Stay With Me (12 page)

I keep thinking about her expression, even as we drive to the tents.  I stay quiet, trying to think of what could have happened to make my girl so upset?  I hope Donna didn’t say anything to her.  When she tried to talk to me in the room last night, she used the word ‘bitch’ to describe Allie and I thought I would tackle her to the ground.  That damn woman pisses me off so bad, and I swear, if she said anything to her....

“Hey, Donnie.  You coming?” Pops snaps his fingers in front of my face, bringing me back to the present time.  

“Huh?  Oh yeah, coming.”  I slide out the truck and immediately start sweating.  “Good Lord, it’s so hot out here.”

“Don’t worry, I had the crew put in a lot of fans to keep all of us cool,” Dad says.  “Hey, is something bothering you, son?  You were fine at the house, and all of a sudden, you’re all spaced out.”

“I’m alright, Pops.  Just, uh, thinking about all the charts I have to go through when I get back home.”

“You know, you wouldn’t have to do all that if you would take over the business.”  

“Dad, we have talked about this.  I’m not a businessman; I’m a doctor.  I care about my patients and their families.  I enjoy helping others.  With the vineyard, I can’t do that.  Besides, I’m not good at math,” I say, running my hand through my hair.  Dad’s gray eyes wrinkle at the sides when he smiles.

“I know, son, I know.  I’m very proud of what you’re doing.  I just dreamed of always letting you take over the place,” Pops says, slapping my shoulder blade.  “Now, let’s get the hell out of this heat.  I’m dying over here.”

As we walk to the tent, I bring up Donna.  “Pops, what do you see in Donna?”

The question stops him in his tracks.  His shoulders slump over and he looks somehow defeated.  “You want the honest answer?”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t sign a prenuptial agreement.  If I divorce her, I lose half of everything.  I don’t know how to get around it.  I’ve been talking to my lawyers and they are trying to figure out something as we speak.”

“Are you kidding?” I can’t help but feel a bit elated that he wants to kick her out of his life.  On the other hand, I can’t stand to see him lose half of everything he’s worked for, especially to that hateful bitch.  “Why didn’t you sign one?”

“She didn’t think it was necessary; she said we would be together forever, and I believed it at the time.  I was blinded by her beauty, and she could talk me into anything..  She was really nice when we were dating and even when we first married.” He wipes the sweat off his brow.  “But when she convinced me to send you to boarding school was when it went downhill.  I couldn’t believe that I let her do that.  I’m...I’m sorry, Donovan.”

I’m stunned; he’s never said he’s sorry for that, not ever.  “Dad, it was a long time ago, and I’m who I am today, partly because I went there.  But also, because you always believed in me.  You never let me fail or give up on anything.  I’m not mad at you.  But I could do without Donna.”

Pops gives a throaty laugh.  “Trust me, son.  I could, too.  But we should get in there, the girls will be coming soon.  I told Megan to bring Allie with her.”  Her name brings a smile to my lips.  We head into the large white tent.  The way it’s set up is pretty cool, considering it’s not a church.  There are over nine hundred seats, all filled with guests; the outside chairs draped with pink roses.  There’s a pink carpet that we will walk down; I hate the color, but it’s not my wedding.  Gabe is standing on the altar already, nervous as hell.  The preacher is sitting in a fold out chair, waiting for his cue to stand.  All of the rest of us will stand behind some curtains as we wait for our time to walk.  

Dad walks up to me after he seats Donna up front.  “Donnie, I really like Allie.  I hope you hold on to her.  I’d love to have her as a daughter-in-law someday.”  I roll my eyes and groan.  

“Can we not talk about me getting married and just focus on Gabe?”  He chuckles and turns around to go sit next to the wicked bitch of the South.

I see the girls coming in the Hummers that dropped us off.  I can’t wait to see Allie.  I’m hoping I read her expression wrong and everything is okay.  The trucks pull up as close as they can; Daniel and I open the doors for the ladies.  Hannah, the flower girl, steps out first, and I grab her hand to help her.  She smiles at me as she swings her basket of rose petals.  Some of the bridesmaids get out, then turn to help Stacey with her dress.  
Seriously?  That’s a lot of fuss over a piece of clothing.
  My eyes scan for my girl and I see her in the other truck.  I trot over to give her my hand to help.  Her look of sadness is gone and my happy Allie is back.  I can’t stand seeing her so upset, especially when I don’t know what it is and how to fix it.  Our fingers link around each others; I wish I could walk with her down the aisle instead of Stacey’s sister.

