FG 3 - The Wedding Blitz Read online

  “It’s a type of diary for the baby to read when she gets older. You write letters to the baby before the birth and while they’re still too little to understand so that one day they’ll be able to read them and know what you were thinking and feeling at this joyous time in their lives.”

  “Ah—this is awesome, thank you, mom!” I gave her a hug for thinking of me on this day.

  “Hawkins can write letters to the baby too if he’d like, it’s for both of you really.”

  “I love it and I know that he will too,” I looked down at Abigail’s name engraved on the journal and was super excited about the idea of talking to her in this way. “Do you have the blue handkerchief too?” I remembered the favor I asked my mom to do. “I don’t want anything to go wrong today.”

  “It’s right here,” she opened her black clutch and pulled out the small blue cloth. “Something borrowed, blue, and new,” she explained. “You can carry it in your hand.”

  “And the old silver dollar with my birth year?”

  “Right here,” she plucked it from her purse next.

  “Where’s that supposed to go?’ Lizzie asked.

  “In your shoe,” I explained as I held it up and examined the birth year. “Thanks, mom, it’s perfect.” I checked the time. “Crap, Riley’s probably freaking out right about now. Lizzie you only have five minutes before you’re supposed to be down in the boat. Just take your dress and run.”

  “Mom, go help her with the dress, please. I’ll be fine on my own.”

  “Okay honey, I’ll see you on the other side.”

  X X X

  I felt beautiful as I stood on the bank of the lake preparing to get on the boat with my bouquet of white peonies in my hands. The white trumpet gown fit perfectly, as it flared below my hip with its form fitting bodice and tiny pearl buttons running down the fitted part of the back. Thankfully, there was enough Chihuly staff with me on the dock at Hawkins’ parents’ house to make sure I didn’t tip over the row boat filled with colorful glass balls as I made my way safely on to the boat. Once securely on board, I made sure to fluff out the bottom of my dress as Riley had instructed and tried to remain calm as a man dressed in a dark evening suit rowed me across the serene emerald blue colored lake.

  I saw the crowd of guests turn and excitedly watch my grand entrance as the boat slowly docked, but honestly, I was just relieved to see Riley’s familiar face even though I could tell by his expression that something was seriously bothering him as he helped pull me to safety.

  “You look so handsome, Riley.”

  He was dressed in a black tuxedo jacket over top of a double breasted white shirt and vest. His black bowtie gave a pop of personality to his ensemble which I absolutely loved.

  “You would not believe what Lizzie did,” he turned his back to the crowd so they wouldn’t see his enraged expression. “She wore her wedding gown instead of her black bridesmaid’s dress across the lake. I’m so sorry Joie, there was nothing I could do, short of throwing her into the lake.”

  “Well I’m glad you didn’t do that,” I snickered.

  “You’re taking this well!” he snapped accusingly.

  “Riley, I’m taking it well because this isn’t my wedding,” I paused to look at him. “It’s yours sweetheart.”

  His face pinched with utter bewilderment as I took his elbow and turned him around so he could see Hawkins stepping down from the altar. Rob Harlow, who I think wanted to impress Riley with his enthusiasm, was dressed in a dapper white suit from head to toe. Rob proudly took Hawkins place up on the altar and turned to nod and smile our way. Riley’s eyes widened in shock and for a second he was the old Riley, frozen and terrified by the good things happening around him. The other wedding planner, Viviane Ramsey, began to usher in an endless stream of Riley’s friends and relatives to the bride’s side which was nearly empty. Riley got so emotional that he had to turn around for a minute so no one would see him cry.

  “Here,” I passed him the blue handkerchief. “Something borrowed, blue and new.”

  “But what about you?” Riley sniffed as he dabbed his eyes with the cloth. “This was supposed to be your dream wedding.”

  I held out my right hand to show him the platinum silver wedding band below the emerald cut diamond and broke the news to him gently, “I’m already married, Riley.”

  “What!? When…? Where was I?”

  “We got married in the hospital when they held the candlelight vigil for Hawkins’ father. Hawkins knew I was scared the baby wouldn’t make it through and that I feared Abigail would die without a proper last name. He surprised me, you would have liked it. It was very romantic and beautiful.”

  “And everyone knows you’re married but me?” he sounded a little hurt so I explained, “At first it was just our parents because Hawkins didn’t want them to miss it. And Harlow knew of course, because it was his idea actually. Hawkins and I didn’t know how to break the devastating news to you especially when you needed something to look forward to for the last couple of weeks and this was Rob’s solution. Lizzie, on the other hand, figured it out on her own when she opened up one of your wedding gifts that she shouldn’t have.”

  “She what!?”

  “Don’t worry, you’ve got loads more,” I laughed. “So much that I should invest in Crate & Barrel.” I heard the sound of Canon in D major build from the violinists. “That’s my cue. Quick, slip this silver dollar that has your birth year in your shoe.”

  “Did you remember to do all this when you were getting married?” he grunted as he bent over.

