Chapter 63
Wedding Bells
“Now that Martin is at the church and it’s just us ladies, how are you and Martin doing?” Addison sat at the kitchen table as her mother worked on her hair. “And you don’t have to worry. The men will stay at the church and we’ll drive down in an hour.”
Randi was tying pink ribbons onto the bird food packets. “We’re doing good. Sometimes it seems we’ve known each other for years and other times like we’re on a fast-track, but I’m happy.”
“Do you think he’s the one? The minute I saw Rafa, I felt something. Then we got to know each other and I knew I didn't want to look any further. Now I just need to keep working on being a good wife so we can have that happily ever after.”
“I think Martin could be the man for me. I fall more in love with him every day. We’ve got some things to work out but I can’t see my life without him in it.”
“That’s great to hear.” Lillian smiled. “I would love to have you as a daughter-in-law. I think you’re good for Martin.”
“I know she is,” Addison broke in, “and I’m going to tattle on Martin but not anything specific. I can see him changing. He’s trying to work on this relationship. He’s sincere in trying to make sure he doesn’t do anything wrong.”
“Thanks and I think you’re right.” Randi smiled. “I know he regrets his time with Celia, and I can tell he wants to talk about what he did wrong, but he hates to bring up the topic.”
“I tried to warn him that it wouldn’t work. And, I told him not to compare you and Celia because she didn’t love him.”
“Tell Randi why you knew it wouldn’t work,” Lillian prompted Addison as she began putting sprigs of baby’s breath into her hair.
“It didn’t take long. They had been dating about a week and Martin had been planning a vacation. He and some friends were going camping and horseback riding. He offered to let Celia stay in a nearby resort and she still said ‘no’. I knew if she had been in love with Martin, she would have gone. One week after I met Rafa, I would have gone to the moon with him. From there, it just got worse.”
“She didn’t like us either. I heard her several times in the background while we were on the phone,” Lillian began. “She called me simple, pigheaded and worse. You don’t talk about people when you know they might hear you, unless you just don’t care. She had no respect for us or Martin. But enough about her. I don’t hold her any ill will. I’m just thankful Martin has found you, and if he has any good sense, he’ll hang on to you with both hands.”
An hour later, Lillian’s words were still playing over and over in Randi’s mind. It was a good feeling to have the mother of the man you loved giving you such high praise. She stood waiting at the back of the church to take pictures. There would also be a paid photographer at the front of the church taking pictures.
When the music started she was ready with her camera. She didn’t want to miss a single opportunity for the perfect shot. But, it was hard not to just let her eyes follow Martin as he walked in and up the aisle with Rafa. He was the best man and she loved the smile he gave her as he walked by.
Addison was wearing her mother’s wedding dress. Lillian had done an excellent job altering the dress. It looked like it had been tailor-made for Addison.
The bodice and long sleeves of the dress were made of tulle and decorated with beaded lace appliqués. The chiffon skirt, in a sheath silhouette, fell in a soft sweep train at her feet. Satin covered buttons lined the back of the dress from the jewel neckline to the natural waistline. The beaded lace appliqué work, from the bodice, continued for about six inches below the waist of the dress. This small detail added an extra dimension of beauty to the already exquisite dress. Her only jewelry was a pair of pearl earrings that had belonged to Grandma Taylor.
Randi guessed that this wedding meant a lot more to Addison than the one in Vegas. She could see the happiness on the faces of Father and Daughter as they walked down the aisle.
There wasn’t a large crowd so once everyone was in their places Randi moved to the other side of the church and took some shots. At a wedding you could never take too many pictures and later on they could delete the ones they didn’t like.
Martin smiled at her twice and she couldn’t help but wonder if he, too, would one day get married in this church. It was beautiful and they’d done a great job with the decorations. Randi could picture having her wedding here. A fleeting thought crossed her mind and she wondered if her mother would even attend, if she married Martin.
She kept taking pictures not wanting to miss anything and soon the church pianist was playing the wedding recessional. Next came the family shots, and when Martin and Addison insisted she be in some of the pictures, she pushed the thoughts of her mother out of her mind and enjoyed, for now, being part of Martin’s family.
More pictures were taken when the cake was cut, when Rafa tossed the garter and Addison the bridal bouquet. During most of this, she and Martin sat eating cake and drinking punch.
“You look beautiful,” Martin whispered, as he moved his chair closer so they could talk and not be heard. When she took her eyes off the bride and groom and turned to face him, she smiled.
“Thank you, and you look good enough to kiss.”
“Is that a hint?”
“No, but you can take it as one. We didn’t get much time together last night or today and I miss being in your arms.”
“I know what you mean,” he said, looking over her shoulder before he leaned in to steal a soft kiss. “Maybe kissing isn’t only for the bride and groom at a wedding.”
“I hope not,” Randi said, and she allowed Martin one more kiss before turning back to look toward the wedding party. She felt Martin move and turned as he wrapped his arms around her.
“Did Mom and Addison talk much this morning?”
“Some. They talked about you mostly.”
“Me? What did they say?”
Randi smiled. “They were asking about us and how things were going. All in all, they both thought you should keep me around a while.”
“Oh, I plan to,” Martin said, kissing her softly on the shoulder. “But it’s good to know they agree. Now, if we can just convince your mother I’m a good catch.”
“She’ll come around even though it may take some time. But don’t worry, even if she isn’t convinced that you are a good catch, I am.” Randi wrapped her hands around Martin’s and jumped a little when she heard Lillian let out a squeal.
“Well, she told her,” Martin said, laughing a bit because Randi jumped.
“What?”
“Addison is pregnant.”
“Wow, that’s great news.” She turned facing him as best she could. “How long have you known?”
“Not long, but don’t dare tell Mom I knew. Mother’s are supposed to learn those kinds of things first.”
“Then I’d say we both should get up and go over there and act surprised.”