“Thank you…for everything.” I lean in and kiss Luke on the cheek. “I’d give you a hug, but I’m under strict orders not to do anything to muss my dress, hair, or make-up,” I chuckle.
“It’s ok…there will be plenty of time for that at the reception after the ceremony and after the formal pictures are taken. Are you ready for this?” Luke hands me the bouquet the florist just gave him to give me.
“I am so ready for this,” I tell him with a huge smile.
Luke holds out his arm and I hook mine through it. Settling ourselves to the side of the foyer where no one can see us, Linda opens the doors for Chris and Tyler who sneak a kiss on my cheek before they escort Claire and Eliana to their seats and then take their places with Will at the front of the chapel. Once Gwen and Caroline have both begun their walk down the aisle, Linda closes the doors and Luke and I get into position.
The music stops and I begin to anticipate Canon in D’s first notes. As the piano starts to play them, Linda and her assistant Jimmy open both the doors to the chapel and I’m blown away. This part of my dream-turned-nightmare was a premonition. The chapel is packed with people. Luke’s invitation for the town to celebrate the ceremony with us was apparently well received. I’m stunned at the amount of support the town is pouring on us and I’m overjoyed for Will. This is his home and what a solid show of understanding from the people.
We walk the aisle at a pace I hope Linda finds satisfactory and soon I’m passing pews filled with friends and family. We only invited about 100 people, 90 of them from Will’s side, but every single one of them came.
Will and I lock eyes and that’s when I begin to get emotional. He’s stunningly handsome in his grey suit and grey tie tucked under his vest. He’s wiping tears away as he watches me and I only hope that the photographer is capturing these moments.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” Pastor Bishop asks Luke.
“Her parents do,” Luke replies. It has just the same effect on me today as it did last night when Luke first uttered the words.
Pastor Bishop smiles and nods once, indicating that it’s time for Luke to actually give me to Will. Luke kisses my cheek sweetly and smiles softly as he releases my hand. He shakes Will’s hand and gently places mine in Will’s before sitting next to Claire who is already crying.
Will and I step forward and listen to Pastor Bishop say something spiritual about marriage as he put it last night. I hand my flowers to Caroline and turn to face Will. The pastor begins a question with “Layla, do you…” and then I get so lost in Will’s eyes that I’m only moderately paying attention to what he’s saying. Will was right. This really is it. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. The dragon has been slayed and we’re embarking on our Happily Ever After.
I refocus on what Pastor Bishop is saying when I begin to hear words like better and worse, richer and poorer, sickness and health. My ears perk up, though, when I hear Pastor Bishop say “for as long as you both live.” There it is. The words that hold every commitment I’m making to Will.
Will and I are forever and there’s nothing else I can say except “I do.”
Chapter 28
It didn’t take too much convincing for Will to agree that we should have our reception someplace nice, but not super fancy. So, we’re having the reception at Campania, the Italian restaurant Will took me to on our Day of Nothing. It’s not an over the top elegant restaurant. In fact, it’s pretty modest and a little rustic with its exposed brick walls. But, being a family owned, neighborhood restaurant, it kind of represents everything that I love about Davidson. The owners were so wonderful and accommodating to close the restaurant for our private party on a Saturday night that Luke was sure to make it worth their while.
We enter the restaurant and cheers erupt before I can get everyone into focus. Pop and Nana Grace are clapping and Pop puts his fingers in his mouth and whistles louder than I’ve ever heard someone whistle before. Jason and Lisa, Finn, and Dana are standing by the bar, smiles spread wide across their faces. I’m thrilled beyond words that they’re all here, but that joy multiplies when I see Sarah and Austin.
She meant it when she said she didn’t believe in stepfamilies or in-laws. For the months since we met her and Cheryl in Virginia Beach, we have been in almost constant contact. She’s kept me up to date on her growing belly, which is looking so adorable on her now that she’s close to six months pregnant, and her presence at my bridal shower made the day even more special. She and Will have really grown close. Having eased into a relationship with a long-lost sibling and seeing it developing wonderfully, I think Will is feeling much better prepared for when he meets Erin and Michael next month.
