Chocolate Goodies (15 page)

R
ansom serenaded Coco with a song he’d written for her, and feeling ambitious, actually attempted to play it on the violin.

“‘I’ve often heard that for every heart, there beats another, a matter of time until someday you find each other. But Coco, each night when I look up to the skies, I wonder out of all the millions, will the real one pass me by?

“‘But now I believe in all the joy and laughter I see in your gorgeous eyes. I know we’ll endure forever and a day. Every dream that I dream can come true, ’cause out of all the millions, Coco, I found you…’”

Ransom cleared his throat, then sang, “‘Baby, I don’t wanna miss this chance to say that nobody ever touched me in the way that you have. Every dream that I have, I know can come true, ’cause I found you. Yeah o’ yeah…I found you.’”

The words were beautiful but his attempts to play the violin were disastrous.

Coco put a hand to her mouth to keep from chuckling. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings after he had worked so hard to try and play the violin. It was terribly romantic, but poor Ransom—he wasn’t a bad singer, but playing the violin was not his gift.

She clapped as loud and as hard as she could when he was done.

“Baby, that was one of the most romantic gestures anyone has ever done for me. Thank you,” she told him. “I loved every minute of it.”

“I recorded it on a CD for you and it sounds much better than the live version. Play it when you are in need of a laugh every now and then.”

“Ransom, I love it because I know that it came from your heart,” she stated, holding the CD to her own heart. “I’m going to cherish this forever.”

“There are a couple of other songs on the CD,” Ransom said. “They are a blend of hip-hop and violin music. I think it came out really nice.”

“Really?” Coco rose to her feet. “I’d like to hear it.”

She walked over to the CD player and slipped in the disk, then stood there listening, amazed at the results. “This is nice, baby.”

Inspired, she and Ransom spent the rest of the evening putting music to the song he’d written for her.

“I like that,” he said at last.

“You can even add some rap to it for the remix. Like this.” Coco stood up. “You say you love…yeah…yeah. You make my heart sing….”

“Honey, just stick to playing the violin,” Ransom advised, laughing hard.

She threw a pillow at him.

Valentine’s Day

R
ansom had given her chopsticks, CDs, a song he’d written just for her, a huge box of red hots candy, a pair of heart-printed socks, personalized cards, plus handwritten love notes that she’d found planted in her coat pocket, in the refrigerator and behind the windshield wiper of her car. He had sent her flowers, fourteen perfect red roses. A hilarious Valentine’s Day T-shirt. A bag of candy hearts personalized with their names. A beautiful teddy bear, and a host of other cute romantic gifts.

Coco stared at the stunning red gown, Ransom’s most recent present to her, along with a formal invitation to meet him at La Maison for a very special Valentine’s Day dinner. She fingered the expensive material of the
dress. This was by far the most extravagant of the gifts, although she knew the studio time for the CDs must have set him back a few hundred dollars.

No man had ever done anything like this for her. Coco knew she shouldn’t be surprised—look at the way he was with his boys. Ransom was generous to a fault.

Smiling, she padded barefoot to the shower. She was not going to be late for her romantic evening with Ransom.

She showered quickly, then got out and dried off. Coco ran her fingers through her short curly hair. She eyed her reflection, scrutinizing her complexion, then applied her makeup with a light hand.

Satisfied with her looks, she got up and slipped on the strapless gown. It fit her body as if it had been made just for her.

“Great job, Ransom,” she whispered. She was pretty sure his sisters must have helped choose her gown. Kaitlin owned a chain of bridal stores, so she was probably the one who’d selected this gift.

Coco would be arriving at La Maison any moment now. The driver had called to let him know that they were a block away. Ransom and Matt had worked on the perfect menu for this evening—everything had to be perfect.

Coco took his breath away when she walked into the private dining room at La Maison restaurant wearing the stunning red strapless gown he’d purchased for her.

She glanced around the room. “Are more people joining us?”

“Yes, but before they get here, I want to do this.”

He kissed her.

