Modern Arrangements: Complete Trilogy (Modern Arrangements #1-3)

by Sadie Grubor

  "Don't answer that!" Shooting Liam the death glare, I stalked around the bar. "Dixon, I’ll kill you!"

  Dixon hurried out the door laughing boisterously.

  "I think I’m going to retire as well. In fact, we all should." Liam stood up.

  "Yeah." Oz agreed and walked up stairs with him.

  James downed his drink and ran upstairs behind them.

  "I'll be up in a few." I shouted out.

  "Getting cold feet? Do I need to block the doorway?" James yelled from upstairs before slamming the bedroom door shut, obviously not expecting an answer.

  Chuckling, I started to walk around the apartment. I noticed one of those hair bands women used to pull their hair up. Picking it up, I put it to my nose and inhale. It smelled like cherries, like Lilli. Groaning slightly, I silently cursed myself for sniffing a headband like a stalker.

  No, James. There won’t be any need to block the doorway.

  After finishing my drink I decided it was time to head to bed. Reaching the top step, I found myself drawn to her door. There was an unexplainable pull toward her. Pressing a hand against the door, it opened and I walked in.

  Looking around the room, I saw some books she seemed to read over and over again. It was an unusual collection, anything from Steven King to Jane Austen. Her taste in music taste was eclectic, as well. Hell, she had music ranging from Johnny Cash to Marilyn Manson to 3oh3!.

  I found myself drawn to the few pictures she had around. Pictures of her and her father, her and her mother, her with a group of very large dark skinned men on a beach (I wasn't a big fan of that one) and a picture of Her, Dixon and Phoebe together. This picture caught me off guard. Not that it was bad, it was clearly playful, but the three of them were outside and the leaves around them were brown, orange and red. Dixon was crouched down on the ground with Lilli on his back and Phoebe was on hers, all of them wearing the largest smiles. I longed to know her like that.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  The next morning I woke to someone shouting my name.

  "Aidan! Where the hell are you man?" Rolling over, I buried my head in the pillows. Cherry. Mmm...it smelled cherry and floral. My eyes shot open and looked around at Lilli's room. I must have passed out on her bed last night. "Here you are. What the hell are you doing?" James looked at me with an evil grin.

  "Nothing, I'm coming." I responded curtly.

  "Only in your hand," James laughed and walked away. I groaned at his stupid attempt at being funny.

  I got up quickly and dragged my ass to the coffee machine before getting ready for the wedding.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Lilli

  Luckily I was able to convince everyone that I needed some sleep, so they didn't pressure me into staying up and talking all night. However, Phoebe woke me earlier than I wanted. Since she brought food, I let her live.

  "It's your day!" Phoebe bounced and clapped. "I brought coffee and croissants."

  Groggily, I sat up and thanked her.

  "Eat, get in the shower and come downstairs for the full breakfast. Then we get started! I’m so excited!"

  I groaned.

  "Fine." Honestly, I just wanted this day to be over.

  I stayed in the shower for as long as I could. Phoebe had me on some damn time line. She knocked about fifteen minutes into my shower to get me moving. Wrapping up in a robe, I headed downstairs.

  "Good morning, babe!" My mother pulled me into a large hug.

  "Mom, I really need to talk to you." She looked at me confused. "I don't think it's fair for you to think that this," I motioned to everything, "is real." She furrowed her brow. I sighed, sat her down and started from the beginning.

  Cracking my knuckles, I waited while she processed what I just said.

  "Well...you’re a grown woman and make your own decisions. Besides, I can see the way you two feel about each other. Even if you both don't see it yet." She shrugged and stood, walking toward the kitchen.

  "W-what?" I quickly followed after her.

  "Oh Lilli, you are so blind sometimes. He wants you and you want him. It's just a matter of time." She wrapped her arm around my shoulder.

  "Mom –"

  "You see it too!" Viola said cheerfully.

  "Of course, Aidan looks like he wants to eat her." My mother laughed joined by Viola, Celia and Phoebe.

  "What did I miss?" Maggie appeared in the kitchen.

  "Nothing," I groaned.

