Acts of Desperation(66)
Sarah inhaled a deep breath and let it out quickly. “Ok. I’m ready.”
Liz rubbed her arm. “You’ll do great. Your dad’s going to meet you at the door. When you hear your cue, remember to walk slowly.”
“Got it.” She nodded then we heard the processional sound and the wheels were set in motion.
As we all walked down the aisle, the smell of candle wax, roses, and lily of the valley perfumed the air, and one by one we took our positions at the altar. There was a brief pause in the music then verses of Ave Maria began echoing through the alcoves. The doors clanked opened and Sarah and my dad waited in the center of the archway. The congregation took notice and stood with oohs and ahs.
Sarah was breathtaking as she walked down the aisle. Her strapless white dress was hand sewn with thousands of tiny Swarovski crystals that twinkled as she walked up to the altar, reflecting the flames of the hundred candles lit throughout the church. I imagined her bouquet of pink roses matched her flushed cheeks perfectly. But the showpiece was her groom’s gift dangling from her neck—a simple five carat tear drop diamond necklace. She looked like a princess.
While all eyes were on Sarah, I turned to the groom and thought back over everything that had happened over the last two years. It was purely by chance that Jax recommended Grant when Sarah mentioned she was thinking of looking for a new home; Grant had found Jax’s brownstone when he moved into town. Grant owned a chain of real estate agencies and was the best in the city. Sarah thought her house held too many painful memories and reminders, and she wanted to put the past behind her and to make a fresh start.
I went with Sarah when Grant showed her the first house, and I knew from the second they met that there was a special spark between them. He was tall and athletic with sandy brown hair and positively adorable dimples that only showed when he smiled. And when he did smile, his crystal blue eyes sparkled like the sun shining on the Caribbean Sea.
He hinted around for a couple of months that they should meet up for coffee or lunch sometime, but he never actually asked her out. Finally, one day when he got that she wasn’t biting on his subtle suggestions, he directly asked her on an official date. He didn’t choose any old place to take her either. He rented out an entire restaurant for the night. Her every wish was personally catered to as the chef and wait staff waited on them hand and foot. Then he took her to the ballet, one of her favorite things to do, to top off their evening.
Grant had been married before but had lost his wife to breast cancer four years prior. He’d been hesitant to start dating again, Jax told me one night. He and his wife had always wanted children, but her disease had robbed them of their wishes. So, when Sarah introduced Grant to Sam and Will, it was all over; he instantly fell in love. The more time they spent together the more anyone could see they complimented and completed one another.
Now as Sarah walked closer to us, I watched Grant wipe tears from his eyes with a white handkerchief folded discretely in his palm. I could feel his love for her. He looked at me for a second and smiled before turning back to watch Sarah. I returned the gesture and looked out into the pews and found my Jax staring at me, sitting next to my nephews, the ring bearers. I swear there have never been two cuter boys seen in mini tuxedoes than those two. My cup runneth over.
The entire ceremony was breathtaking, and when the happy couple kissed, bells rang and the congregation broke into applause. After a long round of pictures, the bridal party rode over to the reception hall together where there were introductions, speeches, and dinner.
We ate a delicious meal that started with cocktails and appetizers. There were prosciutto wrapped shrimp on skewers, sweet figs, and an assortment of olives. Then we had antipasti follow by an Italian wedding soup. Finally, the main course of marinated beef tenderloin was accompanied with tender bites of creamy gnocchi. Each course was more delicious than the next, and it was finished off with cake.
Sarah and Grant had chosen five different Italian wedding cakes. They were stacked artfully in cascading tiers. Each masterpiece was decorated with edible pink roses and brushed with pearl dust that made each layer glimmer like freshly fallen snow.
Every bit of the meal was handmade by the Bellamy’s. It happened to be where Grant had taken Sarah on their first date. I’d been able to save them from filling bankruptcy with the help of Liz. Liz had signed them as one of her top caterers, and their little Italian restaurant had grown into one of the most sought after caterers in the city. And the rest is history.
Sarah sliced into a white sponge cake filled with Chantilly crème. It was iced in a rich whipped cream, and there was no cheesy cake smashing. Grant and Sarah very sweetly fed each other a tiny bite and followed it with a kiss. When the music kicked on and the applause died down, they had their first dance. A short time later, I stole a moment with Sarah.
I leaned into her ear. “Did he tell you where you’re going yet?”
She grinned from ear to ear. “His place in Hawaii. He just told me he’s flying Mom and Dad and the kids out our second week. I feel like this is all a dream and I’m going to wake up any second. It’s too good to be true.”
“Nope. It’s the real deal and you deserve it,” I said then I smelled him and felt his warm touch on my shoulders.
“Congratulations Sarah. You’re stunning,” Jax said as I looked up at him. Sarah thanked him then he spoke into my ear. “Is she full?” he asked, rubbing my belly.