Ivy's Twisted Vine Redux (62 page)

“No one’s trying to put you down, Grey. You were doing an honorable thing. You stayed with her, even after she had twin boys by another man. You’ve been good to her. But you don’t owe her this,” Bishop said putting his hand on Grey’s back.

“It’s one hour before my wedding,” Grey said again wanting to give in to his brother’s pleas. “Do you realize how this makes me look?”

“You look like a smart man to most people,” Emerson said sympathetically. “Be honest with yourself, man. Do you really want this? Do you think that this is the only way that you can win the seat? Why is she such a guarantee to you?” The questions were infinite.

“It’s not her.” Grey said finally. “It’s the principle of it. I made a promise to her, not to leave her alone
again
. Plus, I didn’t want to loose her. She’s a wonderful person, but now that I’ve got her…” he looked up at his eldest brother who stood by him supportively.

“You don’t want her,” Bishop said finishing Grey’s sentence. “It’s evident to all of us, and eventually it will be just as evident to her and the rest of the world.”

“An hour is an awfully long time to apologize,” Mattock said realizing they had to stop this wedding for Ivy’s sake. “In time, she’ll appreciate you for it.”

“Shit!” Grey said upset that he had put himself in this situation. “There is no way to remedy this.”

“It’ll be okay,” Bishop said hugging his brother. “You just have to do the right thing for Ivy’s sake.”

***

Nicola looked at his watch. It was four o’clock with only an hour before the wedding and the sun began to weaken under the clear blue skies. Helping his mother out of his truck, he gazed up at the large church and awed at its beauty. Today was a supposed to be a day of celebration, but for him it was a funeral. Still there was something pushing him to see it through.

Tending to his children, Nicola walked with his entire family to the beautiful sanctuary was met at the door by Sadie who looked on anxiously for their arrival. She had made arrangements for the Agosto family to sit on the Winters’ pew. She and Madison had discussed it the night before and decided that although this entire fiasco was Grey’s design, he would have no control over their side of the family.

Sadie met Liz with a great hug, holding her in her bosom. Liz was equally glad to see her new friend, and embraced her happily. “You look absolutely breathtaking,” Liz said admiring Sadie’s champagne satin spaghetti strapped floor length gown with matching bolero jacket. Her hair was pinned ever so carefully with small delicate tendrils around her face. She wore a perfect strand of baroque Tahitian pearls that were given to her by Madison on their tenth anniversary and matching pearl earrings. Nicola smiled softly as he saw her, thinking that she was a regal as a queen, much in the same stature of his mother, a coincidence that he quietly appreciated.

Sadie hugged Adamo and Santo and then greeted Nicola with a warm embrace. Over a short period of time, she and Nicola had come to a wonderful understanding of each other and their bond only strengthened through these incredibly difficult times. It was a curious thing to Sadie that Nicola played along with her daughter’s antics. She could clearly see a love between them, but she ached for more than just love for them. In fact, she silently urged marriage.

“How are you, Sadie?” he asked hugging her warmly.

“No, Nicola. The question is how are you,” Sadie said ushering her group inside the sanctuary.

“I’m fine. Really. Where is your daughter?” Nicola asked taking in his surroundings.

“Just finished dressing. She’s in the bride’s chambers with her bridesmaids.” Sadie motioned down the long corridor of the church. Opening the beautifully embellished wooden doors of the main sanctuary, they were met by elegant decorations of soft white burning candles, ivy vine and beautiful white calla lilies. The symphony was already rehearsing and mood was that of a wonderful dream. Nicola looked around in admiration and then looked sadly at his father. As he sat his children down, his father nodded at his mother and pulled Nicola to the side.

“Are you sure that you want to be here for this, Nico?” Adamo asked quietly.

“I need to see this thing through,” Nicola said avoiding eye contact.

“Well, you know that this family is behind you in whatever you decide to do. And as strange as all of this is, I think that I understand your reasoning. However, I also want you to think about this…if there are things that you need to confess to Ivy, now is the time to do it. Once she is married, she will have no ear for your words. And if I know you, you’ve held back your true feelings. It may be late in the eleventh hour, but better late than never.” Adamo placed his hand on his slouching son’s shoulder. “If she feels for you as you do for her, then you are doing her a favor by going to her and telling her now. Then she can make an informed decision before rushing into this marriage with another man.”