  "How Aidan and Lilli are going to be perfect together and they don't even realize it yet." Celia giggled.

  "Oh that," Maggie shrugged.

  "Not you, too?" I scowled.

  "Jesus Lilli, the first day in the club his eyes were all over you and the smile on his face when you would talk to him was insane. It’s the same way Dixon looks at me." Celia laughed out. "Then that day he attacked that groper at the bar," she broke into laughter.

  "Aidan attacked someone?" Viola looked startled.

  "No...It's not like that –"

  Celia cut me off by going into the whole story. Groaning, I started shoving eggs and toast into my mouth.

  "Someone hand me a fucking mimosa." I growled. They all laughed at my pouting.

  Viola and Phoebe had two make-up artists and two hair stylist brought in to work on all of us.

  Lance was working on my hair, pulling it all up into intricate twists and curls. I sat there for over two hours sipping water and nibbling on toast, cheese and crackers. My ass had started to go numb.

  Once he was finished, Kammie started on my make up with strict instructions from Phoebe. My eyes, smoky but neutral with a slight hint of green. My cheeks naturally blushed and my lips were tinted red. It wasn't overpowering or heavy, so I was content.

  Slipping into the dress, my mother helped to zip and button me up. I could see the tears already starting in her eyes.

  "Mom, don't start crying, please. You'll smudge our makeup because I’ll cry with you."

  "I'm trying not to." She sniffed. Phoebe handed her a tissue.

  "Lilli, you look amazing!" She bounced with excitement.

  "You look lovely, dear." Viola smiled wide.

  "Uh, Lilli, if you’re trying to keep Aidan from putting his hands all over you, that's not going to help."

  "Maggie!" Viola slapped her playfully. "Stop it!"

  Turning, I looked into the mirror. This was it, my wedding day. I was the bride, bought and paid for. Sighing heavily, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and looked at myself again. I did look nice. The stylists and makeup artists did a great job and it all pulled together perfectly.

  "Okay, now for the important stuff." Phoebe smiled largely.

  "Something borrowed." Phoebe held up her mother's ankle bracelet. "I want this back." She eyed me playfully.

  "Phoebe I can't...that's –" Phoebe smiled and crouched down to the floor to put it on my ankle. Phoebe's mother had died when she was in college and it was the last thing her mother had given to her.

  "Something blue," Maggie walked over with a navy blue garter belt and a large grin. "Hike that dress up, baby!" She laughed and then added, "Just like you’ll be doing later."

  I burst into laughter.

  "Margaret!" Viola yelled at her teenage daughter, trying to stifle her laughter.

  "Something old." Viola stepped forward and held out small silver trinity earrings. "These were Grandma Isobel's."

  "Viola, I can't...those should be used for –" Viola shook her head.

  "These were put away to pass down. Eliza wore them on her wedding day and it’s only right that you wear them today. It will be Eliza’s way of being here." Swallowing hard, I took the earrings, putting one in each ear.

  "And something new," My mom put the necklace Aidan had made for me around my neck.

  "A sixpence for your shoe," Celia leaned down and slid the coin into my shoe.

  "Thank you. All of you." I felt the twinge of guilt from all of this. These were things that should be happening for Aidan and I, when we marry someone fo
r love, not convenience.

  "Okay, time to head to the lighthouse!" Phoebe grabbed the flowers and passed them out. The limo was waiting for us and we climbed in.

  Arriving to The Lighthouse at Chelsea Pier, we were ushered in by the wedding coordinator that helped Viola. As we stood in a back room, I looked around at the women in my life.

  My mother was talking animatedly with Viola, both of them looking stunning in champagne colored dresses. Viola's dress was classic, while Sarah's dress was freer flowing. Phoebe, Celia, and Maggie were all beautiful in their dresses. Celia's hair was pulled up into large curls, almost Marilyn Monroe like. Phoebe's short black hair had been slicked back in a 1920's type of fashion. Maggie had actually allowed her hair to be curled but I had the hair stylist use a burgundy hair extension and work her hair into almost a pinup look.

