Beyond Promise

by Karice Bolton

  “Please,” I said. “We were rushed. We just got back from the Crystal Caves.”

  “I don’t buy it,” Gabby said. I gave her a hug and she jumped in place. “Can you believe it? I can’t believe it.”

  I shook my head and gave Brandy a hug.

  Ayden had walked over to where Mason and the others were congregating by the automatic doors that led out to the beach. It was funny to watch Katie, Jason, and Aaron taking turns hopping out of the way of the door’s sensors.

  “We’ve got one shot to memorize what to do for tomorrow,” Ayden’s voice instructed his guys. “Let’s not blow it, or I’ll never hear the end of it.”

  “Blow it,” Katie repeated.

  “I’m just glad you’re doing the big deed first,” Aaron joked. “I can watch and learn.”

  “Ready?” Ayden called over.

  I nodded as we all walked to the guys and headed toward to the beach where we’d meet up with Jenny, our event coordinator, and learn exactly what we needed to do for the big day.

  Brandy gave me a quick squeeze as we headed outside. The balmy breeze swept through the air carrying pure anticipation of tomorrow. I looked toward the sandy beach and saw where we’d be saying our vows, and my soul became filled with promise.

  This time tomorrow I’d be walking down the aisle!

  Ayden and I held hands on the elevated platform and gazed into one another’s eyes as Jenny instructed who did what and when. Aaron and Mason stood behind Ayden, and Gabby and Brandy were giggling behind me.

  Jenny announced us as a pretend Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes and instructed us to walk back down the aisle. We were like giddy high schoolers and I loved every second.

  “Can I get a kiss first?” Ayden asked, but he didn’t wait for my response. He slid a quick kiss along my lips and grinned. “There’s more where that came from.”

  I rolled my eyes and giggled.

  We walked down the aisle and turned around to see Ayden’s mom and dad stand up from the front row and walk down next, followed by the groomsmen and bridesmaids. My nerves ignited at the thought of doing this for real tomorrow in front of our friends and family. We were so close. There was only one dinner and a night’s sleep in the way.

  Ayden’s mom squeezed me tightly.

  “We are so lucky to gain a daughter,” she whispered. “One who loves our son as deeply as we do.”

  She took a step back and wiped away an escaping tear as her husband squeezed her tightly.

  “Come on, now,” he chuckled. “The waterworks can’t start until tomorrow.”

  “Alright, alright.” She reached over and gave my hand one last squeeze.

  Katie let out quite an exasperated groan and sat down on the sand as we congregated and chatted too much for her liking. In order to avoid a possible meltdown with Katie, Jenny led us a little ways down the beach where our other guests were already waiting with drinks in hand and appetizers circulating.

  The hotel had done a beautiful job. Candles flickered in the sand near the water, and several arrangements framed the entrance to a canopy that had been erected for our dinner. It was a beautiful night. The weather was calm, the breeze light, and the temperature a pleasant seventy-two degrees. All poignant reminders of how lucky we were to be so far away from Seattle at this particular moment.

  Jenny took us to our seats and gathered the guests inside the canopy. Everything was going seamlessly, and it was as if all the cares in the world had never existed. I looked around the table where Brandy, Aaron, Gabby, Jason, Mason, Tori, Ayden’s parents, aunts, uncles, and four cousins had settled in. Seeing everyone’s smiling faces as they chatted with one another made tonight the casual and fun-loving night I’d wished for.

  I wasn’t a stuffy kind of person, and I was thrilled that the resort had created a relaxed rehearsal dinner. Three long driftwood tables had been put together to make one giant table where ivory candles flickered on top of shiny green anthurium leaves that were used like placemats, and ivory orchids towered over the appetizer plates.

  Ayden’s hand was on my knee, and I swore the pull we always shared was only intensifying. Ayden’s eyes gleamed, and he leaned over, placing his mouth near my ear.

  “Do you remember the first time I kissed you?”

  My smile widened, and my body warmed at the thought.

