Our Forever Promise

by Mary Wasowski

  She was lying here next to me, and all I wanted to do was wrap myself around her and never let her go. She shifted just slightly and her stomach was now exposed. I showered her tiny baby bump with gentle kisses and spoke to my child growing inside of her. “Daddy loves you, little one. Stay nestled inside where you are safe. Daddy and mommy love you so much.”

  I kissed her stomach a few more times, and I swore I thought I saw Reese smile, but who knows? She tends to do that when she dreams. I didn’t know how much I missed that until I saw her do it on one of the first nights we shared this bed in our home. I would lay awake for hours just watching her. If she only knew how much peace it brought me to see her sleep so soundly.

  The waking hours weren’t as stressful for me. We were weeks away from our wedding, and so many plans still needed to be finalized. My office was now turned into Wedding Central.

  I put all of my projects in the capable hands of my right hand man, Donovan Tate. I knew he was up to task. I had him finishing up a very important request, one that required complete discretion. He would be back here soon, and I could finally move on from a mistake that should have never happened. As important as it was for me to run my company and maintain complete control over it, I had other matters that needed my attention. Marrying Reese was all I could think of, and I couldn’t wait to make her mine…forever.

  She had been home resting in between dress fittings and cake tasting. She’d been ferociously sick lately with morning sickness that never really seemed to go away. I called Freddy in from New York to spend time with her and help her with anything she might need.

  Reese didn’t want a big wedding with all of the trimmings. This was where we disagreed. This was Reese’s day, and I wanted it to be perfect for her. The dress Freddy designed for her was something that belonged on the cover of Vogue. She was already contacted to do some pre-wedding publicity photos, but she refused. My Georgia Peach was still the same simple girl I fell in love with the first time many years ago. She exuded confidence, beauty, and grace. She may have modeled for years and still looked like one, but she was most comfortable wrapped in simplicity.

  How could I refuse her one request: A small wedding with only our closest family and friends? Her side was considerably small, where my list was going into the hundreds. I knew I was out of control with my planning, but I wanted to show the world what I was denied all of those years ago. As much as this was for my girl, it was also for me.

  Reeling myself in was no easy task, but I couldn’t help myself. I actually enjoyed the break I was taking from my usual ten hour + work days. I wanted to lavish my girl with all that I had. I needed to show the world she was finally mine, and that took help from Rosalyn Davenport-Baker. She was the best wedding planner in her field, and the waiting list to be a client was two years long. When Jenny placed the call to her office, all other clients took a back seat to me. She was dreaming up ideas and had them on my desk two days later. I liked Rosalyn very much. But convincing Lila to accept her help? Well, that was another challenge!

  Reese didn’t want Lila to feel left out, so she asked her grandmother to be in charge of the rehearsal dinner. As much as I loved Lila, and especially her cooking, I wanted a particular menu that consisted of what Lila calls “snobbery at its finest.” I tried not to be insulted. I was no snob. I just wanted the very best for our wedding, and Reese not participating in the day-to-day made me the bad guy. I hated to disappoint Lila, so I compromised and suggested two parties instead.

  Lila and Thomas would be here the week of the wedding. They didn’t fly because of Thomas’s heart, so I had arranged for them and several of their closest friends to be driven out to California by a luxury mobile home on wheels. The trip would take approximately thirty-three hours without stopping. I hired four drivers over the course of the trip. This was the best solution I could come up with, and it seemed to satisfy the grandparents and Reese.

  All was falling into place until I received a call from Rosalyn. She had reached an impasse with the final menu. That impasse was Lila Mitchell. She had insisted to include some of Reese’s favorites on the wedding reception menu. It included Peach Cobbler, Sweet Potato Pie, and Fried Okra? What the heck is that? And a wide assortment of appetizers from their home country of Ireland. My stomach retched after hearing some of it, and I stopped her mid-sentence. Reese was also pregnant, and the kids nor the grandparents weren’t told of our good news yet. We had decided that as a wedding present to our family we would tell them the night of the rehearsal dinner.

