Forever Yours

by Nikki J Summers

  “What’s going on? Where are we going?”

  “I have three gifts for you Ella, they’re my wedding gifts to you. The first one is in the car, the second and third we have to drive to.” He grinned a smug satisfied grin and I gritted my teeth.

  “But I haven’t got you anything.” I moaned. “I didn’t know I had to. Sorry!”

  “You didn’t .You’re enough of a prize for me, I don’t need anything else today.” He was such a smooth talker.

  When we got to the car park his Mercedes was parked right by the steps. He opened the door for me and then sprinted around to the driver’s side.

  “So gift number one is in the glove compartment.” He nodded his head for me to open it.

  When I did I found an envelope and inside were tickets and documents for our honeymoon and it looked beyond amazing. The Four Seasons Hotel Bora Bora, four whole weeks of sun, sand and a hell of a lot of sex. Being seventeen weeks pregnant I was well into my second trimester and horny as hell. My bump was still small so nothing was holding us back.

  “Wow, Joe I don’t know what to say, it looks fantastic.”

  “I wasn’t sure what type of accommodation to book so I went with two weeks in a beach front villa and two weeks in an overwater bungalow. They both looked out of this world but I figured if you preferred one or the other we could change it when we got there. If you don’t want to go there though I can rearrange, I have my plane on standby.”

  “Your plane?” I glared over at him wide eyed.

  “Yes, the one we used for Vegas, its mine or rather ours.”

  “I thought it belonged to a friend?”

  “I didn’t want to scare you off by telling you it was mine so I stretched the truth a little.”

  “I hope that’s the only truth you stretched Mister. Anyway, I don’t care where we stay, we probably won’t notice the room much anyway, I’ll be too busy enjoying you.”

  “Jesus woman, you’re insatiable it’s a good job I’m still relatively young to keep up with you.” He laughed.

  We drove off, I sat thumbing through the brochure looking at all the amazing things we could do on our honeymoon as Joe navigated country lanes and cursed when he got held up by a farmer bouncing along a quiet lane in his tractor.

  “He shouldn’t be allowed on the main roads.” Joe snapped.

  “Chill out champ, he’s only going from one field to another. Hey it says here we can go on a snorkel safari, and they do romantic meals for two on the beach. I want to go now!”

  “I was looking forward to the couple’s spa treatments, the sunset cruise for two and having breakfast every morning in the privacy of our bungalow, eating it off you of course.”

  “As long as it isn’t a greasy fry up.” I teased and he laughed.

  We pulled off the country lane into a well maintained driveway, impeccable topiary bushes lined the drive and the lawns looked unreal they were so green and lush. We rounded a corner past the trees and the most palatial home I’ve ever seen came into view. Joe stopped the car but kept the engine running as we both looked at the magnificent building in front of us. It’s almost thirty two acres, 19,000 square feet for the building itself. Seven bedroom suites, seven reception rooms, cinema, gym, indoor and outdoor pools, steam room, bar, you name it it’s got it. Plus over there is a garage for eight cars but I thought we could extend that, I think I might start collecting vintage cars, it’s something I’ve always been interested in but living in the city I didn’t have the space.”

  “Sounds unreal are we allowed to take a look inside?” I asked not taking my eyes off the mansion.

  “I should hope so, I brought it for you.” He smiled.

  It didn’t register straight away. I nodded then turned slowly to face him a look of shock must have greeted him because he laughed and said, “It’s ours, I brought it for you. I hope you like it.”

  “I haven’t even been inside yet and I love it.” I cried putting my hands on either side of my face in shock.

  “Brave of you to buy a house I haven’t seen though.”

  He agreed. “I brought Max to view it. We saw loads but we both said this one was you, it had you written all over it.”

  I flew across the car to hug him.

  “Thank you. Can we go and see inside now?”

  He laughed and pulled off again driving towards the white stone pillars that held up the roofed open entrance porch way, like something from a royal palace. The windows were tall sash windows running almost the full length of the walls. Above the open porch entrance was a balcony which I assumed led from the master bedroom. I felt like I was visiting a stately home, I couldn’t get my head around the fact that this was ours.

