Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
At four o’clock on Christmas Eve, family and friends descended on the lovely Victorian house the O’Malley’s called home. Beautifully decorated in vintage style, walking in the door was a step back in time.
The towering tree dominated the living room, its rich scent joining the bayberry candles and the boughs of pine and holly adorning the mantle.
Fresh red and ivory roses held the ivory tulle scalloped along the mahogany banister leading to the upper floors.
Vases of the fragrant flowers nestled on side tables along with vintage decorations.
Three little girls, in matching red dresses with ivory sashes, inspected presents that were under the tree, looking for their names. When they found one, tiny feet in black patent leather shoes, danced around the room in glee.
A steady stream of family and friends, handed over their coats to Bridget who hung them in the hall closet as she directed everyone to the dining room.
China, crystal and silver sparkled in the light from the chandelier, the buffet covered with an assortment of meats, cheeses and other appetizing dishes.
Rory, dressed in a black tux, tended bar in the family room as Tess shyly greeted friends and family. Wearing a long black skirt and a glittery gold top, she served glasses of punch from the large crystal bowl.
Molly and Patrick, who were standing up with Rory and Tess, looked stunning; Patrick in a black tux and Molly in a strapless red chiffon gown.
Mason and Rebecca were in attendance, their first time out alone since their baby’s birth.
Rebecca wore a short black dress with a full chiffon skirt and sequined bodice.
Her blonde hair was swept up into an intricate cluster of curls and with her stiletto heels she was the picture of sophistication, until Tess saw her pinch Mason’s ass.
Maggie wore a short, dark green satin sheath with spaghetti straps that outlined her trim body. Just above her breasts nestled a lovely emerald teardrop pendant, which Nick had given her as an early Christmas present. Like his brother, Mason, Nick too had a hard time keeping his hands off his wife.
Maeve and Colleen flitted around from room to room making sure everything was perfect. Colleen’s dress was midnight blue velvet and left one shoulder bare. Noah’s eyes followed her every step, and several times he was slapped for nibbling on her.
Maeve’s red and gold brocade skirt was knee-length and full. Topped with a gold satin blouse and a wide black belt, she was the picture of a holiday hostess and mother of the groom.
Bridget restlessly prowled from the foyer to the living room, her hands constantly smoothing down her skirt.
She had dressed with care wearing a tea length dress.
The bodice was black velvet and the skirt was red satin overlaid with sheer red chiffon.
Tiny gold crystals in a snowflake pattern were scattered randomly around the skirt.
Her curly blonde hair was in her typical high ponytail, woven through with red satin ribbons.
She spent the majority of her day, pouting in her room, sitting on frozen vegetables. For the first hour or so, she plotted the most heinous forms of revenge she could think of. As her bottom cooled, so had her temper and she began to think seriously about Winston’s proposal.
In the beginning, she set her sights on Winston because he seemed to be the exact opposite of the other men in her family. How could she have been so wrong?
Not only was he very much like Rory and the rest of them, he was worse. Not a hint of warning had preceded his horrendous spanking. Sure, he got frustrated with her, even angry, but nothing in his character had led her to believe he was capable of such action.
He was kind, smart, and funny. Yet still he had apparently reached some kind of breaking point.
If extremely well-mannered, Winston had been driven to commit an act so totally out of character, did that mean another man—any man—could and would also resort to using physical correction if he didn’t approve of her behavior?
Bridget didn’t tell anyone what had happened this morning, not even her Ma.
The afternoon was filled with chores and Bridget wrestled with her decision as she quietly completed what was asked of her.
Several times she caught her mother watching her with a strange look in her eyes, but Bridget said nothing.
Part of her wanted to tell Winston to go straight to the devil and that she wouldn’t marry him if he was the last man on earth.
Another part of her knew that she truly loved him and that she might never find another man she wanted as badly as she wanted him.
At times she convinced herself that if she were to marry him, surely, she could manage to avoid a repeat of this morning’s debacle. After all, she was quite a resourceful girl and not above using her wiles to achieve success.
But Winston was smart, incredibly smart, and would see right through her schemes. Shit! What to do, what to do?