“Hey, get a room.”

They turned around to find Kaitlin standing in the doorway.

“You look stunning,” she told Coco. “Have you seen my husband?”

“Are you joining us for dinner?”

Kaitlin nodded.

Just then Ray and Carrie arrived, followed by more of the Ransom clan.

“You don’t mind that dinner is more of a family affair, do you?” Ransom asked.

“Of course not,” Coco responded. She spied Michael walking in with Ivy, and waved. “You invited my parents, too?”

Ransom nodded. “We’re going to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a family.”

“This is really nice,” she told him.

“Elle, what’s wrong?” Coco asked a moment later, noting the troubled expression on her friend’s face. “Has something happened?”

“Mama’s bringing a date.”

“Really?”

“I mean, she deserves to have a life, but none of us knew she was dating anyone.”

“Maybe he’s just a companion or a good friend,” Coco offered.

“Maybe,” Elle responded. “I just need to wrap my head around her seeing some one.”

When everyone had arrived, Matt came in and greeted them.

“Tonight, we will dine on oysters Rockefeller, chateaubriand with portobello mushrooms and Madeira wine jus, steamed asparagus with hollandaise sauce, twice-baked potatoes with leeks and parmesan. For dessert, we will have tiramisu hearts, and we would be remiss if we didn’t end the evening with coffee and Stanley white-chocolate dipped strawberries.”

Waiters appeared out of nowhere, bringing in trays of food as soft jazz floated around the room.

Ransom reached over and took Coco’s hand in his.

“Did you plan all this?” she asked him. “Matt helped.”

“You did all this for us?”

He nodded. “My mom and I used to do Valentine’s Day in a big way. We’d get all dressed up and go to dinner.”

“This is very nice. If she’s looking down here right now, I’m sure she’s happy and smiling.”

“I think so, too. This is what she wanted for me.” Ransom glanced around the room.

“I think they’re all in shock, seeing Miss Amanda with another man.”

“She’s never shown any interest in dating before. I’m surprised myself, but that does explain why she’s doing all these spa days with my mom. Aunt Amanda never really cared about stuff like that before.”

Laine said grace.

Everyone dived into their food.

After dinner, it was time for the couples to exchange gifts.

Ransom was speechless when Coco gave him trip cruise tickets. “We go on a cruise every year,” Kaitlin
explained. “Since you’re one of us, we are expecting you to join us this year.”

“Coco, I can’t believe that you did this for me,” he told her. “A cruise to the Mediterranean.”

“You’re going to be with your family—and me, of course. I hope you don’t mind that I decided to tag along.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Ransom said with a smile. “I noticed you reserved two cabins.”

She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I know that you’re celibate and I didn’t want to tempt you too much by being in the same room with you.”

He laughed. “Coco, I think that it’s time for me to give you my gift.”

Ransom pulled a present from under the table.

Coco hid her disappointment.

Well, that’s certainly too big to be jewelry. It’s not like I was expecting a ring or anything, but couldn’t the man have bought me earrings or a bracelet?

Shut up! I’m happy with whatever Ransom gives me.

Smiling, Coco unwrapped the package. Inside was an elegant wooden box, which she opened to find a large diamond-shaped chocolate candy inside, inscribed with the words
Will you marry me?

Coco blinked twice, then read it again. “‘Will you marry me?’” She met Ransom’s emotion-filled gaze. “Is this for real?”

He nodded. “I love you, Constance Stanley, and I want you to be my wife.”

She kissed him. “I love you, too, and yes, I’ll marry you.”

Ransom grinned. “We’re not done yet. Now for the other part of your gift.” He pulled a tiny black velvet box out of his pocket.

He opened it to reveal a gorgeous diamond engagement ring featuring a four-carat, emerald-cut, chocolate diamond with two white diamonds along the shank. “The diamonds are all conflict-free, something we both feel strongly about.”

Tears rolled down Coco’s cheeks. “It’s stunning,” she whispered.

The room erupted in applause.

