Jacqueline nodded and took a seat next to Madison. She glanced at the food on Madison’s plate, or at least what was left of it and smiled. It did look very good. Madison had told her once before that Liam was an excellent chef. Good enough that he could actually run a restaurant if he wanted to. Jacqueline could see that. Once Liam had the eggs going, he brought a cup to Jacqueline and placed it in front of her.
“Black with two teaspoons of sugar, correct?”
“Yes, thank you,” she said, pleasantly surprised that he had remembered how she took her coffee.
He went back to preparing her breakfast. Jacqueline had been in California for nearly a week and had already been all over, shopping with the girls and Olivia, whom she came to really like. She was happy that Madison had her out here. She knew that Olivia would take care of her, especially now with Madison expecting a child. She glanced at Madison and smiled as she continued to inhale her food. Jacqueline was glad she had decided to come to town earlier than she was needed. It had already been a wonderful trip so far and even yesterday, when they went to John’s gravesite, as painful as it had been, Madison had made it bearable. It had been the first time she had done so since his passing. She couldn’t help but think that it had bonded them in some way, brought them closer than they had been since she was young.
“Here you go,” Liam said, placing a plate in front of her. “Would you like some orange juice?”
“It’s really good, Mom. Not like the stuff you buy in the store.”
“No, coffee is fine. Thank you.”
Liam nodded and picked up Madison’s now empty plate. “I know you want more.” She smiled and nodded and then he turned to Callie who was still eating. “Are you going to want more, Callie?”
She shook her head. “I’m already getting full but I'm going to finish it.”
~*~
“What do you think they’re doing right now?” Andrew asked.
Jayden checked the clock and smiled. “They’re getting ready I would guess.”
Andrew watched him fiddle with his jacket. “You sure you’re not upset that I didn’t want to wear one,” he motioned his head to Jayden’s traditional Irish kilt.
Jayden laughed. “Not at all.” He then gave him a knowing look. “I’d say let me know how it goes later but I’ll be preoccupied.”
Andrew chuckled. “I won’t be checking in with you either.”
“Where’s Connor at? God! I hope he doesn’t lose those rings.”
“Man, this place looks great!” Connor said coming up to them and slapping their backs.
“Jayden’s worried you lost the rings,” Andrew said and grinned when Jayden shot him a dirty look.
“What? No way. I got 'em right here.” He pulled his hand out of his pocket and showed them that he was wearing two men’s rings on one finger and two ladies’ rings on another.
Andrew grinned as he looked at the four rings on Connor’s finger. The rings were not overtly fancy as neither couple thought that was necessary. Jayden had wanted to honor his Irish heritage by making sure that the bands carried the Trinity Knot on them, just as his father’s had. As such, he had selected Callie’s engagement ring from a set so the wedding bands would go together. His band did not have diamonds in it but Callie’s did. Andrew’s selection was a rather simple white and yellow Gold band that he felt matched Madison’s unique engagement ring. If he had thought further ahead when he designed her ring he would have made the wedding bands as well.
“I’m not gonna have to cut off your finger to get my ring, am I?” Jayden asked as seriously as he possibly could.
“Nah, it comes off easily, and if it doesn’t, I’ll just suck it off,” Connor replied casually.
“You aren’t sucking my ring off your finger,” Andrew said, laughing.
Soon, the three of them were goofing off and drawing attention to themselves until they caught Liam’s eye and settled down. Andrew smiled and looked around. If possible, the place was more beautiful than what he remembered from Elias and Liam’s wedding or maybe it was simply the fact that this was his wedding that made him feel this way. He recognized that it didn’t really matter, but as he admired all the hard work that Olivia and Liam had put into the decorations and set up, he felt grateful and at peace with his life.
