Before she could finish, the door opened behind me and I swear the temperature in the room dropped a few degrees.
“Tabitha, your makeup isn’t done. You need to let the woman finish so we can get you into that dress or you’ll still be taking pictures when the guests arrive.” She didn’t even address my presence in the room, but the look on her face was enough to tell me she wasn’t happy to see me in here.
“Of course, Mother. Can you make sure they’re set up for us in the courtyard and the guys are still in the study? I don’t want Jonathon seeing me.”
“I just checked with Mr. Carlson. He’s finished with the groom photos and is ready for you ladies outside. Jonathon knows to remain in the study until he is retrieved by the minister.”
“I know, but can you just be sure? I would hate for him to come out to use the bathroom or something silly at the same time I’m coming down.”
With an impatient sigh, my mother acquiesced, but not before pinning me with a hard look. “You should be getting ready yourself, not holding up your sister.”
I said nothing as she left the room, but Tabbi gave a roll of her eyes at her back. When she was gone, Tabbi shuffled over to her chair, gesturing for me to come stand by her. “I’m almost done here and then I wanted to talk to you. I know you need to get ready, but it won’t take long.”
It was her wedding day, and she’d been nothing but pleasant toward me since I set foot in this house. I couldn’t deny her, so I took a seat out of the way on the bed while she and her bridesmaids finished readying. It wasn’t long before the artist pronounced her work done and began packing up the makeup.
Tabbi spent several moments gazing into the mirror, checking every angle before turning to her bridesmaids and then the photographer in the room. “You can all go wait for me in the courtyard. Sonya, you can stay.”
“But I’m supposed to help you into your dress,” Lauren protested.
“Celia will help me.”
“But I’m the maid of honor,” Lauren pointed out, as if everyone needed reminding.
“I know, and Celia is my sister and I want her to help me.”
There were no more arguments, though Lauren did nothing to hide how annoyed she was as she followed the other four girls, dressed in their matching peach dresses, out of the room.
“You don’t mind, do you?” Tabbi asked, walking over to the mass of satin, lace, and tulle that hung on the door to the en-suite.
“Of course not.” I helped her free the layers of fine fabric from the hanger and step into the dress while Sonya clicked away.
“You know, I wanted you to be in the wedding. I wanted you to be my maid of honor,” she said over her shoulder as I carefully tugged the form fitted dress over her hips.
“Oh.” It was lame, but it was the only thing my mind could spit out, and having a heart to heart while this Sonya woman snapped pictures of me helping Tabbi into her dress felt a little awkward.
“Mom said you wouldn’t come. She said I would be better asking Lauren. I should have ignored her, but I was afraid she was right. That you would have said no.”
“I might have,” I admitted, sensing her guilt, but not understanding where it was coming from or why now. “If you had called me up to ask, I wouldn’t have known what to think about it. I wouldn’t have believed you were being genuine.” I began hooking the little loops over the pearl buttons to close the back of the dress.
“I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have blamed you. I know our relationship has never been easy or affectionate, but I truly was thrilled when I got your RSVP. I would have asked you to at least be in the wedding then, but it was such short notice and Mom …” she trailed off.
“Don’t worry about it.” I hooked the final button, then said, “There. All done.”
Smoothing her hands down the front of the bodice, she turned to Sonya. “Can you give us a moment? Maybe wait downstairs and get a few of me coming down the staircase before we head out to the courtyard?”
“Of course.” Sonya slipped out of the room, leaving me alone with my sister. I wondered what more she could have to say.
I watched my sister eye herself in the full-length mirror, turning this way slightly and then that way. She was stunning, but her expression did not reflect that of a happy bride. Her lips tried to form a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes, which were almost sad when she turned away from the mirror to face me. “You should be a part of this day.”
The place in me I’d learned to harden against my sister cracked and then softened. “I am. I’m right here.”
“It’s not the same.”
“But it’s enough. It really is. I don’t need one of those peach dresses, or to stand beside you to feel like a part of this. You’ve already made sure I do, little sister.”
She swiped at her eyes which had begun to water. “Ugh, and I hoped I’d at least make it to the vows before I started crying.”
“I’m sorry.” I gave her a rueful smile.
“No, I’m sorry. I wish I hadn’t let Mom talk me out of what I wanted.”
“It’s okay, I know how she can be.”
“That’s just it though, I’ve let Mom dictate most of my life. I should have stood up to her a long time ago. I should have stood up to her about so much. I should have stood up for you back then.”
My insides clenched. “Today is supposed to be a happy day. Maybe we shouldn’t dredge this all back up.”
“I need to. I’ve had a thousand opportunities to reach out to you and say something. I don’t want to let another one go by. I wasn’t a good sister. I know that. I was perfectly happy being the good daughter and letting you bear the brunt of all Mom and Dad’s disappointment. But what they did was wrong. I know they forced you to get that abortion.”
I started to shake my head. Wasn’t reliving this twice enough? I couldn’t do it again.
“Please, just let me get this out. Jonathon and I are leaving for Paris in the morning and I don’t want it to be another six years before we speak again. I was wrong to sit by and let them treat you like that when you got pregnant, but it took me a long time to realize that. I kept telling myself it was your fault, that you’d always created your own messes, but it wasn’t true. You never had anyone on your side. Sisters are supposed to stick together.
