“Welcome to my world,” I spoke loud and clear so my mother would hear. I suddenly thought of something and smiled. “But Michelle, Simon will give you a ‘staff’.”
I had to laugh when I saw Michelle’s expression.
“The older you get Grace, the more you remind me of your mother.”
“You’ll pay for that,” I warned.
“What was that, Michelle?” My mother finally woke up.
We were startled by a knock on the door.
Michelle walked to the door and opened it a few inches.
“You can’t come in,” she said sternly, but I could hear the laugher in her voice.
“Someone opened the shutter on the window.” It was Dean’s voice.
“Yeah, Katherine was looking outside…she’s very nosey you know,” Michelle said looking back at my mother, who was oblivious to what was going on.
“So long as it wasn’t Grace.”
“Cole’s got the right man for the job.” She turned to me and winked. “So what is it you’re doing exactly? Walking the perimeter checking for any movements on all rear facing windows?”
“You being a smartass?”
“Always. Seriously what are you doing?”
“Trying to keep Cole calm. If he had his way he’d have been married hours ago, and already on his way to his honeymoon.” he laughed. “Don’t worry, I cuffed him to the stair rail.”
They both laughed.
“Watch how you talk about my man!” I yelled out.
“Seriously Gracie, he’s chomping at the bit down there. Never seen a guy so anxious to end his life.” He laughed again.
“Look who’s talking…” Michelle turned her head, “He,” she said pointing her thumb towards the door, “wouldn’t take ‘I’ll think about it’ for an answer. Kept me up all night till I finally said yes,” she laughed. I laughed along with her. Happy she was happy.
“You were gonna say yes anyway, you were just gonna make me work for it.”
“You’re right. You know, you are good at this detective stuff, now get out of here and go back and uncuff Cole. This shindig is about to get started.” She turned to me. “Grace, it’s time. We got to get you downstairs.” Turning back to Dean she said, “Put him outside, I don’t want him seeing the bride until she’s walking down the isle.” She shut the door and turned to look at me, our eyes locked and WHOOSH, just like that, the butterflies swooped in.
Chapter 31
My mother opened the door and stepped out. I was next. Michelle bent down lifting my train and slung it over her arm. Just before she closed the door behind her she grabbed both of our purses.
We slowly made it down the long staircase, and for the first time in two days, I saw the sunlight streaming in from the back of the house and noticed the curtains were opened on all the windows. I stopped in the great room so that we could straighten out my train. My mother kissed me on the cheek and hugged me.
“I’ll see you out there.” She turned her head towards the opened door that led outside. Then walked out and was ushered to her seat in the front by Uncle Jim. Aunt Theresa was next. She blew me a kiss and was escorted to her seat across the isle from my mother.
Franklin walked up to me, “Are you ready Grace?” he asked in his steady calm voice. “I know I’m no substitute for your father, but I can tell you this, he would be very proud. You are a stunning bride.”
I don’t know what made me do it, but I stood on my toes and wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you.” Damn tears. “I wanted to say thank you again for all you did…”
“None of that now. Let’s get you down to that young man in the front before he comes in here and pulls you out himself.” He cleared his throat, but I could tell he was a bit choked up. Another first.
Ashley handed Michelle and I our bouquets and then she turned to line up, her fiancé Michael at her side.
“Your turn next, Ashley,” I called out after her.
“I know, I can’t wait, but today it’s you Grace. You look so amazing. See you outside.” She turned and walked down the isle towards where her sister sat.
Michelle leaned in and whispered, “You are going to be so happy Grace, and I’m so happy for you. I love you…you know that right?”
“Michelle, I love you so much. Damn it, now I need a tissue again.”
Franklin reached into his pocket and pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to me. I raised it to my eyes, wiping away the tears. When I was finished I turned to give it back.
“Hold on to it, looks like you’ll be needing it.”
“Oh, that’s your something borrowed. Now you have everything.”
“What?” I was totally lost.
“Something old, your ring… something new, your dress, something borrowed, Franklin’s hankie, and something blue.”
“I don’t have anything blue.”
“Oh sure you do, I just didn’t give it to you yet.”
“What are you talking about Shelle?”
She motioned Dean to her side and he pulled a long slim box from his inside pocket and handed it to her.
She opened the box and lifted out a delicate diamond bracelet with two sapphires set in the center of a diamond heart.
“Our birthstones…blue. That’s from Dean, and Me.” she beamed. Her eyes filled up as she fastened it to my wrist and she quickly looked towards Dean, trying to avoid eye contact with me, which, at this point, was a very good idea.
We were both born in September. That’s how we first met. Well, the roundabout reason we met. On our first day of school, third grade, Mrs. Dunkin sat the entire class in birthdate order. I was lucky enough to sit next to Michelle. I was shy…needless to say she was not. We’ve been best friends ever since.
“Wear it in health.” Dean looked down and he leaned in and kissed Michelle. “I gotta go, need to uncuff Cole from the railing.”
He laughed as he walked off.
I used my ‘something borrowed’ again.
Michelle squeezed my hand and stepped forward, and the music started.
