“How many damn bedrooms can there be in one house?”
AnnieMarie wasn’t positive, but she had to be dreaming.
“AnnieMarie Dunning, where in the hell are you?”
“Babe?” Cainan stretched with her in his arms. “I think you are being summoned.”
“Can’t be,” she moaned against his chest. “The sun isn’t up.”
“Where the hell is she?”
Heels could be heard clicking against the hardwood floors.
AnnieMarie growled. “I know those steps anywhere.”
“Yes, they sound just like yours.”
With her hair falling in her face, she cracked one eye open looking at her husband. “If you weren’t so fine, I would find a way to torture you right now.”
Cainan, smiled. “Your body next to mine without me inside of you is torture enough,” he brushed her hair aside, then thrust his tongue into her mouth rendering her protest silent.
The door swung open. They heard a few steps and knew their space had been invaded.
“There you are.”
Cainan and AnnieMarie turned to see Gina standing in the doorway between the sitting area and the sleeping area of their suite. She was dressed in a white, 50s vintage, short sleeved, pleated, swing dress, with a purse hanging from her arm, and elbow length gloves in her hand.
“How in the hell can you look so put together at five-thirty in the morning?” Cainan asked.
“Good genes,” AnnieMarie and Gina replied simultaneously. The two laughed.
“We cannot help who we are, darling,” AnnieMarie said as she slid from his arms. “Gina, do you mind?”
“No, girl, I don’t mind. Go’on strut that body across that floor. I just wanted to let you know I got the decorators starting downstairs with the setup.” She turned, walking back to the door. “Take all the time you need, but I expect you downstairs in thirty minutes. That should be enough time to get the chairs set up.” She closed the door behind her leaving the couple staring.
“Well, the honeymoon is over,” Cainan fell back against the pillow.
AnnieMarie straddled him. “No my love,” she eased down on him then moaned when he was fully embedded inside. “Our honeymoon is just getting started.”
After a little loving and a shower AnnieMarie walked down the staircase examining the decorator’s handiwork. She had to admit, the white roses with gold trim cascading down the railing was beautiful and smelled even better than it looked. The whirlwind of activities in the foyer below brought the excitement of the day into full view for her. This was her brother’s wedding day, not to mention a day for her home to shine. Dressed in her stylish Audrey Hepburn inspired V neck with a fitted bodice, three quarter length sleeves and flared skirt that fell right above her knees, she was ready to bring all of their plans to life.
As she walked into the ballroom, Gina was there instructing the decorators on the positioning of the chairs. AnnieMarie had to admit, she had been a bit reluctant to work with Gina at first, but then found their tastes were quite similar. Their approaches were different.
“I need each chair to be exactly two feet apart,” Gina explained. “I don’t need nobody’s big butt in their neighbor’s lap.”
“Do not forget the leg room behind each chair needs to be precisely five feet. Allowing plenty of room to walk down each aisle,” AnnieMarie added as she walked into the room. She glanced at Gina. “You seem to be on top of things out here. I’m going to check on things in the kitchen. The catering staff has arrived, have they not?”
“The setup crew is in there. I haven’t seen the cook yet.” Gina replied.
“Well, I am sure he will be here soon,” AnnieMarie replied. “I will work on the reception room until he arrives.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to move the wedding outside?” Gina asked. “It’s a beautiful May day.”
AnnieMarie suppressed a laugh at the moan she heard from one of the workers. “No, I think what you are doing here is just as beautiful. Besides, pictures will be taken in the garden. I wouldn’t want anything disturbed by having people out there.”
“You might be right,” Gina nodded. “I’ll continue here. You check the tables and chairs in the gold room.”
AnnieMarie had turned but stopped at the comment. “Gold room?” She mumbled.
“Please don’t ask.” The worker begged. “She has named every room. You now have a silver, gold and platinum room.”
“Let me guess. This is the platinum room?”
“Yes.”
AnnieMarie chuckled. “Have fun,” she said then walked through the French doors that led into the reception room. Tables and chairs to seat two hundred and fifty-eight guests, the wedding party of ten, plus the bride and groom, filled the room. Workers were covering the tables with white linen cloths, gold runners and tall crystal flower vases with sparkling lights, topped with dozens of white roses. The oval back, white chairs with gold trim and gold sheer fabric being draped from the high ceilings, gave the chic elegant setting that they wanted for Myles and Chrystina.
“The candlelight will set this off just right at dawn,” Cainan said from the door.
AnnieMarie slowly turned to see the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with.
“When she made the suggestion I thought it would be too over the top. It’s not. It’s actually perfect.”
He walked up behind her then wrapped his arms around her waist. “Are you sorry we didn’t wait?”
“No,” she kissed his cheek. “We waited long enough. We can have a reception whenever we want to celebrate us. Today is about Myles and Chrystina.” She turned to him. “Why are you up? You haven’t slept in over two weeks.”
“I have to take the next two weeks to find my way around my new home.”
“Ha ha, as long as you can find the bedrooms. I’m good.”
Cainan smiled. “Bedrooms, I think I can handle that,” his kissed her. “And let’s not forget each window leading out to the roof.”
“Mmm hmm,” she reveled in his embrace.
“Excuse me. You two need to take that back upstairs and get out of my way. I have a wedding to put together.” Gina, walked by them. “Excuse me, no. That loop is not tight enough.”
“Good luck with that.” Cainan laughed, he kissed AnnieMarie’s cheek. “I’m going to catch up with Mike.”
