by Anne, Betsy
We make our plates, and sit together at the table closest to the house where Katie and Jason are seated. Katie talks about the women’s shelter, and all the work she and Mel have been doing over the summer. Wick is intrigued, and offers suggestions about how he can help get the fire department closest to the center to help. The two of them are deep in conversation, and are throwing ideas around like darts. Jason and I smile at each other; we’re enjoying watching them plan to save the world.
That’s when I feel someone sit down right next to me.
Shit. Shit. And triple shit.
“Hey, sexy. Long time no see …” Justin slurs. He smells like beer.
I remember him bragging that he didn’t drink very much, so his tolerance must be low. He’s drunk.
Quadruple shit.
“Hi, Justin, it’s good to see you. Can I speak to you in the house?” I ask as quietly as possible so Wick, who’s right behind me, can’t hear.
“Now you want to talk to me?” he asks loudly, and it gets Wick’s attention.
Wick looks at Justin, who’s staring at me, then looks at me, confused. Katie jumps in to try to save the day.
“Justin! It’s so good to see you,” she jabs Jason in the ribs for help. “How’ve you been? Jason, take him over to our house and show him your new weights. I bet he’s got some good pointers for you.”
She grasping at straws to remove him from the table. Justin ignores her, and won’t stop staring at me.
“I see your face every day. Your picture is on an ad on the train. I haven’t stopped thinking about you. We were so good together.”
He places his hand on my thigh, and the next moments play before me like a slow-motion film. I see Wick reach in front of me, practically knocking me to the ground, and his hand lands firmly around Justin’s throat. I stand up to get out of the way. Justin appears shocked at first, and then becomes enraged. He reaches out to grab Wick in the same manner. The two of them look like fighting dogs that grab hold and won’t let go. Their faces are bright red; they’re struggling to breathe.
Jason and Brian are quick to jump into the fray and separate them. Justin and Wick both bend over and gasp for air.
“What the fuck are you doing, man?” Justin spits out at Wick, obviously not discerning that he’s with me.
Wick gets back up in his face.
“Don’t you lay a fucking hand on her. Don’t even look at her. She’s mine, you asshole. I don’t know who you think you are, but if I ever see your face again I’ll break it in half,” Wick says in a deadly low register, his accent making it difficult to understand.
The point gets across, and Justin allows Brian to walk him inside. It happened so fast, that none of the kids heard what happened, and was over before most of the other guests saw. Thank God.
Wick wastes no time, and begins to walk toward the front door. I have to double-time to catch up with him. He doesn’t stop or turn around; he’s on a straight path to the car. He throws open the driver’s side door and gets in. I race to the other side before he can drive away. He doesn’t start the engine, so I think he wants me to get in.
I close the door, and we’re ensconced in the silence of the car. His chest is rising and falling rapidly; he’s struggling to get himself under control. I’ve never seen him lose his temper. He usually maintains a cool façade no matter what the situation. Granted, we haven’t been confronted with something like this before.
Never did I think that we would run into Justin like this. I hadn’t given him another thought since the night we were together, but he clearly remembers me. I didn’t bother telling Wick because I didn’t feel the need. Must we tell each other about every one-night stand? I think Wick was caught off-guard. He liked it that I had no sexual history since I moved to Chicago. What guy wouldn’t? Or what woman for that matter? No one likes to hear those stories. I see what problems it created for him and me because of my jealousy regarding Pam.
Other than pure anger, I have no idea what he’s feeling. His eyes are closed, and he’s deep into meditative breathing, trying to calm down. I’m grateful he wants a clear mind before we have the inevitable discussion. I try to emulate him, but I’m not as skilled. My heart is racing too fast to slow it through breathing. I’m scared to death of what he’s going to say.
He breaks the pose, and rubs his hands on his face vigorously. He’s ready to speak.
“Do you have something to tell me, Rebecca? Who was that guy and why did he feel like he could put his hand on you?”
