When I Look to the Sky

by Barbara S. Stewart

  To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;

  To return home eventide with gratitude, and then sleep with a prayer

  For the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Matthew, you may kiss your beautiful bride.”

  He was holding both of Carlee’s hands. He pulled her close; she pulled her hands from his and slid them up his back as he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her, lightly caressing her bare back.

  When he let her go, the room applauded. He pulled her back for one more kiss and they laughed.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Davis,” the Magistrate said.

  The staff quickly moved in, guiding everyone to the other rooms. As Matthew and Carlee mingled with guests and family, they made their way to the breakfast buffet. Geni and Andy were behind them. When Carlee started filling her plate, she said to Matthew; “Can you hurry up, please? I’m starving!” Matthew and Andy both laughed.

  By one that afternoon, most everyone was gone. Andy invited those who remained back to his suite before Matthew and Carlee would slip off to begin their honeymoon. Dan Patrick and his wife came and took lots of family pictures. Andy had a case of the Machus sent to him at the hotel and had glasses sent up. Lane, Thomas, and Brian pulled corks and began to pour wine.

  After they’d filled everyone’s glasses, Andy spoke, “The last two days have been a beautiful experience. Recently Carlee, Matthew and I were together; she was in the middle of one of her lists, she got that from her mama,” he added and laughed. “We shared a laugh over her planning and she said something like, ‘Laugh, when I pull off the best wedding evah…”

  “Most spectacular wedding,” she corrected him and laughed.

  He looked at her and smiled. “Well, I can’t say for certain, but I think she did it,” he said and everyone clapped.

  “I have so much love in my heart for these two beautiful people.” He raised his glass. “To our new blended family…”

  They all remained in Andy’s room to visit. Carlee’s family and Roddy and Vince were heading back to the U.S. early the next morning. There were many conversations going on in the room and Andy watched from where he was sitting ‘listening’ to Kimmy talk about how beautiful the wedding was. He heard her, but he was observing Carlee sitting with Nanny and Pops. As he did, he saw tears from them both.

  “Carlee,” Nanny said, “You are a beautiful bride. I know your mama is looking down on all of this with so much love. Matthew is a good man, and I see you sharing a beautiful life together. You know Andy is going to miss you,” she said, and Carlee nodded. “Pops and I will miss you more,” she said, placing a tender, loving hand on Carlee’s cheek.

  As they talked, Matthew was across the room taking pictures, getting in every moment he could capture. He knew this would be hard for Carlee when she finally came to London for good. And he knew the emotions the two women shared thinking about Beth. Finally, Nanny wrapped Carlee in a hug. Matthew looked beyond them and saw Pops crying.

  He came to them. “We’ll see you soon,” he said trying to give Carlee a moment to gather her emotions. Matthew hugged them as Carlee made her way to the rest of her family, and Vince and Roddy.

  “Beautiful girl,” Roddy said. As he hugged her, he saw the same seventeen years pass before his eyes that he knew Andy was seeing every time he looked at her.

  “Beautiful woman,” Vince corrected, waiting his turn.

  Around three that afternoon, Matthew left to go to Geni’s room to get his bag. Carlee went to her room to gather her things. When Matthew returned, he called downstairs to have their bags taken to their room. His family, along with Kimmy and her family were staying until Monday for a mini-vacation.

  “We’ll meet everyone Monday morning for breakfast downstairs,” Carlee whispered in Andy’s ear.

  She and Matthew made their way around the room, hugging and thanking everyone. Jenna and Marissa handed Carlee a gift bag as she and Matthew headed out the door. Carlee stopped and turned back. Handing the bag to Matthew, she walked back to Andy. “I love you, Papa.”

  He wrapped her in his arms and held her tight as he whispered in her ear, “I love you so much, sweet girl,” he said.

  The happy conversation about the festivities and the newlyweds continued. Finally, Andy said to those who remained, “There are cars available to take you to tour London. You only need to let them know at the front desk.”

