by Lois Kasznia
“Trust me, Ian. Please?” pleaded Sam.
“That is fair enough,” whispered Ian and his lips settled on Sam’s again. Ian never left Sam’s house all weekend.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“You’re going to Chicago?” asked Ian, extremely disappointed as he watched Sam pull out her suitcase.
“I have to go for the dress fitting,” explained Sam slowly. “Toby is flying in to watch Cracker since I’ll only be gone a couple of days. I’ll be back on Friday.”
“I’m leaving for Seattle on Friday,” said Ian morosely. “Could you change your plans and come with me?”
“Is it with the author again? I don’t know if I want to meet him,” shuddered Sam.
“It’s a she, and yes it is. Now, she said she’s changed her mind on her kitchen. I think this is the fourth time she’s done that. I’ll be really surprised if this house gets built.” Ian smiled at Sam.
“As much as it’s a tempting offer, I’ll wait until you get back,” laughed Sam. “Don’t take it personally.”
“Be good?” Ian reached for Sam and pulled her close. “Come back? Don’t let your mom talk you into staying there.”
“It’s winter, Ian. Hawaii is much more appealing.” Sam kissed Ian goodbye, but he wouldn’t let her go.
“My biggest fear is losing you,” said Ian as he held onto her. “Please, come back to me? Please?”
“Do you mean it, Ian?” asked Sam with tears in her eyes.
“Very much so, Sam. You are my life,” declared Ian.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” promised San and she headed out to the airport.
****
“Hey, Jett. It’s Sam. Just letting you know I’m on my way to Chicago if you need to get in touch with me.” Sam ended the message and called Deb.
“On my way. What’s the weather like in Chicago?”
“Cold, of course. Sam, you are going to absolutely love the dress! It will look so good on you,” squealed Deb.
“I’m so excited to be your Maid of Honor. I’ve never been one before,” said Sam. “What does she do?”
“Hold the shower, make sure my dress looks right. You know, stuff. Believe you me, between my mother and yours, they’ll let us know what needs to be done.”
“Wait, back up. Shower? Deb, this is all so fast and I only have so much time off. Can we do the shower this week while I’m here?” asked Sam somewhat flustered.
“Sure. I’ll talk to my mom because of the time frame. But you are coming in early for the bachelorette party on Thursday. Rehearsal dinner is Friday and then the wedding is Saturday,” gushed Deb.
“Who is the Best Man?” asked Sam. “I hope you don’t pair me up with an ugly guy.”
“Jordan didn’t say,” said Deb. “I know my brothers are standing up. I don’t think Jordan would put you with someone ugly.”
“We’re talking about Jordan here, Deb. My brother is a prankster.” Sam rolled her eyes. “Hey, I have to run. They’re closing the doors.” Sam tightened her seat belt and fell asleep.
When the plane landed she felt well rested until she saw her mother, Deb’s mother and Deb waiting for her at the gate.
“Sam, are you all right about this?” asked Bunny. “Always the bridesmaid and never the bride. I take it Ian hasn’t popped the question.”
“Mom, please don’t start,” pleaded Sam and braced herself for a long week.
By the end of the week, Sam had had it. Her mother had done nothing but nag her about Ian, Jordan had been nowhere in sight and Deb had been too caught up in her wedding to seek solace. Sam’s dress was beautiful and it did look nice. As predicted, the shower went smoothly and Sam sighed with relief.
Ian had called almost every day, which pleased Sam to no end. She felt glad that things were back to an even keel with him, both feeling comfortable with the status quo of their relationship. But if he had heard Bunny’s carrying on, Sam would bet Ian would take the first flight to Tahiti. Speaking of flights, Sam almost missed hers back to Hawaii.
Letting herself into the house, she heard Toby’s snoring and Cracker slept right next to him. “Hey, guys. I’m home.”
“Sam,” said Toby sleepily. Cracker got up slowly, stretched and then wagged his tail at the sight of Sam.
“When is your flight back to the mainland?” asked Sam as she petted Cracker.
