"Don't start crying Vivian, don't cry, your make-up!" Crystal cautioned her.
"Okay-okay-okay-okay - I won't cry." She started crying.
Ben snapped pictures of her, and of his grandfather, driving it.
Bart stepped down, all suited up, walking to the stairs, one foot up, his white gloved hand stretched out to her, "Well Lil'girl, we have a ride to the church, we best get underway." He drawled in his strong timbre, so much like Jake's.
Shanna placed her gown carefully in the center of the seat, and climbed on board, with Crystal and Sheila carrying their gowns doing the same, placing the make-up case and hair case on the floor while Bart, holding Vivian's hand, escorted her to the carriage and passed her up into it, to sit across from Shanna, Crystal and Sheila; tucking her long travel gown of white in around her feet.
She couldn't speak, her throat was clogged with emotions, she struggled to swallow; Shanna passed her a handkerchief to wipe at her tears as they rolled non-stop. "Awww, Vivian, you gotta get those tears under control." She advised, trying to sooth her, feeling choked up herself.
Vivian could only nod, unable to speak - she kept looking at Sheila - as if asking once more, could this be real?
"Well boy, get up there, we're heading out, they'll all be out looking for us."
Ben climbed on board, turned so he could take pictures of them in the carriage, as well of the people who stopped and looked along the way. Bart climbed on board, "Dry your tears lil'girl - today you're a princess - I want you to enjoy every minute!" He snapped the reigns and the horses tossed their heads, snorting, and began a slow practiced trot.
Crystal too was feeling emotional, fighting it with all of her might, not to look at Ben, but then, he called her name, "Crystal-Bella, look at me."
She fought it at first, and then slowly looked up at him, he hid behind the camera, snapping her pictures, more than a few of them - and next called to Shanna and Sheila to turn and look up at him, they did, smiling - for once, Sheila was saying little to nothing, so caught up in the moment.
It wasn't long before they made their way around the curve heading down the lane towards the bed and breakfast, Shawn and Sylvia's home. As they went, cars, trucks paused to stare, and blew their horns, waving at them.
"Oh my god!" Vivian gasped.
"Wave Vivian! Wave at them!" Shanna instructed, smiling.
Hesitant at first, she gave a little wave, her face was on fire from all the attention, but the more cars that passed and waved, blowing their horns, delighted to behold a pre-wedding entourage, she began to loosen up, and wave, and smile and feel the amazement of what Shanna had done for her. On and off, she kept getting choked up, looking from Shanna to Sheila in disbelief. They then went around the wide curve which coming out of it, would bring them before the bed and breakfast - Vivian couldn't believe her eyes everyone was outside along the road, dressed and cheering, waving at her.
All of kids, - that included, Derrick's and Meribel's five, Paul, Mundo, Angela, Cory, Reggie, Lamar, Sheila's boys, Zachary, Tyrese, Jimmy - dressed beautifully.
The guys from Jake's job were there and his boss - all in suits, waving.
The guys from the band - also present, who would be at the reception as well.
Shawn, Sylvia, Dennis, her boss, Alec Ore, Lydia and Lucas, Dean and Stephanie, whistling and whooping at the top of their lungs.
Vivian tried to make eye contact with everyone, smiling brightly, laughing at the noise they were making. So many were taking pictures, Shawn had his camcorder out, taping it all.
In front of the bed and breakfast, Ella stood with her mouth dropped wide open, her husband next to her waving; Lacy was there, proud as could be, jumping up and down, calling out to her, taking pictures.
There is where they pulled to a stop, and her father in his suit, came to the carriage and climbed on board. He was grinning, proud, on top of the world to sit next to his daughter; who started crying once more, "Whoa-whoa-whoa now girl, you stop that, you hear me - gone mess up that pretty face of yours." He took the handkerchief and wiped gently at her eyes, "You something else - look at all this - you done real good for yourself, no matter what your mama say - you done good." Finished with that declaration he reached in his jacket pocket, withdrawing a long envelope and passed it to her, "This is yours, for you - for Jake, from me."
"What? What is it daddy?" She asked looking at it, stunned.
