EPILOGUE
~~~~~~~~~~~~SMILE~~~~~~~~~~~~
Taylor stood there, smiling, as he watched Mel walk toward him down the aisle.
The past two years had been the most amazing of his entire life. Looking back when they were teenagers, he had always known that his world would forever revolve around Mel. He couldn't see life any other way. He
knew even then that he would be happy with her for the rest of his life. He didn't, however, anticipate the ten year hiccup, but that was water under the bridge, now. The past two years was all the confirmation he needed that he would love her forever, without a doubt, without question, no matter what.
She smiled at him and he smiled back at her. She had never been more beautiful. The way her hair was pinned from her face hadn't been her choice but it didn't matter. She was still so incredibly beautiful.
The small white bouquet she carried in her hands didn't dare hold a candle to her smile.
She took her place across from him and he couldn't take his eyes off of her. He wished he could say the same for her, but she performed her duty as professionally as she possibly could. As her eyes shifted away from
him, he knew he couldn't have been luckier, snagging the best seat in the house, front row, directly in front of Mel.
Following her gaze, Taylor turned around to watch the bride make her way down the aisle. He considered her a sister-in-law in every sense of the word. Drew did make a stunning bride and even the sun shining on her
didn't outshine the smile she wore on her face as she approached her groom, who awaited her anxiously.
Taylor glanced back ahead of him at Mel as she eagerly watched the ceremony begin. "Who gives this woman to this man?" the officiant asked.
"I do."
And then Drew was "given away" to her groom.
Finally, Mel's eyes met Taylors. They smiled at each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~EARLIER~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I don't know what you're getting so upset about. You chose the Villa Skyletta specifically for this purpose!"
"Yeah, Mel, but at the time there wasn't the threat of rain!"
"Drew! It's an outdoor venue! There's always the threat of rain!"
Drew was a bit of a bridezilla. She knew it. She didn't mean to be, but she just wanted everything to be perfect. She wanted her perfect outdoor wedding, on the perfect Malibu mountain hillside, overlooking the
perfect landscape and even further into the perfect Pacific Ocean. She had the perfect Vivienne Westwood gown, the perfect groom, and the perfect maid of honor. All she asked for was the perfect weather to go along with it.
"You have a plan B, right?" Mel asked.
Of course she had a plan B. The interior of the villa was gorgeous. Drew just had no intention of moving the wedding. "How fast could we get a hundred abnormally large umbrellas??"
"Well now you're just being crazy."
Taylor walked past the doorway, looking absolutely dashing in his tuxedo. He wasn't a member of the wedding party, surprisingly, but that certainly didn't keep him from dressing for the occasion. Still dressed in
the white pantsuit she arrived in, Drew hissed his name. "Tay! What's the weather report saying?"
Tay stopped and fished his phone out of his pocket, looking at her incredulously. "You're not ready yet?"
Annoyed, she waved off the comment. "I still have two hours."
Clicking through his phone, he smiled at her. "Seems like whatever these clouds are is passing over. Looks clear for the ceremony!"
Drew smiled, a weight lifting off her shoulders. "I knew I loved you for a reason! Hey, where's Zac? I need to see him."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! Why wouldn't I be?"
"Okay...I'll find him and let him know you're looking for him..."
With that, Tay was off on his new assignment.
"What was that I heard about Zac?" Mel asked.
"Tay's going to get him for me."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
Drew looked at Mel in disbelief. "Do you two share a brain or something? What is with you? Yes! It's perfectly fine, I promise. Is my stylist here yet? I have to start getting ready. How are the caterers doing with the reception?"
"Drew! Calm down! Seriously, everything will be okay. You stylist just got here, he's setting up inside. Let's go and get you transformed into the bride of the century."
"I hear helicopters. Do you hear helicopters?"
Mel shook her head and led Drew inside. The ceremony was supposed to be private. No media, no paparazzi. She'd had her fair share of them lately. The media just couldn't seem to get enough of the wedding rumors.
As Drew sat in her chair, having her hair and makeup done, she looked in the mirror at her bridesmaids behind her. It was a small ceremony and she smiled at Mel, Nikki, and Jeanette as they readied themselves. She was especially tickled at Jeanette who had been extremely ecstatic to have been asked to be in the wedding and since she and Mel had gotten close over the past year or two, she kind of became a staple in their small circle. It also helped that she had been introduced to Mac Hanson and they had hit it off, carrying on a long distance relationship. And since Mac lived in LA, Drew had managed to pick herself up a new little brother. Things always seemed to come full circle when it came to the Hanson family.
Drew looked at the bridesmaids in their dresses, pleased with her choice. Mel's was a gown with a halter top and heart-shaped neckline. The charmeuse material couldn't have been more perfect for the burnt orange color Drew had picked out and the mini bouquet of white lilies were the perfect contrast against the dress. Nikki and Jeanette's dresses were strapless and knee-length. They wore matching gold, strappy stilettos and
the same pinned-back hairstyles.
