Sweet Reflection (36 page)

It’s something serious because the naughty glimmer’s disappeared and has been replaced by hesitation. She doesn’t explain, just tells me to read it and she’ll meet me downstairs. It’s got my full attention from the first line.

To the man who has my daughter’s heart,

I don’t know you. You don’t know me. But I do know, by the fact you are reading this, Laurel loves you. And that means I love you too. It is the biggest disappointment in my life that I will not get to watch my only daughter live out more of hers. I won’t get to see her build a career, meet the man who she chooses to spend her life with, walk her down the aisle, watch my grandchildren playing in the garden and see the cycle continue with them, which is why it gives me some comfort to write this letter now. Knowing you will someday read this and be the future I have always wished for, for my little girl, makes me the happiest I could ever be, given the circumstances.

My daughter is amazing, and I’m sure you feel this way about her too. She is strong-minded, resolute and obstinate, qualities that can be very difficult to live with. But they’re what make her so remarkable. If I could pass on to you one piece of advice that I have learnt over the past twenty years it would be this: pick your battles wisely. If what she wants isn’t life or death; if it doesn’t affect your morals or values; if it will make her happy; if in five minutes, five days, five weeks you aren’t going to remember the argument, just give her what she wants. Chances are, you will both be happier for it!

Since I’ve been in the hospital I have had a lot of spare time and guess what I’ve been researching? ‘How to haunt the man who hurts your daughter.’ So please bear this in mind the next time you contemplate doing something stupid!

I leave my greatest accomplishment in your capable hands to look after. Love her, respect her, nurture her. She deserves the world, and I only hope that you make it your priority to give it to her.

All the best, son. And good luck…you’re going to need it!

Mike

Does it make me less of a man that I have a tear in my eye right now? No? Good answer! I feel honoured that she chose to give this letter to me and scared as hell, because I’m going to mess up. This man has just entrusted me with his daughter’s future and I don’t even know him. But he has faith in me, because Laurel loves me. She loves
me
. I tuck the paper into my pocket, and take a deep breath in. Laurel is all I could ever want, and now I know exactly how much I mean to her too. Today is turning out to be a good day. And I have a feeling it’s only going to get better.

I head downstairs with a bounce in my step and the biggest grin on my face.

“Don’t tell me you and Laurel have just had sex. Dude, it’s my wedding day. You could have at least waited until tonight.” Blake hits me on the shoulder with so much force that it actually hurts. I rub it trying to ease the pain.

“Shut the fuck up. You know you’d do the same in my position. And anyway, it’s not that. I’m just happy. No sex involved.
Unfortunately
.”

He laughs so loudly that the staff in the hotel gives us funny looks so we move into the room that’s holding the ceremony. The venue is decorated well, the room’s long with three huge crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and a big fireplace at the very end. The seats have all been laid out framing the carpet running down the centre and covered in ivory chair covers, with a pale pink sash tied behind each one. Guests have already started filing in and talking together in little groups.

“So, ya nervous?”

“Nah,” he shakes his head smiling then rubs his hand over his chin, “Just miss Abby on days like today. She would have loved a girly morning helping Cassie get ready.” His eyes glaze over as he thinks about his sister; she died, and as expected, he took it hard. He doesn’t talk about her much but I know he still goes to the cemetery every week with Cassie, her parents are buried nearby too.

“She’s watching though. Guaranteed. Do you remember when we hid in your dad’s garden shed with a few bottles of beer, and we caught her watching us through the window? She was so damn nosy, you know she’ll want to see exactly what’s going on.” He laughs as he remembers the frightened look on her face when we got up and roared through the window.

The music starts up, pulling us back from the past, and the chatter simmers down to a few casual coughs. We take our place at the very front, standing side by side and I smile and wink at Judy who’s sitting on the front row, with tissues scrunched up in her lap. She’s gone through so much with her chemo the past few months but the stronger drugs have been working. The cancer’s small enough for surgery now which is booked in two weeks. Her hair has fallen out so she’s wearing a silk scarf on her head that matches her dress. She said she didn’t want to ruin the wedding photos, but no-one would see it like that. She’s still one hot mama. But as stubborn as her daughter.

