by April Wilson
“Are you nervous?” she asks me, holding me at arm’s length as if she’s looking for signs of stress.
I nod. “Yes, very.” I shudder. “I’m this nervous with just our family and friends. I don’t think I would have survived a big wedding.”
Mom brushes my hair back, tucking the long strands behind my ear. “You look lovely, sweetheart,” she says, smiling at me through misty eyes. “You’re going to be a beautiful bride.” She pauses for a moment, visibly collecting herself. “Your dad would have been so incredibly proud of you,” she says, barely managing not to cry.
At the mention of my father, my throat tightens painfully. Even though he died when I was just an infant, I feel like I know him just from the stories that Mom and Tyler have told me my entire life.
“It’s fitting that Tyler’s giving you away,” she says. “He’s so like your father.”
I help my mom unpack her things, and it’s nice having some quiet time with her, just the two of us. Once we’re done hanging up her clothes in the closet, she sits me down on her bed.
“This is a big day,” she says, smiling at me as she brushes my hair back from my face. “I remember the day I married your father, just like it was yesterday. It was one of the happiest days of my life.” She gives me a teary smile. “I want the same thing for you.”
I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. It’s bittersweet whenever my mom talks about my dad. She’s still in love with him, even twenty-three years after his death. I reach for her hand and squeeze it gently. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Chapter 43
The morning passes in a whirlwind, and I can hardly keep track of the whirlwind of activity happening all around me. The great room has been magically transformed into a chapel, with rows of padded folding chairs filling the space and a dais set up at the head of the room, right in front of the massive windows overlooking the view of Lake Michigan. There are fresh flowers and candles everywhere. Even the weather is cooperating, presenting us with a beautiful vista topped with blue skies and lovely white clouds.
Gina Capelli is in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches to the feast of finger foods that looks insanely delicious… tiny quiches, mini fresh fruit skewers, cheeses, crackers, antipasto, salads, barbecue meatballs and hot wings for the guys. There’s even a chocolate fondue fountain for dipping. She’s definitely outdone herself.
The pantry door opens and in walk her assistants carrying the wedding cake, which they set down on the kitchen table. Three round cake tiers are covered in cream icing, decorated with delicate peach-colored roses and trimmed in dainty, edible gold beads.
“Gina, it’s beautiful!” I say as I come into the room for a closer look.
She turns to me with a radiant smile. “Do you like it?”
“Are you kidding? I love it! It’s too pretty to cut.”
Shane walks into the room. “There you are,” he says, coming to my side and taking my hand. “You’re needed in the great room.”
Seeing him for the first time in his black tuxedo, white shirt, charcoal gray pinstriped vest, and blue silk tie that matches his eyes takes my breath away. He looks incredible. “Wow. You look dreamy.”
He grins, and I could almost swear he’s blushing. “Dreamy, huh? I assume my appearance meets with your approval.”
“Yes. Definitely.” I pull him down for a kiss.
“Sorry, Gina,” he says, smiling at her. “I need to steal the bride for a moment.”
Shane pulls me out of the room and down the hallway to the great room.
Jonah is setting up his guitars in front of the stone hearth.
Lia walks into the room. “Hey, princess! You excited?”
“Over here,” Shane says, leading me to the dais, where Cooper’s standing. We step up onto the platform and stand in front of Cooper, who’s looking very handsome in a black suit and tie.
“We’ll be standing right here,” Shane says, positioning the two of us directly in front of Cooper.
“Yeah, that works,” Cooper says.
For a moment, I’m overwhelmed by all these people working together to make this day perfect for me and Shane. Shane’s family, his friends too, have welcomed me into the fold unconditionally, and it’s an extraordinary feeling to be accepted by so many.
Shane takes both my hands in his and pulls me close to face him, then peers down at his Rolex. “In about forty-five minutes, I will officially become your husband, and then you’re stuck with me for life. So, you have forty-four minutes to change your mind.”
