Broken Together (50 page)

Shae
popped open a Diet Coke.

Cenia
and Marie walked through the door. “I can’t believe we’re getting our hair and
makeup done at two o’clock in the morning.”

Jase
shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m hanging out in a spa.”

Dan
snickered. “I plan on shooting the nail polish off that far wall.”

The
receptionist blanched.

I
briefly considered confiscating their guns. “Whatever you do, don’t let Rafael come
in here. I don’t want him to see me before the wedding. Don’t shoot him, just…
extract him from the room.”

Dan
tipped an imaginary hat. “Roger that, pretty lady. No one gets past me.”

“Good.”
I followed the receptionist and my friends into the salon.

Marie
sank onto the far chair. “Any idea where Rafael’s taking you for your
honeymoon?”

I
climbed into my stylist’s chair. “No.” Rafael had, in fact, secured a
construction team, a list of renovations, and a set of blueprints before we
left Virginia, so I hadn’t a clue where he was taking me.

Kimme
eased onto the chair next to me. “Maybe you’ll stay here. This place is so
dreamy.”

I
laughed. “Honey, you ain’t seen noth’n yet.” I couldn’t wait for my friends to
see Monserrate Palace glowing against the night sky and the gardens after
sunrise. I grew giddy just thinking about it.

The
receptionist delivered lemon water, herbal tea, and pastries on small silver
trays while the stylists worked on our makeup and hair. They kept our makeup
soft and natural while going all out on our hair.

My
pale blond hair was piled atop my head in large, loose curls that were woven into
an elaborate design. A pearl head piece was tucked along the left side. Soft
tendrils framed my face in the most romantic way. While their upsweeps, braids,
and curls varied, my friends looked equally stunning.

We
gathered our garment bags and climbed into the sleek black limousine at
precisely four o’clock. We rolled into the parking lot at Monserrate Palace twenty
minutes later. My heart stalled when I saw Rafael’s limousine.

“How
are you going to ensure you don’t see one another?” Cenia inquired worriedly.

Jase
looked up from his cell phone “Kristine and Rafael are getting ready at
opposite ends of the castle. I’ve already confirmed Rafael and the rest of the
guys are in their room.” He eyed Dan. “Would you mind watching over the girls
while I change into my tux?”

Dan’s
chest swelled. “I would consider it an honor.”

Jase
typed his number into Dan’s cell phone. “Kadyn will join you shortly.” He offered
me his hand as he stepped from the car. “You know where you’re going?”

“We’re
getting ready in the piano room at the far end of the castle. There’s a gravel
trail in front of the castle steps that branches off to either side. We’re
taking the trail to the right. Rafael and the guys are in a room just off the
main entrance on the left.” I pointed toward the main trail. We couldn’t see
much beyond the parking lot. This area was heavily treed, and it was still
dark.

“They’ve
lined the trail with luminaries,” Cenia exclaimed.

“That’s
so romantic,” Marie breathed.

We
gathered our things. Jase led the way. Dan positioned himself on the end so we
were sandwiched between the two men while walking the trail.

Lexie
sucked in a breath when the trail opened up. “My God, that is a real honest to
goodness palace.”

We
stood dumbfounded by the view. Most of the palace glowed a soft shade of gold,
but all three domes blazed crimson against the starlit sky. My heart sang while
tears welled in my eyes.

Dan
nudged us toward the palace. White chairs were set in a semi-circle around the
fountain. A white aisle runner glowed in the moonlight.

I
handed Jase the envelope and the gift I’d tucked inside my purse. “Can you give
this to Rafael?” I’d purchased a Qlocktwo watch that displayed the time in
words across a square face fashioned like a word find game for the groom’s
gift.

He
nodded. “I’ll see you soon.”

Dan
took the lead when I veered to the right. This trail wasn’t lit by luminaries,
but the palace lent just enough light.

