I smiled and felt a glow of happiness overcome the nerves. “I have, haven’t I?”
At that Jules screamed and, I’ll admit it, so did I.
We were getting ready in a private hotel resort called Spring House on the island of Bequia in the Caribbean Grenadines. It was paradise, literally, with gorgeous crystal and sapphire blue waters, white sand beaches, lush green plants and brightly colored tropical flowers. The room we were in was luxurious and consisted of dark stained hardwood floors with four poster beds covered with soft lace white netting. Through glass French doors, a terrace looked out over the ocean and sublime gardens. The Norths had rented out the entire place.
“Okay, breathe!” Jules stood in front of me like a yoga instructor demonstrating the correct technique for inhaling and exhaling. “We have to finish your makeup.”
I sat back down calmly.
The door to the room burst open, and Jules and I almost leaped out of our skin.
“You don’t think he’d really be stupid enough to chance coming in, do you?” Suzanne rolled her eyes like we were idiots. “Oh my God, Julia, you don’t have her makeup ready!”
“Because she keeps squirming and freaking out!” she cried in her defense.
Suzanne came over behind me with the hairbrush and began to sweep my hair back. “Have you thought of how you wanted to wear it, Liv?”
“Up, with some pieces dangling. Romantic.”
“I’ve got a great clip. If you’d like it you can use it. I’ll go get it.” Like a shot, Suzanne was out the door headed back to her room.
“Please talk about something other than this day, I’m begging you,” I pleaded.
“Are you really scared?” Jules didn’t seem to believe that.
“No, I’m not scared at all, just freaked out! There’s a difference!” I explained.
“What do you want me to talk about?”
“School.”
“School’s okay …”
“That doesn’t sound so good,” I pried.
“My parents don’t know.”
“Oh my God, don’t know what!? Hurry up, she’ll be back any second!”
“I quit school.” Jules squeezed her eyes closed as if expecting an onslaught.
“Why?” I’d taken a sabbatical for a really good reason, but I couldn’t think of anything that would make Jules do that—she loved university studies.”
“My … job.”
“The legal papers processing gig?”
“Yeah, don’t knock it. I got offered extra hours if I wanted them and took them. I’m making a lot of money,” she said.
“Really? Processing legal stuff?” How much could she possibly be making? “Why would you need the money? It’s not like this is your career goal. I don’t get it.”
Before she could respond, her mom swept back into the room.
“Here it is. What do you think, Liv?” Suzanne held out a beautiful, vintage-style hairclip with pearls and sapphires. “I think it counts for the something borrowed and something blue.”
“It’s exquisite.”
“I see that look in your eyes, Olivia Morrisey, don’t you let your mascara run!” Jake’s mom playfully scolded.
She was right. My dad would be in jail for several more years and, of course, my mom had no idea about my life, but here was Suzanne, loving me like a mom. Every time she said my name I melted at the sound of it. Anytime she touched me or hugged me, every bit of longing came back so strongly, the longing to have a mother. And here, in one fell swoop, Jake was giving me himself along with an entire family … and a mother. She had invited me to call her mom, but I couldn’t; not yet. Suzanne was right on target. I had to let the sentiment go or Jules would be starting from scratch.
“Okay, I’m done.” Jules took a step back to inspect her masterpiece. “Mom, her hair looks fabulous!”
“Can I see now?” I asked.
“NO!” both of them shouted in unison.
“First you need to get into your dress.” Jules’ voice trailed off as we all turned our heads to the garment bag.
“May I?” Suzanne asked.
“I’d like that.”
When she heard my answer she squealed with delight and unzipped the bag. She loosed the fabric from its hiding place. Jules bit her lip and hopped over next to her mom to help her bring the dress over so that I could get into it.
I stepped in with my right leg first, then my left, and Jules and Suzanne shimmied the dress up over my hips and torso. Suzanne walked around behind me.
“It’s so beautiful, and it fits you so perfectly.” Jules’ eyes were full of emotion.
“Suck it in, whether you need to or not,” I heard from behind me.
I did.
Suzanne pulled up the zipper. “Like a glove.”
Now they were both standing in front of me.
“OH MY GOD, YOU LOOK SO PERFECT!!!” the two of them shrieked.
“I HAVE TO SEE!!!” I whined.
They each took an arm and led me to the full-length mirror.
Layers of elegant, white vintage lace over smooth satin silhouetted my curvy body. Beautiful and intricate beadwork was embroidered throughout the bodice and down over the hips. The Vera Wang gown dipped down in the back and was decorated with tiny satin buttons down to the train. I knew the dress had cost a fortune. It was one of the lavish wedding gifts from Suzanne and Colt.
I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t speak.
“You’re positively glowing, Olivia,” Suzane crooned.
“Of course she is, mom. The sweetheart shaped neckline and bodice makes her boobs look amazing!” Jules exclaimed, and the three of us laughed.
Jules and her mom got into their strapless white satin babydoll bridesmaid dresses. Jules was maid of honor, while Suzanne was the mother of the groom and one of my bridesmaids. They both wore their hair down with dangling chandelier earrings.
