“It’s almost showtime, ladies,” My Aunt Jenny says, and I feel a palpable wave of excitement run through the room.
“Time for me to go to my seat,” Mom says. Then she blows me a kiss and turns to leave.
The room clears out and Karen and Meg each provide me with something borrowed – a beautiful gold bracelet from Karen – and something blue – a gorgeous silk handkerchief embroidered with my new initials from Meg. I carefully tuck the hanky into my bouquet and Megan helps me fasten the diamond broach to my dress in the center of the flower of the champagne sash. It looks fantastic there, almost as if it were meant to be part of the dress, and I am suddenly so excited and so nervous.
“Oh, no,” I whisper, feeling slightly nauseous. “Not now. Please, not now.” I take a few deep breaths as I try to stave off the wave of unpleasantness. The term ‘morning sickness,’ I’ve quickly come to realize, means random and vicious bouts of nausea at any time of the day or night.
“Nauseous again?” Megan asks and I nod my head. She runs to her bag and pulls out a small baggie and hands it to me.
“You’re carrying saltine crackers in your bag?” I ask incredulously.
“Hey, I take my maid of honor duties very seriously,” she says matter-of-factly, giving me a stern look. She looks so pretty in her strapless, champagne colored maid-of-honor’s dress. It’s much like mine, form-fitting with a sweetheart bodice and ruffles at the bottom. Only it comes to about her knees and the sash at her waist is chocolate.
“It is my job to get you down that aisle without you puking all over that amazing gown,” she says to me. “Now eat. Would you like a ginger ale to wash that down with?”
I giggle at her as I take a bite of cracker, trying not to get crumbs on my dress. I’m enjoying her witty nervous chatter as I munch on crackers and sip my ginger ale to calm my tummy when there’s a small knock on the door and Lucas peeks his head in.
“Everybody ready in here?” he asks with a smile as he steps inside. “It’s about that time.”
I feel a flutter of butterflies as Meg kisses my cheek and smiles at me. Then she and Karen hurry out of the room to take their places, leaving Lucas and me alone. He stares at me for a long moment and then shakes his head.
“You look beautiful, Pita. Josh is going to faint when he sees you.”
“Thanks,” I say tearfully. “Have you seen Josh?”
“I have. He’s a nervous wreck,” Lucas smiles.
“He is?” I giggle.
“Yes, he is. But he is completely certain about what he’s doing,” Lucas says softly. “That man is madly in love with you, Sam. I have never seen a man so anxious to get married before.”
I smile shyly at his words and my heart swells. “How did this happen, Lucas?” I ask him softly, and I can see his slightly puzzled frown. “Where did he come from? And what did I do to deserve him? He is so … wonderful.”
Lucas stares at me for a long moment and I think he is taken aback by my question. He caresses my face with his hand and says quietly, “You are wonderful, Sam. And you deserve all the happiness in the world.”
I take a tissue from the box on the table and dab at my eyes, just as we hear the lovely strains of “You Are So Beautiful” begin on the acoustic guitars, and we know that it’s time. I grab my beautiful Esperance rose bouquet from the table and take my brother’s arm.
“Ready?” he asks, smiling at me, and I nod eagerly.
We step out of the guest room and walk the short distance to the conservatory, and I take a deep breath as we wait for the music to change. Our cue to begin our slow trek down the aisle to Joshua.
“Lucas, do you think Daddy would have liked Josh?” I ask quietly as we wait.
Lucas smiles at my question but doesn’t look at me. “I think Dad would have loved Josh, Pita.”
“You do?” I can hear the surprise in my voice and Lucas turns to look at me.
“You chose well, Sam. Josh is a good man, and he adores you. Dad would be happy today.” He leans in and lightly kisses my cheek and the music changes. “I Knew I Loved You,” played on acoustic guitars by Josh’s bandmates, Simon and Cody. And I smile at the memory of making love to this song on Josh’s couch as we start down the aisle.
The conservatory at Lucas’ house in Bellevue isn’t excessively large but, it is a nice size. Large enough to have been the spot for various celebrations over the years. The parquet floor and the huge chandelier give the space an almost regal air, and the ivory and champagne wedding décor and the abundance of Esperance roses everywhere make it look elegant and almost enchanted. But the moment we step into the room, my eyes are focused solely on Joshua.
