The Dance (4 page)

As the large pipe organ rumbled to life with Pachelbel’s Canon in D, I gave Sophie a slight nod, letting her know it was time. She looked stunning in her black strapless dress with a deep red ribbon around her waist that matched the rose bouquets that we both carried. Since we kept the wedding party small, I was able to splurge on her maid of honor gift, a pair of Tom Ford black patent leather pumps with a tiny gold padlock dangling from the ankle strap. It was unexpected and slightly edgy.

Once Sophie was in position at the altar, the music stopped. Dad placed his hand over the one I had wrapped around his arm and gave it a slight squeeze. Two deep breaths later and my chest vibrated when the sound of
Bach’s Suite in D major
hit my ears. The princess transformation was complete.

I had decided awhile back that I didn’t want my wedding day to go by in one big blur. I wanted to live in the moment, take every aspect in, no matter how small. But with all the beauty and love surrounding me the only thing I saw was the dark-haired boy waiting for me at the end of the aisle looking incredibly handsome in his classic black tux. When Will’s gaze landed on me, his eyebrows rose as his mouth dropped open.

And he hadn’t even seen the red heels yet.

As we approached the altar I stole a quick glance at my mom. She was already sobbing into her handkerchief. Dad leaned down, placing a sweet kiss on my cheek before taking his place by Mom.

Father Jacobs motioned for me and Will to step forward. I looked up into the dark brown eyes of my soon-to-be husband.

“Your tits look amazing.” Will mouthed inconspicuously.

You would think after eight years with a guy nothing could shock me. I was speechless that he’d made that comment in front of God and everybody.

I just smiled back at him as the music faded and the ceremony began.

“William and Bryson, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage? Will you love and honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives? Will you accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?”

“I do,” Will and I said in unison.

“Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church.”

My shaky hand slid into Will’s steady one.

Clearing his throat, Will began. “I, Will . . . I mean, William, take you, Bryson, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”

The love and sincerity in his voice was overwhelming, causing my eyes to fill with tears.

I swallowed hard and tried to hold down the emotions that kept trying to bubble to the surface. “I, Bryson, take you, William, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”

“You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined, men must not divide,” Father Jacobs declared.

The crowd responded with a resounding, “Amen.”

“May I have the rings?”

Sophie and Mr. Forsyth gave the priest the rings to bless.

“May the Lord bless these rings, which you give to each other as the sign of your love and fidelity.”

Looking into my eyes, Will slid the ring on my finger, and said, “Bryson, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

I mimicked his movement and words. “William, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

I could no longer hold back my tears and Will couldn’t hold back taking me in his arms and planting a kiss on my lips.

“By the power vested in me, by the Holy Catholic Church, and the state of South Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife. And you obviously know the part about kissing the bride.”

A hard constant tapping on the shoulder got my attention. I pulled away from Will’s lips to the sound of laughter and the recessional music. Will grabbed my hand and we walked side-by-side as the new Mr. and Mrs. William Grant Forsyth.

After what felt like three hours of nonstop wedding photos, Will and I finally made it to our reception. A few steps into the building, I pulled him into the small office just inside the entrance and shut the door.

Chuckling, he said, “Bryson, what are you doing?”

“I have a surprise for you.” I attempted a sexy smile.

“A surprise, huh?” His hands landed on my hips and he spun me around so that my back was against the door. “I’m liking this marriage thing already.”

I shoved him back and said, “Not so fast, lover boy.”

He followed my gaze down as I slowly lifted my gown, revealing the sexy red heels. Will froze for several seconds. When he lifted his head up to look at me pure desire fired up his eyes.

“God damn, Bryson.”

“Shh, Will! We’re right next to the church.”

“I know . . .”

Extending my foot, I rubbed the side of his leg. “You like?”

“I more than like but there’s a problem . . .”

“A problem?” A twinge of humiliation pricked my stomach.

He grabbed my hips and pushed me harder against the door. Will’s lips zeroed in on the spot just below my ear that caused me to melt into him every time.

Against my neck, he mumbled, “I have to walk in that reception full of family, friends, and business acquaintances. Be nice and charming. All the while picturing those heels in the air as I fuck you.”

Will was never much on the sweet romantic talk. On the surface his words were crude but I knew his heart.

His lips continued their descent toward my chest.

“Will . . .” I giggled, shoving him away. “We have to get in there now or our mothers will send out a search team.”

“Mothers. Mood killed.” He groaned.

“I know but just think, in a few short hours, all this will be yours.” I wiggled as my hands slid down my body.

“You’re killing me.”

“Come on,” I said, grabbing his hand.

As we entered the large hall the breath was sucked from my lungs. The plain empty hall had been transformed into something out of a fairy tale. Both the moms wanted to keep the reception as much as a surprise as possible. They were both so excited so Will and I played along. I’d been privy to a few items, giving my opinion on tablecloths, centerpieces, and flowers. But I never imagined it would turn into the sight before my eyes. The moms had outdone themselves.