I try to swallow and find my voice, but my mouth is bone dry.
“I’m sorry, Wick. I made a huge mistake before you and I met. I let Melanie and Katie set me up with that guy, but it was a terrible date,” I say as he continues to stare out the front window.
“One bad date and he acts like that? I don’t think so.”
“Well, we slept together. I wasn’t interested in him for a relationship, but it had been so long since I’d had sex that I allowed it to happen. He tried to contact me for a long time after that night, but I ignored him. I know it’s a terrible thing to do to someone, but I just didn’t know what to say. I really never thought I’d see him again, so I didn’t mention him to you. I didn’t want you thinking about it and becoming jealous.
“I know I sound like a hypocrite, especially after I gave you such a hard time about Pam. I’m sorry. I never want to hurt you, I love you.”
He closes his eyes, and rests his forehead on the steering wheel. He remains silent. To my surprise, he starts the car, and drives back to my house without saying a word.
He parks the car in front, and takes my hand as we go inside. He’s no longer giving off anger vibes, but I’m not sure exactly what emotion has replaced them. He’s difficult to read.
Now that we’re alone, I feel the need to continue with my apology.
“Please, Wick, don’t be angry with me. I didn’t even like him, he was incredibly boring …”
He stops my rant with a sweet kiss.
“I don’t want to hear about him anymore, what’s done is done. However, I do want to hear about every other guy in your life, no matter when it was. I want you to tell me all about your first love, first kiss, your third-grade crush, whoever. I want it all. Imagining you with another man or thinking that you have any other men in your head is hard for a guy like me. I have to know that if we ever run into anyone in your history, I’ll know about it.”
“I don’t think that’s such a great idea, Wick. When I heard about Pam, all I could do was obsess over her. Maybe we should just let the past stay in the past.”
“No, I can’t do that. Please, humor me.”
We sit on my sofa, and I tell him all about my uneventful love life. I tell him about Charlie, in fourth grade, whom I’d let kiss me on the cheek and then thought I’d gotten pregnant from it because I had the stomach flu afterward. I tell him about my first what I thought was love, in seventh grade: A beautiful boy, Roger, who turned out to be gay once we reached high school. I tell him about Harrison, and the details of our relationship.
He sits quietly, contemplating and consuming every story I share.
“Then there was this one guy who really took my breath away. He was my knight in shining armor, rescuing my sweet niece, not once, but twice. It turned out that under his armor, there were a few tarnished spots, but he’s tried his best to polish those out. I never knew that the type of love I saw in movies really existed. That the mere presence of someone could make your legs feel weak. That he’s the first thought in your head in the morning, and the last one you have at night. That guy has made me forget about all the other men I’ve ever known.”
A huge smile breaks his stony countenance.
“Thank you, my love. Thank you for sharing your stories with me, and thank you for loving me. I feel whole with you in my life,” he whispers as he leans in for a kiss. A kiss that becomes needy and passionate almost the instant our lips touch.
“Mine are the only lips you’ll
ever touch again, my Rebecca. I love you.”
His words feel like warm caramel pouring through my body.
I was scared that he would be more upset that I hadn’t told him about Justin. I think after the initial shock wore off, he realized that he was no hypocrite. He’s had quite an illustrious past, and any day the tables could be turned. A woman from his past could be anywhere, anytime.
He told me his stories, which were admittedly hard to hear, and he now knows all mine. We have a clean slate, with no surprises ahead of us.
Chapter 23
Wick and I decide to celebrate our one-year anniversary by going to the Bears game with Melanie and our group, just like our first date last year. He insisted on meeting up with us just as he did the last time. He admitted that waiting for me to walk up and having a chance to spy on me before I saw him made for one of the greatest days of his life. This time it’s even better, because we’re in love. The sight of him makes my stomach flip.
