Now & Forever 3 - Blind love (37 page)

“That was a close call,” Callie sighed, remembering how close
Eliza got to big trouble before she got married.

“Peter would be furious if…” Eliza said.

“He has nothing to worry about. Even if I kissed another man,
which I’m sure I won’t again, I couldn’t imagine wanting to make love with
anyone except Peter for the rest of my life. A kiss is nothing, making love
with Peter is earth-shattering!” Lara exclaimed, slightly tipsy.

“I guess she’s marrying the right man,” Jonesy chuckled.

The ladies finished up their beauty treatments and the food.
One bottle of peach champagne was left over and Lara wanted Jonesy to have it
for sending Ray, the policeman. They giggled like schoolgirls about marriage,
the wedding night, men and sex until Sam came to pick them up at ten o’clock.
He was a little shocked to see them all tipsy and silly, even Patsy.

“What happened at this party?” Sam asked her.

“Oh, I can’t tell you, Sam. Doctor-patient confidentiality,”
Patsy said, giggling.

The women all burst out laughing.

“What happens at the Spa stays at the Spa,” Callie and Eliza
said together.

When everyone returned home, the men had sobered up some, but
the women were still tipsy. Peter was watching Lara undress as they got ready
for bed. She pulled her bra out of her purse and Peter got upset.

“What’s that doing in your purse? Why aren’t you wearing it?”

“We all took off our clothes and got massages and things. I
guess I forgot to put mine back on.”

Peter bent down and picked up Ray’s card that had fallen out
of the pocket of her shirt.

“Who is Ray? Why do you have his card?”

“Oh, he’s a stripper Jonesy hired for the party,” Lara tossed
out as she got out one of her new nighties to tempt Peter.

“A male stripper? You guys had a stripper?”

“Didn’t you?”

“We did, but she was unexpected.”

“Did she have good breasts?”

“Why do you ask that?”

“I know how much you like breasts.”

“Never mind her. What about this guy? What did you do with
him?”

“He kissed me. That’s all. It was nothing.” Lara slipped on
the new gown.

“Nothing? He kissed you and you call that nothing?” Peter
said, pointedly.

“Didn’t she kiss you?”

“She didn’t touch me. Sam sent her away before she even
finished stripping.”

“That’s too bad for you, then, isn’t it?”

“I don’t need her. I have you.”

“I feel the same way. So Ray kissed me. So what? I don’t want
to make love with anyone but you, Peter, for as long as I live.” Her lips
curved in a suggestive grin.

“Is that true?”

“Don’t you know that by now?”

“I feel the same way.”

“You do?”

“You’re amazing, Lara.” He pulled her to him for a passionate
kiss.

She melted in his arms, pulling him closer.

“Did you have fun tonight?” he asked her.

“Yes, we laughed and ate and got beautiful. I love my new
friends.”

“Our party was good too. I heard some amazing stories…none I
can repeat, of course, but it was good. I ate too much and Danny beat us all at
pool.” Peter tightened his arms around her and kissed her passionately. “Did he
kiss you like that?”

“No one kisses like you do,” she whispered, her eyes closed.

“Did he touch you?” Peter persisted.

“Callie pulled him away before he did.” Lara was distracted
by his lips.

“Were you undressed?” he continued.

“I had a sheet over me…most of me…I was having a massage,”
she explained.

“You were naked with this guy and he kissed you!” Peter stepped
back.

“Not really naked, sort of…exposed a little.”

“No more kissing strangers, okay?” Peter’s brows knitted.

She hadn’t seen him jealous since Andres. She kind of liked
it.

“You don’t have anything to worry about, I don’t want anyone
but you.” She inched closer to him.

Lara wore a skimpy gown and sidled up to him. She took his
hand, then pulled him down on the bed and into her arms. Their mouths joined
and all worries about stripping policemen fell away as Lara made it clear how much
she wanted him.

Chapter
Twenty-five

It was a perfect day for a wedding, the sky was a cloudless
blue, the bright sun warmed the late April air, turning the grass a deep, rich
green and giving the world a golden glow. Music played in the Kiwanis hall as
Gladys O’Reilly, from the music department, warmed up. Peter and Lara planned
to walk up the aisle to Liszt’s
Liebesträume
.
The huge Kiwanis hall was decorated in spring flowers in yellow, pink and
white. Metal chairs were set up in rows and a red carpet was placed down the
center aisle. Sunlight streamed in through the huge windows, lighting up the
whole room.

