Rock Star Wedding (2 page)

“It’s not crazy. You know she did it because
I was the third one.”

“Alrighty then, that makes perfect sense. Has
anyone ever bothered to ask your mother what in the hell she was
thinking naming three of you William?” She snapped back knowing
full well that no one bothered to ask Twist’s mother much of
anything. Maribel Duncan defined eccentricity, and much like her
son, had a tendency to do things simply for the hell of it.

Twist threw up his hands, stalking away
towards the open french doors with Naysa following close at his
heels. How the hell had his mother gotten into this conversation?
Personally he was just glad she hadn’t named him Oklahoma. After
all, she really had thing for musicals.

***

The fiery arguments between Twist and Naysa
were so commonplace no one bothered with any pretense of
politeness. Some of the partygoers watched avidly. Others had
little interest in a repeat of such a frequent occurrence. The wall
of French doors leading to the courtyard garden had been left open
to the warm spring breezes, and the guests were moving in and out
of the reception hall freely. Most returned indoors, however, once
Naysa and Twist took their dispute outside. Though the party was
huge, it wasn’t an “event.” Only close friends and family were
present.

Callie and Bryan stood off to one side
enjoying a brief respite and a glass of champagne. Intrigued by the
argument between Twist and Naysa, Callie leaned over towards Bryan.
“How many brothers and sisters does Twist have?”

Bryan shook his head. “I don’t think anybody
knows.” He raised an inquiring brow toward Jon, who as usual, was
accompanied by Cinnamon, the love of his life.

Jon shook his head as well. “I don’t have a
clue either. Every time I see them all together it looks like a big
scrum of redheads. I just do my damnedest to stay away from them.
Hell, they all act just like Twist.” Given the drummer’s mercurial
temperament, no one needed an explanation as to why Jon wouldn’t
want to spend any time with his relatives.

“No wonder dude was able to sneak off and
hook up with us when he was only fifteen. He didn’t even need fake
ID with two older brothers with the same name. I doubt his mother
even noticed he was gone,” Bryan said.

Jon chuckled. “I’m sure she was glad he
left!”

Callie and Bryan joined in the laughter until
Twist and Naysa’s loud voices made it clear that the argument had
resumed in the courtyard. At this point most of the guests were
pretending not to notice. But the thin veneer of politeness could
not conceal the hushed silence when suddenly the tempestuous
drummer yelled, “You’re going to marry me and that’s going to be
the end of this bullshit!”

Out in the courtyard Naysa wondered how an
area occupied by so many people could abruptly fall so silent.
Maybe Twist had finally driven her over the edge and she was
hallucinating. Had he really ordered her to marry him? She glanced
up at him and from his stunned expression she could only conclude
that he had.

Dumbstruck Twist walked numbly back into the
living room looking frantically around the room for someone to
confirm that he’d indeed demanded marriage from his irascible
lover. Bryan smirked knowingly, and simply nodded his head at the
questioning look.

Naysa paused for a moment reflecting on her
first instinct to tell him what he could do with ‘proposal.’ Not to
mention his nasty personality. Then again, how likely was it that
he’d ever get pissed off enough to do such a thing again? In front
of witnesses no less. Despite their turbulent relationship, she
loved Twist and was sure, at least most of the time, that he loved
her too. If nothing else, life with him would never be dull. She
followed him back to the party, and stood looking up into his
startled green eyes. Then she moved closer, rose up on tiptoe and
wrapped her arms around his neck with a beatific smile. “Of course
I’ll marry you Twist. All you had to do was ask.” It was all she
could do not to collapse with laughter as she heard the choking
sounds he made against her lips.

Chapter Three

Callie pressed a hand against her stomach,
hoping to calm the nerves that had suddenly kicked into overdrive.
The past few weeks had been insane as everyone worked at
hyper-speed to get ready for the wedding. She hadn’t had time for
nerves, but they were making up for their absence now. Of course,
the amount of champagne she’d consumed the previous evening
probably hadn’t helped. Apparently it had gone to her head, but
somehow hadn’t managed to sedate the butterflies in her stomach. It
had to just be bridal jitters because her worst fear, having her
wedding become a paparazzi spectacle, hadn’t materialized. B.T. had
managed to pull off another miracle of manipulation. By granting
People
magazine an exclusive, they’d managed to avoid the
worst of the paparazzi madness. No photographers would be allowed
inside the church, but they could take pictures of the parties and
various celebrities arriving and departing. They would also be
allowed to take limited photographs at the reception. If they
maintained their end of the bargain, they’d be given some of the
official photographs of the ceremony for their cover the following
week. That seemed to satisfy the press, and Callie didn’t have to
worry about photographers in trees and helicopters.

