From This Moment (16 page)

* * *

Ivy almost missed the deadline for her column because she was trying to finalize everything for Gwen’s candlelight wedding and reception. Now that Gwen had gotten married and was off on her honeymoon, she could e-mail it to her editor.

Everyone seemed to be pleased with the romantic and heartfelt ceremony. Ivy had put together a lot of weddings, so she’d heard all the things that were said at the ceremony before, but the words the minister spoke to Gwen and Anthony really touched her heart. The sheer happiness on the couples faces was extraordinary. Once Gwen made it to the altar, it appeared that they were the only two people in the room.

Ivy had been so caught up in the moment that she didn’t care that Jonathan stood in the back with her and caught her hand when the minister started the vows. Everyone had done their job well and now it was on to the next bride.

“Vee,” Rose said when she walked into the room.

Ivy looked up from her computer. “Hey, Rosie.”

“Gwen made a beautiful bride, didn’t she?” Rose sat down in front of Ivy.

“Everything was just lovely. Now, I’ve got to get caught up. It’s time to tape the next couple for the show.” Ivy said.

“When will they air them?”

“In the fall. They’ll alternate between the three cities. So one Sunday it will be me, the next, the New York planner and then the L.A. planner.”

“I’m excited. I can’t wait to see it.”

“How’s it going answering phones?”

“The temp they sent over from the agency is doing an okay job. She’s fascinated with the wedding business, so I think if we can get her to focus she’ll do a good job.”

“Most women, whether they admit it or not, love weddings and all that they represent,” Ivy said.

“I came down here to invite you over to my house for dinner on Friday night. Marc is going to make us a fabulous meal.”

“Sure, Rosie, I’ll be there.”

Rose stood up and said, “Now that you and Jonathan have gotten cozy, I don’t have to tell you that he’s going to be there, too.”

Ivy chuckled. “No, you don’t. I’m okay with him being there, Rosie.”

“I’m so glad you’re starting to socialize with us more.”

“Marc’s a great cook, and we had a lot of fun that night we went skating,” Ivy replied.

“I’m going to check on our temp.” Rose disappeared through the door.

* * *

Ivy picked up the phone and called Violet.

“Yes, ma’am,” Violet said when she picked up.

“Are you going over to Rosie’s Friday night for dinner?”

“I’ll be there. You know I love Marc’s cooking, especially when he does those fancy dishes.”

Ivy smiled. “I said the same thing. I wonder who else is going to be at the party.”

“She said she was inviting everybody. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Violet hesitated before she spoke again. “Vee, how are you doing sorting out your feelings for Jonathan?”

“You know he wants us to live together now.”

“And . . .”

“I don’t know, Violet. I’m just as confused as I was before.”

“But you said that you loved him.”

“I do, I really do, but . . .”

“But, you don’t trust him.”

“I trust him,” Ivy said before releasing a groan. “I don’t know.”

“I won’t badger you about it. You know how you feel about him. Just keep on doing what you’re doing, taking things one step at a time.”

It was Friday already and another week had come and gone. Ivy had completed her last taping with the second couple and now she was on the home stretch. She was given the last portfolio and would meet with the final couple, Ryan Curtis and Keisha Marshall, next week.

Business had picked up for the upcoming summer and fall wedding season.

She and Jonathan continued to enjoy each other’s company, laughing and talking about their favorite music, childhood memories and movies. She was surprised when he said that the movie
The Best Man
was his all time favorite with
Love and Basketball
coming in a close second. Both movies were in her top five.

They made love with such passion that she was unable to put her feelings into words.

Ivy took a quick shower and then walked into her closet to find something to wear for the evening. She laughed at Rose when she called and asked Ivy to wear red to the dinner party. Ivy knew that red was Rose’s favorite color, so she obliged. She carefully chose a red three-piece pants suit. It had strips of satin and lace appliqué, beads and gems on the collar, cuffs and the camisole. She paired it with her diamond stud earrings and red oxford pumps.

Admiring herself in the mirror, she heard the doorbell. She hurried to the door.

“Look at my baby,” Jonathan said, smiling brightly, as he walked into the condo.

Ivy, feeling playful, modeled the outfit for him.

Jonathan put two fingers in his mouth, whistling. “You really dressed up, didn’t you?” He pulled her to him.

Ivy stepped back and went to the closet to retrieve her coat. “Rosie called and asked me to wear red.”

She looked over at him. “You’re not shortstopping.” Ivy loved the way his red shirt complimented the black pinstriped pants and vest.

Placing a kiss on his lips, she said, “I guess they’re going to pull out their best china.”

Jonathan chuckled. “Yeah, I guess. When my brother gets in the mood to cook, he goes all out. Did she tell you what was on the menu?”

“No, she just said dress up and prepare to have a good time.”

