When You Least Expect It
Page 45
“Yup?”
She exhaled. “Alex, it’s me. Are you going to Mom’s wedding?”
“Yes, I’m going with Aunt Blossom. Why?”
“I’m about to leave. I decided at the last minute, about five minutes ago really, to go. If I’m not there, can you stall the wedding?”
“What? How?”
“I don’t know how, but you’re good at that kind of stuff, I’m sure you’ll think of something.” She hung up and ran to her car, anxious now that the she had made the decision, to be on the road.
~~~
Hoover Dam was spectacular, and she enjoyed watching the girl’s exuberance as they took pictures, of the dam, the desert and all the scenic views. Although Amanda was as fascinated by the dam as they were, she was also very aware that she was only thirty miles away from their destination, and hours away from getting married.
She yanked on Ray’s sleeve. “Can we cut this short?”
He looked at her in surprise. “I thought we’d take the tour.”
Amanda did her best not to overreact, although her instinct was to grab him by his shirtfront, yank him down to her face level and remind him they were getting married tonight. Instead, she said, “Honey, I don’t think we have time for that. I really don’t want to get to the hotel, throw on my clothes and run to the wedding…our wedding.” She gently tugged on his shirt. “Please?” She looked up at him wide-eyed. “I just want to be beautiful tonight.”
Ray melted, bent down and kissed her. He turned and yelled at his kids to get in the car.
“What about the tour, Dad?”
“Norma, I’m getting married soon, we can’t be late! Maybe we can stop on the way back.” He looked at Amanda questioningly and she nodded. “That way we’ll have more time.”
The girls agreed and they all ran to the car and resumed their trek to the MGM Grand.
~~~
The Las Vegas strip was like nothing they had ever seen before. So many hotels, restaurants, and people; it was exciting. When they drove up to their hotel, the girls could only stare at it, their mouths open. “We’re staying here?”
Amanda was also impressed. She nodded at Ray, “Nice job, Mr. Knight.”
“Only the best for my future wife.”
They checked in and went up to their rooms, which were just as impressive. The king-size bed was enormous, and Amanda lay on the chaise like the queen she finally felt like. “This is great, Ray.” There was a knock on the door, and Ray went to answer.
It was a bellhop with a delivery. He had a bottle of champagne on ice, with a plate of chocolate dipped strawberries. He handed Ray a card. He handed it to Amanda as he tipped the bellhop.
She opened the card and was astonished to find the gift was from her 40s4fun chat room friends! She gave the card to Ray. “I’m sure Hawaiianlover is behind this. Can you believe it?”
Ray could not. It was amazing that people they’d never met would be the ones to congratulate them in this way. The Internet, though strange and scary at times, was also amazing and wondrous. He was speechless.
Amanda read the card again. Congratulations from your friends at 40s4fun. May you live happily ever after. We are so happy for you two! She smiled, feeling happy. She really did believe they wished her well. “Open up the goodies! We can have a pre-celebratory drink.”
Ray popped open the champagne and proposed a toast. He stood as Amanda sat on the bed, and began. “Amanda, as we sit here in this beautiful room, drinking this high grade champagne and eating these decadent strawberries, I want to remind you that this is your new lifestyle.”
Amanda giggled and took a sip of her champagne as Ray continued.
“There’ll be no more money worries. I will take care of you and treat you in the manner you so richly deserve.” He raised his glass. “To finally finding happiness, for both of us.”
Amanda smiled and thanked him, not really grasping what he was trying to tell her. She poured another glass and took a long swig, happy to find the golden drink was calming her nerves. After finishing the glass, she felt warm all over. “When do we have to leave?”
Ray informed her that the limousine would pick them up in about an hour. “We have plenty of time.”
Amanda looked in the mirror at her flatter than flat hair. “Maybe you do, but I better hurry. She poured more champagne and ran to unpack her dress and get in the shower.
“I don’t think our marriage will be legal if you’re drunk, Mandy.” He frowned as she giggled loudly from the bathroom.
~~~
The limousine ride was unforgettable. Blossom and Alex had arrived at the MGM and they all piled into the limo. The girls’ were hanging out the window, and Alex had them open the sunroof so he could stand, yelling at the crowds of people they passed.
Amanda sat there taking it all in, but feeling a bit sick to her stomach.
“Honey, are you okay?” Blossom stared at her cousin. Amanda looked a bit pale to her.
“I can’t do this,” she whispered. “I’m scared to get married again, Blossom.”
Unfortunately, Ray overheard her. He took Amanda’s hand. “Then we don’t do this, Mandy. If you marry me tonight, it has to be because you want to be with me, because you want to be my wife. I don’t want to force you, nor do I want you to feel an ounce of reluctance. Either you’re full hearted about this, or it shouldn’t happen.” He held his breath.
