Sausalito Nights (Montgomery Beauty Book 1)

by Stephanie Salvatore

  Marie smiled wide. “Your lives are shaping up. I’m so happy for both of you. A wedding, a house, and baby Montgomery is on his or her way? You two must be so thrilled!”

  I smiled wide. “We are. We’re very happy.”

  “You deserve it and Armani would be so damn proud.”

  I sucked my lower lip in and nodded, looking at Luci. I was going to ask her if she agreed until I saw angry daggers being sent in Marie’s direction, and bit hard into my lip. A dark awkward silence came over the table for a few minutes before the food arrived and we all dug in to eat.

  Luci asked for the check when the waitress came by, and gave her cash. “I hate to do this, but I need to go take care of a few things before I leave to drive up to Napa.” I stood up slowly as she hurried out of the booth.

  “Okay.” I reached my arm out to hug her. “We’ll see you up there.” She gave me a quick hug. “See you,” she said before she disappeared toward the door.

  I sat back down, looked at her plate that she barely touched, and looked from Chris to Marie. “She’s acting strange.”

  “You think?” Marie retorted. “She’s been like that since we started training on the business. I think she’s up to something, but I have no idea what.”

  The waitress came back and I gave her the money with the check. “Keep the change.”

  She walked off and Chris, Marie and I made our way out of the cafe. As we exited, a parade line of yachts had set out on the bay. I held Chris’s hand, looking down to the end of the boardwalk to see that the entire Black Diamond Club had been unplugged and taken apart down to the sign on the archway.

  Goosebumps raised up my arms and down my spine. Perhaps this was why Luci was acting so strange, the life she thought she was inheriting in honor of our parents' wishes was ripped out from under her and she was left running their boring, legal, nine to five business. I didn’t understand it myself, but I knew that our home of Sausalito would be a better place because of it.

  We walked down to the docks where the business used to be ran and walked through them before we sat down and dangled our legs over one of the higher docks. Chris wrapped one arm around me, and placed the other on the small bump of my belly and smiled down at me. “You’re so sneaky, wife to be.”

  I giggled. “Am I?”

  “Yes, but I love it. I would be okay if you surprised me like that for every child we have, or plan to have.”

  My smile widened as I looked up at him. “I think that could be arranged, Mr. Montgomery.”

  Marie nudged me with her elbow gently and I looked at her. “Yes?”

  “I don’t want to interrupt your love fest, but can we just take this in? We’re sitting inside of the very place the Black Diamond Club used to be.”

  I inhaled a deep breath with her. “It feels… it smells like… Hmmm…”

  We sat staring off at the distant line of yachts disappearing from our view, and spoke in unison, “Freedom.”

  Head Above Water

  Christopher

  The moving of boxes and packing the car up for Napa was liberating, all the planning and waiting for the time to come was over. Marie rode with Lorelai and myself, while Luci insisted to meet us there. Arriving in Napa, Lorelai and Marie were taken to the Bridal Suite by Nana to settle in; and later on, we all met up for the rehearsal dinner. The night was filled with smiles and laughter, and each moment that passed was a memory embedded into my head. It was the night before we finally said I do.

  My focus stayed on Lorelai the entire time, she was glowing beauty; and the free spirit in her released like I never saw before. This woman would be my wife in less than twenty-four hours and that was the only thought in my mind as we went through the dress rehearsal. By the end of the night, both of my parents were somewhat drunk and decided to walk back with my grandparents, laughing to their hearts content to their designated rooms.

  I turned my attention back to Lorelai who sat on the swinging bench between Marie and Luciana, swinging slowly.

  “Ladies…? Do you mind if I cut in to kiss my bride to be goodnight?”

  Marie smiled, and looked at Luci. “Not at all. We’ll meet you back at the room, Lor.”

  Lorelai smiled. “Okay. I won’t be long.”

  Luci stood up. “Make sure she gets back to the room safe, Montgomery.”

  I saluted her. “Aye, aye Captain Luci.”

