Bamboo and Lace (54 page)

Lily only smiled up at him and raised her fingers to stroke his cheek. They didn't kiss again, but both were content to look at each other for a little while, remembering that in nine more days they would be husband and wife.

Chapter Thirty

With just four days left until the wedding, Gabe and Ash went out to breakfast, much the way they had before Ashton and Deanne were wed.

“I'm not at the house all the time,” Ashton began, “but it seems as though things are wrapping up very nicely.”

“They are, thanks to Lani and the rest of the church family.”

“When do the Kale and Koma gangs arrive?”

“Melika and Koma come tomorrow, Kale and Lydia on Friday.”

“And that's why Lily is moving back to Jeff's?”

“Yes. I wish she could stay, but it is going to be something of a madhouse.”

The men ordered their food and enjoyed their coffee for a time, but Gabe had been heavy on Ashton's heart for several days, and he wasn't going to miss this opportunity to find out how he was doing. Everything was moving so fast, especially because Gabe had not planned on getting married on such short notice. Because of that, the family had not been able to leave a cottage open for a year like they had for him and Deanne.

“Are you and Lily going to be all right living up at the house so soon?”

“We'll be fine. Things will quiet down when everyone goes home, and Evan has already warned Peter and Celia about banging on our door.”

“Are you as tired as you look?”

“I am, yes. I'm busier than I would wish to be. I can tell that both Lily and I are going to be worn out before all of this is over.”

“Then I'd better warn you about something.”

“Okay.”

“Take it easy for those few days you're gone.”

“I think that's the plan. We'll probably just lie around the pool.”

“That's not what I meant.”

Gabe looked at his younger sibling. Right now he was the experienced husband. Gabe was very aware that he was not.

“Sometimes I can be rather thick, so be specific with me, Ash,” Gabe commanded. “Very specific.”

“Deanne and I were so tired by the time we left for our honeymoon that I thought we would be on the same page about things that night, but that was before we were alone. Suddenly I had all sorts of energy, and all my bride could do was cry. She wasn't upset, just exhausted.”

Gabe was surprised but kept quiet, knowing there was more.

“If I had said something stupid like ‘I've waited a long time' or showed Deanne that I was disappointed, I would still be trying to repair the damages. Are you getting my meaning, Gabe?”

“Yes,” Gabe said very slowly and gratefully. “Thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

Ash watched his brother take a drink of coffee. For a moment he just stared at him. This was the older brother he adored. This was the man who had battled Satan when he had done everything in his power to discourage Gabe during the cancer ordeal and all it had entailed. It hadn't worked. This was the brother who had taught him that their God was huge. There was so much Ash wanted to say; he just hoped he could find the words. And then Lily came to mind.

“I hope you know how special Lily is, Gabe, and how much I'm praying for your marriage.”

“She is special,” Gabe agreed quietly. “And I'll take any and all prayers you want to offer on our behalf. Thank you.”

“It's a lot of work to love someone in the way that makes them feel loved, Gabe, but it's worth it.”

Gabe smiled at him. Right now Ashton didn't seem two years younger. Gabe felt like a kid as he realized this might have been the conversation he would have had with his father had Liho Kapaia been alive. In fact, Ashton looked more like their father than either he or Bailey.

“Where are you two headed on Sunday night?” the younger man asked.

“Kevin gave us a rate at the Ihilani.”

“Oh, very nice. How long will you be gone?”

“Just until Tuesday morning. Owen flies out Thursday, so that will give Lily one more day with him.”

“How do you think she'll do with his leaving?”

“I think all right. Hopefully we'll both have gotten some rest.”

It would have been nice to have started on that rest right then, but both men had jobs waiting for them. They talked a bit more as they finished their breakfasts, but it wasn't long before both were headed out the door and back to work.

“How are you doing?” Jeff asked his sister on Saturday night. That afternoon they had had the wedding rehearsal and a light dinner, but now they were trying to make an early night of it back at Jeff's apartment.

“I'm all right, I think. A little tired, but all right.”

“Take my bed tonight,” Jeff told her.

“Jeff, you need your rest just as much as I do.”

Jeff smiled just as their father joined them from his room.

“I don't think I do,” he teased her quietly, and Lily blushed.

“Do you think I have the right shoes?” Owen asked as he brought out the patent leather ones they had given him with his tux. “They pinch.”

“Just wear your tennis shoes,” Lily told him, surprising both her brother and father into laughter. “I'm going to,” Lily added and found both men laughing again.

“You are not!” Jeff said, clearly not believing her.

“I'll show you tomorrow,” she said complacently.