“What do you think of that, Callie?” Edith
Lawson asked as she pushed the last decorative hairpin into
Callie’s updo. The wedding itself was only moments away, and they
were finishing up last-minute details in the bride’s study of the
church.

“Oh, I think it looks great,” Callie said
turning so that she could see her reflection in the mirror. The
tiny pearl pins were scattered artfully throughout her hair giving
it an ethereal effect. Callie stood up, smoothing the skirt of her
gown. Even Naysa had been forced to concede that Callie’s aunt had
done a brilliant job. The exquisitely simple empire waist gown
suited Callie’s tall, elegant figure. The low scoop neckline and
cap sleeves made the most of her delicate bosom, while the straight
skirt was particularly flattering to her curvaceous hips. She moved
over to her sisters to give them a final hug before the ceremony.
Their deep rose-colored silk crepe gowns were designed on the same
empire-waist style as Callie’s, but they were sleeveless, with
sheer wraps to cover their shoulders during the church service.
They all carried bouquets made up of matching rose pink tulips,
Callie’s favorite flower.

“Callie.” Cynthia grinned at her sister. “Can
you believe all those stars out there for your wedding? Everybody
at school wanted to come!”

Callie nodded as she hugged each sister in
turn. Maybe it was exhaustion from arranging everything on such
short notice, but she wasn’t feeling starstruck at all.

Tonya, a bit worse for wear from the
champagne she had consumed the previous evening still managed a
smile as she hugged her best friend. Her gown, as maid of honor,
was made of the same fabric as the younger girls, but had a fitted
waist.

Callie sighed as the bridal party left the
study leaving her alone with her mother, who was straightening up
the clutter on the dressing table. Her nerves had eased somewhat
and she gave her mother a big smile.

Edith Lawson smiled back. “I was going to ask
if you’re okay, but I think I know the answer to that. Everything’s
been crazy, but you’ve been okay ever since Bryan got here.”

Bryan had returned to Maple Fork after his
commitments in New York were finished. He took up residence in
B.T.’s cabin, insisting that the next time he left that town she
would be his bride.

Callie spun around, loving the rustling sound
the silk dress made with her movements. “I never thought I could
ever be so happy.”

Edith grinned, embracing her eldest daughter.
“Baby, I can’t tell you thilled I am to hear that. You and Bryan
have been through it. It’s time for you two to have some joy. And
remember, there’s nothing wrong with making my first grandbaby on
your honeymoon. ”

“Mama, I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Callie looked up at the knock on the door. “That’s probably the
usher ready to escort you to your seat.”

Edith opened the door, then blew Callie a
kiss as she left the room. “Love you baby. See you in a little
bit.”

Callie was about to sit down again when there
was another knock on the door. Knowing it was too soon for her
summons she realized it had to be her father. Their relationship
was still somewhat strained, but she couldn’t imagine not having
him escort her down the aisle.

Jesse Lawson cleared his throat as he entered
the room. “It’s almost time, sweetheart.” Callie nodded. “Before we
go out there. I just wanted to say some things.” He paused.

Callie nodded again. For such a large man her
father looked surprisingly elegant in his dove gray morning suit.
But then, who didn’t look good wearing Armani? She watched as he
began to pace in the small space. Could her father actually be
nervous?

Jesse stopped pacing, and took a deep breath.
“This isn’t easy for me to say, but I was wrong about you and
Bryan. I always told you to find a man who would love you and take
care of you like I did, but I’ve finally realized that he doesn’t
have to look like me, to love you like me. I said some harsh things
and I’m really sorry.”

Callie looked at her father, her emotions
choking off any response as tears gathered silently in her
eyes.

Jesse enveloped his daughter in his bearish
embrace. Then handed her the handkerchief he’d taken out of his
pocket. “Oh for goodness sakes. Don’t start crying. Your mama will
hurt me if you mess up your makeup,” he admonished gruffly.

