The Tulip Terror

by C L Bauer

  As he sat down, Lily tenderly touched his face for a kiss. “That was quite lovely. Not sure I can live up to it.”

  “You will and you do,” Dev whispered.

  After a wonderful meal and Lily’s favorite part, the cutting and eating of the cake, Dev brought her to the floor for their first dance. Crud, we’ve never even danced together.

  “This is really our first dance, Dev. We should’ve practiced or something.”

  “Follow my lead,” he said as he placed her in position.

  She was completely comfortable in his arms, listening to the words and swaying to the music, so comfortable she didn’t notice that the music had stopped.

  She looked up and laughed. “Whoops. Music stopped.”

  There were some hints of laughter as she bowed to everyone.

  “I don’t do this every day, but I do know what a great reception is like, so everybody, let’s party,” she said loudly. Her proclamation was met with cheering. People drifted in around them for the next song, and the next. All night long the dance floor was filled with happy guests, delighted family and supportive friends.

  It was nearing eleven when most headed to the elevators. Lily was kissing her nieces in front of the elevator as Judge Stanley and his wife Maureen waited for her.

  She hugged Maureen intensely and then gave the Judge a quick kiss on the cheek. “I am so happy you both were here.”

  “I’m so happy you’re here,” Maureen joked. “Didn’t I tell you about him?” She pointed in Dev’s direction. He’d caught her eye and was headed toward them.

  “You were right and I was wrong,” Lily lamented happily.

  “You’re going home?” Dev asked with concern. “Do you have someone to drive you?”

  “Oh no, we are staying the night. We have a room. We’ll leave tomorrow,” the Judge answered. He placed his arm around his wife as the elevator door opened. “We’re celebrating. It’s our anniversary today.”

  “I didn’t know.” Dev was completely surprised. “We’ll share the same anniversary.”

  “For many years to come, I hope, my dears.” Maureen kissed the couple and then entered the elevator. They were holding hands and shared a kiss as the doors were closing.

  “I want us to be them,” Lily whispered.

  “We can do that.”

  “Dev, you really think we can?”

  He pulled his wife into his arms. “I’m counting on it. How long do we need to stay?”

  “We can leave at anytime, says the wedding professional!”

  Dev looked over Lily’s head and saw someone he needed to talk to as he reviewed the almost empty room. The candles were lower, the glasses were everywhere on the tables and place settings had long been removed.

  At one table, her brother and Jack Pierce were in a serious conversation with Father Dan. Gretchen was leaning on a bar in the corner talking to Abby and Jeremy. Yikes, what were they so intense about? She spied Angelica asleep on three chairs as Carlos and Alise huddled together in an embrace.

  “Hey kiddo, we’re going to go.” Tom, the FBI agent and friend who had been so supportive, had his two hands on the back of her shoulders.

  She turned to embrace Tom and his wife. “It was a great time, wasn’t it? I will have to congratulate the man who planned it all.”

  “He did a great job. We are so happy for both of you.”

  Another round of hugs sent them on their way. Lily plodded her way over to the young bartender nearest her. “I’d like a glass of champagne, please. I’m not driving.” She’d never drank this much champagne in her life. She was pleasantly drunk, tipsy would be the word. She snorted at the very word. “Tipsy, tipsy, kind of like amuck. I like it,” she said out loud and snorted again. Oh boy, the champagne hit her like a brick falling from a decaying three story building. She couldn’t feel her shoes. She snorted again. She wasn’t wearing any shoes.

  Lily knew she was tired even though she hadn’t worked a bit on this wedding. She smiled as she finished her glass of champagne.

  She set the glass on the bar. “That was very tasty. Thank you so much.” She sat down in the nearest chair, touching one of the orchid sprays. “How much were these flowers?” She wished they were getting paid for this wedding. Her eyelids closed. She was so tired, that was it. She knew everything going on around her. She heard the soft music playing and she smelled the lovely fragrances of blooms mingled with buttercream icing. Um, cake.

