Out of The Box Regifted (8 page)

“Hey there happy couple.” I say, with a smile on my face.

Ash happily ushers us all into the dining area, where the General Manager meets us.

“Mr. Harper! So glad to see you! Congratulations are in order, I hear.”

The manager extends his hand, and Ash willingly shakes it in response, “Yes siree, we’re celebrating a very special occasion indeed.”

Emily and I walk in together arm in arm, and I know that we’ve got a lot of planning to do. Ash has made it clear that there are no budgetary limits as to what he is willing to spend on their wedding, which doesn’t surprise me in the least. Knowing Emily, and her penchant for simplicity, I think I know exactly how to help. We finally get to our table, which is secluded, but has a phenomenal view of the windy city. The ambience is breathtaking! Neutral colors; very light and airy. The delectable spread of food has my appetite peaked. Ash has an expensive bottle of champagne brought to the table and we immediately raise our glasses, with Ash beginning our toast.

“To Tommy and Emily, with our best wishes for many years of love and happiness! Tommy, you’ve made me the happiest father ever, and I feel like you’ve successfully chosen your soul mate for life in Emily. And Emily, I want to welcome you to our loving, crazy, mixed up family, and want you to know that we love you so much!”

I have to get my two cents worth in, and begin my speech.

“Tommy and Emily, I knew from the day you two met that you would hit it off and make the perfect couple. I just can’t tell you enough how happy I am for the both of you. The fact that you’ve chosen to marry so soon, only solidifies the fact that love at first sight does exist. Love, happiness, and harmony to you both.”

Emily and Tommy both have tears in their eyes, as Tommy speaks for the two of them. “Dad, Olivia…the fact that you both support us is incredible. Emily and I are both so happy, and we are so relieved that you are both okay with our decision to get married so quickly. I know it’s an inconvenience and we didn’t mean to put this on you, but the fact that you support us means the world. We love you both so much.” Emily nods her head yes, and Tommy kisses her tenderly on the cheek.

Ash stands up. “Well then, now that that’s settled, let’s go eat. I’m damn hungry!” We all head over to the buffet area. The brunch here is a fabulous array of food, with impeccable presentation. Several appetizing stations offer abundant selections of all you could possibly want and I fill my plate, knowing full well I won’t be able to eat everything. There is a string quartet playing, which Ash has summoned to our table. They are more than ready to accommodate him and he has them play
What a Wonderful World,
which is the perfect song for this day. Ash and I sway back and forth to this beautiful classic song. Tommy looks at Emily as the quartet sings, and I can tell he’s singing in her ear. The two of them revel in happiness.

Ash takes my hand into his and whispers in my ear, “Liv, this is a wonderful world and I thank God every day that you are in it. The turn of events is astounding. Who could ever have thought my boy would find the girl of his dreams, and that his dad would find the same happiness? Beyond comprehension, my love.”

I smile and think of how lucky; truly lucky I am, when I get an incoming text from Todd.

‘So, are you guys at brunch celebrating?
’

“Who is that?” Ash asks. When I tell him it’s Todd, he replies, “Ask him if he and Kyra would like to join us for a carriage ride.”

I text Todd back and ask what he and Kyra are doing and he texts back right away. ‘
Ya really wanna know????’

I respond. ‘
Maybe not. Probably not! Ash wants to know if you and Kyra want to do a carriage ride with us after we have brunch.’

He immediately replies. ‘
Well after the ride I’ve just had, a carriage ride actually sounds great! We’ll head over to the Peninsula’

I have to laugh at that remark, and definitely don’t want a visual on it!
Having Todd and Kyra here just seems right, since they are ‘family’. I tell Emily, and she seems excited.

“So you, Kyra, and I can do some wedding planning.” She giggles, and I can tell that Emily will be more at ease with Kyra here.

Todd’s last text says, ‘
We gotta finish up and will get dressed and head over!’

Oh dear God, finish up? I don’t even want to know.
Todd, you are truly a piece of work,
I think to myself.