“Daddy, I love you so much,” Callie murmured
against her father’s chest. Unbearably grateful that the only
possible flaw in her perfect day was gone.

***

Bryan stood impatiently at the front of the
church. Why in the hell had he agreed to go through all this? If
they’d stayed with their original plans they’d be lying on a sugar
sand beach in the south Pacific right now. He shifted restlessly
and glanced at his bandmates who were serving as groomsmen. Twist,
still looking somewhat shell-shocked from his declaration the
previous evening, had drawn the short straw and stood with him as
best man. For once Naysa had her way and all four were suitably
attired in dove gray morning coats.

He inhaled sharply when he heard the string
quartet strike the first notes of
Portrait,
the song he’d
written for Callie at a time when they’d almost given up on their
love. His bride was finally coming. His bride, man, how he loved
saying that! All the guests were standing, blocking his view, and
then, suddenly it was hard to breathe. How had she gotten even more
beautiful? Walking tall and gracefully on her father’s arm,
Callie’s face glowed so brightly it was impossible for him to look
away. When she finally reached his side Bryan couldn’t contain his
excitement as he returned her smile. He felt almost overwhelmed as
he stared down into her soft brown eyes and saw their future
together there. They turned together to face the pastor. His bride.
His wife. His mate. For life.

Chapter Four

“Naysa, I can’t believe you’re going to marry
that crazy man.” Naysa’s mother paused to snip a thread from the
jacket she was altering. “All you two do is fight.”

“Oh come on Mom, you like Twist and always
have. You’ve always said he reminded you of Daddy.” Naysa slouched
down, leaning against her mother’s sewing machine table.

Mrs. Park resumed sewing the jacket, her eyes
lowered towards the sewing machine as she grieved for the husband
she had lost only a year before. “Yes, Naysa, your Twist does
remind me of your father, and you’re right, I do like him. He’s the
only man to make you think about something other than clothes. But
I do worry about all this arguing the two of you do...”

Naysa frowned. Twist made her think of
something other than clothes? That couldn’t be good. She shook her
head, no real point in thinking about that. “Mom, I don’t think
anyone argued more than you and Daddy, and you two stayed married
for almost forty years. Besides, Dad always said we wouldn’t be
Korean if we didn’t fight.”

“I know, I know sweetheart. You two have been
together for a while now. And I know you love him, but how can you
marry him when he’s never asked you to?”

Naysa briefly regretted the impulse that had
led her to confide the details of Twist’s ‘proposal.’ Her mother
had always been her confidante, a habit she couldn’t seem to break.
She too would’ve preferred a more conventional proposal, but with a
man like Twist you had to take what you could get. Better to change
the subject. “What about my dress Mom? For once I really don’t have
a clue about what I want to wear, but its got to be fabulous.”

Mrs. Park studied her daughter’s petite
figure. After more than two decades of owning an upscale bridal
boutique she was accustomed to high-strung brides. “Do you want
something traditional?”

“Oh please Mom, have I ever wanted anything
traditional?” Naysa asked with a giggle. “No, I want something
that’ll blow his tiny little mind.”

***

The dress fit like a dream, as she’d known it
would. Her mother had gone all out for her only child’s wedding
dress. Naysa’s diminutive figure had excellent proportions and the
short skirt of the dress displayed her unusually long legs, while
the bustle in the back playfully emphasized her tiny waist. The
dress was perfect. Indeed, everything was coming together
serendipitously and with the wedding only days away Naysa knew she
should be thrilled. She had spent weeks affecting a bridal glee,
when in reality she was weighed down by gloom. Sleep was a thing of
the past as her racing thoughts kept her awake until dawn. During
the day she worked the longest hours of her life so she wouldn’t
have to hear the continuous loop.
Why won’t he tell me he loves
me? Why didn’t he ever propose to me? Why didn’t I ask him?
Naysa wiped a hand over her face, a gesture that revealed just how
chaotic her thoughts were. Disturbing her makeup would’ve been
unthinkable before, now she didn’t even notice the smears. She’d
never hesitated to confront Twist about anything before, why was
she so chickenshit about the most important thing in her life?
Naysa sighed heavily. Maybe because it was the most important thing
in her life. What if he didn’t love her?