My Sweetheart (20 page)

             
Tate wiped the tears away with his thumb as he kissed the side of her face. “Why the tears?”

             
Jane sniffed and held her hand up to stare at the large rock on her hand. “I wasn’t sure this day would ever arrive. I dreamed, I hoped, I prayed, but actually seeing the ring on my hand, it takes my breath away,” she admitted, her face glowing.

             
Tate stood up, picking her up in his arms, turning her so they could look out over the water. “You weren’t the only one hoping and praying. Now kiss me again because Kam and Meredith and Feke and Tawni are throwing us an engagement party and we’re the guests of honor.”

             
Jane laughed and kissed Tate with all of the love in her heart. Tate pulled back and looked down at her, his dark eyes passionate. “We’re having a short engagement, right?”

             
Jane pursed her lips as she thought about it. “Yeah, really short actually. I’ve already bought my dress so I say we elope and get married next week.”

             
Tate grinned and helped her get in the car. He joined her seconds later and stared at her. “I’m actually fine with that. Not having parents and being disowned means I won’t have many people coming anyways. You only have your sisters and your friends. Let’s make things simple and get straight to the honeymoon,” he said winking at her.

             
Jane blushed and looked away. “Wow, this is happening fast.”

             
Tate frowned and reached over and grabbed her hand as he pulled back out onto the road. “We can wait if you want to. Or I can get a marriage license and we can be married in two weeks.”

             
Jane stared at Tate’s strong masculine profile and smiled shyly. “Let’s not wait. Get the license.”

             
Tate grinned happily and nodded. He drove her home so she could change first and then they met all of their friends at Feke’s parent’s house. The house was small but the yard was huge and there were flowers everywhere. There were tables laden with food and loud music playing. People were eating and dancing but when they showed up, cheers went up everywhere.

             
Jane laughed as she was hugged by so many people she lost count. Kam was the last to hug her and he picked her up in his arms and held her tightly. He set her down gently and looked seriously into her eyes. “I’m glad to see you’re well Jane. Tate needs you. He needs someone to call his own and that’s you,” he said and then kissed her on the lips making Tate glare and push him back.

             
Kam laughed and held up his hands. “Old island tradition bro,” he said laughing. Tate narrowed his eyes and shook his head slowly.

             
“I’m aware of all the island traditions and that’s not one of them. You want to die, don’t you?” he said and Kam laughed and ran away, looking back over his shoulder as if he wanted Tate to follow him.

             
Meredith walked up, holding a plate of food. “Congratulations you two!” she said grabbing her hand and staring at her ring. “I am so jealous I could die right now,” she said loudly, glancing at Kam who had wandered back with a raised eyebrow.

             
Tate laughed at Kam’s wary expression and then took her to get some food. She enjoyed sitting by Tate and talking to everyone who surrounded them. It was nice getting to know Tate’s friends a little better. A few of his buddies tried to steal kisses like Kam did, but Tate’s hard glare had them laughing and giving up. She wasn’t able to dance much because of her ankle but Tate did hold her in his arms as Phillip Phillips’ song,
Gone Gone Gone
came on. “I always think of you when I hear this. You’re my rugged heart,” he whispered in her ear and she sighed happily and tightened her arms around his neck.

             
The only thing that would have made the party better was if she’d had more energy. When she began yawning, Tate got up to thank Feke and his parents for hosting the party.

             
Meredith took his place immediately and smiled at her. “I can’t believe you’re engaged. When do you guys think you’ll get married? Six months? A year? It takes forever to plan a reception,” she said sipping her lemonade.

             
Jane grinned and bit her lip. “How does two weeks sound?”

             
Meredith choked on her drink and stared at her in shock. “You’re insane,” she whispered. “No one gets married in just two weeks. No one.”

             
Tate walked up and picked Jane up in his arms easily. “We’re the exceptions Meredith. Watch us,” he said happily and walked away with her into the night.

             
Jane leaned her head against his shoulder, kissing his neck lightly. “How are you going to like living on top of a bakery?” she asked as he reached his car.

             
Tate laughed and slipped her into her seat. “You mean, how am I going to deal with waking up every morning to the most heavenly smells in the world? I guess I’ll have to find a way to deal with it.”

