by Alison Mello
“I hope they start to get along again. From what I understand, my mother and father split quickly, and Mia didn’t agree with the way my mother handled things, but we’re all going to be family now.”
“Mia is too sweet to not get along with your mother. She would play nice to keep the peace in the family,” she says as she lies down on the table.
“I know, but that’s not really fair to her either. I want them to get along because they’ve work out their differences, not for the sake of the family.”
“That’s because you look at the world and want to see a happy, peaceful place, but it doesn’t always work that way. Trust me, I hope it all works out too, but to be honest, even if they only get along enough to be civil at family functions, you need that to be enough. You can’t force them to be friends again.”
“I know, you’re right. I guess we’ll see what happens,” I say, lying under my blanket.
“Now, what color am I wearing for this wedding?”
“Easter pale purple?” I say, totally teasing her. She looks up at me in total fear. “I’m kidding. I haven’t even thought about that yet.”
“I’m glad you’re kidding because I would look really bad in pale lavender.”
“You’re the fashion expert,” I say. There’s a knock on the door. We tell them to enter and continue our conversation with our faces buried in our pillows. “What color do you want to wear?”
“I don’t know. If you’re going to give me a choice, I’d have to think about it and maybe try some different colors on.”
I typically hate talking during a massage, but hey, this is my wedding we’re discussing. “I like the idea of sage and black. I was looking at some color combos online, and they looked really nice together. I also like gray, yellow, and black, but not for me. I’m really not a fan of yellow, even though I do like the look.”
“I like the sage idea better. I would look a little more until you find something you’re really excited about. I’ll wear whatever you want me to because it’s your day and I want you to be happy.”
“I also saw a coral color setup too that I thought was pretty, but it was more for an outdoor wedding, not an elegant wedding like my mother will want me to have.”
“You could do rose and gray. That would be pretty, and we could make it very elegant.”
“We’ll have to plan a day to go look. It’s so hard to decide.”
We both fall silent as we really start to enjoy our massage. Different colors run through my head. Part of me says screw a spring scheme and do red, white, and blue for my Army vet, but he can’t wear his uniform, so that kind of ruins that idea. I’m so deep in thought I don’t even hear the girls walk out of the room when they’re done.
Bella says, “You going to get dressed?”
“Huh? Yeah, sorry. I guess I was so relaxed I hadn’t realized we were alone.”
She rolls her eyes. Excited, she says. “It’s time for our facials!”
I enjoy our time at the spa, but I’m not as crazy about it as Bella is. She eats this stuff up, but I could take it or leave it. I do it because my mother enjoys this time with us.
When we walk out the door, we find my mother and Mia having a great time, laughing as they wait for their turn for a massage.
***
Carter
Derek and I arrive at the hall together, and the place is coming along nicely. The entrance is decorated in a red, white, and blue theme. There’s even a sign that says, ‘Thanks for helping our veterans.’ In the ballroom, the tables are being set with white table cloths and blue and red napkins. Although the silent auction items are not there yet, there’s a table in place for it. Derek and I are quite happy.
The manager is walking us around the room. “This is where the dessert table will be set up.”
“Okay, and what about the buffet?”
“Mrs. Fitzpatrick-Carmichael has set it up with us that we will do family style instead. There will be three main dishes put on each table with sides after we serve soup and salad.”
“She did, huh?” I ask, totally shocked.
“Yes. I had no idea you boys were affiliated with her. She is a big client of ours.”
“She’s my future mother-in-law,” I say proudly.
His brow shoots up in shock. “I had no idea. I’m so sorry.”
“No need. Had I known to mention her name, I would have done it long ago.”
“We’ve given you the bigger round tables so there will be plenty of room for your guests to eat comfortably.”
Derek and I point out to the manager which tables we want for our special donors, and I hand over the table tents for them to put on each of those three tables. The manager carries on, telling us that he’s been in touch with the DJ and has confirmed his arrival at four. He also tells us that we’re all set for the ball drop at midnight. They have arranged for some fun goodies to be handed out just before midnight.
Derek and I both smile and nod, proud of how this event is turning out, though I have to admit we owe a lot of this to Sandra. Once we’re satisfied that everything is coming along smoothly, we both agree we should go home to shower and get ready for the night’s event. Hopefully our women will be home soon so we can get back here prior to time the doors will open to guests.
Derek and I walk out together, and when we get to our cars, he says, “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Yes, you will.” I climb into my car, but before heading home I decide to make a quick stop.
My fiancée needs something special to wear with her new beautiful dress tonight. I pull up to the local jeweler, the same place I bought her ring from, and when I walk in, the guy who helped me pick the ring is here.
“Hello, Carter. Did she like the ring?”
“She loved it, thanks. But listen, we have a special event we’re attending tonight, and I’d like to get her something special to wear with her dress.”
“What do you have in mind?”
I smile. “I think she needs a new necklace. Her dress is strapless and very simple, so I’d like to get her something that will sparkle and dress it up a bit.”
“What color is she wearing?” he asks me as we walk toward the necklace collection.
“She’s wearing navy blue.”
