Spicing Up Trouble: a romantic comedy (25 page)

A commotion in the hall followed by a tiny knock at the door.

"Sweetie, we're here," Eleanor said.

I took a deep breath and stood. The room stayed in balance.

"Coming."

I should warn Mark, but my maternal instinct hadn't fully kicked in yet. In the Hale jungle, it was every man for himself. I opened the door.

"I'm in the nick of time. Your dress is atrocious. Take it off now, and Irene will burn it," Eleanor said as she twirled in a coral sleeveless gorgeous dress, carrying an assortment of bags.

Damn her upstaging the bride who had set the bar lower than the floor.

"It's not that bad," Irene said, strutting in wearing a black and silver halter dress, carrying a small black briefcase.

Double damn her for the great makeup, too.

"Thank you. Mark is on his way," I said, strolling back into the living room.

Eleanor headed to the kitchen. I heard the refrigerator door open and close.

"Ouch, you're right. When she moves, the dress gets worse," Irene said.

Eleanor stepped up to the garment bag and unzipped it. She shook out four dresses.

"Being pregnant pops you up a notch from white to prints," she said, arranging dresses on the couch.

Ooh, la, la. The bold colors, geometric patterns, flattering lengths, and chic styles had me tearing my crappy dress off over my head.

The front door opened as Mark stepped in to see me in my matching white lace bra and panties. I grabbed the closest dress and tugged it on. A deep green shift with a floral print skirt.

"Out," Irene bellowed.

Mark stood still, clutching a pink gift bag.

"It's only underwear. I hope you brought the limo because the four of us won't fit in anything smaller," Eleanor said.

"Ben is the luckiest bastard alive or dead," Mark said.

"Thanks," I said as I smoothed the skirt down my expanding hips.

"Do you have a name?" Irene asked.

"It's Mark. He works for Ben," I said as Eleanor led me to a chair.

"Listen, Mark, wait in the car, and we'll be down when we're ready," Irene said in a tone fit for addressing a two-year-old.

"The woman barking orders at you is my sister Irene. And you remember Eleanor," I said as she dragged a brush through my hair.

"I remember everything," Mark said, gazing at Eleanor.

"You shouldn't kiss any man under thirty. They become little puppies, following you around," Irene said.

"I know, but I was ticked, and he was available."

Eleanor fussed with my hair, and Irene circled Mark for the kill, helping me forget my nerves and unpredictable stomach.

"We won't be long. They're saving the full venom for Ben," I said.

"Speaking of my overlord, this is for you," he said as he put the bag on the table. "Anybody else going to strip?"

"No," I said.

"Sure?" he asked hopefully.

Irene swooped down and had him out the door.

"You shouldn't waste money on bouncers, dear," Eleanor said, pinning my hair to my scalp.

Irene rubbed her hands together and smiled.

"You're both hopeless," I said.

"Love you too, sweetie," Eleanor said, stabbing me with another pin.

"Are you almost done? I don't think my skull can take anymore metal supports."

"Beauty can't be rushed. Irene, don't you have a presentation for the bitching bride?"

Irene brought the case over and opened it so only she could see inside.

"As you know, Mom and Dad didn't have a lot of money. When I went through Mom's dresser, after she died, I found three jewelry boxes," her voice cracked.

I glanced up at Eleanor, who teared up too.
Great, when I need them to be tough, they puddle up and get all sentimental
. Irene left the room and brought back the tissue dispenser from the bathroom. We all took several.

"As I was saying, each box held a pair of earrings containing a speck of a diamond," Irene said.

She picked up a piece of stationery. It had faded, and I could see the ink through the paper.

"Mom left a note," I said.

Irene handed the yellowing paper to me.

"Your grandmother, my mom, had an engagement ring. I wanted each of you to have a small memento to be worn on your wedding day. Love you a gazillion times more," it said in my mother's flowing handwriting.

I tried to blink the tears out of my eyes. Both of my glorious sisters stood before me and pushed their hair away from their ears. Tiny dots twinkled back at me.

"I don't remember these from your wedding, Eleanor," I said.

"I knew it wouldn't last, so I didn't wear them. They are reserved for the best of occasions."