“Are you wearing tennis shoes?” her father now asked, having taken a seat to try his shoes on again.

“Yes. Bailey did, and she says it's the only way your feet can survive such a day. It's too bad you don't have a dress to cover your feet, Papa.”

“But what about when you sit down,” Jeff argued. “Your feet will show then.”

“Yes, they might, but the shoes are brand new and very nice, and I don't care if they're seen.”

Right now Jeff could believe that. Lily was slouched in a corner of the sofa, looking as if she didn't care about anything. It was too bad that the bride had to get so weary before the big day. Jeff knew that some of it stemmed from the rush of everything, but even brides who took months to plan were usually worn out by the time the ceremony came around. With this thought, his mind naturally went to Annika.

“Is there anything fun on television tonight?” Lily asked, wanting to just lie back, relax, and not think about what did or did not get done.

“I'll check.”

There wasn't, so they ended up watching a Hallmark movie that Jeff had on video. It was both funny and poignant, and Lily cried at the end.

“Go to bed, Lily,” her father told her, albeit kindly.

“You're sitting on my bed,” she told him through her sniffles, as he was on the other end of the sofa.

Jeff reminded her that she was taking his bed that night. And because even Lily could see that she was on the verge of falling apart, she took the offer without another word of argument.

To Lily's amazement, she was able to concentrate on the sermon by making herself ignore the flowers and bows they had already placed in the sanctuary the day before. They had come to early service, as did the rest of the wedding party, and other than Celia yawning a few times, everyone looked alert and ready for the big day.

After Sunday school, Bailey, who was Lily's matron of honor, saw Lily into a special room so she could dress. She left Celia with her—the little girl was Lily's bridesmaid—and for a time the two sat and talked.

“What did you learn in Sunday school today?”

“We had candy.”

“Why did they give you candy?”

“For a verse.”

“You said a verse?”

Celia's head bobbed.

“What verse was it?”

The four-year-old frowned in concentration, and Lily had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at her earnest face. The little girl finally started the verse and had just finished it when Bailey returned, Deanne behind her.

“Time to get to work,” Bailey proclaimed.

“What did you do with Sarah?”

“My mom has her. Do you want to hit the bathroom one more time before you climb into that dress?”

“Oh, maybe I'd better.”

To the strains of the organ that signaled the start of second service, the women went to work. They had plenty of time, which was a good thing as it was hot and no one wanted to rush.

“How are the guys doing?” Bailey wondered out loud at one point.

“Shall I go check?” Deanne asked. She did not have to change her dress, so she seemed the most logical person to go.

“How are you doing?” Bailey asked Lily when only Celia was with them. The little girl had found a flower to play with and wasn't attending to their discussion.

“I'm fine,” Lily said cheerfully. “Not even tired.”

“Good. Have I told you how honored I am to stand up with you?”

Lily smiled at her. “I wouldn't have anyone else.”

The women embraced before Lily stepped into her gown. Bailey blinked like mad to keep from bawling, and Deanne came back just in time.

“Oh, Deanne, help Lily before I sob all over the place!”

“Oh, Lily,” Deanne said softly. “You look beautiful.”

“Will Gabe like it?”

“Gabe will love it!”

To Lily's relief the time moved swiftly. Running only seven minutes late, she stood at the back of the church and watched Celia walk down the aisle, holding her Uncle Ashton's hand. Bailey went next, her hand tucked into the crook of Jeff's elbow.

Lily glanced up to see her father looking down on her, his eyes intent.

“Are you all right, Papa?”

“Just memorizing your face.”

It was almost more than she could take. With a huge effort she didn't cry. A moment later the music sounded, and they started forward.

Had Lily been aware of anything save the man waiting for her at the front of the church, she would have heard sniffles and gasps all the way down the aisle. The church family had fallen in love with this sweet woman, and most of the them thought she looked like an angel in that white dress.

Owen stood proudly as he escorted Lily along, but he was very aware of the way she'd begun to tremble.

“Are you all right?” he asked softly.

“I think so.”

“You'll do just fine.”

Lily wasn't so sure about that, but Gabe was suddenly there, taking her hand and smiling down at her. She heard a baby cry, and then Pastor Stringer began. It was not a long service, but one that told of Gabe and Lily's commitment to Christ before they committed themselves to each other. Lily's voice was wobbly and just above a whisper as she repeated her vows, but she meant them with all her heart. Gabe felt her tremble, and when Pastor Stringer prayed, asked if she was all right. Lily nodded, and Gabe prayed that they would both make it.

And make it they did! When they turned to the congregation to be presented as Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Kapaia, everyone cheered. Gabe and Lily laughed in delight as they moved down the center aisle.