Destination Wedding ~ A Novel

by Sletten, Deanna Lynn

  Claire walked down to the cottage, but detoured first past the spot where the wedding was to take place to see how the arch had turned out. They had originally wanted the wedding down on the beach, but when they realized that the tide would be high at the time of the ceremony, they'd decided to change the location. So the arch was placed at the end of a narrow, brick path that led to the top of the dune that overlooked the beach. The walkway was perfect for Jim to walk Mandy down the aisle, and the palm trees around the arch would add to the backdrop in the wedding photos.

  The florist had just finished decorating the white arch with a sheer coral swag and the two sprays of tropical flowers that hung on each side when Claire showed up. It looked beautiful. It was even prettier than Claire had imagined. She thanked the florist for doing such a wonderful job and went to the cottage.

  The cottages at the Harbour View Lodge were all painted white and had an aqua-blue trim around the windows and doors. Hurricane shutters that opened out were on all the windows and were also painted aqua-blue. Each cottage had an attached porch that faced the ocean view, a cathedral ceiling, and a small kitchen. Claire knocked on Mandy's cottage door and was ushered into the entryway by a nervous looking Kaylie.

  "I'm so glad you're here," Kaylie whispered. "I don't know what to do."

  "What do you mean? What's going on?" Claire asked.

  Kaylie stood there, looking lovely in her strapless, aquamarine dress. She'd swept her blond hair up off her tan shoulders and her makeup was done nicely. The worried crease between her young eyes was out of place on her beautiful face.

  "Mandy's losing it. When I came down here earlier to do her hair, she was fine. Then all of a sudden, she started panicking and talking like a crazy person. I can't calm her down. You'll have to try," Kaylie said.

  Claire couldn't imagine what Mandy was upset about. "I'll see what's going on," she told Kaylie.

  When Claire entered the bedroom, Mandy was sitting on the bed with her back to her. Her chin-length chestnut brown hair had been pulled up in an intricate up-do with rhinestone pins holding it in place, and she wore the strapless slip that went under her wedding dress.

  Mandy looked up into the dresser mirror at the sound of Claire entering the room, and her reflection revealed a tear-stained face. Claire's heart swelled. She dropped her things on the bed and went to her daughter.

  "What's wrong? What happened?" Claire asked, grabbing for Mandy's hands.

  Mandy looked up at her mother with red, swollen eyes. "I can't do this. I can't get married," she said sorrowfully.

  Claire looked over Mandy's head at Kaylie with her brows raised in question. Kaylie shrugged and mouthed, "I don't know".

  Claire sat down on the bed beside Mandy. "What happened? Did you and Craig have a fight?"

  Mandy shook her head. "No."

  "Then what? Why don't you want to get married?" Claire asked, confused.

  Mandy started crying again, and Claire got up and retrieved the box of tissues from the bathroom, handing one to Mandy.

  Kaylie came over. "Do you want me to get you something?" she asked Mandy. "A glass of wine, maybe?"

  Mandy shook her head and continued crying.

  "Why don't you give us a few minutes so we can talk," Claire suggested to Kaylie. "Maybe you could bring the boutonnieres and corsages out to the wedding party."

  Kaylie nodded, slipped on her heels, grabbed the flower boxes out of the small refrigerator in the kitchen, and left the cottage.

  "Okay, dear," Claire said, wrapping her arm around her daughter. "What's going on? Why are you so upset?"

  Mandy grabbed a handful of tissues and blew her nose. She turned to her mom. "I don't know if Craig and I should get married. He's so different from me. He likes everything just so, and I'm more laid back. What if we don't get along? What if we end up divorced?"

  "Mandy, honey," Claire said soothingly. "You just have a case of pre-wedding jitters. You two already know everything there is to know about each other. You've been living together for quite some time. It isn't like you don't already know his habits and personality."

  "No, Mom, this is real." Mandy said. "Everyone knows that half of all marriages end in divorce. People get married thinking they're going to be happy, yet half of them end up hating each other. What if that happens to me and Craig? Look what happened to you and Dad. You two were happy for twenty years and look at you now. You can't stand each other. That could happen to me and Craig."