* * *
Pacing, Bridget wondered if Winston had changed his mind about the whole thing. The only time he had been late for anything, was the day he got the ticket. It was now five and he still wasn’t here.
Feeling a little sick to her stomach, she forced thoughts of accidents and sudden illness from her mind. I don’t know why I’m in such a hurry for him to get here, when I’m not even sure what I’m going to say, she thought.
The doorbell chimed and Bridget opened the door wide, relief flowing through her. “Good evening, Bridget,” Del said, displaying confidence he didn’t feel. “I hope you’ll forgive me for being late. I had a little errand to run.”
“Good evening, Winston. No need to apologize, you didn’t miss anything. The actual wedding isn’t until eight. Won’t you come in?” she asked politely, marveling at her cool, calm voice when her heart was going crazy and her hands were shaking.
Removing his black leather gloves, black scarf and long gray overcoat, he handed them to Bridget who hung them up in the closet.
His hungry eyes took in every detail of her appearance, wondering if this would be the last time he saw her.
He wondered if her bottom was still the same color as her dress, but pushed the thought away lest he embarrass himself with an inappropriate bodily reaction.
On the drive over, Del decided he would demand an answer from her the moment he arrived but now that she was before him, he changed his mind.
If this was the end of them, he would draw it out as long as possible, savoring every whiff of her perfume, every smile, every touch.
Taking her arm through his, he escorted her to the party, following the sounds of laughter and merriment.
* * *
The grandfather clock chimed eight times as all eyes turned to the top of the staircase.
Molly started down the steps, carrying a bouquet of ivory and red roses.
The music of Kenny G’s sax, a beautiful and haunting melody echoed around the guests as she floated across the floor, taking her place opposite Patrick.
His eyes shown with love as he smiled at his wife.
Tess and Sean appeared at the top of the stairs, Sean grinning fit to burst as Tess’s shaking hand grasped his arm tightly. Laying his hand over the top of hers he whispered softly in her ear.
“Now, don’t you be afraid or nervous, darlin’. You’re an O’Malley now and the O’Malleys are a tough lot. You just go right down there and marry my son.”
“Thank you, Da,” Tess replied before kissing his cheek. Raising her head, she smiled at the guests as they walked slowly down the stairs and across the floor until she stood before Father O’Connor and took Rory’s hand.
The sight of Tess in her beautiful dress as she came downstairs on his father’s arm was a sight Rory would remember for the rest of his days.
So lovely it hurt his eyes to look at her, so graceful, he couldn’t believe she would be his forever.
Her honey skin glowed in the candlelight and her dress shimmered with each step.
The yards of veil framed her and everyone else in the room faded into gold mist. Tess was all he could see and his hand trembled as he took her small cold hand into his.
The guests formed a circle around them as Father O’Connor began the ceremony. Molly held Tess’s bouquet and met Patrick’s smiling eyes with a wink.
Del stood beside Bridget, and the other couples also paired up touching each other in some small way, a hand on the shoulder, around the waist or holding hands as they bore witness to Rory and Tess’s love for one another.
Tears fell like diamonds landing on the crest of Tess’s breasts as she promised to love, honor and obey her husband.
Feeling Bridget twitch, Del got ready to slip his hand over her mouth should she interrupt, but she just looked at him with a smile and shook her head.
Taking his handkerchief from his pocket, Rory softly wiped Tess’s tears before leaning in and whispering, “Babe, stop or you’re gonna make me cry and how will that look?”
Apparently, he wasn’t as quiet as he thought because friends and family alike laughed quietly, which was all right with Rory, because it made his love smile.
Rory slipped the ring on her finger, promising to love, honor and cherish her forever and not a soul present doubted he meant every word.
When Father O’Connor pronounced them husband and wife, he didn’t have to tell Rory to kiss his bride. Tipping her back in his arms, his lips claimed her in a kiss so romantic and passionate sighs could be heard around the room just before applause broke out.
After quite a display of hugging, kissing and back slapping they made their way to the dining room, cutting the four-tier cake decorated with ivory and red roses. Breaking open the champagne the bride and groom were toasted, assuring their future happiness.
Maeve and Sean beamed every time someone tapped on their glass, encouraging another kiss from Tess and Rory.