SAFEHOUSE (A BWWM BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE) (21 page)

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The
cathedral was beautiful and immaculate in every way, and I was here having
thoughts that didn’t belong in any church. I’d taken the money, and I’d already
set my plan in motion. Every single photograph was going to highlight just how
low of a blow this entire wedding was.

I’d
started with nice devilish red filter, and just enough blur to ensure the whole
night would be ruined. I’d photoshop the horns in later. Sure, maybe it was a
little juvenile, but they deserved this. I’d have their pictures plastered on
every tabloid from here to China and back, and I had the stories of Chandra’s
stupid slutty little history to make those articles extra juicy. They would get
a taste of what I’d been putting up with, and I couldn’t wait.

I
started with pictures of the room, filled wall to wall with people. I shook my
head as I scanned the space, recognizing more than a few of my own family
members. Sure, Chandra had been almost a sister to me, but it still boiled my
blood that they would be here to witness this betrayal. Truth is, they seemed
all but disinterested in me as I walked through snapping shots. Maybe I wasn’t
making enough of a scene stomping about the place in the stupid bridesmaid
dress they made me wear. I’d never felt angrier in my life.

Then
there was Graham Archer. He had already made his way to the front of the space,
standing at the edge of the white carpet that ran between the pews. He looked
just as incredible as he always did, and that only made me hate him more. The
priest stood behind him with an almost comically tall hat, and the entire scene
looked like something out of a movie. I snapped a few more red hued evil photos
to lighten my mood.

Any
minute now, Chandra would come marching out to the tune of ‘Here Comes The
Bride’, and I’d have plenty of time to find just the wrong angles to capture,
but I decided not to wait. I left the main floor behind, seeking the priest
quarters near the front of the church to find the dressing area. I wanted some
nice shots of her before the bitch walked that aisle.

What
I didn’t expect was for her to greet me with tears running down her face.

I
know Chandra was in the wrong here, but my instincts kicked in. We’d been
through thick and thin together, and if Graham Archer was just one more asshole
on a string of assholes, I’d be there to pick up the pieces. I ran past the
staff as she wiped her face clean with a small white towel.

“Oh
God… Savannah!” Chandra said, looking up. It was the first time I’d seen her
since she’d disappeared on me, and she looked incredible. If I didn’t know any
better, I’d think she’d been hitting the gym every day in order to fit into the
beautiful dress she was wearing. It was absolutely beautiful, if a bit non
traditional. She had all the bridesmaids dressed in the same simple white dress
I was wearing, and hers was a shade of deep red that was stunning against her
mocha skin.

“Chandra,
what’s wrong. What the hell did Graham do to you?”

She
seemed confused, then smiled faintly. “Nothing… He didn’t do anything. It’s
nothing…”

I
wasn’t sure what to say, but when Chandra threw her arms around me, I couldn’t
stop myself from holding her for a moment.

“Savannah,
I’m so sorry I had to keep all this secret for so long… I know you’re angry. I
know I’m hurting you… But please, once you know everything, I’m sure you’ll
understand.”

“I’m
sorry too… Look… You hurt me Chandra, but this is your moment. I know I should
have been able to walk away,” I replied, trying not to cry. “Don’t let me ruin
this moment for you…”

I
just couldn’t be mad at her, no matter how much I wanted to. Every inch of my
being wanted to hate her for taking Graham away, but it wasn’t her fault this
was happening. I didn’t even try to fix things with him. The day I received the
annulment, I filed it without a second thought… Maybe Chandra deserved this.

“I
need to ask you something,” Chandra said quietly, still hanging onto me.

“What
can I do?” I replied, feeling bad about all the anger still held deep down
inside me. In time, I could get past this, I knew I could…

“Walk
me down the aisle. Please. I can’t do this alone.”

I
pulled away, looking my best friend in the eyes. She seemed genuinely
frightened, as if there was more behind her words than she could possibly
express to me.

“Okay…”
I whispered back, taking her arm. We waited there together for the pipe organ
to play, and I did my best to pull away from all the negative feelings. There
would probably still be time to draw little horns on their little heads, but
maybe I wouldn’t go all out with the tabloids after all…

One
foot came after another as we took the long walk toward the stage. I tried not
to look Graham in the eye, keeping my eyes toward the flower petal strewn
floor. As the music stopped, Chandra loosened her grip on my arm and let me go.
I glanced up at Graham and caught him smiling at me. I wanted to smack him for
being so smug about all of this, but suddenly, Chandra stepped aside.

“Good
luck,” she said as I turned, watching her as she gracefully swept in between
the other bridesmaids. I could barely breathe, standing in front of God and
everyone in my little white bridesmaid dress as I turned back toward Graham’s
beaming grin.

Oh hell no!

The
priest began to speak.

“Dearly
beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Graham Archer and
Savannah Williams in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, that is not
to be entered into lightly, but rather soberly, and reverently.”

Graham
winked at me as the priest mentioned the word soberly. There was no way this
was happening!