  ~ ~ ~

  In their room, Carlee excitedly tore into the gift bag. Inside she found a fancy Do Not Disturb sign for the door, a chilled bottle of champagne, cheese, chocolates, and monogrammed robes that said Husband and Wife with a card that read, When you come up for air!, and they both laughed.

  Finally, Matthew pulled Carlee into his arms. It was a passionate kiss. “Don’t move, I just want to look at you,” he said. “I watched you all night last night, watched you all day today, looked at you up close, peered into your eyes, and saw you from across the crowded room; and each time I saw you, I couldn’t imagine it was even possible that you could be more beautiful, but each next time I looked, you were.”

  “Matthew…”

  He reached to find the pins in her hair, and then the band that held the ponytail and pearls. As he removed them her curls fell free. He reached behind her to the pearl button at her neck.

  “You’d better stop a minute,” she laughed lightly.

  “Need to catch your breath?” he smiled.

  “No, but you might need to catch yours,” she said, her eyes alight with mischief, as she flashed a seductive grin.

  “Oh,” he took a deep breath, “now you just make me want to hurry. I wanted to go slowly,” he told her and laughed.

  “No,” she purred, alluring him, “go slowly.”

  He didn’t return to the button. He walked her to the bed covered with yellow rose petals, instead. As she sat waiting, she watched him. Her legs bare, he ran his hands up them, to find the blue garter that she kept, just for him. He then ran them back down to her feet. He slipped off her shoes and pulled her back to her feet.

  “I can’t take it anymore,” he whispered and reached again for the button.

  “Brace yourself,” she whispered as she let the dress fall to the floor.

  “Dang, Carlee!” he said when he saw the nipple covers.

  “The gal at the Bridal Shoppe said they were your gift,” she teased as she scooted back on the bed. Matthew undressed to join her, and they made love for the first time as husband and wife.

  He’d made an appointment for them at the spa for a massage at seven, and pre-ordered room service for their dinner when they returned two hours later.

  ~ ~ ~

  Their family and friends took Andy up on his offer for a tour and left him. Emotionally and physically, he felt tired. But after they all left, he found himself alone, and he felt alone for the first time in a long time.

  He thought about how beautiful Carlee was - how she’d pulled off ‘the most spectacular wedding evah’, and smiled. He thought about Matthew and how in love the two of them were. He knew Beth would be proud of the beautiful woman Carlee had become. He thought about how much she would like Carlee’s husband and found it hard to think of those words in the same sentence - Carlee and husband.

  He missed Beth. It had been sixteen years. They had been together for so long, and then he remembered the years they were apart. And then he thought about that last year with her that he treasured so much.

  He was alone.

  He’d gone to dinner with women through the years, but found that he only went for the company. He shared what he and Adaleigh had, but Carlee was his life, even more so after John died. He knew she would have been OK if he dated. He just didn’t meet anyone who was worth the effort to get to know.

  He poured another glass of wine and put his feet up to read. His phone woke him.

  “Hello…”

  “Did I wake you?”
he heard her rich southern drawl.

  “I wasn’t sleeping; I’ve just discovered recently that reading with my eyes closed happens more frequently,” he laughed.

  “Oh, that’s good! I gotta remember that,” Geni laughed.

  “Back from touring?” he asked.

  “Actually, I didn’t go. I decided to stay here and have a little party.”

  “Party, hunh?” he chuckled.

  “Yeah, a pity party,” she laughed. “My boys are all grown and married now. How did that happen? It was just yesterday that they started school. No, wait. I’m wrong! Yesterday was when I saw them back out of the driveway the first time!”

  “I was just thinking the same thing. Hey,” he said. “I have another bottle of Machus; would you like a glass?”

  “Sure,” she said.

  “Come on down,” he suggested.

  Geni knocked on Andy’s door ten minutes later. She took a seat in the chair as he poured the wine.

  “Thanks, for the wine and the company,” she said.

  “It’s certainly my pleasure.”