“Hey darlin’! You look beautiful,” Sarah says to me as she wraps her arms around me. “Oh, my gosh! Look at that! I’m already so big I can’t even get right up on you to give you a real hug!”
“Oh, stop! You look absolutely adorable! How is he doing?” I give her belly a little rub. “Have you decided on a name yet?”
“We’re gonna name him Noah. Noah James,” Austin answers as he hugs me.
“That’s a great name,” Will says. “I actually got Layla to talk about kids last night. Can you believe it?”
“I knew she’d come around, but you better give her time, sugar!” Sarah’s sweet voice lingers in the air like wisps of cotton candy. “Ok, c’mon Austin, let’s go over to the bar. You’re drinkin’ for two.” With a laugh, and little swat to her behind, Austin follows Sarah through the maze of tables and into the crowd.
We dutifully make our way around to everyone. I thank Gwen and Caroline’s parents for coming, as well as Chris and Tyler’s. There was a time I didn’t know how Chris and Tyler’s dads were going to respond to the truth about Will’s disappearance and death. I had once thought they were Meyer clones, legal sharks making prey of any needy person who had the misfortune of swimming into their open waters, but I have been so pleased to see that I was wrong about them. They’ve been nothing but kind and warm and completely understanding, so much so that they’ve offered Luke the senior partner position at the firm. This would change the name of the firm to Weston, Fincher, and Marks. I told Luke he should take it, but he hasn’t decided yet, mumbling something about needing to get his daughter married off first before he could think of anything else.
Everything about the night is perfect. We did a fixed menu of four options for dinner: a meatless pasta dish, lasagna, and the two dishes Will and I had on our first date here, chicken piccata and veal saltimbocca. The bar is open for everyone but the bride and groom, and Will found an amazing local band to play so we have live music all night.
When we’ve made our rounds and actually had a chance to eat, Will takes me by the hand and leads me to the dance floor. The lead singer of the band announces that it’s time for the bride and groom’s first dance and I feel my stomach flutter with excitement. Will takes me in his arms as the band begins to play To Get Me to You. Will played it for me during country week of our music lessons and I just knew it had to be our first dance.
“We did it, Mrs. Meyer,” Will says as we begin to sway.
“Yes, we did. It’s like a dream, Will. I can’t believe it,” I tell him.
“Believe it, babe, because it only gets better from here. You are my wife,” he says, drawing me closer.
“And you are my husband.”
“Always and forever,” he says. “You look so beautiful. The seamstress did an amazing job with the dress. It looks like it was made for you.”
“Thank you. Yeah, I was amazed, too. It means so much to me that I got to wear my mom’s dress. And did you see my hair, see the flowers? Mom wore a crown of daisies,” I tell him.
“It’s perfect, Layla. Everything about today is just perfect.” Will pulls me closer as we move and sway around the dance floor. Sometimes he sings along with the song to me. It’s the most magical moment of my life.
The night is filled with all the greatness a wedding re
ception is supposed to have. The music is loud and the dancing doesn’t stop. I even dance with Wes who tells me that he’s already asked Will’s permission and plans on proposing to Eliana later tonight. I’m so happy for them both and thrilled that Wes will officially become part of my family.
Will and I dance with our friends, I throw the bouquet the florist made for the toss, and Will has a grand time taking the garter off my leg. Tyler catches the garter and, as only fate could do, his date Kelly catches the bouquet. I’m happy to see him giving someone a real chance. I only got to chat with her for a few minutes, but she seems really great. She’s really pretty with strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes, and she’s just as brilliant and funny as she is beautiful. I’m sure we’ll have them over for dinner when we’re back from Bali and settling into our life as the new Meyers.
“Babe, we’ve got to go,” Will whispers in my ear as I’m talking with Mrs. Whitman.
“Really? It seems so early,” I say.