“I told her that I love her, pop. It wasn’t enough for her.”

“Yes, but did you ask for her? Did you?”

Nicola thought back on all of his requests of Ivy. “No, I don’t think that I did.”

“When you ask a woman to give up everything that she knows, you have to offer her more than that in return. If you love her, go to her and tell her, but also offer her more than just your love…offer her your life, Nicola. It is the only thing Grey has respectfully offered that you have not. She does not need a boyfriend, a man friend, a lover. She needs a husband. If you want her, you have to make the ultimate sacrifice, otherwise your love is just a word and not a real action.”

“Dad, you’re telling me this at 4:15. She’s not going to want here this now.”

“She needs to hear this now,” Adamo said reassuringly. “And she needs to hear it from you.”

“But what if she rejects me?”

“But what if she does not?” Adamo asked.

Nicola was confused. Was it not too late? Wasn’t this now past the eleventh hour? His brow crinkled as he tried to understand his father who stood before him wise in his years. But Adamo didn’t elaborate; he simply turned Nicola around and urged him towards to the door. And with that and a nod from Madison who stood within an earshot of the two, Nicola excused himself from the small crowd in the sanctuary and headed to Ivy’s chambers.

***

Ivy stood looking at her reflection in the gold, full-length mirror at as her mother placed her veil on her head. Sadie had informed her daughter only seconds before that Nicola had arrived, and she had watched her daughters bottom lip quiver in sheer anticipation. Ivy turned around slowly and faced her mother and then after smiling softly let the tears fall from her eyes.

“What is it, little girl?” Sadie asked affectionately.

“All of this beauty around me doesn’t seem to compensate for my pain,” Ivy said absently. “None of it seems to matter right now.”

“Why now?” Sadie asked. She needed to hear it. A true confession. Ivy had been holding out much too long on her own feelings. It was time to put herself first, but she couldn’t do it for Ivy. Ivy had to do it for Ivy.

“Last night, I found out why Nicola hasn’t been as
forthcoming
about his feelings as he should have been.” Ivy looked over at Trina and decided not to expound. She was grateful for her friend’s honestly and would now do everything to help her protect her secret from the world. However, she needed to let her mother know that Nicola had good reason to stay away.

“Why has he been holding out,” Sadie asked urging her daughter to continue.

“That isn’t important,” Ivy said darting her eyes away from Trina. “The point is that as long as there is a possibility of him wanting me, I’ll never truly be able to be happy with someone else.”

“Well, that is a very bold statement to make,” Sadie said with her hands on her hips.

“Momma, I can’t do this,” Ivy said taking her hands and sobbing. “God forgive me for waiting so long to say it.” Her heart skipped a beat as she felt her confession pass through her lips. “I’m in love with Nicola.”

Sadie was lost for words but so ecstatic that she could not suppress her bright smile. She grabbed her daughter and held her close as Ivy let out a great cry. She knew that Ivy was afraid and embarrassed, but if Ivy was woman enough to stand for herself, then she would stand with her, protecting her as best she could.

“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day,” Sadie said wiping the tears from her daughter’s eyes. The room was silent as the bridesmaids were lost for words. “Ladies, could you excuse us for a minute.” The women quietly left he room in a buzz, anxious to see what would come of Ivy’s confession.
Ivy found a seat across the room and sat down carefully. Her Vera Wang wedding gown danced about her. Pulling the veil off her head, she wiped the tears from her eyes and sighed, looking up at the ceiling to keep from ruining her makeup.

“Well, what do you need me to do?” Sadie said closing the door behind the women.

“I don’t know. We’re getting married in forty-five minutes. Everyone is filling the seats outside. And now, like some king of sick cliché movie, I have to go out and break off this wedding with Memphis’ most eligible bachelor for a man that may not even want me anymore. Plus, I’ve spent ungodly amounts of you and dad’s money on this wedding.” Ivy laughed at the thought. “This is crazy.”

“Little girl, don’t you dare worry about the money. I’m more than happy to pay for this wedding
not
to take place. The Henderson clan is a bunch of psycho wannabe Jones.” Sadie said taking off her heals. “And as far as your other love interest…I think he’s more than interested. It’s just a pity that you can’t see that. The man was out there practically sulking a minute ago like you would never believe.”

