“OK then, this? Or this?” She toggled between two screens showing him, as she took a big bite of the turnover. One was a tuxedo, the other a suit.
“
Suit,” he said.
She pulled the screen back toward her took another bite, worked a minute, and then pushed it back to him.
“This? Or this?” One was black, the other was charcoal grey.
“
Grey,” he said and laughed.
“
OK!” she said and closed the device, turning it off.
“
OK, what?” he laughed.
“
Now I have a starting point. I needed to see where your thoughts were. Now that you’ll to be comfortable, I can start planning. I couldn’t ‘see’ anything else until that was settled!”
“
Oh, I see how this goes. May I see that thing a minute?” She pushed the device toward him. He typed something in and looked for a minute, “I’ve been thinking about this too. Ready?”
She waited, then cautiously
replied; “Uh hunh…”
“
This? Or this?”
Carlee laughed out loud as Matthew toggled between pages on the Victoria
’s Closet website.
Back at the flat, they spent the afternoon on the sofa. Matthew had U.S. football on TV, and Carlee had the iPad on her lap. She made lists that Matthew looked over. They determined how many, and what kind of rooms they would need to reserve, and how many they would be feeding for the reception. What Carlee referred to as ‘The Big List’ was underway.
She searched
for locations in London that carried the suit Matthew liked, and sent the information to Andy, Brian and Thomas, so they could find them back home, as well. She looked at dress styles for Jenna and Marissa and emailed pictures of what she liked for them to look over. She looked at styles of wedding dresses, but she wasn’t seeing anything in pictures that resembled the picture she had in her mind. Matthew cooked dinner and watched her, as he did he saw that glow that he loved.
Christmas morning, they woke early to fresh snow. Carlee had seen pictures, but she’d never been in real snow. They quickly dressed, bundled up and walked to Regents Park. There were already people there, and they looked on as the kids made snowballs and snowmen, and Carlee loved it. They walked a while and then headed back for a Christmas celebration. Carlee made breakfast and they opened gifts.
Matthew handed Carlee the first box.
She ripped as he watched. It was a small velvet box. Anxiously she opened the lid, and let out a gasp. “Matthew, these are so beautiful!” The box contained a pair of earrings. She took them out for closer examination. They were sapphires and very much like her engagement ring. She could tell they were antique.
“
I got them at the same shop where I got your ring, and I’ve been holding them until we pinned down a date for the wedding. When I saw them, I thought about all that wedding stuff, ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.’ I thought those could be either the old or the blue,” he told her, and smiled.
“
Have I told you how much I love you?” she asked him.
“
Not yet today,” he laughed.
“
Matthew, I love that you even knew about the ‘somethings’,” she laughed. “These are a beautiful treasure.” She put them back in the box, set it aside, and hugged him.
She picked up a box to hand him, but held it on her lap.
“I’m afraid you unwrapped your present the other evening,” she laughed.
“
Carlee, if that’s the only present I got for the rest of my life, it’d rank up there as number one in my book,” he laughed.
“
I just love you,” she laughed as she handed him the box she’d been holding.
He tore through the paper to find an iPad.
“Thank you! I love this!”
“
There are all kinds of photography applications, and they’re constantly adding more,” she said. “I thought it would be something useful, but also something fun.”
“
On that note,” he said, “I’ve been thinking about something. What do you think about asking Dan Patrick to take the photos for the wedding? He mentioned to me that he’s done several weddings. I thought it would be more personal than someone we don’t know, since I can’t take them myself,” he laughed.
“
Well, tick another thing off our list! I love that idea!” But she knew he would have a camera handy for candid shots. He always had the camera handy. Even when he was home for Tom’s funeral he took lots of pictures of the family and friends who gathered.
Matthew
handed her another box and she ripped into it to find a photograph of her and Andy. He’d taken it at camp that summer. As soon as he saw the image he knew it was special. Carlee looked beautiful and Andy was smiling, proudly. He’d taken it across the fire pit when neither of them knew. It was a priceless moment, Andy’s arm around her, her head on his shoulder. He had cropped it so it was perfect, printed it in sepia, and found an antique looking frame for it.
“
Matthew, this is beautiful; it’s precious,” she added. “Thank you for sharing it with me. I love it.” She sat it on the table at the end of the sofa. They finished opening their gifts and planned a lazy day. Carlee put a roast in the oven and they settled on the sofa for a Christmas movie marathon. They were waiting for the clock to catch up to call home and wish their families Merry Christmas.