The Bears are leading their division, so the game is a sellout today. With our crazy crowd it’s a little difficult to look out for him and manage the kids. I’m walking with Lou, holding her hand, while Mel talks on the phone with someone. We get squashed together when another large group of people tries to pass in front of us. I get separated from Lou’s tiny hand, and begin to panic. I push Mel to get her attention and she ends her call. We all spread out and look for her. Mel’s boys call out for her, since she sometimes thinks this is game. I run as fast as I can up and down the concourse where we were walking, but there are too many people to see someone that small. My mind races with terrible outcomes.
“Excuse me, miss. Does this wee one belong to you?”
I turn around, and see two loves of my life, smiling together. Those were the first words I ever heard come out of his mouth. Wick is holding Lou high on his large shoulders, and she’s giggling in delight.
I give him a bear hug, and wag my finger at Lou.
“My dear, you are going to be the death of your poor Auntie Becca!” I say, and Wick laughs. “Thank you, once again for saving the day, sweetheart. I love you.”
I give him a kiss, and Lou wiggles to get down. Wick hands a squirmy Lou over to Melanie.
“Get a harness for that girl, will you?” Wick says, laughing as Melanie thanks him profusely.
She digs through her large purse, and finds a long hair ribbon. She ties it onto the back of Lou’s little overalls.
“There, a perfect leash. I’m going to have a drink,” Mel says, as she turns and grips Lou’s tether as she runs in front of her.
Our group reassembles and heads for the elevators to the luxury suites.
Wick pulls me back, so that we’re alone.
“I saw you in the crowd, and I was happily watching you. That’s when I saw you two get separated. If we ever have a wandering child like her, I may never let her leave the house.”
I heard him loud and clear. If we have a child. He’s speaking in plurals and I like it.
The day is perfect, except for the bitter wind and mist off the lake, but in my world it’s warm and sunny. Wick and I are in our own little bubble, ignoring everything around us. This time last year, I was just cracking the outer shell in getting to know him. Now we’re meshed together, deep in each other’s lives. We know all about each other, the good and the bad, no secrets.
The Bears win the game, and the crowd is going wild. He and I remain in our seats, gazing at each other. He’s been particularly attentive today, and I’ve noticed.
“Are you as happy as I am, Wick? I have to pinch myself that it’s only been a year since we were here, awkwardly getting to know each other. In a way it feels like yesterday, but it also feels as if I’ve known you my whole life.”
“I feel the same way, love. I’m grateful to you for having the patience to stay with me and help me work through my issues. To celebrate, I’d like to take you back to the restaurant from that first night.”
We haven’t been there since our first date. It was so romantic that now seems like the perfect time, especially with him in this mood.
“Absolutely, Wick. You know how much I loved that place.”
We make a hasty exit, and Melanie and Katie give us knowing grins as we leave. They probably think we’re rushing out of here to go have sex. Anyone watching us today would likely assume the same.
We brace ourselves against the cold, just like last time, and rush to his car.
“Our reservation isn’t for another hour. Do you want to go have a drink beforehand somewhere?”
“I’m good staying right here with you in this warm car,” I say seductively, smiling as I peel off two of my layers.
He keeps the engine running to keep the heat going. He turns on the radio to a soft rock station. I feel like I’m in high school again. He leans over and we begin to kiss. Our rhythm stays slow, in time with the music. I’m overly aroused and feel like I could rip his clothes off with my teeth. Instead I refocus, and enjoy the present, his soft, warm lips caressing mine in a loving gesture.
He breaks our trance when he notices the time.
“Shit, we’re late! Where did the time go?”
We’ve been kissing for over an hour, and it felt like five minutes. My body is thoroughly heated, as are my loins, and my lips are swollen. Best damn feeling in the world.
He speeds over to the restaurant, and parks the car haphazardly. My state of bliss is rudely interrupted by all the rushing around. I guess he’s worried they’ll give away our table.
He practically pulls my arm out of its socket yanking me from the car and pulling me with him into the front door.
“Jesus, Wick! Slow down, what’s the big rush?”
