by Jerilee Kaye
The next day, when Adrienne woke up, Justin was no longer in bed with her. Sunlight came into the room from the windows. Adrienne didn’t feel like getting up yet. Like her body wanted to remain in bed some more. But she knew Abi would be breathing down her neck if she didn’t head downstairs in an hour so she willed herself to get up.
The door opened and Justin came inside the room.
“Good morning,” he said, leaning down and giving her a peck on the lips. “Slept well?”
She nodded. “Where were you?”
He waved a bag in front of her. “I got you some things. You want to confirm what we already know?”
Adrienne smiled excitedly at him. She grabbed the bag from him and went into the bathroom. Justin gave her a few minutes of privacy before he went inside the bathroom. He sat on the edge of the tub and she sat on his leg while they waited for three minutes to go to the sink to check the results.
“You know there’s a huge chance that we are, right?” Justin asked her.
“I know,” she replied. “Do we tell the guys?”
“I wanna tell everybody!” Justin said, his eyes dancing.
Adrienne remembered her family. She would have loved to share this information with her mother first. “Justin…our parents…”
“Would be ecstatic about the news.”
“I know. I just wish…” she trailed off. “They would be mad at us if they find out we did all this without them.”
“I know. My father’s been calling me non-stop. He’s sent me about a thousand ‘Where are yous?’ but so far no, ‘I’m sorry I tried to control your life.’”
“Is that what you wanted to hear from them?”
“I wanted them to say that they will accept you and love you as a daughter-in-law…before they found out who you really are. And before they find out you are carrying the fourth-generation heir of Adams Industries. I want them to accept you… simply because I chose you. Because I love you.”
Adrienne nodded. “If I am pregnant… I want my family to be the first to know.”
Justin nodded. “Okay,” he replied. “Let’s not tell anybody yet until we tell our parents. It’s bad enough they’re not going to be at the wedding.”
Adrienne’s phone beeped, signaling that the three minutes of waiting had passed.
They were about to stand up and look but Adrienne stopped Justin. “Wait.” She looked at him nervously. “What if…I’m not?”
Justin grinned at her impishly. “Then you probably will be…by the end of next month.”
“You’re keen on starting a family quite early, aren’t you?”
“Keen on starting a big family,” he admitted. “I was an only child. It got a bit lonely sometimes.”
Adrienne smiled. “My God, I’m going to grow big.”
Justin chuckled. “And you’ll always be a fox to me, honey.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Shall we?”
Adrienne stood up. Justin stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He gently pushed her towards the sink and they stared at the three different tests… all saying the same thing.
They stood still for a moment. Then Adrienne felt Justin gently turn her around so she could face him. He let out what sounded like a howl of triumph before he lifted her off her feet and spun her around.
“Justin, put me down!” Adrienne said, giggling. Tears ran down her cheeks.
When Justin settled her down on her feet, she reached up and hugged him.
“Happy now?” she asked him.
He leaned down and when his lips were an inch away from hers, he said, “Bliss.”
***
Adrienne sat inside the limousine nervously. It was four in the afternoon. She had spent probably the whole day with Jill and Yuan, getting all dolled up.
Her gown appeared impeccable. She found it absolutely stunning. A stylist tied her hair at the top of her head in a bun. Tendrils were cascading all the way to her shoulders with little white flowers clipped into her hair, making her look like a garden deity. Her makeup was light but it seemed to make her glow. Well…she knew what else caused at least some of that glow, too.
Photographers and videographers surrounded her, documenting her every movement.
The road they were travelling were surrounded with tall trees, as if they were going further into the woods. Justin, Mason and Abi were already at the venue a few hours earlier. Adrienne learned it was about an hour’s drive from their hotel.
“We’re in the middle of nowhere,” Yuan remarked. “Didn’t know Justin could be creepy.”
Adrienne raised a brow at him. She knew she may come off as moody to her friends lately, but she hadn’t told them she was pregnant and that her patience over the following months would grow really short.
