“We’re heading off to spend some time with my parents,” Susie added.
“Let’s start the celebrations now, Henry, another bottle of wine please,” Taylor called out.
****
It was gone three before we finally left and on the journey home I thought about the conversation with Rosa. Did she see Robert the same way his aunt did?
Robert had sent a text, he would be working late today so I settled down for a long chat with Sam. Banff sounded wonderful, they had attempted to ski but Sam told me he screamed all the way down and that put a stop to that. They had been out on the snowmobiles, staying at the back with the rest of the group having to stop every five minutes for them to catch up. It sounded like they were having fun and it was good to chat to him.
Robert seemed distracted when he arrived home, he took a few calls on his mobile before settling down for dinner.
“Is everything all right?” I asked him.
“Sure, just some business to sort out,” his stock answer when he didn’t want to talk about it.
He hadn’t mentioned the newspaper article or the issues with Luca so I let him be. Something was on his mind but he would tell me in his own time. The more I thought about it, the more I thought Evelyn and Travis seemed distracted as well. I wondered whether it was related.
“How did your lunch go?” he asked.
“Good, it was lovely to see Rosa as well,” I replied.
I told him about my chat with Sam and the activities they had got up to, he laughed at the thought of Sam skiing down a mountain but he never seemed quite with me. This went on for the whole weekend and he spent a couple of hours at work, something he had never done before. On the Sunday he popped into his office and it seemed he was constantly on his phone. One minute he would be happy, then next anxious and I asked him repeatedly if all was okay. I started to get a little panicky a one point.
“Robert, something is wrong, I know it is. Will you tell me?” I asked.
“Please, Brooke, just trust me on this one. I will tell you but give me a couple of days,” he said before disappearing back into his office.
I had already accepted a long time ago that I would never know everything, that Robert would not tell me immediately if something was wrong, it was his way. He needed to process it in his brain before he told me but I had not seen him this distracted before.
Sunday evening came and finally he seemed to slow down a little, to relax. We sat together on the rug in front of the fire, my back leaning against his chest, his arms wrapped around me and his fingers entwined in mine.
“I love you so much, Brooke,” he said, a little out of the blue.
“I know you do, I love you too,” I replied.
“Do you miss home?” he asked.
“No, of course not, this is my home. Why did you ask that?”
“No reason, I just wondered.”
“Everything I have ever wanted is right here,” I said, smiling up at him.
“You’re sure about staying here, for good?” he asked.
“Robert, are you okay? Of course I’m sure. What have I got to go home for? I don’t have a job or a house there. I know I’ve only been here for a few months but I don’t even think about the UK anymore,” I said.
“That’s good, I’m just checking, that’s all. Did you hear anything from Michael, about your old house?” he said, his fingers playing with my hair.
“No, I emailed the letting agents, told them I was in America and gave his parents address, haven’t heard anything since, perhaps they caught up with him there.”
“You’ve no regrets?”
“For the third time, no. You’re beginning to worry me,” I told him.
He laughed. “I’m sorry. We’ve had a great few days, I just wanted to know that you weren’t missing home, your parents.”
“I don’t miss them either. I gave them a chance, plenty of chances to have a relationship with me. It makes me sad of course, but I’ve got the only family I need, you, Evelyn, Travis, Sam and Scott, satisfied?”
“Yes, although I don’t like sharing you with Sam,” he said with a smile.
“Well, you have to but you have my heart and my soul, Robert.”
I turned around to face him, placing my arms around his neck, my legs either side of his waist and I looked deep into his eyes.
“What do you see, Brooke?” he asked.
“A wonderful man in love with me, a man I can’t live without no matter what,” I said then I kissed him.
“What do you see?” I asked him when we broke apart.
“My soul mate, my healer, the person I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.”
We made love on that rug in front of the fire with just the glow from the tree lighting up our bodies. If it was possible, he was more tender, more caring than ever before. He kissed every part of my body and not one bite.