  “I even remember the first time I hoped you’d kiss me, and the first time I fantasized about kissing you,” I whispered back.

  It felt as if the world had fallen away, and it was just us two sitting on the beach, remembering how we first fell in love.

  “When was that?” His eyes glinted with amusement.

  “The night you showed up to my place to tell me about Brandy and Gabby’s plan to find my high school boyfriend, right after I’d had that disastrous date.”

  “You wanted me to kiss you that night?” his voice lowered.

  “I prayed you would.”

  “And what about this fantasy you mentioned?”

  “Same night,” I confessed, giggling.

  “Really.” He was intrigued. “A woman who knows what she wants.”

  “Yep. I thought about my hands running underneath your sweater.”

  “You even remembered that I was in a sweater?” he asked.

  “Absolutely.”

  He threw his head back, and his fabulous laughter wrapped around me. “And to think I drew it out so long.”

  Brandy caught my gaze. “Okay, you two lovebirds. What’s so funny?”

  “Just reminiscing.” I flashed a grin and she rolled her eyes.

  “Already, I sense too much information on the way,” Brandy said wryly.

  “You asked. No secrets, remember?” My brow arched, and Brandy’s cheeks reddened as she glanced at Aaron for help.

  So they were hiding something from us.

  I glanced around the table and noticed everyone completely immersed in their own conversations, the sign of a healthy dinner party, and also, the sign of the perfect time to pounce on Brandy. I wanted answers.

  “Is there anything you’re not telling me?” I whispered, leaning slightly against the table.

  “I could ask the same,” she replied.

  I looked at her quizzically and let out a slight miffed sound.

  “When we both know what I’m hiding, I wouldn’t really say it qualifies as hiding…”

  She wrinkled her nose and glanced at Aaron, who was busy talking to one of Ayden’s uncles about photography.

  So it really did have to do with Aaron.

  “I have to be honest.” I glanced over at Ayden who’d jumped into a conversation between Jason and Ayden’s dad. “It’s making it hard for me to concentrate on all my festivities. Today Ayden planned a tour for us at the crystal caves and do you want to know what popped into my mind?”

  “What?”

  “What could Brandy and Aaron be hiding from us?” I answered.

  “I didn’t mean to detract from your day,” she said softly, and my chest constricted. Please let their relationship be okay. “Aaron and I just decided that—”

  Oh, no. Here it came. As if food would be my friend during this time, I forked a few pieces of bruschetta on to my plate and took a bite.

  “That life is too short, and when everything happened to Ayden, it made things crystal clear,” she continued. “It brought things into perspective.”

  “What things?” I could barely speak. I needed backup, but Ayden was deep in conversation, and Gabby had excused herself to go to the restroom.

  “Sometimes no matter how much you want to plan, life can do a one-eighty.”

  “True.”

  “Between my accident, Paris, and Ayden’s…” she stopped herself and glanced at Aaron, but he was still deep in conversation. “Basically, Aaron and I decided that we knew what we wanted out of life.”

  “And it wasn’t the same thing?”

  Brandy’s eyes widened, and she shook her head. “What? Why wouldn’t it be the same thing?”<
br />
  I scowled unsure of why I thought it wouldn’t be.

  She leaned closer and whispered. “We got married.”

  My fork slipped out of my hand and clanged against my plate. All eyes turned toward me and I grimaced at my clumsiness.

  “Sorry,” I said, beaming.

  And to think I was worried they were going to randomly break up!

  Shame on me and shame on this cynical world we live in!

  Everyone went back to chatting and eating, and Ayden placed his hand on my shoulder.

  “You okay?”

  “Yep. More than okay.”

  He kissed my cheek and turned to answer a question his brother tossed in his direction.

  Brandy’s eyes were fastened on mine and I shook my head.

  What a stinker! A conniving stinker!

  “When did you?” I tried to speak as cryptically as possible.

  “The day before the bachelor/bachelorette party.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope.” The moment the secret was released between us, her beautiful smile appeared, the one that been missing recently, and now she was radiant.

