Love Letters (37 page)

“
Ladies, let’s put the sentiments aside or else I’ll have to redo your makeup,” Nicole said, rolling her eyes.

They all laughed.

“
Mom, you ready?”

“
Wait,” Suzanne said, putting on her veil as Chloe handed her the bouquet while guests finished filling the place. The pianist played the wedding march. All eyes were on Chloe and Jose as they walked down the aisle. Jill and Pedro followed, smiling at the guests, while Ignacio stood in his black, gray and white Armani suit patiently waiting for Suzanne to walk down the aisle.

Guests whispered how beautiful Suzanne looked, while others commented on how well the wedding was arranged. Still others asked if she had a wedding planner, and Chloe overheard them say that she had planned Suzanne’s wedding.

Chloe’s heart beat faster as she watched Suzanne walk slowly down the aisle, all eyes on her. Her mother never once lost sight of Ignacio’s face. By the way she walked, Chloe knew that her mother couldn’t believe this was all happening so fast. Ignacio never blinked as he patiently waited for Suzanne’s last step. Finally, Suzanne reached him and he took her hand. Then they both faced the minister.

“
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together for the union of two people, Suzanne and Ignacio.”
Chloe looked down feeling a tightness in her throat. This was supposed to be her wedding … with Richard. She closed her eyes and instead saw Josh’s face, his long hair tied back. She pictured him in a gray suit, smiling with wide dimples, while she walked down the aisle wearing her wedding gown and holding her breath until she reached him.

In her imagination, she envisioned him taking her clammy hands and whispering softly, “You’re mine forever.” She smiled, wanting to maintain the image, but then she heard the snap of the photographer’s camera and opened her eyes. She took a deep breath and looked at Ignacio and Suzanne holding hands.
Mom has reunited with her true love at last.

Chloe went to see if the photographer was taking enough photos and if the videographer was doing the same. She checked the tables, the flowers, the food and the cake and saw that everything was fine.

When it was time to bring the rings, Suzanne nodded to Chloe who gave the word for all guests to rise. Greta, who was dressed in a white gown and a tiara, took that as her cue. She began to walk with the two boxes of rings on top of her head. The guests started giggling, and Suzanne laughed along with them. Ignacio’s smile reached ear to ear and even the minister agreed that he had never seen such an act. Greta walked with her neck held high, looking for all the world like she knew that every eye was on her. Chloe promised her a treat afterwards.

One guest said, “This is such a fun wedding. When I get married, I’m hiring Suzanne’s wedding planner.”

When it was time to say the “I do’s,” Suzanne became emotional and appeared about to break down. Ignacio pulled her toward him and kissed her passionately as everybody clapped their hands. They all agreed that Suzanne and Ignacio looked like a great couple. Chloe looked away, her eyes moist. The wedding she had planned for herself was now officially her mother’s. Would she have her own wedding someday? Would it be as memorable and romantic as her mother’s?

She faced Ignacio and Suzanne and watched them kiss. She closed her eyes and touched her lips, remembering the tenderness of Josh’s kiss. She felt a burning sensation in her heart and slumped in her chair.

Nicole squeezed her from behind. “Are you all right?”

Chloe turned around and nodded. “I’m fine.”

“
It will be over soon,” Nicole said, as though understanding Chloe’s emotions.

Soon the guests were all enjoying the drinks and the good food at the reception that followed. Chloe could barely eat as she was busy entertaining guests and making sure everything was in order.

Moments later, Suzanne and Ignacio moved from table to table to take photos with the guests. Afterwards, they cut a slice of cake and made a toast. It was time for all the single ladies to gather together while Suzanne threw her bouquet. A line-up of single ladies prepared to catch the bouquet. Chloe had been dragged to stand in line with them.

“
One, two, three.”

The ladies attempted to catch the bouquet, but it landed right in Chloe’s hands. “Mom, you did this on purpose.”

Everyone laughed.

Now it was time for Ignacio to throw the garter to the single men, and his son Jose caught the garter.

Everybody cheered as Jose put the garter on Chloe’s thigh never once taking his eyes off her. Chloe began laughing until she had tears in her eyes.

Finally, the band came out to play music which led the guests to dance.

When the band took a break, it was time for people to give their speeches. Ignacio’s children all gave speeches and so did his best friend Pedro. Jill was emotional when she gave her speech and it was now Chloe’s turn. She stood in front of the microphone, her fingers trembling as she unfolded the paper that held her speech.

“
Mom, Ignacio, I’m sorry I have to read this speech. I only had the chance to write this today, since I’ve been busy planning the wedding these last two weeks. So here it goes.”

Suzanne squeezed Ignacio’s hand and he smiled.

“
Mom, I know you and I were at odds when I was growing up, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from you after all these years is that you’ve sacrificed your life for the sake of others. Today is your special day and you deserve to be happy. After all the sacrifices you’ve made, this is the best gift I can give you. Ignacio, allow me to share your story with everyone.”

She told the audience about the ill-fated love, finishing with “As fate would have it, they met again and this time with a much happier ending. Ignacio, I see the light in Mom’s eyes each time you look at her. I see how much love and tenderness you have for her. You have truly made Mom happy. I wish you both a wonderful, long and happy life, and hope you continue to cherish one another.”

A murmur arose among the gathering upon hearing Chloe’s speech and many of the guests had tears in their eyes.

“
I love you, Chloe.” Suzanne blew a kiss.

The band played again as the crowd danced. Suzanne surprised Chloe when she grabbed the microphone to sing. Ignacio blew kisses to her as she sang. Tears pooled in Chloe’s eyes, when she heard her mom sing in public for the very first time.

After Suzanne sang, she and Ignacio excused themselves to prepare to leave for Tahiti. “Thank you, Chloe, for the perfect wedding.”

