by ANDREA SMITH
Friday. The fucking thirteenth.
Everyone was gathered in the church waiting for the wedding procession to begin. Above in the choir loft, the organist and vocalist had begun the song that was to be Lindsey's wedding march, "Love of a Lifetime," by Firehouse. The vocalist was doing a damn great job of sounding exactly like C.J. Snare from the band.
Lindsey had picked the entrance song; Taz had picked the song for the exit procession - the one where I'd be escorted out by Easton. Who knew Taz would be such a romantic and pick "The Search is Over" by Survivor? We'd all been given our cues as to what lyrics of the songs signaled our entrance down the aisle.
I fixed an errant wisp of hair for Jill, as she stood nervously in the vestibule of the church waiting for the lyric signal. We needed to pace ourselves so that the song finished as Lindsey and Taz ascended the steps to the altar.
"You look beautiful, Jill," I whispered to her.
"I'm shaking like hell, Darce. I hate having to be first out of the gate."
"It's not a horse race, hun," I reassured her. "You'll be fine.
"We'll make a wish and send it on a prayer . . ."
That was Jill's cue as she started up the long, white satin runner that had been placed on the marble-tiled floor of the church aisle. I could see her bouquet shaking just a bit as she proceeded. Jill was keeping the proper pace and was halfway up to the front where Taz, Easton and Gabe were standing next to each other in front of the steps to the altar, facing the back of the church, waiting for the beautiful bride.
Lindsey's dress was an exquisite winter white satin gown that was form-fitting, but flared out slightly at mid-calf; there was a bustle in the back where the long train was attached. The front had a low cut square bodice, with capped long tapered sleeves appropriate for a winter wedding. Sammie and I had helped her with her hair, piling it on top of her head, intricately weaving Baby's Breath throughout it. Just then I heard my lyric cue.
"A love to last my whole life through . . ."
I started up the aisle, now understanding why Jill felt so nervous. Everyone in their pews turned to watch the wedding procession head up the aisle, waiting for the star of the event to make her entrance. I finally reached the front of the church, noticing Easton's piercing gaze as I did.
Humph - Man-whore in a tux! Damn sexy man-whore in a tux.
Eli gave me a smile and a wink as I passed his pew and turned left at the front and took my place in front of Jill, turning then to the back of the church, seeing Lindsey standing there, with Slate looking hot in his black suit, his arm wrapped around hers as her lyric cue started.
"Still we both know that the road is long . . ."
Damn this song always gave me chills. Now it brought tears to my eyes as I watched my best friend coming down the aisle. The long train of her dress flowing elegantly behind her as Slate had her by the arm, walking her down the white satin runner to the front of the church, where Trace waited for her with nothing but pure love in his eyes.
Taz looked gorgeous in his long-tailed, black tuxedo, as did Easton and Gabe. The cummerbunds matched the color of the gowns Jill and I wore. They were floor length, midnight-blue satin, with plunging necklines and long tapered sleeves. Our flowers were white roses mixed with dark-blue carnations that matched the gowns. I watched in awe as Slate took Lindsey's hand and placed it into Taz's outstretched one. The song was just finishing up as Taz and Lindsey, hand-in-hand walked up the three steps to where the minister waited.
Forever in my heart, I finally found the love of a lifetime.
That was my cue to go and take Lindsey's bouquet from her so the prayers and vows could begin. When she turned to me, I saw tears of joy in her eyes as I gently relieved her of the gorgeous, over-flowing wedding bouquet.
The minister started the service, letting everyone know the purpose we were gathered here today; blah, blah, blah. I wanted him to get to the good part. I knew Lindsey and Taz had composed their own wedding vows in secret from each other. What I didn't understand was why she refused to share what she'd written with me, her best friend for Chrissake! Naturally, I suspected she thought I'd roll my eyes over that kind of stuff, but really? Would I do that to my best friend? Well, definitely not on purpose, anyway. Oh good, it was time. The minister announced the couple would be exchanging vows. They turned to face one another. Taz went first. He cleared his throat, taking her hand in his.