I smile up at him, reaching up to fiddle with his tie. I know he’s just teasing me, but there’s a certain edge to his gaze. I replay Mom’s words in my head. I want the same thing for you. And gazing into Shane’s eyes, I know I’ve found it.
I have no doubts. I still don’t understand why he picked me, but I have faith in what we have. He could have anyone he wanted, and yet here he is, with me, literally counting the minutes until we’re husband and wife. I don’t know why the universe blessed me with him, but I’m going to grab on with both hands and hold on for dear life.
“I’ll never change my mind,” I tell my husband-to-be. “You’re it for me.”
He smiles and cups my face, his thumbs brushing my cheeks, looking quite satisfied with my answer. “Same.”
Gabrielle breezes into the room, looking ethereally lovely with her curly red hair up in an elaborate do, with sprigs of baby’s breath woven through the strands. She’s still dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, though, so the transformation isn’t quite done. “Has anyone seen – oh, there you are.” Gabrielle walks up to the dais, motioning for me to step down. “It’s time to get ready. Your entourage is waiting upstairs in your room to help you get all dolled up.”
Shane takes me into his arms, bending me backwards over his arm, and he kisses the daylights out of me, leaving me breathless and lightheaded. “Bring her back soon,” he tells Gabrielle when he releases me.
“Ha!” Gabrielle laughs. “You don’t get to see her again until the ceremony.”
* * *
My mom and Erin are waiting for us upstairs in my suite. As soon as we walk into the room, I’m besieged by helpers.
“Where have you been, honey?” my mom says. “You need to get dressed! Tyler will be up here any minute to escort you downstairs for the ceremony.”
“It’s not for forty minutes yet,” I say, laughing as my mom pulls my top over my head and tosses it onto the bed.
My wedding dress, which is a vintage, off-white silk gown covered with tiny, embroidered rosebuds, is laid out neatly on the bed. Alongside the gown is the matching bra and panty set, silk stockings, and garter belt that I received as a wedding gift from Shane’s friend, Sylvia, who owns a women’s clothing boutique. The extravagant undergarments are lovely, and something Shane’s sure to enjoy later this evening when he sees them for the first time. He does have a thing for garter belts and silk stockings.
I disappear into the bathroom to change into my undergarments. When I come out, my mom helps me slip into my dress.
Gabrielle is in charge of my hair, thank goodness, because ponytails are the extent of my hair-styling skills. I sit in front of the vanity while she works her magic, creating twisted loose braids and accenting them with sprigs of white baby’s breath flowers. After adding some light touches of make-up, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Finally, I slip into a pair of gold flats and put on a pair of gold chandelier earrings.
While Mom and Erin and Gabrielle get dressed, I walk out onto the balcony for some fresh air and look out over the expansive rear yard as it slopes gently down to the beach.
My breath catches in my throat when Shane, his father, and his brothers come into view as they stroll down the path to the dock. Dressed in matching tuxedos, they make a striking picture all together. Calum pats Shane on the back, and I feel a lump in my throat. He’s so like his dad.
I watch Shane as he laughs with his dad and brothers. From my vantag
e point, it looks like the guys are teasing him. They’re probably ribbing him about tying the knot. Whatever they’re saying, Shane seems to be taking it all in good stride.
It seems unreal that I’ll soon be married to this man. It wasn’t that long ago that I feared I’d never be able to have an intimate relationship with anyone. My first pseudo-serious relationship was with a boy I met in college – Kevin – and that ended disastrously. I couldn’t get past my fears and anxiety enough to be intimate with him, and he had absolutely no patience with me. Shane, on the other hand, was patience personified. I had plenty of freak-out moments with him, too, and he took them all in stride and made everything okay for me.
Now I’m about to make a lifetime commitment to him, and I have no doubts whatsoever. Not only that, but we’re going to have a baby in about six months.
* * *
There’s a knock on my door, and Mom opens it. Tyler comes in and joins me on the balcony. “Is the bride ready?” he asks.
I nod, shivering. It’s chilly outside and I’m ready to go back inside. I pick up the train of my gown with my free hand so I can walk without falling on my face.
