Kaitlyn couldn’t stop smiling. “Your dress, Aunty Kaity,” Gila said, and pointed at the garment bag. She nodded, and bent down to kiss the little girl.
“He loves you so much,” Ruth stated. Kaitlyn turned her attention to her future mother-in-law. She was beautiful, probably incredibly beautiful when she was younger. “I’m so sorry I doubted you were right for my son, at first. I couldn’t imagine him being with anyone else.” She turned to Sarah, and gave her a shy smile. “I had no idea how wonderful you and your family were.”
Sarah and Ruth had become close throughout all the wedding preparations, and Kaitlyn and Ruben were both thrilled.
“It’s forgotten,” Kaity said with a grin.
“Well, I knew as soon as I met you, you were the best thing to happen to my brother,” Debora said with a grin. She grabbed the bag, and unzipped it. Ruth, Debora, and Sarah were all in the boutique when she chose the dress, but they all three ooohhed and aaahed when Debora held it up.
“Pretty!” Gila said.
“It’s so heavy,” she said. “How are you going to carry it down the aisle? You’ve lost so much weight.”
“Too much,” Sarah agreed.
“It happens,” Ruth said. “She’ll put it back on when she gets pregnant.”
Kaitlyn’s face turned blood red. She wondered if everyone knew that she and Ruben had decided to try to get pregnant as soon as they were married.
“Let’s get you dressed.”
The dress hugged her body so closely that it was like a second skin. It was lace, tulle, and more lace, in a mermaid shape with a half-train. The back was just lace and pearl buttons, and it trailed up over her shoulders and covered her chest, above the tight bodice. Her hair was pulled up in a pretty side knot, because she didn’t want anything to detract from the detail of the dress.
Once she was dressed, Sarah helped her with the veil. “Are you nervous?” Sarah asked. Kaitlyn shook her head. She was a little nervous, if she was honest, until she heard Ruben’s voice. “You look gorgeous.”
“Refresh your lipstick,” Debora reminded her.
Her bouquet was a mix of white lilies and red roses. The ladies all wore red.
There was another knock on the door, and Everett Morgan entered the room. “Wow, you look gorgeous,” he said proudly when he saw his daughter. But his eyes quickly moved to find his wife, and he smiled at her. “You too, darling.”
“Thanks,” Kaitlyn and Sarah both said at the same time.
“It’s time,” he said. “Ruben’s so nervous he’s already pacing the floor.”
Levi Aronson appeared next, and escorted Sarah and Ruth to their seats. He’d given up his mistress when Ruth left him, and was trying his hardest to win her back.
“Are you ready?” her father asked, and she nodded.
“I’m really happy for you,” Mandy said, as she arranged Kaitlyn’s train. Kaitlyn was almost worried she wouldn’t be. But Mandy had thrown herself into the wedding, just like she’d thrown herself into her new job at Aronson and Cohn. Kaity suggested, and Ruben agreed, to give Mandy an entry-level job with the company, but Kaitlyn was really grooming her to be her and Ruben’s personal assistant. She’d even had a couple of dates with one of the accountants at the firm. She was blossoming, and Kaitlyn was so proud.
“Let’s do this,” Kaitlyn stated confidently, and her father led her to the huge double doors. Because of the religious differences, and their large guest list, they decided to have the wedding outdoors at the beautiful gardens of Maymont. The estate was the most amazing home she’d ever seen, with the nineteenth century house, the wood bridge over the waterfall, and the grotto. When they’d decided to not have a religious ceremony, she knew she didn’t want to be married anywhere else.
Ruben looked so handsome and suave in a white tux, and stood in front of a backdrop of multi-colored tulips. He looked nervous, until he saw her. Then his eyes grew wide, and his best man had to grab his arm to keep him from walking toward her. When she was finally at his side, and her father pulled back her veil, he took both her hands and kissed her cheek. As everybody ahhhed, Ruben whispered, “Can I keep you forever?”
Kaitlyn smiled brightly, and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. The judge, Levi’s friend, cleared her throat. Both bride and groom laughed loudly, then turned toward her and tried to get serious. They said the traditional wedding vows, and when they were finally man and wife, Ruben picked her up and kissed her deeply.
“I love you,” she giggled, as he spun her around.
“I love you, too,” he said, before sitting her gently down on the ground.
“May I now present Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Aronson,” the judge declared to the crowd. The newlyweds turned toward their guests, both with huge smiles on their faces, then walked down the aisle, and into the rest of their lives, together.