             
Tate drove Jane home and walked her up the stairs to her room, letting her down on the side of her bed and making sure her crutches were close by. He kissed her chastely before saying good night. As soon as she heard the click of the front door, she began screaming and bouncing on the bed.

             
Kit rushed in, rubbing her eyes and staring at her as if she were insane. Jane held up her left hand and Kit began screaming too, jumping up and doing the high kicks she wished she could do.

             
“Jane, when are you guys getting married?” Kit demanded staring at the large diamond.

             
Jane sighed happily. “Two weeks from now. Kind of the same time you and Hunter are getting married. But he’s been disowned and I don’t have any family but you and Layla so it doesn’t make sense to throw a big reception. We’ll just get married quietly and then slip away on our honeymoon.”

             
Kit frowned shaking her head. “That is a horrible idea. I hate it,” she said sounding grumpy.

             
Jane laughed and shrugged, falling back on her bed and staring at her hand. “Mrs. Matafeo. Kit, get my dress out, will you?”

             
Kit dragged her large wedding dress out of the closet and they stared at the over the top Cinderella wedding dress. Kit fingered the decadent lace and frowned at her little sister. “You know, it’s a shame that no one will ever see this dress,” she said softly.

             
Jane shrugged. “I don’t care as long as Tate sees me in it, that’s all that counts.”

             
Kit sighed and put the dress up. “Get to bed princess. We’ve got church tomorrow.”

             
Jane dreamed that night of a large wedding with hundreds of people and a large wedding cake that looked just like her famous Matafeo cupcakes.

             
Jane scooted onto the bench next to Layla and smiled at Michael and Stella. Layla smiled at her, and put her arm around her shoulders before whispering, “How’s the ankle?”

             
Jane grimaced pointing at her crutches she hated with a passion. “Okay. It feels a little better this morning,” she said and casually reached over for a hymn book. Layla didn’t even notice the large diamond on her left hand.

             
Jane tried to listen as Layla whispered in her ear about inviting the whole family over for dinner at her house after church. She nodded her head and then felt someone nudge her shoulder. She looked up in surprise to see Tate standing next to her in a suit and tie. Jane’s mouth fell open as she looked him up and down. “
Oh . . . my
. . .”

             
Layla grinned and scooted further down on the bench to make room for Tate. Tate grinned at her and sat down, immediately putting his arm around her shoulders. “I don’t work today so I thought I’d come to church with you,” he said kissing her cheek.

             
Jane stared at him, smiling into his eyes just as he was smiling into hers. They stayed like that for a minute, before the sound of Layla squeaking made her turn her head in surprise. Layla was staring at her hand and pointing, her eyes big before she reached over and grabbed Jane’s hand in hers, staring at the engagement ring on her finger.

             
Tate leaned over and glanced at Layla with a raised eyebrow and Jane bit her lip. Layla’s face turned red and then she grinned, closing her eyes and looking up at the ceiling and then she mouthed the words
Thank You
before opening her eyes and leaning over and kissing Jane on the cheek and then pulling Tate over for a kiss too.

             
“I’m going to kill you later,” she whispered in Jane’s ear as the music began. “You should have called me.”

             
Jane winced and began singing with everyone else. She leaned over and whispered in Tate’s ear, “I’m so glad you’re here with me.”

             
Tate grabbed her hand and whispered back, “Wherever you are, that’s where I want to be.”

             
Jane smiled and leaned back and began singing when she realized Layla was crying into her hands. Jane frowned and leaned forward as Michael tried to soothe her. Michael spotted Jane’s hand on Layla’s knee and he grinned, nodding his head. “I get it now,” he whispered and smiled at her, leaning back to kiss his wife on her cheek.

             
Jane laughed a little, glad they were surrounded by loud singers, otherwise they’d be a distraction for everyone else. After church everyone gathered at Layla’s house for a big Sunday dinner. Layla had made a roast with carrots and potatoes and had a loaf of Kit’s sourdough bread to go with it. Kit and Hunter showed up right before dinner and as they sat around the long table, talking and laughing, Jane sighed happily, closing her eyes and trying to soak up every ounce of joy she was feeling.