  “Yes, but only because I had help,” I admitted. “Hawkins and his mom planned it out and surprised me. She ‘leant’ me her new, navy blue African blanket and with my vintage engagement ring already on my finger, I had everything I needed.”

  “What do I do with the handkerchief?” he asked.

  “You’re going want to keep it in your hand,” I nodded to the edge of the lawn, where a handsome man with wavy grey hair who resembled James Dean if he had lived to see his forties, was standing. Riley took a staggering step backwards and brought his hands up to cover his mouth as tears suddenly welled up in his eyes. “My dad’s going to walk me down the aisle?” he cried because we both knew it had been a shock for his parents when he finally came out to them.

  “Time heals all wounds, Riley,” I leaned in to kiss his cheek.

  “Joie,” he gently grabbed my elbow, stopping me. “You have no idea how much—

  “I know,” I nodded more seriously trying to hold it together. “I love you too, but I need to go because I’m your Maid of Honor.”

  “Right…I’m getting married today,” he suddenly beamed. “I’m getting married today,” I heard him whisper once more to himself like he could hardly believe it as I turned to face the filled crowd. As I walked off the dock, I passed Riley’s father, who had already crossed the yard and was waiting to walk his son down the aisle.

  “Thank you for coming, Mr. Taylor,” I whispered in passing.

  “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” he smiled warmly.

  I knew it wasn’t my wedding but I only had eyes for Hawkins whose blue eyes twinkled back at me as if saying our private secret wasn’t a secret any longer. I had been Mrs. J.T. Hawkins for over a month now.

  “You look beautiful,” Hawkins mouthed making me break into a smile as I came to stand to the side of Lizzie in the same kind of white dress we had secretly coordinated for the event.

  I turned to watch Riley be escorted down the aisle by his father and I felt my brow tremble as I fought back tears. I wasn’t the only one I noticed since I didn’t see a dry eye in the crowd.

  “Dearly beloved,” Reverend Miller began the ceremony, “We are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together Riley Taylor and Robert Harlow in holy union. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, why they may not be joined together, le
t him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.”

  Hawkins took the opportunity to wink at me as if to say I would be that person and I rolled my eyes trying hard not to laugh.

  “Riley Taylor, Wilt thou have Robert Harlow to be thy wedded spouse? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"

  “I will.”

  “Robert Harlow, Wilt thou have Riley Taylor to be thy wedded spouse? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"

  “I will.”

  As the ceremony continued Harlow read his vows which ended with, “I know the spotlight always seems be on someone else but in my heart Riley, it’s only ever been on you.”

  “I didn’t have anything prepared to say,” Riley began with. “Except for what I wanted Joie to say in her vows to Hawkins, which I guess was really just a cover for what I really wanted to say to you, Rob. I know the world may not always understand our kind of love but I also know that we were meant to find each other. Even in a small beat up van, surrounded by twenty-five thousand fans every night, you still found me among the crowd. If that’s not meant to be then I don’t know what is. I love you, Rob. You make me a better person, you make me want to become a better person and I absolutely cannot wait to grow old with you, for the rest of our days.”

  Riley took Rob’s right hand and looked him the eye as he said, “I, Riley Taylor, take thee, Robert Harlow, to my wedded spouse to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.”

  Rob waited to take Riley’s hand that was busy wiping away a tear and for a second they laughed before Rob said sincerely, “I, Robert Harlow, take thee, Riley Taylor, to be my wedded spouse to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.”

  Reverend Miller looked from Hawkins to me and nodded for the rings. I untied the ribbon holding the wedding band securely underneath my bouquet of white peonies and presented the Reverend with the platinum ring with the inscription ‘one love’ etched on the inside of it.

  Reverend Miller passed Riley the first wedding band, who then took Rob’s right hand and placed it on his fourth finger, and said, “With this Ring I thee wed: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

  Rob was then presented with the other wedding band and placed it on Riley’s fourth finger while holding it there he said, “With this Ring I thee wed: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

  “With the authority vested in me by the state of Washington, I now pronounce the two of you married. You may now kiss.”

  Everyone cheered as the two men leaned in for a loving kiss. Harlow then grabbed Riley’s hand and held up it excitedly. “Let the partying begin,” they announced in unison bursting into laughter with the crowd.

  As everyone else was eating shrimp cocktails and stuffed crab appetizers, the wedding party got their pictures taken beside the lake. Harlow, Lizzie, and I dressed in white stood alternatively with Riley, Hawkins, Warren dressed in black. It made for a stunning picture. One photo of the many photos taken and my personal favorite was of just Rob and Riley, at the end of the dock. Riley looked happier and more content than I had seen him in the past few exhausting weeks.

  After the photographer was done taking pictures, we walked along a grassy pathway up to the house and towards the large white tent. Trees covered in green moss, to the left and right of me, had clear glass balls dangling down from the branches. We slowed as we reached the edge of the reception waiting to be officially announced.

  My eye was immediately drawn to the centralized focal point inside the reception area. Hundreds of silver and white colored stained glass pieces formed a single sculpture that as a whole extended out along the floor like the twisted roots of a frozen tree. The trunk of the tree rose up and extended out at the top again in a glass canopy resembling, a grand ice sculpture.