Jonathan took the coat from her. “Well, let me help you with that and we can get this party started.”

* * *

There were lots of cars lining the driveway and parked on the street at Rose and Marc’s house.

Ivy pointed. “My mom and dad are here.”

“I see Uncle Isaiah’s car here, too,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan found a parking space along the curb in front of Violet’s late model Lexus.

They got out of the car and walked the short distance to the house. As they went up the sidewalk to the front door, Ivy noticed that Rose had found a way to redecorate the outside of the house with lights that illuminated the pathway. She always loved the way Rose added her personal touch to her home.

Jonathan rang the bell. When Marc opened the door Ivy thought he gave her a funny look when they exchanged hellos. She shrugged it off as her imagination and promised herself that she wouldn’t be paranoid. This party wasn’t for her, it was for Rose.

Rose and Marc had lived in the home for two years. Each and every time Ivy visited her sister, she saw something different. When they walked into the living room, she noticed that Rose had placed four gorgeous new paintings on the wall. Ivy was admiring them when Rose came over to her.

“Girl, you know you sharp,” Rose said to Ivy before giving Jonathan a hug.

“Look at you, you are simply glowing,” Ivy said, pulling her sister to her.

Rose stepped back and curtsied. “Why, thank you so much ma’am,” she said playfully, turning so Ivy could see the red loose-fitting jacket dress with print duster trimmed in white satin. She stuck her leg out so that Ivy could see the slits on the sides.

Ivy looked up again at the paintings. “Where did you get these? I love the abstract shapes.”

“Would you believe I found them at an estate sale?”

“Really?”

“Yeah, and we paid about twenty dollars apiece for them,” Rose said, walking away, and then stopping right in front of the threshold of the door.

“Everybody’s in the family room,” Rose announced.

Ivy and Jonathan walked into the spacious room. Her parents and the Damons were sitting on the large leather pit-style set listening to music. There was a big-screen television, entertainment center and lots of family photos on the wall.

“Hey, everybody,” she said, waving her hand. Jonathan walked in behind her and did the same. He walked over to properly greet his aunt and uncle while Ivy went to speak to her parents. She was surprised to see her mother holding a wine glass.

“Mom, what are you drinking?” Ivy asked, giving her a hug.

After squeezing her daughter, Louvenia handed Ivy the glass. “Moscato, I think,” she said with uncertainty. “Lili gave that to me. She knows I don’t drink, but she said that Rosie wanted everyone to have a glass.”

“Oh,” Ivy said. She moved around to the other side to place a kiss on her father’s cheek. “Hey, Daddy.”

“How’s my baby girl?”

“Good.” She patted her mother’s knee. “You guys look nice in your matching red outfits.”

Andrew glanced over at Louvenia. “Your mother made me wear this. You know I hate red.”

Louvenia turned up her nose and shook her head at her husband’s statement.

“Where are Lili and Violet?” Ivy asked.

Andrew Hart crossed his legs at the ankle. “They are helping Marc in the kitchen.”

Ivy went over to speak to the Damons, and then she left to look for her sisters.

Walking through the dining room area, she stopped to inspect the beautiful table settings. A crinkled silk cloth covered the formal dining room table which seated eight with matching chair covers. It was adorned with one continuous centerpiece of garden and spray roses, kaleidoscope phalaenopsis orchids and sweet pea. Another smaller table had been decorated in the same manner.

Ivy could do nothing but smile. She walked to the kitchen where she found Violet.

“Wow, this is going to be some kind of party,” Ivy said to Violet as she ladled the soup into the dish.

“It smells good in here.” She walked closer to Violet. “You better be careful not to ruin your outfit.” Ivy pulled the apron her sister wore up further around her neck and retied it so it would cover her entire front.

“Thanks, Vee. I’m trying not to just sit down and serve myself some of this soup.”

Ivy peeked into the pot that was on the stove. “It looks like clam chowder.”

“It is, and mmmm, it smells so good.”

“You need any help?”

Violet looked around. “No, I don’t think so, Marc only asked me to put the soup in the tureen, and he’ll take care of the rest.”

Ivy scanned the kitchen. “Where is Lili?”

“She’ll be back, she said that the cake got messed up or something and she didn’t bring any of her supplies.”

“That girl.” Ivy shook her head. “Well, if you don’t need any help, I’m going back to the family room.”

Violet picked up a clean towel and wiped her hands off. Placing the ladle inside the bowl, she put the lid on it. “I’m going with you,” she said, removing the apron and laying it on the back of the chair.

“Where’s Jonathan?” Violet asked.

“He’s around here somewhere. When I left, he was talking to his aunt and uncle,” Ivy replied as they approached the room.

“Is the food ready yet?” Andrew asked.

“Not just yet, Daddy,” Ivy answered. She sat down on the other side of her parents on the couch.

“It should be in a minute, though,” Violet said.