             
Tate leaned over and whispered in her ear. “What are you smiling about? Better be me,” he said, grinning at her.

             
Jane smiled and kissed him lightly. “I’m just happy because right at this very moment I’m surrounded by all the people I love the most in the world.”

             
Tate’s smile faded a little and he looked away. Jane leaned over and put her hand on his shoulder. “Honey? What is it?”

             
Tate shrugged and smiled a little, but it was a sad smile. “I just hope that someday you and I can sit around a table with all of my family too.”             
              Michael overheard his comment and entered the conversation. “Tate, your aunt and uncle will come around. Maybe not in time for the wedding, but I know they will. My heart goes out to you though.”

             
Tate nodded his head, not saying anything. Hunter who was sitting across from Tate and Jane leaned forward, pushing his plate out of the way. “Kit told me that you two want to get married in two weeks.”

             
Layla made a choking sound and Jane winced, looking down at her hands. She might have forgotten to tell Layla that little detail. Hunter ignored her and kept going. “Kit being the loving older sister that she is, can’t stand the idea of you not getting your moment in the sun so to speak. How would you feel about a double wedding? We’ll both be married on the same morning and we can share the reception. You can email your invitations to whatever friends you want to come and Tate you can invite any of your relations who are open to your relationship with Jane. What do you say? It’s going to be a huge party, there’s no reason not to share it. There’ll be plenty of food and we’ll have a band and dancing.”

             
Kit stood up and wrapped her arms around Hunter from the back, leaning forward and kissing his cheek as she whispered in his ear. By the expression on his face, it must have been something because he grinned and pulled his fiancée into his arms and kissed her.

             
“Anything for you Kit,” he whispered, staring into her eyes as if she were the only woman in the world.

             
Jane bit her lip and raised her eyebrows as she looked at Tate. Tate frowned a little but grabbed her hand in his. “I really appreciate that Hunter. Jane and I don’t want to wait any longer, but I did have reservations about eloping. At church Kit told me how you bought your dress months and months ago and how you’ve been planning your wedding reception since you were a little girl. I know you’re a traditional girl at heart, so Hunter and Kit, if you’re sure about this, I’d like to accept. I want Jane to have a beautiful memory to remember our wedding by.”

             
Jane shook her head, still in shock at the idea of a double wedding. She looked at Kit with a worried frown. “Kit, this is your special day,
your
day to shine. Do you really want to share the spotlight with me? You’ve been planning everything from the color of the napkins to the lighting and decorations. You’ve done everything. I can’t just walk in at the last second and take your wedding,” she said, her throat feeling tight and scratchy all of a sudden.

             
Kit let go of Hunter and came to stand next to Jane, taking her hands in hers. “Jane, it’s not like that. It’s not like that at all. Yes I’ve been going crazy over all the details and colors and napkins, but that’s just because I’m only going to get married once and I do want it to be perfect. But I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it knowing that you didn’t have a reception. Mom isn’t here to help you. Layla is sick and pregnant and just trying to get through the day, so she can’t help you and besides you two don’t want to take the time to plan something on this scale. So share with me. Share my reception and let me share my perfect day with you. What could be better than a double wedding with your sister?” she asked, kneeling down and looking imploringly up into her face.

             
Jane grinned and wiped a tear off her face as she nodded. “Then
yes
. Let’s do it.”

             
Kit squealed and jumped up, clapping her hands with happiness. Layla stood up and walked around the table and hugged Kit first. “Kit my dear, you are the most generous, giving soul in the world. Mom would be so proud of you right now. You’re an angel,” she said and kissed Kit on the cheek, hugging her tightly.

             
Layla then turned to Jane and smiled at her. “And you Jane, I still can’t believe you’re getting married and
so soon
, but I could only let you go knowing that you were loved the way you were meant to be loved. Tate, I knew when we met you that first day in our bakery and I saw Jane’s face that she was head over heels for you. But after getting to know you and the man you are, I couldn’t be happier that you two have decided to marry. And I know you’ll take care of her and protect her,” she said, almost making it to the end of her speech before crying.

             
Jane laughed happily and stood up clumsily on her good leg so she could hug Layla. “Thanks Layla. I love you,” she whispered in her ear.

