Chapter 33
The processional music played as I walked down the aisle, Canon in D, a beautiful song. When I got to the altar and turned, the wedding march began.
My dad escorted my sister down the aisle and I fumed still not in agreement with Dawn letting him give her away. I felt like he deserved the same pain he dealt to us but Dawn had a greater capacity for tolerance than I did. She claimed to still be distant from him, but felt empathy for my mother and so she and Bradley decided to give them this moment.
Dawn looked beautiful as she sauntered toward us in a one-of-a-kind designer dress. It had a fitted bodice and a full skirt with a profuse number of beads and pearls inlaid into the fabric.
I smiled and glanced at Bradley who no longer recognized that the church was full of people. He stared at my sister. My father handed her over to Bradley and took a seat beside my mom. If only, he’d have done that for me years ago. I listened attentively to the priest as the wedding began and wished I wasn’t here alone. I couldn’t wait to go home tomorrow. The priest asked for the rings and they proceeded to say their vows.
That was it. Four months of preparation and planning was over in thirty minutes. Everyone cheered as they were declared husband and wife. The priest gave his final blessings and then the music started again. With the best man at my side, I followed Dawn and Bradley out of the church to the limo taking us to the reception.
~ ~ ~
Midnight was minutes away. I missed home and was ready to leave. Someone made an announcement to get a glass of champagne as the big moment approached. I held my glass as I stood alone, watching the happy couples around me. Even my parents looked happy tonight.
Two arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me back. I felt the familiar feel of a body against me and I looked down to see Javier’s hands holding me tight from behind. Before I turned, I heard him whisper in my ear, “Happy New Year.”
I smiled over my shoulder at him. “You came.”
“I couldn’t wait another day.”
The countdown began to midnight. Javier took my glass and set it on the table next to us. He leaned down and kissed me with such passion that I forgot we were standing in a room full of people. People yelled and confetti dropped, but we never stopped.
“Um, excuse me but midnight rang in a while ago.”
We broke apart to see who was talking to us. It was Dawn and Bradley. I smiled at her and rested my cheek against Javier’s chest. I wasn’t letting go of him.
“Happy New Year,” I said, to my sister and her new husband.
“Happy New Year,” Dawn said, laughing.
“Congratulations,” Javier said to them.
Dawn formally introduced her new husband to Javier. “Bradley, this is the love of my sister’s life, Javier. Javier, Bradley.”
Javier let go of me in order to shake hands. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Good to meet you too,” Bradley smiled and shook his hand.
“Dawn, we’re going to go, okay?” I said, still hanging on to Javier.
She giggled. “Yes, of course. Will I see you tomorrow?”
Javier answered for me. “No, actually I am whisking her home early tomorrow morning.”
“Oh, okay then.” She hugged me. “Thank you for staying with us this week and for being my maid of honor.”
“The honor was mine. Have a wonderful honeymoon, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Good, no limitations.” We both laughed. “I will call you when we get back.”
“I will look forward to that.” I hugged her again. “I love you, sis. Congratulations.” I saw my parents looking at us and decided now was the perfect time to leave before they approached. “Bye for now.”
“Bye for now.”
I gave Javier a nod and we started toward the door. Unexpectedly, he picked me up and carried me outside. A limo waited as we exited the reception site. He set me down and we got in the long black car. A bottle of champagne and two glasses sat on the tray inside the door.
“Drive until I tell you to stop.” Javier told the driver and then put up the privacy screen. The limo pulled away and Javier opened the champagne. He poured it in the glasses and handed me one. He raised his glass to mine. “Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year.” I clinked his glass. I took a sip and saw something move. I lifted the glass to look inside. At the bottom was a ring. A diamond ring. I looked back up at Javier.
He smiled slightly. “I don’t want to be without you ever. I’m crazy in love with you. Will you marry me?”
I looked at him, tears filling my eyes.
“I hope those tears mean yes and not that you are going to jump out of this limo."
I laughed. “No.”
His face dropped.
“No, I’m not going to jump. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
A smile spread across his face and he pulled me over onto his lap.
I turned and straddled him as I kissed him. I giggled and squirmed. “Is there something in your pocket or are you happy to see me?”
“I’m most definitely happy to see you.” He nuzzled my neck. His hand slipped under my dress and pushed my lacy little panties to the side. “And you’re happy to see me too.”
“Most definitely.” I reached down and undid his pants and reached inside. In a matter of seconds, we joined together. Neither of us cared that the driver could probably hear us as limo drove on into the night.
Javier held me tight as we each reached our breaking point. We stayed together not wanting to let go. He lightly stroked my back and I dreamed about being with him every day.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked me softly.
“About how nice it is going to be spending every day with my boys.”
He looked at me and smiled. He kissed me again. “Don’t you want to put on your ring?”
“Sure.” I slid off Javier’s lap and he poured my champagne into his glass and retrieved the ring. He wiped it off with a napkin and then took my hand. He slipped the ring onto my finger. I’m not sure I’d ever felt so happy. “It is beautiful.”
“Are you sure you like it, because we can pick something else out if you want.”
“Stop talking, Javier.”
“Stop talking? Don’t you know who I am?”
“I am very aware of who you are.” I laughed again, still looking at my new ring.
Javier leaned over and buzzed the driver through the intercom. “Back to the hotel, please.”
“Don’t we need to get my things from Dawn's first?”
“I retrieved your bags earlier.”
“And how did you manage that?”
“Your sister.”
“Dawn?”
“Yes, I called her and she agreed to help me.”
“She knew you were going to show up at the reception?”
“Yes, but she knew I wanted to surprise you so she promised to keep it a secret.”
“Did she know you were going to propose?”
“No. I wanted you to know first.”