by Eden Rose
I hugged Karen as she pushed me into the pictures that she were taking. "My two girls, so beautiful!" She yelled as she tackled both of us into a gigantic hug. Karen has always treated me as if I was her other daughter. After moving in with them, she didn't miss a beat and continued to treat me like one of them.
As we were all led out the bedroom door to walk towards the porch, we heard music playing. Since I am nosy and want to make sure the decorators did their job, I poked my head out the slider and did a quick scan. Perfect. They did their jobs.
The beach is filled with people in suits and sun dresses. I seen Valerie who is sitting in the middle of everyone a part of the family. Most of the men that I have met through Vincent were there and had a beautiful woman on their arm. I looked up by the beach where there is an alter of types, and seen Vincent. Mouth watering handsome in his tuxedo and flip flops. Yes, the men wore flip flops.
"Annie, you stopped my heart beat. You look absolutely heart stopping," her dad, Henry, came running up the deck to walk her down the stairs. As they hugged, I walked behind Anne and got into the hug too. "Vans, spoke to your man. He is a great guy!" He slapped my shoulder and the music started to play. Anne wanted flutes and they sounded great with the echo of the ocean.
Henry is the closet thing that I have to a father and it is nice to get his blessing. Vincent must have charmed Henry because he is a tight man to crack. He can be scary when someone is hurting his family and I know that he has my back no matter what.
Anne also wanted to be the first one down the aisle, so we all lined up behind her and started the procession. All of the guests stood up and turned to look at her. I was the last one in line, so nobody got a picture of me until we were in the tent.
On my walk down the aisle, I couldn't help but watch Vincent. I am sure that everyone watched us and noticed that our eyes were locked the whole time. I smiled at him as I stood in my place at the front behind Anne. He looks so handsome. I almost had to remind myself that I couldn't fall to my knees and suck him off right now.
Ronnie was crying as her dad gave him her hand. They hugged and Anne turned to look at the minister. Even Ronnie looked handsome in his white tuxedo and open collar.
While they were saying their vows, Vincent and I were winking at each other. He looked so yummy.
Their vows were very heartfelt and both of them were crying by the time that they said "I do." I scanned the audience and noticed them wiping their eyes as well.
When it was time for Anne and Ronnie to kiss and then walk back down the aisle, I finally got to touch Vincent. He smelled so good as we linked arms but we were also holding hands as well.
I felt his minty breath against my cheek and shuddered. "I am so jealous of that dress," he whispered in my ear. There were people that said "aww," probably because they thought he kissed me.
"Then how about you take off my dress?" I whispered as we got to the end of the walk. The way he looks right now could tempt a nun.
"Don't tempt me," he dropped my arm and held my hand as I led us over to the caterer.
Tony was sitting on a stool playing on his phone. He is supposed to be the lead caterer. I don't see the snacks out or wine glasses filled. Now I am mad. I dropped Vincent's hand and charged at Tony.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I demanded as I stuck my finger out. "Where are the wine glasses?" He stood up and puffed his chest out at me. "Listen here, I am not interested in your pea-cocking." He sat back down and looked like I shot him in the face.
I heard Anne's mother tell Vincent: "You better break that up, she will kill him!"
Vincent came up behind me and grabbed my waist as I tried to pluck the caterer's phone out of his hand. "Hey! Pour those glasses or you are so not getting tipped!" I yelled as Vincent dragged me to the rest of the wedding party to take pictures.
"Baby doll, calm down. Its okay," he said into my hair as he stood behind me and spooned me.
I leaned my back into his chest and we snuggled like that while Anne and Ronnie were taking their newlywed pictures. When it was time for everyone to get into the pictures, Vincent and I stood together throughout the pictures. I thought for sure that they would have made us line up like every other wedding pictures.
"I love you," Vincent said to me as he tickled my side and I wiggled against him. "Some day this will be us. But we will be the ones getting married."
I heard him. Perfectly, actually. But I wanted him to say it again. "What did you say?" I asked through a smile for the pictures. I want him to say that he wants to marry me again which is silly. Naturally, marriage is just a piece of paper but I want to be tied to him in every single way. I want to be able to use those superficial titles when talking in public. My need for him to be mine in every sense of the word has me planning our life together. Which is something that I never thought I would do after my first failed marriage.
"I know damn well you heard me," he said in his serious tone. I laughed and he pinched my ass. "Oh, you think you are funny?" He lightly spanked me and then whispered in my ear; "You just wait, baby. I am going to fill you up in every hole." I began to quiver. "You will love it, won't you, Savannah? You want me to be all over your body."
Good God, someone help me. We are at the middle of my best friend's wedding and I want to tell him to take me inside. I wasn't sure if my tongue could work or if words were forming but I opened my mouth. "Yes."
The pictures were done and now it was time to enter the tent. There was a breeze coming off of the ocean and it was actually cold in the tent. People were not shivering though because the body heat of everyone made it warmer.
