Killer Cupid (The Redemption Series: Book 1) (34 page)

The dinner following was attended by the extended family, as well as the bridesmaids and groomsmen. It was a relaxed affair, which allowed friends time to chat and enjoy each other’s company. Maria and Frederick were gracious hosts. Mama and Daddy had come to respect them greatly over the past months. This evening they were able to tell them so. Mama brought tears to Maria’s eyes as she thanked her for all of her help and support in planning the wedding, and then she told her how happy she’d be to have Maria and Frederick for my in-laws.

I was nervous about presenting my gifts to the bridesmaids, because I designed the necklaces myself, using David’s and my birthstones – diamonds and opals. Raphael’s friend the jeweler had made them for me. Cin started to cry. She always loved my designs and my paintings. All of the women said they loved them, and I could tell because they admired them for a long time and then put them on.

Ellen was shocked. She told me she’d never in her life received such an expensive gift. Paulo assured her she could keep it, and he kissed her. I saw Eduardo watching from the other end of the table, and he seemed to be the only family member who wasn’t pleased to have Ellen around.

After the dinner, Cat and Paulo handed David their wedding present. It was the first copy of their debut album, entitled
Divine Intervention
. The title song was inspired by and dedicated to David and me. Paulo informed us that the proceeds of that song would be ours, and he would sing it for us at the wedding reception. David and I were touched by the gesture and especially by the lyrics of the song. I wondered at how Cat could sum up our lives and emotions so succinctly and elegantly in these lyrics. And the music was amazing.

Raphael presented David with a leather bound folder. I leaned over to see as he opened it. David was astounded. He knew Raphael would remodel the old house his parents gave us as a wedding gift, but he was floored by Raphael’s extensive and extravagant plans for such a beautiful home. He had even included a number of photos showing much of the work that had already been done.

I studied a picture of the home against its pastoral backdrop, and imagined David and me living there.

“This is incredible, Raphael. It’s beautiful. But you certainly can’t do all this for nothing,” David said.

“Sure I can. Just don’t ask for a birthday present too.” The men laughed.

I hugged Raphael, and thanked him profusely, then disappeared into David’s arms. We whispered together about this wonderful gift, apart from the rest of the world for a while.

Nita

It was 2:00 AM when Eduardo stole into my room. He woke me as he clicked the bathroom door.

“Eduardo?”

“Sorry, honey, Mama’s been out there in the sitting room for hours – guess she couldn’t sleep. Papa finally got her to go to bed.”

I rose from the bed and led Eduardo to the other side of the room. I pushed him into the loveseat and sat facing him, my legs draped over his lap.

“So there’s something you want to talk about?” He did not look interested in conversation.

“Do you think this is going to last?”

“Huh?”

“This marriage, David and Debbie.”

“Aw honey, do we have to get into this at 2:00 in the morning? It’s not like we’re gonna stand up and protest at the wedding ceremony.”

“Why do they call him Cupid?” I stared into his eyes.

“Nita! Ya know, I said to Pearson this morning you wouldn’t drop this.”

“You were right.”

Eduardo sighed heavily. “Okay. Okay. But don’t go blabbing this story to the world. Okay?”

“You know very well, I don’t blab.”

“Yeah, yeah!” He ran his fingers through his short thick hair. “It started like four years ago or so, one of his first real assignments. He infiltrated this terrorist group in Germany, started a thing with the ringleader’s girl.” He grunted. “No surprise there.”

I shook my head. “No surprise.”

“Yeah, well, believe it or not, she was into archery. Guess she was pretty good.”

“Hmm.”

Eduardo noticed his afterthought amused me. He pointed his finger at me. “You’re as bad as I am.”

“I know your nasty little mind, Eduardo.”