“Into
this estate, these two persons come now to be joined. If any one can offer up a
word as to why they should not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now
or forever hold their peace…”

I
was frozen in place, unable to so much as squeak as the silence around us was
absolute. I glanced over at Chandra and she was practically beside herself in
excitement. She’d set this whole thing up!

“Graham
has chosen to speak his own vows…” The priest continued, and the room went
silent again as I felt his hand softly grasp my own, pulling my arm toward him.

“Savannah…
Some deny that love at first sight is real, but I knew they were wrong the
moment I first lay eyes on you. These last few months apart have been a weight
upon my very soul. From this moment on, I pledge to never live another moment
without you by my side. I will have you… I will hold you… I will honor and
cherish you… Till death do us part.”

My
vision was drawing into a tunnel and my knees were weak. How could any man go to
such wild lengths for me? What did he see in me that drove him to create this
perfect moment? Did he know how much I hated him? Could he possibly know how
much I loved him?

And
that was it. I loved this man. That’s why I married him that first night. That’s
why I was going to marry him again.

“Savannah,
do you have a vow prepared?” the priest asked. My skin tingled as I stared into
Graham’s eyes. Without a word, my knees buckled beneath me and I fell at his
feet. My head smacked hard on the cool marble floor, and I could hear Graham
shouting for a doctor as the world went black.
 

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“Where
am I?” I whispered into the darkened room. My eyes glanced left and right, as I
blinked. Blinding light flashed on, forcing me to blink against a vibrant
explosion of color all around me. I reached up to shield my face from the
world, my arm tugging along an IV that was firmly taped to my arm.

Oh God… I’m in the hospital!

Things
were flashing through my mind. The cathedral, the wedding, my vows…
Did I pass out?

“Nurse,
she’s awake,” a voice said softly, the sounds of his feet shuffling about the
bed echoing in the space. I blinked again, watching as the doctor came round in
front of me. A wall of flowers stood behind him, every color and shape and size
imaginable filling the room with an incredible bouquet of sensation.

“Ma’am,
I’m going to ask you to try and look at me. You’ve had a bit of a fall. Can you
tell me what day it is?”

“Monday,”
I replied, shaking my head lightly. A dull throbbing pain coursed through it.

“Good,
excellent.”

“What
happened to me?” I asked, trying to get a handle on things.

“Your
blood was critically low on iron. We believe it may have made you light headed.
We’ve given you an IV and are treating you for anemia. I believe you suffered a
concussion from the fall, and you required a few stitches. I’m very happy to
see you awake and doing well…”

My
hand swept up to my head, feeling along the side. A portion of my scalp had
been shaven away, and I could feel numbness tingling across the area.

“Graham…”
I said, glancing around again at the sea of flowers.

Before
the doctor could respond, the door burst open and the nurse had returned with
Graham in tow. He ran toward me, his hand softly cradling the side of my face
as he looked me in the eyes. He quickly glanced back to the doctor, as if to
ask him a question that never escaped his lips.

“She
seems to be fine Mr. Archer. We’ll keep her here for observation over the next
twenty four hours, then she’ll be free to leave at any time. You’re both lucky
we caught this anemia in time, but don’t worry, she is fine, and so is the
baby.”

Graham
turned back to me as I digested the doctor’s words. The machine I was strapped
into started beeping as my heart raced, my whole body shaking in place.

She is fine, and so is the baby…

Oh my God…

“Savannah,
why didn’t you tell me?” Graham asked, his hand releasing my face and traveling
down until it was resting on the ugly gown that was covering my tummy.

“I…
I…. Oh God… I didn’t know!” I said.

“Savannah,
breathe deep and relax,” the doctor said from behind Graham, watching my heart
rate climb. I took a deep breath, willing myself to calm down even as my
thoughts soared higher than the clouds. We were going to have a baby!

The wedding!

“Graham,
I’m so sorry,” I whispered, my eyes pouring tears down my face. “I ruined
everything. I tried to make it to the airport. When you left without me, I
couldn’t bear to try and reach out. I knew you would never talk to me again…”

“It’s
ok Savannah. You have friends and family who truly love you. Chandra helped me
understand.”

“Why?
Why did you do all of this? Didn’t you understand how hard this has been for
me?” I asked.

“This
time, I wanted you to have a wedding you would remember,” Graham replied,
letting out a soft laugh. “Of course, I’m hoping you’ll help me plan the third
one, since you still need to say ‘I do’…”

I
couldn’t stop myself from crying. My whole world had been turned upside down by
this man, and I could never turn back. He loved me… I loved him… And together,
we would raise this child growing inside me. I felt the way his warm hand
caressed my belly, cradling the life we had created.

“I
do…” I said, holding his eyes with my own.

“I
do,” Graham replied, his voice barely audible. Everything in the room had
disappeared. There was no nurse, no doctor, no flowers or beeping or buzzers or
wires or tubes. The only thing in the world was me, and this incredible man.

“I
think this is the part where you kiss me,” I whispered.

“I
thought you’d never ask,” Graham replied. His lips crashed down on my own, our
souls connected as one. There was no need for a priest or a court or a silly
piece of paper.

This
was my happily ever after, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more perfect.