I go quiet for a while longer, trying to figure out if coming here was a good idea because I'm not feeling a sense of closure. I look at his headstone and see my mom's name engraved next to his, and my heart hurts knowing I'll soon be coming here to visit my mom as well. My name could even be there too.
"If mom hadn't come home when she did that day thirteen years ago, finding me unconscious, I would have been the one waiting for you at heaven's gates. I'd be lying right here in the ground next to you. That was all because of you and your selfish agenda. Of all the people in the world I'd think that you would be the one to recognize true love. You and mom were happily married since the age of twenty. Why you never wanted the same for your own daughter, I'll never know. If it's because of prestige and money, well Mom certainly doesn't come from a wealthy family and it was apparent that she had more love for you than anyone with wealth could ever have. And, well, if it's because your baby girl followed in your footsteps and wanted to study law as well, you may have pushed her away from that too. I met with the school of law yesterday and they offered me a teaching position that sounds appealing. Since learning about your master plan, I haven't felt the same about my career. I'm doing a lot of soul searching and, as a result, a piece of me feels like you may have willed me into this career path. I never wanted to disappoint my daddy, so I did it. I think you wanted this more for me than I did for myself. I just know that being at the firm and working cases doesn't have the same feel as it once did. Without Rich who was so career-driven and money hungry, and with Travis who has nothing but love to give me and a sense of security, it's allowed me to think about what I truly want in life. The big house, expensive cars, lavish vacations, and all the materialistic things that money can buy are not what matter to me. The way that Travis makes me feel, watching him with mom and our family, and the sincere kindness that he possesses confirms to me that he’s my true love. And that is what I want. So no matter how hard you tried to keep us apart, you can't come between love, it’ll always find a way back in. And, ultimately, your wife is the one to thank for it.” I plant a kiss on the headstone. "I will always love you and hope someday I can forgive you. Until then, rest assured that I'm happy, well taken care of, and loved."
I get up, brush myself off, and stroll to the car with a sense of new-found relief.
Chapter Sixteen
Saturday
May 11, 2013
8:51 a.m.
I get out of bed and follow the smell of coffee brewing, which leads me straight to the kitchen.
"Good morning, Marla," I say, walking over and pouring a cup.
"Hey there, Sis. How did you sleep?"
"Good. How about you? How was mom last night?"
"She had a restful night. She woke up coughing once, but overall she was good."
I've spent a good part of the last three days with my mom, who had a roller coaster of days. Even with the visiting nurse here, we still want to split up shifts for one of us to be with her at all times. As much as a nurse can do, there's nothing like the comfort of having your family by your side. And mom certainly deserves it. Yesterday seemed to be her best day recently, so Drew and Marla convinced me to get some fresh air. Travis was busy at work doing inventory, so Laura and I did a bit of shopping and had lunch. And then we stopped by Tracy's salon to chat for a bit. It felt good to get out and unwind.
Today's a big day. It’s my mom's sixty-eighth birthday tomorrow and we planned a surprise birthday party for her. Family and friends will be coming by for a BBQ this afternoon. I'm in charge of getting the cake and desserts from her favorite local bakery, Travis offered to bring food from his restaurant, Drew’s going to cook, and Marla’s going to decorate. My mom will be surprised to see everyone. We even have family coming in from out of town. I hope she has enough energy to get through the day.
"What time are you leaving to get to the bakery?" Marla asks, taking a bite of toast.
"I think I'll leave around nine-thirty. That should be plenty of time to get back and help decorate."
I hear the front door close. Who could that be? I look at Marla questioningly. She shrugs. After a few moments, no one makes an appearance so I wander down the hallway to see who it is.
I look into my mom's room and find Travis sitting on her bed, talking with her. What is he doing here so early? He's not supposed to be here for another couple of hours at least. He sees me looking in. "Good morning, beautiful,” he acknowledges.
"Hey there," I respond, not saying anything more, in an attempt not to give anything away to my mom.
