Love Imagines (Sully Point, Book 6)

by Smith, Nicole

  "I want to make a toast at the beginning of the meal, when everyone sits down. I thought I should tell you. Is that okay?"

  "Not a problem. Before the meal, you say?"

  "Yes, sir. I have an announcement of sorts that I need to make."

  "That's fine then, just fine. I'll have the wine poured when everyone sits down so we'll be all set."

  "Perfect! Thanks, Frank."

  Frank nodded and watched Ben leave, chuckling softly. Oh yes, he thought. This was going to be a fun dinner.

  * * * *

  The house was big enough that it didn't seem crowded with over twenty people scattered around. Rose made sure that Charlotte was introduced to everyone she hadn't already met, although between herself and Maggie, they'd pretty much covered that during the week.

  Rose was thrilled that Charlotte had decided to move to Sully Point. She planned to announce it at dessert, and then they'd see what Ben had to say. She kept hoping that he would come to her to profess his undying love and his desire to leave L.A., but that hadn't happened. And one small part of her was disappointed, she couldn't deny that. But she loved him, and so could forgive and move on.

  Charlotte, it turned out, had been taking classes to become a nurse practitioner. Rose thought continuing with that plan would give the clinic what it needed, and the two had been investigating courses of study in the Boston area that could be finished in a minimum of time.

  Doc was excited and relieved that he'd be getting not just a doctor but a nurse practitioner for the practice. He and Charlotte had hit it off immediately, and were well on their way to a close friendship.

  Holly began moving people toward the dining room, gently exhorting them to move along. Then Frank showed up and shouted, "Move it, people!" and suddenly the crowd was heading in the right direction.

  They moved through a buffet line and finally everyone had a filled plate and was seated at the long table. A moment of silence was observed, and then Frank clinked a spoon against his glass. He waved a hand to Ben who was seated mid-table. Ben stood, and Rose's heart began to beat faster.

  "Everyone, I have an announcement to make, which may surprise some people, including my sister. I've decided to move to Sully Point as soon as possible."

  Congratulations and some applause ran through the group but every eye went to Rose. She had tears in her eyes and she nodded to Ben. He smiled at her.

  "I'd also like to announce that Rose and I will be getting married, just as soon as I can make it happen."

  A cheer went up from Rose's parents and everyone laughed and gathered around to hug the happy couple. Frank told everyone to sit back down because their food was getting cold, and at last they did.

  Discussion during the meal ranged from the upcoming play, Ben's move, and Sophia's plans for Rose's wedding. Rose kept stopping herself from laughing at Charlotte who was bursting to let her brother know her plans.

  At last it was time for dessert. Pecan and pumpkin pies were brought out, along with the dessert wine. Frank tapped his glass again, and this time everyone looked surprised but excited.

  Rose stood up, and raised her glass. "I'd like to announce that I'll be joining Doc Watson's practice and staying in Sully Point."

  Applause greeted her news, and then Charlotte stood up, practically bouncing in her excitement. "And I'll be her nurse! Rather, nurse practitioner once I finish school. I'm moving here as soon as I can give notice and get packed up."

  Ben grinned at her. "I knew you were up to something, but nurse practitioner? That's fantastic."

  "I'm so happy, Ben. I've been so ready to leave L.A., you have no idea."

  "Seriously? I really did have no idea."

  "Mom's going to be happy. She never has liked me living in the big, bad city."

  They all sat back down again and ate pie and drank wine and laughed and planned for the future.

  Chapter 12

  Rose sat on the verandah of her new house, a breeze from the ocean blowing her hair around. She was drinking tea and thinking about the past two months.

  The play had been a resounding success. William was very pleased with Ben's performance and the critics seemed shocked at the action star's ability to stretch his talent. In the month that followed the end of the play, Ben received scripts for two serious dramatic roles, with not a single explosion to be found, which pleased him immensely.

