Darlene squatted next to her, regarded her seriously. “Second thoughts? Or the normal night-before-the-wedding jitters?”
It took only a moment to focus on the florist. “I love Mark. But I’m not in love with his family.”
She sat back on her heels. “Yes, Ari described your dragon. I’m here to help smooth things over.”
Katie and Joey snorted in unison and when Jessie and Darlene stared at them, they both shrugged. Katie said, “Sorry, but Claudia Taylor cannot be smoothed. However, Joey and I will do our best to shield you from most of her fire.”
Darlene stood, placed a hand on her shoulder. “Your friends have your back. I’ll let you know when everyone is here. Until then, relax. I’ve done this many times.”
The door shut with a soft snap and Joey snickered. “She doesn’t know the Taylors.”
“Be fair, Mark’s Dad isn’t bad,” Katie added.
Joey’s eyebrows rose to her forehead. “And you’ve been around him all of once?”
“Okay, so I don’t know him. But he hasn’t been meddling like Mama Taylor,” Katie conceded.
“Whoa, Mrs. Taylor is in no way Mama Taylor. She’s either Madame Claudia or Mrs. Taylor and never should we slander her by calling her Mother or Mama.” Jessie’s legs were finally able to support her.
Jessie went to Bella and again fingered the edge of her lace. “She’s so beautiful. I really want to wear her.”
Silence greeted her statement and she swung around to face her friends. “What?”
“Are you thinking of calling off the wedding?” Joey asked.
“Heavens no, I want to marry Mark more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. It’s just that whenever I think about getting married, I imagine it as a happy occasion, for both sides of our families.”
Katie patted her on the shoulder. “As every girl, you assumed the groom’s family would welcome you with open arms. There’s nothing wrong with that expectation.”
Joey flanked her, placing an arm across her shoulders. “Is it just his mother? Or are the rest of Mark’s family unfriendly?”
The three of them stood staring at Bella. Her beads seemed to shimmer with knowing. Sometimes it was almost freaky the way the gown seemed alive.
“Did you see that?” Katie pointed with her free hand.
Joey sniffed, “Trick of the light.”
Reluctantly Katie agreed. Jessie had begun to believe in the dress though. “To answer your question, Mark’s sister and her daughter like me. I’m not sure about his father though.”
“I guess we’ll find out tonight. What can we help you with?” Joey wanted to know.
“I need help putting things away for in the morning. I don’t want to have to think or do anything.”
Katie let her hand drop from Jessie’s shoulder and retrieved one of the bags. “Good idea.”
A brief knock heralded Darlene’s entrance. “Hey guys the groom’s here.”
The groom? Did that mean what she thought? It was time to find out.
The Atrium blossomed in a riot of blooms, surrounding tables. The room set a beautiful preview of the coming day.
“You like?” Darlene stood at her side.
“Very much, thank you.” Jessie stifled back the sniff. No water works. Save that for her wedding day.
Where was Mark? Then she saw him at the center table of honor. His sister sat on his right and on his left Sarah. There was no sign of his parents, not good at all.
Then what had she expected?
Darlene touched her shoulder, “Your mother will be at the table in a moment.” She turned to Joey and Katie, “You two will be at the table next to the bride and groom.”
Taking the place next to Mark, she grinned at Sarah who must have ants in her pants for all the bouncing she was doing. Carmon gave her a cool smile, oh dear, she was still upset about the adventure. At least she made an appearance of support for her brother.
It would take time for Mark’s sister to trust her new soon-to-be sister-in-law again. She got that. Jessie would make sure she had no reason not to in the future.
“Mark?” She waited for his attention to turn to her. “Where are your parents?”
A frown marred his brow for a spit second, she almost hadn’t caught it. “Mother had one of her headaches and insisted Father stay with her.”
For tonight, she didn’t mind. In fact, it may be quite pleasant without the drama. “Tomorrow?”