He looks so incredibly handsome in his tuxedo. We chose a Jean Yves tan colored-tux and paired it with a light champagne-colored vest and neck tie. And he is so yummy I could just eat him up right now. Our eyes lock as I head down the aisle towards him and we smile shyly at each other. And when Lucas and I reach the archway and Josh takes my hand, I can see that his bright blue eyes are as moist as mine are.
He reaches out and caresses my cheek with his hand. “I think I dreamed you into life, baby,” he whispers softly to me, so that no one else can hear. Then he leans in and kisses me tenderly for a moment.
“Ahem.” The reverend clears his throat loudly. “We haven’t gotten to that part yet,” he admonishes us amid snickers and laughter from our guests.
I blush slightly and smile as Josh pulls away, still looking into my eyes. “I’m sorry, sir,” he says quietly. “I couldn’t help myself.”
He holds my hand so tightly as the reverend gets underway then, and I can barely concentrate on what he’s saying because I’m too lost in Josh’s eyes. We stare intently, our eyes never wavering from one another, and I wonder if he’s feeling as happy and in love as I am right now.
*****
“Shit!” I mutter the word softly and take a deep, frustrated breath, letting it out slowly. Then I take up the ends of my tie once more and prepare to try again. Again! This is the third go around and each time, I just fumble with the damned thing. I am so freaking nervous I can’t even get my fingers to function properly.
Lee slaps my shoulder and I jump about a foot. “Here, son,” he chuckles at me. “Let me.” I frown as he steps in front of me and takes up the task of tying my neck tie, and I stand before him with my chin raised like I’m a little boy he’s trying to dress. It takes him no time at all before he’s got a perfectly proper Windsor knot, and I feel like the idiot who can’t tie a damn tie. I roll my eyes at myself. “Thanks, Lee.”
“No problem, kid,” he smiles. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this nervous before.”
I sigh heavily at his comment. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous before,” I grumble, and he laughs slightly at me. I shoot him an annoyed look and his laughter grows. I pout slightly and grab the vest to my tuxedo and prepare to put it on.
Samantha was so happy when she saw this champagne-colored vest and tie. Personally, I’m not too crazy about it. I would prefer to wear the vest that came with the tuxedo but … whatever my baby wants today, my baby will get. I slip the vest on and button it up, examining myself in the mirror.
“I don’t know about this,” I mumble, frowning at the vest. And I hear Lee chuckle at me. I glance at his reflection in the mirror behind me and smirk at him. He’s dressed in the same champagne vest and tie, but his tuxedo is chocolate. “What is it with women and weddings?” I ask him, shaking my head. “They get all screwy playing dress up, like they think we’re Ken dolls or something.”
“I don’t know, son,” he laughs at me. “Maybe it’s a test or something. Their way of finding out if we really love them by allowing ’em to humiliate us before saying ‘I do.’ At least you’re not stuck with powder blue ruffles like I was.”
I can’t help but laugh as I think about the old photos of Lee and Molly’s wedding that I’ve seen. I guess I should be thankful for the champagne vest.
&n
bsp; “Listen, Lee,” I begin a bit nervously, turning to face him. “There’s something I been meaning to say to you.”
He looks at me with a serious expression and a slight frown. “What is it, kid?”
I swallow anxiously. There’s so much I want to say to him, I’m just not really sure how. “I uh … I just, wanted…,” My voice trails off as I try to gather my thoughts. “I just wanted to thank you, for standing with me today … being my best man.”
“Are you kiddin’ me right now?” he asks, looking at me in surprise. “I am so honored that you asked, kid. You know, it’s not too late to change your mind, ask someone else. Someone younger. Dave Conner’s out there … your cousin, Paul and your bandmates. I’m sure any one of them would be happy to do the honors.”
“No,” I say definitively, smiling at him. “I asked the right person.” He smiles back at me and I get nervous again. Just spit it out, Pierce. “Look, Lee … I know that I don’t say this often. In fact … I don’t know that I’ve ever said this before. At least, not to you directly. But I want you to know that … your friendship, and your belief in me over the years … it’s meant a lot. More than you’ll ever know.”