When we walk back into my room, I can hear Mom and Erin and Gabrielle all in the bathroom, putting on their finishing touches.
“You look beautiful, Beth,” Tyler says, as we wait for the others to come out of the bathroom.
“Thanks. You look very handsome.” My brother is perfectly groomed to within an inch of his life. His tux is perfectly pressed, as is his shirt. His tie is perfectly folded.
“Before the others come out, I just wanted to tell you how happy I am for you,” he says. “I’m glad you have someone you love enough to want to spend the rest of your life with. Shane and I don’t always see eye-to-eye, but I know he’s a good guy and that he’ll take very good care of you and the baby.”
I smile at my brother, touched by his words. He’s right – he and Shane don’t always get along. It wasn’t that long ago that Tyler practically started a brawl with Shane and actually had him arrested. But since then, things have been better between the two of them, and I’m hopeful for the future. They don’t have to be best friends, but it would be nice if Tyler would loosen up a bit where Shane is concerned.
Mom and Erin and Gabrielle come out of the bathroom, their hair and make-up perfected.
“Sorry,” Mom says, a little breathlessly. “We’re ready.”
“Shall we, ladies?” Tyler says, opening the door for us.
Tyler escorts us down the hallway and down the stairs to the foyer, and we take our places outside the great room, waiting for our cues.
Shane’s father escorts my mother to her seat in the front row. She’ll be sitting with Shane’s parents and Tyler.
When Jonah starts to play Pachelbel’s Canon in D – my choice for a wedding march – Gabrielle and Erin start walking down the center aisle and take their positions near the dais.
I had asked Lia if she wanted to be a bridesmaid, and she told me, “No offense, princess, but God no. That’s just not my thing.”
At the time, I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants.
“Breathe, Beth,” Tyler whispers to me, nudging me with his elbow.
I take a deep breath and give him a tentative smile. I’m so nervous, I’m afraid I’m going to be sick.
Tyler takes my arm, and I squeeze his. My brother has filled in for my father all my life, and he takes his responsibilities very seriously. It was difficult for him to take a step back and let Shane assume the role of most important significant other in my life, and ultimately, my protector. Ironically, it was Tyler who brought us together in the first place.
“You’re doing great,” Tyler says. “Just relax.”
When everyone is in place, Tyler and I start down the aisle. Every head turns to watch us, and I feel like my heart is going to jump up into my throat. Shane’s mom has tears in her eyes, as does my mom.
I catch sight of Sam, seated in his wheelchair, which has been positioned at the end of the first row of chairs, beside Mack. He gives me a thumbs-up and a wink.
“Just keep breathing,” Tyler says as we approach the dais.
Tyler hands me over to Shane, who helps me step up onto the low platform.
Cooper begins speaking, and it’s all just a blur to me after that. I recite my vows, as does Shane. Cooper presides over the brief ceremony with all the pomp and circumstance such a momentous occasion deserves, his deep voice resonating clearly in the spacious room.
When Cooper finishes with “You may kiss the bride,” Shane cradles my face in his hands and, in front of a room filled with our family and friends, gives me the hottest, sweetest kiss I’ve ever known.
Chapter 44
“So, do you feel any different?” Lia asks me, nudging me with her elbow. My new sister-in-law, who’s dressed in black cargo pants and a toxic-green T-shirt, is not one to stand on ceremony.
“I think I’m in shock,” I say. “It hasn’t really sunk in yet.”
The ceremony is over, and everyone’s mingling in either the foyer or the dining room, grazing on Gina’s amazing spread of finger foods. The men are in the great room, removing the folding chairs to clear the way for dancing.
She laughs. “I guess we’re officially sisters now.”
I give her a tight squeeze. “Yes, we are. I always wanted a sister.”
“You ready for your first dance as a married couple?”
“Oh, God, please don’t remind me.” Shane and I are supposed to start off the reception with our first dance as a married couple. I’m too self-conscious to enjoy dancing under the best of circumstances, but the idea of the two of us dancing alone in front of all these people is just too much.
