by Judith Keim
Nicole’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, yes. Casey and I have made sure of it.”
Upstairs, Sheena stepped into the section of the ballroom that had been set up for Darcy’s wedding reception. She gasped with pleasure. Crisp, white tablecloths covered the rounds of eight—all four of them. Gray napkins, almost a silver color, flanked the table settings, offsetting crystal glasses and sparkling silverware. In the middle of each round table sat a gray vase holding Oriental white lilies edged in pale pink. The effect was stunning, not plain at all, as Sheena had once feared.
“It’s gorgeous,” said Darcy, coming to stand beside her. “I knew with Regan’s help, it would be.”
“Yes, it’s beautiful. Let’s relax. We have less than an hour before you walk onto the beach for your wedding.”
“I hope the wind dies down,” Darcy said, giving her a worried look. “It was supposed to be calm all day.”
“It’ll be fine,” Sheena said, hoping she was right. Weather-wise, this time of year was tricky.
###
Sheena stood on the sandy beach in bare feet, lined up next to Regan and Meaghan, waiting for Darcy to appear. Austin stood off to the side, looking both excited and nervous.
“When is she coming?” whispered Meaghan in a voice that others could hear, causing a few titters of laughter.
Sheena glanced at the assembled crowd, feeling a rush of love for the people gathered there. Beside her, Regan and Meaghan resembled angels in their white dresses. Tony, Michael, and Brian stood together, dressed alike in gray slacks and crisp, open-necked white shirts. Paul and Rosa stood behind them. Gavin’s people, dressed in varying colors, clustered together. Holly and Blackie, sharing newlywed smiles and kisses, stood behind Brian. Austin’s parents and his grandfather stood alongside Austin. Belinda looked lovely in her white dress, and Charles and Bill wore the required gray slacks and white shirt to match Austin’s outfit. Behind them, a group of six friends of the Blakely family had gathered.
A minister, wearing a clerical collar over a short-sleeved, black shirt and wearing black slacks, stood by a small, portable altar that had been anchored in the sand. Sheena smiled at the sight, realizing this man, a friend of Austin’s family, was no stranger to beach weddings.
The weather had cooperated by calming the wind and clearing the skies for a delightful sunset. Streaks of oranges, reds, and purples spread across the horizon adding their blessing to the occasion.
Nicole and Casey, busy with preparations at Gavin’s, hurried to join the assembled group.
Then, it was time for Darcy and her father to appear.
Feeling more like a mother than a sister, Sheena held her breath.
At the sight of her father in gray slacks and a pressed white shirt leading Darcy toward them, Sheena choked up. It was so nice to have her father a part of the ceremony. He served as a reminder of her mother and his brother Gavin.
Next to him, holding his arm, Darcy appeared to float toward them in a simple, white strapless dress with a beaded top and a skirt made of layers of organza that lifted and billowed around her in the soft breeze. A thin strip of gray silk bound the waist. In her hands, she carried a bouquet of white lilies edged in pale pink. At the top of her red curls, a small lily was the only decoration.
Sheena watched Austin’s eyes fill at the sight of Darcy and smiled. It was a good match.
Darcy’s eyes shone with love as she walked to Austin’s side.
While they stood gazing at one another, Patrick kissed Darcy’s cheek and stepped back to join Tony and the other men.
“Dear family and friends, we are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Darcy Elizabeth Sullivan and Austin William Blakely...” began the minister.
During the ceremony, Sheena’s thoughts wandered until Darcy began to speak in a trembling voice as she faced Austin.
“I searched for the way to best put into words my love for you. I waded into the warm water at the beach and thought, yes, love is as constant as the waves rolling into shore and back again. I looked up at the sky and thought, yes, love is as bright as the sun that helps things to grow. I sifted the sand through my fingers and thought, yes, love is as infinite as the grains of sand beneath my feet. And when I thought of true love, your face was all I could see. My love for you is as constant, as bright and beautiful, as limitless as the magic around us—the magic you make me feel when I am with you. You’ve given me the courage to be a better self, one worthy of you. I promise to be there for you, to support you in whatever we decide to do with our lives and to show you in every way I know how to make you as happy, as full of love as you’ve made me. I promise this to you forever.”