Lighted spheres hung at varying heights from the ceiling, cloaking the entire hall in a romantic warm amber glow. To the right of the main entrance was the gift table piled high with boxes wrapped in silver, gold, and white shiny paper. To the left the open bar with every type of drink known to mankind. Next to the bar were long tables, four rows deep, covered in food. Across from the food guest tables were set up draped in tablecloths that matched my dress. Deep red roses in simple clear glass vases served as centerpieces. And a five-piece band was set up in the farthest right corner. But what stole the show for me was the back wall. Black tulle with twinkling amber lights behind it covered the entire area. In front of the wall of lights sat a round table draped in matching tulle and our gorgeous five-tier vanilla bean cake with white buttercream frosting with an elegant scroll design.

Walking a few steps ahead of Will, I said in amazement, “Oh my god!”

He wrapped his meaty arms around my waist, kissed my neck, and whispered, “Does it meet your approval?”

“It looks like a fairy tale.”

“Well, you are my princess.”

I turned in Will’s arms. “And you’re my prince.”

The day was a little girl’s dream come true. I had my tall dark and handsome prince, my gown, and now my kingdom. Everything was perfect.

“I’m knee-deep in sap and ready to hurl.” I whipped around to find my brother doubled over, holding a beer with one hand and his stomach with the other.

“Ryan, you’re such an ass.” I snapped in the typical annoyed younger sister way.

“Better than being a married pussy. Which, by the way, Will, you’re already starting to sound like one.”

I took a step toward my brother. “Don’t insult my husband like that. At least he’ll be getting some tonight and every night for the rest of his life.”

Raising his drink, Ryan toasted. “My baby sister, ladies and gentleman.”

Sophie walked up, holding two glasses of champagne. “Now kids, play nice.”

I took one of the glasses from Sophie. “He started it.”

“Will, control your woman,” Ryan teased.

Will playfully slapped Ryan on the back. “Sorry man, you’re on your own. Besides, the more fired up she gets now the hotter she’ll be later.”

Ryan’s face contorted. “Ugh, I gotta go burn my ears off.”

My brother was practically sideswiped by Mom as she swooshed past him.

Sophie grabbed my glass of champange as my mom grabbed me by the shoulders and pulled me into a hug. Her eyes already misty. “I can’t get over my baby girl is married.”

Mom was clutching me so tight I was losing all feeling in my arms. Wiggling my body, I tried to break free with no luck. Finally, Mrs. Forsyth came to my rescue.

Prying us apart, my new mother-in-law said, “Now, Teresa, let the child breathe.”

My mom stepped back and sniffled into her silk teal handkerchief that matched her dress. “I’m just so happy.” Tilting her head, she gazed at me and Will as more tears threatened. “The two of you look so perfect together.”

I took the handkerchief from my mom and dabbed the moisture just below her eyes. “If you don’t stop crying we’ll have to redo your makeup again.”

“Well, you better get the mascara out.”

Sensing I needed some help, Sophie placed her arm around Mom’s shoulder and led her to the bar. “I bet some Southern Comfort and ginger ale will dry those tears.”

Mrs. Forsyth tugged on Will’s arm. “Sweetheart, there are some people your father and I want you to meet.”

“Mom, Bry and I just walked in.”

“It’s okay. I need to get used to meeting business associates now that I’m Mrs. William Forsyth.” I beamed up at my husband.

“No need for you to come, dear. Go enjoy the party. I’ll deliver William back when I’m done showing him off.” The smile she sent me wasn’t the warm and cozy type. It was more the, I’m the queen bee, back-off type.

The heightened emotions of the day could have been the reason why I heard a bit more sting in my mother-in-law’s tone. I decided now was not the time or the place to act like a bridezilla and demand my new husband stay by my side. Besides, the woman had been instrumental in creating this dream reception. I didn’t want to appear ungrateful.

“Oh, okay.”

“Bry, you sure?” Will asked.

Out the corner of my eye I swore I saw his mother cringe.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Go do what you need to do. I’ll come find you for our first dance. I can’t wait to try out my new
dancing
shoes.” I gave him a wink, hoping that visions of red heels danced in his mind.

Will slapped his hand over his heart and mouthed a groan.

Tugging on his arm, Mrs. Forsyth commanded. “William, come on. Your father is waiting.”

For the remainder of the night I saw my new husband sporadically. Will was by my side for the standard reception rituals—first dance, cake cutting, and bouquet/garter toss. But most of his time was spent with his parents or his buddies. Which was fine. It wasn’t as if Will and I were a googly-eyed, joined-at-the-hip brand new couple. A certain amount of comfort and routine sets in after so many years together. The wedding was kind of a formality. I kept busy chatting with friends, family, and people I didn’t know. After all, Will and I had a lifetime to spend with each other.

Some couples claimed that the first year of marriage was the hardest. The honeymoon period ends and the nittygritty of life takes over. Even if you’d been dating for years the shift in mindset to being legally tied to another person, even one you loved, caused extra stress. Not to mention the little idiosyncratic things that once seemed charming and cute become annoying when exposed to them on a daily basis.