He tells her that he'll see her later, and then he saunters over to me. He wraps his arms around me and kisses me. "What are you doing here so early?" I whisper.
He smiles, and then takes my hand leading me into the kitchen. "Good morning, Marla," he says when we enter.
"Hey, Travis."
"So I figured you guys could use some extra help today."
"Sure," Marla quickly responds.
"Always willing to help. You are so sweet." His spontaneity is so refreshing.
He smiles in return. "So do you want me to take you to get the cake?" he asks.
"Sure."
"Are you ready now?"
"I suppose. I was trying to get my caffeine drip in," I joke.
"Come, we'll grab some coffee on the way. I actually forgot to stop at the Shack on my way here to get the food, so we'll need to take a drive there to get it. Is that okay?"
"Of course." Extra time with my man is always welcomed.
"See you guys in a bit," Marla says.
We walk out to the porch. "You took your Cadillac?" I say eagerly, the moment I see his 1972 Cadillac sitting in the driveway.
"I thought we could run errands in style today."
When we get in and start driving, Travis doesn't head in the direction of the bakery or the coffee shop. "We’re getting the cake from the bakery on Morris," I say when I notice.
"I figure we can grab the food first and then get the cake. We can stop for coffee on the way."
"Sounds good to me,” I say, grabbing his hand and snuggling in close to him. I love this car. It reminds me of when we were teenagers, making me a bit sentimental every time I'm in it.
After stopping for coffee, we get onto the highway in the direction of the Love Shack. Fifty or so minutes later we pull up and Travis comes to my side of the car, opening the door. He takes my hand, meandering up to the front door, he pushes it open.
"It's unlocked?" I ask, surprised that it’s open this early. We step foot inside the door and I'm struck with the view of what looks to be a field of sunflowers. I look up at Travis dumbfounded. He leans down and kisses me, and then squeezes my hand. "What is this?" I manage. He doesn't respond, instead he takes my hand and leads me to the center of the room. I take in the beauty around us. Every table is blanketed with sunflowers, and the bar is lined with bouquets of sunflowers as well. It's really magnificent.
Taking a chair, he places it in the center of the room. “Here, have a seat." He then grabs another chair, and places it directly in front of me, sitting. Reaching over to the table next to us, he pulls a sunflower out of a vase and breaks off a piece of the stem. He places the sunflower in my hair. I’m speechless. Grabbing my hands in his, he leans in, resting his elbows on his knees. "Do you know what today is?" he asks, peering into my soul.
I look at him, confused. "It's the day before my mom's birthday?"
"Today is our seventeenth anniversary," he says, grinning. "Six thousand, two hundred, and five days ago, we went on our first date. At the end of the date, I asked you to be my girlfriend. You've been in my heart ever since." Tears well in my eyes. He grabs a tissue from what appears to be a strategically placed tissue box, and hands it to me.
"The moment I laid eyes on you, at the age of fifteen, I knew I had to have you as my girlfriend. The moment I placed that promise ring on your finger, I meant it to be forever. Every single moment that we've spent together, then and now, has been no
thing but perfect. I was lost without you for thirteen years. You are the joy of my life. You are the air that I breathe. You are my one true love. You complete me." He pauses, taking in a breath. "At last, my soul mate has returned to me, so I’m wondering if you’re willing to allow me to be your knight and light for life."
He reaches over to the table beside him and takes a sunflower in his hand. He gets down on one knee and holds it out to me. My body shakes as tears stream down my face. I can barely reach out to grab the flower with my trembling hand, but I manage. I look at it and see a tag hanging from it. I read, through tear-stained eyes: Will you marry me today? I pause, letting the words sink in. And then I read it again, making sure that I've read it correctly.
"Today?" I ask, barely forming the words. He nods.
"Yes. Sweets, will you give me the honor of becoming my wife today?"
I don't give it a moment's thought longer. "Yes," I say, leaping into his arms. He holds me tight and kisses me deep.