  Claire sat back, astonished by Mandy's words. Sure, she and Jim had a few problems during this trip, but they'd shared good moments, too. In fact, they'd shared a few intimate moments, but Mandy didn't know about those. Relationships were complicated, whether they were old or new.

  "Mandy. You can't compare what happened between your father and me to you and Craig's relationship. Your dad and I had twenty good years together. And we had you. Even though we're no longer together, I don't see it as a big failure. And there's no reason why you should think that you and Craig will end up like us."

  Mandy bit her lip and looked up at her mom. "I'm scared, Mom. After seeing what happened to you and Dad, I'm afraid of it happing to me. I never thought of it that much, until this week, and after seeing you two together again. It's so sad that you two are divorced. It makes no sense. Plus, Dad's married to Diane and you're seeing Steven. I never saw you two argue even once when I was growing up. Everything was always perfect. So, if it happened to you, it can happen to me and Craig."

  Claire had to admit that Mandy was right, at least about part of it. Claire and Jim had never fought. It had always seemed as if they were on the same page. They'd been happy. Yet, their marriage had fallen apart. Claire understood why it scared Mandy.

  "Sweetie, listen to me. You love Craig, right?"

  Mandy nodded. "Yes."

  "And you've both talked over important things like money, children, and building a future?" Claire asked.

  "Yes. We both want the same things."

  Claire smiled. "Then that's a good start. No one can predict the future, honey, but from what I see, you two will have a good one. I don't regret my marriage to your father one bit. We were happy. Just be sure to always communicate with each other and don't take each other for granted. If you do that, you should be fine."

  Mandy wiped away the last of her tears. "Do you really believe that, Mom?"

  "Yes, I do."

  Mandy sat there a moment, collecting herself. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I do have a case of pre-wedding jitters. This week has been wonderful, but stressful, too. I think it just got to me."

  Claire smiled and nodded.

  Mandy looked up and saw her reflection in the mirror and gasped. "Oh, my God. Look at the mess I made of my makeup. I can't go out there looking like this," Mandy said.

  "We can fix that," Claire said. "Do you feel better now?"

  Mandy nodded. "Yeah, I do. Thanks, Mom."

  "Then let's get you ready for your wedding," Claire said.

  Chapter Fifteen

  At a quarter to five, Jim knocked softly on the cottage door. Kaylie, who'd come back to check on Mandy, answered it and let him in.

  "Is she ready?" Jim asked Kaylie.

  "Yes. She looks beautiful. I'm going out to wait with the best man. See you in a minute," Kaylie said.

  Jim walked into the room and stopped when he saw Mandy standing in the middle of the bedroom. Her dress was fanned out around her and the veil fell over her hair and framed her face. Mandy held a bouquet of orange lilies and pink orchids which stood out in front of all the creamy, white ruffles. She looked like a princess. Or a Hollywood movie star. And when she smiled at him, his heart melted.

  "Mandy. Honey. I don't know what to say. You're so beautiful." Jim walked over to Mandy and carefully hugged her so as not to ruin her dress.

  "Thanks, Daddy," Mandy said.

  "Okay you two, let's get a photo of the bride and her father," Claire said from across the room.

  Jim looked over at Cl
aire, surprised that he hadn't noticed her when he came in. He couldn't understand how he could have missed her. She wore a strapless satin dress in sapphire blue with a form-fitting bodice that flared out from the waist and down to just above her knees. The color was striking, and it brought out her brilliant blue eyes. Her sandy blond hair was down, and had been curled into soft waves that touched her shoulders. Around her neck, she wore a gold chain with a solitaire diamond pendent on it. It was the diamond he'd given her for their fifteenth wedding anniversary. Seeing her wearing it made him smile.

  "Perfect. Just like that," Claire said as she snapped a picture with Mandy's digital camera. "You both look lovely."

  It took Jim a moment to come out of his trance at seeing how beautiful Claire looked. He shook his head to clear it. "Let me take a picture of you and Mandy," he offered.