  His move from L.A. took weeks to accomplish. Charlotte actually got moved to Boston faster than Ben did to Sully Point. She only had one semester to go, and then she'd be in town as a nurse practitioner. They'd decided that she would live in the loft apartment that Anna used to use as a studio. She hadn't thought the apartment over the Bakery was such a wonderful idea with all that temptation so close by.

  Unbeknownst to Charlotte, Sophia had taken one look at her and decided to make over her wardrobe. When she returned from Boston, she would be arriving to a closet full of new clothing.

  Rose smiled thinking of it. Sophia loved nothing more than taking a woman from frumpy to stylish. When Ben learned of his future mother-in-law's plans, he'd offered to pay for everything, something which took him up a notch in Sophia's eyes.

  Ben had suggested they buy one of the Jason Earlington-designed homes on the cliffs, in the new section of the Sully Point project. Rose loved the idea and they were soon ensconced into a good-sized place. The house was two stories, with a widow's walk on the top of the house. A wide verandah ran from the sides of the house to the back, offering a beautiful ocean view. Rose loved it when Ben was home and they would sit out there, sipping wine, watching the sunset, as they held hands.

  She had put her foot down at the idea of a big Hollywood wedding when Ben's agent and manager both begged for one. She'd gotten to experience the paparazzi firsthand when she attended the red carpet opening of Ben's summer movie. She knew she'd looked fantastic in a one-shoulder Grecian-style dress of rose-colored chiffon that her mother had designed for her. Her hair had been done at a salon in L.A. in an elaborate coiffure that put part of it up and part down her back. Ben had taken her shopping for jewelry, under orders from Sophia on what to get.

  The best jewelry, though, was the ring he had Lucretia design. It was made of pink diamonds with a few regular white diamonds in the corners. She'd nearly fainted when she found out it had cost almost two hundred thousand dollars. After telling him she wouldn't dare wear it, he made her promise to wear it as much as possible, then said her wedding band, made of alternating pink and white diamonds, was suitable for everyday wear in her office or the hospital.

  When she was at home, she always wore the big ring, and liked to see Ben's eyes light up when he saw it. He planned to wear a platinum wedding band after they were married.

  Tomorrow was the big day. They'd made a deal with a magazine for photos, and the security guards were back helping keep the paparazzi off their backs for the wedding. The wedding was going to be held right in the middle of Sully Point, in the park.

  They'd discussed it with Nicky, who was very excited his park was going to be where the movie star and the new doc got married. He'd helped the florists and wedding planner decorate without damaging his trees.

  Only the families would be in attendance. She'd met Ben's father and mother that morning. She already loved his mother who was clearly a woman with a heart of gold. She figured it would take a while to warm up to the father, a very taciturn man. But after they'd met for lunch earlier in the day, Ben's father seemed to relax and actually smiled at her.

  She heard the door open.

  "Honey, I'm home," Ben called out.

  She laughed. "I'm out here."

  "I got Mom and Dad settled at Holly's house. My Aunt Jean is at Maggie's. I think everyone is here for the wedding. Charlotte got in this morning."

  "Yes, she called me."

  "Sam and William are all set with their outfits for tomorrow as the groomsmen."

  "How about Nicky?"

  "He's still a bit unsure over what a best man
is, but I think we're all set. How about your bridesmaids?"

  "Beth and Maggie and Charlotte are all set. I still wonder about having Maggie as Matron of Honor when she's this close to delivery, but she says she feels terrific. I just don't want to tire her out."

  "Well, we've picked a fairly short service, so she won't have to stand there for too long."

  "Did you decide yet, about the scripts?"

  "Why are you so anxious about it? We're getting married tomorrow. That should be our most important thing."

  "I know, but one choice means you'll be in Russia, and the other means London. I want to know where I'll come visit you."

  "London."

  "Yes!" She got up and went to him to throw her arms around his neck. "I loved that script. I can totally see you in the role."

  "I liked it the best of everything I've seen lately. We'll have a few months here, between New Zealand and London. So that's something."

  "Doc has already agreed to stay on through next year, so I'll be able to visit you in both places."

  "I didn't think he was going to stay past six months," Ben said.

