Mystic Embrace (13 page)

“
Yeah, but who knows how much longer I will actually be able to do this.” He smirks as I give him a little swat to the back of his head.

Chapter
Eighteen

Final Preparations

Everything has happened so fast. I can’t believe that tomorrow, I’m marrying Matt. The most amazing man in the world will be my husband in just over twenty four hours. Realizing how much I actually have to do today, I jump out of bed and begin to get ready. Once I finish dressing, I fling open the curtains in my room. Then I see the ground is covered in snow. It is the most beautiful sight I’ve seen in a long time. Everything looks as though it is covered by crystals. The way that the bright golden sunrays touch each faucet of every snowflake makes the sight breath taking. I hope that it lasts until tomorrow. The frost on the trees and fence warm my heart giving me the feeling of the perfect winter wonderland.

“
Hey baby sis, you ready to go for your final dress fitting?” Eliza asks.

“
You bet I am. Is Sophia here yet?”

“
She just texted me, she’ll be here any second.”

Sophia pulls up just as we are walking out the door. Her timing is impeccable. We jump in the car and are off to the seamstress. I’m so happy she was able to alter the dress Constance had made for me to fit my growing belly. I don’t think I would have ever found anything quite so perfect.

Once we get the dress, Sophia, pulls out the to-do list and begins to review everything we need to do. Florence is taking care of the flowers, cake and the catering. Sophia, Eliza and I are off to the day spa for mani/pedi’s, facials and massage’s.

“
Danika, Constance and Matilda are meeting us at the spa. Are you ready for a day of pampering?” Sophia adds.

“
You bet I am. What are the plans after that?”

“
Our day is filled with relaxation. Tomorrow is a big day for our girl and we are here to ensure it is perfect,” Sophia hints.

“
But there is so much to do,” I protest.

“
And we have it all under control. The boys are taking care of Matt, and we even have a little surprised planned for the two of you later today.” She winks at Eliza, and they both smile.

I can’t help but wonder what they are up to, but allow them this one without nagging. The spa is beautiful, and the staff is so attentive. As we walk through the large glass French doors a young woman dressed in all white is there to greet us.

“
Good morning Ladies, welcome to Om spa. My name is Courtney. I will be your hostess today. So who’s the lucky girl?”

I slightly raise my hand as the others point to me.

“
Well let me start by showing you to your Zen room. There are robes that await each of you. Once you’ve changed I’ll bring in some sparkling cider and a fresh fruit with a chocolate fondue tray for your enjoyment. Later, after you’ve enjoyed a few treatments, I’ll bring you lunch. You have a choice of fillet minion, or a beautiful stuffed chicken breast. I can also offer a vegetarian meal if any of you prefer.”

She leads us to a beautiful room with white leather sofas and a spectacular waterfall wall. She lights dozens of candles and lavender incense around the room. There are six fluffy white terry cloth robes folded perfectly on a bench. Each robe has a sprig of lavender lucked under the belt. We each go into the change rooms and change into our robes. Courtney already has the fondue tray and cider waiting on the table.

“
Well ladies, I think it is best to get the worst over with first. This will allow you to enjoy the remainder of the day. Shall the Bride to be go first?” Courtney offers.

“
The worst?” I ask with concern.

She smiles, “Don’t worry it’s not that bad. I’m just talking out the waxing. I think it is the least favorable of our treatments. Although the lady we have is so good at what she does, it is almost like a mini massage rather than waxing. She is very gentle.”

“
Oh lucky me, I get to have another woman tear every extra hair out of my body. Sure, let’s get it over with,” I say with complete sarcasm, “The things we do for men.”

Everyone including our hostess laughs and nods at my comment. I follow her to a small room off to the side of the larger room we’ve been in. It’s just as peaceful and tranquil as the first room. It doesn’t take long for my waxing, and then the other girls go. Courtney shuffles us through the various spa treatments. I can feel all five of us relaxing more after each treatment. I have to say my favorite so far is the vichy shower, a light gentle massage with essential oils followed by a pressured shower that continues to massage every inch of my body as I relax on the table. This is wonderful; I have the best friends in the world.

“
I just want to thank you for being such great friends to me. You support me through everything and are helping to make my wedding both special and memorable.”

“
Ebony, we all have had fun today,” Matilda adds.

Constance smiles and grabs my hand, “Of course we support you and weddings are supposed to be special, just because you doing it a little sooner than we all would’ve expected doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve the best day possible.”

“
Well in that case we’re off to a great start. So now that we’re all pampered, where to next?” I try to pry.

The girls all giggle and just grabbed me by the hand to pull me off to the car.

***

We pull up in front of the hospital, and I see Matt, Nathanial, Alexander, Isaac, and Luke all waiting outside.

“
What are we doing here, is everything okay?” I begin to worry.

Constance smiles, “Everything is fine. Our next surprise has been difficult to keep from you. Today is your ultrasound. You get to see your baby, and the boys brought Matt here for it too.”

“
I don’t think there’s anything you guys can do to make this weekend any better. Now let’s go see my baby!” I say with sheer excitement, as I jump out of the car and run into Matt’s arms.

Our entire group enters the hospital and Constance leads us to the exam room, where the nurse already has everything set up. I change into a one of those blue, cotton, hospital gowns and sit up on the examination table.

“
Okay, kiddo, lie back on the table and let’s see what we can find.” Constance covers me with a blanket and slightly lifts my gown. “This is going to be cold.” She squeezes the gel onto my tummy and begins to move around and the ultrasound probe.

Matt sits next to me, and holds my hand. “I can’t believe we’re going to get to see our baby,” He whispers.

As Constance moves the probe around, she stops and holds it in one spot. We hear a soft but extremely fast tapping noise. Constance smiles as she looks at us. “Can you guys hear that?”

