I grabbed my phone and despite my best efforts to stop myself, I unzipped my “Mrs…” hoodie and pulled up more pregnancy cleavage as I readied myself for a selfie. I grinned into the lens and clicked the phone.
Miss me?
Within seconds Ayden texted back.
I think you have it in for me.
I unzipped my hoodie a tad more and took another shot, sending it over to Ayden. This time I pouted my lips.
Wish you were here
.
He texted back.
So do I…
I chuckled and left him hanging as Brandy sent me a text.
Will be there in a few minutes. Grabbing a bagel and lox. Need anything?
I texted back.
I had over-hard eggs benedict.
Ayden texted.
And the image almost dropped me to my knees. My cheeks warmed as I zoomed into view this beautiful specimen of a man. The bruising to his ribs had diminished, and seeing his stomach literally made mine flutter.
I had to turn it up a notch so I unzipped my hoodie completely and took a shot of my lace bra and my best version of a sultry pose and sent him the shot with the caption.
Bet you’re wishing you could…
A text returned.
Could what?
I glanced at the sender and nearly died. I’d sent it to Brandy. How in the world did that work?
I texted back.
Nothing. Wrong person.
Determined to give Ayden a piece of his own medicine. I re-sent the photo and this time changed the caption.
Sorry had to finish.
He texted immediately.
Finish what?
I giggled and wrote back to Ayden.
You’ll never know…
Ayden sent a picture of himself on the balcony, again shirtless, and pouting into the screen. I couldn’t stop laughing as I texted back.
You are one sexy beast. See you soon, Mr. Rhodes.
His last text landed seconds later.
Not soon enough.
A knock at my door hurled through the room, and I shoved down my embarrassment. It wasn’t the first time we’d all swapped texts inadvertently, and I was sure it wouldn’t be the last. I swung open the door to Gabby holding up Brandy’s phone in one hand and her dress in the other while wiggling her brows. They were both dressed in the matching pink bridesmaid sweats I’d bought for them, and they promised they’d schlep around the resort wearing them.
“Feeling extra frisky this morning?” Gabby teased.
“Not anymore than usual,” I explained.
“Gross.” Brandy swatted at me, while grasping her dress in the other hand. “He’s my brother.”
I pointed at my belly and furrowed my brows. “You do know how these things happen, right?”
Brandy rubbed my belly. “Hahaha. Yes. I’ve got a firm grip on the birds and bees.”
“Have you thought about names?” Gabby asked. “Maybe Gabriella or Gabrielle Brandy Rhodes…”
“I don’t think so, my dear. That little princess is going to be named Brandy Gabriella. Isn’t that so?” Brandy’s eyes darted to mine.
“Not quite so.”
“Well, there’s got to be some sort of shout-out.” Gabby sat on the bed and turned down the volume on the television.
I shook my head. “We can’t decide. Thankfully, we have months to toss around ideas, but I’ll be sure to pass onto Ayden your thoughts. I kind of like the idea of bringing back some oldies but goodies.”
“Like what?” Brandy asked, spinning in the swivel chair.
“Violet, Agnes, Ethel, Myrtle, Tillie…”
Brandy’s forehead creased slightly. “All cute names.”
Gabby nodded. “Yeah. All cute names.”
“I’m sensing a but…”
“Well, you don’t want to prematurely age your daughter. Ethel is super cute, but I’m not sure I can imagine a ton of first graders hollering for an Ethel.”
“I like the idea of being different, but you think Ethel is too much?” I questioned.
“I think anything you call your little Rhodes will be perfect,” Gabby added her two cents. “You could start a fad, and Ethels could be everywhere by 2020.”
“Agnes isn’t far behind,” Brandy mumbled.
I folded my arms and pretended to glare at Brandy. “What would you name your niece?”
“How about Lula or Hattie.”
“Those are actually really cute,” I said.
“What do you mean actually?” Brandy glanced at my veil. “You already got the wrinkles out?”
“I meant actually because those are still quaint names but extra cute, and yes, I got the wrinkles out. I’ve got this flat lavender nail polish I thought we could do on our nails.” I walked over to the dresser and slid it toward Brandy. “Does that meet your demands?”
“Cute. I’ll go first.”
“How do you want our hair?” Gabby asked.
“I thought we could all do loose braids.” I opened my suitcase and searched for the jeweled pins I bought. “And then maybe slide one of these in? Just a thought.”
“Love it,” Gabby said, snatching a pin out of my hand.
“So cute,” Brandy said, in complete agreement.
“Thank goodness.” I sat on the bed next to Gabby and stretched out my legs.
“It’s so refreshing to see how well your wedding is coming together, and you don’t seem stressed at all,” Gabby propped herself on her elbows and glanced toward the beach.
“I was a tad nuts a couple months ago, but I think having the distance and being forced to rely on someone else helps. Not to mention what Ayden and I went through put things in perspective.”
“I bet. I have to confess. I’m so grateful for Carla’s help. She’s a great stepmom, but she is such a perfectionist. Sometimes the conversations wear me out, and we haven’t even gotten to the event yet.”
