Bliss, Inc. (Indigo Love Spectrum)
Page 36
“Don’t worry about it, Mrs. Klein. I retouch mothers.”
Trey, the photographer, walked in. “Hello, ladies.”
“Hey, Trey.”
“Sinclair.” They gave each other a pound.
“I didn’t know you were working this wedding.”
“When Bliss calls, I answer.”
“I hear that. Okay, ladies, I want to pose you for a couple of shots. After that I fade into the background.”
“Do your thing, Trey.” Paige radioed downstairs to Stuart who was monitoring the door. “Stuart?”
“Yes?”
“Did Town and Country and the Times people arrive?”
“Yes. They’re milling around amongst the guests.”
“Good. Have you seen Mr. Klein?”
“He was doing a little meet and greet, but I saw him get into the elevator a few minutes ago. He should be there shortly.”
“Thanks.” Paige turned to Jennifer. “Your dad is on the way up. He should be here any minute now.”
“Okay.”
Paige radioed Deidre, who was inside the ceremony area. “Deidre, is everyone in place?”
“The groom and best man are underneath the chuppah with the rabbi and reverend.”
“Terrific. We’re waiting for the father of the bride. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” Paige walked in as the photographer posed Jennifer and Isabelle. Paige liked the pose. “Oh, that’s a nice shot, Trey. Did you get any of the groom and best man?”
“Yes, when they were getting ready.”
Sinclair answered the door and in walked Mr. Klein.
His stopped in his tracks when he saw Jennifer. “Oh, my sweet little girl. Look at how beautiful you are inside and out.” He kissed her forehead. Trey got the shot.
“All right, folks, it’s show time. Let’s head to the elevator.”
Paige held Jennifer’s train. Siobhan went ahead to call both elevators.
Paige radioed Stuart. “Stuart, signal Deidre to cue up the music and have Mr. and Mrs. Smythe walk in. Mrs. Klein will be there in a minute to walk with her brother.”
“Roger that.”
A few minutes later Isabelle walked with Stan while the rest of the small bridal party waited.
“Okay, Avery, you’re next.”
Jennifer and her Dad stood nervously at the door. Paige heard the music change to The Wedding March. “Okay, dad and daughter, you’re on.”
The doors opened from both sides for a grand entrance. Paige waited for the photographer to take his pictures before she entered. Then she slipped in, in time to see Michael’s face light up. Then Mr. Klein lifted Jennifer’s veil and kissed her.
Twenty minutes later rabbi and reverend pronounced them husband and wife. Michael stepped on the glass and they kissed. Paige clapped with everyone else and watched as the recessional began. Michael and Jennifer beamed. Matthew winked at her as he and Avery went past.
The guests enjoyed an hour-long cocktail hour in the Jade Room while the bridal party posed for photos. Paige made sure the bridal party were served so no one would faint from low blood sugar. Adriana and Daisy were in the reception area making sure everything was in good shape. Paige made one last check before the guests were to begin coming in.
She looked around at the Versailles-themed reception. “Looks good in here, you two.”
“Nathan Parker did a fantastic job with the flowers,” Adriana commented.
“I can see why he’s in demand.” Daisy looked around.
“You know, I’m not usually crazy about the whole Sun King theme because it’s usually just too much, but this is the epitome of elegance.” Paige looked at her watch. “Okay, the guests should be directed here in a few minutes. I’ll see you later.”
Once the cocktail hour was over Stuart helped guide the guests to the reception area. Patricia was there with him and she helped him get everyone seated at the right tables. Adriana made sure the band was ready for the bridal party’s entrance.
Paige led the party across the hallway to the reception area and lined everyone up in order of the introductions. Eve closed the doors and cued the band. The band announced everyone in the bridal party.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give a big hand to the stars of the wedding, the newly minted Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smythe!” The guests were on their feet when they entered.
Michael and Jennifer were all smiles. The band played the song for their first dance and Paige watched from the sidelines. Matthew walked over to her. “That’s going to be us soon.”
“I know.”
They went through all the traditional customs of the bride dancing with her father and the groom dancing with his mother to the delight of everyone in attendance. The dinner hour proved to be a culinary delight. The chefs had outdone themselves.
Paige stood in the corner near Bliss’s table.
“Are you still working this party?” Matthew asked.