  Gosh she was tired. It had been a very long, beautiful day and now it was ending. She was married. She grinned. Was there any leftover cake?

  She turned back to the young bartender. “Do you know if there’s any cake left? I’d really like a piece, and a glass of milk, please.”

  “I’ll check for you, ma’am.” Ma’am, yuk. She hated that word, but she really was one now. She’d forgive him if he brought back cake and milk.

  And suddenly it appeared in front of her. “Mrs. Pierce, here you go. We boxed up the top layer and the rest of the cake and we will keep that safe for you.” The catering manager had supplied her magical request.

  Lily looked around for Dev’s mother. That can’t be right. Oh, I’m Mrs. Pierce. Keep it together, Lily, you’re losing it. “Thank you very much. We’re staying here tonight. May we pick it up later?”

  “Your husband has arranged for that already and we will be working with the florist on the flowers, all the gifts, and anything else like the guestbook, etc.” The catering manager smiled at her like she was a client. Wait, she was the florist! No, she was the client. Ah, yes she gave those same looks on days that were particularly long with particularly difficult clients.

  “Thank you and your staff for everything. It was absolutely wonderful, and you didn’t have to deal with a difficult bride this time.”

  “No, just your coordinator.” They both turned in Gretchen’s direction. Gretchen waved. Lily grabbed the woman’s hand empathetically.

  “I am so sorry about that, really. I had no idea she was involved.”

  “She was fine, most of the time, but I did have to call your husband when she suggested fireworks and doves in the ballroom. I just called him with all the updates and he vetoed the particularly unusual ones.”

  Lord, what else had she thought of? Lily grinned. She could see Gretchen recommending an Army mule, or perhaps a marching band spelling out THEY FINALLY DID IT in formation. “Well, we certainly appreciate everything you’ve been through and everything you have done. I think we are about to call it a night, but could you get me just a little more champagne?” Soon, it appeared, right next to her milk. Heaven. She took a bite of cake, following it with a chaser of milk. Yes, heaven.

  She remembered something the catering manager had said, gifts. We have gifts? This was way better than Christmas, and she went home with the guy in the tux. Pierce, Devlin Pierce. Lily snorted out loud at her James Bond humor.

  She finished her milk and cake and sipped slowly on her champagne. She’d propped her elbows on the table and was mesmerized by her husband. She laughed out loud. Husband. The tux suited him, but once he removed the jacket, she marveled at how nicely a fitted white shirt looked on one man. Damn, he was good looking. She had to admit for once in her life she’d looked pretty good today. She didn’t dare look in a mirror now. Dev caught her gaze and winked. He hugged his Dad, grabbed a few things from the head table including her necklace, and headed in her direction, waving to everyone remaining in the room.

  Dev could tell Lily was done in. She was still smiling, but her eyes were glassy. Her hair had retreated to full humidity frizz and she had her head propped up in her hands, well one hand. The other had an almost drained champagne glass in it.

  He held his hand down to her in true gentlemanly fashion and drew her up in one move. “Time to go, little girl.”

  He winced when he realized what he had just said. John, one of her best friends in the world, who had been shot in front of her, always used that endearment.

  Lily attemp
ted a smile. She realized in that moment she was tired from all the emotion of today and also of who wasn’t here to share in the celebration. John, Dev’s mom she’d never met, her parents, Dev’s friends Tom and Mike, and so many others. “John,” she whispered. “Yes, let’s go. It’s been lovely.”

  “No, one more thing.” Dev emptied the items on the table. “I need one more dance with my wife.”

  As they swayed to whatever song was being played, Dev smoothed one errant curl from Lily’s face. “This was a good day,” he whispered.

  “It was the best, but it is time to say goodnight.” She pulled back from his hold and grasped his hand. As she began to lead him away, he quickly gathered up the few items on the table, including her shoes and necklace.

  “Thank you, everyone,” she yelled as they walked out hand in hand, heading to the elevators.