  Reese couldn’t wait to tell Lila. I was more concerned with Thomas and his shotgun. Obviously we were adults, but Reese was their only granddaughter, and we weren’t married yet… legally anyway, but always in our hearts first.

  I assured Rosalyn that I would work everything out and would be in touch with her when I could. I held my head in my hands and took in some calming breaths. Jenny stood at the entrance of my door and simply laughed at me.

  Raising my head up at her, I said, “What’s the joke? Care to let me in on it?”

  “Oh, Mr. Reed, no joke, I am simply overjoyed for you. What a sight to take in to see you this happy, but you would think a man of your stature who controls billion dollar deals from behind his desk can easily handle planning a wedding? You seem a bit overwhelmed.”

  “Am I that obvious?”

  “A little bit, sir. Forgive me for overstepping, but wasn’t it your sweet Ms. Mitchell that wanted something small and intimate? This is turning into a circus, if you ask me.”

  “Well, I didn’t ask you, Jenny, but thank you for stating the obvious. What do I do now? Rosalyn had warned me that Lila was upset and planned on calling Reese today. They video chat every week. I have the bus completely online, so I have to imagine their call will happen today.”

  “Are you afraid to go home?” she asked.

  “Truth?”

  “Yes, that would be nice.”

  “Yes, I am,” I said. “If Lila gets to Reese before I do, I think I may be sleeping on the couch tonight.” Once again, Jenny laughed at my expense.

  “Everything will be fine sir. I think you need to take a break from all of this wedding planning and relax. You are turning into a Groomzilla, and it’s not a very flattering look on you. Can you please remember that this is supposed to be a happy day? The biggest moment of your life. Now go home, and start enjoying it.”

  I relaxed my shoulders and hugged Jenny. Wiser words were never spoken. Thank goodness for her and her words of wisdom. I couldn’t wait until she met Lila. They were definitely going to be the best of friends.

  AFTER SOME TOUGH rounds of throwing up, I was pretty much done for the day. Freddy wanted to do some shopping on Rodeo drive, but I was just not up for it. I had so much to do and little time to accomplish it all. Freddy and Fabrizio, along with Marsha, promised to take care of anything I still had to complete. My wish: To manage walking down the aisle without tossing my cookies all over the beautiful decorations and rose petals.

  Freddy, never one to miss an opportunity to tease me, threw rose petals at my feet the other day. I looked at him strangely until he busted out laughing. Of course I knew what he was referencing. Freddy and I shared the same taste in movies, so he rented as many as he could that contained a wedding theme. One of the choices was Coming to America. He bowed at my feet and covered my floors with rose petals as I walked behind him. What a mess! Our house manager, Priscilla, loved him at first sight but made him grab a broom and return my home to its pristine manner. We laughed out loud. That was a great night with my best friend.

  I was nearing the end of my first trimester and praying for the end of my morning sickness. It was never this bad with Riley. I had taken all the necessary tests that we were required to have. With my high risk pregnancy past, Walker wasn’t taking any chances with my health. Shortly after we returned home from Georgia, talking with him about my headaches didn’t go over so well. Knowing what happened to Elizabeth, Walker immediately turned
ten shades of red. He was beyond angry that I didn’t tell him about my migraine history. Once I found out I was pregnant, he was even more concerned. I hardly ever needed to take medicine for the migraines, least of all a prescription. I would just simply do some relaxing exercises or rest in a quiet, darkened room until it would pass. Pregnancy hormones were known to bring on worsened headaches, and it was just something that Walker would have to come to terms with. What happened to Elizabeth was tragic, but our two cases are different. Explaining this to Walker? Almost impossible.

  Thank goodness Jackson hadn’t had any headaches since New York. He was young and very healthy. Jackson told me that he was secretly happy that he wasn’t the center of attention at the moment. He welcomed the reprieve from his father’s incessant worrying. I scolded him a bit on that remark, because his father’s concern came purely from love. To understand Walker was to accept him in all areas, even the ones that drive you crazy.