"Lindsey Erin Dennison, I love you. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you; to laugh with you and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad; when life seems easy and when it seems hard; when our love is simple and when it's an effort. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. I promise my faithfulness and devotion to you. These things I give to you today, and all the days of my life."
I could tell Lindsey was crying. She could be so emotional at times, especially where Taz was concerned. Their love was the real deal, no doubt about that. She paused for a moment, brushing a tear from her cheek and then raised her head to him, gazing up into his eyes.
"Trace Michael Matthews, because of you I laugh, I smile, I dare to dream again. The sun smiles on us today, our wedding day, and how can it not? For our love is stronger than forever and our hearts beat together as one. I look forward with great joy to spending the rest of my life with you. I promise to be a true and faithful partner from this day forward, in all life's circumstances, as we face them together. I will always be there for you, to comfort you, love you, honor and cherish you. This commitment is made in love, kept in faith, and eternally made to you. I love you."
Crap. And there goes my mascara . . .
The minister had a bit more to say then motioned for Easton to bring the wedding bands up to the altar. Taz slid Lindsey's wedding band on her finger, lifting her hand and kissing it as he did. She placed the plain gold wedding band onto his finger, smiling up at him adoringly.
The minister then said all the usual stuff about the power vested in him through the District of Columbia, pronouncing them husband and wife. He then instructed them to kiss. Once finished, they turned to face the congregation and the minister introduced them as Mr. & Mrs. Trace Matthews. Everyone clapped. I looked over at Easton and he was watching me with those intense, gray eyes as he clapped for the newlyweds.
My attention turned when I heard Harper start to fuss. Constance Matthews had not let that baby out of her arms since arriving from California. Slate was holding Sidney. Sammie had Bryce. The organist started the first chords of "The Search is Over" and I knew it was time to follow the newlywed couple out of the church.
Here we friggin’ go… I have to touch him as the instructions were we had to be arm-in-arm.
While Taz and Lindsey descended the steps from the altar to start down the aisle, it suddenly dawned on me that I hadn't noticed Lacee in the congregation as I had made my entrance. I took the opportunity to gaze through the pews and didn't see her in attendance. Maybe she was only interested in showing up for the reception, no doubt in something skimpy and glittery to take attention from the bride. I scoffed internally at the notion. My mom caught my eye and gave me a smile and a wave. Daddy looked totally uncomfortable in his suit and tie, running his finger around the inside of his collar as if it were too tight.
From behind Jill nudged me to move as I walked to the center where Easton was with his dazzling smile, hooking his arm into mine as we followed the bride and groom down the aisle.
"Smile," he whispered to me, "This is a happy occasion."
"Maybe for them, not for me," I hissed quietly, making sure I tensed my arm so he knew I wasn't enjoying him touching me. I forced a smile at all the wedding guests who were turned sideways, taking pictures of the wedding party.
I'd been in enough wedding parties to know that the freaking picture-taking right after the ceremony dragged on for eternity. Plus I was sure I'd be stuck in a picture or fifty
with just Easton and me as best man and maid of honor. Fuck me!
Once outside the church, the photographer instructed all of us to the church basement where we could freshen up for the pictures. We were to meet back upstairs in ten minutes.
As it turned out, it wasn't as miserable as I thought it would be. Easton and I had several pictures taken together, most everything else we were in involved the whole wedding party so I kept my distance. The final picture was the wedding party, boy-girl, boy-girl.
It was Taz and Lindsey in the center, Easton and me next to each other with Easton standing next to Lindsey, and me standing on the outside. Jill was next to Taz with Gabe on the outside. The photographer had to tell me twice to scoot closer to Easton so that he could center the photograph properly and get everyone in. I grudgingly obliged. The girls all held their wedding bouquets for this shot.