I didn't need to worry about any of that though. The red hot need that is coursing through my body has made me feel like I am on fire.
"Introducing, Ronaldo and Anne Rossi! Congratulations!" The deejay said into the microphone.
While everyone clapped and blew bubbles into the aisle, the deejay played their wedding song. "In the Still of the Night" played through the speakers. Everyone sat down as Anne and Ronnie started ballroom dancing.
Last night, the four of us took a ballroom dancing class that took place on the beach. Hands down, it was so romantic that I forgot everyone because I was kissing him so passionately. Vincent let me take the lead on the kissing but he pushed me around the makeshift dance floor with an ease that I never expected.
Vincent and I stood towards the back so I could make sure that the caterers were pouring those glasses for the toasts. I pointed at one who is sneering at me and Vincent laughed at me and then kissed my cheek.
"I love you, baby," I said to him as I took him into a hug and we danced together towards the back. No one could see us, so I kissed him passionately on the mouth. He in return, smacked my ass. We swayed and held each other for the whole song; tucked away in our magical corner. It felt fantastic to be so happy with someone. I never expected to have fallen in love... much less again.
"Hey, its time for the toasts!" Johnny was standing behind me and pushed Vincent's arm off of my frame.
I felt naked without it and turned to glare at Johnny. Vincent must have felt similar because as we walked to the wedding tables, we still captured each other's hands.
The caterers served the toasting glasses and everyone waited until it was signaled to take a drink. I sat next to Anne at the head table and Vincent sat next to me. It was nice since everyone in the wedding party is actually some sort of couple, so we sat in couples.
Someone that was seated in the tent started to clink their glass signaling that it was time for the toast. Traditionally, the maid of honor starts. I stood up on wobbly legs and pulled a piece of paper out of a bag that was next to my snack plate.
"Hello everyone," I started as I raised my voice. "I am Savannah and I am also the maid of honor," people started to clap and clink glasses. "I have known Anne my whole life. She and her family are my only family and I love them to pieces." My voice shook as I held the paper in my hands. "Well," I crumbled the paper and threw i
t to the side of the table. "I had this long toast that I prepared, however after reading over it, I decided that it was filled with fluff," my voice sounded confident and I felt better about my change of plan. I knew that this is the way to go. "Never have I seen Anne look so happy and beautiful. Ronnie, you brought her to life," they kissed passionately and then turned to look back at me. "If I learned one thing that I could pass on to you from the past seven years," I almost said the big D, "listen to each other and make time for one another. Don't push off dates because of work or push off anniversaries. Once you do that, you lose track of the importance of being together. I have learned a little saying from this brand new group of friends," I waved my hands over the guests to signify everyone, "but I am going to put my own spin on it! I hope you many happy years of love until the casket drops. I am so happy for you two, and I love you both." Anne came charging at me and hugged me tightly. Ronnie came up and kissed my cheek.
"That was beautiful! Thank you, I love you too!" Anne yelled as I hugged her back.
"I meant every word." Tears were flowing down my face and Karen along with Henry came up to Anne and I.
"Our two girls! We love you so much!" Henry stated as he hugged both of us at the same time and then Karen took his place.
She was crying as she wrapped her arms around our necks to pull us closer. "You two make life so much better. Your friendship is the poster child."
Anne was the one to get out of the hug first and she fluffed her hair back out. "Thanks guys, I love you."
We all sat back down and now it was Vincent's turn. Instead of looking at the newlyweds or the guests, he looked at me. My face burned with embarrassment and none of this helped stop my tears that were flowing from my speech.
"Well," his accent was very thick, he was probably nervous. Vincent looked around the tent for a moment and then looked back at me. I love when he looks at me like this. He looks as if I am the one who rises the sun and raises the moon up to its place. Pure admiration and I will do anything to keep him looking at me like this. "Maybe I should have gone first," he laughed and reached out to touch my cheek, "that will be a hard toast to beat. I have known Ronnie since we came over from Italy, and he deserves the greatest amount of happiness," he raised his own goblet. "I wish you many, many years of happiness. Congratulations you guys!" Anne stood up and hugged him, Ronnie gave him a man hug.
"Everybody!" the deejay said into the microphone, "It is time for the father daughter dance!"
"May I?" Anne's father asked as he extended his hand. She took it and then they started to dance once they made it to the cut out floor in the middle of the tent.
"Mom?" Ronnie said loud enough to stop everyone. The woman that stood up looked to be no more than five feet tall and couldn't be more than a hundred pounds. This woman gave birth to Ronnie? How is that possible?
When they started to dance, Vincent rubbed my shoulders. "This turned out beautifully," he whispered in my ear. His hands are magic as they rubbed away knots and stress that I never knew I had.
"I just wanted to make sure that she had her dream wedding. I am also hoping that this will be her only wedding!" I giggled trying to lighten the mood. "This needed to be her perfect day!"