  Viola and Sarah left the room to be escorted to their seats. I took a deep breath as a knock resounded on the door. Assuming it was Dixon, since he agreed to walk me down the aisle, I kept my eyes on my reflection in front of me.

  "Lilli?" I spun around.

  "Dad?" Rushing to him, I knelt down next to his wheelchair. "What are you doing here? How...you should be –"

  "Calm down." He chuckled. "Did you think I wouldn't be here?" I smiled and fought my tears. "Of course I was coming. Thanks to Aidan, I got here."

  "Aidan?" I furrowed my brow.

  "He sent his jet to get us and he had the plane set up with anything we would need for the flight." He rubbed his head a little bashfully. I was shocked, stunned into silence for a moment. I didn't think of Aidan as a bad guy, but I didn't expect this from him. "So, you gonna let your old man walk you down...well, roll you down the aisle?" I laughed at his joke.

  "Of course, roll away." My smile couldn’t be contained.

  "Well, then, let's get this show on the road." He held out his hand.

  Maggie, Phoebe and Celia lined up behind Aidan's distant cousin or something who was acting as the flower girl. I couldn't see into the room since I was being kept hidden until the 'right moment'. At least that’s what the wedding coordinator told me.

  "You sure about this?" Dad whispered to me.

  "Oh, don't tempt me to run." I giggled quietly. "I don’t think I could make it in these damn death trap shoes." I winked.

  "Lilli, you don't have to do this." He looked up at me worried.

  "It will be fine. I'm in too deep now. Things will be...okay." I smiled reassuringly at him, it was our turn.

  Donald was wheeled into position with Dixon helping him. Standing next to him, I took one more deep breath. The Irish music started and the doors were opened.

  Windows starting at the hardwood floor rose to the tall ceiling. Mahogany chairs, wrapped in white satin, held our guests. The aisle lined on each side with ivory lace draped from candle poles. Each pole holding a lit ivory candle and snowball flowers bundled together at the base of each candle. It was simple but beautiful. Viola had done amazing. The Alter was a large canopy of snowball flowers and ivory lace draped to the floor.

  Donald nudged me and I snapped out of the awe and began my walk. As we approached the canopy I focused on Aidan. His eyes were intense and I started to feel self-conscious. Swallowing hard, I pulled my eyes away from him. When I looked back I couldn't avoid his gaze.

  We reached Aidan and I don't remember how I made it down the aisle because I’d been lost in my own mind.

  "Do you present this woman?" My eyes snapped from Aidan to the priest.

  "Yes." Donald answered and placed my hand in Aidan's.

  Our hands met with a pulsating tingle as he gripped mine tightly within his own. Perhaps, it was nerves? Or, maybe, he thought I would run? I smiled at him and squeezed back, hoping to reassure him.

  The Iverson's Irish heritage was important to them, so the ceremony held many aspects. The priest began in common fashion,

  "We have gathered today to join Lillian Pearl Snowe and Aidan Walsh Iverson in matrimony."

  With familiar blessings over the marriage complete, he asked the question.

  "If anyone objects to this union, please speak now or forever hold your peace." Aidan squeezed my hand tightly. I shifted my eyes and head a little to look at him. Was he nervous or warning me not to speak? He kept his eyes straight ahead so I couldn't tell. I looked back to the priest. "Very well."

  "Please face each other." Aidan and I faced each other, my hands in his. "Please repeat after me."

  "We swear by peace and love to stand," he paused allowing us to repeat his words, "Heart to heart and hand in hand." Pausing once more as we replayed his words. "Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now," again the same words flowed from our lips. "Confirming this, our Sacred Vow," we both seemed to pause but spoke the last of the wedding vows.

  "The rings?"

  The priest looked to James who was handing them over, placing them on a small silver plate. The priest said a blessing in Gaelic and then handed my ring to Aidan.

  "Please repeat after me while placing the ring on Lillian."

  Aidan seemed to take a deep breath and held the platinum circle at my ring finger's tip. I sucked in a breath and held it. The priest spoke.

  "With these hands, I give you my heart," Aidan repeated, continuing the vow without prompting.