Once he had everyone lined up, smiling as instructed the camera had a malfunction. Shit I wish he'd get this done. He was working on it when I felt a warm hand caress my ass. I immediately squirmed to the outside, not daring to look at whom I knew was the culprit.
"There now," the photographer said, once again taking aim. "No, no, Darcy, you need to move back in closer to Easton. You're out of alignment again." I scooted back over, purposely elbowing Easton in the side as I did.
"Okay, one . . . two . . . three . . . everyone say 'cheese'," he instructed in an ironically cheesy way. Just as we all complied, I felt that hand once again on my ass squeezing my right cheek firmly.
"Shit!" I hissed, louder than intended as the flash went off. Lindsey looked over at me with a puzzled expression.
"All finished," the photographer announced. "We'll take more at the reception."
Thank God!
Lindsey and Taz left in the wedding limo heading to the reception taking place at one of the banquet rooms at the St. Regis in the heart of D.C. Eli and I had a room reservation so that we could party responsibly at the reception, where the live band would be performing an ensemble of mixed genre music.
Apparently Easton had rented a limo to transport his parents, along with Slate and Sammie to the reception. Lindsey's grandmother was going to be taking all of the babies' home to stay with her, forgoing the reception. I could tell Constance was having a difficult time parting with baby Harper.
As Eli and I got into my Mercedes to start over he could tell I was pissed.
"Okay, spill," he said. "What the hell happened back there?"
"I'll tell you what fucking happened. Easton grabbed my ass twice during pictures! How fucking inappropriate is that?"
I saw a smile flicker across Eli's face.
"Oh no," I said, "It isn't funny. After what he did with bringing Lacee to the rehearsal dinner last night, and the incident with the both of them doing whatever in the restroom, he's a freakin’ piece of work."
Eli patted my arm gently. "Hey Darce? This is Taz and Lindsey's day so I don't have to remind you to keep your temper in check, right? You already know that photog is going to be snapping pictures and videos all evening long so please, just chill? She's your best friend, too."
The thing about Eli, I was coming to realize, is that the guy knew how to drive a point home.
"You know I wouldn't do anything to ruin Lindsey's special day."
He gave me a sidelong glance, the corner of his mouth turning up in a smile. "I know sweetheart. That's why I admire your restraint. There's nothing quite like it."
"Smart ass," I snipped, turning to look out the window.
"That's my girl," he replied with a smirk. "I just know you'll come through. But listen, did you notice Lacee isn't here?"
"Yeah, I noticed at the church."
"I'll just bet you did," he chuckled. "So, what does that tell you?"
"It tells me nothing. She'll probably be at the reception all hanging out of her dress and fucking him in the restroom."
"Don't bet on it," Eli replied knowingly.
"What do you know?" I asked.
"Well, we were in the locker room before the ceremony and I happened to ask about her. He claims he sent her back to New York last night. Said he had pressing business for her to attend to back at the office that couldn't wait 'til Monday."
"So?"
"So, get a friggin'clue. He wants to focus on you this weekend."
"Fat chance," I scoffed, feeling a slight tingle in the pit of my belly.
Finally the freaking picture-taking by the pain-in-the-ass photographer was over. He had pictures of the wedding party eating at the front table, the multiple toasts to the bride and groom, the bride and groom sipping champagne with their arms locked, the traditional smashing of wedding cake in each other's face and their first dance as husband and wife.
I had tossed back quite a few Royal Fuck's - that was Crown Royal, peach Schnapps, cranberry juice with a splash of pineapple juice. It was my new favorite cocktail, I decided. I watched as Eli was on the dance floor with Jill. I fought back a smile as I watched him playfully dip her, hearing Jill laugh at the sudden move.
Sitting there in a pretty dress in the middle of a wedding crowd with a healthy dose of Crown running through my veins, I couldn't help but wonder what with Jill getting married in the fall whether marriage was in the cards for me? I'd never really considered it with Darin. I wasn't even sure if marriage was a dream of mine.