Then she thought about the groomsmen. Mel nearly died, and was a bit surprised, when she heard of the lineup. For one of the most highly-anticipated (and highly private) weddings of the year, they sure were
some kind of motley crew.
When Drew's stylist was finished with her hair and face, it was time to get in her dress. This part made her nervous. When she had approached Vivienne Westwood to design a gown for her, the designer had been all too happy to do it. So now here she was, about to slip into a one-of-a-kind designer gown and the mere thought of messing it up in any way nearly made her sick.
The gown was gorgeous. It was long and slim, barely off-white chiffon, with the top layer completely designed in intricate lace patterns. Secure at the waist, the neckline was strapless and dangerously
low, with a roughly three-inch wide scrap of lace on either side of her upper arms draping around, acting as straps that had merely fallen lazily off her shoulders. The dress was light, whimsical, and vintage-inspired. With her blonde hair styled in a modern finger-curl style, her headpiece was reminiscent of 1920's glamor. The intricate jeweled and feathered piece pinned to the side of her hair, while the white netting wrapped around, making a soft circle around her head. When the finishing touches were finally put on her, the entire room gasped at the sight.
Mel began to tear up. "Oh, Drew. Do you have any idea how gorgeous you look?"
"Don't you dare cry. Because then I'll cry. And then our makeup will run."
Mel dabbed her eyes lightly. "You're right. Sorry."
To help capture every moment of her special day, Drew had called in a photographer to photograph the wedding. He had been snapping pictures all morning, and he was now back in their dressing area, ready to take pictures of Drew in her dress, along with her bridesmaids.
As the photographer was wrapping up the current session, there was a knock at the door and Zac suddenly appeared across the room. Drew took in a breath upon sight of him, as his hair fell over the shoulders of the
perfectly-tailored black and white tuxedo he was wearing. He was still buttoning his cuffs as he glanced up at her. "You're looking for me?"
Finding her voice, she said, "Yeah, like, two hours ago--hey. Are you supposed to even be seeing me right now?"
He looked up at her and shrugged. "I'm about to anyway, right? Does it really matter?"
Not having the energy to answer him, she said, "Look, I really need to talk to you. Privately. Very privately."
Zac followed her to a private corner of the room they were in and she said to him quietly, "Okay, so don't freak out at me. Okay?"
"Okay..."
"So, I've been dreaming of this day since I was a little girl. Perfect dress, perfect man...perfect everything. Except not perfect everything."
"I'm not following..."
"Let me finish. You know my father died when I was little. My grandfather passed away years ago. I have no brothers."
"Is this going where I think this is going...?"
"Zac, I don't want my mom to do it. It has to be a man. And you--well you're the only feasible man who could do it. Who could--"
"You want me to give you away."
"YES!" Drew said, relieved that he took the words out of her mouth. "Yes. Please. You're my best friend. My best male friend--you know what I mean."
"Your timing is incredible," he said sarcastically.
"I totally understand if you don't want to. I know it's a big thing to ask. And you're right, the timing is short, but--really, Zac, could you think of anyone better? Because I can't."
She watched his face soften before her eyes. "Drew, I would be honored to give you away today. As odd as it will be to walk down the aisle with you like this--"
"Yeah, yeah, I know--"
"I would be honored," he smiled. "So yes, I will give you away."
She threw her arms around his neck. "Oh thank god! I mean, YOU, thank YOU! You don't know what this means to me!"
"Judging by my increasing lack of oxygen, I think I have a pretty good idea."
"Oh. Sorry." Drew pulled away and dusted off his shoulders. "Will Kate be mad?"
"Kate is mad because the doctor wouldn't let her travel. I hope you don't mind my having my cell phone on. She could go into labor at any moment."
"No, it's fine. I understand. I'll make sure to send some cake home with you."
"She would love that."
At that moment, the wedding planner's voice rang out across the room. It was time to start.
~~~~~~~~~~~~PRESENT~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mel fought tears the entire day. She was so proud of Drew and how beautiful she was. However, she nearly lost it when she saw Taylor in his tuxedo. He wasn't in the wedding party, but he had insisted on getting
dressed at the venue so that he didn't risk wrinkling his tux on the way there. Mel was convinced that it was an excuse to hang out with the guys. If getting dressed together was what did it for him, then so be it.
Maybe it was the atmosphere, with all the flowers and the dresses and the violins. But when she first laid eyes on him since he'd changed, the sun had hit him just the right way and the way he smiled at her nearly negated a janitor to mop her up off the floor. A tug at her heartstrings faintly wished that it were her in the white dress today and she wrung her hands, feeling all of her bare fingers. She could feel the wedding day blues trying desperately to rear its ugly head.
