effervescent “Bonjour.” It’s 8.05 and I’m showered, shaved and ready for my make-over, still feeling
the after effects of a post orgasmic tremble rippling through my entire body.
I caress the collection of delicate underwear laid out across the bed in the guest bedroom; frothy,
white bundles of lace and silk; the invisible gifts for my husband to cast his eyes upon and unwrap on
our wedding night.
Celine calls me over to select jewellery from a stunning selection. I’m spoilt for choice. I’m spoilt.
Full stop! A platinum necklace with sapphires arranged into a heart shape catches my eye, as do the
earrings that match it. I hold my hand to the ensemble. The colours match my engagement ring
perfectly. I really don’t think it’s accidental.
The entire morning has been organised with the precision of an Apollo rocket launch; every detail
itemised, to be ticked off on a list Celine has attached to the enormous bathroom mirror in front of
which I am sitting, waiting for item one.
Manicure and pedicure, to be followed by make-up and hair, followed by dressing, followed by
jewellery and accessories …
I have ceased to be a person. I have become a project.
Thankfully, by 10.45 a.m. they have done with me. I have not looked in a mirror for an hour and can
barely contain my excitement. Celine is thrilled with the end product. One look at me and she’s
wiping her nose with a tissue. I assume that’s a good sign.
In the lounge I hear unfamiliar voices. I wrinkle my nose and Celine bounds off to investigate.
When she returns she looks seriously worried. “Beth, there is someone here to see you. Do you want
to come to the lounge or should I send him in here?”
“Who is it?”
Nervously, she hands me his card:
Marshall Hayes. With a row of letters after his name. Attorney of Law.
“Send him in here, please, Celine. I’m not ready for the big reveal yet.”
She nods and does not return. Instead, Mr Hayes makes an appearance. Has a man ever looked more
uncomfortable? He has a handmade suit and beautifully polished shoes but this is a very ordinary
looking, middle aged man who has worked hard to get where he is. I’m happy to spare him the time.
“Mr Hayes. As you can see, I’m preparing for a wedding. Please make it quick.”
“Of course Miss Parker. I will get straight to the point. May I?” He lays out his briefcase on the
bed, allowing it to flip open like the mouth of a crocodile. Inside there are papers, documents bound
together in tidy plastic folders. He clears his throat.
“I have come here to speak to you privately about a Prenuptial Agreement.”
“A what?”
“It’s a document which is signed by both parties in a marriage, noting ownerships of properties and
assets; essentially agreeing upon who gets what if you should decide to end the marriage.”
“End the marriage? It’s not even started yet!” I state. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “And you’re
telling me that Ayden signed this and wants me to sign it now? Right now?”
“I believe so.”
“What does it say?” I sit on the bed and begin flipping through a copy of the document. It’s full of
legal jargon. First party this and second party that. “Alright. Spell it out to me. What does it say?”
“Well, it states that for every year you are together, in the event of an amicable separation you will
receive one million pounds …”
“Per year?”
“Yes. It also has written into this document that you should receive a lump sum of ten million as a
token of good will. However, this will be rescinded in the event of infidelity on your part.”
What the hell!
“So you’re telling me, I get a ten million bonus if I don’t screw around? Is that right?” He’s picking
up on my indignation. As well he might. This has to be the work of Ayden’s legal team. He has never
said anything to me.
“I believe so Miss Parker. It also stipulates that Mr. Stone’s commercial assets will remain his and
his alone.”
“You mean ASMI?” He nods in the affirmative. “What would I want with Ayden’s business? I
don’t want any of the other stuff either. If we broke up Mr. Hayes, the last thing I would be thinking
about is microchips.”
“Then perhaps you would be kind enough to sign here?” He lifts a pen from his briefcase, clicks it
and passes it to me.
“Can I just say, I’m not happy. Ayden and I haven’t spoken about any of this. Besides, I don’t want
any of his money or his commercial assets. I’m a school teacher Mr. Hayes if I was single again I
would make my own way in the world. I don’t like the idea of measuring our time together in dollars
or pounds.”
“I appreciate that Miss Parker, but Mr. Stone is an extremely wealthy man who has accumulated
that wealth over a number of years. It would be unjust and indeed immoral to expect to get half of that
wealth after a brief period of marriage. Don’t you think?”
“Yes, it would Mr. Hayes, but our marriage will not be brief. I can assure you of that.”
“I’m very pleased to hear that. Nevertheless things can change; people can change and then it can
become increasingly acrimonious.”
“Can it?” I’m not fooled into thinking for one minute this is Ayden’s doing. He will not be happy
when he finds out about this guy approaching me now with such a delicate matter. “Alright. But I want
it amended so I get nothing. I can support myself and I already have money in the bank …”
“Ah, yes, two million pounds as I recall Miss Parker,” he states, making me feel unworthy.
I fix him with a stare. “There’s a lot more than that in my bank account Mr. Hayes.”
