Bella Baby (25 page)
“Bella are you okay? What happened last night? We were so worried about you,” Kennedy stammered as they walked to the spa.
“I told Chaz about his birth mother and it didn’t go well at first. It’s okay now. They met and you would never know they have been separated these twenty-six years.”
“His mother is here in Vegas? What? How?” Julie interjected, shock registered on her face.
“What did we miss?” Mia asked, looking to Callie and Ava. Susanne, Pops wife, and their daughters were joining them for some pampering.
“It’s a long story but the woman that ‘raised’ Chaz was not his biological mother. He never knew that he was the product of an affair. It was tough for him to handle the news. She volunteered to bring her family out here to meet him.” Bella took out her cell phone and showed the video of Juanita running into Chaz’s arms. All the ladies crowded around the phone to watch the crying Juanita and Chaz’s embrace. When his siblings joined the hug there was a collective sigh. Walking into the salon, there was not one dry eye amongst the group.
“Um is that his brother?” Mia asked casually. Bella smiled and replied, “He is legal too.”
“I was just wondering Bella, geez.” Mia blushed and covered her face with her hand. “Sorry they are attractive. I know I am not the only one to have a crush on Chaz.”
Bella shook her head as the other ladies raised their hands. Susanne, sheepishly raised her hand, and her daughters threw her crazy looks. They both raised their hands giggling.
“I am marrying this heartbreaker,” Bella exclaimed, laughing.
Inside the salon they were treated to all manner of pampering. Bella was massaged, polished, made up, combed, curled, waxed, and relaxed. After several hours of exquisite treatment they emerged ready to have a wedding. The Bellagio Hotel’s chapel was to be the wonderful setting for their nuptials. Bella hoped the video and photography would capture the beautiful Nevada sunset with an array of amazing colors. Bella chose a simple wedding package. They had already splurged on the trip. A private limo would whisk them away to the marriage office and bring them back to the hotel. Upon their return they were going to be treated to a special chef prepared dinner at the hotel’s buffet. There would be another party bus after dinner, without strippers, to whisk them all over the city to celebrate afterwards.
The best part was the ceremony would stream live on the Internet. Employees at the Perfect Ten, Urban Gear, and Caruthers’ Home Cooking were going to watch the wedding at their respective locations. Bella’s co-workers also promised to watch the wedding and were meeting at her boss’s house to watch. Bella sent the information to what remained of her family just in case they cared. A few days before they left for Vegas, Trisha called to congratulate Bella on the wedding. Trisha was her mother’s only sister.
“Congratulations Bella, it’s nice to hear from you,” Trisha said softly into the phone.
“Thanks Aunt Trish, I am very happy. Chaz is an amazing man.”
They talked for a while and Trisha provided family updates on their remaining members, which were few. Trisha hinted around to some repairs that were needed on the home previously occupied by Bella’s beloved Nana. Bella ended the conversation shortly thereafter, not wanting to get into the details. Mary Anne called when she received the announcement but was very straightforward with requests.
“Hey Bella, I got your invitation but I can’t afford to go to Las Vegas. I would love to be there,” Mary Anne admitted.
“Hey Aunt Mary Anne, it’s not an invitation. It’s an announcement that’s all. We are just going to go with a few of our friends and get married. Neither my fiancé or I have much family so we thought this would be smarter.”
“Bella, you know that’s a lie. You have plenty of family. You just don’t come around any more. I have twelve grandkids and there is plenty of family. You just ran away from us once you started making money.”
“I do not really know any of them anymore. It’s been so long. I just wanted you to know that I was really happy and getting married.”
“Oh okay well I’m glad someone is happy. We are over here struggling with this economy. William, Jordan, and Mika had to move back into my house. It’s tough with their kids and stuff to make ends meet.”
Bella was livid that she was trying to hit her up for money. “I am sorry to hear that. I am sure things will turn around for you soon. It’s nice that the insurance money helped to pay off the house.”
Mary Anne scoffed, “That was a long time ago and it made sure you had somewhere to live and we wouldn’t be on the streets. Besides things change Bella. We took you in and looked after you. That’s what family does.”