I watched her gracefully walk ahead of me and the butterflies went in to dive-bomber mode.
Franklin eased me through the doorway held open by two attendants and after adjusting my train once more we slowly walked down the steps onto the white carpet that ran up to the white gazebo where Cole, Dean, and the minister stood.
Upon seeing him standing there, my eyes flew to his face. I thought I’ve seen all of Cole’s expressions, but he managed to surprise me with another. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look happier. He stood straight with his head high, his chest out…like he’s never been prouder.
It felt like it took a lifetime to reach him, and I wouldn’t admit to Cole that all his careful planning to keep me from seeing the back yard was wasted. I couldn’t see anyone or anything but him. I don’t think I have ever wanted something this badly in my life.
My heart was singing. If it weren’t for the prompts from the minister, I don’t know if I could have remembered what to say.
When the minister finally pronounced us husband and wife, Cole stepped closer to me and raised his hands to the sides of my face. The intensity in his beautiful green eyes sucked me in. He gently lowered his mouth over mine and a thousand pins and needles spread like an electrical charge to my fingertips, my toes…my eyelashes.
His lips were so soft, moving with mine. His tongue was so ardent as it swept over my lips, parting them as it dipped inside. My knees went weak and I leaned into him. The taste of him sent my senses reeling. I was done. I wanted this kiss to never end, but when the minister coughed uncomfortably, I felt Cole’s smile against my mouth and slowly opened my eyes.
He bent close to my ear and whispered one word, ‘mine’, I nodded. We turned to face our family and friends as their clapping and cheers erupted.
I took a deep breath and let out a soft sigh of relief.
Mine…mine…I loved that word.<
br />
For the first time I looked around me and noticed how beautifully the yard was decorated. Tasteful flower garlands cascaded over every doorway and archway. The gazebo was swathed in baby pink colored roses. Each table under the enormous tent had a centerpiece that stood four feet high, white and pink roses cascaded down with thousands of tiny white lights.
Aunt Theresa stood next to my mother who was holding a smiling Kyle. My mother couldn’t take her eyes off of him. I knew the feeling.
The orchestra was playing in the far corner of the enormous room as we walked in. The tremendous wooden dance floor stretched out in front of the dais. The high ceiling was covered in thousands upon thousands of tiny twinkling white lights. Everywhere you looked you saw white tuxedos, with white gloves.
Cole looked especially handsome in his black suit. His crisp white shirt and black silk tie, dramatically accentuated his exceptionally good looks. His long black hair grazed the collar of his shirt and I was more than tempted to run my fingers through the silken strands. His eyes were glowing. The intense green of his pupils, emphasized by the blackest thickest lashes I’ve ever seen, had every girl who was dabbing at their mascara jealous.
Since we had spoken our vows, Cole had not released my hand. He held it gently in his and continuously caressed the top with his thumb.
It was time to take our seats so that the first toasts could be made.
When everyone inside the tent had taken his or her seat, Dean rose, Champagne glass in hand. Again I was jealous; mine was filled with sparking cider.
“I’d like to propose a toast to the bride and groom,” he looked at both of us, “Grace, Cole…I first want to congratulate you both. Today you took a big step. You committed yourselves to each other. Made a lot of promises to each other. One of those promises is to love and cherish each other…I don’t think that one will be a problem. You promised to be true; again, I don’t see that one being an issue. The sickness and health, richer or poorer—all easy for you guys.
“In fact, the only one I see being an issue is your promising to be each other’s best friends…that’s the only promise I think you might have a little competition in Cole…” Dean turned to look at Michelle who turned red. “No seriously…all kidding aside…” He turned to look at the guests. “These two, could not love each other more than they do right now, it’s impossible. So as my father would say, ‘May your love be added and never be subtracted, may your household multiply, and may your hearts never divide.’” He turned to the face the guests, “To Grace and Cole.”
“TO GRACE AND COLE!” exploded within the tent and cheering erupted again as everyone lifted his or her Champagne glass. It was at this point that everything was becoming a blur. I tried very hard to hold back the rush of tears threatening to spill down my face.
“Thank you Dean, both you and Michelle mean the world to us.” Cole turned to look at Dean. “I have a few words for my bride, my wife. Grace,” The room grew quiet again, “Grace, ‘May you never steal, lie or cheat. But if you have to steal, then steal away my sorrows. If you have to lie, then lie with me all the nights of our life. If you have to cheat, then cheat death because I don’t want to live a single day without you.”
It felt like my heart stopped. The room went dead silent. I think I heard Michelle sniffle…or was that me?
“I love you, Cole,” I said, but my voice sounded so small. The lump in my throat made it hard to speak.
Cole turned to our guests. “And to you, our families and friends…We…” he turned back to me and grabbed my hand pulling me up to stand along side him. He slipped his arm around my waist holding me snugly against his body. “We wanted to wait until the right time to tell you all, and it seems this is as perfect as it gets. We’re pregnant…well Grace is pregnant, I’m just the father.”
His Aunt Theresa who sat at the table next to us stood up and placed her hand on her heart, her silhouette outlined by the spotlights illuminating the orchestra.