He sighed rubbed a hand over his eyes. “I don’t know, princess. I love you though, that’s all the matters.”
Was it? What type of life would they have if his own parents couldn’t even support their union? She’d worry tomorrow.
*****
“That was a lovely dinner last evening.” Her mother stood behind her at the dressing table. Sun glinted through the slats of the blinds.
Bella’s beads glimmered. The lace shimmered. Faint whispered words slathered over the room in a mantra. “You deserve to have your day”. Over and over, what was Bella trying to tell her?
“Hija, what is wrong?” Her mother’s hand paused, the brush in mid-air. “You’ve been quiet all morning.”
“Mama, are Mark’s parents here?”
“I’ll go check.” Dropping the brush on the table, her mother hurried from the room.
Now that she was alone, it gave her too much time to think. Her gaze traveled to her gown. Beautiful, the perfect dress for Mark’s princess. Why did it feel like she wasn’t meant to wear Bella?
“I demand that you stop this travesty of a wedding. That girl is irresponsible and I do not want her in the family.” The heated words were loud enough to carry through the thin wood of the door.
That answered one question. Mark’s mother had arrived. Who was she speaking too?
“Mother, lower your voice. I told you last night you couldn’t stop the wedding.”
“Oh, yes I will. You know the part where the priest asks if anyone objects…” More conversation, but Mark must have moved his mother down the hall.
The door cracked and her mother stealthily squeezed through the opening. “I had to wait until the coast was clear. That witch, is damn scary. I’m sorry you had to hear.” Her mother wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Mark is a good boy he’ll calm his Mama down.”
The time had come to make a decision. Resolve calmed her. The message Bella was trying to convey finally sunk in. “Mama will you please tell Mark I’d like to see him before the wedding.”
“But Hija, it’s bad luck for you to see the groom.” Her mother hadn’t budged a step.
“Please?”
“What do you have planned?” Her mother squinted down at her.
“I would like to talk to my future husband.”
She stared at Jessie for a while longer before she huffed a sigh and spun on her heal.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. “Jessie?”
“Come in Mark.”
He tentatively opened the door, as if this were some kind of gag. When he saw her sitting in front of the makeup mirror, he closed the door behind him and came to her.
He squatted next to her and gently ran a finger to wipe a tear. “What’s wrong princess?”
“I can’t do this.” Panic raced across his face, guilt hit her in the gut. “Sorry, that didn’t come out right.”
“Do you love me?”
“Yes. I want to marry you Mark. More than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life. But not with your mother down the hall threatening to stop the wedding.”
Jessie’s mother’s voice could be heard, the words not definable but clearly angry. Then a heated response came from Mark’s mother.
Mark glanced over his shoulder as if he could see through the door. “Or with the arguments flying. Princess, if we postpone it, how do we know things will be different the next time?”
“We don’t.” Jessie swallowed down the acid that had taken permanent residence in her stomach. “How are we going to have a
life together if our Mother’s can’t even be in the same room together at the wedding?”
Mark placed his hands on her shoulders, the zing of electricity ripped over her. “I can’t promise they’ll ever get along, but Jessie Perez, what I can promise is to hold your hand and we will face our families together. We can only take one day at a time. I pray my mother will grow to love you as much as I do. Will you do this with me?”
He gave her a squeeze she drew strength from his. She sniffed back a tear and smiled at him. “Yes. But do you think we can start our lives together without our Mothers’ drama?”
His hands dropped, his brow furrowed, “What do you mean?”
“Do you want a big wedding?” She answered with another question.
“Jess, I love you. If you’re asking me if I need to have all the trappings of a traditional wedding the answer is, no. What do I want? You as my wife. I want to grow old with you. I want to watch our children and grandchildren play soccer in Central Park on Saturdays. I don’t care if we get married by a Justice of the Peace or a Tribal Shaman as long as we tie the knot. Princess, what do you want?”