Coco pulled him to her and kissed him. “Thank you for the honor of being your fiancée. Now tell me, what kind of candy is this?”

Ransom smiled. “This diamond has a Venezuelan chocolate casing with a rich praline center.”

Coco glanced over her shoulder at her brother. “Michael told you this was my favorite, right?” “It isn’t?”

“No, it’s just that I always told him that the man I married would bring me pralines covered in Venezuelan chocolate.”

Ransom gave Michael a thumbs-up. “Good looking out, man.”

“Hey, it’s the ultimate chocolate proposal,” he responded.

Coco was all smiles for the rest of the evening. This was a Valentine’s Day she would never forget.

H
oly Trinity Christian Church was filled to capacity.

This was the first wedding to be performed in the new building. The chic architectural lines of the structure provided the perfect backdrop for Ransom and Coco’s June wedding. The rows of seats were garnished with lavish displays of red and ivory flowers arranged with bronze-colored ribbons and baby’s breath.

Coco stood in front of a huge full-length mirror in the bridal dressing room. She had never been to a church with a room set aside specifically for brides and their attendants.

This is pretty cool.

“You look so beautiful,” Elle said from behind her.

“I can’t wait to glimpse Ransom’s face when he sees you walking down the aisle.”

“So do you,” she responded, turning around to
face her best friend. “That mocha color looks great on you.”

Coco had chosen to have her bridesmaids wear different shades of chocolate, from deep dark chocolate to a creamy mocha color. Her own gown was the color of white chocolate.

The men were all wearing dark brown, custom-designed tuxedos, their vests in varying shades to match the bridesmaid dresses.

Coco had been fortunate to find a flower grower that had chocolate-colored blooms available. Chocolate orchids, chocolate cosmos and chocolate sundae dahlias were used in her wedding bouquet and the decorations for the reception.

Her father came to the door. “It’s time,” he said with a smile.

Elle hugged her. “I’ll see you at the altar.”

“Baby, I’m so happy for you,” Coco’s dad murmured. “You got yourself a good man. If Prescott were here, I know that he’d be pleased.”

“Thank you, Daddy, for setting a perfect example of a good man,” Coco told him. “You were my first date and you set the standard by which I chose the men in my life. I love you.”

“I love you and I’m so very proud of you.” He gestured toward the door. “Now let’s not keep your husband-to-be waiting.”

She grinned. “That has such a nice ring to it.”

Moments later, Coco floated down the aisle on her father’s arm toward the man she would love forever.

They stood facing each other as they said their vows.

Coco spoke first. “Ransom, you are my one true love and I take you to be my husband. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.”

“Constance, I love you. You are my best friend and today I give myself to you in marriage. I want you to know that I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the woman you will become and falling in love a little more every day. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.”

Coco could hardly contain her excitement as she waited to hear the words that would make their union real to her.

“I now pronounce you man and wife…”

Ransom exhaled a long sigh of pleasure. He felt as if he had been waiting a very long time to hear those words, but in reality it had been only four months. Neither one of them wanted a long engagement.

He pulled Coco into his arms, drawing her close. He pressed his lips to hers for a chaste, yet meaningful kiss.

Grinning, Ransom escorted his bride down the aisle
and through the double exit doors at the back of the church. They escaped into a nearby room, waiting until it was time to go back into the chapel for the wedding photographs.

His eyes traveled down the length of her, nod ding in obvious approval. “You look so beautiful, sweetheart.”

Coco broke into a big smile. “We’re married.” She held up her left hand to show off the wedding set. “I can truly say that this is the happiest day of my life.”

After the photographs, they were driven to La Maison for the reception.

In continuing with the chocolate theme, there were several chocolate fountains throughout the room surrounded by bowls of fresh fruit.

Their wedding menu consisted of duck with chocolate sauce, chocolate-dusted scallops with vanilla butter sauce, chicken mole, and seared pork tenderloin with cocoa spice rub. Guests had a choice of two of the four entrées, mixed vegetables, yellow rice and an assortment of rolls.