             
Tate stood up next to her, smiling self-consciously. “I think I need a hug too,” he said and pulled Layla into his arms, squeezing her tightly. Layla laughed happily and kissed his cheek before he set her down. Next Tate hugged Kit.

             
As he set Kit down, he smiled warmly down into her face. “I always wanted sisters and brothers growing up. I always wanted my own family. I was right. It’s wonderful.”

             
Kit threw her arms around Tate’s neck and kissed him noisily on the cheek. “Trust me Tate, we’re just as thrilled to you have you in the family.”

             
Jane sighed happily as Kit and Layla immediately jumped into planning the double portion of the wedding. Michael pulled Tate and Hunter away and the women and Stella were left in the dining room, talking, laughing and smiling.

             
Stella leaned up against Layla’s side and frowned. “I want a wedding too. I want a dress and a cake and presents.”

             
Layla laughed and hugged her. “All in due time darling. Let’s get through this wedding first before we start planning yours.”

             
Jane smiled at Stella, always knowing somehow when she was feeling left out. “You know what Stella? I need a bridesmaid. Would you be my bridesmaid?”

             
Kit raised an eyebrow but Layla shrugged with a grin. Stella grinned hopefully, looking at Layla first. “Yes please. Can I have a bridesmaid’s dress and wear flowers in my hair?”

             
Jane nodded her head. “I’m going to insist on it,” she said watching the little girl dance around the table and then run out of the room to tell her dad.

             
Layla sighed tiredly and rubbed a hand on her stomach. “You are always so sweet to her Jane. She’ll love it.”

             
Kit picked up her water glass and took a sip as she tapped her fingers on the table. “Hunter and I don’t want to do a big formal line. I don’t have a mom or dad to stand by me anyways, so we’re just going to be wandering around talking to everyone. It’s going to be a great party. Even better knowing my sister and my new awesome brother in law will be sharing the day with me.”

             
Jane smiled at her sisters and stretched her arms over her head. “Is it possible to be too happy? I mean, even a month ago, I remember being so miserable I thought I would drown. Layla was married and moved out and Kit you were hiring people to take over the bread making and I just felt so alone and miserable. And I have to admit, seeing two people so in love and being loved in return is kind of hard. I was jealous and miserable.”

             
Layla smiled. “I think we all know what it’s like to be miserable and sad. We’ve had a lot of hard times. I hope we never take our happiness for granted.”

             
Kit nodded emphatically. “I look at my life before Hunter and I shudder. No, I won’t ever take it for granted.”

             
Jane crossed her arms and stared at the table. “I knew what it was to love. Like you said Layla, I think I fell in love with Tate the first day he walked into the bakery. It’s the being loved back part that makes life so amazing though. I was scared I’d never know what that was like.”

             
Layla frowned, her forehead creasing. “I know people who have had to deal with that heart ache. One of my college roommates fell in love with a co-worker and he only cared about her as a friend. She told him how she felt one night and he was shocked and embarrassed by it. He was always awkward with her after that. It took her a long time to get over him. She finally met another man, five years later I think. They’re married now, but she kind of had to deal with heart ache for years. I was so worried that would happen to you.”

             
Jane nodded. “Me too.”

             
Kit snorted and shook her head. “You could tell Tate liked Jane. You could feel the sparks in the room when he would walk in the bakery. And you should have seen his face that day he realized you were dating Garrett.
Desolate
. No, this was never one sided.”

             
Jane frowned. “Well, it sure felt that way.”

             
Layla reached over and picked up Jane’s hand, looking at the engagement ring with a soft smile. “I do believe Tate has made up for it. You have to admit, that he knew from the start what would happen if he did let himself fall for you.”

             
Jane sighed and nodded. “You’re right. I was pretty naïve, but he knew how his family would react. I still can’t believe they disowned him. It’s killing him.”

             
Kit reached over and patted her shoulder. “But he picked you anyways. He adores you Jane. It’s pretty obvious. But there’s not much we can do about his family. We can’t force them to accept you, although I have no idea why they won’t. You’re the sweetest person in the world. Well, along with Layla,” she said with a grin to her other sister.