“Drink up, girl… Time to get gorgeous!”
***
Holly and Brant were still in bed at noon, when Holly’s cell phone buzzed loudly on the night stand. A text message had come through from Sloane.
“Are you up?!”
Brant groaned as her heard the phone buzz. He reached for the phone, and as he saw Sloane’s message he shook Holly awake.
“Baby, wake up. Sloane’s freaking out, again.”
“Again. Why now?”
Holly began clicking the buttons on her cellphone to respond to Sloane’s text message.
“Just woke up, about to get in the shower.”
“Raphael is about to come to your room. My hair and make-up is done. Mom is coming in an hour to help me get dressed. When you’re ready, come over.”
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Holly threw on a pair of pink yoga pants and a tank top as she ran to the door. Standing in the doorway was Raphael look nothing short of fabulous with his gelled coif and tanned skin.
“You must be Raphael…” said Holly with an amused tone to her voice.
“It is I, come to make you gorgeous, but I see you don’t need much help from me!”
“Cute… C’mon in…” said Holly as she led Raphael into the living room. Holly couldn’t decide which was more gorgeous… her bed head, her morning breath or the mascara that was left over on her lashes from last night. Raphael pretended not to notice.
“And who is this fine specimen of a man?!” Raphael said pointing at Brant who had fallen back to sleep with nothing on but a sheet to cover his goods. His rippling chest looked absolutely delicious in the early afternoon sunlight.
“He’s all mine, hands off…” said Holly with a smirk.
“Ooh! Saucy! I like it!”
As Raphael worked his magic with Holly’s hair, Brant stirred in bed. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Raphael called out to him, “Well good morning, cutie! Wakey wakey!”
Brant woke up with a bewildered look on his face.
“Holly….”
“Hi, baby! I’m over here getting my hair done.”
“Who is your friend?” said Brant as he pulled on his boxer briefs.
“This is Raphael, my beautician for the day.”
Raphael waved and got back to work as he curled and pinned Holly’s hair into an elaborate up-do.
“Nice to meet you,” said Brant feeling a tad bit awkward with the attention Raphael had lavished upon him.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door again.
“Yo, are you awake in there,” called Luke from the other side.
“Come in…” said Brant as he pulled on a pair of khaki shorts.
“Wanna hit the links before we get this party started?”
“Yeah, let me get dressed.”
“Just grab a t-shirt and let’s go.”
“Holl… I’ll be back around 3…”
“Have fun guys…”
***
Philomena helped Sloane slink into her elegant bridal gown, as Sloane looked nervously into the mirror. Her black bob was curled softly at the bottom, and had a vintage hair clip adorning her hair. She opted for a simpler look and decided to forgo the veil and tiara that many brides went for. Philomena buttoned Sloane’s dress up one by one as the ideal image of Sloane’s wedding day look came to fruition.
“Oh, honey… You look elegant.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
“Are you nervous honey…?”
“Not really about getting married. I’m nervous about Dad’s reaction.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about that…”
“Why is that?”
Suddenly, the door to Sloane’s hotel room opened ever so slowly.
“I have an inkling that he’ll be just fine for the wedding.”
“I need him to like Luke. It’s important to me. I wish he was here.”
“Sweetheart, I’m right here,” said Arthur looking dapper in a black tuxedo with a sly smile on his face.
“Daddy…”
“Do you really think I would miss your wedding day?”
“Who told you?”
“No one. I saw your mother’s credit card charges. Then she said we were going to St. Thomas this weekend and I knew.”
“I’m so glad you’re here,” said Sloane as she rushed up to her father with tears in her eyes.
“Of course I am here.”
“Sloane, you should know that your father and Luke had a very good retreat last weekend.”
“They did? I heard all you did was complain?”
“I gave him my blessing.”
Sloane was taken aback. Words just wouldn’t come to her mouth.
“Come here,” said Arthur as he smiled at his daughter. “I couldn’t just let any old bum marry my daughter. I had to test him.”