  We held hands and walked into the entrance, if I thought it was going to be a stuffy stately home on the inside, what I saw from the outset killed that idea. The entrance was beige marble floors, white walls and ceilings with spot lights and an enormous sparkling chandelier hanging from the middle of the entrance with a side sweeping staircase spiralling around it. Beautiful contemporary art hung on the walls, understated and elegant, not a hint of garishness, and illuminated with steel picture lights. Spot lights lit up each step to the next floor, and Joe pulled my hand to direct me upstairs.

  “You’re right this is so me.” I grinned a ridiculous grin and he squeezed my hand.

  “I’ll show you the rest of the house after but I need to show you the second gift.”

  “Isn’t the house my second gift?”

  “No, not quite.”

  We walked along the landing with the huge sash windows casting natural light along the corridor, I loved how bright and airy everything felt in this house. Then we came to a solid oak door with silver door handles and a silver star placed at head height in the middle of the door.

  “I decorated this room myself, if you don’t like it please tell me. It’s the only room I’ve touched, the rest I’ll leave to you. I hope you don’t mind me doing this one but I loved every minute of doing it.”

  “Stop worrying I’ll love it whatever.” I kissed him and pushed the door open expecting to see a high tech gym or a boxing ring, something distinctly Joe. What I saw totally floored me.

  Luxurious soft grey carpet that made my feet sink into it was laid upon the floor. The ceiling was dotted with what looked like a hundred dainty spot lights, all haphazardly set to give the impression of a night sky, and the walls were a delicate shade of dove grey and white. On one side of the room in grey glitter the word baby was written, perhaps painted, I couldn’t tell. It was the most stunning nursery I’d ever seen. I couldn’t speak.

  I walked over the carpet to the huge white sleigh style crib with grey and silver bedding all set up ready for a little one to lie in, and a cot mobile hanging above with elephants and stars. Against another wall there was a changing station and a rocking nursing chair with foot stool all in keeping with the silver, grey and white theme. A giant grey teddy bear as big as me sat in another corner, and the huge bay window sill was covered in velvet cushions. There was a toy box, wardrobes, drawers, a white wooden train set and everything imaginable that a modern nursery would need. He had certainly done his homework, this room was my favourite room ever.

  “You’re very quiet, please say something I’m starting to worry.” He whispered.

  “Joe. I don’t know what to say. This room, it’s the best present ever. I can’t believe you did all this. Where did you find the time?”

  “I came here instead of going to work. I did all the painting and everything myself. I wanted to, that’s what a Dad does for his child. I wanted to make it perfect, for our baby.”

  I started crying, I couldn’t stop. “It’s more than perfect. I’m speechless. I could live in here myself I love it that much.”

  He looked proud at that moment. “I’m glad you like it.”

  I jumped up and wound my arms and legs around him, burying my face into his neck.

  “We love it, me and belly bean.” We’d t
aken to calling the baby belly bean. Don’t ask why it just kinda happened, I said it one day and it stuck. We both thought it was kinda cute too.

  “If you want to change anything you can I won’t mind.”

  “I don’t want to change a thing ace, you did all this and it’s perfect. Belly bean will have this bedroom until they’re eighteen and begging for black walls and grunge posters.”

  “One last gift, are you ready?”

  “I think I have enough gifts I don’t need anymore.”

  “Well for this one I need you to keep an open mind. It isn’t what you think when you first see it, just remember I said that okay?”

  He was being very cryptic and acting strange now so I agreed and he led me out of the nursery and along the corridor, back down the sweeping staircase and into a type of study. There were cream floor tiles, a beige rug in front of a huge marble fireplace and a large mahogany desk set in front of the sash windows. A man I didn’t recognise sat behind the desk and as I looked to the side of us Max appeared, standing with hands in his jeans pockets and looking apprehensively over to Joe then down to me.

  “Hey Ella, how you feeling today?”

  “Well I was having a great day but now I’m a little nervous, what’s going on?”