Chapter Ten
When I woke the following morning, I reached over for Robert. He was not there and as I raised myself on my elbow I noticed a little white card in an envelope on his pillow. I frowned, he hadn’t mentioned an early appointment. Sitting up, I opened the envelope and slid out the card. I think I must have read it at least three times before it dawned on me what it meant.
Brooke, marry me, five o’clock, I’ll send a car. Robert.
I screamed out loud and jumping out of bed, I grabbed my joggers and a T-shirt and ran upstairs. I shouted out for Robert on the way up but received no answer. Evelyn was standing in the kitchen, smiling, my tea already made.
“Evelyn, where’s Robert? Have you seen this?” I said as I handed her the card.
She smiled. “Of course I’ve seen this. Now young lady, you have a busy day so I suggest we start with a proper breakfast.”
“You have to tell me, Ev, what’s going on?” I pleaded, a grin spreading from ear to ear.
“It’s more than my life’s worth, Brooke, you know that,” she said, laughing.
“Please tell me, I can’t bear this,” I said.
“Well, bear it. You won’t be able to speak to him, I think he’s too scared you’ll say no.”
“Say no! I have waited for this day all my life. Oh my God, Evelyn, what am I going to wear?”
“Brooke, sit, calm down and drink your tea.”
“I knew something was up, I can’t believe he’s done this,” I started to cry tears of happiness.
Evelyn came round the bar and hugged me, wiping my tears away with a tissue.
“He’s been planning this for ages. Oh, Brooke, I’m just so happy for you both.”
I sent him a text. “YES YES YES, I love you Trouble, forever.”
His only reply was “XX T”
“Brooke, can I have your phone for a moment,” Evelyn asked.
I handed it to her and she promptly put it in her pocket. “No more calls, you have guests.”
I heard the crunch of tyres on the gravel outside and rushing down. I opened the door as Sam got out of the car Gary was driving with arms full of bags. I ran and flung myself at him.
“Oh, Sam. You’ll never believe what has happened and why are you here, you’re supposed to be on honeymoon?”
“Honey, do you think I was going to miss your wedding? I’m giving you away, orders from Mr Stone,” he laughed.
Arm in arm we made our way back upstairs, Evelyn had laid the breakfast bar with pancakes, fruit and eggs, enough to feed an army.
“Brooke, eat something and please, you have to do one thing today, stay in the house,” she said.
“Oh, Sam. I don’t know what to think, this is just such a shock. I woke up this morning and found this on the bed,” I showed him the card, so typical of Robert.
“I have this for you,” Sam said rifling through his bags.
He brought out a beautiful shoe sized box, covered in silver silk and on the front a small silver label with mine and Robert’s name engraved.
“A memory box for today. Now put your card in, becaus
e come tomorrow you would have forgotten so much.”
He also produced a box of tissues and together we wiped our eyes.
“If I don’t stop this crying, I’m going to look such a state,” I said.
“I have an itinerary for today. I’ll tell you what though, it’s like a bloody military operation,” he said.
Noticing my eyes mist over, he added, “Oh honey, I’m sorry, I didn’t think.”
I would have loved for my brother to be at my wedding and it hit me hard how much I really missed him.
“It’s okay, I’m just so overwhelmed, and everything is going to make me cry today.”
We carried on eating our breakfast, chatting about his trip and panicking about the day. How on earth had Robert done this without me knowing? The only signs I’d noticed was that he had been stressed the last couple of days, I guess making the final arrangements.
“Sam, can you tell me one thing, are my parents here?” I asked.
He looked at me and sadly shook his head.
“Robert tried but they couldn’t make it. I don’t know what excuse they gave, no doubt he will tell you.”
“You know what, I’m glad. I don’t think I would want them here anyway. They’re not interested in me so I wouldn’t want Robert to go to the expense.”