Finally, they stopped in front of a wall covered with green grass. Adrienne was now more curious about what lay behind the very high wall that no thief would actually attempt to climb.
Finally, the vine-covered steel gate opened slowly and their limousine went in. Tall pots with white and pink roses formed dual lines from the gate up to the entrance of the most magnificent façade that Adrienne had ever seen in her life.
“Holy crap!” Yuan shouted. “You’re getting married in a freaking… castle?”
Adrienne almost forgot to breathe. The structure they approached looked like a well-restored historic medieval Tuscan castle. Now, she was glad she let Abi change her mind about her dress. Her original choice would not fit this venue at all. She suddenly felt like Cinderella, about to meet her Prince at the altar.
Their limousine stopped at the separate entrance near the side of the castle. Jill and Yuan came out and Abi instantly greeted them, giving out instructions, not even letting the two breathe and enjoy the scenery before them.
It took only about five minutes and booms and camera equipment were set up on standby in front of them, waiting for Abi to signal Adrienne to come out of the vehicle.
Adrienne clutched her bouquet with one hand, and she caressed her tummy with her other hand. Since yesterday, when she confirmed her pregnancy, she started developing this habit of touching her tummy gently, as if imagining holding her baby in her arms.
Soon, Abi approached her limousine and she knew it was time for her to come out.
“This is it, Baby J,” she whispered. “Mommy’s going to make Daddy a very happy man.”
Abi slowly opened the door of the car and Adrienne felt the camera flashes around her. She took a deep breath.
This is it! I’m going to be Adrienne Adams in an hour!
With that thought in mind, a permanent smile slowly carved itself on her face.
Yuan took her hand and Jill quickly picked up her train as she walked into the private garden entrance at the side of the castle. The path seemed to be covered with pink and white roses. It led them to a steel gate where Adrienne could hear music playing. Her heart pounded inside her ribcage wildly.
On Abi’s cue, Jill stepped in front of Adrienne. Adrienne thought she looked beautiful.
“Well, it’s an honor to give you away to your Prince Charming, sweetheart,” Yuan said to her.
Adrienne blinked back the tears that were starting to form in her eyes.
“I love you guys,” she whispered.
“We both love you, too.” Yuan responded.
The gate in front of them opened, revealing the picturesque garden where their ceremony was going to be held. There was a veiling curtain in front of them. It was probably placed there to obscure the view of the bride. Adrienne could still clearly see what came in front of her.
Pillars and walls covered with green vines enclosed the garden. Paths formed by small white stones were accented with well-trimmed bushes that formed shapes of hearts and squares along its four walls. Grass covered the center space and white linen-covered chairs dotted the area on both sides.
The center aisle featured a white carpet with the initials J&A inscribed in a golden, medieval script. The carpet ended in
the canopy situated at the end of the garden. Its four pillars were wrapped in white and pink roses. Inside the canopy sat a makeshift altar and two gold-accented chairs before it. On both sides of the canopy an orchestra sat and played Pachelbel’s Canon.
At the entrance of the canopy, Adrienne saw him. He stood there dressed in a magnificent white tux. His hair looked like it was gelled at first but then he didn’t like the hairstyle so he decided to comb it with his fingers instead. And on him, it looked sexy. Behind him stood Mason, whose every hair appeared to be in place, shining from a wet gel. Adrienne had to suppress her laughter. She thought she knew exactly what happened there. Abi must have been giving instructions even on hairstyles.
Finally, the curtain partially opened and Abi cued Jill to walk to the front. Jill took her time in the spotlight. She was, after all, the Maid of Honor, and no bridesmaid.
Finally, Abi signaled that it was Adrienne’s turn to come out.
The music suddenly changed to the familiar tune of “Here Comes the Bride.” Then the veil curtain in front of them completely opened, finally revealing Adrienne to her groom.
Adrienne held on to Yuan’s arm as they slowly walked towards the altar. She felt giddy…everything seemed surreal.