  “I’m so-so-so happy for you,” I whispered the word happy.

  “Thank you,” she mouthed.

  “Does anyone know?” I asked, my voice low.

  She shook her head.

  “I thought?” I angled my head.

  “Our wedding is still planned for June. Officially. I told my mom the date this morning on the plane.”

  “Officially,” I muttered.

  “Officially.” She winked, and it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted.

  Of course I wanted details and to hear the why and when and how of everything, but the specifics would have to wait until later or until tomorrow. And here I thought Ayden and I were going to be the first to walk down the aisle.

  “It makes sense,” I teased, a little louder now.

  “What does?” Brandy asked.

  “That you’d beat me to the punch. Your competitive streak is insane.”

  “What can I say? I was raised by a lawyer.”

  Gabby came back to the table and crawled onto the bench.

  “What did I miss?” she asked.

  “A ton. So much you won’t even believe it.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep,” Brandy seconded.

  I took another bite of the bruschetta, and Brandy sipped on her martini as we both let Gabby hang a little longer than necessary.

  “Come on, tell me.”

  “It’s a secret,” I whispered.

  “It really isn’t a secret.” Gabby stared at my stomach.

  “Not that. It’s about Brandy.”

  “She’s pre—” Gabby started to ask.

  I shook my head. “Getting closer, but no.”

  Gabby looked between Brandy and me, her eyes squinting as she settled her gaze on me.

  “Are you gonna tell me or what?”

  I leaned toward Gabby and whispered, “They got married.”

  Gabby gasped, and all heads swung to stare at her.

  “You girls are certainly active down there,” Ayden’s uncle joked. “Sounds like one big revelation after the next.”

  “Just active imaginations.”

  As the conch chowder was served and Ayden had a moment’s peace, I leaned closer.

  “Brandy and Aaron got married. That’s what they’ve been hiding from us,” I whispered.

  Ayden’s eyes grew huge.

  “My own sister didn’t tell me?” He seemed genuinely shocked and a little impressed.

  “No one knows and they’re still forging ahead with their summer wedding. We can’t tell a soul.”

  “I thought they said they didn’t know when they were getting married.”

  “I think they were just caught off guard.”

  “And my parents don’t know?”

  “Leave it to Brandy to get it done quicker.”

  “Give Lily a ginger beer,” Ayden’s dad told the server.

  I glanced at Ayden in horror. How would I get out of drinking beer without looking rude to my future father-in-law?

  “It’s not real beer. It’s kind of like ginger ale only stronger and more carbonated,” Ayden informed me.

  “Thank you,” I called across the table.

  “It’s my new favorite drink,” his dad replied.

  “Speaking of favorites, this is the best soup. Ever,” Gabby said, slurping up the chowder. I glanced down and saw the red bean soup I’d mentioned a day earlier to Jenny. I mouthed a thank you to her for remembering my shellfish dilemma. The spiciness of the soup lit up my taste buds. We all quietly enjoyed our chowder and soup. The server delivered the ginger beer, which I took a giant gulp of and was pleasantly surprised. It had a bite to it that I wasn’t expecting.

  The evening went by quickly with lively discussion and a few impromptu seated dance moves to entertain. By the time dessert arrived, I couldn’t believe it was our moment to announce the big news. As the servers delivered mango & pawpaw mousse to each person, my anxiety level rose through the canopy. Even though most knew our secret, Ayden’s parents didn’t. Or if they did, they certainly didn’t let on. As everyone made moaning sounds over the delicious dessert, Ayden wrapped his arm around me and squeezed.

  “Ready?” he whispered.

  “Ready.”

  He dinged his glass a few times interrupting everyone’s euphoric mousse experience.

  Once all eyes were on us, we both stood up.

  “If you’d all follow us out to the beach, we have a little announcement we want to make.”

  Gabby and Brandy couldn’t hold in their smiles as they clutched their fiancé’s hands and got in line behind us. Ayden’s dad came over to us and narrowed his eyes.

  “Getting married tonight instead?”

  I shook my head. “Nope.”