  She rolled her eyes and walked off with Marie. I turned to look at Lorelai patting the seat next to her on the swing. “Come to the swing, soon to be husband.”

  I smiled and walked to her and sat, pulling her into my lap, wrapping my arms around her. She leaned in, planting a sweet kiss to my lips. I placed a hand on her cheek, and rubbed a hand up and down her back to the small bump on her belly, groaning softly against her lips. “Mmmm…You’re going to make such a beautiful bride and I can hardly wait to see you at the top of the aisle tomorrow.”

  She smiled against my lips. “I can’t wait to walk to you in my dress, join hands, and finally be Mrs. Montgomery,” she whispered.

  “Mmm…it is your day to shine while you transform from a princess to my queen.”

  “Mmm…Christopher…You’re so sweet…”

  I smiled, sweeping my arm under her legs and stood up to walk back toward the suites. Arriving outside the door, I set her back on her feet with ease, and wrapped her in my arms once more. “Go get some sleep, princess.” I leaned in and pressed a sweet kiss to her lips. She returned the kiss, cupping my cheeks before wrapping her arms around my neck, resting her arms against my shoulders. I held onto the moment knowing the next time I kissed her, it would be at the end of the aisle and she would be my wife. My beautiful, imperfectly perfect queen, Mrs. Montgomery.

  Breaking the kiss a moment later, I pressed my lips to her forehead.

  “Goodnight, my handsome prince.”

  I pulled back and looked down at her. “Sweet dreams. Perhaps I’ll meet you in dreamland.”

  She smiled. “Where we’ll sit on the fluffiest clouds in togas creating rainbows for all to see.”

  I chuckled and grinned at her, cupping her cheeks. “I’ll see you first thing in the morning, my love.”

  She lingered her hands away and turned to walk inside, looking back to me before the door shut. I bit my lower lip and made the trek back to my own suite, shutting the door quietly.

  Changing out of my clothes into a pair of pajama pants, I prepped for bed and crawled into the high thread count sheets, staring out the window at the large moon casting its light down over the countryside. Closing my eyes, I knew it would be nearly impossible to sleep. I pictured Lorelai standing at the end of the aisle attempting to envision her dress and allowed the image to pull me into a peaceful sleep.

  ***

  The next morning, I woke surprised that I slept as well as I did. Jumping out of bed, I went to the bathroom and stared at my reflection in the mirror. Today was the day I would make Lorelai Castillo my wife, and the first day to celebrate our eternal love for each other. Stripping my clothes off, I showered, making sure to take some extra time to clean up.

  The rest of the morning consisted of eating breakfast with my dad and Papa Nick, and dressing myself in the tuxedo that my parents insisted on buying for me. Mom came through to fix my hair. Normally, I would’ve bitched and complained about it; but today, I let her because, even though she would always be my mother and care for me, Lorelai would be moving in as the woman that would be taking care of me from now on. She gave me pointers about marriage, and what it meant when my dad lost a war with her. Happy wife, happy life. What she said, and how she wanted it done was completely up to Lorelai now. I wasn’t going to argue. I made sure my mother knew that was already how it was…and she wasn’t surprised. When she kissed my cheek, she told me I was always a gentleman and to never change.

  Once we were all dressed and ready to go, we left the suite and headed down to the outdoor venue which was being set up with chairs, pale yellow and pink rose bo
uquets attached to the end of them, with two large flower arches at the beginning and end of the aisle on the grassy knoll looking over the vineyard and Napa Valley Mountains.

  ***

  Lorelai

  Marie and I couldn’t sleep most of the night. We sat up in our plush robes, reading through a pile of Hollywood gossip magazines until we couldn’t keep our eyes open a moment longer. The next day, we showered and placed our robes back on while Marie ordered in food and set it up in the sitting area in our suite. We ate and talked about how quickly the summer flew by and couldn’t believe we completed and survived wedding planning 101.

  As we finished our breakfast, Marie went to work on my hair and make-up. I trusted her with my entire life and I knew she would meet expectations. We decided to go with a simple yet elegant French twist. Next, she applied my make-up which was already pre-planned as well.