First, there was silence so deafening you could have heard someone taking a sip from their glass. Then the whole tent erupted. My mother’s guests stood up and cheered. It was obvious my mother had been wishing for grandchildren, and was very vocal about her wishes.
When I looked at Franklin’s family tables it appears that they were snickering behind their hand-covered mouths. They were chomping at the bit to text and call their ‘acquaintances’ to tell them the embarrassing news. A scandal for sure! I briefly looked at Michelle, who just shook her head, and I laughed. Nothing they could do or say could diminish my happiness.
The master of ceremonies walked over to the dais and collected the microphone. Holding it to his mouth he announced. “And now if everyone would please stand and give a round of applause for Mr. and Mrs. Cole Grayson as they make their way to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife.”
Cole pulled me slowly after him as we walked to the dance floor. He looked at the orchestra leader and nodded. A young man stood and walked up to the microphone…I think I recognized him. I think.
The music started slowly. Cole put his arm around my waist and lifted my hand up to his chest kissing each finger, lingering a little longer on my ring finger. The first few strains of music that drifted up into the cool late summer night came from the violins, with the full string section blending in beautifully, as the young man began to sing.
‘Some day, when I’m awfully low, when the world is cold, I will get a glow just thinking of you, and the way you look tonight…’
When it hit me what song I was dancing to with my new husband, my head snapped around, and my eyes desperately searched for Michelle. I found her leaning against Dean watching us. She got the reference immediately; she was balling like a baby.
Life is full of weird coincidences but the last few were so oddly timed I thought they must have been planned. The song now playing during my first dance with my new husband, was the very song I told Michelle, when we were young girls planning our futures, was the song I was going to dance to with my father on my wedding day. I shuddered. I looked briefly again at Michelle, and immediately regretted it. She had her head buried in Dean’s shoulder as she held the corner of the white linen tablecloth up to her eyes.
No help there…Michelle. UGH. So out came Franklin’s hankie again. I was doing a lot of borrowing.
I leaned into Cole, resting my head on his shoulder. This was where I wanted to be more than anywhere else in the world, in his arms, close to his body.
The next dance was my dance with Franklin, who had given me away. It was quiet, both of us thoughtful. I blinked back tears as I thought of my father, and how much I wished he could be here with me today, as I celebrated the most wonderful day of my life. I found myself wanting chicken Parmesan…could it be the hormones?
“Boy or girl?” Franklin asked knocking me out of my daydream.
“Um…A…A girl.”
“Your mother is beside herself.”
“That was the plan,” I laughed softly.
“Congratulations to you both, Grace. You deserve to be happy.”
“Thank you Franklin. I appreciate that and thank you again...for everything.”
“Don’t mention it. Happy to do what I can.”
I hugged him briefly. Our dance ended and Franklin led me back to the dais as Cole walked over to where his Aunt Theresa stood clapping, and escorted her onto the floor.
‘The Wonder of You’ played as the two glided across the floor. I had a hard time keeping the tears from flowing down my cheeks and, frankly, I didn’t care how I looked. Nothing could replace the happiness, love, and hope in my heart.
Chapter 32
Early the next morning we flew in Cole’s private jet to Paris for our honeymoon. We spent the next seven days, rediscovering each other’s bodies and talked for endless hours of our plans for the future; our growing family. And believe me, I was growing. It may seem odd behavior for newlyweds, but we were both so anxious to get back to Kyle. I missed
him so much and I know Cole did as well.
Michelle and Dean stayed in Vermont for a week before going back to the real world, which according to the brief conversations I had with Michelle, was starting to feel a little more like it should. She was very much in love and so happy to be planning her own future.
Two weeks after our return from Paris, our duplex penthouse was ready for us to move into. Our little family.
Family, I have come to learn the powerful meaning behind such a small word. For the first time in my life I felt like I belonged, like I was where I was supposed to be, and I couldn’t be happier.
As a wedding gift, Cole and I gave Dean and Michelle the full floor plan luxury apartment the next floor down from us. Still neighbors. The only way I’d have it.
We settled in to our everyday life, Cole, Kyle and me. Our daughter Evelyn was born four and a half months later. She was an absolutely beautiful baby; the most perfect daughter two parents could ever hope for. Cole was beside himself, I think he fell in love with her the moment he saw her. She was blonde, blue eyed, and most of all, happy. She was an absolute contrast to her older brother who was, dare I say, more handsome than his father.
My life was everything I could ever hope it would be. There wasn’t anything I could ever want, that I didn’t already have. Nothing that I could dream about that could compare with the love and joy I felt in my heart. I know my life could not get any better.
One evening, I was sitting in the family room. The fireplace was crackling in the background. Kyle sat on the floor playing with his trucks, making vroom vroom noises, which caused me to smile ear to ear. I suppressed a giggle. Evey was sleeping in the bassinet next to my chair, her little fingers grabbed at her blanket. Her even breathing was music to my ears.
I heard the door open and looked up to see Cole walk down the hall to where his family was waiting for him. He walked over and leaned in to give me a kiss, which immediately stole the air from my lungs and set my blood on fire.
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