“I don’t want to go through with a big wedding.”
He bounced on the balls of his feet, considering. She wasn’t sure what.
“We have the license. Where’s the most famous place people go to elope?” He grinned at her. “Come on, Princess, the answer is easy.”
“Niagara Falls?”
“That’s my girl. Want to?”
Her arms few around him and then she gave him a resounding smack of a kiss. He tightened the embrace deepening the kiss. Static electricity raced through her veins.
The man could kiss.
Setting her from him, he stood, as if he couldn’t trust himself to keep his hands off her. “Now all we have to do is figure out how to sneak out of here.”
Standing, she went to the window. “I hear fire escapes are so easy a six year old can climb down them.”
Laughing, Mark joined her. Unlatched the window and pushed up the glass, took a step away. “Royalty first.”
Dear Diary:
Abandoned again
I watched the couple disappear out the window. Once more, my fate hung in the balance of the unhappy parents left behind.
Will I be sold on eBay again?
It shouldn’t be long before Carla or someone discovers the missing bride and groom. Then I will know what will happen to me.
I tried to suppress my dread, but my Alencon lace still shivered in anticipation. I couldn’t have been happier for Jessie. I know she and Mark made the right decision. They’re going to be happy together.
I heard Carla’s voice seconds before the door swung open.
“Hija?” Glancing around and not seeing her daughter, she checked the connecting bathroom. When she returned to the main area, her face was a study of bewilderment.
Katie and Joey followed a few moments after. Both stopped when they saw only Carla. Katie looked around the door as if Jessie may be hiding there.
“Where’s Jess?” Joey asked.
“I was hoping one of you could tell me. She’s not here.” Carla walked around me to the window.
That was when I knew she understood what happened. She straitened and turned to face the two friends. “Looks like Jessie is teaching Mark to take the easy way out.”
“What?” In chorus was her answer.
“Where is Mark?” Mark’s mother stood in the doorway.
Carla scowled. I thought how downright scary she could be sometimes. My ribbons rippled in fright.
“You scared the two away,” Carla accused.
Mrs. Taylor bustled in and swept around the room.
“I don’t understand. Where did they go?” I could detect a smidgen of glee in her voice that the wedding wouldn’t take place.
I don’t think she’d grasped the fact the wedding wasn’t off. It had just changed locations.
Carla indicated the window. “Jessie and Mark must have escaped out this way.”
“What?” I swear I heard dogs howl in response from that screech.
Mrs. Taylor rushed to the window, stuck her head out. It looked like she paused a moment as if she considered following, but then thought better of it. Raising her head before she was clear of the frame, I heard a resounding thunk that ruffled my lace.
“Damn it.” Rubbing her head, she cleared and swiveled to stare at other occupants. “At least they’ve come to their senses. This wedding was a farce.”
“What’s a farce, Grandmother?”
I hadn’t noticed little Sarah join the group. The little girl went to her grandmother, tilted her head. “Aren’t Missy and I going to spread the rose petals?”
“I’m sorry, you’re disappointed. But soon Mark will find a woman who will be more responsible and then you can spread your petals.” She grasped her granddaughters hand and led her toward the door.
“You don’t get it do you, Claudia?” I’d never heard Carla use the woman’s first name.
As if they were equals.
“Excuse me?” Clearly the woman didn’t like the familiarity.
Carla got in her face.
I was enjoying this. The two lovebirds were on their way to happiness. Did Carla know she was giving them time?
I knew if Mrs. Dragon Lady had an inkling of where they were headed she’d find them and stop them. It didn’t matter they were in love. What mattered was, in the Taylor’s opinion, Jessie Perez was from the wrong side of the zipper’s foot and that would never do for her son.
“The kids haven’t called off the wedding you idiot.” The gathers on my bodice tightened as I waited for Carla to drop the other shoe. “They’re eloping.”
“What?” There goes the dog screech again.