“In about two hours.” Toby got up off the couch and stretched. “Living down here has made me lazy. I need to go home to work out. Between the beach and all of the good food, well.” Toby rubbed his protruding stomach and smiled at Sam. “Cracker here behaved himself. It’s a good thing he’s neutered because there’re lots of female dogs around here.”
“At least someone behaved,” laughed Sam. She hugged Toby. “Thanks again for helping out. You’re coming back out in two weeks, right? I’m leaving here on Wednesday and should be back the following Tuesday. Jett gave me a reprieve.”
“You got it,” said Toby and he reached for his backpack and left. Sam shook her head. Leave it to a guy to just use a backpack. Sam always needed a suitcase. Smiling, she sat down at the piano and began to compose a song in honor of Jordan’s wedding.
****
The two weeks before the wedding flew by for Sam trying to make sure she could afford the time off. She wanted no surprises to pop up in her absence. Ian had been in and out of town with one thing or another but they still found time to see each other as much as possible Currently, he said he was back in Seattle again, but this time Sam found herself too wrapped up in her work to be concerned. She even ignored the calls from her mother because they were too annoying, usually picking on Ian and the age old nagging about not living in Chicago. Her mother would be the death of her.
Toby had come back to watch Cracker and now as Sam headed to the airport, she felt concerned that she had not heard from Ian. She texted him but he didn’t return her text. Boarding the plane, she tried to think positively about this wedding and not dwell on her mother.
The plane ride turned out to be uneventful and this time Sam used her car and chose to stay at her condo rather with her parents. She had stocked the condo before she had left the last time and headed straight for the wine. The bachelor party started at ten and Sam had arranged for a limo to pick them up and take them downtown Chicago to hit the bars. There were to be four of them and Sam found herself looking forward to it. She decided to call Deb to see if plans had changed.
“Hey, Deb! Getting closer. Are you nervous yet?”
“Sam, where are you?” asked Deb anxiously.
“I’m at the condo here. What’s wrong?” Sam didn’t like Deb’s tone of voice.
“The dress is too small. I’ve been eating like a pig with everything going on. Sam, what am I supposed to do?” Deb started to cry.
“Calm down. First off, take a deep breath. Have you called the tailor?” asked Sam.
“She’s the one who told me at the fitting. She doesn’t think she can get it done in time. Sam, what am I supposed to do?”
“Breathe, Deb. It’s six o’clock. Let me run over and you and I will talk to this tailor. If anything, Bunny knows how to sew maybe she can help. I’ll be right over.” Sam ended the call, grabbed her keys and went to see Deb.
“Hi, Mrs. C. Where’s Deb?” asked Sam as she let herself in.
“Can you help us, Sam?” cried Mrs. C. “What are we going to do?”
“How bad is it?” asked Sam and she went into Deb’s bedroom.
“See?” wailed Deb as she turned around to reveal the zipper wouldn’t go all the way up.
“I know you’re not going to like this, but it’s girdle time,” said Sam, all business.
“Girdle?” shrieked Deb “Are you nuts?”
“Nope, I’m not. Look, it’s a Thursday night and the stores are still open. I’m driving. Get out of the dress.” Sam helped Deb unzip it and found some sweats. “Let’s go. The limo will be here in about three hours, so move it.”
�
�What would I do without you, Sam?” Deb started crying all over again and Sam just rolled her eyes.
They made it just in time to the mall and with the help of a terrific sales lady, the solution was in hand. The two of them ran back to the house and tried the dress on, both holding their breaths as Sam zipped it up. A big sigh of relief came from all the women as the zipper effortlessly made it to the top.
“That does it,” declared Deb. “Nothing to eat until Saturday.”
“I don’t think so,” warned Sam. “If we’re going partying tonight, you’ll be so drunk so fast, you won’t know what hit you. Moderation, Deb. Moderation.”
“I promise,” swore Deb solemnly.
“Where is Jordan?” asked Sam. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with him and Ian all day, and there’s no answer.”
“He’s having his bachelor party in Los Angeles,” answered Deb, getting ready for the night.