“So I have heard, well I have to get back to work. It was nice to hear from you Auntie. If you have a computer and Internet, you can watch the wedding online.”
“I have a computer, we are not animals Bella. But I can see you have forgotten about family on your climb to the top. You know you have nothing to be mad at me about. I treated you like one of my kids. I was a good mother to you when you had no one.”
Bella had to stifle a giggle at this woman’s audacity. Bella remembered doing her kid’s homework and being denied the same luxuries as her kids growing up. Even though Bella came with social security money, she was denied access to the funds and often had to beg for the necessities. “Well yes you took me in when I had no one. Uh thanks. I have to get going.”
Mary Anne started to cry. “Bella it is really bad over here. Can you send me something?”
“I do not want to start something that I will not continue Aunt Mary Anne. I am not a source of income to you anymore. I have a life of my own and bills to pay.”
“You weren’t a source of income. You think that pitiful social security was enough to raise a child. I had to put my own money with that to take care of you. Bella you don’t have no kids. Kids are expensive. I am asking if you can send me something.”
“Okay Auntie, I will drop a money order in the mail tomorrow. However this will be the first and last time I do so.” Bella wanted to slap herself for folding but she really wanted off the phone with her aunt. The woman made her feel like that scared kid again with her guilt.
“Thank you Bella but could you bring me cash. I do not have a bank account to cash a money order or check. You should bring your fiancé to meet us. He looks cute on this picture. Milton trying to put a family reunion together.”
“Oh I can’t do it this week. We leave for Vegas tomorrow. When we come back from Vegas, I will bring the cash. Is that okay?”
Mary Anne did her best to contain her joy. She was sure if Bella saw her current living situation she would give her more money. “Yeah next week is fine. Thank you Bella. We all the family we got. We have to look out for each other. Congratulations on your wedding. We will watch it on the computer.”
“Thanks Aunt Mary Anne. I will talk to you soon.”
Bella recounted these conversations in her head as she walked to her room. The thought of taking Chaz to meet her family was daunting at first. After everything that happened in the last twenty-four hours, she couldn’t wait to show him the home where she once lived. Bella wanted him to understand that she had not escaped her childhood unscathed. His life was horrible but her life had not been easy street either. Bella took a steadying breath to cleanse her mind of those bad memories. She was about to marry the man she loved.
The satin gown was an elegant creation that accentuated Bella’s long legs. The sleeveless dress featured a drape cowl neckline that she was sure Chaz would appreciate, as it displayed his favorite toys without being indecent. Bella took into account both of their tastes when she chose her wedding dress. The sash at the waist emphasized the curves of her hips without making them look bulky. The sweeping train of the gown, made Bella feel both beautiful and sophisticated. Kennedy and Julie were the only individuals privy to the gown.
The luxurious ivory fabric of the dress caressed Bella’s body. Kennedy pulled the zipper up to the top as the tears fell. Julie helped her to affix her veil as she too cried. Bella kept her shoe simple with a low heel. She had an unnatural fear of tripping.
“You look simply beautiful Bella,” Kennedy stammered. Julie shook her head in agreement. The best friends looked beautiful in lilac sleeveless organza cocktail dresses. The knock at the door jolted them from their admiration. It was Juanita wanting to have a few words with Bella. Thankfully she was by herself as Bella wanted to make a grand entrance. Kennedy and Julie gave themselves the once over before leaving the room.