Amanda stayed quiet for a moment, taking it all in. She loved Ray; that she knew. Was she always going to let her past rule her? Yes, she’d been married twice before, but the men she had chosen had been less than acceptable. Was she going to be able to give Ray her all? There was so much baggage. Although Randy had done some major damage to her self-esteem, Peter had damaged everything else. Ray would have nothing left. She was scared.
Ray could almost hear what she was thinking. After two years of talking to this wounded woman on the phone every night for hours, he knew her almost as well as she knew herself. “Whatever it takes to get this marriage going, we’ll do. If we find there is too much baggage from our previous marriages, then we’ll go to counseling to figure out how to unpack it. We’re going to do whatever it takes to make this work, Mandy.” He kissed her hand. “You just have to want it as much as I do.”
Amanda looked at Ray with tears in her eyes. “I want it more than I’ve ever wanted anything else.”
Ray’s heart resumed beating. He may have seemed calm on the outside, but his body had shut down on the inside. He’d been afraid the love of his life was going to chicken out. “Then let’s go get married.”
Blossom had been quietly listening to their exchange. “Well, it’s a good thing, girl, because after that speech, if you hadn’t married him, I would have.” She winked at Ray and smiled. He had won her over.
They stopped to get their license and proceeded to the chapel. The pictures on the wall of all the celebrities that had been married here captivated them. Nikki asked her dad if their pictures were going to be on the wall. He laughed. “I doubt it. We aren’t famous enough.” He finished checking them in, and since he’d ordered the large packet with all the trimmings, he handed Amanda her bouquet. It had lots of silk ribbon and beautiful white roses with baby’s breath.
“Wow, I didn’t expect this. It’s beautiful, Ray.” She was amazed at the lengths Ray had gone to make their wedding special. “Thank you.” She pinned on his matching boutonniere. “We look spectacular!”
She looked around at her family and noticed her son was missing. “Where’s Alex?”
“He said something about forgetting something in the limo.”
She stared at her cousin. “You let him go? I’m getting married in about five minutes.”
The photographer came to get them. “You can go into the chapel now.”
Amanda glared at her cousin. “Find him!”
Blossom went out into the parking lot as the rest of the party filed in. The chapel was beautiful. There was maroon carpeting and flowers ev
erywhere. The wallpaper was exquisite with raised maroon and white flowers that were soft to the touch. She loved it. The pastor came up and introduced himself.
“Hi, I’m Pastor Stone.” He had a thick southern accent. He took Amanda’s hand. “This is your special day, so I want to run over how we’re going to do this, and if you have any objections, you just let me know. Did you bring music?”
She looked at Ray. They had not.
“We have music we can provide, then. We’ll have your guests sit in the first rows, your attendants will wait for you in the front, and I’ll want both of you to walk up the aisle together, as you head towards your new life together. How does that sound?”
Amanda squeaked out that it sounded wonderful. She looked at Ray who had the biggest smile she’ ever seen. Again, her eyes watered. She was actually doing this. Holy cow!
“Can we begin?” The girls sat down. “Where are your attendants?”
Amanda blushed. “They ran out to the limo. They should be here any second.”
Pastor Stone looked at his watch. “We can wait a few minutes. I’ll go prepare the music.”
She looked at Ray. “Maybe I should go get them.”
Ray held her hand. “No way. I don’t want to have to wonder where you are. We can wait.”
There was a bustling at the door, and Blossom and Alex came running in. “We’re here, honey. Did we miss it?” Blossom was out of breath.
Amanda was about to give her a piece of her mind, when she noticed two more people in the room.
“Hi Mom.”
She could only stare at her daughter. She had come. Amanda cried.
Elisa stepped up to her and hugged her. “You’re going to mess up your make-up, Mom.” She wiped her tears and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Pastor Stone came up to them. “Attendants to the front please.”
Alex was standing up for Ray, and although Blossom was supposed to be standing up for her, she took a seat, and Elisa stood up front with her brother. Amanda couldn’t have been happier.
Pastor Stone put his hand on Amanda’s shoulder. “Are you ready?”
They looked at each other, smiled and nodded that they were ready. They were more than ready to face their life together, not only with each other, but also with everyone who sat in this room, smiling broadly, waiting for their first steps.
“Then take hold of his arm.” Amanda looked up at Ray and smiled. “Now hang on darlin’”, Pastor Stone drawled, “’cause it’s for life.”
The End
Table of Contents
Ch apter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
CHAPTER 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 18
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45