"I think I'll go over and talk to Judge Baker and Jack," Theodore said. He kissed her cheek, leaving her to her thoughts.
She glanced at the grandfather clock and saw it was a quarter after ten. The ceremony was due to start at eleven. Earlier, she'd sent David out in one of the limos to pick up her bride and future in-laws. Thinking about Ariel as her bride made her stomach feel as if it contained a tiny fish swimming around.
Judge Margaret Baker, who had been a friend of both her mothers, would perform the ceremony.
Jack hurriedly came up to her. "David called. They're coming up the drive now."
Kiernan's nervousness increased until a school of fish was now swimming in her stomach. "Jack, go out and escort them in. I'll alert the staff they're here."
"Kiernan, dear, do you need my help?" Theodore called from where he was conversing with Judge Baker.
Kiernan hurried over. "Uncle, please tell the staff they're here."
"I'll do that."
He left to carry out Kiernan's orders, leaving her with Judge Baker, who put her hand on Kiernan's shoulder and gently squeezed. "Relax, Kiernan."
"That's easy for you to say. You're only doing the marrying, not getting married."
"I've been on the receiving end twice. You'll survive it."
"If you say so." Kiernan crossed her arms in front of her chest, nervously rocking on her heels. After a few seconds, she asked, "Margaret, did Uncle Theodore give you the rings?"
Judge Baker reached into the pocket of her blue dress jacket and drew them out. "Here and accounted for."
She held them out in her palm. Kiernan noticed one with a red string tied around it, and she asked curiously, "What's with the red string?"
"Theodore did that so I wouldn't get them mixed up and hand you the wrong one. Yours has the string."
"That's a good idea." Kiernan went back to rocking her body back and forth on her heels.
Kiernan saw Judge Baker focus her attention past her and say, "I do believe your bride has arrived."
Kiernan whirled and caught her breath when she saw Jack escorting Ariel and her family toward her. She had eyes only for Ariel. True, she was with Ariel when they selected their outfits for the wedding, but seeing her bride in her home walking toward her in that amazing dress was awe-inspiring.
Ariel wore a cream satin gown with a fitted sweetheart bodice. The sleeves were between the elbow and shoulder and slightly puffed. It had a sweeping full-length bias skirt and matching belt sewn into the dress. Delicate embroidery of gold metallic thread in a curving vine design covered the dress. The ensemble complemented the outfit Kiernan wore. Kiernan's gaze traveled down the length of Ariel and back up to her hair. Ariel's French braid went well with the dress.
Kiernan met Ariel, grasping both of her hands, with her voice full of emotion. "You're very beautiful."
Ariel's expression was wooden and her voice stilted. "Thank you--Kiernan. You look very nice."
"Thank you. Let me introduce you to Judge Baker. She'll be officiating." Kiernan let go of Ariel's right hand but kept hold of her left hand. "But first, there are two members of your family I haven't met." She looked toward Joanna and the twins. "Hello, Joanna. You look lovely." Joanna was wearing a pale peach dress with an over layer of ivory lace.
Inclining her head, Joanna replied coolly, "As do you--Ms. O'Shay."
"Thank you," Kiernan replied warmly, ignoring Joanna's cold tone.
Ariel tugged her hand from Kiernan's grasp before introducing her brother. "This is my brother, Seth." Seth wore a gray suit with darker charcoal pinstripes over a pink shirt and a burgundy tie.
Kiernan stuck out her hand and he took it in his.
"How do you do, Ms. O'Shay?"
"I'm fine. Please call me Kiernan. We're family now."
He said shyly, "Kiernan."
"That's better." She peered at the gawky young girl who, despite her gangly appearance, Kiernan knew would grow into a beauty like her sister.
"This is my sister, Leigh," Ariel said.
"My, don't you look nice," Kiernan said while shaking her hand. Leigh was dressed in a light blue pantsuit. The jacket was similar to a tuxedo with a slim collar in a silky light gray.
Leigh blushed. "Thank you." Kiernan thought blushing must be a hereditary factor in the Thorsen family.
Kiernan took the group over to Judge Baker and introduced Joanna and the twins. Next, she introduced the twins to Jack and her uncle.