When my eyes adjust to the dim lighting, I can’t believe what I see. Dozens of lit candles cover every table. I look beyond them and see that our families and friends are packed in the room. Melanie, Brian and their kids, Katie and Jason’s family, Lachlan, his fiancé, and Wick’s parents, and many more. It’s not even close to my birthday, so I stand, shocked and confused.
I turn back for an explanation from Wick, and he’s kneeling on one knee, looking up at me.
Dear God.
“My dearest, lovely Rebecca. Since the first day I ever laid eyes on you, I knew you were the one for me. I felt a unique connection with you the first time I ever touched your beautiful face. I can’t imagine living on the same planet as you and not sharing every waking moment with you in my arms,” he pauses and pulls a box out of his jacket pocket. “I’ve had this for quite a while, but I wanted the timing to be perfect. Will you marry me, my sweet Becca?”
My eyes fill with tears of joy as he slides the ring on my shaking finger. I feel my head nodding “yes” as he stands and picks me up. He squeezes me tightly and spins me around in full circle. My head is in outer space, floating above it all. None of this feels real.
The love of my life just proposed to me in front of all of our family and friends. He must have been planning this for quite a while. I can’t believe he pulled it off without anyone spoiling up the surprise.
I return back to the here and now, and see that everyone is clapping and whooping for us. Champagne is being poured, and I’m handed a full glass. Once everyone has a drink, Wick pulls me to his side and raises his glass. Everyone in the room follows suit.
“May the best you've ever seen
Be the worst you'll ever see;
May a mouse never leave your pantry
With a teardrop in his eye
May you keep whole and hearty
Till you're old enough to die,
May you be just as happy
As I wish you to be.
“This is my wish for my dear Rebecca and for all of you, our family. My God bless us now and forever. Slainte!”
We swallow our drinks, and begin our beautiful celebration.
He’s going to be my husband.
Chapter 24
Wick doesn’t want us to jump ahead of his brother Lac
h’s wedding, but theirs is still quite a while off. Lach doesn’t graduate until next year, and he and his fiancé don’t want to start planning until he finds a job.
If Wick had his way, we’d be married by a justice of the peace today. I don’t want a huge wedding, but I do want to include our families and special friends. I want to see Melanie’s boys in their tuxes and my little Lou in a little flower-girl gown.
We are unexpectedly lucky to be able to reserve a Saturday date at the Stan Mansion in Logan Square after a last-minute cancellation. The venue is an old masonic temple that has been restored. It’s lovely inside and out. However, it only gives us three weeks to prepare.
I hustle to find a dress, while Melanie and Katie take the lead finding their bridesmaid dresses and helping me organize everything else. We’re keeping the number below a hundred guests, which is about as intimate as we can get given family and close friends.
Wick has never been happier. He is so excited at the prospect of being married, and wants to be involved with the decisions. He requested white heather and purple thistle for the flowers: It’s a traditional Scottish thing. He’s also going to pin a small piece of fabric to my waist, the Dunmore family plaid. It looks like a piece of a tablecloth from an Italian restaurant, red and white squares. I saw a picture of his parents’ wedding, and she was wearing the same patch of plaid that I will be. My family has never had a lot of tradition, unless you count the weird southern ones, so I’m proud to carry on the legacy.
Our wedding is set for the nineteenth of November, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. We’re going to stay in Chicago for the holiday since our families will all be here, and then we’ll leave for our honeymoon the following Sunday. We’re going to Scotland for two weeks to visit his relatives, and see his hometown, I can’t wait. He really wants to visit Georgia, but that trip will have to wait: My kooky relatives might be a deal breaker for him.
We decide now that we’re engaged, to hold off until our wedding night to have sex. The anticipation will build to make the night even more special, or so I keep telling myself. He’s been diving deep into meditation to help. We sleep together, which makes it all the more difficult. When he wakes up beside me in all his glory, it’s almost impossible not to jump him.