  "It's your sister. He loves being around her. And with her at his shoulder, he feels more confident."

  "Frankly, all I can think about is that we're finally going to be married. Feels like we've been waiting forever."

  She laughed. "Ben, it's only been...three months? Barely?"

  "A lot's happened."

  "That's for sure."

  "I have something for you," he said, reaching down to pluck a small bag from beside the chair."

  "Where did that come from? I didn't even notice it."

  "This is for tomorrow, to go with your dress. And for later, to wear as much as possible."

  Rose watched as he slid a velvet covered box from the bag. He turned it to her and lifted the lid. She gasped.

  "Ben! The bracelet from Lucretia's, the one I loved! You remembered," she said and threw her arms around him.

  Before he could hug her, she had pulled back and was sliding the bracelet on her wrist.

  "It's perfect," he said, contented. "I promise to only buy you things that enhance your beauty."

  She laughed. "First the ring, now this. I love it. Thank you so much."

  She admired the bracelet on her wrist, holding it up at various angles. Then they sat quietly and watched the sunset, with her in Ben's lap. As the sun kissed the water, she kissed him. It was a long, deep kiss that was filled with the promise of the future.

  * * * *

  "What do you mean? He's drunk?" Rose asked Cody and Jason.

  "Didn't you know that he tends to get drunk at his daughters' weddings?" Eric asked.

  "I don't know...maybe. I didn't think he'd do it at mine."

  "Well, in his defense, he probably wouldn't have but Ben's father brought a flask. One thing led to another..."

  "Get him sobered up! Do what you have to, but he's got to walk me down the aisle, the path, whatever it is, in thirty minutes."

  "We'll try, Rose," Cody said.

  She was standing in the middle of Violet's Yarn Shop, which was closed until after the service. It was chosen for its location right across the street from the path that led to the arbor of flowers that the designer had placed. The dress was too difficult to wear down the stairs from the Bakery apartment, so she was finishing her dressing at Violet's place.

  Sophia was walking around Rose, twitching a piece of material in a couple of places. "There. I think you're ready, darling."

  The blush-colored wedding dress fit her body like a glove. The material draped tightly across her bust and on down to her waist. Starting at about the knee, a fan of lace and tulle went around the dress to the floor. She stepped into her three inch platform heels. They were not spike heels, but sturdy enough so they wouldn't sink in the dirt. A chapel-length, simple veil with blush-colored lace along the edge was perched toward the back of her head and fell over her hair which shined in a silky fall down her back. She wore a pink diamond pendant on a gold chain around her neck, and the gold bracelet Ben had given her, along with her big pink diamond ring.

  "You are simply a vision," Sophia said. "I swear if you weren't a doctor, you'd fit right into that Hollywood scene."

  "No thanks. I like it right here."

  "And we're all glad you decided to stay."

  "I love the dress, Mom. Thank you so much."

  Sophia came over and carefully gave her a hug. "You're very welcome." She sighed.

  "What is it?" Rose asked.

  "You're my last wedding. No more daughters left."

  "Mom...there's always Charlotte. Of course, first you'll have to find her a man."

  Sophia's eyes immediately took on a speculative glint.

  Charlotte poked her head in the door. "Almost time. Where's your Dad?"

  "Hopefully not still drinking with your father."

  "Uh oh. Sorry about that. I'll go see if I can find them."

  After Charlotte left, Violet came in waving a handkerchief with lace trim.

  "I've let so many young brides like you use this as their 'old' and 'borrowed' item. It's become a tradition, and you probably won't even believe me when I tell you it is over ninety years old."

  "Thank you, Violet. I'll be very careful with it," Rose said.

  "It's pretty sturdy. I like to think it starts a couple off with good luck."

  Rose and her mother watched the older woman walk out, long gray hair down to her waist.

  "So how old do we think Violet actually is?" Sophia asked.

  "There's no telling."

  "I think it's about time for you to get out there. I have to leave before you, darling, so let me just say this. Fill your life with love and you will never go wrong. Stay true to yourself and let him be who he is, and you'll be happy."