"Let me explain why I've chosen today," he says once we pull away. "I've had a long time to dream about this day, but your mom has as well. Unfortunately, her days are limited. And the greatest gift I could give to you, and her, would be what we have planned for today."
I cradle my face in my hands. Travis leans over and brings me to him. He hugs me, while I sit in his lap, crying. "No matter how much longer we wait, it won't change my feelings for you. It won't diminish my need to spend eternity with you. You are my forever.”
"I love you so much," I say in shaky breath. "So we’re getting married at my mom's today?"
"We’re getting married here on the beach today," he says, swiping a tear from my eye.
"Here?" I question, both excited and surprised. "My mom is coming here too?"
"Your mom, our family, and our friends are all going to be here," he explains. "Oh wait," he says, standing us up and reaching into his pocket. He pulls out a box, and opens it to a stunning square cut diamond in a vintage setting. "You need this," he says, grabbing my left hand. He pauses when he sees my promise ring on my ring finger, right where he placed it. He smiles, knowing that I never took it off, as I promised. He removes the promise ring and places it on the ring finger of my right hand, and then he slides the diamond ring onto the ring finger of my left hand. The diamond sparkles for all to see. It's simple, but so elegantly stunning.
"It's perfect.”
"So, are you ready?"
"Ready? For what?"
"You have a big day planned," he says, grabbing my hand and walking me to the front door. When he opens the door, I’m met with Laura, Julie, Tracy, and Marla standing outside. "She's all yours for a short while, but be sure to return her to me," Travis says to them.
"She said yes?" Tracy asks, smiling wide.
"Yeah she did. Can you believe it?" Travis says, wrapping his arm around me.
"These girls have some stuff planned for you while I get some things done. We’re in for the best day of our life." Apparently my voice doesn't want to make an appearance at the wedding today because all I can do is stand there grinning from ear to ear.
Kissing me, he whispers, "I love you, Sweets." Then he pulls away and walks back inside the Love Shack while looking back at me, winking.
"Come on girl, we got a wedding to get you ready for," Tracy says, grabbing my hand. We start walking down the sidewalk and I have no idea where we’re headed.
"Where are we going?"
"A local salon offered to take care of us," Tracy says.
Apparently I've found my voice because I stop dead in my tracks and exclaim, "I'M GETTING MARRIED TODAY!"
The girls laugh.
"To Travis," Laura adds.
We walk into a small salon about a half a block away. We’re greeted by the owner, who directs each of us to sit in a chair. Tracy stands behind me. "I'm doing your hair today," she says enthusiastically.
"I can't believe this. How long have you guys known?"
Julie laughs. "I've only known for three days.”
"Travis and mom started planning a week ago," Marla confesses.
I stare at her in shock. "Mom helped to plan it? And wait, did you say it's only been a week?"
"Mom had a big part in planning all of today. Not to mention, she's paying for it too. It's beautiful to watch those two together. Wait until you see what they have in store for you." My mom, on her death bed, helped to plan this and paid for it. That’s admirable.
I try to get more information from the girls, but none of them are willing to offer up any details of the day. After a while, Tracy spins me around in the chair and hands me a mirror. I look into it at the most magnificent hair. She twisted my hair to the back of my head in a figure eight, and directly in the center lays a single sunflower. It's beautiful.
We eat lunch that Travis arranged to have delivered, and then we get our nails done. All of us are so giddy with excitement that we can barely contain ourselves. After our nails are buffed and polished, the owner directs us to a back room. My heart stops the instant I walk through the door. There hangs a white dress that is both simple and elegant. It's a mid-calf, chiffon dress with spaghetti straps, and a band of beads and stones wrap around the waist. It couldn't be a more perfect dress for a beach wedding.
"Travis picked it out," Marla says.
"It's perfect.”
I pick it up, and can't wait a moment longer to put it on. Marla helps me to slip into it. "You’re gorgeous. But I have two more things for you." She reaches over and grabs a small box.
Opening it, she takes out a pearl necklace and earrings. "You need something old, something new, and something blue. Your dress is the something new. This is the something old. It’s mom's pearl necklace and earrings that she wore on her wedding day." She puts it around my neck and I put the earrings on.