Her last introduction was to Judge Baker. "Ariel, this is Judge Margaret Baker. Margaret, this is Ariel, my bride to be," Kiernan said with pride.
Judge Baker took Ariel's hand. "It's a pleasure, my dear. Kiernan is a fortunate woman."
Ariel politely replied, "Thank you, Judge Baker."
"Please, call me Margaret."
Kiernan said, "It might be a good idea to take your family up to your suite and show them where the facilities are before the ceremony."
Ariel said to her mother, "I'll show you my rooms and where the bathroom is located."
Joanna gathered the twins, and all three followed Ariel up the stairs. Jack and Theodore left to check on a few things, leaving Kiernan and Judge Baker alone.
Judge Baker said, "She's quite lovely. You didn't tell me much when you called to ask me to perform the ceremony, except mentioning something about you meeting her through her mother. And you were evasive on how long you've known her."
Kiernan took a few seconds before saying, "Margaret, this is strictly a business arrangement." She debated briefly on saying more, deciding she would go ahead, knowing Margaret would keep it confidential. "Grandmother's will requires I marry and produce an heir before I'm forty if I'm to have complete control of Stellardyne. Ariel meets the requirements I want in a wife and in the mother of my child."
Surprise flashed across Judge Baker's features. She recovered and said, "Shanna always had a bizarre sense of humor. But this is really--"
"Warped. I could almost believe she got the idea from the plot of a B-grade Bollywood made-for-EM melodrama."
Judge Baker added, "Or a soap opera. Why would she write something like that into her will?"
"To control me. She couldn't do it while she lived, so she's doing it from the grave. I should go dig her up and hammer a stake through her heart."
Judge Baker laughed briefly. "Shanna always controlled Maureen's life until she married Nicole. But Nicole wouldn't stand for it."
"I have no choice, if I want Stellardyne."
"I'm sorry, Kiernan," Judge Baker said sincerely. "There is the matter of the marriage vows. I suppose you don't want to go the route of 'til death do us part and eternal love."
"Given the circumstances--"
"I have the vow for you. Actually, I've used it quite often. Business marriages seem to be the vogue these days."
"Thanks, Margaret."
ARIEL TOOK HER turn in the bathroom after activating the EM in her sitting room for the twins. When she exited the bathroom, she saw her mother sitting on the edge of the bed.
Joanna stood. "How are you feeling--healthwise that is?"
"I feel drained, and my headache is back. I found some pain capsules and cold tablets in the medicine cabinet and took those."
Joanna placed her hand on Ariel's forehead. "You feel feverish. You need to take care of yourself."
An irritated sigh escaped Ariel. "Yes, Mom, I will."
"Someone brought in your suitcase from the limo. I'll help you unpack your things, and this weekend I'll pack the rest of your clothes, so you can pick them up after your honeymoon."
Ariel wanted to shout it wasn't a honeymoon, though technically of course it was. And with stipulation number nineteen--she didn't want to think about it. "Okay, Mom." Ariel placed the suitcase on the bed, opened it, and handed Joanna a couple of pairs of jeans and four shirts. There wasn't much Ariel needed to bring, since Kiernan had bought her over a dozen outfits for casual wear and a few formal outfits for their--trip.
"Where d
o you want these?" Joanna asked.
"Go through the door over there and you'll find a dressing room leading to a walk-in closet. You can hang them up in there."
Ariel took her undergarments and pajamas over to the double dresser. She placed the bundle on the dresser top and opened one of the top drawers, only to discover it filled. On seeing the neatly folded panties and briefs, she did a double take. She picked up one pair of ice blue bikini briefs and checked to find them her size. She wasn't sure of Kiernan's size, but she judged her hips to be smaller than her own. A silky black pair caught her eye, and she checked, finding that they would also fit her. Both anger and apprehension seized her. Apparently, Kiernan had bought her undergarments-- some very suggestive undergarments. Was Kiernan expecting to see her in them? Ariel chastised herself for acting like a Nanobrain. Of course Kiernan would want to check out the merchandise. After all, there was stipulation number nineteen.
She opened the second drawer and discovered bras in various pastels, as well as in red and one with black lace. This was too intimate, and despite her slight fever, her cheeks flushed warmer. She checked the sizes, and sure enough-- She wondered how Kiernan knew her size and suddenly remembered going into the 3D measuring booth for a scan of her body at Christiana's.
