Chapter 33 Their Big Fat Beach Wedding… Yippee.
Their Big Fat Beach Wedding… Yippee.
Ben
I stand under a pergola on the beach to the left of Dominic, with Henry on my right.
We’re all dressed in linen suits (provided by some store in NY called Tom Synder).
Henry is wiggly and happy and proud, holding up the pillow with the two gold rings tied to it.
The sun is starting to set, taking a little of the heat out of the day, which is a good thing because I’m feeling slightly nauseous.
I haven’t heard from Vivian since last night, and Dom hasn’t either, so we’re both assuming she decided to go through with the wedding.
I can’t blame her though. It’s not like I’m willing to uproot my son and give up everything to move to Manhattan with her.
So maybe we’re just not meant to be. It’s too complicated, we’re too different, and it never would’ve worked out anyway.
There are a few rows of wooden folding chairs set up, and the small group of guests look excited, even though most of them know the truth.
Well, about Dominic and Vivian, not Vivian and me.
The wedding coordinator rushes around, speaking into a headset.
She points to the string quartet, who are set up on a wooden platform off to the side, and they begin to play.
Frank, the cameraman, appears on the steps from the garden path to the beach, walking backwards toward us, which means Vivian is about to appear.
The wedding will be live across the planet, and there are probably thousands of people tuned in to see the big event.
This is real. This is happening. And there is nothing I can do to stop it.
I’ve said my piece and the decision is hers to make. Only, it seems like she made it.
Paige is first. She looks lovely in a pink floral gown, and I glance at Mac, who’s sitting in the back row, his eyes fixed on the woman he loves as she walks along the rose petal path to us.
And then Vivian appears, with my dad walking next to her, her hand on the crook of his elbow.
I finally understand the phrase ‘she took my breath away,’ because I don’t feel like my lungs will ever work again.
She’s absolutely perfect, with her hair up in some sort of complicated-looking configuration, and a simple, yet elegant, dress that skims her curves and shows off her toned arms. She’s smiling, but I can see she’s not happy, and I want to run up to her, throw her over my shoulder, and take off.
Dominic leans toward me and whispers, “If she doesn’t stop this, you better do it.”
Without moving my lips, I say, “I can’t.”
He looks at me and mouths, “Coward.”
“I am not.”
“Are so.”
“Am not.”
The pastor clears her throat and gives us a dirty look, so we return our attention to the bride.
She and my dad slowly make their way up the aisle, then he takes her hand and passes it to Dominic as she steps up onto the platform.
When she reaches the top, I notice that she’s gripping the bouquet with white knuckles.
She stares at me as if she’s trying to see into my soul, and I gaze right back, silently begging her to put a stop to this.
“Dearly beloved—” the pastor says.
“Wait!” Vivian calls.
Looking startled, the pastor lowers her voice. “Is everything okay?”
“No,” she says. “Everything is not okay.” She takes a deep breath, then says, “I need to say something to my fans.”
Frank moves in a little closer to her, and she knits her eyebrows together.
“I promised you a wedding, but I can’t go through with it because Dominic and I are not in love.
At least not with each other. We’re not a real couple.
LornaLuvsLuxury was right about me. I’m a liar.
I lied to you about having a mysterious, camera-shy boyfriend.
And I’m sorry. I’m so very sorry to have abused your trust like this.
I know you’re going to be horribly disappointed in me, and you should be, because I’ve been lying to you for months.
At first it seemed harmless, and then everything spiraled out of control.
” Her voice catches, and she goes on. “But, have you ever been so desperate that you did something that you knew was wrong, and you convinced yourself you weren’t hurting anyone?
Because that’s what I did. I was losing subscribers and was about to lose my sponsors, so I made up the perfect man and I hoped he’d come along soon. ”
She glances at me, and I smile at her, hoping she can see how proud I am of her.
She smiles back, but her eyebrows are knit together, as she says, “The perfect man did come along, only, it was after Dominic and I had already announced to the world that we were a couple. We really did meet where I said we did. Only, he was eavesdropping on my conversation with Paige about needing to find a guy who would agree to marry me because my agents were about to drop me. And we struck a deal because he’s always dreamed of acting on Broadway and I promised to help get him there.
And as wonderful as Dominic is, I am not his type and never will be no matter if we were the last two people on earth. ”
Dominic moves into the shot, then says, “That’s not because Vivian isn’t an amazing person. It’s because there’s really only one type of wine I like.”
“It’s true. And the label says Seth on it, as in Seth from Tiffany’s. They fell madly in love when we went to pick out this hideous ring. I’m sorry, but it is hideous. We can all see it, right?”
Murmurs of agreement come from everyone at the wedding, including Henry, who pipes up with, “Even I can see it’s ugly, and I’m only five!”
She glances down at Henry and nods. “It really is.” Looking back at the camera, she says, “I want to make it clear that this ugly ring is no reflection on Seth, who has always been wonderful to me and is an absolute professional at all times. So I hope Tiffany’s won’t drop him like they will me.”
Wincing, Vivian adds, “Oh God, Tiffany’s is going to drop me forever, and that’s fine, because I know all my followers are going to leave after this, too.
I broke your trust. I know that. So, this will be my last video.
I’m going to have to figure out a new career now, which is fine.
There are worse things, one of which is that I’m sure I’m about to get a lot of hate.
And I get that. I do. And I am sorry. I’m sorry you’re not going to get a wedding today because I know a lot of people out there were really looking forward to it. ”
“Wait,” I say, suddenly feeling like I’m having an out-of-body experience. “We can still have a wedding today. If you want.”
She breaks out into a wide smile, looking excited and scared at the same time. “Really?” she whispers.
Nodding, I say, “Yes.”
Dom takes a step back and pulls me by my arm so I’m standing in his place.
Looking at the camera, he says, “Allow me to introduce my big brother, Ben. He’s a carpenter—yes, like Jesus, except he doesn’t wear sandals at work and he makes the world’s most magical playhouses for children.
He’s also a single dad raising the best five-year-old on the planet, and he’s wildly in love with Vivian. For real.”
“What? You’re in love with Auntie Vivian?” Henry asks in his loud, kid voice.
I wince, then crouch down. “I know this is confusing, buddy. But remember what we said about Uncle Dom and Vivian having a friend marriage, not a love one?”
He nods, still looking confused.
“Well, Vivian and I have fallen in love.”
Vivian crouches down next to me. “Would you like it if I came to live with you guys, forever, maybe?”
Henry grins at her, nodding quickly. “Yup!”
My heart swells as she reaches out and gives him a big hug.
He wraps his little arms around her neck and gives her a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank goodness,” she says. “Because I would very much like to stay so I can make you pancakes and watch you surf and help you with your homework and watch you grow up.”
He pulls back and says, “That would be to die for. ‘Specially the pancakes.”
We both chuckle and exchange an ‘isn’t he adorable?’ glance, then I say to Henry, “Okay, well, maybe Vivian and I should get married then. Since we’re all dressed up and everything. That way we can start our life together as a family right away.”
We stand up and I look down at her hand, wanting that awful ring off her finger immediately. It’s a symbol of a lie. Raising one finger, I say, “Can you give me a second?”
Looking slightly confused, she agrees.
I rush over to my mum, who’s sniffling away in the front row. “Can I have Grandma Georgie’s ring?”
She nods and pulls it off her right hand. “I was hoping you’d take it.”
When I turn back to Vivian, she’s handing her engagement ring to Dom for safe keeping. She turns to me with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face.
“Are you ready to do this?” I ask.
She nods. “I am if you are.”
“I am. Because I love you with my whole heart and I know we can make this work.”