The Wedding Favor

by Caroline Mickelson

  She glanced out the window, hoping to see another car pass but the road was deserted. She tried her phone again but it was still not receiving a signal. She settled back against the seat and closed her eyes against her tears. The last thing she needed to do now was ruin her makeup because she wasn’t walking down the aisle with mascara tracks on her face. And she was going to walk down the aisle, someway, somehow.

  “Wait for me, Mateo,” she whispered the words aloud in the silence of the town car. “Don’t give up on me.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Mateo stood just inside the French doors leading to the patio where the wedding guests milled about. Their chatter was subdued and the sun was low in the sky. Everything, he had to admit, looked perfect. A white tent was set up with round tables for the evening’s reception. Rows of folding chairs stood on either side of a flag stone path that led to a white arch bedecked with lavender satin bows. The fragrance of roses hung in the spring air. It was the perfect setting for a wedding. Except that the bride was two hours late.

  “Mateo,” his cousin Juan touched him lightly on the shoulder. “Have you been able to get through to Ava?”

  Mateo shook his head. He met Juan’s eyes briefly and then turned his attention back to watching the guests. The look of pity in his cousin’s expression wasn’t easy to take. He had no doubt that much of the whispered conversation outside was about his no-show bride.

  “Mateo? Come on, man, tell me what’s going on so I can help.”

  Mateo shook his head. “I don’t know where she is.”

  “You’ve called her?” Juan’s expression was sympathetic.

  “Several times. Texted her too but she’s not answering.” He had to face facts. “She obviously doesn’t want to talk to me.” They were bitter words to have to say aloud.

  “No, man, that’s not it,” Juan protested. “I’ve seen you two together, I’ve seen the way you look at her and she looks at you. You two have got the real thing going on.”

  The real thing? Juan’s words were like a kick in the gut. He’d obviously traumatized Ava enough that she couldn’t even bring herself to call him. Damn. She deserved better. And then there was his grandfather. Mateo could see him sitting in the front row, his wheelchair in the front row between two chairs.

  Mateo knew he had to do the right thing. He turned back to Juan. “I need you to ask everyone to take a seat.”

  Juan’s eyebrows shot up. “What are you going to do?”

  “The right thing.”

  Juan clearly didn’t understand but he headed out to do as Mateo bid. Once everyone was seated and the music stopped playing, Mateo headed outside. It felt strange to walk down the path that his bride was supposed to have walked down. Half way down the aisle he stopped and looked around at those gathered. It seemed as if everyone’s expression was sympathetic. He was overcome with a deep gratitude for his entire family and, simultaneously, with a deep longing to have Ava beside him. The first blessing he would always have, the second he never would. After a moment’s pause he continued walking until he stopped and turned to those gathered.

  “I don’t know whether to start with thanking you all or for apologizing for the delay.” Mateo cleared his throat. “I’ll start with telling you that from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for this.” He motioned to the wedding oasis they’d collectively created. “No man could ever ask for a more amazing family. I can never repay your kindness but I will always try.” He placed his hand over his heart. “Gracias.”

  By now the family seemed to have clued into his subdued mood because they stayed silent and waited for him to say more. He owed them that much. He glanced down at his grandfather who sat watching him with a pensive look that tore at Mateo’s heart.

  “Ava is-”

  “Late,” called out his nine year old nephew.

  Mateo half smiled as the family greeted the innocent interruption with awkward laughter. Once it was quiet, he gathered his courage and tried again. “Ava is not able to-”

  “Apologize enough for the delay and for keeping everyone waiting.”

  Mateo looked up and his breath caught in his chest. Ava. She was here.

  **

  Ava smiled in relief as the Ortega family burst into spontaneous applause when they turned and saw her. Not that she’d expected to be turned out into the street but she could only imagine what they must have been thinking when she failed to turn up on time. Her eyes met Mateo’s and time felt as if it stood still. Breathe, Ava, breathe, she heard a small part of her subconscious remind her. It was no easy task though. The Ortega’s back yard, a place she’d played as a child and hung out in as a teenager, had been transformed into any bride’s dream wedding venue. The man in a black tuxedo standing at the end of the aisle, looking more handsome than any man had the right to look, was a dream come true.

  A guitarist began to strum a Latin melody and the guests began to quietly chat. Mateo’s eyes never left hers as he strode down the aisle toward her. Ava’s heartbeat quickened as he neared.

  “Ava.” He stopped just before he reached her. “You came. I thought….” his voice trailed off uncertainly.

  “I’m sorry, Mateo. We had a small accident and my cell phone couldn’t get a signal, and then when the police finally arrived I had to make a statement because the driver failed his sobriety test, which he would because he drank his way through two flasks while we waited, and the police were kind enough to arrange for a ride for me and here I am,” she blurted out. “I’m sorry.”

  “Police? Accident?” He shook his head to clear away the confusion. “Are you okay?” He closed the space between them and reached out to gently take her face in his hands. “My God, Ava, I had no idea that all this was going on. I thought that you changed your mind after what happened the other night.”

  Ava could feel a faint blush stain her cheeks but she didn’t look away. “The opposite.”