He just looks at me for a beat, saying nothing. And I wonder what he’s thinking. Then he places his hand on my shoulder and looks me in the eye. “Listen, Guy. I know that I joke a lot about you being like the son Molly and I never had. And I’m sure sometimes that probably got on your nerves a little bit. Especially those times when I treated you like my kid. But I want you to know that it wasn’t just joking around for me. We have a long and complicated history, you and me. But over the last ten years, since you’ve been on the force, I really have come to think of you as my own.”
He hesitates a moment and I can tell that he’s trying not to get emotional. And he’s failing.
“Kid, you are every bit as important to me as my daughters are. And I could not be prouder of you … I could not love you any more … if you were my son.”
His eyes bore into mine and I am taken aback by his fervent, heartfelt words. Without warning, he pulls me into a bear hug and pats my back a couple of times. And I try to swallow past the lump in my throat.
“I love you too, Lee,” I say quietly as we embrace.
There’s a knock on the door, and Lee and I look up, both of us grateful for the perfect timing as Lucas sticks his head in. “Can I come in?”
“It is your house,” I smile at him, thankful for a little relief from the seriousness of my conversation with Lee.
“Well, you’re still here,” Lucas says jokingly as he enters the room, and I frown.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Means you haven’t slipped out a window and made a run for it yet,” he smiles.
I laugh slightly as I sit and run a hand through my hair. “No way, man. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.” I take a deep breath and sigh as he sits down across from me and Lee goes about adjusting his vest in the mirror. “I admit, I am a freaking nervous wreck right now though. Lee had to tie my tie, if you can believe that,” I tell him, and he laughs at me. “I don’t care for all this wedding nonsense. I just want to get it over with so I can be with Sam. I can’t wait to make her mine, Lucas. To take care of her and build a life with her. Start this parenting adventure with her,” I say, shaking my head as if I’m still in disbelief about that part. Because frankly, I am.
“Parenting adventure?” Lee asks, sounding shocked, and I roll my eyes at myself. Oops! Lucas laughs at the expression on my face and I sigh again, looking up at Lee.
“Yes, parenting adventure. But no one else knows about this yet, Lee,” I warn him sternly, and he smiles. “Not even my mother!”
“And they won’t hear about it from me,” he promises, still obviously shocked, grinning like a loon at me. “Congratulations, son!”
“Thank you,” I smile at him, and a thought occurs to me. “I guess that makes you … sort of a grandpa, huh?”
He smiles broadly at that idea. “I gotta admit, I really like the sound of that. But I wouldn’t dare be so presumptuous,” he says quietly. “Uncle Lee would make me just as happy.”
I smile at him and then frown. “Mmm, nope. Doesn’t fit. Grandpa Lee makes more sense,” I mumble, and he smiles. I shake my head at him and turn back to Lucas, who’s watching our exchange with amusement. “So, Valentines Day?”
“Yep. February 14th, Turtle Island in Fiji. Karen’s got her heart set on it. She’s already booked the resort for the wedding,” Lucas confirms. “I don’t know what I’m in for, man. Barefoot on a beach is not exactly my idea of the perfect wedding.”
“Women and weddings,” I shrug. “They get some outlandish ideas sometimes,” I say, frowning down at my tan tuxedo and champagne vest, and Lucas laughs at me again.
“I don’t know, man; I think you look pretty sharp. If it’s one thing my sister knows, it’s fashion.” I roll my eyes at his response and he stands. “Well, they’re about ready to get started. Last chance to climb out that window, buddy.”
“No. No way,” I smile at him as I stand up.
“All right. I’ll see you at the altar then. I’ll be the one handing over my sister,” he jokes.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m standing in the conservatory with Lee at my side, looking out over the guests in attendance as my anxiety begins to grow. Mom smiles at me and she is already crying before the ceremony even starts. I glance over at Lois Colby and she offers me a genuine smile as well. When we first met, I never thought she would thaw towards me but now, I think she really is trying to repair her damaged relationship with Sam. I smile nervously back at her as the music changes, and I glance over and see Simon and Cody sitting on stools on the small stage, acoustic guitars in hand as they begin to play a sweet, simple rendition of “You Are So Beautiful” and Megan starts her slow walk down the aisle.
