Chapter 30 #2
We booked the band only until ten because we had so many little ones coming and figured the party would end on the earlier side.
“It went by way too fast.”
“But we’ve had the time of our lives.”
I smile at his mention of the song we chose to end the festivities. “We sure did.”
Gage gives the band leader a signal to go ahead and wrap things up with one final song.
“Ladies and gentlemen, grab your dance partners and make your way to the dance floor for one last spin as we wish Gage and Iris all the best of everything in their new lives together.”
They send us off with a rousing rendition of “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” that has all our guests dancing, even the kids.
Luke and Kinsley have danced together all night, often surrounded by six little ones.
They make for a gorgeous couple, and my sweet friend is obviously smitten.
As far as I know, she’s hardly dated since losing Rory four years ago, so it’s a thrill to see her possibly moving into a new relationship with such a lovely guy.
Gage and I think the world of Luke, whom we met through Tyler. He’s in school with Luke’s son Beckham.
Lexi and Tom, Adrian and Wynter, Christy and Trey, Joy and Bernie, Roni and Derek, Luke and Kinsley, Hallie and Robin, Brielle, Naomi and Taylor moving slowly due to her pregnancy—all of them are dancing and smiling and having the time of their lives, or so it seems.
I’m looking directly at Taylor, which is how I see her grimace as she stops moving and looks down at the puddle on the floor.
Oh shit!
I tap on Gage’s shoulder. “Taylor’s water just broke.”
“Oh my God. Okay, what do we do?”
“Let me check with her.”
Taylor is surrounded by Wild Widows, so I have to nudge my way in.
“What can we do?”
“I, uh, I need to get to the hospital, I guess.”
“We’ll take her,” Brielle says on behalf of herself and Naomi.
“We’ll go, too,” Christy and Joy say at the same time.
“No need,” Brielle replies. “Go have fun with your dates. The single ladies have got this.”
“Is that okay, Tay?” I ask her, since she hardly knows them.
“More than fine. I’ll call my mom and sisters when I get there. And my neighbor Kate, who’s with the kids.”
I give her a tight hug. “Love you so much. I can’t wait to meet your little guy.”
As I pull back from her, I notice her chin is quivering. The only person she wants with her is the one she’ll never see again.
“You’ve got this.” I wait until she looks directly at me. “You. Have. Got. This.”
She nods.
“Love you.”
“Love you, too. Such a great wedding.”
“Thanks for being here. Meant so much to me.” I release her into the care of Brielle and Naomi, who’ll stay with her until her family arrives.
“Is she okay?” Gage asks.
The band has said good night, and the waitstaff has begun cleaning up. The party’s over.
“I think she will be, but it’s just so fucking sad.”
“Yes, it is, but she’s in good hands, and we need to continue our celebration while she brings another little one for us to love and spoil into the world.”
“You’re right.” I have to force my mind off Taylor’s impending labor so I can keep the focus on my new husband. “When are you going to tell me where we’re going tonight?”
“When we get there.”
He’s been mysterious about the plans for after the wedding, telling me only to pack for chilly weather and some sightseeing.
My mom and stepfather are staying with the kids this week so we can take a little honeymoon. That seems like a silly word to describe the trip following a second wedding for two widows, but as Gage said, what else should we call it?
He’s planned the whole thing, and I let him because I had more than enough to handle leading up to the wedding.
I’ve left lists on top of lists for my mom to keep the kids on their schedule this week, and as we say good night to them and tell them we’ll see them next weekend, I expect tears and pleas for us not to go.
But instead, they tell us they love us and to have a good time on our trip.
Laney makes me promise to FaceTime with her every day.
I glance at my mother, who’s standing with Mimi and Stan, all of them looking pleased with themselves.
“What’s going on, you guys?”
“Mimi and Stan agreed to spend this week with us, and the kids are thrilled to have a surplus of grandparents to manipulate while you’re gone,” Mom tells me.
“Oh, I love that. So much excitement, no time for tears.”
“We were hoping it would play out that way,” Mimi says as she hugs us both. “Have the best time ever. We’ve got your babies.”
“Love you so much,” Gage says gruffly.
“Love you more,” Mimi says.
They leave with the kids a few minutes later, and we say our goodbyes to the rest of our guests, until only the Wild Widows are remaining as the cleanup continues around us.
Derek produces a bottle of champagne and a stack of plastic glasses. He pops the cork as Roni hands out the glasses.
When we each have one, he raises his in a toast to us. “To Iris and Gage, our fearless leaders, we love you both so much, and we’re so happy to share your well-deserved chapter two with you. Here’s to decades of love and happiness.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Roni says as the others concur.
“Thank you for this,” Gage says to his best man. “Thank you for everything. You guys like to give us all the credit, but I know Iris would agree when I say you put us back together and made today possible. Love you all.”
We part with hugs and promises to send pictures from wherever we end up.
Gage leads me outside to where a chauffeured Bentley awaits.
“What the what…”
“Nothing but the best for my wife.” He gestures to the back door with a flourish. “Shall we?”
“Yes, please.”
Inside the luxurious car is another bottle of chilled champagne that he opens and pours for us.
“To my wife.”
“To my husband.”
We touch glasses and share a kiss before we each take a sip of bubbly. I’m so caught up in him that I forget to try to figure out where the car is taking us until we come to a stop half an hour later.
“Where are we?”
“Reagan National,” he says of the DC-area airport. “Come with me, my love.”
I’m giddy with excitement and buzzed on champagne as I follow him out of the car to realize we’re on a tarmac.
A red carpet has been laid out, leading to a private jet.
“What is happening, Mr. Collier?” He sold his company for a bundle, but he never flaunts his wealth or does crazy things like this.
I suppose once in a while is okay, right?
I want to giggle at the direction my thoughts have taken. Yes, it’s more than okay.
He guides me toward the stairs. “Right this way, Mrs. Collier.”
In a million years, I never expected a private jet, but I probably should have. My husband doesn’t do anything halfway.
He has his hands on my waist as he follows me up the stairs. “I wanted you all to myself tonight, so I decided to splurge.”
I take in the luxurious accommodations. “Holy moly.”
We’re met by a steward with more champagne. “Welcome aboard, Mr. and Mrs. Collier, and congratulations.”
“Thank you! This is so exciting!”
Gage chuckles at my enthusiasm as he helps me into my seat and buckles me in for takeoff.
“Now will you tell me where we’re going?”
He reaches into his suit coat and pulls something from the inside pocket that he hands to me.
I’m stunned speechless when I see the Eiffel Tower on a tourist brochure for Paris. I turn to him, mouth hanging open. “Paris? We’re going to Paris?”
“No objections?” he asks, smiling.
I throw myself at him as best I can while buckled into my seat. “Best surprise ever. I can’t believe this is my life, that you’re my life and you did this and… I love you. I just love you so much.”
“Love you, too, babe. And my only goal in life is to make you and our kids happy.”
“Goal achieved times ten million today.”
His sexy grin is one of my favorite things. “My work here is just getting started.”
As we taxi for takeoff for Paris, I hold on tight to his hand. “I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
“Neither can I.”