If Not For You (50 page)

John had pulled out all the stops. From the huge ice sculpture of Cupid set as the focal point in the endless buffet, to the bling encrusted pillar candles on each table surrounded by black and white roses. The black and white theme was carried throughout the room. Even their wedding bands kept to the theme. Black Titanium inscribed with a Celtic design, gorgeous. Two grooms with linked hands sat atop a black and white layered cake, and each guest received a silver corkscrews with a crystal heart on top, their initials magically floating inside.

Both boys dressed in matching black tuxes with silver gray waist coats and bow ties. Gage wore a plain black tux and the boys insisted I wear a soft pink tulle floor length gown. John said it made him feel like he was sharing his day with me, since Gage and I chose to elope opting for a reception only. The decision was an easy one, Gage had little to no family and I still being on the bitter side of forgiveness, couldn’t stand the idea of sharing my day with my father.

Tess stood up for me and Henry beamed with pride as Best Man. We recited vows with an official at city hall and spent our wedding night at the Plaza Hotel after dinner at The Russian Tea Room. It may not have been the glamorous affair that we were attending today but it was everything to me.

“You look beautiful, honey,” John said, handing me a glass of sparkling champagne.

“You too,” I giggled.

“A toast,” Philippe said, raising his glass as Gage came over to join us. “To the future.”

“And good friends, to share it with,” Gage added.

Taking a long sip, the bubbles tickling the tip of my nose I asked, “So where are you going for your honeymoon?”

“Niagara Falls,” John answered, winking at Gage.

My right brow arched suspiciously as I looked to each of them. “What are you two up to?”

“Surprise,” Gage announced, pulling me into his chest. “We’re going too.”

“We’re going with you on your honeymoon?” I laughed. “Kinky.”

“Separate rooms missy, wipe away any ideas in that pretty little head of sharing my sexy man,” Philippe joked.

Flipping my hand in a stop gesture I joked, “I don’t share either, bitch!

“Just saying it’s not happening on my honeymoon. I didn’t say I
won’t
share.”

“Before the cat fight starts, come dance with me baby.” Gage lifted me off me feet and swung me in the direction of the dance floor as Philippe and me sticking out our tongues lightheartedly and tittering.

I had never attended a wedding where an actual band played, this was a welcome change. The sound of live instruments blending together, the vibration of each note reverberating in the air was stirring.

“Having a good time, baby?”

“I am,” I answered, quietly resting my cheek to Gage’s chest listening to his hearts steady rhythm mix with the music.

“Do you regret not having a big wedding?”

I pulled back, surprised by his question. I brushed my hand along his smooth jaw. “Not for a minute. Our wedding was just what I wanted. You and me, it was perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing. Would you?”

“No. Just wondering, isn’t it every girls dream for the elaborate once in a lifetime thing?”

“It was never mine, once in a lifetime yes, elaborate not so much.” My answer was blessed by a dark smoldering kiss; he had me melting on the dance floor.

Henry and Tess waved as they danced past. Whatever Henry was saying must have amused Tess; she threw her head back and laughed. To my shock and amazement as the music’s tempo slowed, he moved her in a bit tighter to his chest and caressed his lips across her cheek. Tess wrapped her arms around his neck and the next thing I knew, they were sealed at the lips.

“Holy shit, will you look at that.”

Gage followed my stare and grinned. “Another match made in heaven?” he wondered.

I nodded. “Could very well be, I wasn’t aware they had gotten so close.”

Gage laughed, “Another one bites the dust.”

That earned him a thump to the chest, a playful thump, but a thump all the same.

Watching the happy couples as they held each other and whispered into each other’s ears, I couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for all of us. Would there be children, where would we be in a month, a year, even ten years from now? At the least, I could be happy in the knowledge that I had a future, something to hold on to and someone special to share it with.

My lips curled into a smile.

“What’s that smile for, sweetheart?”

“I’m thankful for all of this,” I said, peering around the room. “John, Philippe, Tess, Henry and most of all you!”

Most of all I was thankful for each morning, to wake up and leave my bed.

The End

About the author

Jennifer Rose lives the glamorous life in Canada working as a part-time office clerk/manager. A mother of three grown boys, she decided to give up cleaning, cooking and day to day household chores in favor of sitting with a favorite beverage, be it coffee or wine and her trusty laptop, after a friend and author convinced her that she had what it took to write romance novels, so she took a creative writing coarse and finally started writing.