As another song was ending, the front man announced that the next one was a classic Joe Cocker song, "You are so Beautiful." I felt a hand touch my shoulder.
"They're playing your song, Nicole." Easton had leaned down, his words caressed softly against my ear, causing me to shiver. "Would you do me the honours?"
I turned abruptly, trying to cast a frown but it was impossible as I gazed into his molten gray eyes that locked on mine.
"I - I think you know by now my name's Darcy," I replied brusquely.
"You sound injured," he replied, "I see no harm, no foul. My initials are in fact valid. At any rate, I prefer to call you by your middle name, Nicole, so that's what I intend to do." Before I could react, he had taken my hand, and led me to the dance floor where the lights had dimmed for this very sexy, very romantic song.
Damn, his closeness still unnerved me. He pulled me close. I had no choice but to wrap my arms around his neck. His arms encircled me, his hands gently massaging my lower back.
God this feels so fucking good.
I wanted to fight that feeling, I swear. But just the feel of him, the nearness of our bodies and the way he smelled - just a faint scent of cologne had me almost forgetting that I kind of hated him.
“You grabbed my ass during photos,” I said, looking at him with a smile forced on my lips meant for onlookers.
Easton returned the smile. “I did,” he said, quietly. “And you know what I think, Nicole?”
I nodded at Lindsey's mom, dancing with Slate, nearby, the smile still plastered to my face as I waited for him to continue.
I felt Easton lean in, brushing his lips to my ear. “I think you have a fantastic ass,” he whispered.
I had to fight the urge to friggin’ glare at him, right then and there. I promptly decided to step on his foot. Hard.
"Sorry, I've a tendency to try and lead when slow-dancing," I warned him. His lips twitched, and amusement glimmered darkly in his eyes.
"You have no worries there. I don't intend to allow that," he responded softly. "You'll learn to follow, I promise."
I looked up at him to see if he was serious. He quirked a sexy brow, as if challenging me to argue. I lowered my head back to his chest, feeling his hold on me tighten infinitesimally, and it made me feel secure.
What the hell is this about? Do I have some unconscious need for strictness?
After the song ended and my nerves and power of will were probably completely shot, Easton led me back to my table.
"I'd offer to fetch you another drink, but I think you've had enough alcohol for the moment. Perhaps a night cap later is permissible," he said, light
ly brushing a lock of my hair from my face.
"Where in the hell did you come from?" I asked, my voice coming off a bit more belligerent than intended. That managed to elicit a glare from him.
"I beg your pardon?" he replied.
"I mean where were you raised that people talk the way you talk, act the way you act, behave the way you do? I'm really curious."
"I was born in the U.S., raised primarily in Europe from the time I was a year-old. I only visited the States during summer holiday from school. I received my education at boarding schools, prep school, institutions of higher learning. I was educated in Europe, Darcy, where diction, manners, social graces and protocol are deemed as important as math and science. Perhaps they don't embrace that so much over here."
Umm? Ouch!
"Well pardon me for asking, but I guess this illiterate colonial was simply curious. It certainly explains a lot," I retorted. He gave me a dazzling smile and just as quickly my irritation disappeared.
"Are you booked here at the hotel tonight?" he asked, swiftly changing the subject. "I don't think you're in any condition to drive."
I nodded, looking up into his gunmetal eyes.
"Good girl," he said approvingly. "I'm in the Presidential Suite. Would you like to join me for that nightcap there around midnight?"
Okay, let's freeze-frame right here for a moment. You need to know something about Darcy Nicole Sheridan, and that is I have one of those invisible angel/devil conscience creatures that are, of course, polar opposites. This was one of those annoying times of conflict where they'd perch on each shoulder (right where Easton's hands happened to be) and argue back and forth with each other. I could actually picture them in my mind; one looked like an innocent, golden haired cherub, the other a red devil with an evil moustache and pitchfork forever prodding me with the damn thing to go in his favor.