They waited for the host and hostess to come into the room.

* * *

Finally, Rose and Marc both entered the room together. Rose stepped forward and addressed everyone. Marc came to stand next to her, and then pulled her to his side.

“Marc and I asked you all to come over this evening because we have something to tell you.”

Everyone sat straight up in their seats.

Rose looked up at Marc, tears brimming in her eyes. Marc bent to kiss her, before Andrew yelled out, “Will you tell us already?”

Isaiah said, “Don’t keep us in suspense.”

“We’re having a baby,” Marc said quickly.

Excitement filled the room as the grandparents-to-be surrounded the happy couple. Ivy didn’t know why her heart sank. It definitely wasn’t because she was jealous of Rose. She understood how badly Rose wanted to be a mother, and this news was her dream come true.

Until recently, she never even thought about being a mother. She’d left all those thoughts behind after her accident. It only occurred to Ivy at that moment: maybe she couldn’t have any children.

Jonathan came over to her. “Baby, why don’t we go out on the deck for a minute?” He held out his hand to her.

Ivy looked up at him and placed her hand in his. The concern he showed for her was one of the reasons she loved him. As they passed Marc and Rose, Ivy stopped.

Her eyes widened when she hugged her sister and Rose whispered, “You told me to stop worrying, and I did.”

When she said those words, tears spilled down Ivy’s cheeks. She was truly happy for Rose.

They hugged again and Ivy could see Rose’s tears. Ivy retreated and said, “I’m going to be Auntie Vee.” She smiled and waited for Jonathan to give them his congratulations.

* * *

Ivy and Jonathan walked through the dining area into the kitchen. They walked to the back, he slid the door open enough for them to step out on the deck.

“It’s chilly out here,” Ivy said, rubbing her arms.

Jonathan invited her into his open arms. “Come here, baby.” He held her close to him, whispering, “We’ll go back inside in a minute. I saw the sad expression on your face when Rose made her announcement and thought maybe you needed some air.” He released her.

Looking into her eyes he asked, “You want to be a mother, too, don’t you?”

“I hadn’t thought about being a mom in a very long time. I’m not sure what triggered it, but lately . . .” Her voice trailed off.

Jonathan lifted her chin, so that he could look into her eyes. “It’s okay to say it, baby.”

Tears brimming, she finally said, “I want to be a mommy.”

Jonathan hugged her again. “I know you do, and you will.”

Curving his arm around her shoulders, he held her to his side. “Come on, let’s get inside. I don’t want you to catch a cold.”

They walked back inside to join the rest of the family in the celebration.

* * *

“Where did you guys slip off to?” Violet asked Ivy when she and Jonathan returned.

“I just needed to get some air, and Jonathan went with me.”

Jonathan touched her elbow. “Baby, I’m going to help Marc out in the kitchen.”

Ivy nodded.

Violet responded by raising her eyebrow. Ivy ignored the look and asked, “Where’s Lili?”

Violet shrugged.

Ivy checked her watch. “She’s been gone a long time.”

“Knowing Lili, she might have remade the cake or something,” Violet said.

Rose came over to where they were standing. “Aww, mommy,” Violet said, reaching for Rose.

“How are you feeling?” Ivy asked, rubbing Rose’s back as she and Violet hugged each other.

“I feel great today, but I felt tired all the time for the last two weeks. I thought it was because we had been so busy, but when I got up the other morning and the room was spinning like I’d just got off a Ferris wheel, I started paying more attention. I went to the doctor, took a blood test and they told me that I was pregnant.” Rose could barely get it out without crying.

Ivy hugged her. “I’m so happy for you. You’re going to make a great mom.”

“Where is Lili?” their mother asked.

“That seems to be the question of the hour,” Violet said.

“We need to eat soon, because you know how your father is when he’s really hungry.”

“Come on, let’s eat,” Rose said, walking toward the doorway. “We don’t have to wait for Lili, she’ll get something when she comes in,” Rose said.

Everyone followed her to the dining room.

* * *

Jonathan entered the kitchen, where Marc was working to get the food on the platters.

“Man, have you ever seen Aunt Rachel cry like that before?” Jonathan asked.

“No, and it looked like Unc shed a few of his own.”

Jonathan’s eyes got big. “He’d never admit to it.”

“For sho,” Marc commented as he put the rice pilaf on a long white dish.

Jonathan grabbed a set of oven mitts and removed the steaks from the broiler. He placed the tray on the stove so the meat could sit and the juices redistribute themselves. “Are you excited about the baby?” he asked his brother.

Marc stopped what he was doing. “Man, I feel like I’m ten feet tall. I really can’t explain how I feel about it. You’ll understand once you and Ivy have kids.”

“Maybe, I don’t know. She got really emotional about the baby announcement, so I took her out on the deck and we talked for a bit.”