The girls come down the aisle first, each one smiling at Blake then taking their place across from us. They’re all beautiful, but I only have eyes for one blonde-haired angel in particular who comes floating down the aisle just before Cassie. She slows as she gets to us and I can’t help but imagine how good it’ll feel to see her walking towards me on
our
wedding day. She gets me thinking about all sorts of mushy things like that. Damn woman.

Cassie comes beaming down last with her Grandma. She doesn’t have any other blood relatives apart from Julia, but there’s another mother in the front row who’s certainly crying enough tears to be an adoptive mother. As she reaches the front, she grabs hold of Judy and hugs her tightly, then pulls away to take Blake’s hand. He tugs her to him and the love and adoration in his eyes is obvious. He kisses her forehead and there’s a series of ‘awws’ from the guests watching behind.

The officiant leads the ceremony; she talks about Cassie and Blake’s love and what she’s noticed in their meetings together. When it comes to the ring exchange, I play the age-old joke of pretending I’ve lost them which earns me a laugh from the crowd and another punch from Blake. The vows are traditional; I always thought they were boring but hearing them when you’re in love gives you a different perspective. The kiss lasts a minute too long to be appropriate but the cheers and claps from everyone pull them away from each other and then my best friend’s a married man with the ball and chain. But what a woman to be chained to.

There’s laughter and tears and hugs and congratulations from all the guests and now the ceremony’s done, I seek Laurel out and find her walking out the ladies’ room.

I take her hand and move her against the wall in the corridor. My hand reaches up to the plaster behind her and I lean my weight forward on it.

“Thank you for giving me the letter. It means a lot.”

“Well I was worried whatever he wrote in it would have you running for the hills. But I’m happy to see you’ve stayed.” She parts her lips and kisses me once. It tastes like cherries.

“I’ll stay forever if you’ll let me.”

She stares at me blankly, a small frown hovering above her eyes, but I don’t want to be so predictable as to propose on someone else’s wedding day. Today is about our friends. We’ll have our time soon, I just want her to know that this is what I see for us. What I want, if she wants to give it to me.

“One day soon, babe, when your store’s back up and running and your mum’s back to full health, I’m going to ask you to marry me, and I’ll do everything I can between now and then to make sure you know how much I love you. And how proud I will be to call you my wife.”

I see her thoughtful look and I raise her a kiss. Planted firmly on her lips.

“Hmm, Laurel Dawson. It does have a certain ring to it, doesn’t it?” She gives me a cute one-sided smile and puts her arms around me. “Thank you.” She whispers to me softly as she ducks her head into my chest and I momentarily get lost in the strawberry smell of her hair.

“For what?”

“For being so considerate. And knowing exactly what to say and how to say it. I love you.”

“Good, I’ve just put it all out there. It would suck if you didn’t.” She smiles and pushes away from me.

“Come on, we’ve got to get back. We’re very important people today. And you’ve got a speech to give soon.”

Shit, there must be at least a hundred people here today, I’ve not had enough to drink for that yet. “Right let’s get to the bar. Now.”

The rest of the day passes in one giant blur of drinking, eating and laughing with family and friends. True to her words Laurel finds me in the evening and lets me have my wicked way with her in the dress that has had my attention all afternoon. At about three in the morning, we collapse onto the bed, Laurel’s soft body curled up against mine, and fall into a contented, uninterrupted sleep.

The Following Week

Laurel

“Why didn’t you have a honeymoon straight away again? I forgot. Oh no, actually, you just gave me a really lame reason that I don’t believe at all.” I stand in front of Cassie with my hands on my hips, tapping my foot. Julia is a lot better and there is no reason she can’t look after the shop for a week or two, so there’s something else up. She’s doing her best to look all innocent with her big brown eyes staring at me, but I’m not buying it.