The small meeting rooms were set up for Lara, Peter and
members of the wedding party to use to change their clothes, put on make-up,
pace or do whatever they needed to do before the ceremony. Jim Caterson,
dressed in a tuxedo, entered the meeting hall early. He needed time alone with
Lara. Fran had driven a wedge between Jim and his niece. He wanted to rekindle
their close relationship. They slipped out the back for a private talk.

“I was only fifteen when your mother and father got married.
It was a beautiful wedding. Stephanie and John were meant for each other.”

“I wish they were here today. They’d love Peter.”

“They would. They’d be very proud of you and all you’ve
accomplished and all you’ve overcome.”

“Everything would’ve been so much easier if they had been
here.”

“I know,” Jim said, patting her hand. “I’m proud of you on
their behalf, proud to be giving you away. Peter is a good choice. He’s a fine
man, smart and he loves you.”

“He does. He’s so sweet.”

“I’m sure, wherever your parents are, they are smiling
today.”

“I hope so, Uncle Jim.”

Lara cried as they talked. She used an extra hanky from Peter
to blot her tears. Jim teared up too, missing his sister.

The big hall began to fill up with people Lara and Peter came
to know through Lara’s dance classes and Peter’s teaching. Grateful parents of
her students along with the students who loved Lara and her sweet ways were
there to watch the couple become one. Many of Peter’s students came as well as
other professors in the art department and administrators. The men who ran
Kiwanis came with their families. There were one hundred fifty people there.
John Lawrence, president of the university, was there with his beautiful wife,
Annika. They never missed a faculty wedding.

The bride and groom were surprised and pleased to see so many
people. Lara had Callie and Eliza help her into her perfect Vera Wang wedding
dress. The dress had a slim bodice with a little lace, which was repeated in a
wide band around the bottom of the full skirt. Pat Weiss Caldwell was there for
moral support.

Kelli came from her beauty salon to do Lara’s hair. Tara and
Marcy were there from the nail salon to touch up Lara’s manicure and pedicure.
They had a hard time getting her to keep her hands still long enough for them
to apply the polish. Lara was nervous something would go wrong, but not nervous
about marrying Peter. She loved him totally and felt confident he felt the same
devotion.

* * * *

Peter was beyond nervous at Mac’s house getting dressed, even
though he had his father and Mac to help him. Peter paced, had a drink and
paced some more.

“Pete, I never thought I’d see this day. You getting married.
And to such a great girl. It’s wonderful. Wonderful. I’m proud of you. I wish
your mother could be here,” Sam said, blinking back tears.

“I’m waiting until he goes through with it, before I
congratulate him,” Mac joked.

“Thanks a lot, Mac. Weren’t you nervous when you got
married?”

“I never worried about marrying Callie. I knew she was the
one.”

“You did? How did you know?” Peter asked, desperation in his
voice.

“Shrimp, you can’t pursue someone as hot and heavy as you
pursued Lara and then have doubts when you win her.”

“Who says I can’t?”

“What is this about, Pete?” his father asked.

“I guess I’m wondering if I’m cut out to be married.”

“Why wouldn’t you be?” his father asked.

“Well, I haven’t exactly been tied to one woman for long, you
know.”

“You’ve been faithful to Lara, haven’t you?” Sam asked him.

“Of course!”

“With no temptations?” Mac asked.

“With no temptations.”

“So what are you worried about?” his brother asked.

“I want to be a good husband. She’s special, I don’t want to
lose her.”

“Hey, you’re a Caldwell, aren’t you? We make the best
husbands,” Sam said, clapping him on the back.

“Mac, what’s your secret?” Peter asked.

“It’s no secret. I try to put Callie, Jason and Kitty before
myself as much as possible. By putting them first, I end up doing the right
thing, then everyone thinks I’m brilliant and I get a ton of love.”

“Thanks, Mac. How do you keep the flame burning after five
years…if you know what I mean,” Peter asked his brother, thinking back to the
first night at the lake house.

