FG 3 - The Wedding Blitz (23 page)

We grinned at each other then turned as I heard the most beautiful words I had ever heard before, “Please welcome Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Hawkins.”

If Hawkins hadn’t taken my hand to lead me across the floor, I think I’d still be standing there looking over my shoulder wondering who the lucky girl was. By the time we crossed to the central
Chihuly
ice sculpture, everyone had gotten to their feet to give us a standing ovation for pulling off the secret wedding without a hitch. We even got a couple cat calls and whistles which I didn’t think had anything to do with my planning as much as it had to do with my gorgeous husband.

I glanced over my shoulder to smile back at Riley, who I could tell even from halfway across the floor, was trying his hardest not to cry as he was finally introduced as Mr. Riley Harlow for the first time ever. 

Hawkins and I took our seat with the rest of the wedding party at a long rectangular table on the other side of the ‘winter tree’ sculpture. The table was set with white linen napkins, silver plates, glass goblets with silver trim placed in between tall glass vases, which held white Vanda flowers and twisted silver and white stained glass, rising above our heads before fanning out. I liked the added touch of the glass row boats spread across the table, which contained small glass balls with a pearl sheen that had sand and shells encased in them. Riley and Rob’s names were etched along the glass balls in silver. The flickering flame from the white lily shaped candles around the glass boats glimmered and shined against all of the glass decorations; completing the luxurious look.  

             
I was looking forward to the seafood buffet filled with freshly steamed lobsters, crab legs, clams, oysters, shrimp, muscles, grilled fish, and much, much more including a carving station for roast beef for those who were allergic to shell fish.

             
I was on a mission to sample everything including a lobster that Hawkins jokingly named Fred. It also didn’t help when Lizzie started to pet Fred in the line beside me. I was so hungry that I turned Fred over on his back and said a little prayer, “May he rest in peace,” before continuing down the line. I didn’t feel guilty about fishing for just the clam meat either and leaving behind the shells for the waiters to quickly replace with the endless supply we had in the kitchen upstairs.

“Wow, that’s such a cheap move,” Lizzie shook her head at me. “I now know why you and Hawkins are together.”  

“I can’t fit everything on my plate and the shells too,” I cut my eyes at her because I wasn’t going to let anything come between me and my food.

             
“
Obviously
,” she snorted.

             
“Hey, I’m eating for two.”

             
“Are you sure it’s not for three or four?” she smirked.

“Got a set of quadruplets in there, I don’t know about?” Hawkins caught the tail end of my conversation with Lizzie.

             
“Possibly,” I grinned as I piled on some crab legs next. The aroma coming off of the decadent seafood made my mouth water from just smelling it. I didn’t waste any time getting down to business once we all had our food in the wedding party. The fresh seafood coated in dripping melted butter made for the most delicious dinner I could remember having since I became aware of the pregnancy. Lizzie could only point her fork at the food, smack her buttery lips and nod from further down the table. Needless to say, it wasn’t long until all of us were back up in line for seconds.

             
Once we were all settled at the table again, Hawkins began to clink his water glass with a spoon grabbing everyone’s attention. “I’d like to say a toast to the happy couple,” Hawkins stood up on the other side of Harlow and began his speech. “Many of you might not know this but getting Riley and Harlow together was really my doing,” he smiled. “It has been a part of my master plans since the beginning when I introduced the two of them since Riley’s always had
Joie’s
back and I wanted someone to have Riley’s back. He’s practically
family
to Joie and I hope one day he’ll be the godfather of our child,” he turned to look at Riley who suddenly beamed at the idea. “So I know
I
did a fantastic job, if I may say so myself,” he said jokingly as laughter filled the air. “Of picking out the right person to finally have Riley’s back and that someone without a doubt is Rob. Now please join me in a toast, to the happy couple,” he raised his fluted glass and continued to say, “May the days you share be many, may the years you spend be blessed, may the two of you look back on a lifetime of happiness.”

After everyone took a sip around the room, the guests began to clink their silverware against their Champaign glasses until Harlow and Riley obliged their enthusiastic request with a kiss. Riley, who was seated on my left, visibly blushed when the crowd cheered and started all over again insisting on an encore. Today was for all of us, I was sure, the beginning of our happily ever after.

October

Dear Abigail,

This is my first letter to you. I wanted to be able to share with you how much your dad and I have loved you and thought about you even before you were born. Right now, you’re four months along and growing every day. I know because Aunt Lizzie keeps me updated on your developing progress every time we visit your Uncle Warren and her up in Vancouver. Your father keeps busy while he waits for you to come as he continues work on the house renovations by turning the basement into his own private studio since he doesn’t want to spend any time apart from the two of us.
Your
Godfather Riley and Uncle Rob just got back from their three week trip to Bora Bora. They loved it. Riley even sent a postcard to your dad and me every couple of days with the highlights of his trip like sleeping in a hut on the lagoon, getting massages at sunset, snorkeling by the coral reefs, and in every post card he sent love and kisses for you.