“Beth, hi!” Molly says, coming up beside me. “Congratulations!” She gives me a hug. “It was a beautiful ceremony, and you look radiant.”
I smile. “Thanks, Molly. I’m so glad you came.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” She glances around the spacious foyer. “And this place – holy cow! It’s magnificent.”
“Where’s Jamie?” I ask her, glancing around for my brother-in-law.
She nods toward the great room. “He’s helping his brothers clear away the chairs.”
“You guys came together, right?” I say.
She smiles, blushing a little if I’m not mistaken. “Yes.” She shrugs. “It made sense to share the cost of the ride.”
“Are you going to dance with him?”
She makes a face. “God, no. I’m not dancing. I’m just here to watch and eat cake.”
I try not to let my disappointment show. I was hoping that having Molly here might spur things along, but I guess I was wrong. It’s just that Jamie’s so incredibly amazing, he’d make some woman very happy if she’d just give him a chance.
Lia wanders back into the great room to see if Jonah needs anything. When it’s just the two of us, I decide to feel Molly out a bit on the subject. “You know, Jamie’s really amazing. I mean, not only is he easy on the eyes, but he’s a genuinely nice person.”
Molly eyes me warily. “Yes, he is amazing.”
“And he doesn’t let his blindness stop him.”
“No, he doesn’t. You know, the first time I met him was on the day he moved into our building. We were both walking into the building at the same time. I was juggling two big sacks of groceries, and I stumbled on the stairs and nearly fell. He was right behind me, and he caught both me and my groceries. Then he carried my groceries up to my apartment for me and handed them to me at my door. I didn’t even realize he was blind. I mean, yeah, he had dark sunglasses on, and he had Gus with him, but I just assumed he was just my neighbor out walking his dog. I didn’t realize Gus was a service dog, and I didn’t realize Jamie was blind until two days later when some of his mail ended up in my mailbox, and I returned it to him. God, I was so embarrassed.”
I smile. “Typical Jamie, always coming to someone’s rescue. I guess you can r
emove the man from the Navy, but you can’t remove the SEAL from the man.”
Her eyes widen just a tad. “Navy? He was a Navy SEAL? Seriously?”
I nod. “Until he was blinded a few years ago in an explosion, yes. That’s why he challenges himself so much to be self-sufficient. He used to live here on this estate, but he felt like he was being coddled too much by Ellie and the rest of the staff. That’s why he moved out on his own, to prove to everyone that he could take care of himself.” I smile hopefully. “So, maybe you could consider dancing with him? Maybe just once? I promise you he won’t step on your toes.”
Her expression falls, revealing a hint of sorrow that catches me by surprise. “I can’t, Beth.” Her voice is so quiet I can barely make out her words. “It’s not because of his blindness, God no. He’s incredible. Jamie’s – ” She stops and swallows hard, shaking her head. “I just can’t. Trust me, it’s for his own good.” And then she abruptly walks away, after murmuring, “I’m sorry.”
I have to wonder what Molly Ferguson is hiding. I also wonder if her reluctance to get any closer to Jamie has anything to do with that awful ex-husband of hers, the one who had her pinned to the wall with his hand around her throat.
* * *
My mom pops out of the great room to grab my hand and pull me inside. “Beth, honey, the photographer is ready.”
Now that the chairs have been cleared away from the center of the room, we can take photographs. Since it’s pretty cold and windy outside, we decide to take the photographs indoors, using the big stone hearth as a backdrop. The photographer arranges us in a myriad of groups for picture time – Shane and me, the wedding party, the sibling groups, the parents, the nuclear families, and so on. Finally, with one last big group shot, the photographer declares that he’s done, and we’re all excused.
* * *
“Come with me, young lady,” Shane murmurs into my hair, taking my arm in a firm grasp and marching me into the library. He closes the door behind us, sequestering us in this quiet, dimly lit room that smells like lemon-scented furniture polish. There’s a blazing wood fire in the fireplace, and the warm light flickers over the dark, polished wood furniture and bookcases.