“And he passed?”
“With flying colors.”
“He saved Daddy from being attacked by a bear.”
“I know. I heard…”
“Turn around honey… I have something for you,” Arthur said as he pulled a blue box out of his jacket pocket.
Sloane did as she was told as Arthur opened the box.
“This belonged to your grandmother. She wore it on her wedding day, and now so shall you. She married someone who was not her father’s image of the ideal son-in-law. Grandpa Markowitz was a door to door salesman. Great Grandpa Leaman refused to give him his blessing until one day he was eating breakfast and they got into an argument. While your grandmother cleaned up the breakfast dishes, great grandpa clutched his chest, and suffered a heart attack. Grandpa Markowitz pulled him into his car and rushed him to the hospital. Another couple of minutes and he would have been dead.”
“So he showed Great Grandpa Leaman that he was a good man.”
“Exactly.”
“I’m glad you and Luke have been able to see eye to eye. You should know that I would have married him regardless.”
“Oh, baby girl. I know you all too well.”
Sloane admired the beautiful saphire necklace that her father had just given her.
“It’s beautiful…”
“It’s your something old and your something blue.”
“Mom loaned me her hair pin…”
“You just need something new.
Philomena grabbed a red box out of her purse.
“This is your something new. It’s from me.”
Sloane took the box from her mother and gave her a pensive look.
“What is it?”
“Just open it.”
Sloane did as she was told and was blinded momentarily by the contents of the box. A sparkling Cartier bracelet shone out with a watch face installed in the center.
“The stones are new, but the face of the watch is old. When you’re going into your future with the man you love, don’t forget to remember where you came from. I hope the lessons we’ve taught you will guide you through your future as you embark on your new journey with Luke.”
“Oh, how incredible…” said Sloane as she continued to admire the incredibly personal and touching gift.
“We love you, sweetie,” said Arthur and both he and Philomena gave Sloane a kiss on each cheek.
Sloane suddenly realized that they had a visitor. Holly was standing in the doorway looking like a movie star in her champagne colored dress, elegant up-do and perfectly done makeup. With a confident smile, Holly lit up the room with excitement.
“It’s time.”
Chapter Sixteen
Mrs. Casile
The sun set over the Atlantic as guests began to fill into the white chairs that lined the beach. Lighting the center of the aisle in which Sloane would walk down to become Mrs. Casile were dozens of lanterns that would guide the way. A white runner flowed up the aisle that led to the rose covered arbor, where Sloane and Luke would say their vows. It was almost time. Family members and close friends filed into the pews and took their seats as they anxiously a
waited for the wedding to begin. Arthur had flown in a group of Sloane’s sorority sisters and they waited in their seats with excited glances on their faces. Luke’s grandmother was ushered in by Sloane’s brother Ian, and she took a seat in the front row with a proud smile on her face. A violinist took their place next to the arbor where the gentle sways of their bow would call Sloane to the altar. The violinist’s bow graced across the rosined strings of the violin as some of Luke and Sloane’s favorite songs played out. All You Need is Love by the Beatles sounded over the beautiful beach as Brant and Luke appeared at the back of the aisle dressed in white tuxedos. They both looked incredibly dapper and happy as they walked to the arbor, side by side. Behind them, their friend Russell, who was an ordained minister, followed behind them in a black suit, and greeted Luke warmly in front of everyone.
As the George Harrison song Here Comes the Sun played, everyone turned around to see Gloria walking proudly to the front. She had Marv on her arm, and they looked completely at peace. Behind them, Philomena was escorted by her son Ian to the front of the church. She beamed with pride and gave Luke a sly wink as she took her place up front with Gloria. Walking slowly behind, Holly walked by herself up the aisle smiling at everyone. The sight of the sunset and the candle lit aisle brought a tear to Holly’s eye. No words could express the beauty of the scene. As she looked at Brant and Luke, a tear rolled down her happy face. She couldn’t be more thrilled for her friends.