A
groundskeeper met us at the base of the stairs. “Ms. Stone, the room is ready
for you.”

“
Obrigada
,”
I replied.

More
stunned glances and gasps ensued when we entered the palace.

Lexie
tentatively touched the wall. “How could anyone possibly carve this fine of
detail into an entire wall?” In varying ornate patterns, birds, flowers, and
leaves had been carved into each and every wall. They’d been painted in deep burgundy,
ivory, and gold tones.

“Look
at the ceiling,” Cenia murmured. The rose marble columns that lined the hallway
were topped with fine filigree arches that rivaled the intricate walls. The lights
hidden behind the columns offered a fine dusting of gold along the ceiling and
floor.

I
walked toward the gold and ivory piano room at the far end of the hall. “We’ve
reserved the palace through noon so you can explore all you want.” The piano
room was my favorite room in the palace. Tall, arched windows framed the
circular room that lie beneath an ivory and gold filigree dome shaped ceiling.
The same intricate pattern that graced the ceiling filled the top portion of
each window. The wood inserts were so finely carved it appeared as if lace valances
were hung against the windows. Tall marble columns sat between each window
supporting additional filigree arches painted in gold. More than anything, I
wanted to lie on the floor and admire that room for a solid twenty four hours,
just so I could see how the sun and the moonlight played through all the
windows.

“This
is the most romantic room I’ve ever seen,” Shae noted reverently. “I may never
leave.”

“Me
either,” Marie agreed.

I
glanced at my cell phone. “Father Ramires will be here in twenty minutes. I
don’t know how long he’s staying, so you might want to get dressed.”

My
friends took turns ducking behind the privacy screens that were set out for us.
One by one they appeared in the deep purple gowns.

Lexie
gave me a hug. “I love this dress.”

“Me
too.” Kimme spun in front of the full length mirror. “I feel like a princess.”

I
gave her a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. I have a small gift for each of you.”
I handed my friends the lavender gift bags containing the amethyst necklaces
and earrings I’d purchased for them.

“Thank
you, Kri.” Shae hugged me.

Marie
offered me another hug. “I know you don’t want us to see you in your wedding
dress, but can we at least help you get the other garments in order?”

“Sure,”
I agreed.

Lexie
pressed a small velvet box into my hand. “Here are the pearl tear drop earrings
you requested.” They were the same earrings she wore on her wedding day.

“Is
that your something borrowed?” Kimme inquired curiously.

I
popped the lid open so I could admire the earrings. “Yes. The pearl necklace
I’m wearing belonged to Rafael’s mother, so that’s my something old. The pearl
headpiece is my something new. The pearl earrings are borrowed, and…” I wiggled
my toes, “this Tiffany blue polish is my something blue.”

“Oh
my God! I love these shoes!” Cenia held up the jeweled Chanel sandals for
everyone to see.

Lexie
frowned. “What’s that on the bottom?”

Cenia
turned the shoe over, gasped, and then grabbed the other shoe. “Rafael wrote
you a note.” She giggled before handing me the shoes.

“These
stay on tonight,” was scrawled across the bottom of the right shoe. “Mrs.
Garcia,” was written across the left.

My
cheeks heated. “That man…”

My
friends laughed as Marie finished the sentence. “… is crazy in love with you.”

A
light tap sounded against the door. “Kristine?”

“Father
Ramires,” I breathed.

Cenia
gave me a hug. “We’re going to explore this wing while you meet with him. We’ll
move outside at five-fifteen but remain hidden until we hear Pachelbel’s Canon
in D.”

Lexie
stopped short of the door. “If we’re walking ahead of you, who is walking the
trail with you?”

I
frowned. “I hadn’t really thought about that. Dan and Kadyn should be in their
seats by then. The trail is only a short distance…”

She
threw her hands on her hips. “With your luck, the Russian mafia or the SVR will
kidnap you right out from under Rafael’s nose. I’ll walk with you until we
round that corner behind all the chairs.”

