Countermeasure (45 page)

 
Nathan had shaken his head and stared at her in disbelief.
“No fucking way. You’re supposed to be with me,”
he had ground out smartly, pivoting on his heel and walking out the revolving door.

Nathan had declined to attend the wedding. The little note he had scribbled in reply to the invitation had said, “It won’t last.”

Touching her hand, Jessica drew Cassandra back from her musings. “It’s time! Oh my god! Cassie, it’s actually happening!” Turning Cassandra around, Jessica pushed her to the door and out into the hall beyond where Robert was waiting.

Watching Cassandra approach him, Robert blinked several times and had to struggle to hold back his emotions. In his mind’s eye, he had pictured the lost little girl of years gone by, but it was a confident and strong woman who now stood before him. He could clearly see the slight changes in her demeanor—a little less formal and a little more playful toward him.

It had been painful to see that Trevor spoke true when Robert had faced her at the hospital in Nice. The realization had cut him deep and had made his heart bleed, but the words they had exchanged that day had been pivotal to beginning the healing process for their relationship, and had opened a new door to a path they were learning to pave together as father and daughter.

Since then, he had also gotten to know Trevor, and he could see the light in Cassandra’s eyes whenever she mentioned or saw him. Robert knew they were meant to be. More and more he appreciated Trevor’s presence in her life, even though he still had concerns about their future. They had not disclosed much, but Robert knew it involved Cassandra leaving James Security and moving to Ireland. He wasn’t too pleased about that, but he knew Cassandra was happy and he couldn’t ask for more.

Robert’s heart was wistful as they walked through to the eighteenth-century sanctuary with its antique walnut-paneled walls. He choked up at the thought of how his Cecilia would have loved to be a part of this day. Deep in his heart, though, somehow he knew she was there with him, watching and approving of her daughter’s chosen path.

Robert reached for Cassandra’s hand, settled it on his arm, and leaned down to whisper in his her ear, “You look beautiful, Cassandra,”

Tears glistened in her eyes as she kissed his cheek through the veil. “Thank you, Dad.”

Patting her hand softly to disguise the flood of emotions that filled him at the gesture and endearment so unlike his daughter, he gave Jessica a quick nod, indicating she should walk ahead of them. “Let’s get this show on the road!”

****

George teased Trevor unmercifully. “Who would have thunk you would be the first of us to get married?”

“Hey! I’m the marrying kind. Always have been. I was just waiting for Cassandra.”

George chuckled, then after a pause a mischievous look appeared in his eyes. “Does she know about the NSA offer?”

“Haven’t had a chance to talk to her about it. I’ve barely seen her the last few days, what with all the wedding and travel arrangements we’ve had to take care of.”

George’s eyes had a glimmer to them. “I can’t wait to get started.”

“You’ll have to wait until after the honeymoon, my friend. I’m not touching a computer for a whole week.”

“Holy shit! Your fingers will shrivel! I give you two hours before the shakes kick in,” George laughed out loud.

“Nah. I’ll be too busy.” Trevor grinned widely.

George slapped Trevor’s back. “I am sure you will be. Let’s get moving or your wife-to-be will be left waiting for us at the altar.”

Trevor inhaled deeply on hearing George’s words. Cassandra would soon be his wife, sharing the good and the bad, the smiles and the tears. He hoped he could make the good and the smiles outnumber the bad and the tears by a sheer majority. He also knew that together they would overcome anything dropped in their path.

At the church, Trevor took his position in front of the altar and waited for Cassandra to arrive. His heart was so accelerated he felt like it would jump out of his chest at any minute. He heard the muffled sound of conversation approaching at the entrance and was immediately alert.

When they turned in to the sanctuary, Cassandra caught her breath. It was elegantly adorned with lit candles, bringing its stained-glass windows to life.

Robert squeezed her hand on his arm gently and asked in a soft voice, “Ready, Cassandra?”

Looking at her father and Jessica, who was waiting for her signal to proceed, Cassandra whispered calmly back, “Yes, Dad. I am.”