“If the flame isn’t there to begin with, you won’t have it in
five years. But if it is and you put your wife first, she’ll make sure the
flame stays lit,” Mac responded.

“Sound advice, Mac,” Sam concurred.

“You make it sound easy, Mac.”

“It is easy, Pete, if you pick the right woman. I think you
have. Is the flame there…if that isn’t too personal?” Color suffused Mac’s
cheeks.

“The flame is definitely there. In fact it’s more like a
bonfire than a flame.”

“So what are you worried about? You two will be fine.” Mac
patted his younger brother on the back.

Peter’s brow smoothed out in a look of relief.

Mac, Sam and Peter checked to see if Jason, who was going to
be ring bearer, was dressed. Sam double-checked that he had the ring as he was
the best man with Mac as usher. Then the Caldwell men, looking dashing and
handsome in their black tuxedoes climbed into Mac’s car and headed for the
Kiwanis Hall.

Callie, Eliza and Kitty, as the flower girl, were wearing
light aqua dresses and carrying yellow flowers mixed with white daisies. Lara
had a white bouquet to match her white wedding dress. The men lined up and
waited for Gladys to begin. There was a hush in the audience as Lara and Jim
appeared at the back of the room. The Caldwell men were facing forward and
didn’t see her yet. When he heard the first notes of
Liebesträume
, Peter turned and saw Lara. His heart almost beat out
of his chest. She was a vision of loveliness in her white dress, veil and
flowers with her mahogany hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders. He
had never seen anyone look more beautiful. His heart melted; all doubts
vanished. Lara smiled at Peter. He relaxed, knowing in his heart she was the
one he had been searching for.

Then the judge asked, “Who gives this woman?”

“Her mother, her father and I do,” Jim replied, his voice
cracking as he held Lara for a moment after raising her veil, while he
corralled his tears. Lara’s eyes shone with unshed tears as she held Jim and
took a deep breath. The judge waited patiently for Jim and Lara to compose
themselves. After a few minutes, Jim kissed her cheek and turned her to face
Peter.

Peter extended his hand and she took it. He put his arm
around her waist to steady her as she walked up next to him to face the judge.
They stopped and she bestowed a dazzling smile on Peter who moved closer.

Jason piped up, “You’re not supposed to kiss her until it’s
all over, Uncle Peter!”

Everyone cracked up, including the judge. The ceremony was
short. The audience was silent but a few people, like Jonesy were heard
sniffling as Peter and Lara said their vows. Callie cried quietly into Mac’s
handkerchief.

Finally it was time to kiss the bride. Peter took Lara in his
arms and gave her the sweetest kiss possible, ending with the audience bursting
into spontaneous applause. Everyone laughed and cheered. Peter and Lara marched
back down the aisle and the celebration began.

There was a sumptuous catered buffet with hot and cold food
for everyone. Wine and champagne flowed like water. Jim had done well investing
Lara’s remaining money so she could afford to pay for a beautiful gown and a
lovely wedding. Everyone was eating and the band was tuning up so dancing could
begin.

Quietly, a pregnant Marcia Weston peeked in. She got Mac’s
attention and he went over to the door to speak with her. They talked privately
for a few minutes. When she left, he was smiling with the broadest grin Callie
had ever seen.

“What was that about, Mac?” she asked him.

“A great wedding present landed in Peter’s lap.” Mac pushed
his way through the crowd, searching for Eliza.

He pulled her aside. Then he spoke with John Lawrence before
he took Callie’s hand and went over to Peter. Mac took Peter aside and gave him
the news. He smiled broadly and nodded his head.

“Shouldn’t you discuss this with your wife before you say
yes?” Mac asked.

“Oh, yeah. I’ll be right back.”

The band played Peter and Lara’s favorite pop song, Elvis
Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love for Peter and Lara’s first dance as
husband and wife. As Peter waltzed his new wife across the dance floor, he
whispered in her ear, “Would you like to stay in Willow Falls?”

“Yes, but we have to go back, don’t we?”

“We don’t. The woman who was taking the sabbatical from the
art department has come by to tell Mac she’s pregnant and she’s not coming
back.”