Mikala's Passion (Pulse Series Book 2) (46 page)

Are you sure this is not too much?
Mikala wrote, looking at Eden anxiously.

Perfect, will you relax?
Eden wrote holding the tiny notepad in her face.

I think it’s a bit over board for the dress I picked.

Don’t worry! It’s the hair, jewelry and accessories that pull it all together.
Eden wrote, smiling.

I hope you’re right I don’t want to look like a fool.

Never. Have I ever let you down?

Never!

“Then smile, its selfie time!”
Eden told her, though she knew she couldn’t hear, leaning in cheek to cheek snapping shots with her phone. “I’ll email you a copy,” Eden said, showing her the photos as she hit send.

Wish I had remembered my iPad, this writing thing is a pisser.
Mikala wrote and they laughed.

Mikala’s phone vibrated, Deanna alerted her by pointing to her purse and holding her pinky to her chin and her thumb to her ear, it really wasn’t something that one pictured a lady like Deanna doing. Mikala laughed, taking her phone from her purse and seeing a text message sent from detective Blackstock.

Hey Tiger, how’s it going? I have some disturbing news for you, I wish I was there to tell you in person but I’m far too busy, actually swamped, the wicked never rest. Lol

Anyway, you should know that Ross Stiles was found dead in his cell this morning, it appears to be suicide, I won’t go into details. The world can sleep a bit better tonight. I wanted to be the one to tell you.

Drop by the precinct and visit me sometime, better yet, I may drop by the club. If you need to talk, you know where to find me. Harry B.

“Mikala,” Deanna asked, placing her hand on Mikala’s arm. Their eyes met. “What is it?” she mouthed.

Mikala handed her the phone and asked, “Water?” Her voice was raspy and far too loud, drawing attention from nearly everyone in the salon.

“Mind your own,” Eden said, giving busybodies and nosy parkers her evil death stare that was known to make grown men cry. Deanna handed Eden the phone and her eyes widened as she read.

“Holy shit,” Eden said. “Are. You. Okay?” she mouthed each word, rubbing her hand across Mikala’s back. Mikala motioned with her finger to her palm for her pen and paper.

He’s dead? I read that right?
Mikala scribbled, not even sure her chicken scratch was legible.

Deanna and Eden nodded their heads in unison, watching to see what Mikala’s reaction would be. They waited for her to tear into an angry tirade, explode with rage, or burst into a round of uncontrollable tears, anything could be expected.

“She’s too calm,” Eden said, to Deanna. “I don’t like this.”

“She is a bit pale,” Deanna said.

“Mik.” Eden waved her hand in Mikala’s face. “Are you in there?”

Is it bad that I don’t care? That I don’t give a fuck one way or the other?
Mikala wrote.

“No.” Deanna said, taking the paper from Mikala and writing.
He was a very bad man that did some very bad things to a lot of nice people.

I know, I think he got off far too easy.
Mikala wrote with a shaky hand.

Deanna shook her head writing.
Darling, where he’s going he’s not getting away with fuck all!

Both Eden and Mikala looked at Deanna wide eyed. This prim and always proper a lady, would never say shit with a mouth full and she was swearing in grand style, and doing it with a smile on her face.

“Deanna Dean, not in a million years,” Eden laughed.

“Sorry, but that bastard…well…I’m just glad he can’t do any more harm, that’s all.”

Mouth like a sewer, Chase would wet his pants if he heard the filth coming out of her pretty little motherly mouth. Hahaha!
Mikala wrote then held up a finger while she added.
Can we get the fuck out of here? Us three glamorous chicks need to get to city hall!

Deanna looked at Eden with a do-you-think-she-knows look and Eden simply shook her head with a smile.

***

An hour later, Eden directed them both to a small office where they were to get ready, Mikala still had no clue.

Eden and Mikala sat on a small sofa, while Deanna changed in the washroom. She appeared a short time later dressed in a powder pink satin knee length dress, with a lacy over coat and matching pink satin shoes.

You look beautiful, love the pink.
Mikala wrote.

“Thank you,” Deanna said, as she curtsied.