  The guy behind the desk piped up at that point. “I must take this opportunity to again voice my absolute disagreement with this matter. In all my thirty years of practising law I have never heard of such a foolhardy agreement such as this one here today. I strongly recommend that you revise your terms sir.”

  Joe didn’t look at him just replied. “Your opinion is neither wanted nor required. You are here solely to oversee this matter and file the papers. Could you pass those over now please?”

  The man huffed his displeasure and opened a beige folder in front of him and set them down facing me. I couldn’t believe what I read, a bloody pre-nuptial agreement.

  “What the hell, you think I’m after your money, Jesus Joe. Nice touch on our wedding day.” I felt tears pool in my eyes. Why was he doing this?

  “Remember what I said upstairs, it’s not what you think.” He put both his hands on my shoulders trying to force me to look at him but I just stared at the ground.

  “You should know better than anyone Joe, I don’t care about money. I’d marry you if you lived in a cardboard box.” I lifted my eyes to him now. His eyes held warmth and understanding.

  “Just read it, please.” He urged.

  “I don’t have to read it, I’ll sign whatever you want me to.” I argued grabbing a pen from the desk.

  “No Ella, I need you to read it first, it’s important to me.”

  I huffed like a teenager and plonked myself down in one of the leather chairs opposite the stuffy suit who was scowling across the desk at me.

  “Fine. Who are you by the way?” I asked the suit.

  “I’m Mr Madden’s lawyer. Barrington Harvey-Davies.” He drawled, holding his skinny hand out to me.

  “No, you’re the lawyer for both of us now, for mine and Ella’s interests Barry so get used to it.” Joe snapped and I stifled a giggle at the use of his shortened name. Barry went bright red at being chastised by Joe, and I did an internal cheer, the suit deserved it, he was a pompous ass.

  “If you read from page two it will set out all the terms you need to know.” Barry said clearing his throat and giving me a pained smile.

  I reluctantly turned to page two, glancing at my watch as I did.

  “I’ve got to be back in twenty minutes for my hair and make-up.” I moaned.

  “This won’t take long I promise.” Joe said sitting down next to me and putting his hand on my knee.

  “Are you here to sign as a witness?” I asked Max who was looking decidedly uncomfortable and hopping from one foot to the other. “You look nervous Max are you okay?”

  “I’m nervous about my best man speech later on. I don’t want to fuck it up.” Max replied and Joe huffed next to me.

  “Yes he’s here to sign, yes he’s nervous now can you get a move on and read and sign this damn thing Ella.”

  “Chill out ace, I’m getting to it.” I was putting it off, but I couldn’t stall any longer. Sulkily I sat back in my chair holding the papers up in front of me. What I read was the biggest surprise of the day so far.

  A sum of 5 million pounds will be deposited into the personal account of Mrs Ella Elizabeth Madden Nee Reid on the birth of every child during the marriage.

  In the event that Mr Joseph Frederick Madden has to work overseas for any length of time (Exceeding seven days) Mrs Ella Elizabeth Madden Nee Reid will accompany him along with all dependents.

  In the event of any acts of adultery* carried out by Mr Joseph Frederick Madden, Mrs Ella Elizabeth Madden Nee Reid will assume control of 100% of the marital assets including all property, full business portfolio and monetary assets. Details of which are held with Harvey-Davies and Shaw Solicitors of Knightsbridge, London.

  In the event of a break down of the marriage for any other reason than that stated in item 3, Mrs Ella Elizabeth Madden Nee Reid will agree to a minimum of eighteen months intensive marriage guidance counselling with a counselling service of Mr Joseph Frederick Madden’s choice. The filing of any such divorce papers or proceedings cannot be entered into until after the completion of every available level of marriage guidance and support that Mr Madden deems necessary.

  *See footnotes for definition and list of the terms of adultery

  “I thought I was the one locking you in today Joe, what the hell is this?” I gawped at him, my mouth wide open.

  “It’s my insurance policy against losing you. I wanted to show you how serious I was about our marriage. I know you haven’t always trusted me in the past because of my history so I thought this would prove to you that I’d never hurt you like that ever.”