“Are you ready for the others in the party yet?” Jules asked.
Jake and I had chosen to have an intimate wedding. Serving as my bridesmaids were, of course, Jules and Suzanne and three of my closest girlfriends from back home. I was so nervous, though, I couldn’t have everyone hanging around watching me. Jake chose Nate as his best man, and Caleb, Josh, Sam and Will as his attendants. He invited a few of his close friends too.
Suzanne looked down at my bare feet, “No shoes …” she said, a little bit melancholy.
“There are only so many choices when you’re going to a wedding on the beach,” Jules reminded her then checked the wall clock. “It’s getting close. I’m going to see what’s going on in the boys’ camp.” Out the door she went.
Suzanne pulled a long, black velvet box from her bag and waved it delicately at me. “Something old. These were my great grandmother’s pearls. I wanted my daughter and each of my daughters-in-law to wear them for their weddings, if they liked them of course. But I believe they carry with them very good fortune. I wore them. My mother wore them and was married to my dad for sixty years, as did my grandmother and great-grandmother … all of them had wildly successful and long marriages.” She opened the box. The pearls were gorgeous with a lovely, old fashioned silver clasp.
“I love them, and I’d be honored,” I agreed.
“Excellent! Turn around and I’ll fasten them.”
I stood in front of the mirror again and Suzanne set the pearls across my throat. “Exquisite.”
“Yes you are, little sister,” I heard from behind me.
“Nate, you were supposed to knock!” Suzanne scolded.
“I know. Sorry, Mrs. N.” Nate couldn’t look away from me, and I felt such a surge of love for my brother.
“I’ll give the two of you a few minutes.” She gave Nate a peck on the cheek and left us alone.
“I have the something new,” Nate announced, looking so proud of himself as he produced a small box wrapped in gleaming silver paper with a white bow.
I carefully pulled the paper up from the adhesive. I wante
d to keep it—call me sentimental.
I gasped. On the little blue box were the words Tiffany and Co. “What did you do?!”
“Just open it. Jules helped me choose them, but it was all my idea.” Of course he made sure I knew.
Damn that mascara thing—no such thing as waterproof for me—one bit of mist and I’m a goner.
“Nathaniel!” I exclaimed. They were the most lavish, gorgeous earrings I’d ever beheld. Each stud was a single diamond and a two inch strand of diamonds hung down from it. A diamond and platinum setting dangled at the end.
“They’re called Lucida diamonds,” he explained. “It’s a special cut. Put them on.”
“Help me, my hands are shaking.”
He smiled, and helped me with them one at a time.
“You’re the most beautiful bride in the world,” Nate said. In that one moment my big brother looked thrilled, yet sad and thoughtful.
I hugged him.
“Stop,” he protested. “You’re going to wrinkle your dress!”
“I don’t care. I love you, Nate.” I squeezed tighter.
“I love you too, Livie.” The tone of his voice was so heartfelt, but he kept his arms suspended away from me.
“Why aren’t you hugging me?” I asked.
“I’m afraid to touch you. I’m sure I’m dirty somewhere.”
I pulled back and laid a sisterly kiss on his cheek. “Don’t forget your job.”
“I get to give you away—which I’m totally stoked about by the way …”
I slapped his arm.
“And I’m best man to the groom,” he said with pride.
“I love them, Nate. Thank you for my gift.”
“Good. Alright, then I’m getting out of the estrogen room.” He winked, turned on his heel and slipped out the door.
A minute after he bolted, Jules took his place.
“He’s going to kill me he looks so good,” she whined, “with that white tuxedo under his raven black, sexy-messy hair and come-get-me green eyes. Is it wrong to want to have his babies?”
It had been six months since Jake and I had taken off on our adventure and I was sorry to hear that my brother still hadn’t made a move. And in an even stranger turn of events had sworn off dating a few months back.
“Did he say anything to you?” I asked.
“Yeah, yeah, he said I was beautiful, blah, blah.” She shrugged it off. “Mr. All-Talk-and-No-Action. What I wouldn’t give for him to come alive and notice me like the guys in”—her voice cut out for a sec—“romance novels do.”
“You’ve been reading too many Natalia Morris novels, haven’t you?” I giggled.
“Probably.” She smiled. “But you got your prince.”
I didn’t want to succumb to the thought that maybe Nate wasn’t really her prince. “Have you dated anyone?”
“A few months ago I went out for coffee with this guy Ryan who’s new on Caleb and Nate’s work team.”
“How did it go?”
She gave me a sour look. “Well he wasn’t Nate, that’s for sure. Okay enough of this talk, because in less than an hour you are going to be my actual sister forever!”
At this we both screamed.
Chapter 24
“With Your Love”
Jake North
I heard the sound of “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz and I knew it was our time to walk.
Nate squeezed my arm a little to get my attention and smiled down at me. “Ready, kid sister?”
I smiled back and nodded, then checked the position of my long stem bouquet of red roses and baby’s breath.
Slowly but surely we came out from behind the decorated partition and towards the center aisle.