“Yeah. Right. Okay. Anyway, I guess David went to see her while she was practicing – the archery. And the guy showed up with three of his men. So you know he was pretty pissed off when he found them together. He was gonna take David out, so David grabbed one of the arrows and threw it into the guy’s heart. Meanwhile, the bodyguards started shooting. And they got her, cuz she was in front of him. So that gave him the second he needed to grab his gun and finish them off.”

“Charming story, Eduardo.” Nauseating story, Eduardo, but not unexpected.

“Yeah. Well anyway, that’s how he got branded with that name – Cupid.”

“I knew it wasn’t just his ‘love them and leave them’ philosophy. Although I must say, that was particularly gallant, shielding himself with the woman’s body.”

“Aw come on, Nita! I don’t think it was exactly like that. Anyway you do what you gotta do to get the bad guys and survive.”

“Hmm.” I suppose I was staring blankly into space.

Eduardo seemed relieved to change the topic. “Anyway, that original question about David and Debbie. It’s different with her. I know he loves her with all his heart. I know it’s weird cuz he’s always run away from real relationships with women. But there’s something about Debbie. I knew from the time he told me about her when we left for South America, she was different. I know I told you before, it was like she reached into his soul or somethin’.” He wiped his eyes. “I mean the guy had bullet holes in him. He could hardly breathe – he was in so much pain. And all he’s saying is he doesn’t want to lose her. Don’t ask me why, I guess it’s made in heaven – that whole painting thing. There’s no reason it
can’t
last.”

“Well Eduardo, it’s like you said. He’s never had any real relationships with girlfriends. He tells them right up front it’s just sex. And whether the girl believes him or not, that’s just exactly what it is to him. Whether it lasts a day or a year, that’s all he was ever interested in. And now he’ll have a wife, an immature wife with considerable health problems. It’s a little bit frightening Eduardo. Marriage is not just sex.”

“Well he knows that. I mean he’s gotta know that.”

I sighed. “It’s not that I don’t like Debbie. I’ve grown to love her. She’s such a sweet girl. She’s adorable, really. But I worry she’s so immature. And she’s grown up with parents that barely tolerate each other. What does she know about being a wife? And how long is David going to be true to her? I don’t understand what rivets him to her – is it just her painting? And because of that I worry, it could be something fleeting. That’s always been his pattern. Of course, I love him, and I hope for his sake, for both of them, it’s true and lasting love.”

Eduardo yawned and rubbed weary eyes. “I don’t know, honey. I know right now he’s totally in love with her. He’s so protective of her.”

At that moment I understood. “Cat.”

“Huh?”

“I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to see it.”

“See what?”

“You’ve seen pictures of Cat when she was a little child.”

Eduardo shook his head. “Yeah, I knew Cat when she was a little child. So?”

“So, she resembled Debbie. It was that plane crash. That changed everything. He was traumatized by losing Danny. But he was also traumatized with the experience of dragging Cat out of that plane, and saving her life. Maria told us, well you know, David had constant nightmares for years after that. I remember you telling me about the time you were camping, and he had one of those nightmares and took off through the woods.

“Maria and Frederick would have to reassure him Cat was alright. Maria told me sometimes they’d even have to show him she was sleeping safely in her bed. David and Cat were always close, but that bond only got deeper after the plane crash. Somehow when he met Debbie, he had those same feelings of wanting to protect her. Her eyes, they’re not the same shade of blue, but they have that same penetrating quality. I notice it when I see her looking at David.”

Eduardo took me by my shoulders, the dim light illuminating intensity in his eyes. “Do me a favor, Dr. Freud. Don’t tell David he’s marrying Debbie because he’s secretly in love with his cousin.”

“Oh Eduardo!”

***

The small church was full. The wedding consultant, looking a bit worse for the worry and wear, breathed a heavy sigh as the last of the guests were seated. She sent Cisco down the aisle to seat my parents. Raphael followed with his. Paulo began to sing the Ave Maria. Papa Roberto accompanied Camellia and Francisco to their pew. Then Maria and Frederick, and Marion were seated.

