Authors: Blue Saffire
Chapter Thirty Eight
“B
abe,” Paige groaned.
“I’m right here,” Bobby soothed as he pressed a cool towel to her neck.
“Are you sure Marcus will be back in time for the ceremony,” Paige murmured.
“Baby, you just empty your entire stomach and you are worried about my brother making it back for the wedding?” Bobby sighed.
“I’m just nervous. I don’t want anything to go wrong. I have no idea where we’re getting married. I haven’t seen my dress. Your brother has run off for the past two days and you won’t tell me anything,” Paige whined.
“Marcus will be back in time for the wedding. He texted me this morning when he boarded the plane, he and my grandparents will be here any minute,” Bobby said as he rubbed Paige’s back. “As soon as you are well enough our mothers and the girls are going to come for you and all your other questions will start to be answered.”
“Ugh,” Paige groaned just before heaving into the toilet once more. “This is so gross. You shouldn’t even be here. You shouldn’t be seeing me.”
“You are pregnant with my baby, Paige. There is nothing gross about this, it’s nature. As for not being here, I wouldn’t be worth marrying if I left you here on the floor for a superstition,” Bobby sighed again.
“I just can’t wait to get you home and to a doctor. Once we’re married we’re going home, we’ll get settled with the office, the tabloids and the new house. We can leave for our honeymoon a few days after things quiet down and you have seen a proper doctor.”
“Yes Sir,” Paige murmured and gave a weak salute as she cracked a small smile.
“Cute Baby, very cute,” Bobby chuckled.
Paige groaned and sat back against his chest. “Thank you,” Paige murmured.
“For,” Bobby asked as he cradled her to his body.
“Everything,” she said softly. “I know I seem like I have it all figured out, but this was all a part of the things I wanted but I didn’t have.”
“I should be thanking you,” Bobby kissed the top of her head. “I never thought I’d have you. I hoped one day I would but to be here, with you, our baby and getting married in a few hours. I can’t thank you enough for giving me everything I wanted.”
~B~
“Oh my God, it’s the dress. The one from the magazine,” Paige gasped and reached for a seat. The gown was hanging for her to see and it was more breathtaking in person than it was in the magazine. Her knees were weak with joy and surprise, “But how?”
“When I had you girls fitted for the cocktail dresses for the alleged party, I was really having you all fitted for the wedding,” Minnie said proudly. “Rosella is here in case we need to adjust anything last minute but I think it will fit perfectly. I flew Roma in to fit you especially, she is the best.”
“Thank you so much,” Paige sobbed. “Oh nuts, I’m going to ruin my makeup. Stupid hormones I never cry.”
“I beg to differ,” Pam teased. “Suck it up twin. We need to get you in this dress and down the aisle to that gorgeous man of yours.”
“I’m glad I used the water proof stuff,” Rita laughed.
“Thank you so much Rita. It looks amazing.”
“It’s what I do. Not a problem you were much cooler than the models I have to deal with,” Rita shrugged.
“Hey, we are not that bad,” Marie pouted.
“You my dear are the only exception. I think school and your family keep you grounded and sane,” Rita laughed.
“I can’t believe we all work in the same industry and were in the same country most the time and never meant,” Pam mused.
“That is because you make the big bucks and we are the little people,” Rita tilted her head and winked at Pam.
“Well, you are great at what you do and we will be talking when we get back home,” Pam nodded.
“Okay, let’s get the bride in her dress before we both burst into tears again,” Ellen sighed.
“Agreed,” Davina said as she and Pam brought the dress over to Paige.
It truly was a work of art and fit perfectly. The strapless bodice molded to her curves and sparkled with intricate Swarovski crystal beading. The skirts flowed into soft sheer layers that were beaded intricately down the front and around the edges making a flowy train in the back that shimmered with beading around the edges as well. It was truly breathtaking.
“This is so much more than I expected it to be. It’s more amazing in person than I could have ever imagined,” Paige sniffled.
“I knew it was perfect for you the moment Minnie sent me the picture,” Davina said to the mirror she and her daughter stared into. “You look absolutely divine, you’re glowing.”
“Davina, I think this is a great time for our gift before we are all a sniveling mess,” Minnie said as she handed Paige a box and led her to a seat. Paige sat down gently as Pam, Cam and Marie helped with her dress.
She gently pulled the ribbon from the velvet box in her hands and opened the lid. Inside the box laid two stunning pieces of jewelry. Paige eyed them curiously not sure what they were at first. Davina lifted one from the box and Minnie took the other.
“Your mother and I spent quiet sometime on the phone getting to know each other. We both wanted to give you something special on your wedding day,” Minnie started.
“After some talk we realized we have a lot in common. We each had diamond bracelets that had been passed down to us from our mothers and to them from their mothers. Both our grandmothers were strong women that supported their husbands and raised their families with great wisdom,” Davina added.
“When Bobby told us that he wanted the ceremony on the beach and that he thought you would love to feel the sand under your feet genius stroke. We would be able to give you something old, something new, and something blue in one shot,” Minnie beamed.
“These will adorn your feet. The bracelets that were passed down to us were made to wrap your ankles with the strength of the women that passed these diamonds down to us,” Davina explained.
“The toe rings were melded into tiny infinity links from the wedding bands of my great grandfather and your mother’s father. The blue sapphires that embellish the pieces were purchased by your father and James as a small token of their blessings for this day,” Minnie pushed out as her throat grew tight with tears.
“Minnie and I have each given our diamond necklaces to link the heritage of both families and the years of love, wisdom, commitment and understanding,” Davina managed.
“Henry Fitzgerald did an amazing job of making the most beautiful and heritage rich jewelry bridal sandals we could have hoped for. But you Paige will be the brightest diamond today for you are a true gem and my son is so luck and blessed to have found you,” Minnie finished.
