It All Started With a Lima Bean (43 page)

She followed his line of sight to see what he was talking about.
Oh no.
He wasn’t happy about the other surprise she had. Chancing a glance back at him while all of the other adults joined the squealing Madison, she saw his face was pale, and his eyes shed tears. “I’m so sorry. I thought that would make you happy.” Standing in front of him, she pleaded for his forgiveness, her own tears threatening to fall.

He swiped his eyes with the palms of his hands trying to avoid anyone else seeing him cry, then drew her in by her hands. “That is one of the most beautiful, selfless things I’ve ever witnessed. I can’t believe you had Rene’s paintings resized and replicated to fit into Madison’s playhouse.”

Relieved, she said, “You scared the crud out of me. I thought I had crossed the line, and you were going to leave me at the altar tomorrow.”

“Not a chance in hell. You are stuck with me.” Holding her in his arms, he leaned down to reach her mouth for a kiss.

Feeling Madison tugging on their shirts, they both looked down. “Mama, you remembered that I wanted a big dollhouse we could have tea parties in.” Little arms grabbed and held onto her upper thighs. “Thank you, thank you so much Mama. I love it.”

Abby squatted down and noticed Grace was standing in the background watching all of this unfold. “Did you see the paintings in there?” Madison nodded as Abby grabbed Caleb’s hand and pulled him down with her, giving him a glance so that he knew to continue the explanation.

She hoped he understood that’s what she wanted him to do because he looked choked up. He finally spoke. “Those were painted by your mommy in heaven as a gift to you. She wanted you to remember her always.”

Madison leaped up and down, yelling, “Yeah, my mommy made pretty pictures for me. I want to see them again.” She took off running, right past her Grammy. Grace’s expression changed before she turned around and walked back to the playhouse. She stood with her hand covering her mouth looking at her deceased daughter’s artwork as though it was the first time she’d ever seen it.

“Babe, hasn’t she ever seen those before?” Abby questioned as they stood up in unison.

“No. After everything went down, I just put them away and quite honestly forgot they were there until we found them last week, but you must be rubbing off on me because I have an idea. Where are the originals?”

Having a clue of where he was going with this, she smiled, “Framed and packed up in the garage.”

“Follow me.”

Today was the day Abby was going to marry the man of her hopes, dreams and wishes. Standing in front of the full-length mirror, she admired her beautiful dress. The sheer straps felt so delicate it was almost as though they weren’t there at all. An intricate pattern of beads swirled over the bodice, which fit her like a glove and accentuated her curvy frame. Her eyes followed the lavish material down to the hem where the same pattern was stitched in fine detail, minus the beads. Swirling slightly, she delighted in the way the chiffon outer layer flowed all the way down to her sage colored heels. She sighed out aloud at how pretty it was and could not stop looking at it.

Alone in her bedroom for the last moments within her own home, Abby began to reflect; this time last year, she had no hopes of ever finding a man to love her. Believing she was to be all by herself for the rest of her life was a painful memory. She’d experienced so much hurt before she met Caleb. But then, she did meet him, and her life was forever changed. Not only had this man loved her, but he also helped her heal from the most testing situation she’d ever experienced. This man, her beloved soon-to-be-husband, loved her before she’d become whole. He’d accepted her, baggage and all. What had she ever done in her life to deserve such a gift?

Smoothing her dress down, she imagined the expression on Caleb’s face when she walked down the aisle to meet him. She smiled picturing his face. His short thick black hair perfectly balanced between messy and well kept, dark brows above his beautiful coffee brown eyes, and his perfectly symmetrical nose that led to his sensual lips that she loved to kiss, turned up into a dazzling smile.

Thoughts of her father came flooding into her mind. Once she learned the importance of forgiveness for her own growth, Abby forgave him for leaving her and her mom. Although she would have loved to have a father here on her wedding day, it would have just been for show. They didn’t really have a relationship. If he had come today, his presence would just be a façade, and she did not want that on her special day.

Madison burst into the room wearing her cream-colored flower girl tutu dress and ballet slippers with a feathery flower clip in her messy up-do, and interrupted Abby’s thoughts. “Mama, it’s time to go soon.” The butterflies in her stomach she’d previously been able to avoid suddenly made their presence known as soon as her mother and Grace walked in the room. As expected, both women wore the same ‘mother-of-the-bride’ expression. Utter delight and pride.

Grace, being the refined woman that she is, stepped aside to allow Abby’s mom to approach her first. “You are so beautiful Sweetheart. I’m at a loss for words.”
Oh no, the waterworks were beginning already.

“Please don’t make me cry yet, mom. It took Leah forever to get my make-up on.” Moving her eyes up so the tears would not fall, Abby fanned herself.

“Get used to this emotional rollercoaster today Pumpkin, because we just got started.” Her mom laughed.

Grace came up to her next. Abby was so thankful that her mom had kindheartedly allowed Grace to enjoy the festivities right alongside her. There wasn’t a resentful bone in her mom’s body. In all honesty, Abby imagined her mom being relieved that there was someone else to help with all of the mother-of-the-bride duties. “Your mother is right Darling. You do look stunning although I’m not just referring to your dolled up appearance. You are absolutely glowing with pure joy.”

Abby vigorously fanned her face now that the tears were polishing her eyes. She couldn’t look at this kind woman who had welcomed her into the family she held so close to her heart.

“May I place the veil on you now?” Abby hadn’t realized that Grace had anything in her hands when she walked in.

