47 Destinies: Finding Grace (21 page)

Todd went into the living room and met Grace’s father.  They talked passionately about sports, hunting and national events.  Todd enjoyed their discussion and felt very at ease with Grace’s father.  The group left the house at little after 2:00pm in order to deliver Bella and Mattias on time for their wedding party duties.  Mattias was the ring bearer.  Unlike Bella, he was not thrilled about his assignment for the day.  He wanted to wear jeans instead of a suit.  He also thought it was silly to carry a goofy white pillow up the aisle.  He complained to his mom and tried to get out of it, but Grace told him it would make Uncle Brent happy.  Mattias couldn’t understand why Uncle Brent would want a small stupid pillow on his wedding day.

The group arrived at Saints Peter and Paul Church.  It was located in Little Italy, which wasn’t far from Grace’s home in Baker Beach.  San Francisco was a compact city so the locals could zoom around the various districts in no time.

“The church is known as the Italian Cathedral of the West,” Grace announced as they walked up to the church.  “The original structure was built in 1884 and destroyed by the 1906 earthquake.  This current building was completed in 1924.  The church is 100 feet wide and 160 feet long.  The two identical spires span 191 feet into the air.  There is a rose colored window in the interior which is 14 feet in diameter.”

“Honestly Grace, I think you should consider becoming a historian or at least a tour guide.  You have the most fascinating information to share.  What else can you tell us?” Todd asked genuinely.  He took pleasure in learning new things, especially about San Francisco.

“Todd has been helping me discover some of my hidden talents, Mama,” Grace whispered to her mother.

“Well, that sounds really interesting,” Rose replied, lifting up one of her eyebrows.

“Mama!  I was talking about a possible career!  Shame on you!” Grace was surprised by her mother’s candor. 

“What are you two beautiful ladies talking about over there?” Todd asked in jest.

“I was just telling Mama how after their wedding at City Hall, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio took pictures right on the steps of this church,” Grace said, proud that she came up with something quick.

“I saw Grace at City Hall a few months before we began dating.  She was with the most interesting fellow.”  Todd could barely keep from laughing.

“Mama already knows all about that disaster date from the start to the quick finish,” Grace informed Todd.  “Shall we go inside, Troublemaker?”  Grace asked.

“Have I fallen from your good graces already?  Just an hour ago, you were calling me Prince Charming,” Todd smugly said.

“Today, Brent is Prince Charming and Cora is the beautiful princess.  They have something really special,” Todd announced.

“Goodness!  It sounds like you might actually like Brent.”

“Yes, I am starting to.  If you must know, we had lunch together last week.  He invited me and we got to know each other better.  His bark seems to be much worse than his bite.  I think he might actually like me too.” 

“Who would have thought that two alpha males could actually get along?  I am proud of you both,” Grace adoringly said as they walked into the church, arm in arm.

The interior of the church was breathtaking.  The church required limited decorations, as the place was practically a museum of elegance and beauty.  Grace and Todd took a seat in one of the wooden pews after dropping Bella and Mattias off with Leslie.  Grace’s parents sat with them as they all gazed at the statues, white marble stairs and intricate windows.  White bows and satin ribbon adorned the aisle where Cora would soon walk one last time before becoming Mrs. Brent Locke. 

The love Brent and Cora shared touched everyone around them.  They had found a way to accept each for all they were and for all they were not.  Their acceptance bonded them together in a union that was rare for most couples.  It was beautiful to see how Cora mystically opened up Brent to share his thoughts and feelings.  She brought him to life again after Derek’s death.  Grace cherished everything Cora did for Brent and also the compassion she continually shared for Grace.  It was a perfect union and one she would happily celebrate for many years to come.

The processional music began with ‘Air on G String’ by Bach as Brent’s and Cora’s mother were seated.  Next, the bridesmaids paraded down the aisle in their gorgeous gowns.  After they were standing in position, Mattias walked in with the white pillow he detested.  He appeared nervous until his eyes met with Brent’s.  Mattias’ face brightened and he stood a little taller.  The wedding guests oohed and aahed when sweet Bella appeared at the back of the church.  She was truly the belle of the ball and right in her realm.  She held a white basket, dipped her hand into the multi-colored petals and dropped them lightly to the ground.  As each of the petals fell, her little curls bounced up and down.  Her tiara glittered in the lights and she practically bounced down the aisle.  Grace’s heart swelled with pride when she saw her.

