him for an autograph.”
Angel looked puzzled. “Why would they do that?”
Miranda arched an eyebrow. “Well, the man is a singer, songwriter, director, and an actor.”
“Oh yeah.” Angel leaned against the wall. “He must be more popular than I thought.”
“Really, Mom.” Hope rolled her eyes and walked to the dress rack behind her, picking up the dress her sister had thrown onto the floor.
When Miranda gave Angel a funny look, she snapped out of her daze. “Oh well, let me get out of this dress. Say, did you girls find anything that you like?”
* * *
Miranda turned a baffled look toward Kevin, who was still slowly working his way down the street. Was it possible that Angel didn’t really know who he was? “Nah,” she muttered to herself and turned to help the girls finish their shopping.
Two days later at the Minister of Children’s Affairs home, the wedding preparations were in full swing. The decorations were in place and the staff busily arranging flowers and lighting candles. Miguel looked into the mirror again, checking his reflection for the hundredth time. “Are you sure my tie is on straight?” He turned to face Kevin. “We’ve got to look sharp tonight, amigo. Are you sure I look okay?”
Kevin sat on the edge of the table. “Yes, Miguel, you look fine. What’s up with you?”
Miguel looked like a deer caught in the headlights. “I don’t know. Just nervous, I guess.”
“What have you got to be nervous about? I’m the one getting married.”
For a moment neither one of them spoke, the silence echoing across the room. Then Miguel leaned against the wall and folded his arms across his chest. “How’d you do it, man?”
“Do what?”
“Angel’s always been so careful not to get too close to any man. How’d you get her to marry you?”
Kevin thought about that for a moment. “Honestly, I don’t know. I mean, I must have done something right or we wouldn’t be here. But as for exactly what that something was…” Kevin shrugged.
Miguel looked into the mirror again. “You are one lucky bastard. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
Kevin smiled to himself. He couldn’t argue with that. He looked over at his friend, who was once again checking out his image in the mirror, and couldn’t resist. He moved closer to Miguel, looking at his friend’s reflection over his shoulder. “Wait a minute. Do I see a zit?”
Miguel nudged Kevin with his forearm. “Oh, you think you’re funny, don’t you?”
“No…really.” Kevin pointed at his friend’s chin. “I see it. It’s right there.”
Miguel jerked back around to the mirror. “Where?” he fretted, searching in vain for the pimple.
Kevin chuckled. “Relax. You look fine.”
Miguel turned to give Kevin an annoyed look, and then they both laughed as Tomás came into the room. “Okay, guys. We have to take our places now. The ceremony is about to begin.”
Angel sat at the elegant dressing table in one of the many bedrooms in Minister Sanchez’s sprawling two-story mansion. The woman staring back at her from the mirror looked absolutely radiant, a far cry from the woman who had stared back at her only two weeks earlier. Her trip to the spa this afternoon, a gift from Max, had left her skin glowing brilliantly, and her soft honey-blonde hair was curled under and bounced freely around her bare shoulders.
Her only adornment, a pair of small pearl earrings that her mother had given her on her sixteenth birthday, was perfect with her new dress as were the delicate silver sandals she had bought the day before. In her left hand, she held a small white handkerchief that had once belonged to Miranda’s maternal grandmother and on her right thigh was a baby-blue garter. She was all set. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. A bouquet of pastel tulips sat on the table in front of her, waiting for her to make her grand entrance into a new life.
Using the reflection in the mirror, she could see her girls playing quietly in the corner of the room with their handheld video games, and she smiled. They looked adorable in their cute pastel dresses, each of them a different style and color of the rainbow, just like her girls. She picked up her eye shadow and went to work. It wouldn’t be long now.
As she was about to finish her makeup, there was a knock.
Hope opened the door enough to peek out. Obviously liking whoever it was, she opened the door wider and hugged the tall gentleman fiercely around his waist. “Granddad! I’ve missed you.”
“Hi, sweetheart. I’ve missed you too.”
“Granddad’s here!” Hope informed the room.
Angel smiled at her father, letting Hope lead him into the room, his black three-piece suit, freshly pressed. The other two girls ran eagerly up to him. “Hi, Granddad!” they greeted him in turn.
“Hey, girls. How’re my little chickadees?” He bent down to hug them.
The girls spent several minutes talking to their grandfather before they settled down again. When they moved away, Miranda came over to hug him as well. “Hello, Mr. Meeker. I’m so glad you’re here.”