The alter was set up in the back of the yard, with white linen draped along the top and sides. White roses and carnations adorned the canopy at the top and along the sides. There was a red carpet that led from the house, down the aisle, and stopping under the canopy. White rose petals had been precisely strewn along the carpet and there were several large flower stands filled with white roses and carnations along the red carpet. One on each side of the aisle, starting at the beginning and continuing until the chairs began, then one final set just before where the two couples would be standing. The chairs were an antique style with bouquets of white satin roses tied to the backs of them.
They were having a much larger event than they had initially thought they would, approximately eighty people as opposed to the mere twenty the two couples had planned. To Jayden’s delight, several of his relatives from Ireland and Texas would be at the wedding. Callie herself had a large family and it turned out that most were coming, including all her siblings and a few cousins. Aside from Grans and her mom, Madison had only invited her friend, Monique, from New York, as well as Natalie, indicating everyone else would already be there. Andrew’s only family present would be his aunt and uncle. The rest of the guests included people they felt were important in their lives. Andrew had invited Jeff and Sam, Logan and Skylar, his therapist Craig, who indicated he wasn’t able to attend, Carol, and even Jamal. He smiled at that last one. All his friends had looked at him strangely when he added that name to the guest list. But he reminded them that Jamal had made it possible for him to go to New York three years ago and had also made it possible for Connor to go earlier this year so that he could look after Madison. Andrew indicated that that alone warranted an invite. They all agreed. They then invited some of their loyal customers and Elias and Liam, as well as Aaron and Olivia, also invited some of their co-workers to the event.
“We’ll be sitting here afterwards?” Connor asked, motioning towards the tables.
“Yep, close to the food,” Jayden said with a wink.
“That’s a good thing.” Connor grinned.
At present time, there were only four guest tables set up. The final five would be set up after the service. Each round table could accommodate eight guests. They were each adorned with a satin embroidered table cloth over it and a large crystal vase with white roses and carnations as the centerpiece. Atop each of the china place settings was a small card that thanked guests for witnessing their wedding and offered their appreciation for their donation to the Los Angeles County Homeless Shelter, in lieu of actual gifts. The background on the card was a drawing that Andrew had done for the occasion; an exquisite floral design with four hands connected, each one bearing a different ring, was diffused within the flowers. Off to the front of the reception area stood one rectangular table that faced the others that was designated for the bridal party. It had a large white rose and carnation centerpiece that spread across the center of the table and draped off the front end.
“Man, I want this to just start already,” Jayden said, bouncing on his feet.
Andrew nodded and looked toward the screen doors, wanting desperately to go in and see Madison. People kept coming out and just smiling so he suspected they had seen her already. He wondered what her dress looked like. Both she and Callie had not said a word. Telling them it was bad luck.
Noticing Andrew’s gaze, Connor said, “I tried to check on them for you but Jewel kicked me out. Sorry, I could try again.”
Andrew smirked, but before he could say anything else, Aaron was walking over to them. “It’s time for you two to come up to the front,” he said with a bright smile. He turned to Connor. “You’ll need to go inside so you can escort Jewel out. You have the rings, correct?”
>
Connor nodded crazily and once again pulled out his hand to show the four rings on his fingers. Aaron chuckled and nodded. Jayden and Andrew looked at each other and smiled. It was finally happening. Aaron placed his hands on their shoulders and led them to the front while Connor darted inside the house. Both Andrew and Jayden made eye contact with friends and family on various sides of the aisle. There was no bride’s side or groom’s side; it was only ‘fill up all the seats side’ as they were all friends. Andrew stood next to Jayden under the canopy, closest to the officiant. Olivia and Liam had both looked up proper etiquette for double weddings and it was customary for the older of the two brides to go first, which meant Madison, even though she was only a year older than Callie.