The church paused for one moment and then stood when the trumpets played the bridal march.  Grace stared at Brent to gauge his reaction.  She wanted to see his face when Cora entered the church.  She was not disappointed.  When Cora walked in on her father’s arm, Brent beamed.  It was a special moment that Grace etched into her mind.  She never wanted to forget the swell of happiness which exuded out of every aspect of Brent’s being.  It was Camelot-esque.

Gliding down the aisle toward Brent, Cora’s long black hair was done up in fancy ringlets which spanned out across her head and down her back.  Her veil shimmered in the light.  The jewels on her tiara caught the light and sparkled.  A large diamond pendant belonging to Brent’s grandmother, counting as her ‘something borrowed’, adorned her chest.  A luminous diamond tennis bracelet, a gift from Brent that morning to count as her ‘something new’, twisted back and forth on her wrist.  Grace was unsure what item Cora chose as her ‘something blue’, but would surely ask her later. Cora’s dress clung to her breasts and torso and then fanned out to the floor.  A six-foot train trailed her as she walked. 

Grace began to cry tears of pure joy as she soaked in all the beauty and love.  Todd gazed over at Grace and squeezed her hand.  He whispered in her ear, “I love you, Grace Ann Locke.”  More tears streamed down her face as she dotted at them with her tissue.  It had seemed like forever since she had been happy.  And now, her life was filled with so such much joy that it was almost unbearable.  Grace’s eyes were moist again when Brent and Cora exchanged their vows and sentiments.

“Brent, you have taught me what it means to love.  You challenge me to see the world differently.  Words cannot begin to explain how you have touched my life.  I have found beauty, strength and confidence in myself because you have shown them to me.  I know myself better since I have known you.  I can now stand alone, but there is no need because you are there to guide, lead and love me for as long as we both shall live.”

“Cora, you are my day and my night.  I claim you as my own.  The joy you have brought into my life is deep and everlasting.  Your internal and external radiance brings light into my life.  Being with you has made me a better man.  You will forever be a part of me as I will forever be a part of you.”

Grace looked over at Todd and whispered,  “Isn’t it romantic?”

“Yeah, just imagining what I would say to you on our wedding day,” Todd replied in a hushed tone to Grace.

Grace’s heart jumped.  She admittedly had dreamed of what it might be like to marry Todd.  She couldn’t believe that he thought of it, too.

“I am sure you would come up with something,” Grace whispered back.

Rose smiled over at the young couple that was obviously so very much in love.  Rose hadn’t seen her daughter happy in a long time.  It warmed her heart to know that Grace had found love once again.  Not only was Todd a gentleman, he also adored Rose’s grandchildren.  She saw the way Todd looked at Mattias and Bella as they walked down the aisle.  The man couldn’t have been prouder if they were his own children.  Grace had found someone very special in Todd.  Rose wanted the relationship to go smoothly.  Nobody was going to get in the way of her daughter’s happiness.

After the ceremony, the festivities moved over to The Mark Hopkins on Nob Hill.  Grace loved that hotel.  It had a regal air about as it perched above the city with 19 floors and almost 400 rooms.  It was like a castle on the top of the hill looking across the land.  While they stood outside admiring the structure, Grace shared the hotel’s origins with Todd.

“In 1878, Mark Hopkins, one of the founders of the Central Pacific Railroad, built a mansion here on Nob Hill for his wife, Mary Francis Sherwood.  Mark died before it was completed in 1878.  Mary then married Edward Frances Searles, an interior and architectural designer, who was 22 years younger than her.  Mary commissioned Edward to construct the interior of her Nob Hill home,” Grace said, enjoying the scandal behind the story.

