A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(54)
I took a deep breath as I walked down the curved staircase that led me from the bedrooms to the main living area of James and Hannah’s house. With one hand on the bannister and the other carefully hitching up the hem of my dress, I tentatively walked so as not to step on the delicate and beautiful lace.
As I entered the lounge room where most of the crowd had gathered, the noisy mutterings of conversations abruptly ceased. Every pair of eyes turned to face me in stunned silence. Gasps and wide-eyed stares were exchanged as I settled into the middle of the room. There was no need to call everyone to attention, you could have dropped a pin and it would have echoed around the room.
“Hi everyone.” Really? I’m starting with Hi everyone? I mentally shrugged as I continued. “Obviously as you can see, I’m wearing a wedding dress. I know how disappointed some of you had been that you weren’t able to share our first wedding with us. I had hoped to remedy that today by inviting you all here under the guise of Alex’s birthday, when what you are really here for is our second wedding.” Cue more open-mouthed gasps, blank stares and silence.
“It had been my intention to surprise Alex, as well as all of you, knowing how much it meant to him to be able to share this occasion with our loved ones.” I looked over at Alex’s mother whose eyes had started to mist, her hand clasped tightly against her heart as she smiled at me, nodding gently.
“I am, however, currently without a husband and I’m not really sure where he is.” My chest tightened as I willed myself not to cry. The hurt of being jilted had taken a backseat to my concern over his welfare.
The side glass door of the lounge room flung open, causing commotion to ripple through the crowd. From the grassed outdoor area a weary Alex, Troy and Dan were lead into the room by James to the sound of more confusion and round of applause.
“Lexi?” Alex moved slowly toward me, his face a mixture of confusion and shock.
“Surprise.” I deadpanned, not having the energy for any more enthusiasm.
“Baby? What’s going on?” Alex stared at my dress before looking to his mother who was now openly weeping.
“It seemed like a good day to get married.” It was the only response I could give, my power of speech paralyzed with overwrought emotion. My eyes stung as I struggled to keep my tears at bay.
“Oh baby,” Alex bounded for me, pulling me into an embrace. “Yes, yes, it’s a perfect day to get married.” He had barely got the words out before his hungry lips came crushing down on mine.
“You’re getting married again?” Dan asked thoughtlessly, looking ridiculous covered in bright orange body paint and a Syracuse university t-shirt.
“Where the hell were you?” I asked desperately against Alex’s chest, wishing we were no longer surround by a crowd.
“I am so sorry, I am so sorry.” Alex gently kissed my forehead. “After you left this afternoon, these two losers showed up with tickets to a football game.” He pointed to a sheepish looking Troy and Dan. “Syracuse was playing Duke at Metlife and they got tickets on the fifty yard line. It was my birthday present, I figured we’d be done in plenty of time so I didn’t bother calling you.”
“Seeing as you didn’t approve of the porn I’d given him last year, I had to think of something else.” Dan unwisely interjected before being punched in the arm by Troy.
“I’m sorry Lexi, we lost track of time. It was a really close game.” Troy offered as he shuffled awkwardly on his feet.
“We tried calling you, we tried to call all of you. No one answered.” I looked at each of them wondering how not one of them answered their phones. They can’t have all been flat or off or forgotten?
“Baby, the game went into overtime. The crowd was huge and the stadium was packed. Every cell signal within a five-mile radius of that place was jammed. I took us almost an hour just to get out of the parking lot. I’m so sorry Lexi, I never meant for you to worry.” Alex wiped away the traitorous tear that escaped from the corner of my eye. I silently cursed, hoping it wouldn’t ruin the perfect make-up Giselle had applied earlier.
“Alrighty then!” Taylah jumped out in front of us waving furiously. “Now we know everyone is safe and sound and more importantly here, how about we move into the outdoor area and let Alex and Lexi get ready for this wedding? I don’t know about you guys but I think it’d kinda overdue.”
The crowd cheered and ambled slowly as Taylah, with Sydney’s assistance, directed everyone to the open glass doors that lead to the manicured backyard. The huge white tent featured on the meticulously maintained lawn and even from this angle it was breathtaking.
James had a few choice words for Troy and Dan as he led them to where they could clean up and change. Both apologized profusely, insisting neither of them had meant any harm, it was just a bad case of circumstances.
Alex took my hand and pulled me closer toward him. “You look so beautiful Lexi, do you still want to re-marry me?” The back of his hand grazed my cheek.
“Yes,” I nodded as yet another tear fell.
“Don’t cry, I hate it when you cry.” Alex’s mouth brushed gently against my lips. “Let’s do this sweetheart. I want to stand in front of our family and friends and leave no doubt that I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving you.”
I regained some composure and pushed Alex up the stairs to go get ready. It might not have been the perfect start but we were together and that was all that mattered. We had waited long enough and it was time for us both to walk down the aisle (again).