27. Chapter 27
It was weird putting on the dress she had bought for her party, knowing that it was also going to double as her wedding dress. She smoothed the light pink material down and looked in the mirror on her closet door again. Behind her, Levi was bent over tying his dress shoes, but she saw him watching her in the reflection.
“You look beautiful,” he said when their eyes met.
“You say that no matter what I’m wearing.” She shrugged and turned around to look over her shoulder at how it looked from behind. Even though she had on nude tights to cover the scars on her legs, she wished that she would’ve picked something that was longer.
“Well today you look more beautiful,” he said, standing up to grab her hands. “Today, you’re becoming my wife.”
Her smile formed before she could even think about it. “It does have a nice ring to it.”
“Speaking of rings.” He pulled away and patted his pockets then looked around. Spotting his jeans on the floor, he bent down to pick them up. After digging around for a minute, he presented her with a ring box. “I went shopping. Hope you don’t mind.”
She opened it to reveal two rings in one box. He’d chosen a black shiny one for himself and a white gold band for her. “When did you even have time to go?” To her knowledge he had a staff meeting after lunch and they had left HQ at the same time to come back here and get ready.
“This morning before I went to Charlotte’s. Do you like them?”
“Yes, thank you for doing that. I had other things on my mind and didn’t even go to rings.” She handed them back so he could put them in his suit jacket.
“I can be useful sometimes.” He flashed her a smile and ran a hand through his hair. “I had to skip the haircut though. No time.”
“It’s ok. I like it like this,” she said and pushed his hand out of the way so she could comb through it with her fingers. When she was done, she brushed off the shoulders of his jacket and straightened his lapels. “You look very handsome. Everyone is going to be jealous.”
Instead of answering, he leaned down and kissed her. “Ready?”
She looked at the clock on her nightstand. “Yeah let me fix my lipstick then I will be.”
Her parents were the first to arrive. After they put their gifts on the table, they hugged her and wished her a happy birthday. Her mom looked around at the tables and decorations. “This is really nice, Mel. I can see why you wanted to have the party here and not at the house.” Yeah that and the fact that last year it had turned into a shit show with her sister. At least in public, Jeanie knew how to behave at family functions. “That dress is beautiful too!” Her mom looked down at her own clothes. “I hope I’m not under dressed.
“You aren’t. I just wanted to wear something special since the party is in my honor.” She glanced over at Levi for help.
“You look great, Mrs. Davis. Henry, how are you?” He asked, sticking out his hand for them to shake.
Luckily she didn’t have to make small talk with them for long. Some of her friends started showing up and then a few people from work. All in all, there were going to be thirty-five to forty people, which was more than she had wanted but still somehow felt obligatory. Cousins and aunts and uncles. People her mom insisted come even though it was just supposed to be a simple birthday dinner with drinks. In reality, she should thank her mom because almost anyone that should’ve been invited to the wedding was going to be there. Except her sister Stacie, who probably wouldn’t have come anyway.
Earlier, with Luna and Valerie, they decided to spring the ceremony on everyone between drinks and dinner. Luna thought it would be best because most people associated the end of dinner with an acceptable time to leave, and she didn’t want people sneaking out before the vows. Melanie had agreed that it was a good plan. The party had been going for about forty-five minutes when Andrea and Valerie walked in with Avrie holding her parent’s hands and Addy tucked into her carrier. Levi looked relieved. He’d been glancing at the door for the past twenty minutes. It wasn’t like they wouldn’t show up, but she was glad they were here now, so he could relax.
After they greeted them, Melanie went to get a drink and find Luna so they could get the event moving along. Her mom caught her at the bar though. “Your boss has a very beautiful family,” she said, taking a sip of her wine.
“She does. Avrie is the older one and Addy is the baby.” She knew her mom enjoyed knowing who everyone was.
“You wouldn’t know they were mobsters by looking at them. Well, other than their clothes. That suit she has on probably cost as much as my car.”
“Mom,” she warned. Tonight was not the night for that bullshit. “She’s very important to Levi, please play nice.”
“Oh Mel, I know how to act. That was just between you and me.” She took another drink of her wine and then asked the bartender to fill it up. “Is she paying for the party too?”
“No. I am,” Melanie said under her breath. “Excuse me for a minute.”
She left her mom at the bar and made a beeline to Luna who was standing to the side chatting with Allie, and two of Melanie’s cousins. “Hey,” she said when she got to them.
“The birthday girl!” Her cousins said and gave her a hug. She had missed them when they came in.
“I’m going to steal these two real quick,” she said to her cousins then nodded for Luna and Allie to follow her. They made it to the side of the room where no one was.
“Ready?” Luna asked, looking around. “Seems like everyone is here if my head count is right.”
“Yeah. I think they are.”
Allie gave her a smile and pulled a piece of paper from the pocket of her dress. “Do you want to check it out first?”
She shook her head and wiped her hands on her dress. Her nerves were getting to her. “No, let’s just do it.”
Levi came up beside her and put an arm around her waist. “Ready, cupcake?”
“Yes, are you?”