  “You didn’t need to prove that, things are different now, I trust you with my life Joe, I don’t need this to back it up.”

  “Humour me then. I wanted to make sure that whatever happened, even if I turn into an even grumpier sod than I already am you’ll still work with me on our marriage. You won’t ever give up on me.”

  “I never would. I thought you knew that anyway.” I grabbed his hand that lay on my knee and kissed it which made him chuckle for some reason.

  “Okay well it also gives me the reassurance that I’ll never have to spend too long away from you when we branch out the clubs to Europe soon.”

  “I disagree with that one, I want it changed.”

  He took in a sharp breath, “why?”

  “Because I want it to say one day instead of seven. Why would we spend a week without you? That’d suck ass.”

  He laughed out loud now and took his pen to cross out the seven and rewrite one. He initialled it and the lawyer did the same.

  “Now will you sign? Please?”

  I tapped the pen against my lip and thought hard.

  “Look Ella, the thought of losing you literally hurts my heart. I need you to promise me that we will have each other forever. If we argue, we have to fix it, we need to be right and sort it out. I’d rather argue with you and then work damn hard together to put it right, instead of taking a chance and then losing you. That’s what this is about.” He took my free hand and kissed it, giving me his puppy dog eyes.

  “Okay, I get it but you didn’t have to do this you know. I’d do all the counselling in the world to keep you, I trust you more than any other person alive and I can’t be away from you for hours let alone days. The money is useless, I don’t need it. So yes I’ll sign and my third gift is you in a few hours standing at the end of that aisle ready to say I do. Is that a deal?”

  “Deal.” He said as I signed the bottom of the papers and Max came over to counter sign.

  “Just for the record I told him all that too but he’s one insecure guy when it comes to you Ella, he takes no chances.” Max said.

  “Well I have the rest of our lives to make him feel more s
ecure.” I replied.

  A few hours later and I was standing back in the middle of my dressing room at the health club. The sound of the string quartet from the gardens below drifted up through the open window and filled the room with the delights of Pachelbel’s Canon. I took a deep breath and turned to Nan and Robyn.

  “I’m ready, let’s do this.” I grinned, holding my bridal bouquet of white roses and taking one last glance in the mirror. My hair was so well behaved today, it had curled perfectly into the big bouncy Hollywood curls I loved, spiralling down my back and over my shoulders. A sparling diamond tiara nestled perfectly on my head. My make-up was flawless, natural with a hint of silver smoky eyes and soft pink glossy lips. It was exactly how I’d always wanted to look on my wedding day.

  We left the room, Robyn coming behind me in her full length gold satin dress to make sure the small train I had on my dress wasn’t caught or snagged on anything and then we descended the stairs. The staff were gathered below and I heard them gasp as we came down. I felt a little embarrassed to be so on show, but I guessed that was something I’d have to get over today. Nan blew me a kiss and went off to take her seat next to Simon and his girlfriend Rebecca. I’d made the decision to walk down the aisle on my own. Apart from my beloved Grandad I’d never had a father figure in my life growing up. Chris was a friend and it didn’t feel right him giving me away. I believed the bride was given away from one person such as a father to a husband, from the care of one to another. I know it sounded old fashioned and feminists the world over would berate me for being so out of touch, but that’s how I felt. So in honour of that I figured I would give myself away. I would walk down the aisle alone and then back up again as a couple. A symbol of the transition from alone to together, and I didn’t want it any other way.

  As for my dress, I know you’re dying to know what I went for. It was what the shop assistant had called a fit and flare wedding dress. It was an ivory strapless dress and fitted snugly to my figure all the way to mid-thigh length then gently flared out but not too much like a puff ball, no just enough for it to hang elegantly to the floor. There was a small train to showcase the lace detail and I wore a full length veil but kept it behind me, I wanted to keep my face uncovered, veils over the face looked too old fashioned I thought. The dress itself had beaded lace on top with a sweetheart neckline, the bodice itself was accented in Swarovski crystals and tulle underneath finished off with a lace hemline. The inner corset detail helped to skim over my slight baby bump and I felt the most beautiful I have ever felt wearing it.