He sat back, "You'll see," he murmured proud as could be, and the carriage started up again. Vivian looked at her family, waving at her sisters, and then looked at her mother - waving at her with the envelope in her hand.
Betty stood stiff, nose in the air, arms crossed over her breasts - eyes narrowed at her husband, she turned and walked back into the bed and breakfast amidst the calling out of Vivian's name, everyone was cheering. She didn't care what her mother thought right then, it didn't mean a thing, she had her father next to her. She sat back now that they'd moved on and opened the envelope to see that it held a cashiers check for four thousand dollars - she couldn't believe her eyes. She gasped and looked at her father.
"I had to do it, and now seeing all that I see, what they've done for you," He looked at Shanna, and back to his daughter, "How was I gonna look myself in the mirror if I didn't? Every man, if he right in the head, wants this for his daughter - I just wish - I could've done more."
Vivian reached over and grabbed him, hugging him tight, "I can't believe it - it's plenty daddy, plenty enough! I can't believe it - all of it - it's like a dream." She spoke softly, with all hearing. "Thank you so much, what about mama?"
"Leave your mama to me, this your day."
"Vivian!" Sheila called her name, to sit up with her mouth open, looking over her and her father's head, "Look behind you." Sheila started grinning and then laughing, "I love it!"
Vivian sat up and turned around to see Jake, riding up behind them on a horse, dressed like a cowboy, hat on his head, he trotted up along the surrey, grinning and handsome as can be, "Hey there young lady..." He winked at her as he rode along beside them.
Vivian squealed out loud, slapping her hands over her face, over the moon, feeling bashful and yet, even more joyful.
"Jake! I can't believe it! What are you doing?"
"Checking you out, hear you're on your way - getting married this morning, that true?" He flirted.
Feeling like a giggly little girl, Vivian turned to him, putting on a Southern accent, "Why sir, that certainly is true - gettin' married this morning - got my daddy here, whose gonna give me away - why, you interested?" She flirted back.
"Me, interested? I'd think you'd have a man all picked out already." He played along, riding as he was, leaning over the saddle.
"Well I did, but I could be persuaded to choose otherwise, you lookin' mighty right for the part - well?"
"I don't know - don't see no shot-gun, think I may just pass-..."
Just then they heard a shot-gun cocking, Vivian turned to find that her father had pulled one from beneath the seat. She started rolling, laughing so hard she couldn't stop.
"Sir, does that mean what I think that means?" Jake asked with a gulp.
"It sho'do - I take it, we'll be seeing you at the church?" Milton played along, looking serious as if he'd be using it.
Jake tipped his hat to all, "I think I best get moving then, get on my Sunday's best..." He looked at Vivian, "I can't wait..." And trotted off into a faster gallop to pass them by heading down one of the country roads they'd cross.
"Awww, come back!" Vivian called to him, filled with joy - she turned to her father, hugged him and kissed him once more, and then to Shanna, "I love you! Did you plan all of this?" She asked her.
"I had some help, my momma suggested quite a few things and my dad, this was his idea, we all pitched in - and here it is. Your dad and Jake, they hashed up him riding up and the shotgun."
Vivian couldn't believe it, singing out loud, "Oh - I'm soooo happy!" And started crying once again.
<
br /> Crystal smiled, feeling a lump in her throat, she glanced up at Ben, he was gazing down at her; unable to anymore, he turned around facing forward as the carriage went on.
Chapter 305
Gert was at the church waiting for them to arrive.
Bart drove the double surrey around to the back, so they could all unload - by then, Vivian was doing her level best to get her rioting emotions under control. They entered through the church basement heading for the dressing room.
Bart and Milton stood outside, this would be their first meeting as they shook hands, "Can I just say, you should be proud of your daughter, I know I am." Bart started out.
"Yes sir, I am - you better believe it! That son of yours, I couldn't've picked better, he something else." Milton smiled, giving the other man's hand one last shake.
"Let's just hope this wedding and the reception goes better than my last." Bart imparted.
"Oh yeah, how's that?"
"My Shawn and my Jake, got to fighting - Lord knows, it was a mess, that's how your Vivian and Jake ended up together, to split the two up, I had him take her home - of course he was too drunk, so Vivian drove - and well - seeing as how things are now, I guess it wasn't s'bad after all."