Suddenly, the music changed again. Fools Rush In sounded from the violin as a charged glance emerged from Luke’s eye. This was their song. He patiently waited for Sloane to appear. Russell motioned for the audience to stand. In a flash of white, Sloane finally arrived at the end of the aisle. The sight took Luke’s breath away. His stomach tightened as butterflies fluttered. This was the moment he had waited for.
With a glorious smile on her face, Sloane grabbed Arthur’s arm as they glided down the aisle. She looked like she was walking on air. It was as if she was on a cloud, sliding into heaven. As she reached the arbor, she refused to wait for permission. She grabbed her groom by his tie and pulled him in for the most romantic kiss of her lifetime. Just moments later, it was official. Sloane Markowitz was officially and finally Mrs. Sloane Casile.
***
Sloane and Luke danced the night away, swept off in a cloud of disbelief. Luke was right. Nothing could stand in their way of their dreams. They would be just fine, just as they had always been. They knew that marriage could be hard, but side by side, and together as a team, no one could stand in their way.
***
“Arthur,” said Luke as he walked up to him with Sloane and his grandmother Pearl on his arms.
“I would like to introduce you to my grandmother… Pearl Ainsworth…”
Arthur stood wide-eyed and amazed.
“I have known your grandmother for a very, very long time…” Arthur said with a smile on his face.
“Oh, God!” Pearl squealed. “Arthur Markowitz! If it’s not enough that I see you on TV every day, but to be related to you, too!”
“Mrs. Ainsworth. Oh, my goodness…”
Luke’s grandmother, Pearl Ainsworth was Arthur and Marv’s first-grade teacher. As old as she was, her memory was as sharp as a tack.
“I hear that you’re as stubborn now as you were back in my grammar school class!”
Arthur looked stunned. Suddenly Marv saw Pearl and he grinned broadly at her.
“Mrs. Ainsworth. What a pleasure!”
“Marvin… So good to see you. I do hope you’re keep your friend here out of trouble.”
“Oh, yes. We got him turned around real good.”
“Wonderful. I’d hate to hear that he was giving my Luke trouble. And Sloane… What a gem!”
Luke tried to stifle his laughter as his grandmother scared the pants off of Arthur.
“I wouldn’t want to have to get out my yard stick…” Pearl threatened.
Pearl was bringing up repressed memories of Arthur’s childhood. He stared at her wide-eyed and somewhat fearful.
“Oh! I’m just kiddin’ with ya, Arthur! Lighten up! Welcome to the family!”
Arthur’s face relaxed as Pearl pulled him into a bear hug. Her plump arms squeezed him tightly and refused to let go for several seconds.
***
The wedding party gathered on the beach with paper lanterns in their hands. Holly and Brant shared one as they looked up at the night sky with expectant glances. Sloane and Brant shared another as the magic of the evening set their souls on fire. Luke couldn’t take his eyes off of Sloane’s face as the happiness of the day showed in her every glance. Marv and Gloria giggled as they waited to release their lantern into the night sky, while Philomena and Arthur patiently waited for instructions.
Luke spoke to the wedding guests with a microphone in his hand.
“Sloane and I kept our love largely a secret for seven years. I refuse to do it anymore. Let the world know… Let the universe know that we belong together. She is the greatest good in my life. A fire ball of energy and I am the night sky, dark and brooding. She lit up my life, and now we will light up the sky with our love.”
Suddenly, all four paper lanterns floated into the sky as the sea breeze carried the orbs of light into the distance. They lit up the night sky, like a beacon in the night. Floating off into oblivion, the light cast off by Sloane and Luke’s love warmed the darkness and shocked the night with glee. As the wedding guests cheered and saluted the bride and groom, Luke grabbed Sloane by her waist tightly. He looked into her eyes with a meaningful expression.
“I told you I would never let anything come between us.”
