Chapter 21 #3
“If everyone sticks to the RSVP, then we have about 220 people,” Freja responded nonchalantly.
“You’re joking?” Erik had thought Ingrid was overreacting when she said the mothers needed to be controlled.
“And I know what you’re thinking: the security is in place; your father won’t show up.”
“I was thinking about that, but how did it get so big?”
“Well, we had to invite certain people. Luckily, others have already gone to warmer climates for Christmas; otherwise, it would have been about 300. Ingrid knew about all of this. It isn’t my problem that you weren’t paying attention.”
Freja came over and did his pocket square. She looked at her son in the mirror and smiled.
“Do I look ok?”
“I would have preferred a full suit with tails and a waistcoat, but you kids want to be less formal for this. You look handsome, no matter what, my son.”
“Have you seen her dress? Will this be ok?” He asked, tugging at the sleeve of his navy blue suit.
“I’ve seen her dress, and I wouldn’t let you walk out of the house if I thought you wouldn’t do her justice!”
It was just the close family, along with Antoine and Daniela, meeting at the town hall first before moving on to the reception. Erik was starting to feel nervous as he met Ingrid on the steps to the town hall.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m feeling a bit nervous.”
“Don’t, darling, I’m the one that’s supposed to have the bridal jitters.” Ingrid took his hand.
Erik calmed down, and they all went inside.
It was a very administrative procedure of presenting documents.
Nothing romantic about it, except for the fact that their families had tears of joy in their eyes as Erik and Ingrid looked at each other with love.
As they walked out, they were surprised by some of their friends who had parked outside and were throwing confetti over them.
There were, of course, the usual fans hoping to get photos, but security handled it gently.
Erik and Ingrid didn’t want this day to be about their sport.
Erik had arrived in his Aston Martin Valhalla, and the newlyweds drove off to the venue in it.
Before they got out, he turned to Ingrid and kissed her.
“Hello, husband,” she said.
“Hello, wife,” he responded. “Although I’ve felt like you’ve been that to me for so long now already, we just made it official today.”
“Yes, I think I knew when we first spoke in Melbourne.” She stroked his face.
“Come, let’s get this little party over with so we can go celebrate on our own.” He got out and opened the door for her.
As they entered the Salle des étoiles, they both gasped at how much work the mothers had put into the wedding reception.
The flowers alone were magnificent, huge colourful displays of roses, peonies, baby’s breath, and eucalyptus.
The rest of the décor was understated and elegant, setting off the flowers.
As they scanned the room of guests, they knew they would never be able to sneak out early.
“We might as well make the best of it,” Ingrid said to Erik, under her breath, taking the one glass of champagne that her doctor said she was allowed.
Erik was really the star of the show, having won the championship that year. Ingrid didn’t mind at all. She watched as he received royalty and yapped away about racing. She would get to watch him do this for the rest of her life now. Oliver came up to her at one point in the evening.
“Happy, Sister?”
“Very.” She smiled glowingly.
“Now you get to chat away about your favourite sport to someone who actually cares.” He laughed.
“Oh, come on, you care too.”
“Yes, but not nearly as much as you do!”
The guests were starting to take their leave, and Ingrid thought that as the bride and groom, they could too.
“Darling, I think we can leave now, too,” she whispered in his ear.
They said their farewells and thank yous to everyone who was still there. The party looked like it might either continue or head to a second location with some of the younger ones, like Sigrid and even Oliver.
“Alone at last with my bride,” Erik said as he carried her from the doorway to the bedroom.
“Oh my god, please get me out of this dress!”
“Happily!” He put her down and unbuttoned, then unzipped the dress. “I thought this would be sexy, but by god, woman, this is taking forever!”
Ingrid burst out laughing and tried to help him. Eventually, she was out.
“Now, that is sexy!” Erik was eyeing her see-through lace lingerie. “I’m not sure I want to take that off just yet.” He stroked her body, and Ingrid felt the familiar tingle whenever he touched her like that.
She unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hand over his chest down to his belt and undid it. She lay down on her side on the bed. “Come over here, husband.”
Erik finished undressing and lay next to her. “I love you so much.” He stroked the side of her body and down to her panties, which he finally took off.
“I love you forever,” Ingrid responded, kissing him.
With those words, they made love as husband and wife, a new rookie experience for both of them.