  Claire handed him the camera and went to stand by Mandy. Mother and daughter looked enchanting together, and at that moment, Jim felt like the luckiest man alive.

  After he took the picture, Jim handed Claire the camera and smiled down at her. "You look so beautiful," he said softly. "You take my breath away."

  Claire actually blushed. "You don't look so shabby yourself," she said. He wore a sand colored suit with a coral tie. The soft color showed off his tan and complimented his chestnut colored hair.

  "What, this old thing?" Jim said, giving Claire that rakish grin that drove her crazy.

  "Geez, you two. Get a room," Mandy teased.

  Jim and Claire laughed.

  "It's too late for that. We already have one," Jim said.

  Mandy covered her mouth with her hand. "I forgot," she said, giggling.

  Jim looked at his watch. "It's about that time," he said to Mandy. "Are you ready?"

  Mandy looked over at her mother, then smiled. "Yes. I'm ready," she said. And the three of them walked out the door.

  ***

  A CD player had been set up near the arch, and as soon as Glen saw Jim, Claire, and Mandy come around the front of the cottage to the brick walkway, he started the music. Kaylie and Cameron linked arms and walked down the brick path, then separated at the arch to stand on opposite sides. Craig was already standing next to the Officiant at the arch.

  As the music played, Mandy walked down the path with her parents on either side of her. All eyes were on Mandy as everyone gasped at how lovely she looked. Claire glanced around and saw Janice and Carl standing on the side nearest to Craig. Glen, Lisa, Angela, and Mark stood on the other side, watching the three of them come down the aisle. Craig looked handsome in his sand colored suit with a white satin tie. The smile on his face told Claire everything she needed to know. He loved Mandy. His love for her reflected brightly in his eyes.

  The photographer snapped photos of them from a discrete distance as she and Jim walked the bride down the aisle. Claire smiled. It was easy to do. She was so happy for Mandy.

  When the trio finally stopped at the end of the path in front of the arch, the Officiant asked, "Who gives this woman in marriage?"

  "We do," Claire and Jim said in unison. Then they each kissed Mandy on the cheek and stepped to the side with the others.

  Mandy and Craig stood facing each other with the Officiant in the center.

  The Officiant was a tall, elderly man who had performed hundreds of weddings on the island in the years he lived here. He had a kind manner and a strong voice that he used now as he began to speak.

  "Today, we are gathered here to join together these two people, Amanda and Craig. These two young people have chosen to vow before God to love and cherish each other. Marriage should not be entered into lightly. It is not only a union of two people, but of two souls. If you give your hearts to each other today, in front of all who have gathered here, you must do so with the utmost love and sincerity, for this is the most important promise you will ever make."

  The Officiant paused, then said, "If there be any person here who does not believe that this man and this woman should be joined in holy matrimony, speak now, or forever hold your peace." After another pause, he asked the couple to join hands. He turned to Craig and said, "Please repeat after me."

  "I, Craig Jeremy Fisher, take you, Amanda Lynn Martin, to be my wife, and these things I promise you:

  I will be faithful to you and honest with you,

  I will respect, trust, help, and care for you,

  I will share my life with you,

  I will forgive you as we have been forgiven, and I will try with you better to understand ourselves, the world, and God, through the best and the worst of what is to come as long as we live."

  Claire listened as first Craig, and then Mandy repeated their vows of marriage. Her eyes filled with tears at the beautiful words they exchanged. The site of them promising to love each other for eternity transported her back in time to her own wedding ceremony with Jim, and her heart felt heavy with sadness that they'd been unable to fulfill the vows that she believed they'd both meant completely the day they were wed.

  Claire looked up at Jim standing beside her. She could see he held back tears, too. The fact that he was also so touched by his daughter repeating her vows warmed her heart. Then, Jim looked down at her, and smiled. He reached for her hand and held it. At that moment in time, Claire felt more connected to Jim than she had in years.

  Mandy and Craig exchanged rings, and before Claire knew it, the ceremony was over.