  Once inside, she leaned against the back glass. She saw herself in the mirror. Lord, she was tired, maybe drunk? No, she was relaxed with not one care in the world, well maybe just a couple. Those worries could wait. Years of doubt and anxiousness were off her shoulders and would be replaced by gentle arms around her.

  The door shut right after Dan entered. “How the heck did I end up with the newlyweds? I mean this is some bad joke--a priest, a florist and a secret agent were on an elevator.”

  “Dan, you just got lucky,” Lily said and was suddenly frantic as she looked down at her feet. “I don’t have my shoes!” A large hiccup followed.

  “Got them,” Dev announced as he lifted the pair in the air.

  She leaned against him and frowned. “And I forgot my champagne.”

  “We can get you more in the suite.” The two men shared a smile. Lily wasn’t drunk drunk, but she certainly was happy tired drunk. There was a definite distinction in the two.

  “Dan, are you coming back to our suite? It’s beau-*hiccup*-tiful.”

  This time, Dan couldn’t contain himself. He shook his head. “Oh no, Lily. Your husband wouldn’t like that one bit.” Dev’s look across from him affirmed his statement.

  They’d reached their floor. When the doors opened, Lily was thanking Dan as Dev grabbed her hand. She waved goodbye, blowing kisses in the cleric’s direction. He headed in the opposite direction as Dev led his wife slowly in the other.

  As soon as Lily entered the suite, she began the search for the champagne. Her bare feet shuffled through the thick pile of the rug. Dev watched the entertainment, setting items on the counter and removing his jacket one final time. His tie had been in his pocket for hours. He began to remove the cufflinks, then rolled up his sleeves. Finally, he unbuttoned his shirt and released it from his waistband.

  Why was Lily searching under the pillows in the chairs, Dev wondered. She quickly moved onto the refrigerator and stuck her head inside. “Found it. Oh and there’s food in here.” Her clapping sounds united with Dev’s chuckles. “I need food.”

  “Yes, you do,” Dev answered as he joined her, pulling out a platter of cheese and fruit, and of course another bottle of champagne. “Come on, let’s sit in the comfy chairs.” He grabbed all the items and set them out. Then he went back for his wife and two glasses. She had a small gift in her hand.

  “What’s that?” He watched her plop down in the chair opposite him.

  “It must be Gretchen’s gift. She brought it to the house this morning and told me to open it later. Do you know we have more gifts? I love this getting-married thing.”

  Dev popped open the bubbly and poured as she painstakingly unwrapped the many scotch-taped sides. The box wasn’t that large, but it was demanding all her attention until the champagne came.

  Lily took a quick drink and opened the box. “What the heck? Is this a scarf? Can you tell what it is?”

  Dev sat down and removed the sheer material. Two thin straps were at the top of the sheer, black, lacy negligee. Lily was pulling out the very skimpy thong.

  “She is kidding, isn’t she?” Lily made sure there was nothing else in the box and found one of Gretchen’s business cards with a note on the back. Bestie, enjoy! Have a delicious night. Gretchen

  Dev sat back in the chair enjoying the crimson color on Lily. It looked good. He held the camisole, nightie, whatever it was, up to Lily. “Did she have some brilliance to convey in her note?”

  “Dev, you do know that sex on your wedding night is highly overrated? In fact, most couples don’t even make love.”

  Dev’s one brow raised. “Really?”

  “Yes, and if they do, well it’s lousy. You’re so exhausted. It’s quantity vs quality is what I think.”

  “I promise to give it a collegiate try,” Dev interrupted.

  “And that’s the difference between men and women. Women want special, and men just want, well, they just want.”

  “I promise, Lily, I’ll make your life special every day.”

  Lily snorted out some of her champagne. “That was so nice, but so cheesy. Sometimes I think you’re from central casting from some Bond film.”

  Dev leaned his head on his hand. What had he gotten himself into? He was going to have his hands full just keeping up with the ups and downs of Lily Schmidt, wait Pierce. She was so cute when she was nervous and drunk.

  Lily stood up quickly. “I need out of this dress. It took three women to get me into it.”