A couple of months ago… she was unpacking her stuff in an apartment she bought to impress her parents and sister. And now…she was walking into a fairy-tale wedding with her Prince Charming in a Tuscan castle. Her wildest dreams couldn’t even reach this far!
She slowly walked towards the altar, still clutching Yuan’s arm tightly.
She felt the weight of Justin’s gaze on her. He looked at her intensely. When she finally stood in front of him, she looked up and saw his eyes had become watery, just like hers.
“You’re a fox,” he mouthed and she couldn’t help giggling at that.
Justin finally took her hand from Yuan and then he led her to the chairs in front of the priest.
They intertwined their fingers all throughout the ceremony.
Justin chose a pair of Cartier platinum wedding bands with the signature screw motif, studded with tiny diamonds. Their names were engraved on the outside of the band in the center.
Her ring said “Justin’s.” His ring said “Adrienne’s.”
“Adrienne…I love you. I think from the very first moment I laid my eyes on you…the universe started leading me to you…my soul mate, my kismet, my other half. I hope you remember what I have been trying to tell you and show you since the day I met you… from the very first days I spent with you…you…are worth fighting for. And I will never stop fighting for you…I will never stop protecting you…taking care of you…most importantly… I will never stop loving you. Forever, and always…you are the only woman for me. Today. Tomorrow. Until eternity. In this life and all the others after.”
Adrienne couldn’t help crying when she heard those words from Justin. Her fingers shook when he put the ring on her finger.
“Justin…I didn’t know how much my life would change the night I met you. Even now…when I look back, I still can’t believe that all this is happening to me. That you are happening to me. Thank you. Because you showed me a side of myself that I never knew existed before. Because you taught me how to appreciate myself, how to love myself, how to fight for myself. Until I met you…I never knew that love could be worth a million fights…and a thousand prayers. I promise I will take care of you…and all the children that we will bring together in this world. I will nurture you and our family with love, affection, appreciation, trust and respect. I will stand with you, support you and love you…for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health…in this life…and all the others after this.”
“I love you,” Justin mouthed at her when she finished speaking her vows. She slipped his ring on his finger.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Justin slowly lifted her veil. His eyes were teary when he smiled down at her.
“Mrs. Adrienne Adams,” he whispered.
She giggled in spite of her tears. Her heart warmed at the first mention of her new name.
Justin’s face descended towards hers. He kissed her gently. One kiss and it felt like it lasted forever. Justin pulled away and looked into her face again.
“I love you,” he whispered. “Mrs. Adams.”
She laughed. “I love you, too, Mr. Adams.”
He leaned forward and kissed her again. This time, he kissed her more passionately. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him tightly.
The people cheered around them and they reluctantly pulled away from each other.
All of their friends hugged them and congratulated them one by one. They posed for pictures with the priest and then with all five of their guests.
A new guy there that Adrienne hadn’t seen before approached them. He was good-looking, with dark blond hair and startling green eyes. Adrienne remembered seeing two guys behind Justin as he waited for her at the altar. She just didn’t give it much thought because all her attention was focused on Justin.
“Honey, I’d like you meet one of my closest friends, River Jefferson,” Justin said. “We are friends since Harvard.”
River extended his hand to hers and grinned at her widely. “When Justin said he was getting married, I thought I was getting Punk’d. Seriously, I was waiting for Ashton Kutcher to come out anytime. But when you came out and walked down the aisle, I realized he wasn’t joking. And why would he? If I find a beauty like you, I’d also rush you to the altar.” With that, he bent forward and kissed Adrienne’s hand.
River turned to Justin. “I understand why you had to wait until the last minute to introduce us, huh?” Justin actually hit River playfully in the stomach. River laughed. “Kidding!” he added.
They were interrupted by Abi who said that it was time for their wedding photos around the venue. It was also time for Adrienne to take a tour of the castle.