“I am amazed,” Sloane replied, a look a pure relief on her face.
“Don’t be. You’re mine to love and protect.”
“And you are mine to adore and pester until my dying day,” said Sloane with a sly smile.
“I’m such a lucky guy…”
As the lanterns flickered into the darkness like shooting stars across the sky, Luke’s lips met Sloane’s in a passionate kiss.
Chapter Seventeen
A Matter of the Heart
“Mrs. Edgemont?” asked Dr. Phillips as he came into the examination room to see Holly.
Holly sat up on the ultrasound table with Brant by her side.
“Good Morning, doctor.”
“Please, relax. The ultrasound technician took some scans, but they wanted me to have a look for myself.”
“Okay, great…”
“Is everything alright, doctor?”
“Just fine. Just fine. Okay, this will be a little cold…” the doctor said as he squirted a blue gel on Holly’s flat stomach.
The doctor took the sonograph wand and glided it across Holly’s stomach as grainy images showed up on the screen.
“Very good, indeed…” Dr. Phillips said.
“Okay, Mr. and Mrs. Edgemont… This…” he said pointed to a small peanut-like image on the screen, “Is your baby…”
“You mean this is a viable pregnancy?” said Holly in shock.
“That is exactly what I am saying. The baby has implanted in the remaining part of your uterus, and is quite healthy… and he’s not alone.”
“What?”
“Mrs. Edgemont… You are expecting twins.”
Brant was blown away. As Holly began to cry, he couldn’t help but tear up, too.
“I am measuring the babies as approximately seven weeks along… and their heart beats are very strong. 166 beats per minute.”
“There is a heart beat…”
“Oh, yes. Listen…” said the doctor as he pressed a button on the ultrasound machine.
A strong static beat sounded through the speakers and filled the room. The battling thumping of the baby’s hearts were more breathtaking than Holly could have ever imagined. Brant stood by her side with a hand over his mouth as tears streamed down his face.
“I am going to give you two a moment. Here are some print outs for you to
keep.”
The doctor handed Holly the ultrasound photographs. She and Brant observed them and couldn’t believe their eyes.
“We’re having two babies…” said Holly as tears continued to roll down her cheek.
Brant wiped away her tears as he looked at the photograph. Holly, seeing Brant had tears of his own. She wiped his cheeks gently with both of her hands.
“Who would have thought that in the matter of two months all of our dreams would have come true?”
Epilogue
Fairytales are fiction. They don’t exist in real life. But the beauty of real life is that there a moments that take us beyond the majesty and appeal of the old fantasy tales of yore. Beyond the castles, and the beautiful clothing and the storybook weddings, there exists a love so great that it takes our breath away.
Sloane and Luke remained in St. Thomas for two weeks enjoying their honeymoon wrapped in a blissful cocoon. They had turned their phones off and blocked out the world as they cloaked themselves in their love. It was better than any fairy tale Sloane had ever read.
They returned at the end of February and were eager to catch up with their friends, Holly and Brant. After they got settled, they agreed to meet up for dinner at Holly and Brant’s house. Holly cooked a lasagna dinner and as everyone was sitting down to eat, Holly broke the news.
“So, we need a favor…”
“Oh?” said Luke as he swallowed a mouthful of pasta.
“Will you be the god parents of our baby?”
“What?! So this is for real?!” asked Sloane as she bounced up and down in her chair.
“Oh, it’s real alright…” said Brant as he passed the ultrasound pictures.
“Oh, my God! If it’s a girl will you name it after me?”
Luke laughed, “I think one Sloane is enough!”
“So, will you accept?”
“Of course we will! Another kid to spoil!”
“Actually, two…”
“Twins?!”
“Twins.”
“What did Marv say?”
“He damn near had a heartattack.”
“I have so much shopping to do… Bedding and clothing and baby gear…” Sloane began as Luke gave her a wary look.
“I may have to confiscate her credit card,” Luke said with a laugh.
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