My stomach was in knots, I was so excited. I had no idea what Robert had planned but I knew I would love it. All I wanted to do was marry him and that could have been in a shed somewhere, I wouldn’t have cared. Taking a bottle of champagne from the fridge I said, “Come on, let’s start celebrating.”
“Brooke, I’m heading off out for a couple of hours, then I’ll be back to do lunch. Sam knows what to do,” Evelyn said.
“Can I have my phone back?” I asked.
“No, you’ll only be bugging people,” she said as she headed downstairs.
Sitting with my best friend, on my surprise wedding day and drinking champagne had to count at the top of my best days ever list. We put the cork in my memory box to remind me of this morning. Hearing another car pull onto the drive, I went to get up but Sam pushed me back down on my stool.
“I’ll get this,” he said, making his way to the door.
I heard voices and after about half an hour, Sam shouted for me to come down. Opening the bedroom door I was amazed to see it transformed into a spa. Two therapists in their white uniforms were standing beside two beds, candles lit and the most heavenly smell of jasmine filled the air. Sam was already standing in a robe.
“Let your day begin,” he said, waving his arms about.
“We need music,” I answered, scooting back upstairs.
“Miss Stiles, I’m Cathy and this is Jane. We need you to fill out a registration form so we know of any allergies and what types of oil to use. Once you’ve done that, perhaps you would like to take a shower.”
Sitting on the bed, we completed the forms while Cathy continued.
“The plan is, first a little waxing if you need any, then a full body massage and facials. It won’t be a deep cleansing one, we don’t want your face to break out.”
“That’s get spots, honey,” Sam said.
“Thanks, I know that. Carry on please, Cathy.”
“We’ll break for lunch about two and then we have nails, makeup and hair.”
“Then I have to figure out what I’m going to wear, unless Robert has taken care of that too,” I said to Sam.
I noticed Cathy looking at me.
“Her husband to be left her a note this morning, asking her to marry him today, she knew nothing about it,” he explained.
“How wonderful, that is just so romantic,” she replied.
“You had no idea?” Jane asked.
“No. I thought something was up, he’s been a bit preoccupied the last couple of days but I had no idea.”
“What are you going to wear?” she asked.
“Oh, no need to worry about that,” Sam replied.
I showered and we settled on the beds, music softly floating around the room. Before I lay my head down though, I smiled at the camera that only I knew was in the room. It was a blissful couple of hours, apart from the waxing of course but Sam and I chatted about his holiday. We never seemed to run out of things to say. I heard the front door open and Evelyn call out that she was back before making her way upstairs and preparing lunch. It was nearing two when she popped her head around the bedroom door.
“Brooke, lunch is ready when you are. Ladies would like to join them?” she asked Cathy and Jane.
“Thank you, but we’ve brought something with us,” Cathy replied.
“At least come and sit with us,” I said, for two reasons.
I felt bad leaving them here on their own and I wasn’t sure I wanted them on their own in my bedroom. Not that I believed they would go snooping but there was the matter of the rather large picture of me on the wall that I hoped they hadn’t noticed. Dressed in robes we headed upstairs.
“You have a wonderful home, Brooke,” Jane said.
“Thank you. Now who wants a glass of champagne?” I asked as Evelyn opened yet another bottle.
While we ate, Sam took a call.
“Yes, everything is going well, she is excited, yes, okay, yes I think I can handle that,” he said rolling his eyes.
“Robert?” I asked as he put down the phone. “I wanted to speak to him.”
“Well, you can’t and yes it was him, just barking more orders,” he laughed.
“I must say, this is a first for us. We’ve never been to a bride who didn’t know,” Cathy said.
“Oh trust me, it's typical Robert,” Sam replied.
“He sounds wonderful, you’re a lucky woman, Brooke,” she added.
“He is and yes I am,” I replied.
I heard yet another car pull up outside the door and sitting where I was, I let Sam do the honours. Two sets of footsteps came up the stairs and I shook my head in amazement when I saw Casey following him, carrying a large dress bag. I jumped off the stool.