“He’s what?” screeched Sam. “You let him party in Los Angeles and your rehearsal dinner is Friday? Suppose he’s too hung over to fly back? Suppose the guys play a trick on him and fly him somewhere else? Oh, I do not like this at all,” said Sam. She could just see something like this happening.
“I hear negative thoughts,” said Mrs. Cicone as she watched the girls leave. “Let’s be positive about this.”
Sam quietly shook her head and helped Deb get ready for the evening. Deb’s sisters showed up, giggling and whispering like teenagers. Sam could see that this would be a long night.
The limo driver lightened the mood and took them all over the downtown area. Deb, who decided only to have a salad for dinner, got drunker and drunker as the night progressed. Deb began telling men at the bar of her wedding and kissed them all. It got to the point, where Sam had to literally drag her back into the limo and they headed back to Deb’s house. Deb’s sisters weren’t any better and Mrs. Cicone waited for them and glared at Sam blaming her for the situation.
“She’s going to be hurting when she gets up tomorrow,” said Mrs. Cicone, shaking her head at Sam.
“Don’t blame me. She only had a salad for dinner,” explained Sam. “I brought her home early. Tomorrow, if’s she hurting, she needs to go to the gym.” Sam left the house and wearily got into her car. She was sound asleep the minute she hit the bed.
“Sam, aren’t you going to stop by the house?” asked Bunny, impatiently awakening Sam from her sleep.
“Mom, what time is it?” asked Sam sleepily as she tried to peer at the alarm clock.
“I hear poor Deb is sick,” commented Bunny.
“Mom, don’t even go there. I don’t have time, but I’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner.” Sam hung up the phone, rolled over and groaned. She checked her phone and found a text from Ian.
“Hope u r bhaving,” read Ian’s text.
“What about u?” Sam wrote back with a smile. The phone rang immediately.
“So, how many guys did you pick up?” asked Ian. “Because if you did, I’m going to kill them all.”
“Same here. Am I still your only one?” retorted Sam.
“Touché. How did you know I even went to Jordan’s party?”
“I didn’t. All I know is that he better be on that plane today or there’s hell to pay. Besides, Deb and her sisters got so drunk, I had my hands full. Now, both my mom and Deb’s mom are mad at me. Remind me never to get married.”
“Jordan did hold his own and, yes, he’s on a plane to Chicago,” laughed Ian. “We made sure of it.”
“That is music to my ears. So, are you coming to the wedding? Neither Jordan or Deb said anything.” Sam could hope so.
“Depends,” answered Ian vaguely.
“Seal stuff?” asked Sam hoping to get a more concrete answer from him.
“You know I can’t talk about that, Sam.”
“I know,” said Sam. “Sometimes it’s frustrating.”
“I know,” said Ian. “Hey, I miss you. Make sure you take lots of pictures, okay? I’ve got to run.”
“Okay,” responded Sam, and as soon as she hung up she burst into tears. She knew Ian might not be able to make it and, it broke her heart.
Sam got a hold of herself and decided to push Ian out of her mind. She had a wedding to go through and she decided she was going to have the time of her life. Squaring her shoulders, she got dressed for the rehearsal dinner and went over to see if she could help with the preparation of the evening.
“Don’t you look nice,” whistled Sam as she saw Deb in a beautiful two piece Chanel suit. “Goodness.”
“You don’t look too shabby yourself,” laughed Deb. “I think we’ve got everything under control, even though I thought I might die this morning. I had to tell my mom it wasn’t your fault. I’m old enough to know better.”
“Thanks. I got grief from my mom as well. I kind of hung up on her. I swear, Deb. Between that and her harping on Ian, I’m ready to kill her.”
“I know. Heard the whole story.” Deb shook her head in sympathy. “Let’s get to the church.” They packed up the favors for the next morning and got on their way. Deb immediately went to Jordan who looked none the less for wear.
“Hey, bro,” said Sam as she hugged Jordan. “Glad to see you made it here in one piece.”
“Sounds like I did a lot better than Deb,” laughed Jordan. “You know Mom is on a roll so you better watch out. I tried to talk to her, so maybe something I said sunk in.”
