32. James
32
JAMES
I wasn’t usually a party kind of guy but even I had to admit that this one was next level.
Of course, it helped that the party in question was my wedding reception.
Bernie’s Hamptons home and grounds had been transformed into a fairy tale, and the place was so satin-draped and flower-filled that I barely recognized it. She, my mom, and Natalie had worked with the event planners for almost a year to craft it. Natalie had tried to rope me into helping work on it during the early planning phases, but I left it all up to her. The day was about bringing to life her vision, her dreams, and I was just happy to let her run with it.
All I cared about was saying, “I do.”
I glanced at the happy faces surrounding me in the tent from my position at our head table. It felt like it was the first time Natalie and I had been left alone all night. We were in the final hours of the reception, and everyone was feeling good thanks to the bottomless Veuve Clicquot and pumping music. As usual, Bernie had been the queen of the dance floor, closely followed by Christopher and Julia. I had a feeling that they’d been taking notes the whole day, because the way they slow danced together made it clear that there was another wedding on the horizon. Although after Christopher’s big blowout wedding to Amanda, I guessed that the pair would opt for something a little more intimate for their celebration.
Natalie reached over and threaded her fingers through mine, giving me a little smile. Holy fuck , my new wife was so beautiful.
When she’d appeared at the end of the aisle with her arm looped over Christopher’s, I’d had to fight hard to keep the tears from flowing down my cheeks. Seeing them together wasn’t a surprise—we’d discussed it at length—but their joyful expressions as he walked her down the aisle made me emotional in a way I hadn’t anticipated. It reminded me that my family was now hers.
Then seeing her up close? Unreal. Her beautiful face shifted from teary-eyed to laughing to a combination of both expressions as she approached. It was almost impossible to keep from sweeping her in my arms and kissing her the minute we joined hands in front of the officiant. The top-secret gown she’d designed was more incredible than I’d imagined, and suited her perfectly. A strapless column of white with a black sash at the waist and the hint of dark beading glinting along the bottom. Branson wasn’t going to recreate her dress, but it would serve as the calling card for the type of bride the line catered to.
I watched Natalie watching the fun on the dance floor. Steph forcing Brendan to help her lead a raucous Electric Slide with the entire design crew dancing along behind her.
“Rhea’s got some moves.” Natalie laughed.
“And Lavonte is basically a professional out there,” I added. “Why don’t you go join them?”
She shook her head. “I’m pretty tired. And it’s nice just to just watch everyone coming together.”
Our table attendant walked up with an oversized bottle of champagne. “May I top you off?”
“Oh, no more for me.” I groaned, reaching out to place my hand over the top of my flute. “I can only imagine the hangover to come if I keep going. Nat? You’ve barely touched yours. Have some.”
She smiled at me and then at the server. “Okay, sure. But let me dump what’s in the glass; it’s probably warm by now.” She spilled the contents in the ice bucket in front of her, then held out her glass to him.
“So, about our honeymoon,” Natalie said as she nestled in closer to me. “Are you finally going to tell me where we’re going? Because we’re leaving in…” she flipped her wrist to check the time on the delicate Patek Phillipe watch I’d given her as a wedding gift, “under twelve hours. Just spill it already, Branson.”
I laughed at her. “I’m really enjoying torturing you by keeping the secret, Branson . And by the way, I know you hacked into my email to try to figure it out.”
Her eyes went wide in mock horror. “I did not ! How dare you accuse me of that!”
“I know everything. Haven’t you figured that out by now? I’m an observer. Nothing gets by me,” I gloated.
Natalie’s expression shifted to dubious. “Oh, is that a fact?”
“It is.”
She pursed her lips together and nodded, glancing back at the dance floor. “Huh. Well, I’ll have you know that you’re wrong. There’s something pretty major that you’ve missed today.”
“Please. If you’re talking about the Beyonce lyrics hidden in the frosting on the groom’s cake, uh, yeah, noted. And I’ll have you know that I now fully believe that girls do run the world.”
Natalie threw her head back, laughing. “Damn it, I wasn’t going to cop to that until we were on the beach in…well, wherever it is you’re taking me.”
I gave her a steely-eyed look. “Who said we’re going to a beach?”
“Crap.” She slapped the table in frustration. “I thought I’d trip you up.”
“See? I don’t miss a thing.”
“So you keep saying. But you’re wrong.”
I stared at her and realized that something was up. She was keeping a secret. “Hold on… Please don’t tell me there’s karaoke coming up…”
“How did you know , Mr. Branson?” she asked in a breathless voice, holding her hands to her heart like a Disney princess. “You figured it out! I’m about to give you that serenade you never paid me not to do.”
I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. “Can I do a bank transfer now to avoid it? Please? I’ll triple what I offered you.”
“Stop.” She swatted me lightly as she settled in against my side again. “It’s not karaoke. Although that was a good idea and I’m pissed I didn’t think of it.”