Marla reaches over and grabs a small bag. "You need something blue and Travis took care of that. As your sister, I don't really want to look inside," she jokes. She hands the bag to me and I reach in, pulling out light blue lace thong underwear. I laugh.
"I love that boy.”
I return from the restroom and the rest of the girls are in their dresses. They’re wearing pale yellow, strapless chiffon dresses that go down to their knees. "Wow Amy, you look sensational," Laura says.
"So do you guys.”
"Travis picked out the dresses," Tracy responds. "He's got quite the taste."
"That's my brother," Marla quips.
"Thank you guys for being here with me today," I say, feeling emotional, seeing them dressed up.
"You couldn't keep me away even if you tried," Tracy remarks.
"I love you guys."
Marla's phone rings, and she answers it, walking out of the room. Moments later, she returns nodding. "Are we ready?" My heart starts doing somersaults in my chest as a result of both nerves and excitement.
After thanking the salon owner, we head outside to find Travis' Cadillac awaiting us, with Drew behind the wheel. When he gets out of the car, I see he's dressed in tan linen pants and a white linen, button-down shirt. He looks dapper. "I hear that we have a wedding to get to," he says, walking up to me and kissing my cheek. "You look beautiful,” he remarks.
I hug him. "Thanks. You look great yourself.”
"Can you believe it? I'm finally getting married," I say, with excitement bursting out of me.
"Finally," he says, laughing.
We get into the car and Drew drives us to the Love Shack. Pulling up to the front,I notice that there are a lot of cars here. Butterflies have returned to my stomach—the same ones that I thought had hit the road long ago. "Are you ready?" Drew asks, grabbing my hand.
"I'm ready to go marry my man."
After getting out of the car, the girls kiss me on the cheek and march inside. Drew holds my hand while we wait until the girls are gone. "I guess it's our turn. Don't be nervous, Sis," he says, seeing my anxious expression. "I can't wait for Travis to see you," he adds, smiling.
W
alking to the front door, he opens it and we walk inside. The place looks as awe-inspiring as it did this morning. When we approach the front of the bar, I look out at the sea of people on the patio and the beach―lots of people. The butterflies start fluttering so much more than they have ever. Drew nods to a disc jockey who fidgets with some knobs causing the music to begin. When I listen close, I note that it's not the traditional wedding march song; I recognize that it's Beautiful in White.
Drew wraps my hand around his arm. "Ready?" he asks. I nod.
We walk out onto the patio, and I become choked up at the sight that awaits me at the end of the aisle. Travis is standing there in tan linen pants and a white linen button-down shirt that matches Drew's, and he looks incredible. Amanda is standing by his side in a light yellow strapless chiffon dress that resembles the rest of the girls’ dresses, and my mom is sitting in a wheel chair on the other side of him. The smile on her face lights up the moment her eyes catch mine.
Tears stream down my face, and the more I attempt to stop them, the more they flow. The sight of the three of them up there stops my breathing and I can barely walk. Drew squeezes my hand in recognition.
We make our way half way down the aisle, and Travis begins to walk in our direction. When he gets to us he swipes a tear from my cheek. "I couldn't watch you any longer. You are absolutely breathtaking," he says, leaning in. Even bigger tears fall from my eyes when he takes my other hand in his, and the three of us continue to walk to the front.
Drew kisses me on the cheek and whispers, "I love you, Sis."
He hugs Travis, before taking a seat in the front row.
I stroll over to my mom and hug her. "I love you so much, Mom. Thank you." Looking at me through tear stained eyes, she nods and squeezes my hand. I go over to Amanda and give her a hug, and her smile reaches her eyes. Returning to my gorgeous fiancé who’s standing in the center, he grabs my hands in his while I position myself in front of him.
A woman appears next to us and begins the ceremony. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Amy Silver and Travis Cashman in matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men. And therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. These two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
Deception Page 15