“I’m sure there is Miss Parker.” As I sign, he’s tapping on the relevant page, pointing to dotted
lines, licking his thumb to shuffle through the pages. “There. All done.”
I toss the pen into his briefcase. “Anything else I can do for you? A blood sample perhaps?”
Two noisy clicks of his briefcase locks and he’s standing before me, looking like a man who lost a
penny and found a pound. “That will not be necessary. But thank you for volunteering it.”
I wasn’t!
“ Thank you for your cooperation Miss Parker. I will have these documents authorised and sent to
you when you return to the UK.”
“Make sure you do. I have 14 days to nullify the document and I’ll want a lawyer to look over it.”
“Very wise.” With a single bow he scuttles off back from whence he came, leaving me shell
shocked.
I’m sitting on the edge of the bed rationalising what just happened, wondering why Ayden didn’t
mention a pre nup. I’m so naïve. I should have expected it. No self-respecting billionaire is going to
give half their assets to someone they have met just over a month ago! That would be ludicrous. In
fact he could have given me nothing and I would still have married him. I wonder if he would have
married me if I hadn’t signed that document today? I should have asked Mr. Hayes.
Before I have time to fill my head with unsettling scenarios, Celine returns saying nothing but
completely aware of my circumstance. “Do you want to see how beautiful you look Beth?”
I respond with a slow nod but before I can seek out the looking glass, a familiar face appears from
around the bedro
om door.
“Hey! Where’s the beautiful bride?” I turn to face her. “Holy fuck!” Charlie is reeling, holding onto
the door frame to steady herself.
What a drama queen.
“Are you coming or going Char?” I ask, reaching out a freshly manicured hand to her.
“I’m not sure Beth. I don’t know what to say …”
“Good luck would be nice.” I smile, in need of her blessing.
“You don’t need luck Beth. You’re gorgeous.” Her lower lip wobbles and she begins to cry.
“Please don’t cry Char. You’ll set me off and I don’t think I could go through all this pampering
again.”
She shakes her head, sniffs back tears and takes my hands in hers. “Just look at you.”
“I haven’t been allowed to. Let’s go look together.” In one hand I take hers and with the other I lift
the swirling train caressing my ankles. We walk into the enormous bathroom, illuminated by ten
thousand watts of electricity. I see two women. One I recognise and the other I don’t. In the silence
that ensues, I close my eyes and from somewhere materialises an image of a princess. Maybe it was a
dream or a memory, probably a wish and nothing more.
When I open my eyes the dream remains.
“Do you want to pinch yourself?” Charlie asks, sensing my momentary departure.
“I think I may have to.” I squeeze her hand tight. “I’m doing the right thing, aren’t I Char? “ I turn
to face her, seeking only the truth. “You’d tell me if I wasn’t, wouldn’t you?”
“What do you think?” She squeezes my hand tighter. “You’ve found your Prince Charming Beth
and you’re his beautiful princess. It’s like a fairy tale.”
I take her hand in both of mine. “And this from you …” We laugh at the absurdity of it.
“I must be getting soft …” She’s shrugging her shoulders and taking a step back. “That’s some
friggin’ dress.”
“It’s by Vivienne Westwood. I chose it because I love the fitted bodice and the embroidery. Look, it
even has little pearls and diamante jewels sewn into the material.”
Charlie’s running her fingers across the skirt. “It’s very you Beth; understated, elegant and …” She
stops to compose herself. “Don’t get me started again.”
I give her the lightest of hugs, not wanting to dislodge or smudge anything. “It’s time to go.”
Celine is waiting with my veil and the sight of her there holding it stops me dead. Up until this
point it’s been me in an expensive gown, nothing new. The veil? That’s something else. Sealing my
fate, I walk towards her and lower my head, feeling like I’m being enthroned. It takes every ounce of
self-control I have to hold back the tears. This is such a meaningful moment. I daren’t look in the
mirror. The sound of Charlie sobbing in the corner is assurance enough.
I’m ready!
Trust Ayden to have me arrive at the Chapel in my white charger. The stretch limousine is
outrageously long for the three of us spread out in the back. We could hold a table tennis tournament
in here and still have room for a sack of balls. It’s a 15 minute ride to the Viva Las Vegas Wedding
Chapel on the strip.
Outside are a handful of photographers, one I recognise as Josh from Rome. I give him a cordial
smile and he winks in recognition, giving me the halt sign as I step from the car. He beckons me
forward, swapping and changing cameras from around his neck. Now I know how it feels to be a
celebrity. A minor one at that.
I’m positioned front and centre, Charlie a yard behind and Celine fussing around my feet and
flattening my veil as it lifts, caught up in the midday breeze, mumbling something in French that
sounds like, “Merde.”
We’re led to a side room. I can’t see Ayden anywhere or his bodyguards, which I take as a good
sign. “Where’s Ayden?” I ask Celine.
“He’s already in the Chapel Beth. He’s waiting for you.”