Cassandra took a deep breath and followed Jessica toward the altar. She marveled at the sight of the empty pews in a space that could have easily held two hundred guests. Their privacy had been secured, they were surrounded by their loved ones, the beautiful space was a marvel to see—and then there was the music. Her eyes misted when she recognized the song flowing through the speakers, one that had become special to them during their stay in Paris. He had thought of everything.

And then Trevor saw her. When Cassandra walked into the church and started down the aisle toward him, Trevor’s heart faltered. She was the loveliest sight he’d ever seen. She was beautifully dressed, and her hair was piled high with soft wisps floating around her cheeks where they had come loose from the pins—a besieging sight to his senses. But what caught his eyes was the glow radiating from her. It made her extraordinary.

Her smile was contagious, and one of his own spread across his face as their eyes touched and held contact while she walked down the aisle, escorted by her father.

“Please, let me make her this happy for all her life,” he murmured to himself.

Her hand tightened around the bouquet and she couldn’t help but smile on seeing Trevor and George standing at the altar. Trevor was dressed in a nicely fitted gray suit and white shirt, sporting a kerchief in his pocket. George, dressed in a similar fashion, had a panicked look as he quickly patted down his pockets. Cassandra laughed inside when she saw Trevor elbow him, and a look of relief crossed George’s face as his hand withdrew holding a small green pouch.

The walk down the aisle took forever. With each step, her heart pounded harder in her chest at the look in Trevor’s sparkling blue eyes as they followed her advance toward him.
He’s mine
,
her heart sang as she moved ever closer.

Trevor was startled by George’s clap on his shoulder. “You are a lucky, lucky man, my friend.”

Trevor smiled at the comment. He focused on Cassandra’s face, her smile dimming everything else around him. “I know,” he answered softly, more to himself than to George.

Robert lifted her veil, placed her hand in Trevor’s, and kissed her on the forehead before stepping to the side. Trevor held her eyes with his and winked at her playfully as he kissed the back of her hand. Turning to face the pastor, their clasped hands shook slightly. Their courtship and engagement had been a whirlwind romance, but both knew they were meant to be and that this day was just the beginning of a long life together.

Once everyone was settled, the pastor began to preside over the contemporary wedding Trevor and Cassie had requested. “We are gathered here to witness and celebrate the joining together of Trevor Joseph Brennan and Cassandra Cristina James in marriage, to be with them and rejoice with them in the making of this commitment. Marriage means the pledging of love; its strength is built upon imponderables of the spirit: loyalty, trust, joy, laughter, and tears. It is with all those in mind that Trevor and Cassandra come now before us to be joined.”

The pastor directed his comments to their friends and family. “The marriage of Trevor and Cassandra unites their families and creates a new one. They ask for your blessing. Will you, their families, give them your blessing and pledge to them your love and acceptance?”

The four people present replied in unison, “Yes.”

The pastor then turned to Trevor and asked him to proceed with his vows.

Trevor clasped her hands tightly and inhaled deeply as he locked his eyes with hers. “Cassandra, from the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the one with whom I wanted to share my life. I vow to help create a life that we can cherish, inspiring your love for me and mine for you. I vow to be honest, caring, and truthful, to love you as you are, and to grow old by your side as your love and best friend. I promise to comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest, and love you without reservation for as long as we both shall live.”

Tears filled her eyes at his words. Cassandra knew that they had come from his heart. When the pastor turned to her and smiled, the words she had practiced over and over in her head during the night came back to her. Inhaling deeply to calm her nerves, she locked eyes with Trevor again. “Trevor, I never saw you coming, but my soul recognized you even before we met. I promise with all my heart to share myself with you and take you as you are. To follow you through thick and thin, support you, care for you, and protect you. It will be my greatest joy to bring you laughter, comfort, and unconditional love all the days of our lives.”

Cassandra saw the tears fill Trevor’s eyes. He held hers in silent admiration. She heard the pastor ask for the rings and observed George handing them to him with a relieved smile, now unencumbered of his mission to guard them. She handed her bouquet to Jessica to free her hands as the ornate bands were blessed.