  “What a beautiful wedding weekend. I love the way it all came together. Carlee did a great job. I know she did most of it on her own, with school and all. She really is precious, Andy.”

  “She is to me.” He was quiet a minute and added, “I’m going to miss her so much.”

  “You two are so close.”

  “After Beth died her dad’s head was someplace else. He was bitter because Beth was sick, but… Well, I’m sure you know the story by now, he was pissed that she brought me back into her life. I think that hurt and resentment flowed over to Carlee. She was five; no child needs that kind of baggage.”

  “I will give him credit, Geni; Beth asked him to keep me in Carlee’s life, and he did. I know it was hard. I got Carlee one weekend a month, but one turned into two, sometimes more. I made sure she felt loved and had what she needed, but I made sure not to spoil her. I sure could have.”

  “And then when John died,” he paused. “Liz and Connor would have done an awesome job raising her, Kimmy too, but Carlee told me she was ‘tired of being shuffled around’ - she needed stability and she thought that was with me. Funny isn’t it? All those years… That was all Beth ever needed from me,” he said and paused in thought. “But enough of all that.”

  He looked at his watch; it was 6:30. “Reckon the gang will return soon? I’m getting’ hungry.”

  “Me too,” she laughed.

  “Six?” he asked.

  “It’s close,” she said.

  “It’s good,” he replied.

  “Let’s go,” Geni said.

  “We’ll call and see where everyone else is; they’ll need to eat sometime. If they are close we can wait,” Andy suggested.

  She dialed Thomas, “Hey, there; are y’all having fun?” As she spoke, Andy thought the sound felt like velvet - rich and smooth.

  “I was just getting ready to call you. We’ve been cramming in all kinds of stuff. Everyone is having a great time. We’re thinking about fish and chips somewhere. Want us to have the driver swing by and get you?”

  “That’s a sweet offer. I’m having a glass of wine with Andy. We were thinking of going to Six to grab something. Are Percy and Megs OK?”

  Andy smiled, the mother hen, he thought. He’d seen it when Tom died as she worried about everything and everyone else.

  “They are worn out!” Thomas laughed. “Angela and I are taking turns staying with them in the limo ‘til they wake up. We lost them to a nap about an hour ago!”

  “I’ll see y’all in a little bit,” she said.

  “Let me go grab my purse,” she said to Andy, after she hung up.

  “You don’t need it,” he said. “Come on, let’s go.”

  They enjoyed conversation and more wine after their meal. Around eight, Brian and Kimmy came to the table.

  “Hey,” Kimmy said. “Just wanted to let you know the crew had returned! We had a great time!”

  “Have a seat,” Andy said, lifting the bottle that still had wine left.

  Brian slid in beside Geni and said, “Let me just call and let Melia know.”

  Andy ordered another bottle of wine and they talked about all the places they had visited.

  Kimmy watched Andy and Geni and smiled to herself. Finally, she said, “I’d better get back; Lane will think I ran off or something. See you tomorrow.”

  Brian left with her and Andy and Geni remained, talking just a while longer.

  Later, Geni and Andy said good night and returned to their rooms for the evening. Geni changed and got in the bed. She wasn’t tired. She tried to read, but her mind wandered. She kept going back to the evening she’s shared with Andy. It was enjoyable. Part of her felt guilty for enjoying his company; it had only been four months since Tom passed away.

  I’ll just chalk it up to a good time: a nice evening with a friend, she thought.

  Sunday morning, Matthew and Carlee slipped out early to go to the flat. He took her through the kitchen and out the service entrance so they didn’t chance running into anyone. Cook had Matthew’s car brought to the back and handed Carlee a pan of her favorite brown sugar scones.

  “Don’t tell my husband,” she laughed, as Matthew squeezed her hand, pulling her away, “but I love you!”

  Their gifts and bags were waiting in the car. Half an hour later they were inside their home. Carlee baked the scones and Matthew made coffee. They spent the day unwrapping gifts.

  Lying in bed, in Matthew’s arms that night Carlee said, “Forty-seven days…”

  “I don’t want to think about it,” he said.