  When all hair and make-up preparations were finished, it was time for me to get dressed. Marie helped me get dressed and brought me into the full size mirror, pulling the train out, and stood on a chair to place the veil on.

  I looked at the unrecognizable reflection in the mirror, and swallowed a lump in my throat, as the butterflies fluttered more than usual.

  Someone knocked at the door before it opened. Luci walked in with another round of coffee. She stopped in the mirror’s reflection, a soft blank look over her face. “The vintage princess look works for you.”

  I smiled. “Thank you, Luci.”

  “I have something for you.”

  “You do?”

  She nodded and walked over, already dressed and ready to go. “I thought as the co-maid of honor, I would cover the something old, something new, and something blue tradition and Marie agreed.”

  She went to sit at the table and I followed, watching as she pulled a small gift box out. Taking it from her, I opened it to find a royal blue oval shaped, diamond encrusted pendant necklace on a silver chain.

  “Luciana…this is gorgeous. Thank you.”

  She gently took it from the box and stood behind me to place it on. “It was Mommy’s. The setting is brand new though. She wore it when she married Dad and told me she wanted you to have it.”

  I stared the gorgeous piece of symbolic jewelry. My parents and family may not have been here, but they were still with me. I flashed a smile back at her. “It’s perfect, I’ll make sure to thank her the next time we talk.”

  She eyed me. “I’ll tell her for you.”

  I nodded glancing back to the mirror once more to look myself over in the mirror once more before show time. My ensemble was officially complete, and I truly felt like a princess. All I needed now was my dashing prince.

  ***

  Christopher

  I took my stance at the top of the aisle. My father came down and gave me a hug. “Should I tell them we’re ready?”

  “Everything looks good. I think so.”

  The pastor nodded. “Your wife came to tell me the decor was finished, so whenever the bride is ready, Mr. Montgomery.”

  Dad nodded and walked back to let them know.

  Taking a deep breath, I waited with bated breath as several minutes passed. My parents and a few of our close friends here in Napa sat to witness our big day. The music we picked out before the Wedding March began. Marie came down first, wearing a pale pink bridesmaid dress, throwing petals down the path with grace. I smiled, chuckling a bit and winked at her as she approached the front, making a goofy face at me before she took her spot on Lorelai’s side.

  The music stopped a few moments later, and the Wedding March began. Inhaling a deep breath, I held it for a moment as Luci made her way down the path. I locked my eyes on Lorelai as she stood under the archway of roses, tears filling my eyes as she graced her way down the aisle in a sleeveless A-line lace vintage floor gown, the skirt of the dress in layers gave the dress a perfect princess effect. Her make-up done to perfection, her dark locks of hair pulled back in a classy updo with small curls hanging down her cheeks with a veil that traveled down most of her back. While her attire, hair and make-up were perfect, it was her smile and the way she locked her eyes on mine that blew me away.

  I held my breath until she was in front of me and exhaled slowly. “You look absolutely breathtaking…” I whispered as she stood in front of me, and Luciana fixed her train.

  She smiled with tears in her eyes. “As do you, my knight in shining armor.” She turned to give the bouquet of roses to Luci who proceeded to take her place behind Lorelai and off to the side.

  The music came to a slow stop, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of Lorelai for a second.

  “Welcome friends and family. We are gathered here today to welcome Christopher and Lorelai to join hands and hearts in their infinite love for one another. Over the past few months, I’ve visited with them here at the vineyard several times, getting to know each of them as a couple and two individual souls that each possess a strong passion for family, life, adventure and, most of all, love. They have chosen to each write their own vows. We’ll start with you Christopher.”