After about an hour, we finish brunch and head out to our carriage ride. Since it’s cool and windy, Ash has packed jackets for us all and has the valet bring them out to us. This man thinks of everything. I spot Todd and Kyra pulling up in his classically restored Mustang, and the valet is all over that. As soon as he pulls into the drive, every one of the valet attendants are arguing over which one will park it. Todd swaggers out of the car, motions for them to quit staring and open the door for Kyra.

“Guys, geez. There’s a lady who needs help out of the car…what the fuck? Hop to it.” He snaps his fingers, laughs, as do they, and immediately there are 3 valets at Kyra’s beck and call, extending their hands to her. She laughs, a bit embarrassed, and lets them all help her get out of the car. Todd gives them a thumb’s up and flashes some cash to each of them.

“Thanks for taking care of my beautiful ladies.” I can honestly say that Kyra and Todd make a beautiful couple. He’s dressed in nice jeans (surprisingly with no frays or tears) and a very nice gray sweater, which is just tight enough to show off his muscular, but lean build. His hair is still wet and fashionably messed up, so am thinking he must have recently showered. Kyra looks very trendy, wearing a pair of black leggings with a pair of black over the knee leather and suede boots, and a vibrant royal blue cowl neck long sweater. Her beautiful long blonde hair with cascading curls, next to his contrasting black hair, certainly makes you take a second look at them. Tommy and Todd man hug and Todd congratulates him again. “Tommy, my man, shit this is fuckin too cool. I can’t believe you’re getting married man. Who’d have thought? Tommy, the guy who is uber picky, finally found someone worthy.”

Tommy high fives him, “Yeah, I’ve finally found the perfect woman. Perfect in every sense of the word, dude. I guess
I
actually didn’t find her, she found me, or Olivia found us. Haha.” I laugh with them and think to myself that this was a perfect hookup. Once I met Emily, I just knew she was the one for Tommy. As much as people told me to not get involved, I just had to and boy did it pay off. Ash rounds us all up and we get into the 2 carriages, one for the girls and one for the boys, strategically parked and waiting for us. We ride around the area, taking in the spectacular sights of the city. Downtown Chicago is indeed a beautiful city and the architecture of the buildings is phenomenal. Kyra, Emily, and I are wrapped up in a blanket and look like giddy teenagers gathering our thoughts and planning for this wonderful upcoming day. I ask Emily what she’s thinking about wedding dress-wise and she tells me that she really doesn’t have a lot of money to spend on a dress, and that she doesn’t want a traditional dress. “Something simple and flowing—not a lot of detail. I’m not a girly girl, so I really don’t want a princess type dress.” I suggest a couple of consignment shops for wedding dresses, not knowing how she’ll take to my suggestion, but I had to throw it out there anyway.

“Olivia, what a great idea. I’d love to check them out. Kyra, what do you think?” She asks. Kyra’s face lights up. “Oh Em I think that’s a fabulous idea. I even think I’ve seen one in Evanston, if you guys want to check it out.” Emily and I both agree that we would. We plan a day next week to venture out to the different shops.

Kyra volunteers, “Let me call and get some appointments set up. I’m available whenever and I can’t wait. This is so exciting and Em, we
will
find you the perfect dress, I promise.”

***

I get a text from my special girl Lainey. ‘
Are y’all still at brunch? Did Tommy and Emily come too?’
I decide to call her instead of text back.

She screams excitedly into the phone, “Hi Mom! How’s it going?”

“Oh Lainey, I wish you were here in the worst way. Emily and Tommy are here and so are Todd and Kyra. We’ve just set out on a carriage ride around town and it’s beautiful.”

“So, are y’all planning the wedding? Damn I wish could be there to help. This is the best news—well, besides you and Ash I mean. What’s up with these Harper men anyway? Are they the ultimate Romeos or what?” I tell Lainey about Tommy’s proposal and she is so excited.

“
So, when is the wedding?” She asks.

“They are thinking of the first week in May, since their tour has been pushed to the end of the month. They want to get married at the house, so I’ve got a lot of details to iron out. We’ll talk when Ash and I come to Houston next week, and I can’t wait to see you sweetie. I’m so excited!”