“Let’s do it.” He glanced back at the party and then at Luna. “It was smart to put the tables all around the stage like that so we don’t have to move furniture.”
Luna smiled. “Thanks, Mr. Intelligence.”
He laughed and shook his head before looking at Allie. “Thanks again for doing this.”
“It’s exciting. I didn’t think I would ever need to use my ‘certification’ again,” she said, making air quotes with her fingers.
“Alright, I’m going to get everyone’s attention and ask them to take their seats.” Luna sat her glass down on one of the high tops along the edge of the room and headed for the stage.
Melanie felt like she was going to throw up. It was going to be fine though. That’s what she kept telling herself.
“If I can have your attention please,” Luna said, grabbing the microphone that Javi handed her. “If you’ll all take your seats, we have a special form of entertainment for you tonight before dinner is served.”
Levi squeezed the arm around her waist and whispered, “Entertainment?”
“She can’t very well tell them to sit for the wedding now can she?” Melanie whispered back.
Allie held out a hand to him. “Rings?”
He handed over the box and took a breath.
“Thank you very much.” Luna said when everyone settled down at the tables. The white tablecloths and pink flowers in the middle were nice. She needed to remember to take some pictures before they left. “Alright, some of you may be wondering what kind of entertainment you’re going to get to enjoy.” There were some nods and noises of agreement before Luna said, “It’s my pleasure to inform you that you will be witness to the joining of two lives tonight.” There were several gasps and Melanie could practically feel her mother’s eyes burning into her. She just glanced around and smiled, not focusing on any one person for too long. “So stay seated where you are and there will be plenty of time for hugs and congratulations after we get Melanie and Levi married.”
“That’s our cue,” Allie said and led them up on the stage.
Before Allie could take the mic from Luna, Melanie grabbed it and held Levi’s hand with the other, facing the crowd. “We know it’s a surprise and that it’s fast, but this is what we want. If you aren’t happy about it, please keep that opinion to yourself, and you’re free to leave at any time. But there’s going to be delicious food, more drinks, and dancing later, so we would love for you to stay and celebrate with us.”
She turned back around and handed the mic to Allie. Levi leaned in close and whispered. “That was so hot.” She gave him a smile and stepped to their places.
“Well, I’m just going to skip my whole first paragraph of welcoming you and asking you to stay seated,” Allie said, gaining her some chuckles and laughs around the room. “Today we have the privilege of being part of something special. Two people coming together and pledging to spend the rest of their lives loving, supporting, and cherishing one another. I haven’t known Melanie and Levi personally for very long, but it’s clear to me they have something special.”
“The interactions I’ve been able to witness, the stories I’ve heard, and seeing them here today, ready to stand in front of their families and friends and declare their undying love has been something truly special to see. Their love was born not only out of a loyalty to each other, but out of a commitment to see one another through situation after situation. They didn’t give up. They kept working toward their goal, the goal of building trust, intimacy, and honesty even when they felt the odds were against them. Those are the things that will help them in their marriage and throughout the rest of their lives. Knowing they have one another, should not only be a comfort to them, but a comfort to all of us. Whether they are your friends, your family, or your acquaintance, you can leave here today knowing that Melanie and Levi will have each other from this day forward.”
Melanie had to pull back one of her hands to wipe her eyes. That was the sweetest and most well thought out opening she’d ever heard at a wedding. Levi smiled and dug in the breast pocket of his jacket and handed her some kleenex which she gratefully accepted. It wasn’t until Allie giggled and said, “You guys are too cute,” that she could laugh and look out at everyone sitting down. Her mom was crying too. Her dad was smiling and gave her a thumbs up. Andrea was holding Addy in one hand and Valerie with the other. Valerie was clutching Avrie in her lap. Both of their families were happy for them. She looked back at Levi and he looked at her, giving her a wink.
“Ok, Melanie, take this and say your vows.”
She took the ring and put it on Levi’s finger, clutching his hand, she looked up into his eyes. All day she’d been trying to figure out what to say. Now in the moment, she knew that anything she said was going to be perfect. “I promise to be by your side, to be your family, and to give you a family. No matter where we are or what we’re doing, as long as we have each other, I know we’ll make it through. Love is precious and fragile, but our love, the love you give me, makes me feel safe and strong. For the rest of our lives, you’re the one I want.”
“Your turn,” Allie said, handing him the other ring.
He put it on her finger and stared at it for a minute before he looked up at her. “Eight months ago when I sat across from you in that diner, I knew you weren’t like any other woman I’d shared a meal with. You’ve challenged me to not only be a better man and person, but to be better for you and this life we’re building together. I promise to do my best every day to keep being better. I promise to love you for as long as God will let me have you.”
“By the authority vested in me by everyone in this room and the internet, I declare you husband and wife. Kiss!”
Levi stepped into her and cupped her face with both hands before kissing her. She wasn’t much for PDA but it didn’t matter; she was going to let him kiss her as long as he wanted. When he pulled back, they grinned at each other.
“I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Warner!”
They turned to be met with everyone standing and applauding them. Luna was snapping their picture and Melanie smiled so big her cheeks hurt.