“We have a flight to catch and we both need to change,” he says
“Congratulations, Will!” Mrs. Whitman cheers, giving Will a hug.
“Thank you, Mrs. Whitman. Thanks so much for coming. I’m afraid I have to steal my wife away from you. We’ve got a honeymoon to get to,” he tells her.
“Of course, of course! I’m so happy for you both!” she beams.
We begin to move toward the back door where our parents and friends are waiting to say goodbye. We stand at the top of the few steps in front of the door and Will puts his arm around my waist as he addresses the crowd.
“Thank you all so much for celebrating with us. Most of you are aware the journey Layla and I have been on to get to this place, which makes the fact that I can now officially call her my wife even more special. I sound like a broken record but, really, I am the luckiest man alive. I get two whole weeks alone with my wife in the green pastures of Ireland and the sandy beaches of Bali. If you need us, well, you’re kinda screwed because we will be completely unreachable!” Everyone laughs and Will pulls me closer. “You ready?” he asks.
“More than ready,” I say with a huge smile. “Thank you so much, everyone, for coming. This day has been more than I could have ever imagined.”
As we start to leave the band begins to play Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get it On and I see Tyler and Caroline standing next to the guitar player pretending to dance seductively to the music. I feel the blood rush to my face and I swear to myself to kill Caroline when we get home. Will laughs, making me laugh, reminding myself just how much I love Caroline and Tyler, and how much they love me. This little stunt of theirs actually puts me at ease and I grab Will and kiss him. The crowd cheers and Will and I are out the door, followed by more cheering. We turn, wave goodbye, hug and kiss our parents, and climb into the limo.
“So…” Will says, taking my hand in his. “We did it.”
“We sure did,” I say with a mixture of excitement for all that lies ahead, and nervousness for tonight.
“I love you so much, Layla.” Will leans into me and kisses me sweetly.
“I love you, too.” I sigh, letting the nervousness slip away and the excitement take over. “So what’s the plan? I mean I know we’re leaving for two amazing weeks together, but I don’t know any of the details.”
“We’ll get changed and go straight to the airport. Our bags are already in the back of the car. Claire said she laid out something for you to wear,” he tells me, all the while stroking my arm tenderly.
“Well…it sounds like everything’s been taken care of. I really am so excited. I can’t believe you’re taking me to Ireland. We’ve been married for four hours and you’re already making my dreams come true,” I sigh leaning into Will, my husband.
“Get used to it, because I’m going to spend the next 70 years making sure every dream you’ve ever had, and the ones you didn’t even know you had, comes true,” he says, brushing my cheek with the back of his hand.
“You are all the dream-come-true I need.” Will kisses me and I kiss him back in a new way. It’s like my body knows I’m kissing my husband and is responding differently. It’s an indescribable feeling of warmth that is taking over. Thank God we arrive at Luke and Claire’s because that kiss had the potential to turn into something much more. Something neither Will nor I wanted it to turn into in the back seat of a limousine.
“Well, Mrs. Weston, shall we change and get to the honeymooning?” Will says as we enter the house. He takes my hand and we walk upstairs to my room…my old room. I’m glad he’s there because my dress is a bit much to navigate up the stairs.
Claire has laid out a pair of dark jeans, a green button down shirt, and a pair of brown boots. The perfect fall outfit for travelling. I turn and face Will and the nervousness begins to creep back in.
“Um…can you, uh…help me with the buttons?” I ask breathlessly. If there were any other way to get out of this dress I would do it.
“Of course,” he answers softly.
I turn around and Will begins to undo each button. One by one, each one is released. His hands brush against my skin and goose bumps race across my body. When all the buttons are undone we just stand there, not sure of what to do next. I feel Will’s breath on my neck, and then his lips. I close my eyes and take in his passion for only a moment.
I manage to say his name. “Will.”
“Yes,” he says in between soft kisses to my neck and shoulder.
“You have to stop.” I am a crazy person.
“No, see, that’s the beauty of being married. We don’t have to stop anymore,” he says quietly, caressing my bare arms.