  “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  “Then you’d better make the next two days memorable,” he laughed.

  “Oh, you challenge me,” she laughed.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE ~ Cinderella and Her Prince

  Monday morning, everyone met at Six for breakfast. Carlee and Matthew were there to thank them all for coming; everyone but Geni and Andy were departing that day. They were flying back to the states with Carlee on Tuesday. She loved that her extended family were together, taking part in the big chat-fest about their tour of London, the wedding, and the life ahead for Carlee and Matthew.

  Afterward, Carlee, Matthew and Geni went to Andy’s room to wait as they all got ready to head to the airport. Kimmy squeezed Carlee tight, whispering in her ear, “Your mama would be so happy. Matthew is a good man and I know he’ll cherish you as a husband should.”

  Once everyone had departed, Carlee invited Andy and Geni to the flat. Geni had only seen pictures.

  “I love the area,” Geni said when they arrived. She looked around, noticing a walkway with replicas of old street lamps along the canal, and wrought-iron park benches. Trees and flowers were just beginning to bloom.

  “Matthew’s been able to explore some. My explorations have to wait a bit longer. Come on, I’m excited to show you!” Carlee said.

  There were gifts still out that hadn’t found a home yet. Geni wandered around and loved seeing it all. “Looks like you’re settling in nicely. This piece is gorgeous,” she said, referring to the china cabinet.

  “It’s my wedding present from Matthew! The china and crystal were my mama’s from her marriage to my dad.”

  “I’ve discovered a good pizza place that delivers,” Matthew said after a while. “Stick around, and we’ll order one, because before we know it Carlee will be starving!”

  “Ha ha…” she said sarcastically.

  “Matt, is there a place close by to get wine?” Andy asked.

  “There’s a little shop up the street. We can go there, and then we’ll just grab the pizza and bring it back.”

  At the wine shop, Andy chose Chianti for the evening and added some others he thought would be good. He added a wine bottle holder that held several bottles.

  “Matt, do you think this will fit in the bottom of that cabinet?”

  “I think so,” Matthew answer
ed as Andy sat it on the checkout counter with the wine. He grabbed a good corkscrew and added it to the pile.

  “Do you have wine glasses?”

  “Two and some paper cups!” Matthew laughed.

  Andy requested the sales assistant’s help asking for an all-purpose wine glass. She picked a set of glasses and Andy added them to the pile.

  “One more thing, English wines… I’ve been to Worthing and had the Machus. My daughter loves it, do you carry it or do I need to have some shipped to her?”

  “I have that,” she said, and at Andy’s request, she added what she had in stock to the pile he was making.

  They picked up a pizza, added an antipasto salad, and headed back.

  While Andy and Matthew were gone, Geni helped Carlee put some of the gifts away. While they puttered, the two women shared great conversation.

  “Carlee,” Geni said after a while, “Thank you.”

  “Thank me?” Carlee looked at her, scrunching her nose, “Thank me, for what?”

  “Thank you for a beautiful, intimate, personal, special, lovely wedding. I know it must have been hard for you; this is something you should’ve been able to share with your mama.”

  Carlee was quiet a moment and finally said, “Geni, I remember her but I’m never sure if it’s my memories or memories that Papa shared with me. The others, Kimmy, Nanny… they try to share, but I think they aren’t sure what to share; Papa tells me everything. He has shared every mistake, every up and down, every road they traveled. He didn’t have to; I can read between the lines in the book, but I know that he feels better that it’s him giving me the details. All of that helps me know her, but it makes me miss her even more. But enough about that; it makes me sad and this is a happy time,” she said with a smile.

  “You certainly are wise beyond your years. I love you, Carlee. Thank you for making my son happy.”

  “The wedding was perfect, wasn’t it?” She let out a sigh. “It was exactly what I saw in my mind! As for making Matthew happy - I pray that I can do that every day for the rest of our lives! I hate that it’ll be forty-five days ‘til we’re together forever!” she said.