We both took Irene's hands. She shook us off. Her cold veneer hid a warm and wounded heart. It still pined for Kevin. Her tomboy persona protected her now, but at what cost?

I took out the gold hoops from my earlobes and replaced them with my precious diamonds.

"You mean so much to me. I would be lost without you," I said as I stood and hugged them. "Even if, you were the runts of the litter."

"Don't go biological on us. You were an accident. Mom and Dad paid top dollar for us," Eleanor said.

We both smiled as Irene dabbed her puffy eyes.

"Well, for one of us," Irene said.

I circled over to the table and picked up Ben's gift.

"It will be impossible to top your surprise," I said, skimming the card.

Something new, blue, and borrowed. I'm old. Love you, Ben
.

"Do you want some privacy?" Eleanor asked.

"I'll tell you anyway, so have a seat."

I spilled the contents on the table. Two blue lacy garters tumbled out. A box marked 'new' held a gold watch with diamonds surrounding the face. I slipped it on my wrist. Another box was marked 'borrowed'. A simple gold chain with a heart dangling from it with a note attached.
My mother's necklace. She wore it every day. It was her high school graduation present from her parents. I know you'll take good care of it.

I went to the mirror and put it on. Lovely and a perfect touch for our first family occasion. I sat and quickly slipped on the garters. I knew my cheeks flushed to pink. I was immediately conscious of them. My mind wandered, and I imagined him slipping them off of me. My body started to respond to my illicit thoughts. I definitely felt better.

"You and the garters want to take fifteen minutes to file down the edge?" Irene asked.

"He can't be that good," Eleanor said.

I smiled and headed for the door.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

"Alexia, if you were anybody else's girl," Mark said.

"I wouldn't wish me on anybody. Ben finds me helpless. I'm his good deed for life."

Both of my sisters laughed as they handed their bags to Mark. They wouldn't admit it, but they were relieved to see me settled. Mother hens shoved the baby sister chick into the world. Mark opened the car door.

"Next stop, Emerald City," Mark said.

We three linked arms, did a little Dorothy skip, and slid into the back seat, off to see the wizard.

My sisters rattled on about gifts and parties as I contemplated my immediate future. As Mrs. Benjamin Nance Cobb, I would be a must-have guest on any hostess's list. Ben's wife offered a glimpse of the elusive artist. I was on the brink of a belated coming out party, with swollen ankles, funky food cravings, and an ever-expanding waistline. Thanks, Mother Nature.

Ben paced in front of the County Clerk's office, as Mark parked at the curb. The man in black didn't disappoint.

"Holy shit," Irene said.

Eleanor and I smiled at each other.

Ben helped Eleanor out and stepped aside as Irene got out. He climbed in the limo, closed the door, and kissed me. Both his hands went up my skirt and checked the elastic on the garters.

"I'm glad they fit," he said.

"Thanks for the watch and necklace, too."

"Just the beginning."

We kissed again and again and again.

Eleanor knocked on the passenger side window. Mark cleared his throat. Ben ignored them. The door jerked open.

"Coming, Irene," we said in unison.

We exited the car. Then, Mark drove the limo down the street to a parking garage. Our small party proceeded into the building. The elevators were to our left. We waited for an empty one then travelled to the eighth floor.

"I have my camera and will be taking pictures throughout the ceremony. We should head down to Buckingham Fountain for more formal shots. Now Irene, when I start the music," Eleanor said, producing her iPod, "you escort Alexia in."

Eleanor dug in her bag and produced three corsages and one boutonniere. She started pinning flowers on each of us. The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out. We headed down the hall to the judge's chambers. Ben stopped at the door and opened it.

A striking man in a black robe wrapped Ben into a bear hug. Eleanor licked her lips, and Irene fanned herself. I leaned into them.

"Hot guys attract hot guys," I said.

"Ladies, meet the Honorable Stephen George Graul: statesman, scholar, friend to the common man," Ben said.

"Your servant," he said, bowing to us.

"I wish," Eleanor said under her breath as she offered her hand.

"My imminent sisters-in-law, Eleanor and Irene Hale."

Irene smiled, shaking his hand.

"My bride-to-be, Alexia."