“
You’re welcome, Mom. You deserve it,” Chloe said, hugging her.

The band began playing more songs and the guests looked skyward as fireworks exploded overhead. To Chloe’s amazement, clearly spelled out in red were the words, “Suzanne, I’ll love you forever.”

Suzanne kissed Ignacio. Then they escaped, giggling, like two lovebirds.

Now why didn’t I think of that?

People gathered towards Chloe as she neared the dance floor, most of them requesting her business card and wanting her to do their wedding. But something was missing.

Josh.

She left a note with Jill to give to her mother explaining she couldn’t go to Tahiti with her and Ignacio. Then she excused herself and removed her sandals so she could run to her car. She needed to get to the airport and catch the next plane.

***

Josh arrived at the Ritz hotel at five-thirty. He knew he had blown his chance with Chloe, but he had to see her one more time. She had to know how much he loved her, even if it was too late and she was married to Richard. He owed her that. His only wish now was for her to be happy. He paid the driver double as promised, then grabbed his bag and ran inside the hotel. He saw the sign that said Rogers’ nuptials by the sea.

He wasn’t appropriately dressed, so he put on his jacket and took a breath mint from his pocket to rid him of coffee breath then ran towards the beach. He was so tired he could barely stand, but he had to see Chloe one last time – before he let her go. Before she became just a memory to him. He knew how much that would hurt, but he had no choice. He was too late.

He was running towards the beach when he saw that people were still dancing and looking at the fireworks. He was so busy staring up that he didn’t see the woman in the blue dress until he tripped her and knocked her face first to the ground. “Oops, I’m sorry, miss. I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

He froze when he saw who he was helping up. “Chloe, it’s you.

“
Josh.” A smile enveloped her face. “You’re here.”

“
Yes, I am, but where’s Richard?” Josh asked, looking around for any sign of him.

Chloe peered down. “We didn’t go through with the wedding.”

Josh gave a big sigh of relief. Then he frowned. “So if you’re not getting married, whose wedding is this?”

Chloe chuckled. “It’s Mom and Ignacio’s wedding. I finally found him and they decided to get married.”

Josh embraced her. “Then I made it here in time!”

Chloe kissed him on the lips. “I’m so glad you’re here, Josh, I was just going to drive to the airport.”

“
For real?” Josh asked, cupping her face tenderly in his hands.

Chloe nodded.

“
We definitely think alike.”

Chloe held him tight. The band was playing an upbeat song.

“
Can I have this dance?” Josh asked, taking Chloe’s hand and spinning her around.

She agreed. “I never knew you could dance.”

Josh winked. “This is our song.” He had memorized the lyrics and couldn’t stop gazing at Chloe as he sang the final beat of the song.

They waved goodbye to Suzanne and Ignacio who were walking to the waiting limousine.

“
Chloe, you’re as beautiful as the day I met you in first grade.”

Chloe blushed.

Josh took out the frame from his pocket. “Remember this?”

Chloe covered her mouth and looked at the photo of her when she was eleven years old. “You still have that picture?” She remembered that fateful day so well. “That was the day you asked me to ride on your bike. I was so shy back then and I felt so alive after riding your bike.”

“
The memory of you never left me,” Josh said, touching his heart.

Before she could respond, guests began to gather around to discuss plans for their own weddings.

“
Looks like business is looking bright for you,” Josh said, nodding toward the guests seated in chairs, waiting to talk to Chloe. “But, now I’m going to be selfish and have you all to myself. Do you mind ladies?” he asked, pulling her toward the dance floor.

They giggled.

Chloe smiled and held Josh’s neck as he held her waist. “I’m all yours.”

“
They want you to offer them what you did for Ignacio and your mother today.”

“
Doing this makes me happy,” Chloe said, gazing in Josh’s eyes.

“
You
make me happy,” Josh said, kissing her.

They danced until their feet hurt. Then they decided to enjoy some cake and champagne.

“
I’m having such a great time,” Chloe said, taking off her sandals.

Josh took Chloe’s hands as he knelt down and pulled out a small silver box from his pocket. “Do you remember when I first left for Oregon, and I told you that someday I would come back and marry you?”

She nodded as she tried to catch her breath.

“
Well, here I am. Chloe Rogers, will you marry me?” He put the diamond ring on her finger.

Chloe released a breath and gave Josh a big hug.

“
Do I take that as a yes?”

“
Yes, yes, yes!” Chloe kissed him.

“
I love you, Chloe, and I promise to make you happy always.”

“
I love you too, Josh.”

“
As you said last time, we belong together,” Josh said.

She embraced and kissed him.

“
So, wedding planner, you have another wedding to plan?” Josh smiled.

Chloe looked up at the sky then at Josh. “I believe I do.”

Epilogue

Chloe was watching the stars in the sky with her telescope. She felt the cool breeze brush the hair away from her face as she gazed at the stars. It seemed like only yesterday that Josh had given her the telescope, yet a lot had happened since that day. She fingered her wedding ring and smiled as she peered through the lens. The moon was full and she could see the Big Dipper outside her window. There was a bright star shining directly at her and she swore that it was her star.
Dad, I wish you were here right now.
She knew her dad was with her in spirit.

She closed her eyes then felt her stomach and remembered another birthday with her father singing Happy Birthday amid balloons and cake. The house held so many memories of him. Her thoughts shifted to Josh and their wedding by the beach – romantic and memorable as planned.

She opened her eyes and looked down at her rounded belly. Now a little one was on the way – three months to be exact – a boy whom she would name John after her father. John Goldman. She liked the sound of his name. She and Josh had agreed to announce her pregnancy to everyone tonight. With a mini Josh on the way, she was sure to build new memories in their Half Moon Bay home.