A Window to Love (Windows) (Volume 1) (20 page)

“Lissa, what are you thinking about? You’re so quiet. Are
you okay?” asked Lily.

“I’m fine. Just feeling sentimental being with both of you.
You’re my only family.” As the last word left my mouth, Lily jumped off the bed
and raced to her luggage. Returning, she plopped back down on the bed next to
me and pushed an envelope in my hand.

“Hey, Lissa, I have something for you. When I was sorting
through your mother’s things, I found a letter addressed to you. Earlier today
I took it out of the box, I haven’t read it, but I thought it might be
important.

I look down and immediately recognize my mother’s
handwriting on the outside on the envelope. To Melissa on Your Wedding Day. I
took a deep breath flipped it over and drew out a piece of parchment paper.

My Dear Sweet Mimi,

Today is your big day, and I know you have thought long
and hard about making this lifetime commitment but please allow me a few
thoughts. Marriage is a wonderful thing but, not for the weak of heart or
spirit. When things get tough, and they will, remember today, your wedding day.
Remember why you chose to spend the rest of your life with this man and why he
chose you. Through the years, things will change. Struggles will come and go,
but the person you are marrying today will be still be that same person with a
few new ideas, a few new views. Remember to honor that. Marriage can equal
happiness, but you must be realistic. It is not a fairy tale come true. It is a
fairy tale in progress that requires daily tending. Always be yourself and let
him always be who he is, too. Don't forget to let him be a man.

I love you so much, my sweet and beautiful girl. I am so
proud to call myself your mother.

Love, Your Maman

By the time I read the last words of her letter, tears were
running down all three of our faces. I handed it to Lily who in turn shared it
with Jane. I didn't know what to say. There were no words to express how I felt
at the moment. The feeling was something between joy and sadness. I wondered if
it was possible for those two words to coexist.

“I had to give it to you, Lissa since I knew it existed and
as much as I knew it would make you sad, I thought it might also bring you
happiness. Your mom’s here with you. She’s with you every day, but this letter
makes her part of your special day. I hope you’re not mad at me,” Lily said
tearfully while touching my shoulder.

I turned and hugged her tightly, “Of course, I’m not mad.
This means a lot to me. Merci.”

Not wanting to be left out, Jane put her arms around both of
us. “She’s going to be fine. Lil, you did a good thing.” Then, as only Jane
could do, she turned the night around adding, “It’s a big day tomorrow and it’s
going to be wonderful. Remember Melissa, you get to fuck that gorgeous man
legally forever!”

With that statement, we all laughed hysterically until we
had tears running down our faces. After all the good food, good bubbly, good
laughs and tears, we fell into a fitful sleep.

IN THE MIDDLE of the night, I woke
up abruptly and looked around trying to figure out where I was. My eyes scanned
the room, and the memories of the last time I stayed in this hotel flooded my
mind. I was with my parents; we'd just come back from our holiday window stroll
and gourmet dinner. We were so happy. We were laughing. My parents were telling
me they were exhausted. They hugged me goodnight and told me they loved me.
Tears were pouring down my face, and all I could think was, I had to get out of
here.

I jumped out of bed, hurried to get dressed, dashed out of
the bedroom and headed for the door. As I was about to walk out of the hotel
room, Lily caught my arm. “Where are you going Melissa?”

“I can't stay here. I need Evan!”

Breaking free of her grasp, I was out the door, running for
the elevator. I went straight to the front desk and asked for a car
immediately. When I was seated in the back of the hotel town-car, I realized I
didn't have my purse, my keys, or my phone. I had nothing. That was what I had.
Nothing!

At my building, I was greeted by Phillip. I gave him a quick
hello and rushed for the elevator. Stepping out, I was quickly pulled into two
very strong arms. “Bébé, Lily called me scared to death that you might be
running away again.”

“I told her I needed you! I don't care about tradition. I
need to be with you. I couldn't stay in that hotel. I woke up with visions of
my parents and our last time there. The memories were suffocating me. I wanted
your arms around me. Tell me that everything will be okay. I don't want to be
alone anymore.”

“Oh bébé, I've got you now. You will never be alone again.”
Evan scooped me up and carried me to our bed. “You're home, bébé.” We climbed
in bed. Clinging together, we fell asleep.

ON OUR WEDDING day, I woke up alone,
the first time that Melissa had left our bed before me. I got up to look for
her. As I walked down the hallway I heard her singing, or I should say more
like chanting or rapping. I followed her voice to the workout room. There she
was; shaking her beautiful ass on the elliptical machine. I leaned back
against the wall and enjoyed the view. The music was not appealing to me, but
it made me laugh watching her performance. She always made me smile. I loved
that woman so much. I couldn't believe how she made me feel since the first day
I saw her. Why did I wait so long to approach her?