  Having Priscilla, our house manager, help me was a breath of fresh air. We immediately hit it off and she seemed to read me like a book. She spent all of her time taking care of me throughout the day, and once I was over this morning sickness, she would get treated to a spa weekend.

  I was about to fall asleep after my chamomile tea when my iPad alert was ringing. I looked down to my watch and realized I nearly missed my afternoon chat with Nana. It rang several times, but I needed to fix my appearance first. Nana didn’t know about the pregnancy yet, and today I didn’t look so hot with my flushed cheeks. I was red and blotchy from straining my face muscles. I looked awful. Walker didn’t like to hear me put myself down, but men truly don’t seem to grasp what a woman goes through while pregnant.

  I opened up the screen and was welcomed to not just Nana, but Granddaddy, Mabel, Beatrice, Clara, and of course two very loud puppies. Yes, Socks and Pockets also made the trip. Oh my goodness, the poor drivers. I laughed to myself.

  This bus they were traveling on offered every bit of luxury you could imagine. It had everything from soup to nuts, and it sure did look like Granddaddy was enjoying himself, but today? Not Nana. She looked like a bee just landed in her bonnet.

  “Hi, Nana how’s the trip so far?” I smiled and pleasantly asked. My fingers were crossed behind my back.

  “Hello, sweet girl. I miss you more than a million jelly beans, but to answer your question, the trip is fine, but my mood is not.”

  “Now Nana, what’s wrong? It’s not like you to be upset over anything. What can I do to help?”

  “You can start by telling that soon-to-be husband of yours to stop interfering with my menu! You know I love him, Reese to the moon and back, but he don’t know nothing about southern cuisine. Now, you wanted your favorites, didn’t you? No one has ever complained about my pastries, and that goes for my cooking too!”

  I was about to answer Nana, when I heard footsteps outside the door. I told Nana that I was stepping away for a moment to drink some water, and to wait for me to return. She said she had all the time in the world to do so. Oh boy! What has he done? I thought, as I stepped away.

  Sure enough, my instincts were correct. It was Walker arriving home, and no doubt overhearing his name mentioned by Nana.

  “Why, hello there, my handsome fiancé.” I said to my love. “Care to know who I’m speaking with now? Or have you figured it out?”

  “Baby, I am so sorry you have to deal with this. Do you want me to talk with her? I could smooth things over, I promise.”

  “Oh honey, I think you and your wedding planner have done way too much already. You stay back and just listen.”

  “Yes, my love,” he replied.

  “If I survive this call, then you owe me a full body massage that includes multiple orgasms.”

  “Then I hope you survive it, because I am definitely up to the task of fulfilling your request. I love you.”

  “I love you more,” I said back to him.

  “Impossible, but thank you.”

  I STAYED OUT of sight while Reese continued with her call with Lila. Before sitting back down in front of her laptop, she gave me the sexiest wink. Oh I knew what my girl was thinking about. And I knew what we would be doing later.

  “Okay Nana, I’m back. So as you were saying…”

  “Reese, I am trying to remember that I am a Christian, but that horrid wedding planner has got to go! She doesn’t know anything, let alone can’t appreciate our southern dishes. I think she may have liked my pastry choices, but when it came down to the appetizers, well she wasn’t silent with her opinions. If you ask me, she was a bit too forthcoming for my taste, and I wanted to wash her mouth out with soap.”

  “Nana, please calm down and tell me what Ms. Davenport-Baker said.”

  “And that’s another thing! What kind of woman has two last names like that?”

  As I continued to listen to Reese and Nana’s discussion, I became very apprehensive waiting in silence. I definitely noticed the change of the tone Nana was using with Reese. This can’t be good. I was beginning to sweat. I couldn’t believe how nervous I was. Being on Nana Lila’s bad side was not a good place to be, especially when I was weeks away from marrying Reese. I got myself into check and let out a few breaths. This is Lila we are talking about. She’s the sweetest person I have ever met. I’m sure she’s exaggerating about Rosalyn. I hope.

  I was wrong, it was worse than I thought.