“How are you?” I ask quietly ask, brushing my lips against her cheek.  I swear I hear her moan.  Well, maybe I want to hear her moan.  Damn my libido.

“Yeah, I’m fine.  Where do I sit?”

“Beside Dad, if you want.”  I see her face drop.  “Is that not okay?”

“No, it’s fine.  I’ll sit next to your dad.  Where is his row?”

“I think I saw him sit in the second row from the front.  I’ll catch you later, baby doll.”  I kiss her lips quickly, wishing I could make it last longer.  I hear the music start playing.  She squeezes my hand and takes off to sit down.

We pair up to our partners, tallest to shortest, or something like that.  I stand in front of Stacey and the kids with the maid of honor. We link arms when it’s our time to walk; one foot in front of the other.  My eyes zone in on Allie.  She looks uncomfortable, squirming in her chair; maybe it’s the heat?  Maybe not?  I have no freaking clue and it frustrates me that I can’t find out what’s the matter with her right now.  

I watch her closely as we reach the front.  We pass right by and I look directly at her.  She has that look on her face again, but when she sees me, she smiles like everything’s fine and dandy.  
WTF?
  I’ll be glad when this thing is over and I can get some time with her.  I need to know what the hell is going on, and who or what caused her mood change?

Chapter 14

Allie

Wow, he looks so handsome, standing there with his hands crossed at his waist.  Donovan knows he’s beautiful, but he has yet to see how much of that beauty comes from his soul.  I look at him intently, when his eyes lock with mine.  He winks at me, and I have to grin.  As crappy of a day this has turned out to be, he will always bring a smile to my face.  The bridal march starts to play, but I hardly notice.  It’s when everyone around me stands that I realize I’m a step behind. I take in how many people are at this wedding,  I’m glad I’m not up there; I would freak.  But Donovan doesn’t seem the least bit nervous, like he’s in his element.  I tear my eyes away so I can watch the bride.

Stacey and her father step in time with their arms linked at the elbows.  The veil, which probably costs more than my rent for a year, is encrusted with tiny diamonds.  The dress looks even better on her than the hanger.  I turn to look at her future husband and his mouth is open wide.  I cover my mouth, trying not to giggle.  We all turn to watch her father lift her veil and give his daughter away.

As Gabe takes her hand, you can see the look of love on their faces and it’s heartwarming.  I steal a glance at Donovan; he’s still looking right at me and I blush a bit.  Screw what Donna said to me.  For whatever reason, she does not want us to be together and I refuse to let her come between us.  Thank goodness Rob is in the middle; things might still get ugly.  He may not have said the three words every girl longs to hear, but his actions sure do show it.

The bride and groom have decided to write their own vows, with Gabe starting first.

“Not a single day goes by that I’m not glad you walked into my life.  From the moment I first saw you, I knew there would never be anyone else.  You are the reason I wake up each day, and what I think about when I go to bed at night.  I thank the Heavens above that you’re mine.  You own my heart, body and soul.  I promise to honor and adore you until the day I die.  I can’t wait to make you my wife, the mother of my children, and the woman that I grow old and gray with.  I love you with everything in me, Stacey.”  He holds his hand out to Jacob, the ring bearer, and the boy drops it into his palm.  Gabe slips the wedding band on her ring finger and squeezes her hand.

I think everyone in the house starting tearing up at Gabe’s sweet words about his soon to be wife.  It takes Stacey a few minutes to stop sniffling to say her vows to him.

“Gabriel, I knew I loved you when I saw you sitting on the lawn at Harvard.  I hadn’t talked to you or even met you, but somehow, I knew I was going to marry you.  Call it what you will; fate, love at first sight, destiny, or intuition.  I just knew I couldn’t let you slip you away, and I’m so happy that I didn’t.  Without you, life wouldn’t make any sense.   I swear that I will always be by your side to support and love you.  I can’t wait to share our entire lives together.” She repeats the action, only this time, linking their fingers together once the band is in place.

