Big Easy Escapade (33 page)

Daisy locked eyes with Jason and never
wavered during her walk to the fountain. She carried a gorgeous
bouquet of white roses accented with silver metallic swirls of
ribbon.

She reached Jason and hugged him. He kissed
her on the cheek, wiped a tear from his eye and took her hand.

A female magistrate officiated as they said
their vows.

Jason took Daisy’s hand. “Daisy, you are my
warmth in winter, my cool breeze in summer. I love how you’re full
of surprises, joy and laughter. You make me want to be a better
man. I’m honored you chose me to be by your side and I look forward
to our future. I can’t imagine my life without you. I love you
beyond what I ever thought possible and if you will join me on this
path, I promise to always protect you, inspire you and support
you.”

Daisy was crying. Jason reached into his
tuxedo pocket and pulled out two tissues, handing her one and using
the other.

She took a moment to compose herself, then
gently reached for his hand. She took a deep breath and looked into
his eyes. “Jason, the past few days have only strengthened and
reinforced the love I feel for you, and only you. You never gave
up, and neither will I. I vow that I will be faithful, forgiving,
your best friend and, of course, feisty. I love the man you are now
and forever.”

Their
words pounded at the wall of bricks Vivian had piled around her
injured heart since her divorce.
This makes me believe in
love again.
She looked to
her left at Kate, who smiled dreamily.
She’s so in
love.
Vivian took Kate’s
hand and squeezed it gently. She turned to her right and looked at
Wendy, who had tears running down her face.

O
h my
gosh, Vivian thought. Wendy must be bubbling over at everything
that has happened. So not like her to lose it, especially at a
wedding.

A few wedding watchers turned and looked at
Wendy, who sniffled loudly despite trying to smile through her
tears. Her outpour made Vivian start crying, and pretty soon almost
everyone was crying. Wendy dug tissues out of her purse and handed
one to Vivian, then blew her nose.

Vivian reached over and hugged her. “You
okay?”

“They just look so happy,” Wendy said and
blew her nose again.

Vivian looked to her right and saw the
Romanian gypsy woman standing next to a tree. They made eye
contact. The lady nodded, gave a small smile, then turned and
walked away.

Vivian took a deep breath and accepted the
fact that the gypsy had been right — both times.

“By the power vested in me by the state of
Louisiana, you are now husband and wife. Jason, you may kiss your
beautiful bride.”

Jason wrapped his hands around Daisy’s face
and kissed her.

The crowd erupted, cameras clicked, and the
news reporters went live. Eric, on acoustic guitar, started jamming
to “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” by The Police.

The bride and groom kissed again, then they
turned to their family and all embraced. The moms were crying and
the dads were misty-eyed. Jason and Daisy faced the crowd and
everyone clapped again. They made a point to talk to everybody, and
there were lots of handshakes, hugs and more tears.

Jason and Daisy walked up to Vivian and the
girls. “We’re so glad you’re okay,” Vivian said to Daisy as she
squeezed her tight. “And we’re super happy for you guys.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Daisy pushed a
black and red curl from her face. “Thank you is not enough.”

“It is enough,” Vivian responded and clasped
her hand. “It is.”

Daisy smiled at her through teary eyes. After
a moment Jason asked, “Are you going to join us for the
reception?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Vivian answered.

They led the crowd away from the fountain,
into the square where a brass band waited to walk the group,
second-line style, to Flanagan’s. A band named Crawfish Bones was
belting out tunes when they walked in.

“Love it already,” Wendy said, nodding toward
the small stage. “They sound smooth.”

The girls picked a large table strategically
placed between the band and the bar.

“Who wants something?” Vivian clapped, then
rubbed her hands together.

“Just a glass of celebratory champagne for
me,” Kate said. Lucy seconded that.

“I don’t know what I want,” Wendy said, and
followed Vivian to the bar.

“Two glasses of champagne, Dos Equis and a…”
Vivian turned to Wendy.

“Black and Tan.”

“Damn, hitting the hard stuff,” Vivian
teased.

“Guinness is yummy and it’ll help settle my
nerves.”

“Give her two!” Vivian called to the
bartender.

Wendy laughed. “I’m more emotional than usual
today. I guess because of the crazy week and the fact that in one
short month, I’ll be married.”

The bartender set Vivian’s beer on the bar.
She squeezed the lime in and toasted the air. “And it’s going to be
great.” She took a long sip.

Wendy’s dark, thick beer was served and she
took a sip without flinching. “It was a great bachelorette party
despite the kidnappings, but I’m ready to get home.”

“Me too, and I’m ready to see my kiddos!”

The glasses of champagne were delivered and
they carried them to the table. Al, Adrienne, Antonio and Detective
Leffall had joined Kate and Lucy. Vivian sat next to Antonio.

He leaned over to whisper in her ear. The
warmth of his breath tingled her neck. “Thought you had a plane to
catch.”

She leaned back a little to look at him. “I
do, but we have an hour or so to kill before we have to get our
bags.”