“I can’t believe we got married in a castle,” she sighed dreamily.
He grinned at her. “Did you like the surprise?”
She laughed. “I do! Justin…this is wonderful! I never imagined I’d get married like a princess.”
He leaned forward and kissed her lips. All around them, the cameras never ceased to take footage of their time together. They documented their every move.
Adrienne looked at Abi with a raised brow.
She smiled at them reassuringly. “Go ahead. Pretend they’re not even around you. You guys are in love. You don’t have to act. Just be yourselves, talk, laugh, hug, kiss. We’ll be catching everything on video and photos. Trust me! One day, you will thank me for this!”
Justin grinned at Adrienne. He leaned forward and nipped her earlobe. “I can’t wait for tonight,” he whispered to her. And Adrienne couldn’t help giggling. She knew exactly what he was talking about. “It’s been too long!”
“I know. And the waiting ends tonight,” she said.
“I’d be making royal love to you,” he teased. “Might as well make our wedding night historic, don’t you think?”
“What if I got be too tired after all the wedding hoopla,” she teased back.
He shook his head. “Nope. No excuses this time.” He leaned forward and whispered to her ear. “I seem to remember you were a vixen in bed.”
Her eyes widened at what he just said. She pinched him on the side. He let out a yelp and then he laughed, pulling her to him. His face descended towards hers and he kissed her thoroughly, Adrienne almost forgot they weren’t alone.
When she pulled away from him, she thought for sure that her face was crimson. She walked ahead of him, smiling widely, and biting her lower lip, trying to contain all the giddy feelings inside her.
They toured the estate, well, at least half of it. It had a rose garden, a mini labyrinth, an orchard, another garden featuring four huge fountains and a vineyard at the back.
After an hour, Justin told Abi that Adrienne needed to rest. “I th
ink you took more than enough pictures. My bride is exhausted,” he said in a firm voice. Abi didn’t argue.
“Justin, I’m okay,” Adrienne asserted. She felt so happy that she didn’t even feel a bit tired.
He hugged her to him so he could whisper in her ear. “Baby in tummy, remember?” he said gently. Then he added, “Besides, I would rather you save your energy today, so you can spend it well tonight.” He grinned.
“You’re not going to stop with the teasing, are you?” she asked shaking her head.
“It’s been too long, honey,” he said. “Can’t really blame me, can you?”
She laughed. “Oh, my poor baby.” She faked concern in her voice. She gently caressed his hair. “I am so sorry.”
He raised a brow and stared at her evenly, “Sorry doesn’t even count anymore. You have to pay up…big time.”
She laughed and then caressed her abdomen. “Baby in tummy, remember?” she whispered to him.
“Don’t worry. I won’t forget. But that does not mean you’re off the hook,” he said and she laughed again. He pulled her to him and gave her a kiss on the lips again. “I love you, Adrienne.”
She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of him. “I love you, Justin.”
Suddenly, Abi told them that their guests are ready for them. They needed to head to their reception.
It was a good one-hundred-meter walk to the next garden where the reception would take place. Justin bent down and scooped Adrienne up into his arms.
“Justin, put me down. I can walk.”
“Sure, you can,” he said. “But you will get tired. And remember, you can’t get tired.”
She raised a brow at him. “For tonight?”
He stared at her, faking a pained expression on her face. “For the baby, of course,” he said. “Do you really think that making love to you is on my mind all the time?”
He sounded so hurt she started to feel guilty. But she knew him. Justin loves to make love to her and sometimes, it was difficult to keep their hands off each other. Adrienne couldn’t explain it sometimes. They both have this pull, like magnets of opposite poles, they couldn’t stay away from the other no matter how much they tried. In bed, they were like fireworks exploding into a million different colors. And yet…they trusted each other more than anybody else. They found comfort in each other’s arms. They also had this bond of friendship that stood strong on its own… completely separate from their desire for each other. More than that…they both knew they loved each other very much, and could not, would not live without the other.