  "With these hands I give you my heart and crown it with my love." I looked up, startled that he finished without the priest’s guidance. His eyes were intense again, as if they were seeking permission into my soul.

  The priest was caught off guard for a moment but quickly recovered.

  "Lillian, please repeat after me."

  Holding the ring at Aidan's hand, a knot formed in my stomach. This was it, this was it...this was me being bought and paid for like a prize mare. The priest spoke the first line of the vow.

  "With these hands, I give you my heart," I repeated and quickly finished the vow before even realizing I had.

  "With these hands I give you my heart and crown it with my love." It came out so effortlessly, I was still in shock. I knew my eyes were wide when I quickly looked up at Aidan who was smiling crookedly at me.

  The priest broke our moment.

  "Now Aidan and Lillian will drink to celebrate their union," The priest blessed two silver goblets as he poured wine into both. Handing each of us a cup, he began the 'Loving Cup' ceremony.

  "And, now, please drink to the love you've shared in the past." We drank. "Drink to your love in the present, on this, your wedding day." We drank. "And drink to your love in the future and forever more." We drank.

  "Lillian and Aidan have committed themselves to their love, their future together and to their families. Aidan, you may kiss your bride."

  Aidan grabbed both sides of my face and pressed his lips to mine. His tongue slid slightly between my lips and I swore I heard him moan quietly. The knot in my stomach changed into a different type of tension as heat consumed my body. He pulled away from the kiss, whispering against my lips, "Thank you."

  The priest completed the ceremony with one final traditional Irish blessing.

  "May the road rise to meet you.

  May the wind be always at your back.

  May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields.

  May God be with you and bless you;

  May you see your children's children.

  May you be poor in misfortune,

  Rich in blessings,

  May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.

  And may the hand of a friend always be near.

  May the road rise to meet you

  May the wind be always at your back

  May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home.

  May green be the grass you walk on,

  May blue be the skies above you,

  May pure be the joys that surround you,

  May true be the hearts that love you.

  And until we meet again,

  May God hold you in the palm of His hand."
/>   When he finished he nudged us to face our families and guests.

  "I present to you, Mrs. Lillian and Mr. Aidan Walsh Iverson."

  The music started, Phoebe handed me my bouquet and Aidan and I walked down the aisle as husband and wife. We stopped just outside the opening doors and lined up for the receiving line.

  "You look beautiful, Lilli." I turned towards him. I hadn’t expected him to say anything.

  "Um...thanks. You're not too bad yourself." I winked and smiled.

  Before I could turn away, he cupped my cheek and kissed me tenderly. I was slightly taken aback. But, our guests started to approach us so I didn't have too much time to think about it.

  The receiving line went smoothly, though it took over an hour. Once finished, we were ushered to different locations in the large room for photos.

  "We’re seriously taking photos of this?" I whispered into Aidan’s ear as we posed in front of the sunset through the windows.

  He rolled his eyes. "It is our wedding day, you know."

  I snorted, trying not to break into a giggle fit.

  Aidan pulled me closer and kissed me. The flash went off. The photographer had been shouting out posing orders and I hadn’t been paying attention. There were photos with the wedding party, our parents, the priest and Aidan and I alone.

  After all of the posing and the plastered smiles, the wedding coordinator hustled us up a floor to the reception room where the wedding party was waiting for us. Phoebe and Celia were all smiles when Aidan and I arrived. A Uillean piper began playing traditional Irish music, indicating the arrival of the wedding party.

  Walking into the room, I was again awestruck by the décor. There were walls and walls of windows that looked out into the early evening and over the water. It was a stunning backdrop to the snowball flowers, candles and ivory and sage green lace that decorated the room.

  Our guests stood and clapped as we entered. Once we reached the dance floor area, the Irish Wedding song began to play and Aidan wrapped his arm around my waist. We swayed on the floor. Viola had suggested we use the song and I agreed since I had no clue which song would suit our situation.

  As the song started to come to an end, Aidan spun me slowly and dipped me backwards. I jumped, not prepared for this move. He started to chuckle and I smacked his arm slightly, laughing at myself. Flashes went off around us.