Mrs. Taylor didn’t wait for a confirmation. She yanked her young granddaughter behind her. “Let’s go find your mother. Then I’ll tell Damon, he’ll put a stop to this nonsense.”
Silence ruffled my chapel train. Then Katie burst into laughter, Joey and Carla joining her. I wasn’t really sure what was so funny.
Sometimes people humor escaped me.
“I’m sorry I guess I shouldn’t laugh.” Katie wiped at her face with her arm. “You don’t think she can stop them, do you?”
Carla shrugged. “I have no idea where they’ve gone. I’m sure she doesn’t either.”
She sighed and started to pick up the items Jessie had left around the bride room. Joey and Katie silently helped. I could tell all three may be disappointed about missing the wedding, however they knew Mark and Jessie had made the right decision.
I wondered if now I’d finally find out my fate?
A few minutes later, with everything in Jessie’s bag except me, the three women left. I was still snug as a glove on the dress mannequin.
I heard voices in the hall and almost felt the disenchantment that everything had been canceled. After a while, everything grew silent.
Shadows snuck across the room. Then the moon-light filtered through the blinds and I realized I’d been forgotten.
Now what?
The sun soon chased the shadows away. Sounds of the awakening day finally trickled to me. The door cracked open, I could see a slim hand. My bolero tightened around me as if protecting me from what was to come.
“Clean the room out Ari. I don’t want anything left in there. We have another wedding tomorrow and the rehearsal dinner tonight. The bride should be here soon.” A gruff voice instructed.
Ari must be the person entering. Now I could see her golden hair that hung over a shoulder glinting in the morning sun. The side of her face, turned to whoever was in the hall, was smooth and flawless. I could tell her height was about my size.
Then the door swung wide and she faced the room.
Zing.
Every bead on my bodice shouted with joy.
Ari was my soul mate.
She knew it too. Her eyes widened when she saw me. Her soft gasp rippled over my lace.
<
br /> Suddenly, it became clear to me. I was meant to help Cecelia, and then Jessie, find their way. I was the catalyst in their dramas.
Now it was my turn.
Ari leaned toward me, placed a finger on the edge of my bolero. A skyrocket shot through both of us.
I knew this because she jumped back and looked at her finger as if it had been singed.
Chapter Sixteen
Zing.
The shock traveled from the tip of her finger to her heart. Ari knew designs. After all, wasn’t she studying to be a designer? Heidi had created this beauty. It was magical.
Skirting the chapel train, she carefully checked the tag. Oh yes, she’d been right. There it was, in bold embroidered letters. Heidi By Design and underneath, Bella. This was one of Heidi’s famous girls.
Ari sighed. If only she could take this splendor home. She could place the gown in her room. Use it for inspiration for her own designs. Someday she planned to be as famous, or more so, than Heidi. She planned to discuss an apprenticeship with Classic Manhattan. Designing dresses for girls who couldn’t afford a designer gown, but wanted an opportunity to have one. Okay, so she wasn’t famous, but she had to start somewhere.
Now all she had to do was convince Gertrude Schneider.
Gulping air, she regarded Bella. As much as she wanted to keep Bella to herself, she had better advise her boss of what treasure was left.
The rest of the room was clean. It was as if the family had left the dress deliberately.
She remembered the young couple from the day they’d come in to pick out their flowers. With that dragon of a mother-in-law, she’d have done the same thing. Eloped.
She’d bet her last dollar on the fact Jessie was now Mrs. Mark Taylor. How romantic. Gertrude had said they’d left via the fire escape. A giggle slipped between her lips. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bella’s beads glimmer. She could have sworn she heard a soft chuckle along with hers.
There had been stories about Heidi’s famous girls being magic when their soul mate found them.
She stared at the dress, then said, “I don’t care what Heidi says about magic and her girls. It’s not for me. I am so not in the marriage market. Don’t get any ideas.”
Three Weddings and a Dress Page 15
