Chapter Forty - Lu
Chapter Forty
Lu
The wedding of the summer
L u’s nerves got the better of her as she stood there just inside the door of the inn. The backless, flowy white dress with lace detailing had given her all the feelings of a beach wedding while remaining elegant and sophisticated. Her body shook and her nerves were on edge as she awaited Kenya’s stroll down the aisle ahead of her. Natalia stood on the veranda, and after everyone was in place at the altar, she motioned for her to exit the house. John Jr., who was handsomely dressed in a gray tuxedo, took her hand in his, and placed it in the fold of his arm.
When she heard Luther Vandross’s “Here and Now” begin to play, she knew it was time. Tears stood at the edges of her eyes, threatening to fall and make a mess of her makeup but she willed them away. Yana fixed a hair that was out of place, then hugged her tightly. She straightened the tail of Lu’s dress, smoothed it out before she stepped off the veranda. She was happy that Yana had graciously allowed John Jr. the honor of standing in for their father, a gesture that made Lu love her mother that much more.
They stepped off the veranda and made their way to the area of the beach where the guests were seated, tread through the sand, both barefoot, toward the altar. The arch was beautifully decorated with orchids, hibiscus, and plumeria. Kenya’s father, Pastor Lewis, stood there with a Bible in his hand and a fatherly grin on his face. Kenya stood to his right; her peach-colored dress blew with the wind. Gideon and Zach stood on the left, both handsomely dressed in gray tuxedos. Zach inconspicuously dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief. He’d gotten choked up as he observed her.
She and John Jr. stopped just short of the arch.
Pastor Lewis asked, “Who gives this woman to be married?”
“I do, sir.” John Jr. smiled, kissed Lu’s cheek, and then took his seat.
Zach took her hands in his as Pastor Lewis performed the nuptials. She had visualized this moment a thousand times in her head, but it was surreal to see it all come together on that beautiful September day—the weather a perfect seventy-five degrees, the sun shining, and the waves whispering gently against the shore. After exchanging vows in front of her family and friends and God, Zach finally pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. And she became his wife on the beach on Cape May.
* * *
“I’m so happy for you.” Kenya was the first to embrace her. “You’re such a beautiful bride.”
“Thank you. I can’t believe we’re finally here.”
“It’s been a long time coming.” Kenya locked arms with her. “That was really sweet of Yana to allow John Jr. to walk you down the aisle.”
“Yeah, it was. I feel like John is here, looking down on us.”
“I think so, too.”
Lu gazed lovingly at her mother. “Yana’s going to be spending more time at the inn. Going to help out a few days a week.”
“That’s sweet.” Kenya leaned her head against Lu’s.
“I saw that you and Gideon were pretty cozy last night at the rehearsal dinner.”
“Yeah, I’m in love with him.”
Lu was taken aback by Kenya’s revelation. She had to step aside to get a good look at her friend’s face. “Wow!”
“Don’t make a big deal of it.” Kenya giggled. “I’m just going to throw caution to the wind. See how it goes.”
“You deserve it, Kenya. I’m so thrilled.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Don’t give the man a hard time, either. Give him some grace.”
They both giggled and glanced over at Gideon, who stood there with a plate in his hand, nibbling on fruit. He gave Kenya a wink and she blushed. Lu’s heart soared—her friend had finally given herself permission to love again.
Zach approached the pair, his hands in his pockets. “Kenya, would you mind if I steal my bride away?”
“Not at all.” Kenya embraced Lu.
Zach took her hand in his and whisked her away to the dance floor. As she danced with her new husband to the sounds of Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable,” she smiled and peeked over his shoulder at Natalia, who stroked her growing belly. Natalia gave Lu a gentle smile and blew her a kiss. Lu couldn’t help thinking that it was a shame that she’d be going through the pregnancy without Nic. He had no idea that Natalia was pregnant, and she preferred it that way. However, Lu knew that she would be the best mother ever— without him . The baby would have the best three aunts—Natalia’s sister and, of course, Lu and Kenya—who would be there from the moment she or he entered the world. Lu and Natalia both followed each other’s glances across the terrace at their friend, Kenya, as she danced with Gideon. She kicked her leg into the air when he dipped her. When Gideon locked lips with Kenya for a long kiss, Lu’s heart was filled with so much joy.
As the sun began to set on the beach, Lu pulled Natalia onto the dance floor and grabbed Kenya’s hand—pulled her out there, too. The three of them held hands and danced to Lizzo’s “Good as Hell.” They had each endured their own challenges over the summer on Cape May, but with one another, they’d overcome. Life was everything they could’ve ever hoped for or imagined—and then some.