“I’m sorry I never had your back. I’m sorry that it’s taken me this long to tell you all this. I’m ashamed I’ve let Mom control my life for this long, but I’m done worrying about pleasing her. I’m starting my own life and Jonathon is a good man. We’re going to build a family and I don’t want it to be anything like the one we grew up in, but I’d like for you to be a part of it. I want to be sisters again. I know this is a lot and I’m probably overwhelming you right now. I’m overwhelming myself and I can tell you didn’t expect any of this. I’m sure you want time to think and process, but can I call you when we get back from Paris?”
All I could do was nod and blink back the moisture I felt pooling in my eyes. She was right that I hadn’t expected any of this and it still felt a little Twilight Zone-y. This wasn’t the sister I remembered. I didn’t know how to feel or react.
Tabbi hugged me and it was only after she released me I realized I’d just stood there, once again caught off guard by her physical displays of affections.
“I guess I better go get this show on the road. I don’t want to keep everyone waiting.” Slipping her feet into a gorgeous pair of crystal encrusted Louboutins, she gracefully swept from the room.
I followed her and stood watching her about to descend the grand staircase. Before I even knew what I was doing, I heard myself call out to her. After everything she said, I couldn’t just let her walk away. She glanced back over her shoulder and I think I gave her the first real, not faked, smile since seeing her again.
“You look beautiful. Like a princess.”
I heard my mother’s voice steal her attention from downstairs, but not before she’d smiled back at me and it was the first time I
truly felt our sister connection.
Luke had already showered, shaved and dressed by the time I made it back to our room. He didn’t ask and I wasn’t quite ready to talk about the conversation I had with Tabbi. He just wanted to know if I was good, and I was. We’d have time to talk later, after I finished processing. Right now, I was cutting it close on time.
Yet, I managed to pull it off. In under an hour, I was standing at the top of the same staircase in the soft, blue, high-low dress I’d bought yesterday in Vegas. Strapless lace over a soft satiny sheath that cut off at the knees in the front but flowed down around my white strappy sandals in the back.
My hair was curled and pinned back, and my face dusted in shimmery pinks and nudes. Luke had my arm, and Kellen had Shae on his arm right behind me. No one waited at the foot of the stairs for our party of course; our descent was without dramatics, and our presence when we made it out to the back lawn went mostly ignored. The first of the guests had started to gather and mingle. Aside from a few stray looks, we were left alone to take in the completed transformation of the yard.
Hundreds of satin covered chairs were set in rows with peach and silver bows, a burlap aisle runner dividing them, laden with petals. A wooden arch woven with vines and flowers was front and center. Large tents had been erected off to the side for the later reception. Beautiful centerpieces adorned each table, the decorations fitting the theme of rustic elegance. I knew there were hundreds of strands of clear lights that when turned on after dusk would bathe everything in an ethereal glow. I had to hand it to my mother, it was all truly lovely even if a little overstated in places for my taste.
I’d never given much thought to wedding decorations before, but I supposed, if I were to marry, I’d want something simple, but classy. Maybe vintage and lace. I’d wear an old-fashioned dress, with full, lace sleeves. No poof, just pools of silk and lace. I think I’d want to get married on the beach at sunset. If I closed my eyes I was sure I could envision the whole thing, down to the pale pink roses, which shocked me a little given until just now I wasn’t sure I ever wanted a wedding. I did want it though. I did. But only with Luke. He was the only one I could envision waiting at the end of an aisle for me. He brought these new dreams and desires out of me.
I couldn’t help but give his hand in mine a squeeze and lean into him, tilting my chin up to look at his handsome, scruffy face. His smile was all the reassurance I needed. Yep, Luke was it for me. I either got the fairy tale with him, or I didn’t want it.
As more guests arrived, more and more familiar faces filled my vision. Few had been brave enough yet to approach me, but there were those that did, making with the pleasantries and small talk under the guise of catching up in order to satisfy their curiosity. The scandalous daughter had returned.
They couldn’t help themselves but nose into my business, and drop subtle tidbits here and there about how wonderful their lives had turned out. Spouses, families, promotions, exotic vacations, summer homes, it went on and on. I wasn’t about to play that game, even with Luke at my side, as the ultimate trump card. I was more than happy to let them believe the rumors and think whatever they wanted about me. I didn’t need to impress a damn one of them. I’m sure they walked away mentally patting themselves on the back for how great their lives turned out compared to the train wreck that was the Rhoades’ middle child.
And then my brother appeared. His pretty wife–at least I assumed that was Carrie as I’d never actually met her–was at his side. They were both dressed to the nines, smiling as they greeted and mingled with the other guests. I kept waiting for Mitch’s eyes to land on me, but they never did, almost as if it were intentional.
The four of us stood on the periphery of it all, waiting for the ceremony to start. I’d yet to see my aunt, and it was only as ushers began seating the important people–of which I was not included–that I found her. I was more than happy to take an unobtrusive seat nearer the back. I would find Aunt Liza again later.