He leaned in and kissed my cheek.

"I'm delighted to meet you and question your taste in men. My guess is you are much younger than Ben. You will surely outlive him and be a rich widow," Stephen said.

"You know we can take our business elsewhere," Ben said.

"Just returning the favor. At my wedding, Ben arrived two hours late, tripped my mother-in-law, stepped through the train of my wife's dress, and punched a waiter. All before the first dance."

The three of us waited for an explanation from the love of my life.

"I was a drunken fool and sent his lovely bride flowers on their anniversary."

"The least you could do," I said.

I didn't know much about my future husband and father of my child and didn't care. Love was blind and tone deaf.

"Shall we?" Stephen asked, leading us into a smaller room.

Eleanor arranged the chairs, blared a tinny
Wedding March
, took pictures, and cried.

As we exchanged vows, I felt a fluttering. Too early for baby movement, according to the seven websites I checked. Yet, a presence joined us. I hoped he or she approved.

When it came time for the ring, Ben produced pictures of a few stunning settings. Eleanor snuck a peek.

"Nothing can be fitted until the baby weight is gone," she declared.

"You're pregnant?" Stephen asked Ben.

He smiled and nodded his head.

"Double congratulations," Stephen said, kissing my cheek again.

"Excuse me, can we get back to the ceremony? I have a bar to tend," Irene said as she rolled her eyes.

"Ever the romantic," Eleanor said.

"Girls, please behave. I apologize, your honor. They skipped their naps to be here," I said.

"Mom used to bribe us with lollipops. This time, Alexia is keeping the sucker for herself," Irene said.

"Please say 'man and wife' and 'you may kiss the bride,' so I can get them back to their cells," I said.

Both of my sisters laughed and hugged me.

"Are we married?" Ben asked.

"Sure, all I need are a few signatures, and you're gone," Stephen said.

My hand shook as I signed my new name for the first time: Alexia Margaret Hale-Cobb.

"Welcome to the sisterhood, brother," Eleanor said, hugging Ben.

Irene wiped away a quick tear.

"My allergies are bothering me," she said.

"Mine too," I said as I cried and hugged her.

Irene shrugged me off and extended her hand to Ben.

"I hope you realize you're one lucky bastard," Irene said.

"Yes, I have a beautiful wife, two adorable little sisters, and a baby on the way," he said as he took her hand and kissed it. "I hope you and I can join forces as the tough guys in the family."

"Right now, you're on the bubble. I'll let you know when your probation is up. Alexia, call me when you get back from Florida. I'm grabbing a cab back to the condo. Care to join me, Eleanor?" Irene asked.

"Yes, give me a minute with the happy couple."

Irene shook her head and left.

"I'm surprised she came," I said to Eleanor.

"She's the keeper of the box. She attended in her official capacity only. I have to get back to the shop before someone else plots against me. There's a little something in the fridge at home. Be creative." Eleanor said with a wink, and then she, too, left.

"We've been dismissed. Thanks, Judge," Ben said.

"Both of them, Ben, and a baby? Alexia, you'll never have a moment's peace," Stephen said.

"My life has an underlying current of chaos. Thank you for your time," I said.

Stephen saw us to the door. We floated down the hall to the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, Ben kissed me.

""How are you, Mrs. Cobb?"

"I feel much better. I hope all the morning sickness is gone."

"Me too. We have business to tend to later," he said as he leaned in and playfully bit my neck.

"Yes, we have to be legal," I said as I bit him back.

We were on the ground floor and walked out onto LaSalle Street.

"What happened to Mark? I thought he would be at the wedding," I said.

"He texted he had trouble parking the limo. I told him it would be a problem."

"Eleanor insisted on the limo. I'm sorry I should have stopped her."

"I doubt a city bus could stop her. The limo does have a few benefits over a regular car."

Poor gas mileage, hard to steer, impossible to park, limited color choices?

"A stocked bar and a double back seat," he said, kissing my hand.

The limo waited at the corner. The window slid down and Mark waved at us. He got out and opened the door.

"Did you get married or did Alexia come to her senses?" he asked.

"Get back in and close the screen," Ben said as he helped me in.