Chapter 21
Everything about the ceremony goes smoothly and beautifully.
That’s what they tell me anyway.
I’m aware of almost none of it. Not walking with my aunt and sisters to the English garden. Not lining up to process. Not the music beginning. Not each sister walking down the aisle one by one. Not all the guests standing up as I walk toward the arbor.
Not Wes standing near the pastor with his two best friends. Not his focused gaze on me or the murmuring of appreciation from everyone gathered. Not the blooming of the flowers or the pink-orange glory of the sunrise.
Not the younger girls sitting down next to Aunt Grace while Audrey and Natalie take their places in the front behind me.
Not the introduction or the readings. Not the hymn we all sing. Not the vows or the rings or anything.
Nothing except the fact that Wes winks at me just before I say, I do.
Everything else fades into a lush, whirling, floral blur, set off to the accompaniment of classical music.
The scene doesn’t clarify until Wes kisses me and we walk together down the aisle.
After that comes a lot of photographs.
A lot.
Then we can finally join the reception in the mansion, with guests spilling out into the wide patio out back with its flower beds and sculptured fountain.
The mood is fresh and lively. There’s champagne, mimosas, and Bellinis but no wine or hard liquor. The food is brunch themed with no seated dinner.
The reception only lasts an hour before we cut the cake, throw the bouquet, and go upstairs to change.
I’m wearing a new navy-and-white polka-dot dress with Grace’s hand-knit white sweater.
Wes is in gray trousers and one of his normal button-up shirts with a different sweater-vest. We walk through a bevy of bubbles on our way to a rented antique convertible, and I’m relieved when we get through the gates of Blossom Park.
“Oh my God,” I say on an exhale as I slump back against the seat.
Wes gives me a quick look. “I thought everything went really well.”
“It did. It was perfect as far as I can remember. And everything else was a blur, so I’ll never know.”
“It kind of felt like a blur to me too. But I had multiple people tell me it was the best wedding they’ve ever attended, and they love that it was in the morning so it didn’t take up their whole Saturday.”
“There is that, I guess. The weather was great, so there should be a lot of amazing photos of Blossom Park.”
“I would think so. So we did it. It’s over.” He glances over at me from behind the steering wheel. “So how do you feel?”
“I feel… exhausted. And relieved. And still kind of fuzzy.” I smile, closing my eyes. “And good.”
At four o’clock that afternoon, we check into a luxury hotel that overlooks the Chesapeake Bay.
We actually have a honeymoon planned—more partnerships arranged by Natalie—but we don’t leave for that until next weekend, so we’re spending two nights at this hotel in the meantime.
The hotel is thrilled to have us, so our suite is filled with flowers and complimentary goodies, including a very expensive bottle of champagne.
Natalie met us in the city to have lunch, rehash every detail of the wedding (which she’s on a monumental high about), and kill the time before we could get into the hotel.
And she comes up to the suite with us so she can get a lot of photographs to post on our social media, which will mean a lot to the hotel.
It actually helps because I’m not sure what I would be saying to Wes right now if Natalie weren’t here, taking care of business.
It doesn’t get awkward until she leaves an hour later.
“It’s only five,” Wes says, fiddling with the handle of his roller case. “What should we do?”
“We might as well get settled now that the photos are taken. Then… I don’t know.”
There’s a great big bed in the lovely bedroom.
I can think of one thing we could do to pass the time.
But that would be entirely inappropriate since we already agreed to take our chemistry off the table.
Wes’s mouth twitches. “They have a pickleball court here.”
I perk up. “Oh, that’s perfect.”
So after we settle into the suite, we spend an hour playing pickleball.
The hotel spa calls up offering complimentary massages, so after we play and then shower, we do that and then eat a delicious dinner on the balcony.
I drink a lot of champagne, but who can blame me?
It’s late when we finish dinner, and I’m getting nervous, so to offset any awkwardness, I draw myself a bath with lavender and vanilla bath oils and soak for a long time.
When I come out with a bathrobe covering my simple nightgown, Wes has changed into gray pajama pants and a white undershirt. He’s on the couch in the sitting area, working on his laptop.
I blink. “Are you actually working?”
“Just putzing around. I wasn’t sure about the bed situation.”
“The bed situation?”
“There’s only one bed. Maybe you haven’t noticed.”
“Of course I’ve noticed. Oh, I see. You’re wondering if I’m going to make you sleep on the couch?”
“I’d be happy to.”
“There’s no reason for you to be cramped up there. We’re adults, and the bed is huge. I’m okay with it as long as you are too.”
“We can put a pillow wall between us if you’re worried.” He’s been normal all evening. His relaxed, quiet, clever, funny self.
I laugh. “That’s not necessary. I’m sure I can control myself.”