“Hey. Are you just going to stand there watching me with that
glorious bulge in your pants, or maybe you'd like to fulfill my gym fantasy?”
She asked as a smile played at the corners of her mouth.

I growled moving quickly to her, “You’re a bad girl, bébé!”
I had her clothes ripped off, literally, in seconds flat.

“You are going to have to buy me new under garments and a
workout outfit!” Melissa exclaimed as I consumed her hot little body.

“I'll buy them by the case full as long as I can rip them
off of you.” I bit her neck, panting, “I can't help myself.”

Not another word was spoken. Only growls, groans and moans
could be heard.

Melissa…

THIS DAY WAS highly emotional for
me. Not only was it our wedding day, but it was also the seventh anniversary of
my parents' accident. Part of me was wondering why I have agreed to a wedding
on this date. Questioning if it would be a stressful wedding anniversary for us
every year. Yet for some reason, maybe my incredible love for this man that I
decided to go along with Evan. He had worked hard to make this a special day with
new happy memories. He continually assured me this would be a celebration of
their lives and our new life together, but I missed them. I wanted them to
share this day with us. I wanted them to see that their wish to get us together
had come true.

“You okay, bébé?” His hands were on my shoulder, gently
caressing me. “You're very tense.” He knew what I was thinking about so to
lighten my mood he gave me a little wicked grin and added, “Was our 'workout'
not enough?”

I giggled. “My personal trainer was hot. I think he worked
out every angle of my body.” I reached up and covered his hands. “Thank you.”
And then the tears erupt. “Thank you for saving me. I know today is going to be
spectacular because you always make everything perfect, but you know I am thinking
about my parents. Wishing they could be here.”

“They will be with us. They're with you every day, Melissa.
You have them safe in your heart, and they will never leave.” Evan took me into
his big, strong arms, and I felt the warmth of his love. “You ready to head
over to the hotel? Lily and Jane keep texting me. My mother and sisters want to
help them get you dressed.” I received one more squeeze from my beautiful man
as we moved closer to the altar.

Arriving at the hotel, Evan and I kissed goodbye and went
our separate ways. When I got to the hotel suite, a makeup artist and two
hairdressers are working on all the ladies. I was next. Once they had me all
made up, Jane and Lily along with Evan's mother and sisters helped me get into
my dress.

My shantung taffeta ball gown silhouette dress was gorgeous.
It was the perfect shade of champagne. What other colour would it be? The top
was a strapless bodice with a three inch fold-over hem. Its full,
chapel-length, pleated skirt had a split front revealing a tulle underlay. The
dress was exquisite, and I felt like a princess. How else would I feel on my
wedding day, marrying my handsome prince, anticipating the happily-ever-after?
The ladies all gasped with “oohs and aahs” when I was all put together.

“Okay, Melissa, we have a few things to present to you. No
crying. Your makeup will run.” Lily reached into her bag and pulled out a
jewelry box. “Something old.” Opening the box, I saw my mother's pearl
earrings. I choked back my tears as I put them in my earlobes.

Biting my lip, I whispered. “I was looking for these this
morning. I’m so happy you found them. Merci, Lily.” I kissed Lily on each
cheek.

Jane chimed in, not giving me time to think. “Something new
was given to you by Evan.” She opened the jewelry box containing the double
strand of pearls twisted together. She took them out and fastened them around
my neck and she said, “’two lives entwined as one.’ Evan told me to make sure
to tell you that as I put them on you. He's got it bad for you.” I giggled and
gave her a hug.

“My turn,” said Evan's mom Layla. “Something borrowed.” She
asked me to hold out my arm and she hooked a pearl bracelet on my wrist. “Alex
gave this bracelet to me on our wedding day. We want you to wear it today. We
love you, honey. We're thrilled to welcome you into our family.” A quick hug
and she moved away from me and disappeared into the bathroom.

Sylvie and Jennie moved over to me, each squeezing one of my
arms. Sylvie spoke first. “Sorry about that. She's upset, crying all morning,
talking about your parents.” Jennie added, “She doesn't want to make you cry.”

“I've been crying in Evan's arms, too.”

Layla returned to the room. “Sorry about that, Melissa.”

“The girls explained. Believe me, I understand. No more
tears. Like Evan says, it's time to celebrate our new lives together.” Layla
hugged me.

“Oh,” said Jennie, “I almost forgot. Something blue.” She
told me to lift my left leg and then slipped a blue elastic garter up to my
thigh.

Sylvie whistled. “Ooh la la! Melissa, I see you already took
care of the blue.” I blushed as they all turned to see icy blue panties with a
matching garter belt. What they could see was the icy blue strapless push-up
bra; all of it for entertaining my new husband on our wedding night. I giggled.