“
I can’t wait to spend Sunday afternoons, forever, doing this,” Matthew said as they watched the holiday classic movie, A Christmas Story.
“
Me too,” Carlee said. “The only memories I have of stuff like that were weekends I spent with Jenna at Aunt Kimmy and Lane’s. My dad never planted in one place very long for that family stuff,” she said sadly. “Papa tried,” she smiled. “We’ll make this a Sunday afternoon tradition.”
“
I’d like that,” Matthew told her, remembering Sundays when he was young. “Dad was so involved in the business that movies were a huge thing at our house.”
A
round four they called Andy. “Merry Christmas!” they both yelled when he answered.
“
Merry Christmas to you! I saw on the news that you had snow this morning.”
“
We’ve already walked to the park to see it!” Carlee told him. “I even made a snow angel! Matthew will send you the picture.”
“
And I will treasure it. I miss you Carlee. The house is too quiet.”
“
I miss you too, but we’ve had a wonderful morning!” She told him about her gifts and shared their thoughts on their wedding plans.
“
Reserve the number of rooms you think we’ll need and I will call tomorrow to hold them, same with the banquet rooms.”
“
I love you, Papa. Don’t forget to get us at the airport Wednesday!”
“
Carlee, I miss you so much,” he told her, “there is no chance of me forgetting to come get you!”
Next
, they called Geni. Matthew’s brothers were there and it was loud and chaotic with laughter from Percy and Megs as they opened gifts. “Sounds like the girls are having a ball,” Matthew said.
“
They’re in the midst of a new-toy high,” Geni laughed.
“
Get back to the madness,” Matthew said. “We’ll see you soon!”
They spent the next day packing to go stateside.
With each thing Carlee put in her bag, the harder it was to think about leaving. She knew it wouldn’t be long, but it didn’t make it any easier. She left what she could leave behind there. Matthew knew her thoughts because he was thinking them too. He tried to focus on the positive and exciting time ahead of them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
~ PULLING it All Together
G
eni was at the airport with Andy when they arrived. Andy grabbed Carlee, hugging her. “Man, I’ve missed you,” he told her.
“
Right back at ya, Papa!”
Matthew let Geni go and Andy hugged him too.
“Glad to have you home,” Andy said.
They stopped at Giovanna
’s for dinner before going to the house. Carlee shared the wedding plans they had decided on, so far.
“
Geni, I’d like to plan a weekend soon to go look at dresses - you and Aunt Kimmy, Jenna, Marissa and me. I’d really love for you to go with us.”
“
I would love that. The only wedding dress I ever shopped for was my own. Yes!” she said. “I would love that! There are some great boutiques in Jacksonville. I don’t know what’s here, but that’s an option.” It made Matthew happy to see Geni so excited, and he loved that Carlee thought to ask her.
Back at the house, Carlee took Andy aside. They went to the living room and sat on the sofa. “I have a couple of important things I want to talk to you about,” she said as she sat beside him.
“
Do I need the credit card?” he laughed.
“
Not yet,” she smiled. “I want to sleep with Matthew. I just mean in the same bed, here,” she stammered.
Andy smiled.
“Carlee, hard as it is for me to admit, you’re a grown woman. You’ve been to London several times alone with Matthew. I’m not naïve enough to believe that he slept on the sofa. You’re a smart girl, I trust your judgment.” He pulled her to him for a hug. “Thank you for talking to me about it though. Someone did a good job raising you,” he laughed. “What else?”
“
Well, I wanted to ask you if something was OK, because I know the significance. I’m pretty sure that I want to carry daisies as my bouquet, but I’d like to have calla lilies on the tables at the reception and breakfast.”
“
What a beautiful thought, of course it’s OK.”
“
I just think it’ll be a connection to Mama.”
“
Perfect. Special.” he added.
“
Was there something else?” he asked.
“Yep, and it’s OK if you say ‘no.’ I have a plan B. Actually its plan A-and-a-half,” she laughed. “But I’m gonna ask.”
“
I’m ready, I think,” he laughed. “What is it?”
“
Can you sing at the wedding?”
He waited a moment to respond, not knowing if he could do it.