By the time Darcy was through speaking, Sheena wasn’t the only one dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.
Austin thumbed the tears off Darcy’s cheeks and began to speak. His words, so similar in meaning were just as sweet and heartfelt, making both his parents tearful.
Patrick had, of course, been weeping from the start of the service.
When the words “You may now kiss your bride” were spoken, a huge sigh of satisfaction came from the group. It was, Sheena decided, one of the sweetest weddings ever.
“Well done! Well done!” Patrick said. “Now, let’s go celebrate!”
###
Darcy and Austin led the group into Gavin’s and to the upstairs room. As people entered, they had a chance to kiss the bride and congratulate the groom.
An open bar was set up at one end of the room, dining tables sat in the middle, and at the other end of the room, a small dance floor had been put in place. Soft, romantic music flowed from speakers a DJ was controlling.
As guests enjoyed pre-dinner drinks, Sheena mingled with the crowd, meeting the Blakelys’ friends, talking to Gavin’s people. She was as surprised as everyone else when Mo and Kenton appeared.
Smiling, Darcy rushed over to them and ushered them into the room.
“Hi! What a surprise!” Regan said, hurrying over to them.
Sheena approached as Regan was giving each of them a hug.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” said Regan. “I thought you were in Hawaii.”
“Sorry, we’re late. We just flew in,” said Mo. “Thankfully, Brian arranged for us to be picked up.”
Sheena was as confused as Regan. Brian? What was going on?
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
REGAN
Beaming, Brian approached Mo and Kenton. “Hi, guys! Glad you could make it. Help yourselves to something at the bar. Sheena will introduce you to her father and others.”
Sheena gave him a puzzled look, but said agreeably, “Sure, but before you meet Patrick, you’d better get your drink.”
Kenton chuckled. “Sounds good to me.
Brian took Regan’s elbow. “Come with me. We have to talk.”
“We can’t leave the party!” Regan said, wondering at his strange behavior.
Brian kept walking across the hall, leading her to the private room opposite the ballroom. He pulled her inside and closed the door.
Inside, he faced her, looking a bit uncertain. “You know I love you more than anything, right?”
“Ye-s-s-s.”
“And you wanted to get married as quickly and simply as we could. Right?”
Regan’s knees suddenly went weak. “Wait! Are you thinking we should get married right now in front of our family and friends?’ Her stomach fluttered with excitement. “But we can’t! This is Darcy’s wedding, not mine.”
“But this whole idea is Darcy’s. She wants to share the occasion with you. When she and Austin found out we were holding back on eloping because of their wedding, Darcy came up with this suggestion. Both Darcy and Austin think it would be a great addition to their day. They both wanted to announce it beforehand, but I didn’t want them to do anything to take away from their wedding, and I had to make sure this is what you really want. I’m okay with the idea of a short, simple ceremony like you wanted in front of the people gathered here and ce
lebrating all together. What do you think?”
Regan wrapped her arms around him, so excited about the idea she could hardly think. Then she smiled. “It’s a great idea, but I need to talk to Darcy first, to make sure this is truly what she and Austin want. Does Sheena know?”
Brian shook his head.
“Please ask Darcy and Sheena to come here, and then I’ll decide.”
“I love you, Regan. I’ll do anything you want on this. I just want you to be mine.” Brian lowered his lips to hers.
A sense of peace washed over her. Both Brian and Darcy knew her well enough to know she’d been serious about nothing fancy for herself.
###
“Okay, what’s going on?” Sheena demanded in her big sister voice as she hurried into the room. “Are you okay? Why are Mo and Kenton here? I thought they were in Hawaii.”
Regan looked at Darcy. “Do you want to explain?”