He smiled warmly. “Well, I couldn’t very well miss it since I’m giving the bride away, now could I?” He looked around, making sure there was no one within earshot of him. “Say, do you know this guy, the groom? I heard someone downstairs say he was an actor.”
Miranda smiled affectionately. “Yes sir. He’s a friend of the family, and he’s a wonderful man. He adores Angel and the girls.” She leaned in closer and pinched his cheek. “And he’s cute too. Just like you.”
He smiled back at her. “Yes, well, we all know how important that is.”
Miranda laughed and hugged him again. “Come on, girls. Let’s get your flowers in your hair.”
Angel stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Hi, Dad.”
He put his arm around her and hugged her close. “Angel, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you. You look pretty dapper yourself. I’m so glad you’re here.” She reached up to straighten his tie.
“I wouldn’t dream of missing your wedding. Angel, Are you happy?’
She smiled. “I’m very happy.”
There was a quick knock on the door, and a household staff member stuck her head in. “They are ready to begin.”
“Come on, girls, let’s go.” Miranda escorted the girls into the hall, leaving Angel and her father alone.
“There’s still time to change your mind, Angel.”
She giggled. “I love you, Daddy.”
He took a deep breath, smiled, and offered her his arm. “I love you too, sweetheart.”
* * *
Kevin, Miguel and Tomás stood on one side of the elegant, candle-laden room, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Kevin looked out at the small gathering of their family
and friends before him and smiled reassuringly. His family, as well as Angel’s, had many questions. He could see it on their faces, but they would have to wait. He had to make this Angel his. He couldn’t think past that.
As the music began, Miranda, Hope, and then Faith came down the aisle in succession. They all looked beautiful, but he knew they wouldn’t hold a candle to his bride. Then came little Grace, her face intent as she tackled her job. She tossed out the colorful tulip petals from her basket as she walked down the aisle toward him, her determined face watching him every step of the way.
When she reached the front, instead of walking over to take her place in the procession, she walked over to Kevin and tugged on his pants leg. He bent down to her level. “What is it sweetie?”
The music paused. Grace put a hand on either side of his face. “If you marry Mommy, does that mean you’re gonna be our daddy?”
Kevin took her hands in his. “Well, I’ll have to discuss that with Mommy. But I’d really like to be. Would that be okay?”
Grace nodded solemnly.
He looked at the other girls. “What about you two?”
Faith and Hope glanced at each other, then smiled and nodded to Kevin.
“Well, okay then. I’ll talk to Mommy.”
Grace threw her hands in the air, flinging the rest of the petals from her basket. “Yes. We have a daddy!”
The crowd giggled, and Grace walked over to take her place as the music started, announcing the arrival of the bride. Kevin looked to the back of the room and found his Angel looking like a pure vision gliding down from heaven. Holding steadfastly to her father’s arm, she smiled and slowly made her way down the aisle.
When they reached the front, Kevin stepped forward and faced Angel’s father for the first time. Mr. Meeker smiled at Kevin, giving him Angel’s hand before taking his seat next to his wife.
Kevin took Angel’s hand and pulled her forward to stand with him, and the ceremony began.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the face of this congregation to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God and commended to be honorable among all men. Therefore, it is not to be taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God, duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained.”
The reverend turned to Kevin. “Kevin, do you take this woman, Angelina Meeker, to be thy lawfully wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and cherish her, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
Kevin couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he turned to Angel with his answer. “I do.”
The reverend continued, “And do you, Angelina, take this man, Kevin Martin, to be thy lawfully wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor, and cherish him, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
Angel turned to Kevin in complete bewilderment. “Martin?” she whispered.
He saw the confusion on her face. “Oh God, no.”
“Kevin…Martin?” she muttered.
He nodded slightly, and she closed her eyes. He’d never be able to live with himself if he lost her. “Oh God, please say yes, Angel. Please say yes,” he whispered.
She opened her eyes.
“Please?” he begged again breathlessly.
Slowly, her fingers tightened around his and the color returned to her pale cheeks. She was still clearly baffled, but her words were loud and clear. “I do.”
Kevin felt faint with relief.
The reverend, looking somewhat unsure of the situation, went on, “And now, we will proceed with the exchange of the wedding rings.”
Miguel and Miranda both stepped forward, each placing a wedding band onto the Bible. The reverend held out the Bible, offering Kevin one of the rings. “Kevin, place this ring on your bride’s left ring finger, and then repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”
Kevin took the small gold band and placed it gently on Angel’s finger. “With this ring, I thee wed,” he said, looking into her eyes, which were so filled with doubt and mistrust.