Mikala covered her mouth to stifle a yawn, it was a full on I-didn’t-sleep-a-wink-last-night yawn. Her jaw cracked and a sharp pain jabbed behind her ear like a bolt of heat shooting through her head. It only lasted a few seconds but startled her. She looked to make sure the other two didn’t notice, she was safe, they were too busy perfecting Deanna’s look.

Eden was next disappearing into the washroom to change, coming out dressed to the nines in a Jackie O style pink lacy dress and matching shoes.

Mikala’s brows knit together, as her eyes traveled from Eden to the Deanna.

I wish someone had told me.
Mikala wrote.

Eden swallowed, as panic started to take over. “Told you what?” she mouthed, looking to Deanna for help since it was too early for revelations.

I brought a black dress. I’m going to stand out like a sore thumb.

“No you’re not,” Deanna assured her, with a pat on the hand.

Mikala lifted her eyes towards to door and then watched as Eden scurried to answer it a moment later. Had she been dreaming when she heard the soft knock at the door, or was it merely wishful thinking? She turned away and faced the mirror with her back to the room and closed her eyes. It was faint but if she concentrated hard enough, she could here soft muffled music playing from a far corner of the room.

Was she losing her mind?

As Eden stepped back allowing the door to open wider, Mel stepped into the room dressed all in pink and grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Mikala jumped to her feet and they collided in the center of the room. Mel held her back by the shoulders and said, “Did you miss me?”

Sadly, the words flowed through the room but she didn’t hear them. She couldn’t help the woeful expression on her face, she was disappointed.

“Hey, are you not happy to see me?” Mel asked. Eden scribbled Mel’s words on a paper and handed it to Mikala.

“I am!” Mikala roared and the room filled with laughter.

“Sorry, I forgot you can’t hear me, I have something for you,” Mel said, taking an envelope from her purse and handing it to Mikala. “From Mason,” she mouthed, cupping Mikala’s face in her hands and smiling.

Mikala walked over to the couch, leaving the group all clad in pink, to gossip while she read her letter. She tore it open and smiled at the hand written letter, unquestionably from her man, his writing was like no one else’s.

My Darling Mikala,

I would be there doing this face to face, but I have been warned, there is to be no contact. I can see your face, you’re scowling, stop.

Three weeks ago on this day, we were to be in this building saying our vows. Today you’re here and I’m here and I think it’s time we pulled our stubborn heads out of our asses and make this happen.

Will you marry me? (Give Mel your answer before you read on)

The knocked for six look on Mikala’s face when she looked up at the women in the room watching her with great eagerness, quickly changed to a beaming smile.

Mel held up her hands in question waiting. “Well?”

“Yes!” Mikala yelled.

This time she was sure she heard her own voice, though it was as if she were standing in a tunnel, she was sure.

Mel ran out the door, the sound of shoes on hardwood clear, Mikala turned back to the letter.

By now, you realize you have been set up, thank Eden or blame her, either way this is officially our wedding day. You need to get dressed because I can’t wait to see you. I am waiting in room #601 so don’t be late. 3pm sharp.

I love you, sugar!

Mason

The smile spread across Mikala’s glowing face couldn’t be scrubbed away with sandpaper; she was so excited she could literally explode. And this thing called the happy dance was causing her feet to nervously tap as she watched her friends break into action.

The beautiful gown that Chase had had made for her, suddenly appeared from nowhere, as did her shoes, her bouquet and a box of tissues.

“No tears today, you’ll ruin your make up,” Eden warned, as she pulled Mikala in for a hug.

“I love you,” Mikala said, whisper soft.

In a shuffle, she was scooted off to the washroom where Eden helped her dress and touched up her hair and pulled her into a hug with tears in her eyes. Mikala gave her a warning glare as she spun toilet paper from a roll on the wall, and tucked it into her hand.

“No tears,” she said, sounding quite normal. The nasal voice was nearly gone and the sound level had decreased. Eden looked at her suspiciously before Mikala turned to look in the mirror.

She walked into the room to ohhs and ahhs that she clearly heard. She turned to the full length mirror and closed her eyes.