Finally, he took a deep breath. “Wheww… Carlee, that’s a tough one.” She snuggled into him, she knew it was.
“
I want to say yes, I think I can, but I’m afraid of the emotions. I don’t want to start and not be able to finish,” he said, honestly. They sat quietly a minute, and then he asked; “Sing what?”
“
Oh, Papa, do you have to ask.”
Matthew and Geni passed the opening to the living room just as Andy
began; with his arm around Carlee, he was softly singing to her.
Take my hand
Won
’t you
Give me your heart
Won’t you...
They were both crying. Matthew guided Geni to the kitchen, not wanting to interrupt or intrude on that precious moment.
“
Let me think a bit before I say ‘yes.’ What’s the A-and-a-half?” he asked, and laughed.
“
I’m going to ask Nathan to sing while you walk with me to Matthew.”
“
Do I want to know?” he laughed. “Goin’ to the Chapel?”
“
No,” she laughed and pulled her phone from her pocket. “I found this when I did a search on wedding music. “Marry Me.” It’s by Train, you know I love them.”
Forever can never be long enough for me,
To feel lik
e I’ve had long enough with you…
Marry me
If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this café
Say you will…
He listened to the song in its entirety and finally said; “Geez Carlee, I don’t know if I can even walk down the aisle with you after hearing that.” He wasn’t just wiping tears, he was crying.
“Matthew doesn’t know this. He knows about “Won’t You,” but not this one.”
“
Our secret,” he said, rising from the sofa, he pulled her to her feet and into his arms.
“
Papa, I love you.”
“
I love you, right back,” he said.
They walked into the kitchen
, where Geni and Matthew waited. He’d poured them all a glass of wine.
Andy
’s emotions were all over his face. “Papa, daughter moment,” he laughed.
There was a holiday get-together at Andy’s on New Year’s Eve with Carlee’s family. Geni loved meeting them all. They exchanged gifts, and details of the wedding were shared. It was family-time, and Carlee and Matthew loved all of them being together.
Geni and Matthew
traveled to Jacksonville on Tuesday morning. He returned to St. Augustine on Friday after Carlee’s class. He planned a date night with her before he was to return to London Saturday evening. He booked a room for the night at the historic Casa Monica Hotel.
“Bring a pretty dress; it’s a
fancy date,” he told her before she returned to school.
“Taco Tico?” she asked with big laugh.
“No, not this time, fancier,” he replied.
On Friday, she waited anxiously for him, her bag packed for the night. He picked her up and drove around the block to the hotel. They checked in, and settled in their room before their dinner date.
“You sure we have to go out
?” she laughed as she flopped in the middle of the bed.
H
e laughed and crawled on the bed beside her. “Date first, but I’ll be thinking about later,” he said and rolled on top of her, kissing her.
Dinner was downstairs at 95 Cordova; it was candlelit, and romantic. Afterward, a horse and carriage waited to take them for ride around the old town. As they boarded, the carriage driver presented Carlee with a bouquet of daisies. Later, they returned to their room, but there was no sleep. They made love and spent the night wrapped in each other’s arms, talking about the future.
“
It’ll go fast,” he told her when she cried. “You’ll be so busy making plans for the wedding, camp, moving, all of that. It’ll fly by, but I’ll be counting the days too. I can’t wait, Carlee. I love you, and I can’t wait to wake every morning and see you beside me.” He wrapped her in his arms and held her…
~ ~ ~
Once he was back in London, Matthew and Carlee continued their nightly phone calls; they talked about plans and details for the wedding. He told her about his days in his new life as a teacher. His excitement over the newness of it made Carlee happy, proud, and sad that she wasn’t there to experience it first-hand when he came in from work each day.
Andy planned to go to St. Augustine every other weekend.
He was already dreading when he couldn’t see her whenever he wanted. He was already starting to feel alone, but excited and proud for the life she had ahead of her.
Geni and Carlee planned a weekend in Jacksonville for dress shopping. Carlee knew she could shop at home, but Geni was so excited when she asked her about the weekend plans that Carlee thought it would be fun. Geni personally called to invite Kimmy, Jenna and Marissa to join them.
Carlee and Marissa
went straight from school. Kimmy and Jenna arrived later in the evening. Geni began their weekend with dinner Friday evening when they arrived. She set up a Mexican buffet and they made margaritas. They sat around the kitchen table and shared an evening filled with laughter, girl talk, and wedding plans.