“Perfect. We have an excellent collection of sapphire necklaces that will dress her up beautifully.”
He shows me a few different necklaces, and I smile when I find the right one. It has diamonds and sapphires in a leaf motif that will dress up her neck but not overdo it. “Perfect. Now how about some earrings?”
“I have the perfect pair.”
He walks across the room to get them and comes back to show me. He’s right. They’re a great match.
“I’ll take them.”
He takes the necklace to the counter and boxes it up. Then he adds the necklace to my line of credit.
I take the bag he hands me and walk back out to my car, checking my watch. I have just enough time to get ready. I hurry home, and as soon as I get there, I run past Darryl, yelling a quick, “Hello.”
I rush to the elevator. Locking my front door behind me, I quickly hurry to my room. My tux is hanging from the bedroom door, all ready to go, so I go to the bathroom. I turn on the shower and check my watch one more time. Patty is going to be home soon, and I really want to be ready when she gets here so I can surprise her with her new jewelry. I shower in record time, quickly washing my body and my hair. With my towel around my waist, I quickly shave and put on Patty’s favorite aftershave.
I’m slipping on my pants when Patty walks into the room. I check my watch. She’s home early.
“Hey, honey. Looks like I’m late.”
My brows shoot up. “You’re early. I had fifteen more minutes before you were supposed to be home. You look beautiful,” I say as I gently plant a kiss on her glossed lips.
“We finished earlier than we thought,” she says as she slowly runs her fingers up my abs and over my chest.
&
nbsp; “Oh baby, please don’t start something we can’t finish. I really can’t be late tonight.”
“We may have to have our driver take the long way home then.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.
She strolls off to the closet to pull out her dress, unbuttoning her shirt as she goes and letting it fall to the floor, revealing the beautiful lace strapless bra she’s wearing. She peels her leggings off and tosses them over her shoulder. I’m instantly hard and need to adjust myself in my slacks as I watch her model the matching thong. I take a deep breath as I try to gain some control.
“Baby, you’re killing me.”
“Not trying to. Wanted to show you what you are in for later,” she says, licking her luscious glossed lips. I watch her as I button up my tuxedo shirt, tucking it into my pants. She’s pulling her shoes from her closet when I rub my hand across her beautiful ass cheek and then slap it playfully. She jumps up, gasping.
“Stop being a tease.” She glances down to spot my hard as a rock cock.
She bites her lip and removes the dress from the hanger. “Sorry.”
I step in front of the mirror to ensure my tie is straight and slip on my jacket. When I emerge from the bathroom, she has her dress in place and is slipping on the silver Louboutin shoes her mother bought her. I pull the two boxes from the top of the bureau and walk them over to her.
“I got you a little something special to wear tonight, and I hope you like it.”
“Honey, we only celebrated Christmas a week ago and you bought me this beautiful ring. I really didn’t need more.”
“I think you did.”
She pulls the cover off the top of the box and gasps. “Honey, it’s beautiful.” Her hands shake slightly.
“May I put it on for you?” I ask as I pull her into the bathroom so she can see as I lay the sapphire leaf design across her flawless skin. Once I’ve secured it, I place a gentle kiss on her shoulder. “Of course the necklace isn’t complete without these.” I hand her the box with the earrings in it.
She opens them and smiles as she puts them on. She turns to me. “They’re perfect, but you really didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to. I love you so much and plan on spending the rest of my life spoiling you. I hope you can handle that.”
“As long as you can handle some spoiling in return because I love you too, and to be honest you may change your mind by the time we’re done planning this wedding.”
“Our mothers are already talking and planning. I have a guest list in my email as we speak, and your mother is emailing me one as well.”
He rolls his eyes. “As long as you’re happy, that’s all I care about.” The phone rings, interrupting our conversation. I look at my watch. “Shit, baby, that’s going to be the limo. Are you ready?”
“I am. Let’s get going.”
Chapter 15
Patty
We pull up outside the event, and because it’s freezing out, the media has been allowed in the entryway. We’ve only granted select media access, and the security at the door has a list so the event isn’t bombarded with media trying to sneak in. I had Carter cut anyone who was involved in trying to stalk me about the Ben situation. Neither of us wanted it being brought up tonight.
Our driver lowers the privacy glass and asks, “Are you two ready?”
Carter slips his clear earplugs in place as I tell him that we are. The driver raises the glass, and a minute later he opens our door. Carter climbs out first and then takes my hand, helping me out of the car. Placing his hand on the small of my back, we walk toward the doors. The gentlemen standing there open the doors to reveal the media frenzy on the other side. They’re asking us questions about tonight’s event. I start to speak, but I forgot about the ring on my finger. Because I tend to talk with my hands, one of them spots it.
“Ms. Fitzpatrick! Is that an engagement ring on your finger?”
I look down at my hand and smile, turning to look Carter in the eye. I say, “Yes, it is. Carter proposed on Christmas Eve, and I happily accepted.” Carter is glowing as I reveal the news.
They’re all “awwing” and clapping their hands. “Have you set a date?”