Turn the page
for a sneak peak of
Promise to Love!
Promise To Love
By Melissa Silvey
Chapter 1
Heather wrote in her notebook as she listened to her professor. Usually she paid more attention in the class, since English was her major. And she liked Professor Squid’s class. She glanced up from her notes momentarily. Her body always reacted when she took him in with her eyes; and it was always something different. This time she was hit with a slight tremble in her shoulders, as if the room suddenly became very cold. Sometimes her heart would stop for a second. Often her stomach would clench, and sometimes other, more uncomfortable and embarrassing muscles.
She glanced around just then to see if anyone noticed. There were approximately twenty-five other students in the room. If it was a test day, there would have been about twice that. Absolutely no one noticed her; and she liked it that way. But she wasn’t the only student who noticed Professor Squid. The girl two seats down from her stared wide eyes, lips parted.
This wasn’t the only class they had together, but it was the only class where the other girl wore low cut shirts and short skirts. It was eight thirty in the morning, and thirty degrees outside. Real subtle, chick, Heather thought as she rolled her eyes. She watched as the other girl wiped the drool from her chin. Classy.
Professor Squid was not only out of Heather’s league, and smarter than any man should be, he was also completely unavailable. He liked to share, over share to be precise, including adorable stories about how he preferred the ice at one restaurant near campus over another. Three weeks ago he told the class a funny story about his fitting for his tuxedo for his impending nuptials.
It hurt Heather physically to think that he would soon be married. She went back to her dorm and cried for an hour, until she had to go to her next class. She’d created an entire fantasy world where she would meet Professor Squid at some function after graduation, and he would ask her out, and they would get married and have twelve babies and live happily ever after.
She mentally tried to prepare her body as she turned back toward him, but that only made it worse. Those muscles between her legs clenched, and it sent tingles all over her body. He was just so damn perfect in a hipster sort of way, which Heather totally loved. He was tall, perhaps a little too much, and gangly. His arms and legs were both very long, but proportionate with his torso. He had a full beard, but he kept it trimmed so that his fabulous cheek bones were emphasized. His hair was too dark to be blonde, and had natural highlights. He wore too much hair gel, but it always swooped perfectly up and away from his forehead. And his eyes were the most beautiful shade of sea blue that she’d ever seen. Were they green? Were they blue? The world may never know for certain.
“Next week of course we’re off for Thanksgiving break, and I’ll be honeymooning in a warm climate. But when we return we’ll begin prepping for finals. Have a great break everyone. I know I will.” His words were emphasized by the most beautiful smile she’d ever seen. His teeth were not perfect; his side teeth slightly overlapped his front teeth. But they were bright white and his ea
sy smile always held a genuine happiness. She felt another hour-long crying session coming on.
She gathered up her things and shoved them in her bag. Why did she feel so bummed out? She knew she never really had a chance with him anyway. He was gorgeous, and older, and his life was perfect. He had a great job at a mid-level public university. He coached the men’s swim team. He was everything she wanted, everything she hoped…
“Ms. Taylor, may I have a moment of your time?” She froze when she realized he was talking to her. What would she say to him? How could she talk to him? She inhaled loudly and straightened her shoulders, and turned around to find him searching through papers on his desk.
She shivered slightly, even though she couldn’t see his face. He wore khakis with a checked shirt un-tucked, with a heavy navy sweater over it. He wore horn-rimmed glasses, and he’d taken them off and twirled them in one hand.
She held the hand rail as she took the four steps down. The last thing she wanted to do was fall flat on her face while he waited and watched. And whatever you do, whatever you say, don’t call him Professor Squid, she reminded herself as she approached his desk. He turned toward her, and she froze again. Her heart skipped a beat.
“Did I do something wrong, Professor Calamari?” She sighed inwardly, thankful she at least got his name right.
“Not at all,” he grinned, and she thought she might fall forward on her face for no other reason than that. “I’ve enjoyed your writing for the class, and I was wondering if you were interested in joining the newspaper staff.”
“I…” What could she say to that? Spend more time with him? She wasn’t sure her heart could handle it. “I um…” Think of something to say soon, she told herself. Words would not come out of her mouth, not that they were coming to her mind either.
“I’m taking over as the staff sponsor and editor while Dr. Miller is off on maternity leave.” Heather’s eyebrows rose, and she nodded although her lips became tighter. “I think you’d be a good fit, and an asset to the paper.”
“Hmm…” She forced out the non-committal response.