  I motioned for everyone to follow us as we walked slowly down the beach.

  Candles guided our way until we hit a heart, which was shaped by countless candles. We were far enough away no one could tell what was piled inside the heart until Gabby and Brandy walked up next to the flames and spotted the pink gift bags.

  Brandy let out a gleeful yelp and hugged her mom, who looked clueless.

  Ayden hugged me and kissed the top of my head before he picked me up and lifted me over the candles and set me down inside the giant heart where all the pink bags were scattered. I began picking up each bag, reading the labels and handing them out accordingly.

  “Don’t even think about opening them up,” Ayden warned.

  Katie took the bag from Jason and began tossing it around. My stomach tightened at the thought of the contents spilling out, ruining the surprise so I handed the bags out quicker.

  “Okay, mom. If you could open your bag first.”

  Ayden’s mom couldn’t keep the grin off her face as she opened the bag and pulled out the tiniest pair of pink saltwater sandals available.

  His mom yelped, and tears began running down her face as the realization hit her that she was about to be a grandma.

  “Inside each bag, you’ll find a marker and a different sized pair of saltwater sandals. Each pair of sandals comes with a blank tag for a different stage of our daughter’s life. You’ve all shaped our lives somehow and touched us in ways that made it possible for us to deeply love and for that we can never thank you enough. Our hope is that over the week, you’ll come up with a bit of advice for our daughter for us to read to her as the years go by. We’ve got eighteen pairs of sandals so not one year goes by without some sort of sage advice. We’re also hoping you’ll pack them in your own suitcase so we don’t have to bring them back ourselves.”

  The group chuckled as they dabbed away tears, and I felt completely full of happiness.

  “The pressure,” Jason said, rubbing his jaw as Katie opened up the bag she snatched from Jason.

  “And hopefully, her feet don’t grow past a size nine
because that’s the biggest size we bought,” I added.

  “You’re not worried about big feet then from Ayden’s side, I gather?” Aaron teased, as everyone laughed so hard they cried.

  Ayden’s mom and dad gave us a huge group hug, and I was so happy to have finally revealed our secret. And I knew I needed to tell Ayden about his friends before the wedding. It wasn’t fair to keep him in the dark about what they faced when we all got back home.

  I woke up alone and that was how we planned it. He had his room the night before, and I had mine. Extending my arms toward the ceiling, my body arched into an unbelievable stretch.

  Today was the day!

  The night before, I’d told Ayden about what was going on with Viktor, and he unsurprisingly took it all in stride, which was one of the many reasons I was marrying this man. Nothing ever ruffled his feathers.

  I reached over for my phone and turned off the alarm before it rang its shrill morning reminder. I had set the alarm in case I didn’t wake up, but not only did I wake up on my own, I woke up early. I stood up from the bed and wandered toward the balcony and opened up the double doors. The warm air swathed my bare shoulders, and I took a deep breath in of the salty sea air and let it out slowly. It was hard to resist traipsing down the hall to Ayden’s room, but I was trying to abide by as many traditional rules as possible…aside from some of the biggies.

  It was so peaceful outside at this time of morning. The ocean waves rolled into the beach, and birds hopped from one tree to the next. A few hotel workers wandered the paths and a couple of gardeners freshened up the flowerbeds. The island air exuded calm, and I was determined to embrace the vibe—until I turned back around and saw my wedding dress hanging on the closet door.

  I didn’t have time to be calm.

  I was getting married!

  I jumped up and fist pumped myself before grabbing the remote and turning on some music to get me even more excited.

  I felt like a little wind-up doll as I walked to the hotel phone. My body was zinging with anticipation and excitement. I placed my room service order, hopped in the shower, blow-dried my hair, changed into my “Mrs...” yoga outfit, checked my email for our latest proofs on an ad set to drop in three weeks, answered the door for my eggs benedict on wheels, ate breakfast, watched a few minutes of cable news, steamed my veil, laid out my jewelry, and shoes, and finally called Brandy and Gabby to wake them up.