Chapter 70
The Reception
Martin took pictures like a pro, but when they started taking Randi, her attendants and the children, he slipped away.
“Had enough pictures for the day?” a vaguely familiar voice asked.
As he turned to face Celia, Martin wondered if he would get a glass of wine in his face or a hard slap, but he got a shock when he saw a smile instead. “Yes, time for a break. You look well.”
“I am. My leg is completely healed and I’ve started a new chapter in my life. I won’t keep you. I just wanted to say congratulations on your big day. I really do wish you well.”
Martin nodded. If Celia was going to hold out an olive branch, he was going to accept it. “Thanks, I appreciate that.”
“I bet you thought you’d never hear me say that, or that I’d come to your wedding, other than to sabotage it.”
Martin laughed. “I must say the thought did cross my mind, but I know you and Mike are doing well. We don’t talk about you a lot, but I can see a difference in him and you.”
“We are doing well. He’s a great guy, and he’s helped me to come to grips with many things. We’re going camping at the end of the month, and I think I’ll enjoy it.”
“I hope you do. You deserve someone who loves you.”
Celia nodded as if she was done and Martin started to turn but she put her hand on his arm. “I never did answer your question that day.”
She removed her hand and forced a smile. “You asked if I loved you. I didn’t answer because I didn’t want to know. I wanted to be the victim. I wanted to have a good reason to blame someone else. Long story short, I think the end results are good and I wish you well.”
This time it was he that reached out and placed his hand on her arm. “I agree, and thanks. I apologize for hurting you. That was never my intent and I also wish you well.” With this he thought it best to give her a smile, step back, turn and go.
Martin picked up a bottle of water and went to find the father of the bride and his dad. He found them at a table eating cake. “If it isn’t my one and only son-in-law,” Miles proclaimed.
“I resemble that remark, and I love your daughter but I’m sure glad I only have to get married once.”
Miles looked at Ethan, “Has your wife felt the need to make you repeat your vows? Mine has hinted but so far I’ve managed to avoid it.”
“Not yet, so don’t give her any ideas when they join us.”
Miles laughed and agreed as they both looked toward Martin, as he spoke, “Well, it will be a while before Randi asks me to do that.” There was some silence as the two men ate cake but then, Miles spoke.
“Where to for the honeymoon? Randi said it was a big secret and wouldn’t tell us.”
Martin shrugged. “I don’t know. She set it up and she won’t tell me either. She’s supposed to give me a clue later. She didn’t give either of you a hint?”
Ethan shook his head. “No, and it wasn’t because your mother didn’t try. Miles, she’s your daughter. What’s your guess?”
“It will be something that would please Martin. She’s always been a giving child. I’ve seen her date guys before, but for this one,” Miles said, glancing at Ethan and pointing towards Martin, “she fell hard and fast.”
“We both fell hard, and I must say that Betty is coming around, too.”
Miles smiled. “I told Randi that by the end of the day she’d be bragging about her new son-in-law to everyone.”
“Lillian’s been a big help,” Ethan interjected. “She’s never liked Martin’s occupation and she and Betty have been talking a lot. I, for one, am very thankful Randi came along. She’s a sweet girl, and she and Martin are a good fit.”
“I think so, too,” Miles said. “And when I saw this one come bearing flowers for Betty, I knew he had brass and that he was serious about my daughter. I had my concerns, mind you, but that day, I saw determination.”
“I was so nervous.” Martin laughed. “And when she thought I was the delivery guy, I thought, here we go again.”
Miles ate his last bite of cake. “We don’t know a lot of movie stars. Our family has not been one to get involved in the Hollywood craze. When we moved here years ago, Betty always said her kids would not be star struck, and look what happened.”
“I’m so glad it happened,” Ethan said, leaning forward, “and just between us, I’m glad that Randi came into the picture. I know this all didn’t come down in the most perfect way, but it worked out and that’s what counts.”
There was a bit of awkward silence and Ethan spoke. “Did I see Celia? I couldn’t be sure it was her. I don’t recall her hair being that long.”
Martin nodded, feeling uncomfortable about his past and his ex. “Yes, she was here today, with Mike. They’re dating now.”
“That’s what Randi said.” Miles added jumping into the conversation. “Has she moved out of the house? Is she out of the picture for good?”
“Oh, yes. The house is on the market, and Celia’s staying with her brother in the city. I think Mike may have helped some with that. He’s pretty smitten. I don’t think he wanted to see her go back to Michigan.”
“Where are you and Randi going to be staying? She said you’d been house hunting but hadn’t found anything yet,” Ethan asked, as they all seemed to be a bit relieved that Celia would be out of his life for good.
“Not yet. For now we’ll be staying in an apartment that I have down in San Pedro. I finally talked Randi into quitting her job so she’ll be free to house hunt all she wants.”
“I warn you, you’ll have to find something for her to do. She’s a worker and will not be happy sitting around the house.”
“I joke with her that I’ll have her tending chickens, milking a cow and growing a garden.”
Miles nodded as if he’d heard the same thing. “She does love to work outside but she’s also good with writing. I know she doesn’t like to talk about her poetry and songs, but you should get her back into that. There’s good money in it if you hit the right combination.”
“I’ll do that. That’s one she’s never talked about.”
“She doesn’t like to brag but get her to read you some of her poems. You’ll see how talented she is.”
“Poetry? You’ve got to be bragging on your daughter again.”
Martin started to rise when he heard voices but Betty put her hand on his shoulder. “No need to stand, young man, but thanks for the offer. Now, what are you three doing hiding over here? Trying to stay out of the photographer’s line-of-sight?”
“Who us?” Miles asked, looking at Ethan, who in turn smiled.
“Waiting on the bride,” Martin said, glancing at his mother-in-law and mother who were both seated with cake and punch.
“That reminds me,” Betty said, pulling an envelope from her evening bag. “Randi said at five I was to give this to you. You are to read the instructions and you will know what to do next.”
Martin took the envelope and rose. He was standing between his mother and Betty and shocked them both by placing a kiss on each of their cheeks. He then said, as he glanced around the table, “I’ll make Randi check in, and thanks for the help with the wedding. Make sure these two ladies behave and don’t try to clean the tables before they go home.”
With this comment, he shook hands with his dad and Randi’s dad and left. As he walked away putting the envelope into his pocket, a smile came over his handsome face.
Tonight was going to be special and he couldn’t wait to make Randi his wife. She had her own way of being shy, but he knew she was looking forward to the honeymoon - almost as much as he was. They would be one before the night was over. This game of hide and seek was the beginning of a wonderful night of honeymoon love and pleasure that he planned to make last for many years to come.