Darcy wrapped her arm around Regan and turned to face Sheena. “One evening, when Brian caught up to Austin and me at The Key Hole, I asked him when he and Regan were going to get married. He explained they wanted to elope, but they didn’t want to do anything to spoil my wedding. That’s when I got this idea.”
“What idea?” Sheena asked.
“For them to get married during the reception of my wedding. That way, friends and family could at least see them married.”
Sheena narrowed her eyes at Regan. “You’d go ahead and get married without us?”
Regan gave them a sheepish look. “I just wanted to get married quietly, no muss, no fuss. I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“We would have been hurt by that,” said Darcy.
“We’re all sisters, remember?” Sheena said sternly.
“So, do you want Brian and me to go ahead with this? Do you really?”
Darcy grinned at her. “Yes.”
“How are we going to do this?” said Regan, her head spinning.
“It’s simple,” said Darcy. “We’ll ask for everyone’s attention. The minister already has agreed to do the ceremony, Brian has the rings, and your family and friends will all be your witnesses.” She grinned. “Mo’s already changing into gray slacks and a white shirt.”
Regan covered her mouth with her hands, realizing how much work had already gone into making this happen. “Oh, this is all so sweet, so sensational! Be sure Meaghan is standing with Mo too. I promised her she’d be in my wedding.” A nervous giggle escaped Regan. “My Gawd! I knew Brian loved me, but this? Oh, my!”
“Well?” said Brian, poking his head into the room.
“Let’s do it,” said Regan.
“You’re sure this is how you all want to proceed?” Sheena asked her sisters.
Regan and Darcy exchanged looks of determination and nodded.
Regan turned to Brian. “You’re ready for this?”
Brian grinned. “I’ve been ready for marrying you my whole lifetime.”
“Okay, Brian,” said Darcy. “Tell Austin it’s a go, and wait for our signal.”
Regan looked at Sheena and Darcy. “Is this okay for a wedding dress?”
Both of her sisters smiled. “It’s perfect.”
“Let’s add a circle of flowers to your hair or do something bride-like for you,” said Sheena.
Darcy grinned. “You can use my bouquet. And I’ve already ordered a circlet of flowers to wear on your head. They’re in the refrigerator.” She walked over to the small refrigerator, lifted out a box, and handed it to Regan. “When I asked you about flowers for my wedding, you once mentioned freesia. So, I had this made in a variety of soft colors.”
Regan lifted out the fresh floral headpiece and gasped, “It’s gorgeous. Totally gorgeous. Thank you!”
Sheena took it from her and placed it on her head. “Perfect.”
Regan felt her eyes fill with tears. “Thank you so much.”
“Okay, you and Sheena wait here. I’ll alert Austin and the minister, and get Dad. He can walk you into the room,” said Darcy. She turned to them with a smile. “I’m so happy it’s working out this way.”
A few minutes later, Darcy returned to the room with Patrick in tow.
“What’s this, Regan? My baby girl is getting married now?”
“Yes, Daddy. Brian and I want to be married, and Darcy and Austin have offered to have us use this time to get married here and now.” She couldn’t help the smile she felt spreading across her face. “Pretty different, huh?”
“I’ll say,” Patrick said, “but you kids today have all kinds of ideas.”
“I’ll leave you two alone and go check on things out there,” said Sheena.
She left with Darcy, and Regan faced her father. “I’m doing this, in part, to please Mom. She wouldn’t like the idea of my living with Brian. He and I both want to make it official.”
“Your mother, God bless her, had a whole lot of ideas about things. I think she’d be pleased to know how much you girls love each other. There was a time when you were younger she worried about it.” He took her arm. “Okay, let’s go. We’re to wait in the hallway until Darcy gives us the signal.”
Standing in the corridor outside the ballroom, Regan strained to hear Austin speak.
“My wife, Darcy, and I are very excited to share a special moment with all of you. With our blessing, her sister, Regan, and Regan’s fiancé, Brian, have decided to exchange wedding vows in front of you now. I’ll turn the program over to Reverend Davis, and join Brian on the podium we’ve set up.”