  “Opposite?” Mateo’s voice was low, his gaze intent upon her as if he wanted to make absolutely certain he understood her.

  She reached up with one hand and placed her hand over his heart. “After we were together I wanted to give you some space to think. This has all happened so quickly. I thought it was only fair to give you the opportunity to make certain that you wanted to follow through with the wedding.”

  Mateo was silent for a long moment before he spoke, and when he did his voice was so low she could barely hear him. “You mean that you want to marry me?”

  Ava smiled. “I’m here, aren’t I? Late I know, but I didn’t stay away. That wouldn’t be my choice.”

  His eyebrows rose. “You want to be with me?”

  “Yes, Mateo. For as long as you’ll have me.”

  With a suddenness that surprised her, Mateo drew her into his arms and his lips found hers. His kiss was both gentle and possessive. Ava clung to him, not trusting her knees to support her when he let go.

  “Hey, Mateo,” one of his cousins called out, “let’s make this legal.”

  The words were followed by a swell of laughter and applause. Mateo drew back and Ava smiled up at him. She reached up to wipe a trace of lipstick from his lips.

  “What do you say, Ava?” Mateo said, his voice low enough that only she could hear him. “Shall we?”

  She gazed up into Mateo’s eyes and nodded. “I’d like that very much.”

  Although she had planned to walk down the aisle alone, when Mateo took her left hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm she didn’t argue. Somehow it seemed fitting that they faced their wedding ceremony together. Just like they would have to eventually face dissolving their marriage, but she didn’t want to think about that now. She glanced up at Mateo and smiled. When he stood this close to her, and when he looked at her with such kindness and caring in his eyes, it was as if nothing else mattered.

  Mateo leaned down so only she could hear him. “You look beautiful.”

  “I’m glad you think so.” She took a deep breath for courage. “I’m
ready.”

  He nodded and then signaled to the guitarist to begin playing. Deeply touched by the kind smiles and happy faces watching them, Ava found herself holding on to Mateo’s arm more tightly than was necessary as they walked down the aisle. She didn’t want to cry. Not now. Not after she finally made it after coming so close to missing her own wedding. But if any tears did escape they would be tears of happiness. Her mind knew this wasn’t real, that this was all a show for Mateo’s grandfather, but her heart wanted to pretend. At least for today.

  Once they reached the end of the aisle Ava handed her bouquet to Claudia with a smile of thanks.

  The minister beamed at them. “I know I speak for everyone when I say that I’m glad you could make it today Ava.”

  A ripple of laughter went through those assembled. Ava laughed too, there was too much happiness in the air not to.

  “I also know that I speak for everyone when I say that your welcome to the Ortega family is sincere, absolute, and without reservation. Mateo’s choice to ask for your hand in marriage, your choice to accept, and the vows you’ll exchange in front of God and your family today, will bind you both together for a lifetime of love and togetherness. We ask God’s blessing.”

  The next part of the ceremony passed in a blur. Two of Mateo’s nephew’s gave readings, one of the selected passages was from the Letter from Paul to the Corinthians. After that a niece of Mateo’s sang Ave Maria. Her voice was strong and sweet and Ava wasn’t the only one with moist eyes when the girl was done singing.

  When it was time for them to exchange vows, Ava turned to face Mateo. She glanced up at him and was surprised to see that he looked nervous. That was the first time that she’d ever seen Mateo Ortega looking anything but calm and composed. She smiled tenderly and was rewarded with a grateful smile in return.

  “Mateo, I believe you have written your vows?” the minister prompted.

  “I have,” Mateo said.

  Ava felt him gently squeeze her hands and when he smiled at her, it was as if they were the only two people there.

  “My sweet Ava,” Mateo began, “you have done me the great favor of agreeing to be my wife.” He paused for a moment. “There are no words to express my gratitude for your trust and faith in me. I vow to you today, before God, family and friends, that I will treat your heart with tenderness for all of our days together.”

  Tears pricked at the back of Ava’s eyes. She knew she could trust him to be kind and tender until it was time to say goodbye to each other.

  “Ava?”

  Startled, she glanced up at the minister.

  “Your vow to Mateo?” he prompted her.

  She nodded but when she tried to speak her throat was constricted by tears. She closed her eyes in an attempt to keep her tears at bay.

  “Ava,” Mateo reached out and gently touched her cheek. He leaned closer and spoke in a low voice. “What is it? Are you okay?”

  No, she wasn’t. It was as if her heart had finally caught up with her head. It hurt to recognize the heart break that lay ahead of her. She opened her eyes and was immediately struck by the caring concern in Mateo’s expression. She smiled. “I’m fine.”

  “You’re sure?” His eyes searched hers. “Because if-”

  “I’m perfectly fine,” she interrupted him, careful to keep her voice lighthearted.

  He smiled.

  “Mateo,” she began, “the day that you came back into my life is always going to be more special to me than you’ll ever know. In such a short time you’ve shown me so much kindness and so much tenderness, and I’ll treasure it all the days of my life. The way that you love is so complete, so honest, and so generous that I feel blessed to call you my husband. Thank you.”

  In answer, Mateo lifted her hands to his lips and kissed each one in turn.