“Please.” Her voice came out faintly as emotions slammed into her. This wedding was about so much more than her marrying Caleb. She was going to be this woman’s daughter as well.

“Thank you for asking to wear my veil, Abby. My Rene chose a new one for her wedding that went along with her more modern style, but I secretly wished my daughter had chosen mine. Now she has.” That was it; she could no longer hold back. Leah would just have to redo her make-up before the ceremony. “Sweetie, please don’t cry.” Grace held onto her after fixing the veil. Abby’s mom joined them in a three-way hug and cry.

“Okay, enough of this. My baby girl has a wedding to get to.” Her mom announced getting everyone in the houses attention.

Bri, Dani, Maria and Julienne all crammed into the room before Leah said, “Oh no chica, look at your make-up. That will never do. I’ll fix you up right before we get there. Let’s go girls; it’s game time.”

Caleb was a nervous wreck. He paced back and forth on the side of the yard where the ceremony was to take place. Looking down at the very relaxed Stefen who wore a tux and sat on one of the white folded chairs by the aisle, he asked, “What time is it?”

“Five minutes after you asked me last.” He huffed.

“So they should be here in about fifteen minutes then.” The weather was perfect, but his palms were sweating anyway. When they’d decided to get married at the same time of day that he’d proposed, he hadn’t considered the fact that he’d be counting down the minutes all day until he could take Abby as his bride.

“Yes, now would you please calm down? You’re starting to make me tense.” Moving his head from side to side, Stefen cracked his neck then got up and walked away.

Trying not to roll his eyes, Caleb glanced upward and took in the sight above. Thin white material draped loosely above his head creating a tent like feel. Hanging from the material, directly above the aisle were several small chandeliers. Several more were scattered in the reception area toward the back of the yard. He’d gone with Abby to pick them up from a local antique shop. She’d explained that in memory of this day, the chandeliers were going to be placed throughout their home once they got back from their honeymoon. She was so sentimental in a practical way. God he loved that woman.

Just then, he saw Grace, if she was here then so was Abby. Before his internal freak-out could begin, he forced himself to think about something else. Grace smiled at him from across the yard before starting toward him. “Look at you, son. Hands down, the most handsome man here today.” She cupped her mouth and whispered, “Shh, don’t tell dad I told you that though.” He was beside himself with joy that Grace and Robert were there representing his parents. His own mother and father were unable to make the wedding due to previous engagements. He was not surprised when they’d told him.

“Thanks mom. I’m so happy you are here today.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“So Mister, when we got home last night, there was a little surprise waiting for us.” She gave him a knowing look. “I’m not sure when you guys slipped out and hung those pictures for us, but you really made my night. Thank you for sharing those with us. We’ll make sure to get them to Madison when she is old enough.”

He rubbed his palm up and down her arm when he noticed guests starting to arrive. He must have had a look of panic because Grace held the sides of his face and turned him to look at her. “Stop that right now. Relax, enjoy, and take it all in. Remember that surfer’s saying you’ve told me about?” He nodded, knowing the exact phrase she was referring to. The one he’d repeat in his head on his most intense days.
One of the biggest lessons you learn about surfing is how to operate in the present. That’s really what the foundation of the entire surfing experience is.
Acknowledging that she knew he’d understood her, she added, “Just apply it to today instead of surfing.”

“Thanks mom.” She kissed him on the nose before walking away. He started going through a checklist in his head making sure he hadn’t forgotten anything, like eating. He made sure to eat a while before. He didn’t want to be one of those grooms that fainted at the altar because he hadn’t eaten.

Soft music began to play signaling everyone to take their places. Caleb hadn’t noticed the minister slip behind him under the refurbished wooden altar covered in sheer material, flowers he recently learned were called hydrangeas and a large chandelier hanging in the center. Looking past the pastor, Caleb took a deep breathe. At that very moment, he couldn’t be more at ease that they’d decided to have a backyard wedding because his back yard happened to have an incredible ocean view. Taking his place, he didn’t dare take his eyes off the water behind them absolutely perfect timing. The sun high enough above the horizon to give them time to complete the ceremony before it dipped into the sea.

Turning his body to face the crowd, he saw that all of his groomsmen, Stefen, Robert and his friend and manager Chris, had also taken their places beside him; all in the same stance with their arms cross low in front of their bodies. Everyone appeared to be seated.

The music subtly switched to the song they’d chosen together, “God Bless the Broken Road”. Bri appeared at the end of the aisle. Caleb and Stefen saw her at the same time. Stefen let out a protective growl. Having the identical response internally, Caleb understood. Bri’s dress was sage green and although classy, too short and extremely tight. Trying to recover from seeing his cousin so scantily clad, he focused on the next girl coming down the aisle, Dani. She was a beautiful, voluptuous curvy girl similar to women during the 1950s. Also wearing sage green but her dress was a completely different style. She chose a floor length gown with straps that accentuated her full bust. He was unable to make out what shoes she wore though. Leah appeared next, he really loved Abby’s best friend like a sister. He felt so protective of her, and would be there for her through any situation. She wore a strapless knee length sage green dress and the highest, slenderest heels he’d ever seen. Leah definitely enjoyed her shoes, but Caleb couldn’t figure out how she was walking down the aisle without tripping. Stefen noticed her as well, his cousin let out an audible grunt. Not the protective kind like with his sister, this one was more animalistic. Caleb distinctly wanted to punch Stefen in the gut, grab one of those pieces of material hanging above, and cover Leah up, but he kept his cool. This was his bride’s day. She deserved all of his attention and effort. These girls were all going to be the death of him nonetheless.