As expected, the ceremony was perfect, and maybe not a complete sham. Despite my mother’s dramatic and over the top touches, every word of my sister’s and new brother-in-law’s vows were genuine and heartfelt. She looked gorgeous and he looked like a man in awe, as he should.
Wherever this hug and makeup thing with my sister was heading, she was my baby sister, even if only by a year, and I’d craved a family bond for so long. A whole new level of my crazy would come out if Jonny Boy turned out to be cut from the same cloth as my father. I’d cut his dick off and use the connections I’d made at the club to make sure he was never found. There were a handful of rich, powerful men I’d managed to enamor over the years that would gladly have me indebted to them.
I smiled as the minister presented Mr. and Mrs. Jonathon Myer, all the while thinking he better be the man my sister thought he was.
“What’s going on? You have a scary look on your face,” Luke whispered out the side of his mouth.
“What? I do not.” I was doing nothing more than smiling as the bride and groom preceded the wedding party back up the aisle.
“It’s in your eyes. They went all crazy for a minute.”
“Nothing you need to worry about.” I smiled innocently and leaned in to press a quick kiss to his lips. “Now, I think there must be alcohol somewhere.”
Twenty-Eight
Cici
Present
The Reception
“Are you sure?” He asked, but he already knew my answer.
I nodded and told him, “I need to be a big girl and start cleaning up some of the other messes I made. Now might be the only chance I get all night.”
Luke kissed me on the head and then didn’t follow me when I scooted my chair back from the table we’d taken refuge at, and went after Mitch. He’d slipped away from the reception and inside the house just a moment ago. It was the first time he’d been away from Carrie, and therefore the perfect time to corner him, since I got the distinct impression he’d been avoiding me all evening.
I was feeling bold and determined. I could only hope it would go as well as when I approached Aunt Liza an hour ago. Prepared to apologize and grovel and beg her to forgive me, I’d been shocked when she’d had none of that. She merely hugged me, told me she loved me and that she’d beat my ass if I went another six years without visiting her. Then she wanted to fawn over my man. That was Aunt Liza and it was such a relief to know she hadn’t written me off. I was only disappointed she had to leave the reception early and I wouldn’t get more time to visit her on this trip.
One down; one to go. Now, if only Mitch would be as forgiving as Aunt Liza.
I mean, he was still my brother, how bad could it possibly go?
Shit!
There I go again.
I passed housekeeping staff ready to assist guests with their needs and most likely direct them to bathrooms. My presence was ignored as I shuffled by servers on their way outside from the kitchen to refill the buffet and hors d’oeuvre trays. Running out of food or drink would be unacceptable, and with the number of guests in attendance, I didn’t want to think about the money being forked over to the caterers. Not that it would be anything my parents or the Myers would even blink at.
My eyes searched for Mitch. I assumed he must have come in to use one of the bathrooms, but with three on the first floor, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to slip past me. I wanted to catch him alone. I doubted he would appreciate me airing this out in front of people, but I wasn’t going back to South Carolina without saying what I needed to.
Luck was on my side as I collided with him when I rounded the corner that lead to my grandfather’s study and the bathroom deepest in the house, the one I guessed him most likely to use.
Mitch not only appeared taken aback to see me standing in front of him, but he actually took a step back.
“Hey, I was looking for you.” I offered a half smile.
“You found me,” he muttered dryly and then glanced past me as if contemplating how best to
get out of this hallway and away from me.
“Can we talk?” I was prepared to cut him off if he tried to skate past me.
His eyes flicked to mine, his stare hard and nearly as cold as my mother’s. “There’s nothing to say between you and me, Sis. Everything has already been said.”
“No, it hasn’t. A lot of things were said, and we were both angry, but I want to try and make it right. Fix things between us.” I looked up at him pleadingly, ignoring how much he resembled my father, apart from the frosty blue eyes that were all my mother. He had my father’s slightly darker, sandy brown hair, and his stockier build.
“Not interested, Celia. We both know you have a problem with how I’m choosing to live my life, but I don’t care what you think or have to say.” With that, he did shove past me, shouldering me aside.
“Mitch, I’m sorry,” I called. He paused in his tracks but didn’t turn around. “It is your life and you can choose to live it however you want. I should have told you that then,” I sighed. After a moment in which I thought just maybe he would turn around and say it was okay, he resumed his stride and left me standing there.
I tried, I told myself, and maybe someday he’d accept the apology. For now, the scotch I’d forgone last night, just a handful of feet away in the study, sounded pretty good. Better than the fancy champagne and wine they were serving outside.
There was nobody around to notice when I slipped inside the study and beelined for the liquor cabinet as I had the night before. I poured just a smidge into a glass and lowered myself into my grandfather’s antique office chair. I just needed a minute to clear my head so I could return to Luke without immediately concerning him by looking like a wounded puppy.
Just the thought of returning to Luke’s side lessened the sting of my brother’s hostility. Everything seemed a little more bearable with him. I tossed the aged liquor back like it was a shot. My grandfather would have been appalled to see it. It was the kind of alcohol meant to be savored. I took more pleasure from that thought than I did the tingling in my throat and warming of my belly.
Anywhere With You Page 26