Juanita took Bella’s hand and began her speech. “Chaz told me what he did last night Bella. I know it was a very stupid thing for him to do and I told him as much. No matter that I just met him that was a terrible thing to do. I just wanted you to know that with the General’s and my genes running threw his body he is bound to make many mistakes. I too tend to be self-destructive, or I used to. It’s not one of my most endearing traits ask Carl. People like Chaz and myself tend to have a difficult time processing happiness. We think we deserve less so we do not know how to be happy sometimes. I know I have no right to ask but I want you to forgive Chaz and stick by him. Bella he loves you so much and I know your reunion would be short-lived if he thought for one second that he was hurting you. Carl and I have had some really rough patches where I let my insecurities almost cost me the only man to truly love me. Chaz was the only child I was able to give birth too. A surrogate carried my twins and it angered me that I was denied the opportunity to have any additional children. It’s a wonder Carl didn’t take the twins and leave me. Now I know that Chaz was my crowning moment. I love my twins and they are my world but now that world includes Chaz and you. Please Bella before you leave this room, leave any anger behind. Love my son, I promise he is going to return that love a million times over.”
Bella tried to fight the tears and show her appreciation for Juanita’s words. The tears and a nod of her head would have to suffice speech was impossible right now. Juanita wrapped Bella up in a huge hug murmuring thanks.
“You have no idea what you have done. I have a son and now a daughter. I am one blessed woman.” Juanita said, as her own tears fell. “Alright, let’s get you married.”
Bella and her bridal party made their way to the chapel. Walking threw the casino drew a lot of stares and offers of congratulations.
“You are simply beautiful,” a lady checking in at the front counter remarked. Bella was sure to thank everyone for the compliments. The coordinator ushered Bella to the bridal suite to avoid being seen by Chaz. After a few quick instructions, the no nonsense woman was ready to proceed. Kennedy, Julie, and Juanita gave her quick kisses to the cheek before taking their places. Erik and Julie walked down the aisle after Chaz. Kennedy and Horatio took their walk as the photographer and videographer went to work. Juanita and her family were on the groom’s side along with Pops and his family. Pops had counseled Chaz over the last few hours on marriage. They were receiving some pampering with massages and other body treatments. Carl was sure to put in his two cents before Chaz took to the altar.
“You and my wife are complicated creatures Chaz. I know I have no right but I just want you to remember why you are here when this moment passes. Bella deserves to be happy and not have ‘your’ complicated past complicate your future together.”
Chaz extended a huge hug to the man, which perhaps on some other plain, would have been his stepfather. “Thank you Carl. I promise to do just that.”
Bella did her best to contain her emotions as she made the walk to the chapel with the wedding coordinator. At the closed doors the coordinator adjusted the train on Bella’s dress and gave her time to collect her emotions before opening the door. The slight nod of Bella’s head indicated she was ready. With a bright smile and a few tears Bella made her grand entrance. Chaz lost control of his emotions as Bella walked down the aisle. Horatio grabbed his shoulders giving them a quick squeeze. The collective gasps from Bella’s friends and Chaz’s let her know she had chosen well with her gown. Chaz silently cried as he watched his soon to be wife walk down the aisle. Kennedy took Bella’s bouquet so that the bride and groom could hold hands. The wedding officiate began the ceremony and in less than thirty minutes Chaz and Bella were pronounced husband and wife. Tenderly Chaz lifted Bella’s veil taking her face in his hands as he kissed his new wife. Those in attendance gave a collective gasp as the two passionately kissed.
“You look so amazingly beautiful Bella,” Chaz murmured against her mouth. “I love you.”
Bella fought her tears as she prepared for a second kiss. “I love you Chaz. You look so damn good in that tux.”
The tux made Chaz look like a male model or someone who should be on the arm of a super model. The lilac bowtie accentuated the black material of the tux. Horatio and Erik looked equally as dapper in their tuxes. Chaz and Bella made their way out of the chapel to cheers followed by their bridal party. The remaining guests met the couple in the vestibule as they posed for pictures. The cameraman snapped pictures of them in another passionate kiss. The bridal party posed for pictures with both the bride and groom and as couples. Bella made sure to include the guests in the picture taking. Bella had a picture of her and the five friends. Chaz took pictures with his mother and his siblings. The best picture was of Chaz and his brother, who had taken a supreme interest in Mia, much to her delight. The fact that he was like five years younger did not matter, at least here in Vegas it didn’t matter. Martinez and Callie looked cozy as he affectionately doted on her. Ava had a wild night with the stripper from the party and hoped he could meet up with them tonight.