For a brief moment the groomsmen admired beautiful bridesmaids, bedecked in lavender silk. While the wedding consultant tried to pry Cisco away from his fiancée, Cat, Alain took Glori’s hand, and I overheard his words of adoration. Spellbound by her handsome man in uniform, she hung on every syllable. At last the consultant enlisted Jimmy’s help to tug the men away. Raphael’s gaze deepened Cindy’s bright pink blush. He kissed her, and then left to accompany the groomsmen.

The Pachelbel Canon began, and Mrs. Button launched Cindy’s youngest niece and nephew as flower girl and ring bearer. They meandered down the aisle, mostly hand in hand, to everyone’s amusement, and finally stood staring up at David.

Eduardo grabbed the ring, as the little girl decided to fling her basket and cover everyone with petals. Jimmy grabbed the boy, and then David handed off the little girl to him, as she determined to take one of the medals on his jacket.

Poor Jimmy was almost demoted as the child was just as determined to have his medals. The young boy waved and smiled at the crowd. Jimmy deposited him in the seat with his parents, and used his free hand to deal with the persistent girl. Fortunately Julie Bainbridge managed to tug her daughter away from that fascination, though for a time I was sure it was a losing battle. Mrs. Button was distraught as the church was alive with laughter.

The Pachelbel Canon began with new zeal. Cat headed down the aisle. Ellen went next, followed by Glori and me. Having completed my journey to the altar, I saw Cindy squeeze Debbie’s hand and proceed down the aisle.

As George led his daughter to the doorway of the church, she could finally see David and Eduardo waiting for her on the altar. She fixed her eyes on David, and I saw her lips forming his name. It touched my heart. Debbie hadn’t seen him dressed in his uniform, and she seemed transfixed.

David looked as though he could barely contain himself as his bride approached. Her silk and lace gown was designed to make the most of her tall thin frame. Her face radiated sheer joy, and the guests were caught up in this magnetism as bride and groom came together at the altar.

The ceremony was brief but stirring. Debbie was coming out of her skin with excitement and delight as they exchanged vows. David couldn’t help but smile. Eduardo bit his lip so as not to laugh. Cindy blushed continuously, and I know she looked away a couple of times to avoid laughing.

The ceremony complete, David took his new wife and lifted her off the floor to hug and kiss her. Peals of laughter rose from the guests as they watched Eduardo caution the groom to cease and desist. His parents shook their heads. Finally, the exuberant wedding party exited the church.

***

The California sun shone on the guests, as they wound around the grand staircase and veranda in the receiving line. Though the line did not move, no one seemed to mind. It was a glorious June day, the crowd in high spirits. George and Marion were perfect hosts.

Once more the harried wedding consultant came searching for Frederick. David continued to make her life difficult. He insisted Debbie would have something to eat before she greeted anyone.

“Mr. Lambrecht, I certainly understand your daughter-in-law’s special needs, but she seems to be giving everyone a hard time about eating something. She’s too overwrought to eat at this point. Her stomach is in knots, I’m sure. What harm would it be for her to greet the guests before she has a meal?”

Frederick took my hand and asked my help. The tiny woman ran alongside Frederick, pleading with him, as we marched to the bride’s room.

“Yes, yes, Mrs. Button. I’ll see if we can get this straightened out.”

He knocked on the door, and we entered to find David coaxing his new wife to eat. “Let’s at least get some protein into you.” David looked up and frowned at Mrs. Button. Cindy and Glori stood by, entertained by their interaction. Debbie was doing her utmost to please her husband, but her body simply would not cooperate.

Compromise was reached as Debbie managed a few bites. Frederick suggested they receive some of the guests, and then return for another small meal in thirty minutes. Grateful her queasy stomach would have a respite, Debbie rushed from the room with her husband in pursuit. They arrived at the head of the receiving line as Eduardo was running out of things to say to the guests.