  The Ortega family burst into spontaneous applause. After a moment the minister raised his hand for silence. He reached out to the best man for the rings and held them up.

  “Mateo and Ava, we pray that these symbols of unending love will be worn through many long, happy and healthy years of marriage.” He handed Mateo her ring.

  “Ava, accept this ring as a token of my devotion to you,” Mateo said as he slipped the ring on her finger.

  She stared down at the gold ring and wondered if anyone noticed that he left out the word love, promising only devotion. She took the ring for him from the minister and looked at Mateo. “Mateo, accept this ring as a token of my devotion to you,” she said, deciding that echoing his sentiment was the right thing to do.

  The minister beamed and continued through the remainder of the ceremony. After they both said ‘I do’ on cue, he gently turned them together to face the family. “I take great delight in introducing you to Mr. and Mrs. Mateo Ortega.”

  As the music began again, Ava held onto Mateo’s arm as he led her back up the flagstone path. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air. Ava smiled as Mateo guided her back into the house. Once there, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Thank you, Ava.”

  She didn’t know how to respond but she was saved from having to say anything because the photographer came to whisk them away for photographs. The rest of the evening passed in an absolute blur of family, food, music and dancing. When it was time to cut the cake, Ava’s hand trembled slightly as she held the knife but only until Mateo’s hand closed over hers. His reassuring touch not only steadied her hand but brought a warmth to her heart that was like nothing she had ever experienced. She didn’t want the magic of the evening to end but after several hours, long after Mateo’s grandfather had retired for the evening, she and Mateo bade his family a grateful farewell.

  As she and Mateo made their way out to the waiting car, uneasiness washed over Ava. She and Mateo had followed through with their plan to marry. But now what would happen?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Although Ava had the wedding of her dreams, the first night of married life could not have been more awkward. Courtesy of Mateo’s aunts and uncles, they were booked into the bridal suite at one of the loveliest resorts in Scottsdale. They arrived via the limousine that yet another Ortega cousin had arranged for and once the limo drove away, their luggage was whisked away by bell service. As Mateo headed to reception to check in, Ava felt strangely empty. Like Cinderella after midnight.

  Once they were in their suite, Ava watched helplessly as Mateo headed out to the balcony where he stood and stared out into the night. He was strangely quiet and she wondered if regret had hit him already.

  “I’ll just go change,” she said, but there was no response. She headed into the bedroom and unzipped her overnight case. Claudia had helped Ava change out of her wedding gown back at the Ortegas, promising she’d take care of getting the gown to the cleaners. Ava had slipped into a sky blue shantung silk sleeveless dress for the short ride to the resort. She reached into her luggage and pulled out her cosmetic bag and a change of clothes for the morning. She set those aside and reached in again for her nightgown and robe.

  But instead of the modest peach satin nightgown and robe she’d packed, she held a lipstick red teddy. Ava held the satin lingerie up for inspection. It hardly amounted to a scrap of fabric. She reached back into the overnight case and felt around. The first thing she found was an envelope. She slid it open and pulled out the card. “Happy Honeymoon Night to my new cousin! There wasn’t time for a proper bachelorette party so I improvised. Have fun! XXOO Claudia.” Ava shook her head, not knowing whether to laugh or scream. This was vintage Claudia, and Ava should have seen it coming. Half fearing what else she was going to find, she reached back in the bag and pulled out a gift bag with black and red tissue. As gingerly as if she were diffusing a bomb, Ava removed the first layer of tissue and pulled out a plastic bottle.

  At first she thought it was lotion but the picture on the front showed it was something else entirely. She dropped it back into the bag. The second item she pulled out was a package of edible underwear. Really? Ava could on
ly imagine the fun Claudia would have telling her swap-and-switch honeymoon luggage story. She groaned.

  “I thought you were going to change?”

  Ava spun around to find Mateo leaning in the doorway. He’d taken off his tuxedo jacket, loosened his tie, and rolled up his sleeves. He held a glass with ice and an amber liquid in one hand.

  “I was. I am.” Just into what she had no idea. She followed Mateo’s eyes down to the red fabric in her hand. Suddenly embarrassed, she rushed into an explanation. “Claudia sent this.”

  Mateo’s eyebrows rose but his expression remained impassive. “Figures.”

  “What’s wrong?” Ava didn’t mean to blurt out the words but she was glad she did once they were out. The air needed clearing. “What happened?”

  “We got married.” He took a long sip of whatever was in his glass.

  Ava stuffed the lingerie back into her case. “Yes, I know. I was there. But what happened to change your mood so dramatically?”

  In answer, Mateo turned on his heel and headed back to the wet bar.

  Ava watched from the doorway as he knocked back another drink. She crossed her arms over her chest. She might have had the wedding any girl would dream of but the honeymoon wasn’t off to a rock star start. She’d never seen Mateo like this, certainly not so uncommunicative. Unlike so many men, he had the ability to verbalize his feelings and also to be extremely sensitive to her needs. Right now he was batting zero at both.

  “Pour one for me too.” She crossed the suite and reached out her hand expectantly. “It’s not fair if you have all the fun without me.”