"Now, its time for the maid of honor and the best man to dance!" The deejay said as he put on "Feel my Love," by Adele.
Well, well, well, isn't this interesting. Both Vincent and I are shocked and its a very romantic song that begins to play. Imagine that.
Vincent and I stood up together and walked over to the floor. We didn't speak as he held my waist and looked me in my eyes the whole time. I felt an electric charge change in the distance between us that connected us more. I never want him to leave my side. He is so beautiful and kind.
"Hey, we need you," John tapped Vincent's shoulder to interrupt our dance. "Sorry, Savannah. We need him now."
Vincent dropped his hold on me and I tried to drop my hands from holding onto his arms, but I couldn't. I didn't want him to leave. "Please, please, don't go," I begged as I ran back up to him as he walked away. Not one to cause a scene, I couldn't go yelling after them but I am pretty sure that they each knew that I am following them.
He smiled at me and then left the tent with Johnny, John, Vinny and Leo. Sal came running out the tent as he seen what was happening. Naturally, I was very curious as to why my dance was interrupted. I followed them over to the porch and knelt down so no one can see me snooping. Nobody has noticed that I am creeping on them.
"What are you doing here?" Leo asked a man in a suit. Who was it? I tried to peer over the edge of the deck without being seen.
"You know what I am doing here," Joel said as he paced the deck. My heart dropped. I hope this isn't going to be some macho scene. This is Anne's wedding! Why my ex-husband would be here... well, that's just psychotic. I know that he wasn't invited and there would be no reason why he would think that he were invited. So... why?
"Well spill it," someone said. I peered over the edge and caught a glimpse of Stilarno. An old client of mine and Anne's. What the hell?
"They haven't dropped the hit. You knew they weren't going to drop it just because you shot him," Joel said. My back spasmed and my breathing got caught.
I hope they aren't talking about that contract that was on my head. Haven't we been through enough? Why can't people just leave us alone? Obviously I am not naive where I think that the mafia will just let it be water under the bridge... but geeze!
"Well, what are you doing here then?" Someone asked. Why hasn't Vincent spoke? Are they talking about the price tag on my head? Please, please, please, let this be a stupid misunderstanding and all can be forgotten!
"To warn you. This is going to get ugly, very fast," Stilarno said with a voice that didn't carry any mercy. Anne and I got him a great deal on his new home... I swear people forget about karma. What happened to paying it forward and all of that?
I heard Anne and Ronnie say their thank yous and good nights. I knew they were on their way to the hotel room. I got them a room that over looks the water that is fully stocked with flowers and everything romantic. I want to make sure their night is perfect and magical.
My eyes were level to their feet. I hoped no one could see me.
"They are looking for her right now. When she confessed, she became our number one. We will find her," Stilarno stated and walked over to Leo. After getting closer to Leo, he walked back towards Vincent. "The funny thing is you didn't think we would find out about that tracking device that you placed on her. Its interesting how easy it is to find those kinds of things out, especially when you follow someone."
Vincent stood up and got really close to Stilarno. "I take it you also heard us in the dressing room, then?" I knew he was referring to our quickie. My face blazed fire as I recalled it. "Why don't you clock someone else? She isn't interested in Joel anymore. Also, why do you care that I put a tracker on her? She's my woman." He pulled out his phone and typed something. "See, she is right... Here?" Oh crap. He found out I was spying. "Savannah? Are you here?"
I stood up, and as I did someone jammed something into my back. The object was hard but wasn't sharp like a knife would be. I could only assume that a gun is being pushed into my back.
"Don't scream," the man behind me said. "If you scream, I will shoot." His voice was hard and heavily accented with Italian.
I raised my hands in the air and looked down at the stair I was standing on. There are some options I can do. One, let him shoot me and get this over with. Two, kick him in his knee and run. Three, just plain run. Four, stay where I am.
"No!" Vincent yelled as he tried to come over to me. Stilarno put his hand up and stopped him. If looks could kill. Vincent punches the other man in his head and comes charging towards me. I felt his fingers touch my waist.
"Its already done," the man behind me says with a chuckle. The chuckle sounded like someone told him a joke and that he didn't hold someone's life in their hands.
I felt something pie
rce through my shoulder and then everything went... black.
*** Joel
Maybe I am a glutton for punishment and my coming to Anne's wedding is just my way of cutting my own flesh. I knew Savannah would be here because this wedding was the exact size and shape of the one she wanted when we got married.
I came here with the other members of Dice as a courtesy to my ex and Vincent. I am not here because I love her or something. This is more of a pride issue. My pride was wounded when she ran off with that piece of garbage and is showing him off like a shiny new toy.
Some courtesy. I don't even know why I bothered to come. I don't want to see that bitch again. Not saying that I want her dead, but my life would be a lot easier with her gone.
They should have just stayed in Chicago. In Chicago they wouldn't be targets and I wouldn't have to hear about whatever they are doing and blah blah blah.