That did it; everyone in the place has tears streaming down their faces, including myself.  I look to Donovan, and he’s even wiping his eyes.  His baby blues are red rimmed and it’s actually pretty cute that he felt that moved by their words.  The preacher finishes, asking if they both accept each other as their lawfully wedded spouses.  After they both say, “I do,” the preacher says “By the power invested in me by the state of Georgia, I now pronounce you man and wife.  You may kiss your bride.”

Gabe cups Stacey’s face and kisses her gently, then she wraps her arms around his neck, making the kiss deeper.  The crowd claps and whistles as they pull away, both flushed and grinning big time.  I peek over Donovan’s way and he seems so genuinely happy for his friend.  My heart swells with emotion, knowing this man is kind and gentle; not some sleazebag Donna is trying to make him out to be.  His eyes meet mine and time stands still for a moment; like there is no one around but us.  He puckers his lips at me, making me yearn for his touch.  I’ve hardly seen him all day, and my body craves him, like flowers crave rain.  I watch as he takes the maid of honor’s arm by the elbow and follows the happy couple down the aisle.  He flashed his pearly whites at me and I melt.

One by one, the wedding party takes their walk down the aisle.  I know that the entire wedding party usually take pictures right after, so that means no Donovan for at least another hour or two.  I feel awkward as I make my way down the aisle after the crowd breaks up to head to the reception.  It’s also outside, but the sun is not blazing directly on us and we have a tent to cover our heads.  As I walk out, I see the Hummers drive off and my heart drops a little.  I wanted to see him before they left.  I shrug my shoulders and start the trek to the other tent.  I feel isolated since I don’t know anyone, with the exception of Rob and Donna, who I do not want to see, and Adam, who I also don’t want to see.  I sigh and just keep walking, hoping I will fit into the posh crowd, or at the very least, blend in.  

I’m thankful that the walk isn’t long and Gabe was smart enough to rent tents that have air conditioners.  I step into the cool air and I can breathe again.  The humidity is really high today; I thought Virginia was bad, but Georgia’s will take the breath out of your lungs.  I look around and I’m really impressed by the set up.  There are tons of tables all around, with the bridal party’s at the front.  They are covered in white linen with pink rose petals sprinkled on top.  Each table has a name of who is to sit there.  I find my name at table fifteen, and I look at the others that will be seated with me.  There is a dance floor set up in the middle with a DJ stand, complete with huge speakers and a turntable.  It makes me smile; it brings to mind the night at Donovan’s where he slow danced with me.

I stroll over to the buffet table where they are starting to set up.  My mouth waters looking at all of the dishes they have; steamed shrimp, smoked salmon, a baked potato bar, and lots of salads and desserts, just to name a few.  I don’t want to be the first person in the food line, especially with the entire crowd in here now.  I decide to just go to the bar and get a cranberry and vodka.  

I return to my table and make some talk with my fellow tablemates.  We don’t have much in common; the couple are Stacey’s aunt and uncle from Michigan and their two children.  While they are nice enough people, the conversation drags.  I mostly listen to her uncle talk about the Lions and the children bicker back and forth.  The aunt tries to maintain her composure, but I can tell they are embarrassing her with their back and forth arguing.  “Girls, cut it out, right now,” she scolds them lightly, but the sisters keep fighting.  I excuse myself to go to the buffet; I just had to get away from the table.

I load my plate with shrimp, crab dip, and a loaded baked potato.  I don’t care if I look like a pig.  I notice as I walk by, Rob and Donna are sitting at a table close to the front.“  Rob waves me to come over.  I shyly come over and sit down, as far away as possible from crazy bitch.  

“Hey, sugar, how are ya?  I haven’t seen you at all today, with all the commotion.”

“I’m fine, thanks, Rob.  I’m sure you were very busy.  Are weddings here always like this?”

“Well, it’s whatever the couple wants to do.  We cater to all types; small, medium and huge, like this one.  As long as the ones getting married are happy, that’s what matters.” He smiles, the same smile Donovan gives me, and it makes me miss him.  I’m such a loser; I can’t seem to go an entire day without seeing him.