I
chewed my bottom lip.

Her
eyebrows rose. “Are you suggesting that I can’t protect you as well as Kadyn or
Dan? I earned a double black belt, I still spar, and I can still kick…”

I
cupped my hand over her mouth. “Father Ramires is standing right outside that
door.”

She
licked my hand.

I
jerked my hand away. “Ewww. What did you do that for?”

Her
shoulders lifted in a delicate shrug. “You were messing up my makeup.”

I
just shook my head. “Fine. You can come back and help me dress, and you can
walk me down the trail but not the aisle. Happy?”

“Yep.”
She grinned.

I
opened the door for Father Ramires. “Hi, Father, thank you for coming.”

He
clasped my freshly licked hand in his. “You look lovely, Kristine. How are you
feeling?”

I
waited for the girls to leave. “Good. Elated, really.”

His
eyes warmed. “May I?” He extended his hand toward my tummy. Rafael told Father
Ramires about the civil ceremony and the baby shortly after I returned to
Virginia. Any embarrassment he may have felt was outweighed by his desire to
have Father Ramires praying for our unborn child.

I
nodded.

He
pressed gently against my womb. “God, we pray your blessings for this unborn
child, for your protection, and a healthy birth. Lord, who has blessed Kristine
Annabelle Garcia with the joys of motherhood, grant her comfort in all anxiety
and help her lead her child in the ways of salvation. Lord, who has chosen
Rafael Tiago Garcia to know the pride of fatherhood, grant him courage in this
new responsibility and render him an example of justice and truth. Amen.”

“Amen,”
I repeated softly.

He
promptly removed his hand. “Have you been fasting?”

I
nodded. I purposely avoided the pastries and the tea at the spa so I could take
communion during the wedding.

He
eyed me thoughtfully. “I heard you stopped by the church to make your
confessions on Thursday.”

“Yes,
Father.” We made our confessions shortly before our friends arrived.

He
smiled. “Is there anything burdening your heart that I should be aware of?”

I
shook my head. “I feel peace for the first time in a very long time. I’m very
excited to begin this next chapter in my life.”

“Splendid.
Then we’ll proceed with the ceremony as planned.” He glanced at his watch.
“Most of the guests have arrived. Can you be ready by five-thirty?”

I
walked him to the door. “I just need to step into my dress.”

“Very
well then. I’ll see you in fifteen minutes.” His white robe billowed against
the door when he stepped into the hall.

Lexie
squeezed through the door. “Jase stopped by to check on you, but he’s with Rafael
now. Dan and Kadyn just left so they could join the other guests. That makes me
your bodyguard.”

My
phone pinged. I glanced at the screen. “Charlie sent one of his inspirational
texts.”

She
unzipped the garment bag. “I’m surprised he’s not here.”

I
helped her ease the dress from the bag. “Charlie’s in-laws were in a car crash over
the weekend. They’ve been discharged from the hospital, but they still need
help getting around.”

She
nodded, sadly. “I’ll add them to my prayers.” Charlie started sending Lexie
inspirational messages when she had her kidney transplant. He was still texting
her three years later, even though they’d never met in person. “What does Charlie
have to say?”

I
scrolled through the message. “Be assured of your Father’s blessing, his
presence, his favor, and his surrounding grace. Who you are and everything you
have is the result of his favor. He is your sun and shield, and his honor
validates you. Your Father smiles on you with his compassion and his full
blessing as you seek him. He has written this day of your life in his book. Be
blessed in the name of the one who rejoices today in doing you good. My
thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Charlie.”

“He
is a kind man.” She rolled her eyes at my dress before removing it from the
hanger. “This is a wardrobe malfunction just waiting to happen.”

I
ducked behind the privacy screen so I could undress. The only undergarment I
needed was a thong, since the dress had a built in bra. I wasn’t planning to
wear stockings because I was wearing sandals, and I wanted my nail polish to
show.