There was knock on the door. Evan's dad, Alex, was here;
ready to walk me down the aisle. He extended his arm to me, and we began our
journey.

“I do not intend to make you cry. But I want to tell you a
few things.” He gripped my hand in his and continued. “Your parents were very
proud of you. You know they're with you today and always.” I simply shook my
head. “We are thrilled to have a new daughter.” I smiled up at him. “And last
of all, thank you for making Evan so happy. He loves you like crazy.” He took a
couple of deep breaths. “That wasn't so bad.” He patted my hand and then moved
it back to his side. “Are you ready to get married?”

“Oui... Yes.” I smiled at him and gave him a light kiss on
the cheek careful not to leave lipstick. “Let's go see my future husband.” I
smiled at the thought of Evan as my husband.

Lily and Jane dressed in midnight blue, floor-length,
strapless gowns walked into the ballroom ahead of me. I was waiting nervously
behind closed doors when the wedding planner walked up to us. “Ready?” I nodded,
she spoke quietly into a headpiece, the doors opened and we made our way down
the aisle to the most handsome man I'd ever seen.

Standing at the altar, I saw the man from the holiday window
staring at me with love in those incroyable blue eyes. He was wearing a
three-piece black tailored suit; ivory shirt and silk champagne tie the exact
colour of my dress. He smiled at me, and I could see that, in the short time
that I had been away from my beautiful groom, he had shaved off his facial
hair. He was smirking at me as only that man could. When I reached Evan, I
lifted my hand and stroked his smooth face.

“You look like the first day I saw you in the studio,” I
said in a soft whisper.

“Like the man in the window too?” He asked with a sparkling
smile.

“Yes. Mmmm. That's going to feel different.” I giggled and
received a wicked grin complete with raised eyebrows. He raised my hand,
grazing his lips along the inside of my wrist, I swallowed a moan as we tightly
linked our hands together and turned to face the presiding judge to begin the
ceremony that would seal our lives together.

The ceremony was lovely and brief. Once we were pronounced
Mr. and Mrs. Evan Duke Crandall, I received a deep, passionate kiss from my
husband. After being congratulated by family and friends, Evan whisked me out
of the room for a few private moments before we had photographs of us snapped
throughout the hotel. While we were captured on film, our guests were treated
to the hors d'oeuvres and libations in the stunning Rotunda with its famous
tromp l'oeil murals.

Rejoining everyone in the Cotillion Ballroom to celebrate
our marriage, I saw that the room had been transformed into an amazing banquet
feast filled with flowers and huge topiary trees filled with twinkling lights.
In the middle of the room under two crystal chandeliers, a table was dressed in
ivory, cream and French blue linens that coordinate with the room's decor.
Cream, blushed apricot, and champagne colour flowers along with greenery and
high ornate candelabras added drama down the center of the table. Beyond the
dining area, the chapel setting had been removed, and in its place was a small
orchestra playing behind a dance floor. To the side, a gorgeous three tier
champagne colour fondant wedding cake was on display. It was all so elegant, it
took my breath away.

“How did I do, bébé? Are you happy?”

“Oui. C’est magnifique, monsieur.” I softly kissed his
delicious lips.

“Mmmm. I'm glad you’re happy. Now, let's have a nice dinner,
cut the cake, dance a little and then escape to start our honeymoon and the
rest of our lives. J'ai besoin de baiser ma femme. I need to fuck my wife.”

“J’adore when you talk naughty to moi in français.” I say
looking into his darken, sexy blue eyes.

Evan…

OUR WEDDING CELEBRATION was
wonderful. The dinner was delicious. A six courses meal was accompanied by
several bottles of coordinating wines, and of course, there was plenty of
champagne for my bride. The cake tasted as good as it looked, it was Melissa's
favourite; white cake with vanilla Bavarian cream filling. I twirled her around
the dance floor, singing into her ear occasionally and she melted in my arms
every time I kissed her. She looked so beautiful but I couldn't wait to
strip her of her wedding dress. I felt like I was floating on a cloud. Everyone
got up and gave a toast. There were tears mixed with laughter. It was a magical
night enjoyed by all. When I could no longer stand sharing her with our guests,
I thanked everyone for coming, then scooped my wife up in my arms and proceeded
out the door, up to our room.

Our suite had been filled with flowers and candles waiting
to be lit as I requested. As soon as we were in the room, Melissa started
attacking me. She was grabbing for my jacket, eagerly unbuttoning my waistcoat
and shirt, loosening my tie, undoing my pants. She acted like she couldn't get
my clothes off fast enough.