“Is that what I think it is?” I asked her.
“Yes, I’m sorry, Brooke. I was sworn to secrecy but it will fit you perfectly. Do you want to see it?”
“God, yes.”
She opened the bag, holding the dress high. It was the design Taylor had shown me but in real life it was just so much nicer. A silver, full length fitted dress. It had a rounded neck and sleeves but when she turned it around, it was backless and seriously low. I doubted I would even get knickers on that wouldn’t show. The whole dress was covered in tiny silver beads that caught the light as the dress moved. It was just perfect and again, tears filled my eyes.
“Casey, it’s wonderful, thank you so much. I can’t believe you managed to get it made in such a short time,” I said.
“Well, I must admit, we have worked constantly on it. It was a bit of a panic but I had it finished last night. Probably would have got it finished sooner if Taylor hadn’t called me every hour,” she said with a laugh.
Hanging the dress on the back of a door, she opened a second bag and pulled out a stunning silver fur wrap as big as a blanket.
“Don’t worry it’s not real,” she said as I brushed my fingers through it.
“I don’t know what to say,” was all I managed.
Evelyn placed another plate on the bar for Casey to join us, she would stay until it was time for me to get dressed, she would have to help secure the dress to my body. After lunch it was time for manicure and pedicures and I relaxed back in a chair. My hair and makeup were the last things to be done and as the next couple of hours flew by, my nerves increased. I was excited to see Robert and as much as I tried, I could not get anyone to divulge where I was getting married. Evelyn left after lunch and Sam walked the girls to the front door about four, to see them off and thank them for the day. At four thirty I heard a car arrive and looking out of the window I saw the most wonderful old Rolls Royce, silver and black. Gary was dressed in full uniform.
Casey helped me
dress and as I thought, the fit was perfect. She placed tape under the shoulders to secure the dress to me. As a very last thing, she handed me a shoe box that contained a pair of Jimmy Choo silver sandals, with delicate straps to hold them to my feet. I was ready and with one last glass of champagne, Sam, dressed in a rather smart grey suit and silver tie, and I, headed to the car.
“Brooke, you look lovely,” Gary said as he opened the door.
Lying across the back seat was a bouquet of flowers, white roses wrapped in a silver ribbon. I settled in the back with Sam holding my hand as we slowly made our way out. Within five minutes we were at another gate and I knew instantly where we were. The gates had been cleaned up and the snow cleared from the small path. Along either side, leading all the way to the chapel were lanterns, their yellow glow reflecting off the snow and lighting the way.
“Oh Sam, look how beautiful it is, it’s like...” I couldn’t finish, I was so choked.
“Narnia,” he finished for me. The one book Sam and I read repeatedly as children.
We drove very slowly until we reached the chapel, the doors were closed but I could see the glow of hundreds of candles through the stained glass windows. To the side, on the cleared lawn area was a marquee. A silver carpet led from the chapel door to the entrance, again those lanterns placed in rows, lighting the area and it looked simply stunning. The trees and bushes were covered with thousand of little white lights. A photographer met us and Sam and I posed with the car and Gary.
Sam led me to the chapel doors which opened and I just stood, totally blown away by the sight. On every available surface, candles burned, creating a wonderful yellow glow and filled the room with the beautiful smell of vanilla.
I saw Robert, standing at the front, looking at me. My eyes fixed on his not before seeing, behind him, that window depicting the fallen angel, cleaned and repaired. I smiled and tears filled my eyes, he had done all this for me. He was dressed in the same grey suit and silver tie as Sam. I heard music, violins and noticed three people sitting in the corner, my cue. I handed Sam my wrap and we walked towards him. I didn’t take my eyes from his and as I stood in front of him, he placed his hands on either side of my face and kissed me.
“You look stunning,” he whispered in my ear.
Fallen Angel, Part II Page 17