“We haven’t and I’m sorry, but it will be a private event. I will not have the media at my wedding. If you would like, I will release some photos with a small write-up to you after it has taken place, and you can write your stories.” Carter rubs his hand up my back as Derek and Bella walk in. “Now if you’ll excuse us, tonight’s event is very important to us and we want to make sure everything goes smoothly. Thank you all for being here.”
We hang up our coats, and I can hear Bella being bombarded with questions. “Baby, you never fail to amaze me. You handle them so well.”
“Thank you, honey.”
“I’m sorry to leave you, but I need to see if anything is left to be done. Guests will be arriving soon.”
“That’s fine. Here come Derek and Bella,” I tell him as they approach us. We exchange hellos, and I say, “Make sure you’re mine for dinner and the ball drop!”
He gives me a soft kiss. “You better believe it.”
He and Derek stroll off to check on things while Bella and I enjoy a glass of wine. We saunter into the room to see how the decorations came out.
The room looks beautiful. There are huge round tables spread out all around the room, and in one corner is the DJ, who’s all set up and already playing some soft music. The tables have red and blue napkins folded on top of white tablecloths with centerpieces that say 2015 in the center. All the centerpieces are red, white, and blue.
“Bella, look.” I point to the red, white, and blue streamers covering the ceiling. There’s a pole where they’re all gathered, and I know it has to have something to do with my mother’s ball drop.
“Ball drop?” She asks with an excited smile.
I nod. “It has to be. This place looks great.”
The guys walk up behind us. “Our table is over here, ladies.” Carter places his hand at the small of my back, escorting us to our table. “Your mother is here and will be over to see you in a minute. She asked me to let you know.”
He kisses my cheek as he pulls my chair out for me to take my seat, but people are starting to flow in, so I’ll be up networking soon. “Please make sure you two stick together,” Derek says as he watches us scope out who’s coming in.
“We will,” Bella says. “Please try to relax. I promise we will keep an eye on each other.”
“Okay, we have to go greet one of our donors. We’ll be back. You two have fun, but stay safe,” Derek says, looking at both of us.
I can tell he’s concerned. “Wow, he’s a bit freaked out tonight, huh?” I say as my mother, Richard, and my father approach us. Bella and I look at each other, very confused by the woman on my father’s arm.
“Derek has been freaked out all day,” she says as we both stand to hug and kiss my parents. My father takes the seat next to me. He says, “Patricia, Bella, I would like you to meet Claire. She and I have been dating, and we thought tonight would be a nice night for her to meet everyone.”
I hug her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say as Bella follows suit. My mother and Richard sit on the other side of Bella, leaving two more seats for Carter’s parents. I wish Derek’s parents were here for this. They would be so proud of him and the work he does.
“So Daddy, how long have you two been dating?” I give him my signature one eyebrow look with a slight grin.
He chuckles. “For a few months now. I thought about asking you if I could bring her with me to Christmas, but she had plans and I didn’t want to take from your big day.”
“Congratulations, by the way.” Claire offers with a smile.
“Thank you so much,” I say, beaming over my engagement. She seems sweet, but I’m a bit shocked as I had no idea my father was dating. The table suddenly goes quiet, so I turn to my mother. “Mother, this room is amazing. I’m not sure how much of this is your doing, but it looks gorgeo
us. You did a nice job. Thank you for your help.”
“A lot of it was the boys. I gave the hall a little extra guidance and encouraged them to let me go along with my ball drop idea. I also got them to change the buffet to a family-style dinner with three main meal options and sides. That’s why the tables are so big because they needed room for the platters.”
I give her a proud smile. “Thanks again for your help, Mom. I really appreciate you getting the guys the added bonuses.”
“It was the least I could do, considering my foolish behavior. As far as I’m concerned, I have a lot more making up to do.”
As she finishes her statement, we drop the conversation because Mia and Jackson have joined us at the table. They welcome Claire. I can tell from their greeting that they have already met her. It makes me wonder if they’ve been going on double dates.
A short time later, we’re all sitting at our table enjoying a nice conversation when we realize the room is filling up. My mother excuses herself to go check on the silent auction, and that’s when Bella and I decide to go see what we have up for bid.
As we’re strolling over, I have a few people saying hello, some of which I know and some of which I believe are friends of my mother’s, but I can’t recall their names. I simply nod politely and tell them to have a nice evening.
We approach the auction table to find a beautiful painting from my friend, as promised. She has donated a gorgeous framed fall scene, and it is stunning. I write my name down with a bid of one hundred dollars. Moving to the next item, I notice this bitch I can’t stand talking crap about my friend’s art. I’m getting pissed when Bella turns to her and says, “Hey, Cindy, if you weren’t such trash, you’d see the beauty in that painting.” Her jaw drops, and she storms off like the brat she is.
I try to be mad at Bella for her behavior, but I fail, and we both move on, giggling. We walk along the table to find a weekend getaway for two at a spa resort. There’s also a beautiful wine collection as well as a TV and gaming system. No doubt some of the younger crowd will be bidding on that. As promised, a few of my author friends have sent autographed book sets as well.