"Won't catch me complainin' - that's for sure, and it's a beautiful day for it as well."
"Ah yeah, that it is."
"Another thing, before anything should happen, please pay my wife no attention-..."
"Gert told me, she explained everything - it ain't too hard to understand, once you know why."
"What you mean?" Milton asked.
"She told my wife about her grandmother, how she did her."
Milton was surprised, not even their kids knew about that, he knew - it was something he'd learned early on in their marriage - and yet, it was something she rarely talked about, "Well, I'll be - that's rare, even so, I'm glad you know, so please don't mind how she act."
"I think we'll be just fine."
She was ready, dressed, nervous, checking herself with her three bridesmaids and Gert.
"Mama Gert, can you please, do me a favor, hang onto this for me?" Vivian pleaded, passing her the envelope with the cashiers check her father had given her.
Gert took it, picked up her purse and put it away, "It'll be safe I promise."
"Ladies, turn to each other please, need to get another picture." Ben instructed, he had to do something, he couldn't just stand there lost in staring at Crystal. He was feeling a strange carelessness with her presence, a carelessness that made him wish to do something bold, shocking - for once, if he had her alone, he would show her the other side of him - maybe she saw him as weak, too soft, a pushover?
Vivian's maid of honor showed up just then, "That was incredible!" Sylvia started soon as she came through the door, "Oh my goodness Vivian, this will be talked about for weeks!-..." She then paused at the sight of her gown, "Ohmigod! Look at that gown! Look at you! You - are - beautiful! Look at our baby Sheila!"
"I know, I know-I know! I've been choked up all morning."
"You!? Now that's saying something!"
Everyone started laughing.
"Have you seen him yet? Is he here?" Vivian asked, of course everyone knew she was speaking of Jake.
"Not yet I haven't, but he'll be here - Dennis, Derrick and Shawn is with him, so don't you worry."
Vivian sighed, "I can't believe this day has finally come," She looked at Gert, "Remember all the conversations we had, mama Gert - I thought, no way am I gonna get this man."
"I told you, didn't I tell you, just do as I say, and play your cards right, and he'd fall - didn't I tell you?"
"Yes you did. Oh, and you guys didn't see him riding on a horse up to the carriage - I couldn't believe it! It was fantastic!"
"I've got pictures!" Ben alerted them all.
"You ask me, I think he enjoyed it more than you did. Jake's always wanted horses, huh momma?"
"Oh yes, he used to rent himself out to the stables to exercise their horses just so he could ride. Times growing up, when he was deep in it with his daddy, we couldn't find him-..."
"He'd be at the stables..." Shanna finished it.
"Or with some girl..." Gert honestly added.
"Well he's mine now, all mine - and I love him, I love him so much, mama Gert." Vivian almost started tearing up again.
"Vivian - stop it!" Crystal scolded, after fixing her hair and make-up again.
Ben had had enough of the teary eyed stories of romance, it was getting to him, "I'll go watch out for'im, let you know when he gets here." He headed for the door.
"Thank you, Ben."
He left and didn't look her way before he departed, Crystal couldn't believe how rapidly things had changed between them - they'd gone from having the best times of their lives together, to this - barely able to stay in the same room with one another for long. Something had to give, they had to come to some type of happy medium - after all, he was Shawn's son, he would always be there, and as Sylvia's daughter, she would also be around, so they had to meet and make this right, surely they could?
The church was filling up fast, family of Gert's had arrived, Jake's friends and boss, guys from the band, folks from around town who'd asked for an invite had all shown up, many of them feeling that they had to see Jake get married with their own eyes. All the McPherson's, excluding Kathy-Ann, were present, even Kevin had shown up for his father's wedding, along with his parents, Christine and Quincy. Royce was there, having taken that day and the next off. Vivian's family and friends from work - Angela and Sasha both were flower girls, with Joseph as their ring barer.
Everyone was gathered around Vivian who would be leading the way before her, Gert turned to her, "I'm going up top, sit and wait your arrival, it's time sweety."