As the music began to play, Andrew and Jayden looked toward the house. First, Connor came down the aisle, arm in arm with Jewel. He mouthed to them both before taking his spot, that Madison and Callie looked beautiful. The boys had no doubt of this. However, neither was prepared for just how lovely their girls looked. When the wedding march started, Andrew held his breath as Madison stepped out of the house holding a bouquet of white roses in front of her. She wore a simple yet elegant sleeveless chiffon gown. The V in the dress bunched at the junction under her breasts and was held there by a beaded centerpiece that continued to bead around her waist. Her hair was pulled up with small ringlets falling down, exposing her beautifully long neck. The only jewelry she wore was a pair of dangling diamond earrings with a matching diamond bracelet and, of course, the engagement ring that never came off her finger.
“Beautiful,” Andrew whispered reverently as she stepped to the side next to Jewel.
The march continued and Callie exited the house, holding the same bouquet of roses Madison had. Normally one for being more flamboyant, she toned it down considerably for Madison’s sake. She would not show up her friend who did not want anything extravagant. With that in mind, Callie selected a beautiful form fitting chiffon strapless gown. It draped over her right shoulder with an elegant beaded floral design that started from the strap and worked down before bunching at her left hip. Her normally spiky hair was now set into soft waves and clipped back with a diamond studded barrette. She too wore minimal jewelry, dangling diamond earrings with matching diamond bracelets. As she approached the front, Jayden stared at her, unable to utter a word.
“We are gathered here today to bring together these two couples in holy matrimony. If there is anyone here that objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace.” The officiant paused and then continued. “Let us begin.”
Both Andrew and Jayden barely heard anything that was said. They were lost in their women, stunned with complete love and happiness. For Jayden, he couldn’t understand why he had waited so long to do this. He knew the logical reasons, but the emotions he felt as he saw his beautiful Callie glowing from joy made him want to kick himself for denying her this for so many years. For Andrew, all he knew was that Madison was his everything. She made his life worth living and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. As he stood before her, he was riveted, not only by her stunning beauty but by her caring and loving heart as well.
“Both couples have decided to recite their own vows,” Andrew heard the officiant say and took his gaze off of Madison and looked at the man. “Andrew, Madison, you may begin.”
Madison stepped forward and reached her hands out to him as he stepped forward and took hers in his. She was overcome with love and passion for the man standing before her. He was so handsome in his tuxedo. He had actually tamed his beautiful hair and a part of her was dying to muss it up. She smiled as she gazed upon him. One of the things she loved the most about him was his strength, not physically, which he had as well, but emotionally. He survived things that she knew she probably never would have, yet he was still capable of loving so fiercely. She blew out a soft breath and began.
“Andrew, you are my sun, a power greater than anything. I wake each morning eager to bask in your light. To know that, with you, my world is a better place. With you, I am happier than I have ever been because the light you carry within you shines brighter than any star in the night sky and I will forever be in awe of it.”
Andrew smiled and took a deep breath. “Madison, you are my earth, my center, without you I wouldn’t exist. Without you I would still be in darkness and there would be no light. You have brought hope where there was none. You have helped me see the world from unfiltered lenses and shown me the true power of love, friendship, and happiness.”
Madison fought back her tears as she began speaking again. “I will spend the rest of my days circling you like the earth circles the sun. I will love and support you always, professionally, personally, and emotionally until my very last breath.”
“My love for you will never end, it will never cease. Until the day that I die, I will protect you, love you, and take care of you. You are my life, now and forever,” he finished.
“I love you, Andrew.”
“I love you, Madison.”
“Thank you, Andrew and Madison,” the officiant said and motioned for them to step back. Andrew and Madison reluctantly released their hands as the officiant looked at their friends. “Jayden, Callie, you may begin.”
Callie and Jayden stepped forward. This was the day Callie had imagined her whole life. It was the day she would become Jayden’s wife. The man she had loved from the time she knew what love was, possibly even before that. Jayden took Callie’s hands in his and smiled as she began speaking.
“From the day that we met I knew you and I would be one. We are each other’s perfect match in mind, body and spirit. We have been through so much together, from the ups and down of life, to the joys of parenthood. We have been through tragedy and come out of it even stronger than before. An eternity awaits us my love.”