“Aww Momma, I can’t wait either. I’ve got several condo units lined up for you and Ash to look at, and I’m so excited that y’all are gonna buy something here. He’s awesome Mom! This is the BEST news ever. I think Ash said he booked you to stay in the Galleria, and I’m taking time off so that we can begin our hunt for the perfect place.”

I smile as I realize once again how amazing Ash is. “Yeah, he’s pretty wonderful. How are you feeling sweetie? I miss you so much! How’s your baby bump coming along? I’m dying to see it. That’s my grandbaby, you know.”

She laughs. “Hold on Mom—gonna send you a picture. I AM showing now, which makes it all the more believable. Kellan thinks I look pretty damn cute. Hehe.” My phone signals an incoming text, and I switch over to look at the picture Lainey has just sent. She’s in front of her vanity mirror, standing to the side, smiling her beautiful smile. Sure enough, she proudly displays her little baby bump and it’s a wonderful sight. I show Emily and Kyra who giggle and exclaim at the same time, “How cute!” Switching back over to Lainey on the phone, I remark, “Oh my God you’re just beautiful and I can see my little grandbaby, who by the way is
so
photogenic.” We all laugh and I let the girls talk to Lainey. It’s funny how the guys are in their carriage and we ladies have our own. I wonder what they’re talking about throughout their ride.

***

This wonderful afternoon ends with us all being dropped off back at The Peninsula, where the valet crew brings our cars around. As Todd’s car pulls up, he dips his head to the attendant smiling a cocky smile, letting him know in no uncertain terms that a door needs to be opened for his beautiful Kyra. The valet gives thumbs up and is at the door helping her inside. “Well done my man.” Todd says. He crams a wad of cash in the valet’s hand, and I’ll wager anything that it was a very sizeable tip.

***

The next week seems to fly by. Emily and I have decided Saturday is our day for wedding dress shopping. Kyra has set 2 appointments up and I am eager to help. On our lunch break we talk about her folks, and I ask if she would like me to contact them to let them know the good news. Her facial expression immediately changes, and it’s like I can almost look right through her. Looking defeated she shrugs her shoulders, “To be honest, I wouldn’t even know how to contact them. My Aunt Mariah probably does, but it’s been a few years since I’ve talked to her. Actually, I don’t know if Mom and Dad would even care.” She turns her head and gazes out the window with her hand resting on her cheek, “They’ve moved on—so have I.”

I lean across the table, take her other hand and I’m more determined than ever to give her some hope. “Emily, happy times have a way of bringing families back together and mending fences. I wish you’d at least consider contacting your Aunt Mariah. See if she can help you connect with them. You do want them to share in this, don’t you?”

She looks to have tears in her eyes, while nervously twirling her hair, “Of course, I’d love to be in contact with them and for them to meet this wonderful guy, who’s about to be my husband.” She exhales a deep breath and shakes her head, “I’m just not so sure...”

I hold my hands up and give my best encouraging smile, “Then I’ll do it. If you’ll give me your aunt’s phone number, I’ll be happy to call her. Lemme see what I can do.”

Her eyes light up, as she smiles looking relieved, “Aww I’d love that Olivia! You’re the best!” She’s nervously chewing on her straw, as she tells me a little bit about her family. “Mariah and my mom, Hannah, used to be so close. They literally did everything together. They could even finish each other’s sentences.” Her eyes look down as she closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and wrings her hands. “When Daddy went off the deep end it was like everything went to hell in a handbag, our whole family was ripped apart. I was shuffled off to Aunt Mariah’s while my parents each went their own separate ways. Unfortunately, I wasn’t in their plans.” She puts her hand to her mouth, squinting her eyes as she fights the tears, and shakes her head to regain her composure. “God I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to go Debbie Downer on you.” I smile and hold my arms out to her. I think back to when Alan dropped the infidelity bomb on me, and I can honestly say that I don’t fault Hannah for just running away to escape reality. If I hadn’t had Ash, I may have done the same thing; who knows?

Emily gives me Mariah’s number and I decide to muster the courage to call her tomorrow. I just hope she can tell me how to contact Hannah and Glenn. I’ll deal with whatever I have to for Emily. I am woman, hear me roar…