“Thanks for the warning, because here she comes.” Sam shrugged and prepared for the worst.
“Samantha, it’s about time I got to see you,” said Bunny crisply. “Why are you too busy for your mother and father?”
“Hello, Mother,” said Sam calmly. “It is Jordan and Deb’s wedding, and I’m trying to give them all the help I can. Of all people, I thought you would understand this. This is your only son being married.”
“You could have at least stayed with us,” commented Bunny.
“Bunny, stop it,” growled Artie. “Sam, I understand, and don’t you look lovely.” Artie whirled Sam around in a dance.
“Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate it.” Sam smiled and hugged her father. “I have to take my place since they are getting started.”
Sam left to get into the procession and looked around to Deb. “Who’s the best man? I don’t know any of these people.”
“Um, let me check with Jordan.” Deb turned and got Jordan’s attention. “Where is the Best Man?” hissed Deb.
“He’s coming, but not tonight. My friend Bill is helping out for now. It’s all under control. Don’t worry about it,” assured Jordan.
“Don’t worry about it?” Deb glared at Jordan and walked away.
“Places, everyone.” The priest clapped his hands together and started to give instructions.
“You must be Sam. I’m Bill. Friend of Jordan.” Bill introduced himself to Sam.
“Pleased to meet you,” said Sam politely. He is ugly, thought Sam. Jordan didn’t surprise her. She straightened up and followed the priest’s instructions.
The rehearsal dinner went smoothly, but Sam couldn’t wait to get out of there. Deb gave her a pearl necklace and matching earrings as a present, which Sam just loved. Jordan gave his sister a kiss and a hug and sent her home.
“I’ll talk to Mom tonight, since I’m staying there. I’m sorry she’s giving you such a hard time.”
“Thanks, I really need all the help I can get.” Sam gave Jordan another hug and went out the door to her car. She had never felt more alone in her whole life.
The next morning turned hectic. They were to meet at Deb’s and go get their hair and makeup done at the salon. The girls were served champagne, but Sam only had a little since she felt sick to her stomach. The dress, with the girdle, fit Deb to a tee and Sam smiled in relief. When she looked into the mirror, she saw she didn’t look so bad herself and smiled. The photographer took endless pictures of the women and finally bustled them into the waiting limo. Jordan and the men would meet them a
t the church.
When Sam walked into the vestibule, she almost fainted. Ian stood in the church dressed in a black tuxedo looking more handsome than ever. He had made it after all.
“You did make it,” said Sam breathlessly. “You are one of the wedding party!”
“Yup! Best Man.” He grinned and put his hands on her waist. “You look absolutely stunning, Samantha. Good enough to eat.” He smiled at her wickedly.
“I can’t believe you came to Chicago. This is something,” said Sam, shaking her head still in disbelief.
“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” said Ian with a mysterious smile on his face.
The wedding march began and as Sam and Ian walked down the aisle, Sam knew she glowed. Ian firmly held her elbow and the chemistry between them sparked stronger than ever. Sam barely listened to the priest as he droned on. She made sure she did all the duties of a Maid of Honor down straight. The other half couldn’t keep her eyes off of Ian.
The bride and groom were introduced to the congregation and Sam finally took notice of who had shown up. There was Jett, Bryce, and the entire Asylum Monkees band. Sam also noted tightened security because of the celebrities. She bravely took Ian’s offered hand as they walked back down the aisle.
“Glad that’s over,” remarked Ian as he sat next to Sam in the limo, their bodies touching from shoulder to leg. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been in a church?”
“And a Catholic Mass on top of it, too,” laughed Sam. Ian kissed her deeply, surprising her.
“Did I ever tell you how ravishing you look, Samantha?” Ian’s eyes were full of lust.
“Oh, Ian.” He only called her Samantha while in the throes of passion. “Did I ever tell you how handsome you look?” She smiled at him making sure he got her message.
“Hey, you two,” said one of Deb’s brothers. “Get a room.” They laughed and poked each other while Sam and Ian ignored them