I am keeping busy too spending a lot of my time eating my favorite snacks, and possibly some of yours too because I really have a thing for ketchup now. I put it on almost everything to the amazement of your father and then I take cat naps in the afternoon. I love to sit on the white rocking chair in your room and think about how much I can’t wait to hold you and sing to you and love you. Your father may have the better voice but I have the front row advantage so you’ll just have to bear with me and my little lullabies until you’re born.

Love always,

Mom
        

November

Dear Abigail,

It’s getting colder outside but that just gives your father and I a reason to curl up by the fireplace together. You and I are five months along now and I like that people can finally tell that I’m pregnant enough so that they stop me when I am in Whole Foods to congratulate me. Your Aunt Lizzie finally broke down and mailed me a couple of pairs of pink maternity sweatpants and loose white cotton shirts because she didn’t think I should go out in public, even if it was just to the mailbox, dressed in only your dad’s oversized hoodies and a pair of brown UGGs. You see you’re already famous and there are these people who are trying to capture every stage of your
development
, even if it means dangling out of the side of a helicopter to get the shot. These overenthusiastic people really bring out the protective side in your dad though. He becomes like a big ole scary bear roaring on his hind legs ready to attack whenever they get close to you or me.

             
You must have had your fill of ketchup because you’ve moved onto peanut butter. Just like the ketchup, I put it on everything now but your father’s rarely ever shocked by what I put in my mouth these days. That was until I put the peanut butter on a hotdog where the ketchup
would
have gone last month.

Your father’s getting a little competitive with those lullabies I sing to you, he’s already written you at least ten of his own and insists that I only come in on the choruses when we sing to you. I may have lied once by saying,
but she kicks when
it’s your turn
. (But don’t tell him that.)

Love always,

Mom

Dear Abigail,

I found this journal cradled in your mother’s arms while she was taking another nap on the couch. It’s one of my favorite things to do, watch your mom sleep. It’s strange how protective I feel when she looks her most vulnerable dressed in my 3X hoodies with her knees curled up on the couch. She’s become something of a marathon sleeper lately and can practically do it anywhere: on the couch, in our bed, in the car, or in your rocking chair after she’s hummed both you and her asleep. She can’t even seem to stay awake on game day when her favorite
team the Pittsburgh Steelers are
playing New England or Baltimore, which is saying something for your mom!    

Love, Dad

P.S.  Oh and about those lullabies, I want you to know that I only became competitive with them when I realized they weren’t actually
lullabies
, they were Dave Matthews Band songs. The only band your mom’s ever liked probably more than mine. Now that makes Daddy truly feel like a big ole scary bear roaring on his hind legs!

December

Dear Abigail,

Christmas time is here and
your
Godfather Riley, Aunt Lizzie, and all of your uncles are in town for the holiday. It feels good to hear the house filled with laughter again. Your Uncle Harlow cooked us a turkey dinner with all the fixings like creamy mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn pudding, salad, and rolls. I think you enjoyed it just as much as I did because it took everything in me not to lick the plate clean.

We then drank hot cocoa by a crackling fire and exchanged gifts. I got Daddy a new Gibson guitar that he had his eye on for quite some time and he got me a package for a day at the spa and a Pandora keepsake bracelet with a collection of baby charms on it. You got quite a few presents too. I especially liked the gigantic stuffed Giraffe from your Godfather Riley. Daddy and Uncle Warren then sang Christmas carols as we continued to snuggle in around the fireplace.

I’m finishing this letter very early in the morning because you can’t get comfortable and I can’t sleep; must be from too much excitement. The view from your bedroom window is pretty to look at though with everything outside covered in a blanket of snow. Sometimes I feel so sad that you aren’t here to share this Christmas with your extended family. I can’t wait for you to finally meet your Godfather Riley and Aunt Lizzie. Now Daddy you know of course because he likes to sing to you and rub my belly but there’s going to be so many sweet memories I can’t wait to share with you like your first Christmas, your first snow shower, and all the peanut butter your heart desires. Even if I have the sneaky suspicion that you’re moving on to ice cream and root beer floats. Finally something Daddy can relate to. 

Love always,

Mom

January

Dear Abigail,

I took you on a nature walk today much to Grandma Hawkins’ dismay. She doesn’t like the idea of me
exercising
with you now that I am seven months along but what she doesn’t know is that you get really still when we walk among the evergreen trees, hear the birds chirp up above, and listen to the babbling brook nearby. I like to think you’re taking in the sound and sights with me as we crunch along the snowy path that Daddy preapproved and already went over with a snow blower at least a dozen or so times by now. But Grandma Hawkins gets out her extra, extra big glasses and watches us every morning from her sunroom. (She could teach those overly enthusiastic people I told you about a thing or two.)

What she doesn’t know is that I’m very protective of you. Ever since you stopped eating green M&Ms (I know it seems like so long ago to you now) I’ve lathered my skin in this protective thing called sunscreen, taken pills so large your Daddy has to cut them up so I don’t gag and spit them back out like the green M&Ms, and stay away from this overly uppity thing called caffeine (even though I think you’d appreciate the delicious sugary flavor of this drink called Mountain Dew, which is kind of like root beer, your new favorite thing.) It’s nice to know that your Grandma Hawkins cares though, and that she’s clear across the lake you have come to love so much.