“
Yeah but what is it?” I ask.

“
That’s your baby’s heartbeat.”

“
Seriously? That’s the baby’s heart; it sounds like somebody tapping their fingers on the table,” Matt says with excitement.

I can’t stop smiling. This makes it even more real and a few tears start roll down my face.

“
Ebony, are you okay, what’s the matter?” Matt asks as he wipes the tears from my cheeks.

“
I’m okay, this is just so amazing. These are happy tears.”

“
Would you guys like to see your baby now?” Constance asks.

Matt and I look at each other and then around the room at the loved ones around us, each one of them bouncing with excitement. With a smile we turn to Constance and nod. She turns to monitor towards Matt and me, and then flips the switch. The screen turns from a black-and-white picture to a type of sepia color.

“
Okay, let’s see this baby in 3-D.” She smiles as she begins to probe some more, pointing out each part of the baby. It’s amazing it really is 3-D I can tell exactly what it is the head, the fingers that he or she is sucking on. Every little detail is perfect. Seeing our baby for the first time, is the most incredible experience I’ve ever had.

“
Would like to know if it’s a boy or girl?”

“
You can tell that?” I ask.

“
Sure can, just have to move the probe a little bit lower.”

As Constance begins to move the probe, it suddenly floats out of her hand and is suspended in midair. We all erupt with laughter.

Eliza walks towards me and puts her hand on my shoulder. “I guess we figured out what caused you to levitate. It seems as though your little one does not want you to know if it is a he or she.”

“
Great, a troublemaker already,” Matt jokes, “must be a boy. Like father like son.”

Constance turns off the ultrasound machine and begins to wipe the gel from my stomach.

“
Ebony, you can go get dressed. I am going to go and burn a DVD of today’s ultrasound for you.”

“
That’s so cool; Mom and Dad are going to be so excited to see this.” Matt gives me a quick kiss on the cheek.

Constance comes back into the room with the DVD. I suggest that Matt take it home and show his parents and he happily agrees.

The boys leave to go to the Barton house, and us girls head to the Pierce house. I’m excited to get there, and see how all the decorating and arrangements are coming along. I know that Florence will have everything perfect, she is a stickler for details, and I know not one detail will be missed. Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day. I just hope I can get a good night sleep tonight and that my family will show up for the wedding tomorrow. Eliza and I will have a quick bite to eat at the Pierce house and try and help with any last-minute details before we turn in for the night.

Chapter
Nineteen

Tradition

The music starts to play and Eliza takes my arm to guide me down the grand staircase. I thought I would be nervous, but I feel nothing but complete joy and peace. As Eliza and I make our way down the staircase, I see Dad waiting there with his hand held out. We make our way around the staircase, and I see Mom and Grams as well. Eliza passes me over to Dad, and she continues down the staircase ahead of us. Just as a maid of honor should.

“
Thank you for being here, Dad, it means so much to me,” I whisper.

“
We would not miss it for the world. I am just glad I can walk my baby down the aisle,” he says with a hug.

“
How is it that you are here, and I can feel you this time?”

“
Today is special, the great ones helped us. They can return us to human form when they feel it is important enough. I guess they feel the union of a future guardian and a Magnificent One is an important day.” He smiles and kisses me as we continue down the aisle.

We hit the last step, and I look up and see Matt standing before us, he’s so handsome. I see the tears well up in his eyes as he watches me move closer to him. Without a word his arm stretches out and he reaches for me. I look at Dad, he smiles and nods, then places my hand in Matt’s, then kisses my cheek. We take a few more steps to reach the altar, then the justice of the peace greets us.

“
Thank you all for joining us on this special day, when Matt and Ebony exchanged vows to become one. If anyone has a reason these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.” He pauses for a moment and then continues with the ceremony. “Ebony, would you like to share your vows with Matt.”

“
Matt, from the day you moved here, I knew there was something special about you. You stood by me even when I tried to push you away. You were there for me when things started to change, and you supported me when Grams passed. I know we are young, and I know we have more challenges ahead of us, but I also know with you by my side I can do anything. You are my rock, and have made me the happiest woman in the world. This is a year of great change for us. Soon our baby will join us; we will graduate high school and hopefully go to college. I know whatever happens, we will do it together. When we’re hand in hand, nothing will be able to stop us. Today, you become my husband and I your wife. Our lives will now join as one. Thank you for all the love, joy and support you have given me. I was born to love you. I love you now and for always.” I take a deep breath surprised that I actually was able to finish.

The justice of the peace turns to Matt, “Now, Matt, if you will please share your vows with Ebony.”

“
From the moment I met you, I knew I had found the only love that I would ever know and need. From this day forward, we walk together. I’ll use my heart to shield yours from pain, and I will use my love to warm our home. Your beauty and your heart inspire me to do great things. The first of those great things is to love you and next to love our baby. Together we move forward in this journey of life and love. I know that we are young and that we have so much ahead of us, but together I also know we can accomplish anything. You have taught me so much and I look forward to learning from you every day of my life. From today, into eternity, I give you my love and my life. Thank you for loving me, as much as I love you.” His eyes shine like the stars above when he looks at me, and I can feel his love with every inch of my being.

We exchange rings, complete the ceremony with a kiss. Everyone cheers and claps; as we walk down the aisle they throw confetti. We wait for our friends and family come to congratulate us. Later tonight, when our friends from school leave, we’ll complete the handfasting ritual. Nobody knew my parents, so no questions arise by their presence. Although many people knew Grams, I’m confused though, as to why nobody thinks it is awkward for my dead grandmother to be at our wedding. Maybe she is able to only make herself seen by those she wishes to see her. I guess I will just ask her.