“So tell me whose idea were those green dresses? Yours or Carla’s?” Brandy’s brow quirked slightly.
“You don’t like them either?” Gabby chortled.
“I didn’t say that. I was only curious.”
Gabby let out a deep breath and smiled. “Anyway, whether it’s the final menus or flower selection, I sometimes envy your method.”
“Your wedding is going to be off the charts,” I assured her. “And every little thing will have been worth it. I already know it’s going to be absolutely magical. Anything Carla touches is magnificent, and you’re nothing short of glorious so it’s a winning combination. And you have hundreds of guests coming. Can you imagine trying to shuttle hundreds of Carla’s friends?”
Gabby shivered at the thought. “I love how it’s your big day, and you’re having to reassure me that mine’s going to come out okay.”
“That’s why we’re the perfect fit.”
“The perfect fit,” Brandy added, finishing the last coat of paint on her nails. “Next?”
Gabby reached for the polish and began dabbing the color on her nails when someone knocked at the door.
“So Gabby and I wanted you to have a little extra pampering.” Brandy got up from the chair and glanced at me as I began to squirm.
“What did you two plan?” I straightened my posture and waited for Brandy to open the door.
“Round one is a pregnancy massage while Gabby and I go take care of some last minute details down at the reception area. And when we come back, hair and makeup will be up to get us all shined up for the big event.” Brandy let the masseuse into the room and pointed at me.
“You two didn’t have to do this.” I gave Gabby a huge hug, as the masseuse set up her portable table, complete with a hole for my belly. “But I appreciate it so much. I’m feeling like the Energizer bunny right now.”
Brandy hugged me next and rocked me back and forth. “Enjoy every second of the ninety minutes.”
“You guys went all out,” I gushed.
“I’m fancy like that,” Brandy teased
.
“You have made me feel like a princess, and I didn’t even know this was something I wanted.”
“Needed.” Brandy winked, and I exhaled deeply, feeling the stress I didn’t know I had slowly releasing from my body.
“See you in a bit,” Brandy called from the door with Gabby right behind.
I followed the masseuse’s instruction crawling under the sheet she held up for me and closed my eyes as she began working on arms, and sleep slowly drifted over me as I dreamed about walking down the aisle to marry the man of my dreams.
“You’re so fancy,” Brandy joked, poking and prodding at Gabby.
“That’s me. Miss. Fancy.” Gabby rolled her eyes. Sometimes too much of a good thing was wearing, and Brandy always knew how to push Gabby’s buttons. It was a fun spectacle and a guilty pleasure.
Brandy turned her attention to me, and Gabby breathed a sigh of relief.
“You are the most beautiful bride. Ever,” Brandy gushed.
“Without a doubt,” Gabby agreed.
“Thanks to the hair and makeup team you two hired.”
The balmy breeze brushed against my bare shoulders, and my dress shimmered in the wind. I glanced at the mirror the hotel had placed in my open-to-the-beach bridal room, and I took in a deep breath. The stylist took my idea one step farther and wrapped a loose braid around the crown of my head, leaving the rest of my hair long and flowing down my back. I loved it.
“You think?” I asked, suddenly shy about what Ayden might think. I’d hidden the dress from him since I’d picked it out with his mom, and now he was about to see it and me for the first time.
“We know,” they both shouted. “You’re angelic.”
I looked in the mirror and smiled as excitement pulsed through my veins.
“I’m. Getting. Married.” The smile was permanently etched onto my face.
I was sure of it.
Now, hopefully, I wouldn’t look like the Joker in all of the wedding photos.
“Thanks for not making us wear a conch shell,” Gabby said smiling.
Brandy furrowed her brows.
“Why would she make us wear a conch shell?” Brandy asked.
“Long story. But be grateful your BFF didn’t blow it for you, or you’d have one on top of your head.”
Brandy shuddered, and Katie laughed as she tugged on Gabby’s finger before pointing to a rogue crab the size of a sand dollar that had crept up the steps and into our suite.
Gabby jumped up and let out a half-scream as Brandy knelt down to help the little fellow back outside, and Katie began twirling in place to make her dress float. I hoped we all made it down the aisle in one piece.
I looked in the mirror again just as Jenny, the event planner, popped in to our little hut.
“That is one of the prettiest dresses I’ve seen for a beach wedding,” Jenny said, as if it were fact.
I glanced at myself again and noticed just how feminine the wedding dress turned out to be. It was actually pretty spectacular for being so simple, if I did say so myself. The chiffon draped delicately from the empire waist, and small silver thread wove throughout the fabric. With every movement, I felt like a princess, but I also felt like me. The dress was comfortable, bordering on casual, yet elegant. I glanced at Brandy and Gabby. Theirs looked equally as beautiful.
“You women look gorgeous,” Jenny said.
“Yes, they do,” I seconded.
“We’re ready when you are. Say the word and we’ll begin.”
“Word,” Katie yelled.
“Yeah. Word it is,” I laughed as a fit of butterflies flapped in my belly.
“Then word it shall be.”