“Sereena is still in town. Good luck with that.” she laughed as she watched him walk away.
“Nice ass,” Gina said as she pulled AnnieMarie into the kitchen.
$ $ $
Standing in front of the mirror, Chrystina could not believe how amazing she looked in her dress. Gina was the one who always walked around telling people how good she looked. Today was the first time she understood why.
“Damn, I look good.”
Beverly and Monica laughed. “Good? Girl, you look amazing in that dress,” her mother beamed. “Monica you did your thang.”
“It was my pleasure. Seeing you in it exceeded all my expectations, Chrystina. You are a beautiful bride.”
“Oh my goodness, look at the back,” Beverly had tears coming from her eyes. “Myles is going to die when he sees you in this.”
“I hope not,” Chrystina smoothed the dress down in front, not believing it was her standing in the mirror. “I plan on spending the next fifty years of my life with him.”
“Don’t put a time limit on it honey,” Monica patted her hand. “Start planning your 100th wedding anniversary with him tonight. Add something new each year. It will give you something to look forward to.”
“I love that thought,” Chrystina smiled as she looked over her shoulder. “It sounds so romantic.”
“Romance is the key,” Winnie said as she walked in the room. “Wow.” She stood in front of Chrystina smiling. “He is going to lose his mind.”
Chrystina stood in the middle of the room, in front of a full length mirror, as the photographer snapped picture after picture. She was dressed in a sweetheart, mermaid, strapless gown with lace overlay and a six foot detachable train. Her hair was scooped to one side, with a band of diamonds and satin on the crown of her head, and single tear drop diamond earrings. Her makeup was flawless, and her body was stunning, as if the dress was made just for her.
“She’s working it,” Gina beamed, standing next to her mother.
“Working it is an understatement,” her mother Beverly exhaled. “Monica, I have no idea where you’re moving to. But if I ever get married again, I’m going to find you.”
“I do more than wedding dresses, you know.” Monica smiled at her creation. “But I have to say, this is one of my best.”
Chrystina looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. Her thighs still rubbed each other, some of her clothes still felt a little tight, but at that moment, looking at herself in the mirror she saw it. She saw what Myles had been telling her every day since they got together. “I am gorgeous.”
Gina laughed out loud. “This is one time, Sis that I am going to concede that you look even better than me.”
Chrystina and Beverly burst into laughter.
The photographer snapped a picture of the three of them. Chrystina knew the picture would become one of her most treasured possessions.
“It’s time,” Beverly said as she stood in front of Chrystina. She took her hand in hers. “May I have the honor of escorting you to marry the man of your dreams?”
“And that fine ass Myles too,” Gina added. “Come on girl. I look too good to be standing in this room. Preston is out there and he needs to see this.”
“Preston?” Winnie raised an eyebrow then looked at Chrystina. “I will let Myles know you are ready.”
A few minutes later Chrystina stood at the top of the staircase that led to the foyer. She took a deep breath, held a bouquet of white roses in one hand and her mother’s hand in the other. Photographers were taking pictures from the front and the back. It felt as if she was Cinderella walking into the ballroom. All eyes were on her. “I hope I don’t trip.”
Beverly laughed. “I will be right here to catch you if you do.”
Christina inhaled. “Can you believe this is happening Mom? I mean I’m about to become Mrs. Myles Dunning.”
“No, you are about to become Mrs. Chrystina Dunning. You have been the woman behind Myles Dunning for years. You are now about to make it official.”
They reached the entrance to the ballroom. Gina turned to her.
“Your life is about to change Chrys. I want you to know how I love and admire you. You are a hell of a woman and the best big sister in the world.”
Tears formed in Chrystina eyes. “Please don’t make my cry. I do the ugly crying thing.”
“Oh, that’s right, you do,” Gina nodded. “I’m the only one who can cry pretty.” She turned and walked in to the music.
“That’s your daughter,” Chrystina laughed.
“Yes, she is and so are you.” Her mother smiled up at her. “Let’s go get your man.”
Myles stood at the front of the room with over three hundred guests looking on. His mother was sitting in the front row with Aunt Vivian, Uncle Ken, Daisy, Jerome, and Preston. An empty chair sat next to his mother to represent where his father would have been. The thought brought a feeling of emptiness. How he wished his father had lived long enough to have walked AnnieMarie down the aisle and to give him advice on how to keep a marriage happy.
“Damn.”
Myles turned at Mike’s word.
“She is beautiful.”
Myles turned back and looked up.
He smiled. Beautiful was an understatement. Suddenly words flowed through his mind. You know all you need to know. You’ve watched your mother and me all
your life. You have your Winnieford at your side.
He stood a little taller. His shoulders rose tall and proud. His chest puffed out like a man who just won the right to have a lifetime with Chrystina Price.
Myles’ eyes met hers and he knew without a doubt he would love her for the rest of his life.
“Damn.”
He heard Mike say again. Myles whispered over his shoulder. “Do you think she fits a CEO’s reputation, now?”
“Did I say she wasn’t?” Mike asked.
“Yes, my brother you did.”
Myles stepped forward, took Chrystina’s hand in his, then gently kissed her lips.
The minister cleared his throat. “Not yet.”
Myles never took his eyes from Chrystina as he replied. “Then I suggest you hurry up. I’m about to devour this woman in front of you, God, and all of our guests.”
“Well,” the minister said, then in a booming voice he began the process of uniting Myles Davies Dunning to Chrystina Marie Price as man and wife.