“We could also arrange a small scholarship to go along with the position.” When he said it the corners of his mouth tipped up, and his eyes crinkled slightly. They were even more striking without the glasses.
“How much of a scholarship?” Finally she found some words. Money was the deciding factor in everything she did; everything. She had been awarded grants because of her familial situation, but they barely covered her books. She had to take out student loans for the remainder of her tuition, and she’d taken a part-time job. Job wasn’t quite the word, she thought as her cheeks turned red. But she couldn’t think of that right now, not while talking to Professor Calamari.
“Five hundred per semester, if that’s acceptable. Since we’re so close to the end of this semester it wouldn’t begin until next term.” She watched his eyes travel over her face and take in her blush. “Don’t think of it as free money. Trust me you’ll earn it.”
Her face turned an even darker shade of red. “Oh, no, it’s not…” Salvage this conversation quickly, or he’ll change his mind, she demanded of herself. “Yes, I’d like that. Every little bit, right?”
“Exactly,” he said with a nod. “You’ll need to sign up for the class as well. We’ll meet Wednesday and Friday at four. I know it’s an odd time, but it was my only available slot.”
She nodded, but frowned. Friday, she thought. Friday was her most profitable day. She shook the idea out of her head. Hopefully she’d be finished in time.
“Good, I look forward to working with you,” he said gently, and extended his hand. She stared at it for several moments, unsure of what to do. Then she scoffed at her stupidity, rolled her eyes, and took his hand to shake it. “This will help me as much as it will you. The talent on the paper is somewhat lacking right now.” He quickly and lightly shook her hand, then withdrew swiftly.
She turned away quickly, unsure what to say. She hated being socially awkward. Not that she’d been in many situations where she needed to shake hands, or make small talk. That was only one point on the long list of the negatives of being raised poor by a single mom; not many positive interactions with men.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, she turned back toward him. He watched her with a bemused expression on his face. “Thanks,” she said sincerely. Heather could count a handful of times that she’d been recognized for her schoolwork, and they were all for her writing. She’d hoped to have an opportunity to write, but it was such a hard field to break in to she’d set that hope aside. Now she had reason to think perhaps the dream was still alive.
“You’re welcome,” he replied casually, but the look in his eyes said something more. Not that he was attracted to her, nothing like that. Of course he wouldn’t be, she thought as she exited the classroom. She glanced down at her white hooded sweatshirt with the college name printed in bold green letters. She wore skinny jeans with it and tennis shoes from her high-school days that were cheap and the soles were wearing thin in more than one place. She wore a long-sleeved shirt under her hoodie. She had decided that she’d spend the money she made that evening on a proper coat and a new pair of shoes.
She frowned as she thought of the night to come. She had about as much chance of getting with Brian Calamari as her two year old sister did. Heather shuddered violently; and not just from the cold.
She would do whatever it took to finish college, even what she did tonight. She would never allow herself to be in her mother’s position, living on government subsidies and having babies to get more. Heather had two younger brothers and two younger sisters before the baby came along. When her mother realized she’d be losing the welfare benefits for her oldest daughter she decided to have another. She resented everything about her upbringing. She hated her mother. She just wished…
She hurried back to her dorm. She only took morning classes on Fridays, because she needed so much time to prepare. She never rushed it. She had to not only change physically, but mentally as well. She stood in the shower and washed her long dark hair. She’d never met her father, but she had to assume she looked like him. She didn’t look like anyone from her mother’s family. She had an dark complexion, and dark hazel eyes to go with her dark brown hair. She had no idea what her father’s ethnicity was, and she refused to ask her mother. It didn’t matter to her anyway. She washed her tan skin and shaved away most of her body hair.
After showering she spent a long time brushing and drying her thick hair. Then she meticulously straightened it with a flat iron. She plucked her eyebrows, and made sure there were no other unwanted hairs. She’d watched internet videos for years to learn about make-up. Her mother was never going to teach her. This took her an hour usually. She used dark and light make-up to shape her face, creating higher cheekbones and bigger eyes. She changed herself so much that she doubted anyone in her classes would know her. Then she put on the lacy red bra, the g-string that matched it, and the thigh high hose that attached to the garter belt. She pulled on a skin tight red dress and heels to match.
She didn’t think of herself as unattractive without the make-up and clothes; but she knew she was plain. Men didn’t look at her twice; well not to ask her out anyway. And she needed men to look at her and see her, and want her. That was how she made her money after all. When she took a final glance at the mirror she smiled back at herself. After five hours preparation, she was no longer Heather. She was Violet.
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