  I smiled reaching into my pocket to grab the speech I wrote and unfolded it, holding one of her hands in mine. “From the day I laid my eyes on you at my front door. Your beauty struck me into shock and your quirky personality threw me off track before you reeled me in with your sense of adventure. You never gave up on me. Even when we were told to stay away from each other, the electric pulse pulled us back in. Today, I make a promise to love and care for you however you need me; but first, I’d like to tell you a little story. As a little boy, I grew up watching four of the most important people in my life love and care for each other. My father woke up to clean pressed clothes, went to work while Mom stayed home to take care of the house, came home to a home cooked meal, a clean house, and worked some more to help my mother complete the other household tasks. There was never any serious arguments. Sure, Dad whined about it, but then my mother would pull him back to reality. While my father worked with my grandfather and built a family business name, our last name became well known because these men worked hard to take care of us financially, but they never stopped there. They maintained the house, fixing leaky pipelines, the cars if they broke down. They found a way to make it work again and they applied the same concept to the well-being of their wives. Starting today, and all the other days ahead of us as your husband, I will work hard to make sure we have a place to live and grow. I’ll check my work problems at the door and care for you tenderly. We’ll work together to solve the broken problems in our lives and strive as we overcome them. You are my Queen, and I will make sure you know it until I take my last breath.”

  Tears streamed down her cheeks as she smiled ear to ear. She inhaled a deep breath, cursing under her breath. I chuckled at her.

  “Wow, I’m not sure how I can follow that, but I’m going to try,” she said, a few laughs could be heard in the crowd. “Christopher, from the day I saw your family moving into the business my own family ran, my eyes focused in on you like a hawk. I knew I had to know you; and from the moment you looked me in the eyes, I knew you were a special young man with a big heart. I reached for your hand, unsure you would trust me; and we took off frolicking through Sausalito, making memories of the first few months we knew each other. I cherish those times so dearly because it was the beginning to our story. The story we will tell our children and our grandchildren in hopes that they too find their perfect soulmate. You were my warm blanket when I had nowhere else to go; and because we came out stronger on the other side, you will forever be my security blanket yesterday, today, and all of our days for the rest of eternity.”

  Tears welled in my eyes and slowly fell down my cheeks; and as I looked into her eyes, I was looking inside of her fiery soul. This woman had me entangled in emotions and love that grew an infinite size right in that moment.

  Sniffles could be heard in the audience and there was a moment of silence before the pastor spoke. “Chris and Lorelai have chosen to par
ticipate in a candle lighting ceremony, which will take place now.”

  He handed me a large candle that was lit, I reached for Lorelai’s hand as we walked in to the first candle. Soft music started playing in the background as she placed her hand over mine, and we walked from one candle to the next in the circle until all the candles were lit. Each candle we lit had a word on it, love, cherish, compromise, honesty, health, wealth, sickness, and infinite.

  Standing back in front of the pastor, we blew the candle out together and I handed it back to the pastor that set it aside.

  Luciana brought the rings up, presenting them to the pastor. “Who gives permission for this man to marry this woman?”

  “I do,” she said before handing the rings off, while Marie stepped up to fix Lorelai’s train.

  “Lorelai, go ahead and take Chris’s ring, and hold it at the tip of his left ring finger…”

  “Do you Lorelai Sienna Castillo take Christopher Nathaniel Montgomery to be your wedded husband, to have, to hold, through sickness and poorer for the rest of your life?”

  She locked her eyes on mine once more. “I do.” She slid the ring down my finger.

  I took her ring, and held it. “And Christopher, do you take Lorelai Sienna Castillo to be your wedded wife to have, to hold, through sickness and poorer for the rest of your life?”

  “I do,” I said, sliding the ring down her finger.

  I smiled wide at my wife, my bright and beautiful wife as she tilted her head up at me with a smile that went to her sparkling eyes.

  “You may now kiss your bride…”

  I slid both hands over her arms, cupping her cheeks as I leaned down and planted a gentle loving kiss to her lips. Her hands moved to my arms as she returned the kiss with passion. The energy between us felt like fireworks exploding in the skies, one of the large golden-brown ones that fell in slow motion like palms on a palm tree.

  I broke the kiss, looking into her dazzling blue eyes, and brushed my nose against hers playfully. “I love you so much, Mrs. Montgomery.”