  In fact, the entire reception area looked like a winter garden. Each round table appeared to have sprouted out a bushel of white Vanda flowers while silver and white Chihuly glass hung over the top of the heads of the guests. Round tables draped in white linen with high back chairs in the same white fabric were positioned around the central Chihuly piece but further back to make room for dancing later.

  If the inside was a winter garden then where Hawkins and the rest of us were still waiting to be introduced was the summer garden. Stained glass mushrooms and tall sticks of green and yellow grass were scattered throughout wild red and yellow tiger lilies resembling a Monet painting overflowing with color.

  When it was time to be introduced to the guests, Hawkins winked at me and his blue eyes twinkled from the light of the soft chandeliers up above.

  “Do you like the dress?” I turned to check with him as Lizzie and Warren went ahead of us.

  “I do,” he cleared his throat and added, “Especially from behind.”

  We grinned at each other then turned as I heard the most beautiful words I had ever heard before, “Please welcome Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Hawkins.”

  If Hawkins hadn’t taken my hand to lead me across the floor, I think I’d still be standing there looking over my shoulder wondering who the lucky girl was. By the time we crossed to the central Chihuly ice sculpture, everyone had gotten to their feet to give us a standing ovation for pulling off the secret wedding without a hitch. We even got a couple cat calls and whistles which I didn’t think had anything to do with my planning as much as it had to do with my gorgeous husband.

  I glanced over my shoulder to smile back at Riley, who I could tell even from halfway across the floor, was trying his hardest not to cry as he was finally introduced as Mr. Riley Harlow for the first time ever.

  Hawkins and I took our seat with the rest of the wedding party at a long rectangular table on the other side of the ‘winter tree’ sculpture. The table was set with white linen napkins, silver plates, glass goblets with silver trim placed in between tall glass vases, which held white Vanda flowers and twisted silver and white stained glass, rising above our heads before fanning out. I liked the added touch of the glass row boats spread across the table, which contained small glass balls with a pearl sheen that had sand and shells encased in them. Riley and Rob’s names were etched along the glass balls in silver. The flickering flame from the white lily shaped candles around the glass boats glimmered and shined against all of the glass decorations; completing the luxurious look.

  I was looking forward to the seafood buffet filled with freshly steamed lobsters, crab legs, clams, oysters, shrimp, muscles, grilled fish, and much, much more including a carving station for roast beef for those who were allergic to shell fish.

  I was on a mission to sample everything including a lobster that Hawkins jokingly named Fred. It also didn’t help when Lizzie started to pet Fred in the line beside me. I was so hungry that I turned Fred over on his back and said a little prayer, “May he rest in peace,” before continuing down the line. I didn’t feel guilty about fishing for just the clam meat either and leaving behind the shells for the waiters to quickly replace with the endless supply we had in the kitchen upstairs.

  “Wow, that’s such a cheap move,” Lizzie shook her head at me. “I now know why you and Hawkins are together.”

  “I can’t fit everything on my plate and the shells too,” I cut my eyes at her because I wasn’t going to let anything come between me and my food.

  “Obviously,” she snorted.

  “Hey, I’m eating for two.”

  “Are you sure it’s not for three or four?” she smirked.

  “Got a set of quadruplets in there, I don’t know about?” Hawkins caught the tail en
d of my conversation with Lizzie.

  “Possibly,” I grinned as I piled on some crab legs next. The aroma coming off of the decadent seafood made my mouth water from just smelling it. I didn’t waste any time getting down to business once we all had our food in the wedding party. The fresh seafood coated in dripping melted butter made for the most delicious dinner I could remember having since I became aware of the pregnancy. Lizzie could only point her fork at the food, smack her buttery lips and nod from further down the table. Needless to say, it wasn’t long until all of us were back up in line for seconds.

  Once we were all settled at the table again, Hawkins began to clink his water glass with a spoon grabbing everyone’s attention. “I’d like to say a toast to the happy couple,” Hawkins stood up on the other side of Harlow and began his speech. “Many of you might not know this but getting Riley and Harlow together was really my doing,” he smiled. “It has been a part of my master plans since the beginning when I introduced the two of them since Riley’s always had Joie’s back and I wanted someone to have Riley’s back. He’s practically family to Joie and I hope one day he’ll be the godfather of our child,” he turned to look at Riley who suddenly beamed at the idea. “So I know I did a fantastic job, if I may say so myself,” he said jokingly as laughter filled the air. “Of picking out the right person to finally have Riley’s back and that someone without a doubt is Rob. Now please join me in a toast, to the happy couple,” he raised his fluted glass and continued to say, “May the days you share be many, may the years you spend be blessed, may the two of you look back on a lifetime of happiness.”

  After everyone took a sip around the room, the guests began to clink their silverware against their Champaign glasses until Harlow and Riley obliged their enthusiastic request with a kiss. Riley, who was seated on my left, visibly blushed when the crowd cheered and started all over again insisting on an encore. Today was for all of us, I was sure, the beginning of our happily ever after.