I accept her reassuring smile and feel her warm hand and on my arm. “Alright, I’m ready.”
Charlie comes bounding in like a streak of white light, breathless for some reason.
“What’s wrong Char?”
She’s straightening her dress and fixing her hair. “Nothing. Nothing at all. I just took a peek in the
chapel, that’s all.” She’s nodding manically. “If you ask me, you’re one very lucky lady. He looks …”
She leans into me for effect. “So hot in that suit.”
I’m giving her my best startled stare. “Do you mind? That’s my future husband you’re talking
about.”
For a moment she actually considers I might be offended. “Listen, Beth. I’m not telling you
anything you don’t already know, am I?”
I shake my head. “No. He’s always been Mr. P for perfect, hasn’t he?”
She’s still nodding. “I remember when you told me about him. Back then he was Mr. P for
potential, remember?” I’m nodding now, remembering my exact words. “You said, ‘I think I’m going
to marry this guy,’ and here we are.”
“Yes. Here we are.”
“Are you ready to get this show on the road?” She takes my elbow. “You look stunning, by the way,
hon.”
Her words mean everything. “Thanks.”
She opens a side door leading to the chapel and gives a suited man the nod to our left. He, in turn,
nods to someone in the chapel and the music starts up. I’m expecting the wedding march but there’s
the rumbling of music and then a single chord. I recognise the song instantly. It’s Diamonds by
Rihanna.
As I turn the corner I enter the chapel; a huge room decorated in white, with enormous sheets
billowing from left to right across the vaulted ceiling. Attached to the sheets are lights that sparkle
and shine like diamonds dotted in rolling clouds, streaked with colours cascading through stained
glass. Tall, swaying palm trees and greenery add natural beauty to this romantic melange.
The walkway is arched in polished wood but cut out like giant letter A’s, around which are white
roses and lilies. Along the aisle are white rose petals, sprinkled like breadcrumbs in an enchanted
forest, leading me home; leading me into the arms of the man I love. And there he stands, smiling,
motionless, hands behind his back, sexy as hell in his signature suit and blue and white striped tie. I
know he has chosen this song. It’s profound; each word conveying his love for me and reinforcing the
divine nature of our fateful marriage.
The scene is picture perfect. Not Ayden’s taste at all; much too fussy and flamboyant for him. But
precisely what I want. It’s magical.
Just when I think it cannot get any better, the enchantment continues. Patrick appears to my right
and holds out his arm to walk me down the aisle. After signing a grateful thank you, I take it with both
hands, trembling a little. He places his hand over mine and leaves it there until I pause, struck down
by a blinding light. All eyes are on me. I take a few more tentative steps and falter again. I’m drifting
from this place …
I’m Alice in Wonderland. Everything is so large; the billowing sky, the shimmering lights, these
arches … I feel so small.
“Beth.” Charlie’s voice wakes me from my daydream. “Are you alright?”
The dream fades. I return to the here and now, to Ayden who is watching and waiting patiently for
me to rea
ch him.
“Yes. I’m fine.” I breathe deeply and place my right foot forward, willing my left to follow.
When we reach the altar, Patrick places Ayden’s hands on top of mine and my hands steady, feeling
his protection so deeply. He looks at me with devotion, as if paying homage to a goddess. He’s lost in
the moment.
“You look so beautiful. You take my breath away,” he whispers.
“You don’t look too shabby yourself, “I reply, trying to disguise my nervousness with a smile.
He arches a brow. “Are you ready to do this?”
“I was born ready Ayden.”
He laughs out loud, realising better than anyone just how untrue that statement is. I laugh too. In a
move worthy of the great romancers, he traces the shape of my jaw with the forefinger of his right
hand, I close my eyes and raise my chin to receive his touch like a purring cat, feeling more connected
to him at this precise moment than at any other time in our love affair.
The music plays out and I open my eyes, only to be swept away into a cerulean sea, floating,
buoyant. In his eyes I see something new … something indescribable that belongs in a dream or a wish
… and then it’s gone.
The Ordained Minister welcomes the gathering and begins the ceremony. Playing in the background
is another favourite of mine. Because You Loved Me, by Celine Dion. The words resonate with us and I
see Ayden struggling with a hard swallow. I’m patting away a tear that threatens to tumble from my
eye with a finger. It’s so moving. The service is well delivered and the words chosen by Ayden are
spoken from the heart.
Ayden concludes: “ … and I solemnly promise to cherish you and to keep you safe from harm; to
love you from this moment on as I always have, for as long as we both shall live.”
Jake produces the rings on a white cushion but, before Ayden places it on my finger, he turns over
my left hand.
“Close your eyes Beth.”
I do as he asks, feeling the air still as the congregation holds their breath.
He places something in my hand. “Open.”
I look down and see a pale pink ribbon. It’s not new and it’s tied into an untidy bow. Surprised by
the gift I look up into his eyes, unsure of what to say.
TouchStone for giving (The Story of Us Trilogy) Page 38