“May this ring be blessed so he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life’s end.”

Taking her left hand in his, Trevor slid the ring onto her trembling finger while he pronounced, “With this ring, I take thee, Cassandra Cristina James, as my wedded wife.”

The pastor repeated the words, blessing Trevor’s ring, “May this ring be blessed so that she who gives it and he who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life’s end.”

Cassandra’s mouth went dry, her pulse raced out of control, and her hands shook as she slid his band onto his finger. Her voice broke. “With this ring, I take thee, Trevor Joseph Brennan, as my wedded husband.”

Releasing Trevor’s hand, she turned to face the pastor again, but before she could take a step Trevor swiftly grabbed and pulled her against him, kissing her hard on the lips. The pastor cleared his throat and chuckled when Trevor lifted Cassandra and turned in a circle with her in his arms. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. No need for permission to kiss the bride.”

Trevor laughed out loud and took her hand again as he set her back on her feet.

“I would like to present Mr. and Mrs. Brennan.” They smiled broadly as they turned to their family and friends. Jessica, tears in her eyes, let out a big whoop, handed the bouquet back to Cassandra, and threw her arms around her in a tight embrace.

****

Jessica caught the bouquet in her arms, her smile confused with a frown. “What’s this?”

“Do you see any other woman here? You get to keep it. That means you’re next, you know,” Cassandra grinned. “Just make sure you give me plenty of notice when you decide to tie the knot. It’s a long way from Dublin to California.”

“Ha! I’m enjoying myself Cassie. No chance of that happening any time soon.”

“Well, you know what that means. Now it’s my turn to badger you to get serious and find someone to settle down with.”

“I’ll get there. Don’t worry.” Jessica’s eyes were drawn to where the men gathered. Without looking away from them, she changed the subject. “Did your dad mention anything about Jeff?”

“No. It’s been so crazy we haven’t had a moment to breathe, let alone talk. Why? What happened?”

Jessica swung her head to her friend and grinned. “Your dad gave him his marching orders. Jeff was dumb enough to tell your dad he was better off without you, and something about your amateur skills pulling the company down,” she scoffed.

Cassandra’s eyebrows rose. “I’m surprised Bob didn’t strangle him then and there!”

“I think he almost did. He wouldn’t leave Bob’s office after the little chat. Jake and Davis from security had to physically carry him off the floor.”

“Damn. I wish I could have been there! It’s probably for the best I wasn’t. I might have followed up on my little fantasy of popping him one in the jaw.”

“Well, then it’s a good thing you weren’t there.” Jessica’s gaze returned to the men and her eyes lingered a little longer on Stephan. Cassandra was about to say something when Jessica continued. “Has the purchase of the house in Dublin gone through?”

Cassandra’s excitement was crystal clear. “Yes!”

Stephan had handled the purchase of a nice house across from St. Stephen’s Green for them—their first home. The house was a marker of the times with its beautiful Georgian door and architecture, but it had been gutted and modernized on the inside to an open-concept layout that took advantage of each available inch of its multiple floors.

Although they had not been to the house yet, it was as if they already knew it inside and out. Stephan had sent them dozens of pictures and a video taken during a tour of the house after its renovation was complete. But the main reason they had fallen in love with it was because of the fabulous view of St. Stephen’s Green from their bedroom window.

“So what are you going to do now? I doubt you’ll settle to sitting at home doing nothing.”

“Trevor and I have talked about opening a data recovery business. We seem to have a knack for it. We’ll be handling the operations of Bauer Enterprises from Dublin. Don’t tell Bob, but, whenever you decide you need a new job, just let me know.” Jessica looked pensive, as if considering the offer seriously, and Cassandra burst out laughing.

Cassandra turned to look for her father and found him in the circle of men, a big smile on his face, and shaking Trevor’s hand. With Jessica on her heels, Cassandra walked over to Trevor, wrapped her arm around his waist, and leaned into him when he brought her closer for a peck on her lips.

Trevor glanced at his watch. “Sorry to cut this short, everybody, but we need to get going or we’ll miss our flight.”