by Christina OW
“Come away from there, Loraine.” Gil took her by the shoulders and pulled her away, leading her to her dressing table.
“But I want to see what’s going on!” she whined.
“You’ll see it in two hours when you walk down the aisle, now let me finish doing your hair.” He combed his fingers through her hair and smiled at her in the mirror. “Jake told me the person we met in Nassau wasn’t the real you. I didn’t understand then, but I do now. Never lose yourself Loraine, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you for doing this Gil, and for the dress. It’s perfect.”
“No, perfect was his proposal,” he signed dreamily. “Tell me again what he said?”
Loraine laughed. “No way. You think my proposal was dreamy, ask Riana how Allan popped the question.”
Gil squealed like a girl turning around to face Riana who had her legs stretched out on the couch, her back supported with pillows watching him with raised eyebrows and a faint smile on her lips. Loraine laughed at her wondrous gaze—some gay guys acted more girly than girls.
“Come on Riana, spill!” he prompted with another squeal.
Riana chuckled shaking her head. “Fine just finish up her hair. We don’t have much time left before the ceremony starts and the last thing we want is for Reno to come up here because we are late.”
Loraine nodded. Reno was never late for anything so he expects everyone to be on time as well, something that was ingrained in him when he started working at age fourteen. But what would he do if she was late for her own wedding?
“What would he do?”
Riana snorted shifting her back on the pillows before she settled with a relieved sigh. Loraine could see the discomfort she was in and yet, she couldn’t wait to be that big with Reno’s baby inside her. Another child, this one from her own body would be the icing on their happy life cake.
“He’d carry you down there in your nightgown, then after the ceremony he’d bring you back here to get finished dressing—”
“Only he’ll be helping me out of the little I have on, then an hour later, he’ll help me completely dress up,” Loraine nibbled on her lower lip, her lower belly already burning with desire from the prospects. It had been too long since she had him inside her.
Gil rolled his eyes and huffed. “Okay, could we please go back to the fairytale proposal?”
“Fine,” Riana began with a dreamy smile on her face. “He re-enacted one of my favorite memories of us together. During our trip three years ago, in Venice, he took me on a gondola ride. He gave me red roses and the gondolier sang to us in a beautiful tenor voice. Then Allan began to sing with him, but from Allan it was more like a whisper of promises to my heart in a language I didn’t understand as he held me tight in his arms. It was so beautiful and romantic that I cried. I fell even more in love with him that day.”
Gil sighed dreamily dabbing nonexistent tears from his eyes. “That’s so beautiful.”
Loraine couldn’t deny the story was romantic but Gil was too over the top!
“So, how did the proposal go?” he asked jumping up and down.
Riana laughed. “Okay, okay! We took the same gondola ride with the same gondolier. He gave me red roses and the gondolier sang the same song and Allan sang with him again. But this time, it rained red, white and pink rose petals every time we passed under a bridge. At the last bridge a black velvet box fell into my lap. It hadn’t clicked immediately what it was until I picked it up and opened it.” She stared with reverie at the rock on her left hand, tears in her eyes and a wide smile on her face. Then she looked up and held her hand up to us. Gil rushed to sit beside her taking her hand in his. He oohed and aahed at the ring holding it close to his face.
“I was so shocked. All I could do was stare at it. Then Allan whispered, ‘Now, I’m proposing but I won’t be taking ‘no’ for an answer. I don’t want to live without you because the years that I did, it was pure hell. I want you in my life, in my world, tied to me in every humanly way possible because I love you with all of me and as much as that frightens me that I’ve found my soul mate, I would rather have your love than live without it’. Then he slipped the ring on my finger.”
Loraine blinked her tears away, though she had to keep from laughing watching Gil openly cry. Sniffing he said, “That’s a proposal for the movies.”