  “I’m sure I can get you out of it. There’s just that one button at the neck and then the ones below the waist.”

  “You’re very confident, husband of mine.”

  “Always.” His low voice, sultry and dangerous required Lily’s full attention. She gulped. Her mouth was suddenly dry as she examined the handsome man, the open stark white shirt, the loosened belt and his relaxed body. Geez, he was her husband. How did this happen exactly? Was she going to wake up and realize that it was really two years ago and she’d just dreamed the story for a romance novel?

  She yawned. The day and night had hit her, again with that same brick. “I can barely keep my eyes open.”

  Dev stood up to hold her steady as she swayed. “My feet hurt too.”

  He turned with both hands toward the door. “Then let’s get you to bed.”

  Dev only cussed a couple of times as he maneuvered the buttons on the back of Lily’s dress. He had been overconfident. Over the years, he’d had no problem helping a woman out of her clothes. His record time had been thirty seconds. It was one of the few personal records he kept, and he kept it to himself. Of course, he’d never removed a wedding gown before. He’d never been a husband before. His nervous fingers fumbled, but soon the dress dropped in a pool around Lily’s feet. She moved, almost ran into the bathroom. By the time she’d returned, Dev had swept away Abby’s beautiful heart design of rose petals and was already in bed. She turned out all of the lights and she crept in. The Plaza supplied the only filtered spotlight on the bed.

  “I’ve had too much champagne and I’m so tired,” she whispered as she settled her head on his chest. One hand splayed protectively over him. “I know it’s our wedding night.”

  The next sound Dev heard was a soft snore, then even breathing.

  “Really, Lily?” he moaned. He stroked her hair for a few minutes. It wasn’t difficult to fall asleep listening to Lily. He very much enjoyed it.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Lily woke as the sun was just coming up. Usually, she’d be rushing off to church on a Sunday. Today, she was laying on a man’s chest, her makeup still heavy on her eyes. Geez, I didn’t even remove my makeup? Good or bad, she wasn’t going to get out of the bed and wake him.

  She began to really study him as he slept. She fingered his chin, outlining his jawline, feeling the stubble on his face. His lashes were outrageously lush. Frankly, she’d always been a little jealous, especially when she had to add two layers of mascara onto her own. Her hand moved a bit on his chest and she felt some sort of indentation. She saw a scar below his right shoulder. Had he been shot there too?

  She remembered she’d fallen asl
eep. She remembered Gretchen’s gift. Holy Moly, did she even know me? Lily was mortified. She wasn’t even sure how to put the darn thing on. She couldn’t wait any longer. She had to go to the bathroom. Slowly, she removed herself from Dev’s body and slid out of the bed to the solitude of the massive bathroom. She saw her face. She looked like Gene Simmons in his first attempt at KISS makeup. Cold water and makeup remover might just save her, oh and aspirin, ibuprofen, anything to make the throbbing of her head go away. She brushed her teeth. She was a little better. Her stomach seemed fine. Well, she had eaten--all day long. It was amazing that the dress didn’t blow open when she was dancing. She could almost hear what it would’ve been like. Clean up on the dance floor. Bride has busted through her gown. Is there a seamstress in the ballroom?

  Lily turned to find a towel and saw her beautiful dress. When had Dev done that? After she was asleep? It held just as much magic this morning as it had the day she had first laid her eyes on it. She touched the fabric of the skirt. Soft to the touch, the satin was liquid in her fingers. She reached into one of the pockets and removed a clean tissue. Lily felt something else in there and removed a beautiful linen handkerchief. The blue embroidery featured a large P in the middle. She sighed. It was Dev’s mother’s something blue. She’d carried it on her wedding day. Someone had slipped it into Lily’s pocket. She placed it into her bag. On the counter next to it was her something blue from her mother. Elizabeth had given it to her at the church; it was a blue miraculous medal that her mother used to wear on a chain around her neck. Lily had attached it to her bouquet. Abby had removed it before she took the flowers up to the ballroom. Lily secured it within the bag too.