She hesitated before opening another drawer, but when she pulled it out, she found pajamas and other nightwear, some of which was suggestive reds and blacks. She didn't bother to inspect the sizes and slammed the drawer shut as her mother came out of the dressing room.
"I thought you told me you bought only a few items for your trip. There's almost a third of the closet filled with dresses, pantsuits, coats, you name it--"
Ariel walked past her mother and into her closet. The clothing filling up a third of the space was equal to at least four of her closets at home. Coats were in one section, pantsuits and dresses, both formal and informal, in another, as well as a section for casual wear. A check of the shoe rack showed more than a dozen pairs of assorted footwear. A variety of bags and purses hung above the shoe rack.
Her mother said from behind her, "I took the liberty to check the labels in the clothes. The ones having size labels will fit you. Some don't have size labels but have fancy nametags sewn inside with your name on them. I can tell you all are exclusive, and they sure don't come from Sears. I can't begin to guess how Ms. O'Shay did this in only a few days."
Ariel said nothing. She studied a pair of jeans, running a finger over the seams, instantly knowing the tailoring was to her measurements. Then in a matter-of-fact voice, she said, "She's Kiernan O'Shay, Mom. What she wants done is done. And when she wants it done, it's done. Who is to deny her anything?"
"REPEAT AFTER ME," Judge Baker instructed in an oratorical tone. "I, Kiernan Deirdre O'Shay, in the presence of those gathered here, take you, Ariel, to be my wife."
Voice solemn and gazing with earnest purpose into Ariel's eyes, Kiernan repeated the vows and went on. "I pledge to stand by you, not only in times of joy, but also in times of need."
Ariel glanced away from Kiernan's gaze. Kiernan squeezed her hand, obviously wanting Ariel's attention on her, but Ariel didn't want to give it.
Kiernan said, "I pledge to be faithful to you, and I will hold you in respect and honor the person you are." Judge Baker handed Kiernan a ring. "Now place the ring on her finger." Ariel glanced up, and Kiernan took Ariel's left hand to slip the ring on her finger. "This ring is a symbol of my pledge to you." Kiernan's voice slightly wavered with a rush of unexpected emotion.
Ariel's eyes darted nervously away.
Judge Baker regarded Ariel, her voice reassuring. "Repeat after me, I, Ariel Lynn Thorsen, in the presence of those gathered here, take you, Kiernan, to be my wife."
A faint tremor ran through Ariel's body. Swallowing hard, she repeated the words, her voice trembling, and made the pledge to stand by Kiernan, not only in times of joy, but also in times of need. Lastly, she said, "I pledge to be faithful to you, and I will hold you in respect and honor the person you are." Tears now threatened to overflow.
Judge Baker handed over the ring. Ariel's hands shook, so Kiernan gently took the hand holding the ring and guided her.
The judge prompted Ariel with the final promise. Her throat constricted, and Ariel could barely speak. "Th--this--ring is a symbol--of my pledge to you."
"I now pronounce you married." Judge Baker gazed on the couple with pleasure and said, "You may now kiss."
KIERNAN GENTLY PLACED her hands on Ariel's shoulders, rising up slightly on her toes, and leaned in to give her a kiss. Ariel twisted her head away so that Kiernan ended up placing a kiss on her cheek instead. Ariel did not reciprocate, and Kiernan took Ariel's left hand back in hers, holding it gently but firmly.
The staff applauded and soon dispersed to help in preparing the dining room for the buffet.
"Kiernan, you and Ariel turn this way, so I can get another picture," Jack said while holding out a state of the art 3-D digital camera.
Kiernan glanced at Ariel and saw the tears on her cheeks. She turned to Jack, "Perhaps later."
Kiernan let go of Ariel's hand, watching as a teary-eyed Joanna made her way to her daughter and hugged her tight. She was dismayed to see mother and daughter weeping, feeling at a loss as to what she should do or say. Both Theodore and Jack offered their congratulations. She accepted them, excused herself, and went over to Judge Baker.
"Thank you, Margaret."