  "Thank you, Mom, for always believing in me, for everything."

  Sophia blew her a kiss and left the yarn shop.

  Charlotte stepped in. "All set? I've got your father out here."

  "Is Maggie out there?"

  "Yes. Beth has her sitting down until it's time to go."

  "Then let's do this."

  Charlotte handed her the bouquet of palest pink roses and they walked out the door and across the street to the park. Beth and Maggie were waiting there, along with Ed.

  "Hi, Dad. You doing okay?" Rose asked.

  "Sure, just fine."

  She heard the guitar and knew that Eric was playing the music for her to enter. The bridesmaids headed on in, walking the path that was lined with potted roses.

  "You've always been a sweet girl, Rose," her father said suddenly. "You just keep following that path you've been on, and you'll do okay."

  Then he patted her hand as she put her arm through his and they walked through the trees. She saw the arbor, and there in front of it, stood Ben. She didn't notice another thing once she saw his face. His bright blue eyes, filled with love, sparkled, and his blond hair was touched by gleams of sunlight filtered through the trees. Just seeing him made her feel like she was floating rather than walking.

  Her father placed her hand in Ben's when they arrived, and the ceremony began.

  Just as she began her vows, "I take you Ben—" Maggie let out a yell.

  "Wowee, ouches, that hurts!"

  Rose turned to her sister to see her clutching her very big belly.

  "Maggie, don't worry, everything will be fine. We'll just say the vows and then we'll get you to the hospital. With a first baby, we have tons of time."

  "Sorry, but I don't think so. I think I've maybe been in labor all day."

  "What?"

  "Well, I thought it was just indigestion or something. Then when I finally knew what it was, it was time for the wedding so I figured I could—whoa, man oh man, that hurts."

  "Maggie, that contraction was pretty quick. We need to get you over to the hospital now. Dad, somebody, get a car!"

  Beth and Sophia were urging Maggie to sit down but she didn't want
to sit. Then another contraction hit and she yelled.

  Rose turned from the car discussion. "Maggie, honey, can you walk across the street to the deli?"

  Maggie started to cry. "No, oh, oh something's happening!"

  Betsy ran over with one of the heavy white tablecloths from the picnic tables they planned to use later.

  "Here, spread this on the grass over there."

  Beth took it and spread it out. Betsy and Frank took off running for the deli to get some water. Cody had gone to get his car. Rose shoved her bouquet into Nicky's hands.

  "Take care of this for me, okay Nicky?"

  "Okay. What's wrong with Maggie?"

  "She's having a baby."

  "Cool!"

  Rose knelt down, and heard a slight ripping sound coming from the side of her gown. Ignoring it, she got Maggie lying back with her shoulders and head propped against her husband, who was on his knees. Eric was as white as the tablecloth, but he held onto Maggie.

  As she began to rip Maggie's dress on the seam, she heard her father urging the rest of the family back to give them room. Someone was on the phone to the hospital for an ambulance. Charlotte knelt next to her, hand on Maggie's wrist, taking her pulse.

  "Elevated, but within expected parameters," Charlotte said.

  "Okay, Mags this is it. You ready to be a momma?"

  "Ye-es, ouch. Can it be soon?"

  "Absolutely, this baby is coming right now."

  She turned as Betsy rushed up with a big pot of water and poured some over her hands, and then Charlotte's hands. Then Betsy set the pot down.

  "Here, I've got some of that antibacterial stuff. Use that too."

  "Fantastic. Thanks. Okay, time to push. A real strong push, Maggie, okay?"

  Maggie let out a short yell, and suddenly the baby was there. Rose cleared the airway and Charlotte rinsed off his face. His yell was almost as loud as his mother's had been.

  "Eric did you want to cut the umbilical cord?"

  "Uh, do I have to?"

  Rose chuckled. "No, in fact, I don't have anything to use."

  The paramedics arrived and within moments, the cord was cut, and the baby was wrapped up snugly in a blanket. Then they got Maggie onto the stretcher while Eric held his son in his arms.