He raised his eyebrows. “My place isn’t far.
I could have you back in an hour.” He looked hot in his faded jeans
and black polo. The narrow shirt band pulled tight around his
biceps and accentuated his tan, muscular arms.

Oh, soooo tempting. Vivian tapped her fingers
on the green beer bottle. “If we’re gonna do it, I don’t want to
rush.”

He nuzzled her neck. “Desperate times call
for…”

She started laughing. “You don’t seem the
desperate type to me.”

He sat back in his chair. “You’d be
surprised. I work too much.”

She nodded, then grinned. “I’m not going to
sexpadite things, sorry.”

“Hey, I had to ask. You look fantastic.”

She fluffed her curls. “Thanks, the humidity
is cooperating today.”

Between songs, the lead singer talked about
how long he’d known several members of 12 Stones. The rest of the
crew — trumpet, trombone, clarinet, bass and drummer — all nodded
during the story. “We’re honored to be playing at Jason and Daisy’s
reception, and without any further ado, we’d like to have them come
to the dance floor.”

Hand in hand, the newlyweds walked out.

“I know this isn’t our usual type of tune,
but it was one of my parents’ favorites and it’s still one of mine.
I hope you love it.”

The trombone started up with a clear, smooth
tone and the rest of the band soon joined. They played “It Had to
be You,” and the couple danced, kissed and laughed their way around
the dance floor.

I’m so happy for them, Vivian thought.

After their dance, the music went back to
rockin’ the place. Everyone danced, including Detective Leffall,
which Antonio said was a miracle as he tried to snap a picture but
Leffall grabbed his phone.

Al, of course, had bought several bottles of
champagne for the table. Everyone partook except for Antonio and
Leffall, who had to work later that afternoon. They had details of
Daisy’s case to sort out and wrap up.

Wendy tapped on her watch and said to the
girls, “We gotta hit it. I don’t want to miss our flight.”

She and Kate were on the same plane headed to
Houston. Lucy’s left about 20 minutes before them, going to Denver,
and Vivian was scheduled a few minutes after, going to Dallas Love
Field.

Everyone said their goodbyes, including Jason
and Daisy, who were inseparable.

Vivian hugged Jason’s neck. “So on to Las
Vegas, huh?”

Jason looked at Daisy. “Yeah, she still wants
to go. No more stops, though. She’s taking a break from everything,
for a while at least.”

“It’ll be a fun honeymoon, and best, best,
best of luck!”

The girls grabbed a cab to their hotel for
the sake of time, got their bags from the bellman and hopped back
into the same cab. They talked about their crazy adventures on the
way to the airport. The cabbie was captivated the entire 20-minute
drive.

Once at the airport, they said goodbye to
Lucy, who had to go to a different terminal.

“It was a wild one,” Vivian said and gave her
a hug.

“You know, they always are,” Lucy said. “But
that’s okay, I’ve come to expect it, and I might be bored if they
weren’t.” She hugged Wendy. “I’ll see you in a few weeks on your
big day.”

“Safe travels,” Wendy said.

Lucy’s phone chimed and she checked it,
smiling. “It’s Jonathon telling me to have a safe flight home.”

“Are you going to keep talking to him?”
Vivian asked.

“Nah, he was just a distraction. A really
cute, young, energetic distraction, but I’ve decided enough is
enough. I’m going to seriously look into getting a divorce. Things
just aren’t working.”

Kate gave her a squeeze. “We’re here for you.
Call us any time, day or night. It’ll work out one way or
another.”

Vivian and Wendy dove in for a big, group
hug, then Lucy walked away, giving a last wave.

Vivian, Wendy and Kate checked their bags and
got gate assignments. They breezed through security and walked to
where Kate and Wendy would be flying out since Vivian’s flight was
a little later.

“I’m going to run to the bathroom,” Kate
said.

“Buddy system,” Vivian chimed.

“I think, surely, we’re okay now.” Kate
laughed and headed off in the direction of the facilities.

Vivian and Wendy found a spot facing the
runways and sat down.

Vivian checked her phone for the time. “So I
guess I’ll be seeing you in one short month for the big day. I
can’t believe you’re getting married!”

“I know. I can hardly believe it myself.”
Wendy smiled and sat back in her seat, looking out at the planes.
“Our engagement has flown by.”

Vivian started to ask her about RSVPs but was
interrupted by Wendy’s phone ringing.

Wendy answered and as she listened, the smile
faded from her face and tears formed in her eyes. She slowly
lowered the phone and Vivian could hear someone saying, “Hello,
hello. Ms. Schreiber,” on the other end.

Vivian gently pulled the phone out of Wendy’s
hand. “This is Wendy’s friend, Vivian Taylor. Is everything
okay?”

“This is Officer Sue Garrett with the Las
Vegas Police Department. I’m afraid there has been an
accident.”

Watch out New Orleans! The Girlz are in
town!

Johnell in action with “the whistle.”