Okay, this is real. This is actually happening. I am getting married. Married. Taking on a wife. One woman for the rest of my life. One woman. No more picking up a different girl every night of the week just to prove that I can. No more random, meaningless sexual encounters. No more answering to no one and thinking solely about myself. I’m about to become a husband. A husband. And a father! Shit. What the shit am I doing? Can I be a dad? Can I learn how to be a good one? Do people learn that stuff? What if I screw with these kids heads the way Danny Pierce screwed with mine? What if I fuck up in some major way and Samantha leaves me? What if we end up hating each other? What if…,
The doors open and everyone stands, and in Samantha steps. Wow! All of my disquieting thoughts seem to evaporate into thin air, completely forgotten as I watch her. She takes my breath away. Just the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. And she’s yours, Pierce. And she’s mine. She is my life. This woman is my world. She is all that I can see.
I hear the music playing in the background – Simon and Cody playing what has become ‘our song’ on the acoustic guitars - “I Knew I Loved You,” by Savage Garden, and the words roll through my mind as I watch Sam walking toward me. The lyrics of the song have so much meaning for me now. They explain exactly what I feel for this most incredible woman. This perfect creature that could only have stepped right out of my dreams. She stands in front of me and Lucas places her hand in mine. And I am suddenly overwhelmed by the depth of my feelings for her.
Reaching out, I caress her lovely face with my hand as I whisper, “I think I dreamed you into life, baby.” I lean down and kiss her tenderly then, my tongue stroking hers for a few seconds.
“Ahem.” The reverend clears his throat as he tries to get my attention. “We haven’t gotten to that part yet,” he chides, and I hear the soft laughter of our family and friends. Sam blushes a pale rose when I pull away and her emerald eyes sparkle at me.
“I’m sorry, sir. I couldn’t help myself,” I offer, my eyes still locked on my girl’s.
The reverend gets started then but I am so lost in Samantha’s eyes as we gaze intent
ly at one another, I hardly notice anything else going on around me. For all I know, it’s just the two of us up here, just me and my Sunshine, saying our vows and promising to love, honor and cherish for the rest of our lives. We exchange matching wedding bands, and I wipe a tear from Samantha’s cheek after I slip the thin platinum and diamond band on her finger.
The reverend pronounces us husband and wife and then he smiles at me. “Now, you may kiss your bride.”
I smile broadly at his words and, taking Samantha’s face gently in my hands, I kiss her deeply for a long moment as we hear cheers and whistles from the crowd.
“We did it! You are never getting rid of me now, Mrs. Pierce,” I whisper in Sam’s ear, and she smiles up at me.
“Do you promise?” she asks softly.
“Oh yes, baby. I promise!”
*****
He kisses me deeply for a long moment, slowly and passionately as my body still trembles with aftershocks. Then he rests his forehead on mine as we lay panting, both of us trying to catch our breath as we wait for our hearts to calm.
He raises his head suddenly and looks into my eyes. “Are you okay?” he pants.
“Yes.”
“I didn’t hurt you?” he asks, searching my eyes as he caresses my face.
“No, you didn’t hurt me,” I answer him softly.
His hand moves from my face, down to my belly, and he caresses my small baby bump. “Babies are okay?” he asks, genuinely concerned, and I smile at him. He’s been so gentle with me lately, ever since we found out about the babies. Since then, a lot of times I’ve felt as if he’s been holding himself back when he makes love to me. As if he’s trying to rein himself in. But not this morning. Maybe it’s the island air.
“We’re all perfect, Josh,” I whisper. “You know, you don’t have to keep treating me with kid gloves.”
He smiles at me. “Is that what I’ve been doing?” I nod at him and his smile gets bigger. Then he looks me in the eye as his smile fades, his hand still lightly rubbing my belly. “I just don’t ever want to hurt you. Or them. If something happened to them because of me…”
Pierced: Pierced Trilogy Boxed Set Page 87