We watched the dancing in silence for a few minutes.
“Are you going to tell me what I missed or not?” I finally demanded.
I hated secrets.
“Okay,” she said, pulling away. “But I’m going to be breaking a rule, because it has to do with work.”
I frowned at her. “Are you serious? You want to talk business now ?”
Natalie nodded. “It’s a new direction for the company. An untapped market.”
My mind started spinning, because even though I’d sworn not to discuss Branson Designs during our off hours, I still fucking loved everything that had to do with our company. And I was in awe of Natalie’s creative force.
“It’s obviously not bridal, because that’s well under way,” I began slowly. “And Rhea is heading up the new swim division…”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Is it accessories? Like, sunglasses and jewelry?”
Natalie shook her head. “Maybe someday, but I don’t think we have the staff for that yet.”
“Housewares?”
“Ooh, phenomenal idea,” she said. “But no. At least not in the near future.”
“What am I missing?” I muttered. “What else is there?”
“Think small.”
I stared out at the crowd and saw the pile of women’s heels lining the edge of the dance floor.
“Shoes!” I said triumphantly. “It’s shoes.”
“Another fabulous idea, but no.”
“It’s not accessories, housewares or shoes.” I ticked off the possibilities on my fingers. “What else is there? I’m stumped.”
The music downshifted from upbeat club hits to Frank Sinatra’s “It Had to be You.” The night was quickly coming to a close.
“Let’s dance,” Natalie said as she pulled me to my feet.
“I thought you said you were tired,” I groused, even though I loved dancing with her.
It was just one of the many changes she’d brought out in me.
“I am, but for Frank, I’ll make an exception,” she said as she walked into my open arms.
The crowd noticed that we were on the dance floor and gave us a round of applause. We settled into our familiar grip, one palm warm against Natalie’s lower back, the other clasping her hand in mine, and her head against my chest.
“This is nice,” she murmured.
“This is forever .” I kissed the top of her head and went into a quick spin around the dance floor.
“Ooh, please stop,” Natalie said as she placed her hand against my chest, frowning. “Dizzy.”
“Too much champagne?” I chuckled.
“No, it’s not that.” Natalie cocked her head and looked up at me. “Which leads me back to our discussion. The new direction for Branson.”
I frowned at her. “I’m so confused. Why are we still discussing business in the final minutes of our wedding reception? Just tell me already.”
“Okay.” Natalie beamed up at me. “I was thinking we need to get into…”
I rolled my eyes at her. “Ugh, there’s that dramatic pause again.”
She went up on her tiptoes to whisper in my ear. “Maternity.”
“Huh,” I replied, nodding thoughtfully. “That’s actually a really great idea. We could modify a bunch of our current designs to accommodate the physical changes women go through during pregnancy. I like it. Good thinking.”
Natalie furrowed up at me. “Wow, you are really off your game tonight, Mr. Observer.”
And then it hit me.
The fact that Natalie never needed a champagne refill the whole night, complaining about being tired for the past few weeks, her dizziness…
I stepped away from her as the realization came over me.
“Oh my god, Natalie…are you pregnant ?”
I hadn’t meant to shout it, but based on the collective gasp that sounded off around us, I guess I’d accidentally announced it to everyone on the dance floor.
Tears filled her eyes as she nodded at me.
“I’m going to be a great-grandmother?” Bernie shrieked from behind me.
“I’m going to be a grandmother?” my mom squealed at almost the exact moment.
“Dibs on godmother!” I heard Steph shout out.
Natalie jumped into my arms, and I clung to her as we both let the tears flow.
“ Finally ,” she cry-laughed into my ear. “You might be the world’s worst clue guesser.”
Suddenly, we were surrounded by a crush of well-wishers, closing in around us with slaps on the back and hugs. I wasn’t ready to let go of my Natalie yet, so I clung to her, kissing her over and over. When I finally put her down, she turned to the crowd of people waiting to congratulate her.
I watched her as I shook hands and got my own hugs from everyone. Natalie was beautiful—happy, glowing, and embraced by her newfound family.
She’d never been more beautiful.
It took a while but she finally found her way back to me, looking deliriously happy. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much.
“Best new direction ever ,” I whispered in her ear.
“I’m glad we agree.”
I placed my hand on her stomach. “I can’t wait to meet you, little one.”
When I finally glanced at Natalie, I saw the tears shining in her eyes. “Thank you for giving me everything I’ve ever wanted.”
I swept her into my arms and kissed her long and hard.
“Just you wait,” I said when I managed to draw back from her rosebud lips. “I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure that the two of you get everything and more.”
“That’s it? Just one?” Natalie frowned at me. “What if we decide we want more?”
“Two, three, eight, a hundred…whatever you want, my love,” I said, pulling her to me. “I’m going to give you whatever you want, now and forever.”