“I didn’t think I could be more thankful or humbled,” Paige sobbed. “This…this takes the cake. I will wear these with such honor and pride. I hope that someday I will have a little girl to pass them to.”
“We hope so too,” Davina nodded and squeezed Minnie’s hand.
“Here let us get these on,” Pam came over dabbing at her own eyes and taking one piece from Davina as Marie reached for the one Minnie was holding. They kneeled to place them on Paige’s feet. Pam looked up at her sister. “I wanted to give you your something borrowed. I remember how upset you were when your earrings Daddy gave us for our eighteen birthday were taken. I brought mine along so you can wear them today.”
“Oh Pammy, I love you so much. Now you all have to stop making me cry,” Paige sobbed.
“Really,” Rita chuckled as she went over to touch up Paige’s make up.
Peyton peeked his head in at that moment. “Ladies, I do believe it is time,” he said. He scanned the room full of women for his youngest daughter and his eyes misted over with the sight of her. He was so proud of his girls. His babies were all grown up and gorgeous. “I do believe the groom may need help breathing,” Peyton said as he moved across the room to Paige and placed a kiss on her cheek.
“I’m getting married Daddy,” Paige said in awe, sounding more like Peyton’s little girl, if only for a moment.
“Yes Baby, you are,” he replied as he looked into his baby’s eyes.
~B~
As Peyton and the women approached the guys came into view as they laughed and poked funny at each other. They all turned to see the group heading for them. Their jaws dropped at the sight of Paige, she was stunning. They all stood straighter as their chests puffed with pride for their friend and brother. They knew Bobby was going to lose it the moment he saw her.
It’s time
, Paige thought to herself. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach. All the guys looked so handsome. They were each dressed in cream linen slacks with cream color short sleeve shirts and light blue vests to match the girls light blue dresses.
Pam’s dress was a silk babydoll dress with a bead bust. Marie, Cam and Rita were in similar dresses to Pam’s without the beading. Paige beamed as she saw the white roses with blue crystals scattered in them being handed to each girl. Ellen stopped in front of Paige to hand her a bouquet of sprinkling pure white roses.
“See you in a few,” Ellen chirped and turned to go find her seat.
Paige watched her mother disappear from the deck with Minnie and James. When they were gone her eyes settled on Nathan and Pam. Nathan was frowning down at Pam and murmuring something to her. Paige tilted her head as she saw her sister’s curly waves bounce as she replied to Nathan. Nathan pressed his lips and raised his brow at Pam. Paige couldn’t see her sisters face, but from the smile in the corner of Nathan’s lips she had relented on whatever they were arguing about.
Pam placed a hand on Nathan chest and stepped out of the six inch heels she had been wearing, kicking them aside. Paige chuckled to herself. She immediately understood the confrontation. Nathan murmured something else to Pam that made her stiffen and clench her fist. Nathan let out a deep rich laugh and placed his hand on Pam’s waist. Pam placed her hand over his just as they had rehearsed the night before and they disappeared off the deck.
Paige craned her neck trying to see where they were going. Flowers and fabric from the tent were blocking her view. With a frown she turned back to the rest of the wedding party.
Cam and Sam were next. They laughed at each other as Camille bumped Sam with her shoulder. Sam quickly placed his hand high on her waist and Cam placed her hand over his and pushed it down further as she made a comment and wiggled her brows at him. Sam threw his head back and laughed as he shook his head. They too disappeared from Paige’s sight.
Marie stepped up next to Jasper, who arrived two days ago. He was a sweetheart and Paige was learning to like him as much as she liked Nathan. Jasper stepped up to place a hand on Marie’s waist. He murmured something and Marie looked up at him in awe, and then nodded. Paige studied them. Jasper was the son of James best friend. He was also close to all the guys.
Bobby had told Paige that Jasper had come in off of business in Greece. Paige had found that interesting when she saw Rita and Jasper locked together in conversation a few times. She wondered if he was who Rita was going to Greece to stay with.
She also wondered if he had something to do with her broken engagement. Paige eighty sixed that idea when she found out that Jasper was actually related to Nathan and Rita. You had to pay attention to keep up around here.
Paige came out of her revive as Rita stepped forward to go next. Marcus stepped up with his jaw locked tight. Paige noticed the biting grip Marcus had on Rita’s waist. Rita’s grip on his hand was just as tight. They didn’t speak or joke like the other couples before them.
Paige didn’t get to give it much thought as her father squeezed her hand, “Ready Sweetheart?”
“Wait, I just wanted to say how much I love you, Daddy,” Paige said as she looked up at her father.
“I love you too, baby girl. Let’s get you marry, yeah?”
“Yeah Daddy,” Paige smiled.
They started down the stairs of the deck and Paige smiled as the sand squished under her feet after the last step. Feeling the weight of the jewels around her ankles and on her feet made tears prick the backs of her eyes. This would be a day she would never forget.
Sure she had always dreamed of a big wedding, it was all she and Pam talked about when they were little girls. But this was perfect. She had the people she loved and the man she was in love with was waiting for her.
They walked around the outside of the large tent that had been raised on the beach. Paige thought it was a little large for the little group they had there. They rounded the tent and the altar came into view. It was so gorgeous. A platform was raised where the wedding officiant, and Bobby stood with Nathan at Bobby’s side.
They were out in the open facing the water surrounded by flowers. White roses, lilies and blue orchids were everywhere. Bobby stood in a cream shirt and cream linen slacks with a cream colored vest. He was so handsome that it took Paige a moment to notice anything other than him as her father led the way.
Tears welled in her eyes and it was when she blinked that everything else came into view. Paige stopped in her tracks. Where she thought she would only find a hand full of guests, she found row after row of guests seated.