“Really?” Ivy wiped her eyes and blew her nose in her handkerchief. “Momma, I’ve got to figure out a way to tell Nicola before it’s too late.”
“Now you’re coming to your senses. Face this head on,” Sadie said happy of her daughter’s decision. “As a matter of fact, I’ll go and get him for you.”
“And bring him in here?” Ivy asked eyes wide.

“Yes, now is the time to discuss it,” Sadie said with her hand already around the knob of the door. “Oh, give me my shoes.” She slid on her pumps. “Now, I’ll be right back.”

“Oh…okay.” Ivy deflated at the thought of what she would say to him.

“Ivy, don’t worry. You’re making the right choice. And I’m very proud of you.” Sadie knew that Ivy needed to hear her approval.

“Thanks, ma.”
Sadie walked out of the chambers and closed the door carefully behind her. As she looked up, she saw Nicola walking slowly down the corridor with a nervous frown on his face. Apparently, he was coming to tell Ivy the same thing that she was about to tell him. For Sadie, it was the most wonderful sight that her eyes could behold. She wouldn’t have to walk so far in her painstaking pumps.

“Nicola,” Sadie said beckoning him quickly to the bench as she sat down to kick her shoes off again.

“Yeah,” Nicola said approaching her. “Is Ivy in there? I need to talk to her before…”
Sadie nodded. “She was just sending me to come and get you.” Rubbing her feet, she motioned towards the door.

“She was?” Nicola looked confused. “I don’t know how to ask her what I need to ask her. I can’t say that it just came to me, but it was just made apparent to me that if I don’t ask now, it will be too late.”

Sadie read between his words and his fidgeting fingers. She looked down at her own hands and smiled. “You know, Ivy and I wear the same size rings. It’s like God gave her my hands.” She wiped proud tears from her eyes. “And now I know why.” She slid her wedding ring off her finger. “This was supposed to be passed down to the next generation anyway.” She nudged him a smiled.

“I…” Nicola took the ring from Sadie and looked over at Ivy’s door. “I’m scared.” He clasped the diamond ring in his hand. “I’m proposing to her on her wedding day.”

“I know. Good luck, boy” Sadie said hugging him tightly and kissing him on his cheek.

“Thank you. I’m going to need it.”

Nicola knocked on the door as Sadie scurried down the hall in her stockings to inform Madison of the recent changes in the day’s events. Hearing Ivy’s voice, Nicola opened the door and walked inside the room, where Ivy stood by the window, visibly torn. She gave a weak smile as he closed the door behind him.

“Hi,” Nicola said in awe at her beauty. She looked more beautiful that he had ever imagined.
“Hi,” Ivy said glad to see his face. She walked up to him quickly and wrapped her arms around him. He held her close and hugged her tight. Then he pulled her away.

“Nicola, I love you,” Ivy said simply. “I’m sorry that I’ve put you in this position, but I need you.” Her soft rose-colored lips trembled.

“I need you too,” Nicola said in nearly a whisper. “Will you forgive me for everything up until this point?”

“Yes,” Ivy said rubbing his face. “Will you forgive me?” Her brow lifted.

“Yes,” Nicola said feeling his heart in his throat. Tears came out of Nicola’s eyes as he tried desperately to find the right words for the moment. He felt himself getting dizzy, but he pushed out his emotions, all of them for the first time. “Since the first time that I laid eyes on you, I’ve wanted you for my own. I’ve never regretted giving you my children. I’ve never regretted loving you. Ivy, we were made to be together. And everything in our lives had happened to build up to this point.”

“Oh, Nicky,” Ivy whispered wiped his tears as her own flowed down her cheeks.

“Do you love me enough not to marry Grey today?” Nicola asked on baited breath.

“Yes,” Ivy said finally shedding all of her fears.

“Good,” Nicola said bending down on one knee. “Do you love me enough to marry me?” He opened his palm with Sadie’s wedding ring and looked up her. “Please, Ivy Marie Winters be my wife.”

“Yes,” Ivy said nearly ready to faint. “Yes,” she said again. She allowed him take off her engagement ring and place his ring on her finger. Weak with all of her emotions, she fell to her knees in front of him. Unable to control his desire, Nicola pulled her near him and kissed her softly, lovingly allowing himself to be as he had never in his life been.