Vivian nodded, hoping Jake was there, all of a sudden they heard a big cheer, whistles, yips and yihas.
Vivian knew, he'd arrived.
Everyone started laughing, "I take it that means, the groom is in the building." Sheila joked.
"Oh yeah, that's exactly what it means." Shanna grinned, "You have no idea how many people cannot believe he's about to do this."
Just then, Ben poked his head in grinning, "Dad's here! Uh, my dad - Jake, that is!"
Everyone laughed once more, by now, they were all in on his three dad predicament and couldn't help laughing about it, now that is, it hadn't been so funny way back when, but it was something to chuckled about now.
Gert walked to Ben, taking his arm, "We'll see you up top, knock'em dead."
Vivian nodded, starting to take deep breaths. Her father then showed up, "I think we're close to it being, walk down the aisle time." Milton grinned.
Smiling, Vivian commented, "Daddy, I don't think I've ever seen you so joyful!"
He shrugged and grinned, "Aih, I used to be something else long time ago, practical joker, into everything."
All the ladies grinned looking at Vivian, "So your bad butt came by it honestly!" Sheila chuckled.
"Yeah, time to confess - she did." Milton laughed.
"Oooh daddy, all that time I was in trouble! How come you didn't take up for me?" Vivian asked, hands on her hips.
"'Cause yo'lil'tail was into everything; since I was always gettin' my butt whip growing up, it was yo'turn."
"Bet you didn't get as many whippin's as I got!"
Milton nodded, "Oh yeah I did, got my end whipped coming and going."
"Like me!" Vivian complained.
"Well, you ain't turn out too bad, look at'cha now." He leaned forward and kissed her brow, "What's that old saying, trials in life that don't kill'ya, can only make you stronger. Well it's true, 'cause look what all you pull through and do." He winked at her, taking a deep breath, looking at her gown, "Lord, all that gown, sho' hope you don't trip!"
All present gasps, "Don't say that!" They all screeched together.
Milton flashed white teeth grinning, "I'm just saying, don't trip, wonder who gone trip first?"
"That's wrong Mr. Cooke, put that on our mind."
In the main hall, immediate family took the first rows, closest friends to the next and so on, and so on.
Looking around at the hall as it filled up Lacy caught the eyes of Alec Ore staring her way from the second rows of seats; she offered a soft smile, lifting her hand for a gentle wave and in turn, he nodded, unwilling to look away until she did so. However, every time Lacy looked away, something pulled her eyes back to him, each time they did, he was still staring at her. After the third time, she could only wonder why he stared at her for so long - what kind of man was he? After all, he thought she was married; hoping to put him off of staring at her, she turned around in her seat, watching the groom, Dennis and Shawn with his camera, talk. Unable to resist, she glanced back over her shoulder again, his way, and felt her face flame up, he caught her looking and grinned - winking to boot. She turned back, determined not to look again.
None of this escaped Betty's notice, who also turned to look his way, to find that not only was he not intimidated by her glare, he tipped his head and winked at her as well. Betty turned around with a huff and then stared at her daughter until she looked her way, "What mama?" After all, there was a reason for her mother's piercing look.
"The sooner we get on the road out of here, the better - I think we should leave right after this ceremony."
Lacy's eyes widened, "What? We can't! What about the reception?"
"What about it? We'll see'em get married, your daddy giving her away, that's enough."
"Mama, why - can't you be happy for Vivian - so what Jake is white, so what." Lacy whispered, trying to keep her voice down.
"So what, huh? Your mind ticking away on maybe joining her?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I done told ya'll about thinking I'm stupid! You having a mighty hard time keeping your eyes off of that banker, her boss!"
Lacy huffed, shaking her head, choosing to say nothing since there was little she could say against her mother, she would always come back with something. There were times when she went above board and backwards for Betty Mae, and yet - it was never enough. She was a grown woman after all, 34 years old - had been married once, and had a child of her own, she was getting tired of doing all she could to please her mother when any wrong or false move, had her all over you, it was getting old and quick - and yet, she didn't have what Vivian had - Vivian seemed not to care if their mother was mad, or displeased with her - she went on to do what she was going to do, regardless of her feelings.
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