Riana wiped her own tears away, “It’s not over yet. He cradled my face gently in his hands lowering his face so close to mine I could feel his lips move against mine when he whispered, ‘This is where you say yes’. Instead, I told him I was pregnant and I was hoping for a son. It was his turn to be shocked. He just sat there looking at me for so long that I got scared he’d gone into shock. Then out of the blue he started to cheer and laugh. He fell into the river. I was so shocked I started laughing too. He started yelling something in Italian as he swam, then people started to yell something back to him, throwing more roses into the gondola. I asked our gondolier what they were saying and he told me Allan was yelling he was going to have a son and they yelled congratulations back to him and to me. A week later we were married at my favorite restaurant in Rome. It was wonderful.”
Gil fanned his eyes with his fingers. “Ow, why didn’t Jake propose to me like that? That was so beautiful!”
Riana nodded pushing him off the couch. “Now go back and finish getting Loraine dressed before my brother comes in here.”
He sighed. “Okay, time to create another fairytale. I’m going to make you look like an angel, Loraine. Reno won’t know what hit him, just wait and see.”
An hour later, Gil had done just that. Loraine stood in front of the full length mirror, completely dressed and tongue-tied. The gown was an umpire waist flowing chiffon gown with a sweetheart cut. She wore no jewelry except for the string of beads that hung over her forehead and disappeared into her hair, braided from both sides of her head and meeting at the bottom of her neck with just wisps of it hanging over her ears. She couldn’t remember the last time she wore so little make up. Usually, when she did wear makeup, it was in different shades of bold colors, but the natural look made her look almost virginal. But there was something missing.
“What about shoes?” she whispered, like she was afraid if she spoke louder she would raptor the dream because all this just had to be a dream.
Amy, Melody, Riana and Gil stepped into view of the mirror. They were all in lavender and white gowns. Gil had a lavender shirt and white pants. They were also with no jewelry and very light makeup. Gil was very specific on the ladies look—angelic.
Gil shook his head. “No shoes, even the groom and his groomsmen aren’t wearing shoes either. I want this day to be—”
“Angelic,” they said in unison with a laugh.
There was a knock on the door before it opened revealing her father. “Father of the bride coming in. I hope everyone is decent.”
“Come on in, Daddy,” she said turning to face him. She stood there, anxious for his reaction. He didn’t disappoint.
He stood there staring at her in reverie, his eyes filling with tears. “Rain, you’re so beautiful,” he whispered hoarsely.
Loraine smiled, batting back tears. “You called me that last night too, why?”
Her father approached her slowly stopping a foot in front of her. “Because that’s what your mother named you before my mother…before I changed it to Loraine. You came into this world screaming and crying your lungs out, as if you were disgusted about being born in the middle of a thunder storm. But the moment they placed you in your mother’s arms you quietened down and so did the storm. Your mother saw that as a sign from the universe and decided to name you Rain.”
Loraine laughed. “Yeah that does sound like mom—the old mom. I’m a little glad grandma interfered, going by Rain in high school would have been torture.” She shook her head.
Her father ran his hands up and down her arms. “I’m not so sure I want to give you up to another man just yet. You used to wear beads in your hair when you
were little and chase after butterflies all day long bare foot. Your mother would have to distract you with yoga or something just so you would take a break.”
Loraine smiled up at him, loving how soft his face got, unlike his constant hard expressions. It was a wonderful change.
She went up to her toes and kissed his cheek. “Daddy, you’d have to wrestle Reno to postpone this wedding.” Then she looked down at his bare feet and laughed. “Gil got to you, too?”
He rolled his eyes. “Jake asked for a favor and we all complied.” He leaned closer and whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me he was gay? I wouldn’t have pushed for you two to be together.”
Loraine patted his arm. “Consider it a lesson learned.”
“To never try to force you into anything as much as I think I know what’s best for you?”
“That’s it, Dad. Where is Mom, why wasn’t she here to help me dress?”
He kissed her temple. “Don’t take it personally. She spent most of the morning meditating, trying to find the woman I made her forget.”