Murmurs of surprise broke out, and then excited clapping began.
Knowing there was no turning back, Regan’s mouth became dry.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
DARCY
Remembering how nervous she’d felt on the beach walking toward Austin, Darcy was surprised by how calm Regan appeared as she entered the room on their father’s arm. Dressed in a midi, white eyelet sundress, and wearing the crown of flowers on her shoulder-length dark hair, Regan’s violet eyes glowed with happiness. She looked like an ad for perfume or diamond rings. She was that stunning.
Sheena slid into the chair beside Darcy and took hold of her hand. Together they watched their sister walk across the room to where Austin and Brian were waiting. Standing opposite them, Mo and Meaghan beamed at Regan.
The minister spoke quietly, but loud enough for everyone to hear in the hush that filled the room. Hearing the words spoken to her just a short while ago, Darcy listened with a sense of renewed wonder. The words, the promise to love and hold dear, meant even more to her. She gazed at Austin standing to one side and smiled when he mouthed the words, “Love you.”
When the announcement came for the groom to kiss his bride, everyone in the room stood and clapped. It was, Darcy thought, a magical moment. Not one wedding, but two had given the Sullivan sisters a very special day.
Holly rushed over to Brian and Regan. “Oh, my dears! I’m so happy for you.”
And then everyone gathered around them.
Austin came over to Darcy and kissed her cheek. “It worked out well, don’t you think?”
Darcy smiled at him. “Everyone thought it would ruin our wedding. I think it made it even better because of what I’ve learned.”
He smiled. “And what might that be?”
“That if you have enough love, it’s easy to share it.”
He laughed. “Guess that will end up in one of your books one day, huh?”
“If only,” she said, wishing she hadn’t received another rejection letter. She’d heard all kinds of horror stories about breaking into the book business, but she wasn’t about to give up.
###
As dinner was served, happy conversation filled the room. It was as if not one, but two weddings were cause for even more celebration.
Darcy gazed at the diners, happy to see everyone, even shy Bebe and quiet Sally, was happily conversing with other guests.
Her father was enjoying the celebration most of all, repeating the story of how Darc
y and Regan had fought as children but now had shown real love for each other and Sheena.
It became a comedy of sorts as first one person and then another stood to give a toast. When Blackie stood, Darcy held her breath.
“I can’t remember an occasion other than my marriage to Holly,” he stopped to smile at her, “that gives me more reason to celebrate than this. I hope to hell Gavin has a good spot in heaven and is celebrating too. What he dreamed of for Sheena, Darcy, and Regan has become a reality both personally and professionally. He was a good man whose proof of that is your presence today. Cheers to the brides and grooms!”
Darcy studied her father’s solemn expression and prayed he wouldn’t object.
When he stood, Darcy glanced at Sheena and saw the worry she felt.
“Gavin was my brother, and though we didn’t always get along, deep down I ... I ... loved him,” said Patrick. “And I’ll always be grateful to him for what he’s done for my girls.”
“Hear! Hear!” Sheena cried.
The others joined in, and Tony jumped to his feet, forcing Patrick to sit down. “I wish to offer a toast to Darcy and Regan.” He raised his glass and bobbed his head to Darcy, then Regan. “I wish you all the happiness in the world. Austin and Brian are lucky to be married to one of the Sullivan sisters. Here’s wishing the four of you all the happiness I’ve had with my bride. Cheers!”
After taking a sip of wine, Tony continued. “And here’s to Sheena. We’ve been married a long time, but seeing her here like this, looking like a bride herself, I’m reminded as always how lucky my children and I are.”
“The baby too,” said Meaghan.
Amid the laughter that followed, Darcy caught Sheena’s eye and blew her a kiss.
After the main course was cleared, a waiter rolled in a cart holding a wedding cake, plates, and silverware. He brought it to the table where Darcy and Austin sat.
Darcy waved Regan and Brian over to join them.
The three-tiered cake was iced in white and accented on top by a cluster of white and pale-pink roses that spilled down the sides.