CHAPTER 20: ZOEY
I let Noah guide me back down the aisle. I have a perma-smile glued onto my face. Savannah beams back at me, and my sister has never looked happier. My mother and father grin and nod their approval. In moments, Noah’s biggest fans follow in our wake. Felicity and Megan are only one step behind us.
I nearly trip when I hear one of the world’s most famous voices starting to sing. I look at Noah and chuckle when he jiggles his shoulders. “I couldn’t help it,” he says. “Everything for my girl.”
“Oh, my god, I can’t believe you got Lionel Richie out here.” My eyes are the size of saucers when I hear the lyrics to ‘Stuck on you.’
“Yep, sure did.” Noah’s confirmation is superfluous because Savannah’s scream is enough to prove to me that it is the artist in person. What else…I am Noah Jackson’s wife.
We walk to a large banqueting tent set up by the lake. I smile. Noah just couldn’t help it. The decorations for the small gathering of thirty people are epic. The entire way down to the lake is lined with an archway of spring blooms. When I see the waiters and chefs milling about, I know that he also arranged for the finest fare. Even though I played a large part in the arrangements, he wouldn’t divulge the name of the chef to me.
“You also had Gianni Naninni flown out here?” I say, incredulous.
Noah plants a kiss on my cheek. “Well, you always say it is your favorite place in New York.”
“You really spoil me, Noah.”
“Anything for my girl. And remember it’s just the beginning.”
After taking our seats everything is a blur of heady emotions. The six-course menu is the best food I have eaten. And that is something because Noah has taken me to some of the finest places in New York. Wines and champagne flow in abundance. Noah even made sure that there is Château Pétrus red wine in the same year as I was born.
Ding, ding.
As best man, Glyn gets to his feet. He clears his throat. “I have known Noah for quite some years now, and I must say…thank you, Zoey, for taking him off my hands some. He’s all yours.” A ripple of laughter floats over the congregation. “I know James Jackson would have been proud and I also know that he is watching us and muttering his usual comments. I would not want to repeat them because there are children present. What I most want to say is that you, Noah, has finally found love and I am happy for you both. I love you guys…here’s to the newlyweds.”
Everyone gets to their feet to toast us. Noah takes Glyn into a bear hug, and I too hug him. Glyn has become something of a brother to me. Also, Serge is a frequent guest at our home in NYC. There couldn’t be a more aptly suited partner for Glyn. Serge originally comes from Columbia and is the sweetest person.
A glass clinks again. This time, it is Hunter who gets up. “I am not going to make this long. Brother…Zoey…well done. I am proud of you. May your marriage be a happy one with lots of love and as granddad said, ‘put a bun in the oven and fast.” When the mirth dies down, he resumes speaking. “There is someone here who also wants to say something.”
Felicity who stands next to her father says, “Auntie Zoey and Uncle Noah, I love you. And don’t go away on your honeymoon for too long.” Tears well up in my eyes. My little niece is just about the cutest thing alive.
I look around at the assembled wedding guests. It is the gayest sight. I chuckle when I see my mother in deep conversation with Lionel Richie. My father has latched onto the Italian chef. I chuckle when I see this. Gianni Naninni is spoiling my father with even more food.
I grin when I see Savannah talking to a very good-looking man. I recognize him from when he congratulated us before. Who is that with Savannah?” I ask Noah.
He arches his eyebrows. “Oh, that’s Chase Witherby. He’d be good for her. He comes from an excellent family in New York. He also runs his own promotions firm. He does a lot of work for me.”
“Mm, I see. Well, they look like they are hitting it off.”
Noah winks at me. “I thought they might. Chase and I went out a lot – he’s great fun and up for anything. He’s of a similar age to me, and so it might be good for him to settle down at last.”
My eyes slit. I can imagine what my husband and his handsome friend used to get up to. There was probably a Crystal type hanging around every time they went out. “There will be none of that anymore,” I say, sternly.
Noah laughs. “No, my love. I am officially retired.”
“Good because you will need all of your energy for me.”
“Yeah, your voracious appetite is more than I can handle.”
“You have done a pretty good job so far,” I whisper.
“Only a pretty good job?”
I laugh. “You are all I ever wanted in a man, Noah. And I love you.” I kiss him on the mouth.
“And I love you. Marrying you is the best decision I ever made. I can’t wait to get going on the honeymoon and have my sexy wife all to myself.”
I smile. I too can’t wait. We are taking James’s Gran Torino on a small road trip for a few days until we head to New York. After that, it’s two weeks in Bora Bora on a private island. If we don’t spend all day making love, I might get some new songs written. The one Noah promoted after the ‘Crystal Gate’ affair was a huge success. Finally, I have the man I need in my life, and I can pursue my passion for singing.
“Happy, my love?” asks Noah.
“Yes, I am the happiest woman on Earth, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Then let’s get outta here and really start.”
“As tempting as that may sound, let’s give our guests a little more of our presence before we go. And besides, I haven’t had the chance to speak to Lionel Richie really. And you have your two favorite girls to look after.” I point at Megan and Felicity who are eyeing us closely.
Noah laughs throatily. “Your wish is my command. Don’t be too long with Lionel. I have plans for my bride when I get her into the bridal suite.”
“Mm, I can’t wait to see what you have in mind.”