“You took my hand in yours when I was only eleven, dragging me behind you,” Jayden smiled at her. “I have been following you ever since, not because I have to but because, with you, I feel at peace. You understand and accept me for who I am; the good and the bad. You have helped me through things that others would’ve walked away from, but not my strong and loving Callie. I would be nothing without you.”
“Whether we have or have not, we will always have each other and that is more than we will ever need or want,” Callie continued with tears in her eyes.
“Life has already shown us that we will stand by one another through whatever gets thrown our way. Our love is too powerful for anything less than forever.”
Suddenly Ellie yelled out, “Mama, Dada.”
Both Jayden and Callie turned to Jayden’s mom, Amelia, and smiled. They each released one of their hands and waved at Ellie, which made her squeal and giggle loudly. Amelia at first tried to quiet her down but then stopped because what was happening was the most precious thing she had ever witnessed. Soon, the guests were all laughing as well. Jayden and Callie finally turned back to one another.
“I love you, Callie.”
“And I love you, Jayden.”
“Will both couples approach?” The officiant announced.
Andrew and Madison stepped up and immediately took each other’s hands again.
“Will the ring bearer come forward please?”
Connor took one large step forward with a huge smile on his face.
“The rings, please,” the officiant asked.
Connor pulled his hand out and there was some snickering in the audience as he fiddled with the rings on his fingers. Madison raised an eyebrow as he twisted and turned, trying to loosen the rings on his pinky. He said a triumphant, YES! when the rings finally slipped off. Both Andrew and Jayden chuckled. Connor disbursed the rings accordingly and stepped back, bobbing his head softly.
“The rings you hold in your hands serves as a reminder of the bond in which you make today, a solid circle with no beginning and no end, to represent your marriage union,” the officiant said looking between them. “Please repeat after me. I give you this ri
ng as a symbol of my love and affection and the life we will share together as husband and wife.”
“I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and affection and the life we will share together as husband and wife,” Madison, Callie, Andrew, and Jayden all said in unison.
“By the power vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” he said to Madison and Andrew and then looked at Jayden and Callie, “Husband and wife. You may now kiss your brides.”
Andrew immediately grabbed Madison’s face and kissed her, long and passionately as did Callie and Jayden. Andrew was beyond himself. This day, this kiss, was about them and their love, surely anyone who looked at them would know this to be fact. After several minutes, both couples heard a gentle cough and realized they had probably been kissing longer than what was deemed appropriate. Both couples pulled away from their partners and glanced at each other before they faced their guests.
“I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Harrison and Mr. and Mrs. Jayden Bennett.”
All their friends and family rose from their seats, clapping and cheering them on. First Madison and Andrew walked down the aisle followed by Jayden and Callie. Jayden glanced at Callie, who was watching Ellie reaching out frantically for them. Jayden stopped and kissed Callie’s temple before stepping over to his mom and taking Ellie’s squirming body from her.
“Dada,” she giggled and grabbed his face.
“Yes, pretty girl,” he said rubbing his nose against hers.
“Mama,” she giggled when she saw Callie.
Callie kissed her cheeks and then the three of them continued to walk down the aisle, as a family. When they reached the end where Andrew and Madison were, Ellie squealed. Madison laughed as Ellie reached her little arms to Andrew who took her hand and wiggled it, causing her to laugh uncontrollably. Madison smiled as her fingers traced along her stomach, thinking how wonderful it would be if she were carrying a little girl.
~*~
The reception had been in full swing for several hours. People were having a great time. The food was excellent as Liam and Olivia had selected an exquisite menu for the occasion. The most talk however came with the wedding cake. The three-tiered white cake stood proudly on a smaller table away from the food. It was elegantly adorned with white flowers, the general theme of the affair, and included two wedding toppers to represent the two couples. Liam and Olivia had selected two traditional toppers for the cake but neither couple was too keen on them. Instead, Callie and Madison found toppers they felt represented them.
Helios Renewed (The Helios Chronicles #3) Page 40