  “She said that my food choices should come with a warning label that should read ‘Proceed with caution. Would you like a heart attack on the side with your salt?’”

  “She said that? Are you sure, Nana? She is a professional wedding planner. I can’t imagine she would use that type of language with a client.”

  “Oh, she most certainly did.” Clara chimed in.

  “What a rude woman!” Mabel shouted.

  “You see, Reese? I am not imagining what I heard. She was downright disrespectful, and I will not coordinate a menu with that woman. We have been through this, Reese. You said you wanted a simple menu that included your favorites, and because I was doing the cooking, you would let me handle it all. Now to add more salt to my open wounds, she said that your Walker has final approval and instructed her to run this by him first. He also said that he wanted a pure organic menu to be included. What the heck is a pure organic menu? So some haughty uptight woman who can’t keep her tummy in check has to have a specialized menu? Oh my! I would rather hang up my apron than to cook something that will probably contain more letters in it than the alphabet.”

  Nana continued her rant. “Come on, Reese! This is your special day, and it seems to be turning into a circus. I’m sorry, honey, that I’m raising my tone with you, but I’m just offended. I can’t believe your sweet Walker doesn’t want my Peach Cobbler or my Fried Sweet Potato Casserole. Was he fibbing to me when he ate all those dishes at my table?”

  Reese needed to calm her down, “Of course not, Nana. Walker loves your cooking. Unfortunately this probably has more to do with me than him. Nana, I believe the reason why Walker has been so strict with the menu guidelines is because of me and my sensitivity issues to certain foods and smells at the moment.”

  “What? The only time you have ever turned my food down was when you were pregnant with my Riley girl. Now Reese, we can always compromise on… Oh, my sweet lord! Reese, are you expecting?”

  “Yes Nana, we are. I am three months along and about to begin my second trimester.”

  “Thomas, Mabel, Clara, Beatrice, come on out here. Reese has wonderful news to share.”

  Reese held her hands over her ears from all the loud cries of joy when Nana heard our news. I couldn’t help but smile. Her mood changed in seconds, and the fight over the menu was now over.

  Watching Reese move the iPad screen away, and out of Nana’s direct view, all I heard was the happy cheers going on in the background. It was time to be with Reese. I had waited in the shadows long enough, and now that Lila had heard our good news, it was time to join the party. I was hoping
all would be forgiven on the wedding planner disaster now that she knew she was going to be a great-grandmother again. I hoped with fingers crossed behind my back.

  “Now, you come out and face the music?” she smiled. I leaned down to kiss my soon-to-be beautiful wife.

  “I’m sorry, baby.” I replied. “If it means anything at all, your Nana scares the shit out of me.” Now we both busted out laughing. “Your sweet Nana is a force to be reckoned with. I have no doubt she could serve as a worthy adversary against any business associate of mine. I love you, Reese, so very much.”

  “I love you too. Let’s finish up with Nana, and then you and I are going to have a long talk.”

  What does that mean? A long talk? Reese can’t be mad at me, is she? We were just laughing a minute ago. I silently nodded at her and kissed the top of her head. Reese turned the screen back around to see Nana wiping the tears from her eyes.

  “Oh Nana, please don’t cry. I don’t think my heart could take it.”

  “I’m sorry, sweet girl, but you have truly made me the happiest grandmother on the face of the planet. Now don’t you go sneaking off, Walker! I see your shadow off to the side. Come on, son, show yourself.”

  I couldn’t help but let out the laugh I was holding inside. Reese’s grandmother always had her own unique style of bringing out the good feelings in people, even me. Nana wasn’t taking no for an answer, and then I finally joined Reese on the sofa. I sat behind her and protectively wrapped my arms around my girl. This was my move I tend to do when I’m nervous. Reese knows me all too well, and she knows exactly what to do to calm me. She placed her hands on top of mine and leaned back into my chest. I inhaled her beautiful scent and let out the breath I was holding. Nana was deliriously happy at this point.

  “Hi, Lila,” I said quietly through my smile.