“Mel, are you ready?” Eden asked, and Mikala opened her eyes in time to see Mel stand.

“Ready when you are, we better get Mik’s ass in gear,” Mel laughed, as she met Mikala’s eyes in the mirror. “Time to get going,” Mel mouthed exaggerated.

Mikala nodded even though she wanted to scream, to let everyone know she could hear, not perfectly, the sounds were muffled and voices sounded like tunneled whispers, but she could hear.

She made the gesture for a pen and paper and both Eden and Mel handed her notepads and pens.

She wrote,
give me five
and headed into the small washroom. She stood listening at the door while the girls discussed how beautiful she looked and how perfect the day was going to be. She wanted to burst into the room and agree with them, to tell them how it was going to be the best day of her life, but then she got a wonderful idea.

She wrote a message and folded the paper into a small square and tucked it into her pearl spray bouquet.

There was music playing but it was so low it was unrecognizable. Mikala could only image it was Wagner’s Bridal March, but she had no idea and didn’t much care as she set eyes on Mason and the star struck look in his eyes, when he saw her standing in the doorway.

The few steps it took to reach him were a blur, the words the Mayor spoke went unheard, though she was well aware of the sounds in the room, but all she saw was Mason. He was dressed in a simple black suit with a hot pink skinny tie and matching hanky peeking out from his pocket. He had a rose in his lapel made from intricately woven pearls and Mikala smiled when she saw it. He was so handsome, her heart fluttered at the sight of him. Mason put out his hand and she tucked the note into his palm.

“What’s this, sugar?” he asked, unfolding the paper. He read it and nodded with a chuckle.

I want you to say your vows first, seeing as I’m the bride and it’s my day.
The note said.

Mikala wanted traditional vows, anything special they needed to say, they could save for a private moment without an audience.

“Anything for you,” Mason mouthed.

Mikala’s eyes never left Mason’s mouth as she listened to each word.

“I Mason take you Mikala, to be my partner in life, my one true love,” he said, and Mikala’s grin grew larger as he continued on. “What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep.”

A tear ran down her cheek, Mason reached out his hand and wiped it away. “Don’t cry, sugar,” he whispered.

“I can’t help it, I’ve waited to hear those words for so long,” she whispered.

Mason’s eyes widened and he grabbed her by the shoulders snuggling his cheek to hers and asked, “Baby, do you hear me?”

“I do,” Mikala confirmed.

“Not yet my dear, my parts not finished.” The Mayor joked.

There were gasps from their friends and Eden touched her hand to Mikala’s arm and squeezed, her eyes cruised to the group huddled behind them and she smiled, knowing that it was taking every ounce of willpower for her friends and family to hold back on the impending hugs and kisses.

Mason stepped back with a tear in his eye as a grin spread from ear to ear and the Mayor continued with the ceremony.

“Take it away, Mikala,” the Mayor said, with a sweep of his hand.

“I Mikala take you Mason, as my husband, secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love,” she smiled into Mason’s face and then turned to the Mayor. “Can we skip all the mushy shit and move on to the I do’s?”

“Alright, I think we can do that…Mason do you take Mikala to be your wife?” The Mayor asked, with a wink in Mikala’s direction.

“I do.”

“Mikala, do you take Mason to be your husband?”

“I do, I do, I do,” Mikala said, tears welling in her eyes.

“Do we have rings?” the Mayor asked, and watched as Mason took them from his pocket and handed his to Mikala.

They exchanged simple platinum bands and after being instructed, shared a passion filled kiss that went on and on. The Mayor cleared his throat forcing them apart and placed his hands on their shoulders turning them to the group.

"By the power vested in me by the State of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you husband and wife, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Reed."

In one mass move, they clustered together into a group hug. They were congratulated for their marriage and Mikala’s hearing and then moved in for a group photo.

Chase’s private limo drove them all to Deanna’s home where the party awaited them.

Mikala was flabbergasted as she stared into the backyard with lights strung from the trees, the tent for dinner and not a floral arrangement in sight. It was so close to how she envisioned it in her mind, it was perfect.