“Yes. I’m watching to be sure everyone is served and happy.”
“Don’t you hear that silence? That’s the sound of people stuffing their faces.”
Paige laughed. “Point taken. I’ll sit down and eat.”
“Thank you. We don’t need the wedding planner fainting either.”
“You’re right.”
Once dinner was over they danced for a while. Jennifer and Michael cut loose on the floor. It was more about release than anything else. Even Mrs. Granger was on the floor for a while. Overall, Paige was pleased. The highlight of the reception was Madame Butterfly’s seven-tier cake with hundreds of sugar flowers that matched the cream and burgundy décor.
Jennifer and Michael cut the cake and she fed a fork to him.
“Oh, this tastes incredible. I’m not sure I want to share it.” Michael joked and then fed Jennifer.
“He’s right. It’s too good to share but we will.”
Flashbulbs popped. Then the staff took the cake away to serve it. Before anyone knew it, it was time to wind down. Jennifer found Paige for a quick chat before she went off to her honeymoon suite.
“Paige.”
“Yes, Jennifer.”
“I just wanted to tell you that you did an amazing job and I will always be grateful for how beautiful you made this day for me.”
Paige began to tear up. “I’m glad you loved it, because I loved doing it.”
“I hope you’ll let me be a part of your wedding to Matthew.”
“Don’t be silly. Of course you’re going to be a part of it.”
“All you have to do is set a date and we’ll get started.”
“Thanks, Jennifer. Now I think you have a honeymoon suite to get to.”
“I know.”
Paige kissed and hugged her. “I know you and Michael will be deliriously happy.”
“So will you and Matthew.”
After Jennifer and Michael had a bubble send-off, Paige and her staff kicked off their shoes.
“Oh, that feels good,” Eve sighed.
Her husband Bill rubbed her shoulders. “Are you ready for a nice hot bath?”
“I’m more than ready.” She stood up. “Do you need me for anything else, Paige?”
“No, you go on ahead and get some rest. Thanks for all your help.”
“It was a beautiful event, Paige.”
“Thanks, Bill.”
Daisy stood up. “Lauren is already upstairs. I’m going to turn in.”
“See you later, Daisy. Why don’t you head on up, Stuart? I’m sure Patricia is waiting for you.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll go with you.” Deidre stood up.
“Have a good night, everyone. Good job.”
Matthew walked in with a newspaper.
“Hey. What time is it, babe?”
Matthew looked at his watch. “It’s a little after midnight.”
“I guess we can head upstairs.” Paige got up. “You have a paper already?”
He looked at it. “Yeah, it’s hot off the presses.”
>
“Anything interesting happen? I’ve been in such a wedding mode they could have declared World War III and I wouldn’t have noticed it.”
“There is an item of interest.” He turned to the page and handed it to her.
Paige looked down and there in bold black and white:
Congratulations to Mr. Michael and Jennifer Smythe.
Paige, you are the only one I want and I want to start our life together. So how about we join them in blissful matrimony?
August 25 of next year, marry me.
I love you, now and forever.
Matthew
Paige dropped the paper.
“What in the world?”
“It’s for real, Paige. I can’t wait to start our life together. I want to be married to you in eight months, and if there is anyone who can do it you’re the person.”
Paige started to cry. “You are too much, Matthew.” She wiped her eyes.
“I wanted to take the bull by the horns. By the way, that’s in all the papers.”
“You bought ad space for this?”
“I absolutely did. So what do you say, Paige?”
She thought for a minute. “Since you put it that way, yes, we’ll get married in eight months.”
Matthew kissed her. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world.”
“I’m glad you feel that way.” They walked to the elevator.
“I do.” He pressed the button.
“So what do you think of an Ivy League theme wedding?” she asked,
“You can’t be serious?”
“We have to come up with a good theme for the wedding.”
The elevators doors opened and they stepped in.
“A theme for the wedding?” Matthew asked.
Paige kissed him. “You have no idea what you’ve gotten into, do you?”
“I think I’m going to find out soon.”
“Sooner than you think, my love, much sooner than you think.”
About the Author
A native New Yorker by way of Amityville, Long Island, Chamein Canton is a freelance writer, author, and managing partner of a small literary agency. A self-described wedding junkie, she worked as a professional wedding planner for more than ten years. She holds a degree in Business Management from Empire State College.