On each table were stacks of elegantly designed boxes of chocolate truffles in a variety of flavors that had been created just for their wedding.

“Do you think we got a little carried away with the chocolate theme?” Ransom asked in a low voice.

Coco looked up at him. “Honey, chocolate has always been associated with love. What better way to celebrate one of the most memorable days of our lives than with chocolate? It’s not just a girl’s best friend. It’s the food of love.”

Ransom guided Coco over to their table and pulled out a chair for her.

They had preselected their meals, so their plates arrived shortly after they sat down.

Ransom dined on the duck with chocolate sauce and the scallops, while Coco enjoyed the chicken mole as her entrée.

Her eyes bounced around the room. “This is the same room where you asked me to marry you.”

“This is where you made me the happiest man alive.”

Coco smiled. “And here we are. We’re married.”

Ransom nodded. “We’re starting a new life together.”

After they finished eating, the bride and groom stood up and headed to the middle of the room to dance for the first time as husband and wife.

The song ended and another began while they were still on the dance floor. Ransom only had eyes for Coco. “I love you, sweetheart. With every fiber of my being, I love you.”

“I love you back,” she told him. “I still can’t believe that we pulled this together in four months.”

“I didn’t want to go on that cruise with you and have to sleep in separate cabins.” He bent his head and whispered in her ear, “I am ready to make you mine completely.”

“I’ve been waiting for you to say those words for such a long time.”

Jerome walked up and cleared his throat, letting them know that they were no longer alone. “Congratulations.

I guess I have to get used to calling you Mrs. Winters now.”

She hugged him. “I’m so glad you were able to come. How are things?”

“Great. I’m liking Florida a lot.”

“See, I told you.”

“I’m playing football next year for my high school. Can’t believe that I’m going to be a sophomore. Coach said he thinks I’m good enough to maybe get an athletic scholarship for college. He was driving by and saw me playing with my cousins in the street. He says I have natural ability.”

“Now look at that,” Ransom said. “Tell your coach that you have something else. Heart.”

The teen grinned. “Thanks for flying me in for the wedding.”

“We wouldn’t have had it any other way, Jerome. Enjoy the party.”

Benjamin came up next. “Mr. and Mrs. W. Congrats. Y’all look good together and I hope you know that this is serious. You can’t get mad and go running off. You stay and fight. Two very special people in my life told me that once.”

Coco embraced him. “I will always remember this. Oh, I hear that your mother is off the chemo and doing well.”

He nodded. “She’s cancer free. I give thanks to the Lord for that. And one more thing. I got accepted into California State University Long Beach. The letter came right before I left for the wedding. It’s out in the car.”

“That’s great,” Ransom said, looking like a proud parent. “Congratulations. I’ll be on my honeymoon for
two weeks, but as soon as I get back, we’ll sit down and take care of tuition.”

“Benjamin’s tuition is going to be covered by me.”

They turned to find Coco’s father standing there. “He’s a Stanley employee and we have a scholarship with his name on it. You have great potential and we’re all proud of you, son.”

Benjamin hugged the newlyweds and then walked off with his benefactor.

“Your boys are becoming men,” Coco told Ransom.

He nodded. “Yes, they are.”

“Now you’re really my sister,” Elle said when she walked up to them. “I’m so happy for you both.”

Ransom placed his arms around his bride. “I love this woman more than my own life. I never really understood what that meant until now.”

Brennan joined them. “I feel the same way about Elle. She’s the better part of me.”

“All this love in the air is sickening,” Ivy murmured as she brushed past them. She met Michael and they made their way out of the hotel ballroom.

“Ivy and your brother sure have been spending a lot of time together,” Elle said. “What do you think is going on there?”

Coco shrugged. “I don’t know, but you’re right, Elle. They were together on Valentine’s Day, then last night at the rehearsal dinner, and now they seem inseparable.”

When the two of them returned, Ivy was laughing at something Michael was saying.