"I wish you and Ariel the best." Judge Baker pulled Kiernan in for a hug, whispering in her ear, "Something tells me this will end up being much more than a business arrangement."
Kiernan let a wistful sigh escape. "We'll see."
SETH MOVED OVER to Leigh and asked, "Why are Mom and Ariel crying? I thought you were supposed to be happy at weddings."
Leigh put her hands on her hips and said, "Nanobrain, mothers do that all the time when their children get married."
"Where'd you hear that? And why's Ariel doing it?"
Apparently overhearing their conversation, Theodore walked up to them. "Why, mothers have been crying at weddings since Adam and Eve. Are you two hungry?"
"I'll say," Seth said.
"How about let's sneak into the dining room and see what Kiernan's chef has prepared. I hear he has all kinds of goodies laid out."
"Yes," Seth enthused and shot his fist into the air.
"You're always hungry," Leigh said with mock disgust and wrinkled her nose. "Mom needs to check you for worms."
Theodore said to Seth, "Well, partner, lets you and I do some grub rustling."
"I'd better go along to make sure Seth doesn't eat too much and retches-up," Leigh said.
Kiernan and Judge Baker, overhearing the conversation between Theodore and the twins, laughed.
Judge Baker said, "They're around three years younger than my grandson, Tony. Only a few weeks ago his main interests were music and food. Now it's music, food, and members of the opposite sex."
"Just think, there are two of them who will be going through that stage at the same time. I'd hate to be in Joanna's shoes."
"You wait. Your time will come, and you'll be in those shoes."
Kiernan shook her head, a slight smile on her face. "That's a while down the road yet. Let's get everyone together and have lunch before Uncle Theodore and the twins eat it all."
Kiernan walked over to Ariel and Joanna. "I have a buffet in the dining room, so why don't we get a bite to eat."
Ariel said, "I'm not hungry. I'm going to go upstairs for a while."
Joanna admonished her daughter. "Sweetheart, you didn't eat anything this morning. You need to eat something."
Scrutinizing her bride closely, Kiernan noticed Ariel's pallid cheeks and weary appearance. In a tone sounding like an order instead of a request, she said, "Come with me. You need to eat, Ariel."
She took Ariel by the elbow and urged her forward. Balking, Ariel pulled her elbow out of Kiernan's grasp, her eyes scathing.
Unsettled by
Ariel's reaction, Kiernan leaned back. "Ariel?"
Ariel shut her eyes briefly and then opened them, her expression and voice stilted. "Lead the way."
Kiernan thought the strain of the day was catching up with Ariel, and food and rest would be what she needed.
ARIEL FLOPPED BACK onto her bed, too tired to remove her dress or unbraid her hair. Her mother and siblings had departed twenty minutes earlier, right after the buffet. Somehow she managed to keep from leaving with her family. She wanted so much to go back to the comfort of her room at home.
"May I come in?"
Ariel jumped, startled by Kiernan's voice. She quickly stood, apprehension flooding her.
Kiernan, dressed in a pair of jeans and a knit pullover blue turtleneck sweater, said, "I have a wedding present for you, but I think you need to change into something more comfortable before I give it to you."
An uncomfortable feeling settled on Ariel, thinking Kiernan would stay and watch her undress. Then she remembered the dressing room. "I'll go and do that now."
Kiernan must have sensed her unease because she studied Ariel, her mouth tightening. "I'll wait in the sitting room."
Ariel removed her dress and went into her closet. She ignored the new clothes Kiernan bought her, selecting a pair of her faded jeans and a white Henley shirt, and quickly dressed. She slipped on her casual, black sport shoes, pulling the Velcro tabs to tighten them.
She found Kiernan in the recliner in the sitting room. Kiernan stood, and Ariel saw her gaze slide over her, no doubt wondering why she wasn't wearing some of the clothes she had purchased.
"I see you're ready. Let's go," Kiernan said.
Ariel followed Kiernan to the outdoor veranda.
Kiernan drew out her IMP from her front jeans pocket and spoke into it. "Michael, we're ready."
The sound of a deep, rumbling roar reached Ariel's ears. She spun toward the sound and saw a vintage, red hardtop convertible rapidly pull up and stop. Michael exited out of the driver's side.
The Dreamer, Her Angel and the Stars Page 13