She sighs reluctantly and sits down at the kitchen table. “You’re wearing me down. James has a surprise for you and I wanted to be with you when you found out, so I delayed it. It’s no big deal, Blake and I are leaving next week instead. I just want to see you happy.”

“I am chick, you didn’t have to stay. But I’m glad you’re here. What is it? You can’t tell me that much, then leave the big reveal.” I’m giving her the puppy dog eyes that she’s never been able to resist and when I see her eyes roll I know she’ll cave.

“Okay fine, he’s got us VIP tickets for London Fashion Week. We leave tonight.” She’s grinning and I can’t stop the one that’s coming over my face either. That man is full of surprises and so bloody thoughtful it makes me want to cry sometimes.

“Eeek,” I squeal, “Oh my God, we need to pack, and pick out our outfits. There’s going to be cameras and celebrities and, oh gosh, there’s so much work to do. My hair is a mess, I wonder if I have time to get it cut. And go shopping. I actually don’t have anything to wear. What am I going to do? The shops will be open for another couple of hours, we have to hurry. Then we need-“

“
Stop
.” She screams at me and rests her hand on my arm. “You’re getting carried away, it’ll be fine. Let’s start with packing.” We run upstairs and spend the rest of the afternoon planning our outfits.

James

I’ve just sent Laurel off in a car down to London and I’m gonna miss the hell out of her but hopefully the look on her face when she gets back will make it all worthwhile.

“Did she suspect anything?” Blake asks, as he walks through the battered door.

“Nah, I don’t think so. Your
wife
has got a lot better at lying. I’d be careful of that one.” I grin and slap him on the shoulder, and he reaches out to punch my arm. Blake Richards, married. A year ago I wouldn’t have believed it possible but now, I couldn’t picture it any other way. Cassie’s his life and the pair of them are the best friends a guy could wish for.

“Hey, thanks for delaying the honeymoon. I really appreciate it. You know you didn’t have to though right? It would have been fine without the big boss here too.”

He snorts a laugh then turns to look at me.

“She’s my friend, and Cassie’s best friend, mate. I wouldn’t have had it any other way. But even if I wanted to go, it’s not like I could leave without Cass. And she made it clear she wanted to help out.”

I get all the papers together and plan the teams, whilst Blake makes a few phone calls we need before we get started.

The door goes again, and Judy walks in looking like she’s going to cry. “Honey, what can I do to help? I have to do something. I can’t just stay at home while you do all this.” She should be relaxing, taking a breather before her surgery, but I know I won’t be able to stop her if she’s made her mind up.

I walk over to her, and give her a hug, because she looks like she needs one, “We have it all under control, don’t worry. But I wouldn’t say no to a cuppa. And if you can make the odd one for the guys I think we’ll be just fine.” She sniffs back the tears and nods, “I’ll keep the tea and food coming of course.” She pauses then leans in closer, “James, you’re going to make me a wonderful son-in-law someday.”

All week I’ve been thinking about that actually. That’s what weddings do to you, mess with your head.

“And you, are going to make me an amazing mother-in-law.” Then I lean in, “Soon.”

I can see where Laurel gets her smile from, because there’s enough light on Judy’s face to power National Grid.

“The electricity’s off here at the moment but the café next door have said we can use theirs for anything we need.”

“Oh, great. I’ll nip round now. Be back soon.”

She walks out the door passing the guys as they come in and it’s like a never-ending queue of people. “Blake get your ass out here now.” I shout into the back room. He comes skulking out with a load of tools in his hand, “What?”

I swing my arms around in front, gesturing to the twenty odd people now standing in front of me. “This looks like at least half your team. What are they all doing here?”

A slow smile spreads across his face and he looks thoroughly pleased with himself.

“The Mrs wears the trousers and she insisted. You know how it is.” He bursts out laughing at my scowl. He said he was going to clear his schedule but I thought he meant just a few guys, not all these.