I could barely breathe. I wanted to see Jake so badly, but it was as if I was up so high I was afraid to look down. The sand was soft and warm on my feet. I glimpsed the area again. It had been set up last night during the rehearsal. Gorgeous white fabric-covered chairs were set on both sides of the aisle and bordered by red roses.
Look down, Livie, you made it this far, you deserve it, Jake had said when we were rock wall climbing. It gave me the courage to find him now.
He stood about fifty feet away from me under an arbor of twisted vines and flowers. He wore a white Armani tuxedo with white satin trim … and the smile! A smile that was all for me as he watched my approach. Once our eyes connected, everyone else disappeared around me. There was nothing and no one but Jake and me. Neither of us could tear our eyes away from the other, and I smiled so huge I could feel the sweet ache of my jaw as Jake reached out to take me from Nate.
I heard the marriage officiant say, “Who gives this woman away?”
Nate answered, “I do.”
The M.O. continued speaking, but I was lost in Jake’s eyes and the look of love he held there for me. I took him all in: the wave of his hair that had grown out to mid-neck length, the curve of his broad shoulders, his freshly shaven face and jawline and the slight move of the muscles there as he breathed and smiled.
He mouthed the words, You’re beautiful. Heat rose into my face.
“Our couple has decided to prepare their own vows,” our officiant announced.
Jake and I had decided to keep them a surprise from each other, and I was more than glad he got to go first.
“I, Jacob Ethan North, vow to you, Olivia Josephine Morrisey, that I will now and for all my life give you one hundred percent of myself; that I will be there for you everlastingly, in happiness and sorrow, in health and in illness, in our joys and our trials. I promise to be the constant source of satisfaction for your every need, want and desire. I swear you will be able to lean and rely on me in any and all situations. I will be more faithful than the North Star. I will never wander from you or stray or look in any other direction for my own peace, clarity or satisfaction because you are all things to me and so much more. And when we get to be middle-aged and struggle to stay trim around our middles I will still look upon you as the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. And someday when we’re silver-haired and frail, I will still be holding your hand, because our love is made up of strength, commitment and honor. I give myself wholly to you as you have given yourself wholly to me. You are my sun, Olivia, and I revolve around you. I could never live apart from you.”
I took a long, deep pull of air through my nose while I pressed my lips together hard as my eyes welled with tears.
“Oh, Jake.” The tears spilled, and he reached out and tenderly stroked them away with his thumb.
He mouthed, I love you. Then he turned and nodded towards Sam who immediately strapped on his guitar.
“I wrote a song for you,” Jake admitted.
“You did?” I smiled and a twinkle of laughter escaped me.
“I wrote all the words and Sam helped me with the melody. I titled it, ‘With Your Love.’”
I couldn’t believe how much he loved me. There was no controlling my tears. I nodded, hitched in a quivering breath and sniffed too loudly. Jules reached over and handed me a cloth handkerchief.
Sam played a moving acoustic introduction and Jake began to sing:
A dark hole
A painful lie
Trying to crawl out
But couldn’t see the light
I grabbed onto the dirt
That crumbled in my hands
Could not climb from that grave
Until I felt your hand
Soft and warm
Alive and real
With your love
You make me feel
Soft and warm
Alive and real
With your love
You make me healed
I loved you once so deeply
But let myself turn cold
I couldn’t share the pain
That tried to steal my soul
So I ran and hid
Can’t hurt when you’re numb
Then I saw your eyes
And they felt just like the sun
Alive and real
With your love
You make me feel
Soft and warm
Alive and real
With your love
You make me healed
Bringing me to life
You’ve taken out the knife
Only you have made me whole
As the other half of my soul
Soft and warm
Alive and real
With your love
You make me feel
Soft and warm
Alive and real
With your love
You make me healed
You could have heard a pin drop.
I had to touch him. I stepped forward, wrapped my arms around his shoulders and let my cheek rest over his.
“I’ve never heard anything so beautiful,” I whispered. “It’s my favorite song.”
He leaned into me until I felt his warm breath, and I remembered our first kiss. “I meant every word.”
Our guests applauded. We smiled and, after a few moments, pulled back.
The M.O. gave me a cue and I knew it was my turn.
“I, Olivia Josephine Morrisey, take you, Jacob Ethan North, to be my forever. I promise together with you to climb mountains, take on rough and calm waters, ride every rollercoaster and embark on any and every adventure or journey our life presents to us as a gift or throws at us in adversity. You are the greatest treasure of my life, and you have given purpose and meaning to my existence and have become the other half of my soul. I vow to cherish you, to be forever faithful, and to prove to you and the world that our love is true; eternal and ceaseless. I will love you in this life and the next and will paint for you anything your heart desires in the collage that will make up our lives. I have learned through your love and friendship that trust, honor and true love are all very real. You’ve shown me the good and the light in the world even as we traveled through shadows. I entrust all of me to you, as we share this gift of our lives together—my body, my soul and my mind—I give all of myself to you now.”
Jake closed his eyes as tears slid down his face.
True North Page 20