Loraine felt guilty. “Daddy…”
He shook his head. “You were right and I’m glad you got us to this turning point. Anyway, she’s said she was going to spend time with your husband-to-be and she wants to see you walk down the aisle, kind of like a rebirth or something. I didn’t understand her much the day I roped her into marrying me and I still don’t understand her now.”
“But you never questioned her then either?”
He shook his head, grinning down at her. “Loving her was enough and I’m going back to doing that, because the sex is way better. I haven’t had my world rocked like that in twenty years—”
Loraine quickly covered her ears. “Wow, Dad! TMI! Too much information! I can’t have that in my head!”
“Too late,” Melody snickered making the others laugh.
Loraine glared at her bridal party. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
The others preceded her and her father out of the room and down to the living room. The ceiling to floor windows was actually sliding doors and they were open, leading into the tent. There were few guests, most of them from the resort. Up front, Reno stood with Allan, Matthew and Ruiz also dressed in white pants and shirt, and of course, barefoot. It did make sense considering it was a beach wedding and shoes in the sand was obtuse. Gil stood at the steps with Tyler, Mark and Aurora all dressed in white, Aurora was in a ballerina dress, with flowers in her curly hair. Gil had really gone out of his way to plan a fairytale wedding.
Riana held a bouquet of white roses to her. “Ready to become my sister-in-law?”
Loraine nodded, tightening her grip on her father’s arm. “I’m more than ready.”
Looking at Reno as she walked down the aisle, watching his lips break into a huge grin as his eyes glistened with tears. She smiled back at him, with tears in her own eyes, her heart beating a tattoo in her chest as she got closer to him. Loraine knew the steps she was taking, her walk down the aisle, was the beginning of her happily ever after. She was finally getting what she’s always dreamed of.
Chapter Twelve
Reno watched as Loraine danced with her father. It was the happiest he had ever seen her. As she laughed and danced barefoot in the resort’s ballroom where their reception was held, she looked so free and light, the burden that had brought her to his front door completely lifted from her.
God she was a beauty, his beautiful wife. Reno looked down at his left hand, his thumb playing with the platinum ring on his third finger. He never thought he would willingly wear the figurative ball and chain again, especially after his encounter with Georgia.
But Lori was nothing like Georgia, he thought fondly to himself. Loraine was kind, loving, thoughtful, wonderful…and his. Loraine Larson Albury is all mine and mine alone. When a song with a fast tempo began, he watched as Tyler ran up to her, grabbing her hand and dancing by her side. He smiled at the two of them, admitting to himself that Loraine wasn’t just his. No, she’s Tyler’s and mine.
“Isn’t she beautiful?” Reno turned to the whisper voice of his new mother-in-law.
“Yes, she is. More so as herself and not as the blonde and blue eyed lady that came to me with the weight of the world on her shoulders.”
Susan’s lips lifted in a faint smile, her eyes dancing with tears. “This is truly my little Rain and I am grateful to you for bringing her out of her cowering shell.”
Reno turned to her, a little confused. “What do you mean?”
She looped her arm through his, hugging it to her. “She told me she hasn’t had a nightmare since the moment she began sleeping in your arms.”
Reno stood up straighter, feeling like a teenager caught naked in his girlfriend’s bed by her mother. He’d never felt so uncomfortable and shy in his life!
Susan laughed. “Oh please, I’m no prude. I know my daughter isn’t a virgin bride and the two of you have been having sex. You are sex on two legs and Rain is very attractive any man would want to sleep with her and I’m not saying so just because I’m her mother.”
Most mothers would be complimenting something other than their daughter’s sexuality but there was nothing standard about Susan Larson. Loraine must get her craziness from somewhere.
“She looks so much like you and you are a very attractive woman. You were beautiful as a blonde but as yourself, you are gorgeous.”
She slapped his shoulder playfully before they lapsed into silence, watching the object of their affection dance to a slow song with Tyler cuddled in her arms.