“Hmm…” Coco studied her brother’s face. “He’s really animated. Look at him.”

“They look good together,” Elle said.

Ransom grabbed Coco by the hand. “C’mon. Let’s just enjoy our day. No matchmaking.”

Brennan laughed. “That includes you, too, sweetie.”

“Well, they would make a great couple,” Coco said as they walked back to their table. “Michael needs somebody like Ivy in his life. All he does is work.”

Ransom kissed his bride to quiet her.

“I know what you’re trying to do,” she told him. “But it’s not going to work. My brother is a good man, and besides, they used to date and—”

He kissed her again.

“You are really trying to shut me up.”

“No,” Ransom responded. “I just love kissing you.”

Coco grinned. “Okay, I like that answer, so I’ll leave it at that.”

He laughed, then asked, “Are you ready to leave?”

Her lips turned upward as she thought of what was to come. “Yeah. Let’s get out of here. You go say goodbye to your family and I’ll say goodbye to mine.”

Ransom shook his head. “You’re my wife now, sweetheart. We’ll take time to say goodbye to our combined family together. We are all family now.”

“You’re right.”

“Are you ready to make the first of our babies?”

Coco smiled and nodded.

“Auntie Coco, are you leaving now?”

She turned around to face her niece. “Yeah, sweetie. We’re getting ready to leave.”

“Can I give my new uncle a hug?”

Ransom nodded. “You sure can,” he told her.

Cinnamon embraced him. “You smell so good,” she
exclaimed. “When I get married, I want the groom to wear that cologne. Can you save a bottle?”

Coco chuckled, while Ransom held back a smile. “I’ll do what I can, cutie,” he promised.

Giggling, Cinnamon looked up at her aunt. “Auntie, I’m gonna love him. He called me
cutie.
”

Coco hugged her. “We’ll see you when we get back from our honeymoon, Cinna.”

“Can I come over and stay with y’all for, like, two or three days when you get back?” she asked, her eyes full of hope.

“Of course you can, sweetie,” Coco and Ransom declared in unison.

“She’s so adorable,” he said when Cinnamon ran off to find her mother. “Oh, and honey, I know how much you love chocolate, but we are not naming our children Mocha, Caramel or anything like that.”

“Caramel is not a chocolate, but point taken,” Coco told him. “We’ll find meaningful names that don’t include anything in the chocolate family.”

“You’re really okay with that?”

She nodded. “I think what you name your child should have special meaning to the parents.”

They said their goodbyes and headed out of the room to a suite upstairs that had been reserved for them. Ransom and Coco would spend their wedding night there and then fly out the next morning to Antigua for the first leg of their honeymoon. From there, they would fly to Europe.

In the suite, Ransom unbuttoned the back of Coco’s wedding gown.

“I’m going to have a bath.”

“How about I join you?” he whispered.

She flashed him a sexy smile. “I was so hoping you’d say that.”

He followed her into the bathroom.

After a long, sensual bath together, Ransom dried her off with a soft fluffy towel.

Coco gloried in their shared moment, wrapped in a silken cocoon of euphoria. If time stopped right this moment, she wouldn’t complain. Life just couldn’t get any better for her as far as she was concerned.

They slipped on matching terry robes.

Munching on grapes, Coco sat down on the edge of the king-size bed, while Ransom opened the bottle of nonalcoholic champagne Matt and Kaitlin had sent to their room.

Ransom prepared a plate of cheese, grapes and crackers, which he carried over to the bed. He sat down beside his wife. “I never thought I could be this happy.”

Coco glanced up at her husband. “I feel the same way. I never really thought I’d get married. I was fine with that, but I am glad to have you in my life.”

“You make me so happy.”

“Enough talking,” she told him. “If we’re serious about starting our own family, then we need to get busy.”

Ransom grinned. His deepest desires had come true. He had a relationship with his siblings and he was married to the gorgeous woman in bed with him.

He sent up a quick prayer of thanksgiving before giving Coco his full attention.