I muster the energy to step away and turn around, holding my dress in place. “Will…this is my room…in Luke and Claire’s house.”
As if coming to from a dream, Will shakes his head and understands what I’m saying. “You’re right. This is not…this isn’t how I pictured it. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” I step forward and touch his face. “It’s going to be so wonderful.”
“I’ll get changed downstairs. Don’t take too long. Our flight leaves in two and a half hours, and it’s almost an hour to the airport.” I promise I won’t take too long and Will kisses me briefly before he leaves me in the quiet of my room.
It takes me a few minutes to figure out how to step out of my dress without stepping on my dress. Once that hurdled is passed I lay my mother’s wedding dress neatly on the bed and take it in for a moment. It was an incredible day. I married the man of my dreams in a chapel in the town that has accepted me as one of their own, with parents and friends standing with us as we embrace the life that we have worked so hard to have.
I dress and check myself in the mirror, realizing that Will and I are going to have a heck of a time pulling all the bobby pins out of my hair. It’s so beautiful. I hate to have to take it down. As I give my reflection the once over, I feel a huge smile take over.
“Hello, I’m Layla Meyer. It’s nice to meet you,” I say to the girl in the mirror. “Layla Meyer. It has a nice ring to it.”
I give the room one more look and meet Will down stairs. We grab our coats and the limo driver is closing the door behind us in a flash.
“How long is the flight?” I ask.
“A little less than two hours,” Will says.
“Oh, do we have a layover somewhere?” I ask as a follow up.
“Yes, in New York.”
“Ok…so how long is the layover?” I feel like I’m fishing.
“Two days,” Will smiles.
“Two days? We’re going to New York for two days?” I ask excitedly. “I’ve always wanted to go to New York!”
“I told you I was going to make every dream you’ve ever had come true.” Will puts his arm around me and I nestle into his side.
“Well, husband, you’re off to a fabulous start. Thank you.”
We ride and Will tells me a little about the hotel in Ireland. It’s actually not a hotel, and we’re actually going
to be in two different locations. Will says they’re both converted castles and I think I’m going to scream. Just another way that my new husband is making sure my dreams are coming true.
Our flight is quick, only about an hour and a half. A driver is waiting for us in baggage claim with a sign that reads Mr. & Mrs. W. Meyer. He’s already retrieved our luggage from the baggage carrousel so we walk directly to his town car, which is waiting in a designated area for limos and taxis.
“Don’t you want to know where we’re staying?” Will asks as we pull away from the curb.
“Nope! I want to be surprised. You told me that I had to start letting you just take care of me. So…this is me just going with the flow and letting you take care of me!” I tell him.
It’s a 45-minute drive from JFK to our hotel and I fall asleep as I lean against Will, letting the adrenaline that has been driving me all day finally dissipate. When we pull up to the hotel, Will nudges me gently. After a moment to get my bearings, the driver opens the door and I step out onto the sidewalk. It’s dark and the lights from the overhang glow magically in the glass doors.
“Oh, Will. You brought me to the Four Seasons. The Four Seasons in New York City. I can’t believe it,” I say in awe as Will pulls me to his side.
“Nothing but the best for my wife.” Will kisses the top of my head and the doorman opens one of the glass doors for us.
“Um…this is going to sound silly, but, can we walk through the revolving door? I’ve never walked through one before,” I say sheepishly.
“Of course,” Will says with a huge smile. “You’re so cute.”
I enter the revolving glass door and push. It takes more effort than I thought it would, but Will is in the section behind me pushing, too, so it gives way quickly. When I exit the turning door I’m greeted with everything that one would expect from the Four Seasons in New York City. The stone floor and walls are regal and the décor is sophisticated and chic. There was a time when I would have been swallowed up in the dichotomy of my existence in this elegant space, but not anymore. This girl is enjoying every second of her first experience in the greatest city on earth.
Safe Harbor (The Lake Trilogy, Book 3) Page 24