by Leslie Pike
“But now I see you were just waiting for the right one. The perfect one. So here’s to you, Brick. And thanks for being patient and knowing she’d be worth the wait. Cheers, brother!”
Now we’re all teary. Grandma and Grandpa Swift are both blowing their noses. That is until their song begins.
“Oh, sweetheart! It’s twilight time!”
She and her boyfriend of sixty plus years are still moved by the music that first carried them away all those nights ago. It’s touching watching them sing every word. Grandpa gives her a kiss on the cheek when it’s finished.
“Now it’s our turn to toast the happy couple,” Grandpa Davis says. He stands and clasps the hand of his Birdie. “Our Brick was the first grandchild. We can remember the day you were born. You were like a little bird in our arms.”
Brick is pressing his lips together, holding back his emotions. The entire family is on the verge of tears again, and we’re not even sure what Grandpa is going to say next.
“As you grew, we saw a fine boy and then a man emerge. To say we’re proud of you would be understatement. Grandma and I love you deeply. And now we welcome your bride into our family with open arms and heart. God bless you both.”
He begins to sit and then stands back up. “Oh, and I don’t think you’ll beat our record of sixty-four years. Unless you plan on living to a hundred and six.”
We all laugh at his challenge as he takes his seat.
“I don’t think you’re in any danger of losing your title, Grandpa,” says Bristol as she stands for her toast.
“But I’ll bet the depth of Brick’s love for January will match any other love story here. And that’s saying a whole lot. It’s inspiring. So I raise my glass to you both. May you always find your world in each other’s arms.”
Summer and I lock eyes with the mention of The World. A final sign the Tarot card was for us.
Warmth radiates from every face, and it’s all directed towards Brick and me. We kiss.
“I’d like to say something,” Summer says, standing. “I don’t like to brag, but I’ve always known things would end with a wedding. And a baby!”
There’s laughter all around the table. But one person knows she’s telling the truth. Me.
“January found a Tarot card the first night she met Brick.”
I turn to Brick and nod.
“Turns out it was the best card a person can draw. It was The World. So, here’s to January’s World. Her Brick.”
Everyone laughs and raises their glass.
“I didn’t need a card to tell me you were the one,” he says with a glorious smile. “Isn’t it time?” he whispers in my ear.
I nod and we rise.
“We’re going to the house to get ready for the ceremony,” Brick says. “Atticus, you’re going to take care of Reverend Michaels when he arrives?”
“Go! I’ve got it.”
We walk away from the table and onto the path. The family begins singing “Going To The Chapel.” By the time we reach the front door of the house and the song fades my stomach is doing flips and cartwheels.
“This is where we part,” I say. “Got everything you need? Remember to leave at ten to seven. I don’t want to bump into you on the path. I want to dazzle you as I come through the trees.”
“Don’t worry, bride. I’ll be waiting for you on the deck in an hour. We’re getting married you know.”
He takes me in his embrace and we kiss, saying it all with our lips.
One last look at the clock in the hall and a check of my image in the mirror. Adjusting the circle of white baby roses that crown my head, I take in the entire picture. My hair falls long and loosely waved, the way he likes it best. The fines pun fabric of the dress feels exquisite on my skin. It falls from off the shoulders and gathers under my breasts. My torso is encircled by a braided narrow rope made of the same material. Sleeves are full but the fabric so light it hides its volume. The skirt drapes to the ground and covers my white leather ballet slippers.
As we planned, I send Brick a text. I’m on my way.
“Ready?” I say aloud as I rub my belly. “Let’s go marry your daddy.”
Grabbing the bouquet of pale pastel roses, I pause. The Tarot card is stuck inside the edge of the mirror. Summer must have put it there for me as a sendoff. My fingers gently touch it as if it’s a treasure.
I make my way out of the house and onto the path. Soon I hear soft humming. But it’s not a record coming over the sound system. Brick wanted to pick the love song we’d use for our rowboat trip to the altar. The fact that it meant so much to him proved to me I’d picked the right man.