Geni listened as Kimmy, Jenna and Carlee shared stories,
thinking about Carlee’s younger years without her mama. It made Geni happy that she and Carlee had developed a kinship. She was thrilled that Carlee had included her in the dress-shopping excursion; she didn’t have to, but she was glad she had. Marissa brought her blow-up mattress so she could sleep in the same room. Jenna and Carlee slept together in the bed. And it made Geni smile as she heard the three of them giggle and whisper into the night.
They began the next morning with coffee and pastries, and then set out on a day of shopping. They went to several shops, and each time they went in, Geni listened as Carlee described what she was looking for. She watched, thinking by now she’d have been frustrated, but Carlee just kept looking.
“
Someone will have it, I just know it! I know what I’m looking for, I’ve seen it in my mind,” Carlee said, closing her eyes as if to see it once more. “I’m just not seeing it in these stores!”
Geni took them to a
girlie Victorian tea room for lunch. They shared tea sandwiches, crudités and more laughter. Afterward, they ended up crossing the river to Park Avenue in Orange Park. They went into The Bridal Shoppe and once again, Carlee explained what she was looking for. She gave a great detailed description. It was just that no one seemed to have what she described. She had not even tried a dress on yet because she wasn’t finding what she wanted nothing was even close, and she wasn’t going to settle.
Lindy, the sales associate, listened closely.
She thought a moment, seeming to go through the shop’s inventory in her mind. “I think I have what you’re looking for. It’s a 2008 vintage Austin Michaels dress,” she said referring to the designer. “I’d say it’s your size. Six right?”
“
You’re good,” Carlee said, and laughed as she added, “Now let’s see how good!”
She was gone a few minutes and returned with the dress in a bag.
Everyone watched, and Carlee held her breath as Lindy unzipped it.
“
Oh, my!” Carlee yelled as Lindy pulled the dress from the bag. “That’s it! That’s my dress!”
She le
d Carlee into the fitting room. Carlee slipped out of her clothes, there was nothing modest about her as she shimmied out of the skirt and top she was wearing. She had on a camisole but, as usual, no bra. She looked at Lindy and laughed. “Why bother?”
Carlee stepped into the dress as Lindy helped.
“I can’t remember in the ten years I’ve been here ever helping with a dress that was a perfect fit! This is perfect!” she said as she zipped and buttoned.
Carlee turned around to see in the mirror. It was everything she wanted.
It was a soft, almost blue-white shade of lace. It was different, and she liked ‘different.’ It was a tea length ball gown style, with a full crinoline bottom.
“
It looks like something from the 1950s,” Carlee smiled. “I love it!”
I
n the front was a bandeau neckline with sheer lace that came higher on the neck, and went to the back and buttoned at the neckline. The rest of the back was open to the waistline. There was a zipper that went down from the fitted waist and a small bow on the front left side highlighting the waist. And it fit perfectly.
Kimmy, Marissa, Jenna and Geni waited anxiously just outside the door.
“Oh yes!” they heard her say.
“
It’s gorgeous!” Lindy told her. “I’ll open the door now.”
“
No, wait just a sec, please.” She dug through her bag and pulled out the hair clip she always had with her. She bent over, allowing her hair to fall forward, and rustled her fingers through the mass of curls. She twisted it, and then pulled the hair on top of her head, letting tiny curls escape.
“
Perfect!” Lindy told her.
Carlee held her breath and Lindy opened the door. As she stepped out of the fitting room, Jenna and Marissa gasped. Kimmy and Geni both had tears in their eyes.
“
What kind of veil?” Kimmy asked.
“
Nothing, I love it just like this,” Carlee said turning this way and that, to see in the three-way mirror.
Marissa said,
“We can weave pearls into her hair before she pulls it up.”
“
Oh! I love that!” Carlee said.
She
turned once more to face the three-way mirror. She stood, looking at her reflection. Suddenly, she started to cry. Kimmy went to her, and wrapped her arms around her, holding her as the tears flowed. She knew what she was thinking. They all did.
Finally,
she told Lindy, “This is the one, I’ll take it.”
Lindy went back into the dressing room with Carlee to help her out of
the dress and place it back in the bag. Carlee sat down a moment. “I get the crinoline thing for the bottom of the dress, but I have to ask something,” she said.