The reverend turned to Angel. “Angelina, place this ring on your groom’s left ring finger and also, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”
Angel picked up the plain gold band and hesitated. Kevin whispered, “Angel, please trust me.” Her reservation was evident when she looked into his eyes. “I promise I’ll explain everything.”
She took a deep breath and nodded before shakily placing the gold band on his left ring finger. Her voice quivered when she quoted the vow, “With this ring, I thee wed.” A lone tear slid down her cheek.
“I love you, Angel,” he whispered, wiping away the tear with the back of his hand.
“I know,” she whispered back.
The reverend continued uncertainly. “Please…ah, join me as I ask for God’s blessing of this most holy of unions.”
Kevin helped Angel to kneel on the prayer bench in front of them before kneeling beside her.
“Let us pray.”
When every head was bowed, Kevin reached for her hand.
“Heavenly Father, creator of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name.”
Kevin gave her fingers a gentle squeeze.
“So that these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together.”
“I love you too,” Angel whispered, and Kevin tightened his fingers around her delicate hand.
The reverend concluded. “And live according to thy laws, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
“Amen,” everyone echoed.
Kevin stood, helped Angel up, and they turned to face the reverend for the last time.
“Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Kevin. Angelina. I now pronounce you man and wife. Kevin, you may now kiss your bride.”
Kevin took half a step and pulled Angelina close to him. He felt the uncertainty in her movements as she allowed him to lightly place his lips on hers. He felt the tension, the hesitation, but he waited patiently for her to kiss him back, determined to have that much from her. He gently pushed her lips open with his tongue and she responded, ever so slightly, before she melted into him. Satisfied for the moment, he pulled back and let her go and their audience applauded.
The minister smiled broadly. “Kevin, Angelina, will you turn around and face your family and friends, please?”
Kevin and Angel turned in unison and joined hands for the first time as man and wife.
“Let me be the first to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Martin.”
A camera flashed from the back of the room—Max, capturing the moment.
14
A couple of hours later, the newlyweds walked into the honeymoon suite of La Isadora Hotel—or perhaps stomped would have been more accurate for Angel. Without a single word, she ran straight for the bathroom and slammed the door behind her.
“Hey, Angel.” Kevin dropped their luggage and stood in front of the bathroom door. He went to knock, but then hesitated. It might be better to give her a few minutes alone to think. He could definitely use a moment to gather his own thoughts. He picked up their luggage, set hers on the rack and his on the floor beside it. Then he sat on the bed to wait. He rubbed his eyes and sighed. The only light in the room came from a small bedside lamp near him, but even that felt too harsh, making his eyes burn.
Even though she had been polite and pleasant with their guests earlier, she had barely uttered a word to him since they were pronounced man and wife, and it didn’t look like things were
going to get any better. The silence was deafening. Then, through the door, he heard the quick click, click, click of her high-heeled shoes on the bathroom tile as she paced the floor. Kevin sighed again and fell back on the bed. It was going to be a long night.
Moments later, the pacing stopped and the room fell silent. Kevin sat up straight and looked at the door, willing it to open. He wanted to get this part over with, explain things to her. A few seconds later, her heels clicked at a snail's pace on the tile. She slowly opened the door and came out, ready to face him, ready for battle. Kevin stood and waited.
Angel walked over to him and stood just out of his reach. Folding her arms defiantly across her chest, she spoke. “Explain.”
“I… Oh God, Angel, I am so sorry.”
She stood there, waiting…like the calm before the storm.
He tried again. “I was afraid to tell you.”
With one fine eyebrow arched, she spat out her response. “Afraid? You were afraid to tell me you’re one of the most famous people walking the earth, afraid to tell me you’re a movie icon, afraid to be honest with me?” She turned away and began to pace again, pain in her eyes. “I don’t understand! Why, Kevin? Why would you think it was okay to mislead me, to make me think you’re somebody that you’re not?”
She stopped pacing and turned her back to him, wrapping her arms tightly around her shoulders.
He’d seen her angry before but not to this extent and never directed at him. That much fury and rage wrapped up in one woman was disconcerting, not to mention useless. It didn’t change anything. He still loved her, and she loved him. So what was the point? He didn’t want her anger; he wanted her wrapped around him in the throes of passion. He didn’t want to fight, but if she wanted one, she would damn well get one.
“I never lied to you. And I thought then what I think now. Once people find out who I am, it’s a whole new ball game, isn’t it, sweetheart?”
She swung around to face him. “What?”
Angel's Mission Page 17