I’m pretty sure this one’s being sung by the entire family.
Sunset through the trees casts a rosy glow as I approach where path meets deck. The charm of hundreds of twinkling lights hanging from the trees and placed on bushes melts my romantic heart. But it all pales when compared to my first look at Brick’s face.
As I walk onto the deck, he’s waiting for me. Handsome beyond dreams in a white dress shirt and sand-colored linen pants. When I notice he’s barefoot I kick off my slippers. His eyes lock on mine and send a silent message for me alone. There you are, my love.
“You look beautiful,” he says running his hand over my hair.
The humming turns to a song and the whole family’s singing it to us. Their arms are linked, and they sway to the music. Over the speakers I hear the original record come on, “Here, There and Everywhere” by the Beatles. I hear my own lyrics. Here. Making this day of the year. Changing our lives by the grasp of our hands. Nobody can deny that our love is here.
Brick comes to me and extends his hand. I wrap my fingers around his. Much of what we feel and say moving between us without words. He leads me towards the shore where our ride awaits. As we pass the family, I see the emotion in everyone’s eyes. And joyous tears. They’re in mine and Brick’s too. We’re so overcome by the power and stunning romance of the moment.
Taking my arm, he helps me step into the rowboat that sits on the shore in the shallows. It’s decorated with roses, and satin ribbons that trail in the water. Two pale pastel velvet cushions pad the wooden seats.
When I sit, he pushes the boat away from the shore and jumps in just like we rehearsed.
The song continues, and the Swift singers know every word. Brick rows from the shore towards the sun deck around the big Magnolia at the far end of the pond. There Reverend Michaels is waiting to bless our sacred vows.
Brick looks at me and smiles then sings his own version of the lyrics. “If you’re beside me, I know I’ll need never care. Because to love you means I need you everywhere.”
I answer him with a promise to be his, today and tomorrow. I’ll be here, there and everywhere.
The End
Cards Of Love Collection
Be sure you see all the other great books in this collection by clicking here: Cards Of Love Collection
Acknowledgments
Writing seems like a solitary art, but that’s not strictly true. There are silent partners in my vision, helpers in league with the dreamer. Invisible hands lift an author so she can have a better view of herself, and sharp eyes read early efforts of every story told. There are shoulders to stand on so I can see what’s possible, letting me know what to aim for. So, to all the good-hearted companions in the dream, I say thank you. And to the generous writer, Willow Winters, who crafted this idea for this great collection.
Editing by:
Nichole Strauss, Insight Editing Services
Cover Design by:
Lori Jackson, Lori Jackson Design
About the Author
Leslie Pike has loved expressing herself through the written word since she was a child. Her passion for film and screenwriting led her to Texas for eight years, where she wrote for a prime-time CBS series. Leslie lives in Southern California with her stuntman/Director husband, Don, and their Pom-Poo, Mr. Big. She’s traveled the world as part of film crews, from Afric
a to Israel, New York to San Francisco. Now she finds her favorite adventures take place in her home, writing Contemporary Romance.
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Also By Leslie Pike
The Paradise Series
The Trouble With Eden
Wild In Paradise
The Road To Paradise
Sexceptional
Santini Series Novellas
Destiny Laughs
Destiny Plays
Destiny Shines
The Swift Series Novellas
The Curve
Playlist
“GOD GAVE ME YOU” – Blake Shelton
“IT HAD TO BE YOU” – Harry Connick, Jr.
“SOUTHERN GENTELMAN” – Luke Bryan
“SOUTHERN GIRL” – Tim McGraw
“SPOOKY” – Classics IV
“ONE MAN WOMAN” – John Legend
“SO CLOSE” - FROM ENCHANTED – Jon McLaughlin
“TWILIGHT TIME” – The Platters
“HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE” – The Beatles