“It sounds like Edward got himself an older sugar mama,” Todd offhandedly remarked.  “I am actually quite familiar with this history of the Searles family.  Did you know that Edward also designed a house for Mary known as the Searles Estate back in his hometown of Massachusetts?” Todd asked.

“Mary sure had a lot of houses built for her,” Grace remarked.  She then finished her story.  “When she died, Mary left Edward the mansion and her $70 million dollar estate.  Edward donated the mansion to the San Francisco Art Institute, which they used as a school and museum.  The mansion survived the big 1906 earthquake; however, days later, it was destroyed in the 3-day fire.  Then, a hotel investor by the name of George Smith bought the land and removed the remnants of the mansion.  When the current hotel was constructed in 1924, it was a luxury hotel for the rich and famous. It was designed as a mixture of a French chateau and Spanish architecture.  Today it continues as a historical landmark and beautiful hotel.”

“Cora told me she chose the location because of the incredible views,” Todd said as he brushed his hand up Grace’s side.  “Didn’t you tell me that they are staying in the wedding suite tonight?  Do you think they will really be concentrating on the views?” Todd said with a grin.

“It is the perfect location to celebrate love,” Grace cooed as she snuggled closely to Todd.  Grace was also wildly in love and she wanted the world to know it.

“Mmmm, I have a few ideas about how we can celebrate.  How about a night this week you come to my place, without the children?”

“Name the night and I will be there, Mr. Harcourt.”

“Tuesday.  I will make us a nice dinner and then we can…talk,” Todd suggestively emphasized the word talk.

“Well, my body has a few things it would like to say to your body, so you’d better be prepared.”

“I will be prepared, Sexy Legs.  I have been waiting for this night for over ten months!  I met you in September and now it is the first week in June; not that I have been counting or anything,” Todd stated with lust in his voice.  He was ready to make Grace completely his: heart, body and soul.

“You have been more than patient and I am more than ready,” Grace responded as they walked inside to the reception area. 

As the guests arrived, they were greeted with cocktails and appetizers.   In the center of the room was a large, intricately decorated grapevine.  An old vine sat six feet high upon a table and was the talk of the party.  It was a gift from the Robert Mondavi family in Napa to celebrate the joyous occasion.  Everything about the room conveyed energy and love.  The attention to detail was over and above any event Grace had been to in quite some time.  Even her wedding to Derek paled in comparison.

The guests were dressed to impress.  The bling factor was out of control.  Diamonds sparkled on ears, fingers, wrists and necks.  The air held a sweet mixture of the various perfumes on the ladies and the scents of the hundreds of flowers placed all over the room.  Candles covered the spaces where the flowers had not.  It was luxurious and classy.  It was everything that Brent and Cora represented: beauty, life, fun and love.

“Are you enjoying yourself, my love?” Todd asked as he brought Grace a glass of wine.

“I am taking it all in.  The love that I feel for you is adding a brilliant shine to everything,” Grace confessed.

Todd wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in for a tender kiss.  “Have I told you that you have a way with words?  I love you!”

“Good, because you make me feel whole again.” Grace returned his kiss and placed her arms around his waist.

“People are watching us,” Todd whispered in her ear.

“Good.  I want everyone to know that I am in love with you.”

Cora’s parents approached Todd and Grace.

“We were thrilled when Cora told us that you were dating each other!  And to think we were there when you were getting to know one another at Cora and Brent’s couples’ shower.  How exciting!” Cora’s mother hugged Todd and Grace.  “You have a wonderful man, Grace.  He is one of the kindest men I know.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Jacobs.  Cora looks radiant today.  She has an amazing husband.  I love Brent like a brother,” Grace admitted when the bride and groom entered the room.  They looked like royalty.  Brent and Cora walked over to the group. 

Brent squeezed Grace tightly.  “Grace, you are beautiful.  My mother tried one last time to get me to marry you today.  I reminded her that I love you like my little sister,” Brent said softly to Grace and then turned to bring Todd into the conversation.  “I am glad you could be here, Todd,” Brent said, acknowledging Todd.  “Save me a dance, Grace.”