“When I saw her walk down that aisle, I felt like my heart would explode with joy,” she choked, not at all caring that tears were running down her cheeks.
Reno understood the emotion. When he’d laid eyes on her the first time that day, coming down the aisle to him, bliss flooded his entire body. She looked like an angel, his gift from God. Watching her as she came to him, ready to pledge her life to him as his wife, he knew his life was finally taking a turn for the better. He was finally getting his chance to be happy.
Ruiz walked swiftly to him, his stride telling him all he needed to know. Reno had counted his chicks too soon.
“What is it?” he demanded, once his brother stopped before him.
Ruiz turned an unsettled gaze to Susan.
“Just spit it out. I’m going to find out either way,” Susan ordered.
Ruiz smiled shaking his head. “I see where Loraine gets her spunk. Your ex-wife is here, brother.”
Reno felt his entire body go rigid, his eyes quickly settling on his wife and son. They were happy still dancing in each other’s arms.
“Where is she?”
“Outside. Allan’s mob squad made sure she didn’t get in. Someone gave them a photo of her it seems.” Ruiz chuckled. “Don’t you think Allan’s gone a little over the top with protecting Riana?”
Reno shook his head. “You heard the story, what would you do?”
Ruiz sighed. “Probably keep her locked up in a bunker. Which begs the question, what do you plan on doing?”
Reno turned to his brother stunned. Did everyone know about Pierre? Did Loraine know that everyone knew about her haunting past?
“Nothing except keep our daughter safe while she’s at home—in her new home. Robert and I will be taking care of that French pest,” Susan answered before he could.
The hidden threat in her words made Reno grateful he had her on his side. He smiled at the resemblance between mother and daughter. With every word Susan spoke, he saw how much alike she was to Loraine.
“Come along, son-in-law, we have a little problem to take care of before my daughter notices something is amiss.”
Gone was the hippie he’d found meditating at the ocean shore in her underwear that morning and present was the regal socialite married to one of the richest men in America who could get her way with a snap of her fingers. That was exactly what she did. As she sauntered away with her head held high and her shoulders back, she rai
sed her hand and snapped her fingers and out of the nowhere came a man who resembled a Titan a step behind her.
She stopped turning around to face them. “Are you coming or are you just going to stand there staring after me like I grew a head out of my ass?”
What? Reno was so shocked by that last statement he wasn’t exactly sure what to do next.
“Did she just…” Ruiz laughed shaking her head. “I feel sorry for you bro, but I’m not sure for what most.”
Following behind his mother-in-law he asked, “What do you mean?”
“Well, one she’s your mother-in-law, two Loraine is exactly like her—mouthy. I pity you when you do something that pisses her off. Three, your mother-in-law is a clue to what your wife will be in the future.”
Reno snorted. “That mouth of hers is what I love most about Loraine. You never know what will come out of it.”
Ruiz chuckled shaking his head. But all the amusement faded when he heard his ex-wife’s shrieks once they stepped outside. She was yelling as Susan stared at her like an annoying pest she couldn’t wait to do away with.
“Georgia, what are you doing here and where is what’s-his-name? That guy you married just weeks after our wedding. Does he know you are here?” Reno demanded, moving to stand next to Susan.
On cue, like the actress she was she began to cry, with tears and everything. “Reno, my love, they won’t let me in. She says it’s your wedding to her daughter. Why would you do this to me after I gave you a son, especially since we are still married?”
Susan gasped, turning to look at him. It took everything in him to keep his cool especially when Georgia gave him a sardonic smile, quickly covering it with more wailing when Susan turned to her.
“Reno, would you please explain yourself,” Susan spoke with a frightening patient voice.
“This woman and I were married, but as of four months ago, I became a free man.”
Georgia quit her wailing and looked up at him with rounded eyes. Reno took pleasure in her surprise. “What do you mean you’re a free man?”
“Actually, I’m a married man, just not to you. Today I married the love of my life and the new mother to my son.”