“Is Ayden all ready?” I asked.
“He is. And he looks extremely handsome.” Jenny patted my hand in a comforting gesture. She signaled over to her assistant, and the music began like clockwork.
My world sped into a flurry of activity the moment we uttered it was go time. I wanted to savor every second of what I was about to do, but I already felt like I was losing important moments to the goblin of time. The photographer began clicking away toward the crowd and aisle, and Katie was chasing after the crab that was now clawing its way back through the sand.
I peeked through the greenery that the resort had used around our hut for privacy. It wasn’t a big wedding by any means. Only family and a few really good friends of ours and Ayden’s parents had been invited, but it felt perfectly charming and right for us.
My heart fluttered as I heard the music begin, and I glanced nervously over at Brandy and Gabby.
This was it!
Really it!
“You look amazing,” Brandy whispered.
I went from being as cool as a cucumber to a shaky, hot muddle of chaos. Gabby took a sip of champagne and I playfully scowled at her.
“Would you like some?” she joked.
“Very funny,” I hissed.
Ayden’s parents walked down the aisle, and an amazing flood of exhilaration ran through my body, but that word wasn’t even enough to describe what I was feeling inside.
The music changed to the “Rhythm Of Love” by the Plain White T’s, and I saw the man of my dreams slowly walk down the sandy aisle. My heart hammered in my chest as the lyrics filled the air. They couldn’t be more fitting for how we arrived at this wonderful moment. If I could burst with happiness now would be the time. I spied on Ayden through the leaves as he stepped up to the altar and folded his hands in front of him. He looked down the aisle, and it almost felt as if he was looking at me, but I knew that wasn’t possible.
He was so damn good looking dressed in a pale grey suit. His chiseled features were set in a serious expression. I could tell he was nervous too, and I delighted in that.
Brandy gave me a quick air kiss on the cheek and a hug as she gripped her small bouquet of white orchids dripping in pearls as Aaron led her out of the hut.
“You look beautiful,” Aaron whispered over his shoulder, and my heart filled with joy as I watched him wait to escort her down the aisle once the song switched to John Legend’s “All of Me”. As the lyrics washed over me, my mind spun to the many special moments I’d cherished with Ayden.
The moment we tackled each other in the snow and got caught kissing by ski patrol.
The moment we found out we were pregnant.
The moment he got down on one knee in Paris and asked me to marry him.
The moment he punched Austin for calling me a name.
The moment he hired me at his company.
The moment he asked me to move in.
The moments we share over dinner.
The moments we share on the way to the office.
The moments he tells me I’m beautiful.
The moments he shows me I’m beautiful.
The moment I thought I’d lose him.
The moment he remembered me.
The first time I saw him step into the ring.
The last time I saw him step into the ring.
Jason walked into the hut and smiled at me. “You look gorgeous.”
He gave a quick kiss to Gabby as Mason led her out of the hut. They waited at the end of the aisle a few more seconds before walking, and my pulse accelerated.
This was it!
“You ready?” he asked.
I watched Mason and Gabby begin their walk, and I nodded, dabbing the tear that escaped when the last few thoughts of being with Ayden flooded my mind. Mason and Gabby made it down to where Ayden stood stoically waiting for his bride.
And I was that bride.
Katie who was not only our flower girl, but also our ring bearer began trucking down the aisle with such style at a speed like no other, and the guests laughed while she took a seat at Ayden’s feet, throwing petals at Gabby.
As the song faded, I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes asking God to bless our new family before making my way down the aisle.
Jason looped his arm through mine, and I picked up my bouquet filled w
ith orchids, pearls, and miniature lavender roses.
“Thank you for walking me down the aisle, Jason.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” He cupped his hand over mine, and I nodded at Jenny who instructed the cellist to begin Bach’s “Prelude Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major” and my walk on the clouds began.
When Jason led me to the aisle, we paused, and I watched everyone stand and turn. My heart raced with excitement and fear. Not fear that I was about to get married.
No. I was a simpleton.
I was afraid I might trip or forget my vows.
I raised my head and looked down the aisle at Ayden. His mouth parted slightly as he took me in. His expression told me that we’d conquer the world together, and I knew I was ready to walk down the aisle. I let out a deep breath, and took my first step to becoming Mrs. Ayden Rhodes.
As I clutched my floral arrangement between my fingers, I felt Ayden’s eyes on me while I floated down the aisle. It felt like the world stopped turning when I saw Ayden take a step down and reach his hand out to meet Jason and me. The music fell silent, and my pulse calmed to an almost bearable rate.
“Who gives this beautiful woman away to this fine fellow?” Ayden’s father asked.
I smiled and the guests snickered as Ayden’s father began to officiate our wedding.
“I do. Jason Baines, friend and brother in spirit.”
Ayden bowed his head slightly and took my hand from Jason’s. Jason placed a quick kiss on my cheek and took a seat in the front row. That simple move was all it took for Katie to bolt right to him. The guests chuckled and paradise shrouded our area of the beach. Something going on here was special, intimate, and perfect.
Beyond Promise Page 17