  "Craig, you may now kiss your bride," the Officiant said with a smile.

  Craig and Mandy kissed, and everyone cheered.

  Over the next hour, the photographer took photos of the family and of the bride and groom. The sun was just beginning to set on the horizon, giving off a spectacular backdrop of pink and orange sky above the aqua-blue ocean. Once the family shots were done, the photographer led the couple off to take photos in various parts of the resort and on the beach. The rest of the wedding party stood around the pool and waited with glasses of champagne, courtesy of the resort.

  Kaylie took photos with her camera of each couple in front of a palm tree by the pool. After she took a few of Jim and Claire, they wandered off down the path with their glasses of champagne and stood in a copse of palm trees, enjoying the beauty of the sunset.

  "Did I tell you how beautiful you look?" Jim asked Claire, his blue eyes twinkling.

  Claire laughed. "Yes, I believe you have already," she said. "But you can tell me as many times as you like. A woman can't be told that enough."

  Jim leaned closer to her. "You are beautiful," he whispered.

  Claire smiled and blushed. She didn't know if it was the champagne or Jim's compliment that made her feel warm all over, but she liked the feeling.

  Jim drew closer and reached up to touch the diamond pendent lying on Claire's chest. "I'm happy to see you wearing this," he said softly.

  Chills tingled up Claire's spine at the touch of his warm fingers on her skin. "It's a beautiful necklace, despite who gave it to me," she said lightly with a wink. She backed away a step, trying hard to squelch the feelings rising inside her.

  "It was a beautiful ceremony," Jim said, again moving closer to Claire. "It reminded me of our wedding."

  Claire nodded. "Me, too," she whispered.

  Jim gently took Claire's champagne glass from her hand and placed it with his own on the stone wall beside them. He bent closer to Claire's ear. "I'm sorry I didn't keep my promises to you," he said softly. "I'd give anything to change everything that's happened over the past few years and be the man you truly deserve."

  Claire's breath caught in her throat and her heart beat in her chest. She looked up at Jim as he bent his face to hers. His eyes were serious now, and she knew he'd meant what he'd said. Jim placed his hands on her waist and she felt him gently pull her to him as his cheek touched the side of hers ever so softly. Standing together, hidden in the palm trees and flowering shrubs, it felt as if they were separated from the world in a magical paradise of their own.

  Jim pulled back only enough t
o look down into Claire's eyes. Claire raised her arms and encircled them around his neck. He leaned down and their lips touched.

  "Claire? Jim? We're heading over to dinner now." Kaylie's voice came from the other side of the trees, startling Claire and making her release her hold on Jim and take a step back.

  "Oh, there you two are," Kaylie said, walking around the corner and finding them in the copse of palm trees. "The photographer is finished and we're going to dinner."

  Claire took a deep breath and turned to smile at Kaylie. "Thanks, dear. We're right behind you."

  With a sigh, Jim picked up their champagne glasses and followed behind Claire and Kaylie to rejoin the group.

  ***

  Jim watched Claire all through dinner wondering if she'd felt the same way he had in that few moments they'd shared hidden in the copse of palm trees. He'd meant every word he'd said. He was truly sorry for hurting her and he wished he could turn back the clock and change it all. Unfortunately, he couldn't change the past, but he could do all that was in his power to let her know how sorry he was and how much he wanted her back in his life.

  Today was Mandy and Craig's day, but Jim felt it was also his and Claire's chance to find happiness again. Maybe it had been the vows his daughter and new son-in-law had exchanged, or maybe it was this romantic island that had helped to bring him back to Claire. He wasn't sure. But he knew for certain that leaving Claire had been the biggest mistake of his life. He loved her. He'd always loved her. But did she still love him?

  The group was seated outside on the patio where the palm trees and plants around them made the space feel secluded and intimate. The twinkle lights above them and the candles on the tables made the setting even more romantic. The moon and the stars in the sky lit up the night sky and the candy cane striped lighthouse across the bay was aglow with lights. No setting could have been more perfect for a wedding celebration.