And now she stood across from him in the late afternoon sun, not exactly how she preferred to stand across from him but she had to remind herself that this was Drew's day, and not hers.
So she decided to focus all her attention on Drew and the ceremony like a good maid of honor was supposed to do. As Zac gave Drew away, she handed Mel her bouquet and Mel took it graciously, happy to be there for her
best friend. Gerard Cline's smile was completely infectious as he took Drew's hand from Zac and helped her onto the platform to take her place with him as the bride to his ever debonair groom.
Jason Kamealoha stood by as Gerard's best man. At the rehearsal dinner the night before he had delivered an uproarious speech regarding his friendship with Gerard and hijinx from Ireland that ultimately led to Gerard's
"downfall," as Jason liked to call it. And now he towered behind Gerard, making faces at Mel as the bride and groom exchanged their vows. Mel stifled a giggle when it backfired on him when it was time for rings
and he hadn't been paying attention. She had to admit, she was relieved for the little bit of comic relief.
Behind Jason stood Isaac, who had become quite close with Gerard over the past year and a half since the first movie premier. When Gerard asked Ike to be a groomsman in his wedding, Ike didn't stop talking about it for
months. He was completely star struck and highly honored to be asked. Mel could speak for the entire family when she said she would be glad for this day to be over, simply so Ike would shut his mouth. It was nice, though, knowing that all aspects of her family were coming together as one. It was a heart-warming feeling.
Behind Ike stood Gerard's agent. Mel felt kind of bad for Gerard and for the agent. Gerard didn't keep too many close friends around but Mel was sure the agent had been around longer than both Jason and Ike. So to
be the last of the groomsmen...well Mel just hoped he was honored to be in the party at all.
With the kissing of the bride, it was all Mel could do not to run to Taylor at that moment. Again, maybe it was all the love that filled the air, but just standing there across from him in the front row, she missed him. She
missed his lips and his arms...all she wanted was to be close to him. Instead, she had to go through the motions and walk down the aisle with Jason before she could return to the man of her dreams.
Unconventionally, after introducing Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Cline, Gerard literally swept Drew off her feet and carried her down the aisle. Drew giggled the entire way and the rest of the guests had a good laugh. Mel
walked with Jason, then Nikki with Ike, then Jeanette with the agent and Mel's mind went a mile a minute down the short aisle. She found it funny to be walking this aisle with Jason while referring to Tay as "the man of her dreams." She had remembered on several occasions in the past where she was convinced that Jason was the man of her dreams. And in many ways, he had been. There were several moments in the past where she pictured the private Hawaiian beach wedding they would have, her covered in flowers, him with no shirt on...now she just looked at him and laughed. She loved how she was in a place in her life that involved no confusion and no mixed feelings. She loved how she and Jason could merely be friends without all the angst and complicated emotions that had come with their friendship before.
It was another hour before Mel was reunited with Taylor again. After wedding photos were taken and after Mel had helped Drew change for the reception, Tay had been a sight for sore eyes. Not that she was having a
bad day. A woman just needed her man at her best friend's wedding. She wrapped her arms around Tay tightly upon sight of him, burying her face in his neck.
"Wow, what's all this?" he asked, hugging her back.
"I just missed you today," she said, her voice muffled.
"I missed you, too," he responded quietly.
She pulled away from him. "It was a beautiful ceremony, wasn't it?"
"It absolutely was."
"And they are so perfect for each other. Really. After all this time, you'd think she'd end up marrying Zac but instead she finds her soul mate in a middle-aged man. Who'd have thought it?"
"Well you did it, too," Tay teased.
"Hey, he wasn't middle-aged when I married him."
"Gerard's a good man. He'll take care of her."
"Pretty sure it's the other way around."
"Maybe that's what they need."
Mel smiled up at Tay. She lived for the moments when their minds were in synch.
The reception was gorgeous. Mel was amazed at how fast the crew had turned the ceremony space into the reception area. It took them no time to set the tables, fix the lighting, and bring out the buffet. The relaxed
atmosphere of the reception seemed to be what the doctor ordered for everyone. Drew and Gerard had emerged amidst the cheering of the guests, Drew in her long-sleeved, white, mini-dress and Gerard minus a tie with his shirt un-tucked. If the bride and groom were ready to party, then so was everyone else!
At that moment in time, all Mel could think about was food. She hadn't realized how starved she was until she had smelled the buffet. Sitting at the main table with Tay and the rest of the wedding party, Mel was
silent for the first few minutes as she focused on eating and took in her surroundings. Dusk had come fast and the lit-up deck the reception was taking place on was illuminated and gorgeous, lights strung up and torches burned everywhere.
Three seats down from her, on the other side of Gerard, Jason stood and someone rushed him a microphone. He looked surprised as he smiled at it in his hand, switching it on. "Wow, I feel like I should sing a song in this thing or something," he joked, receiving light laughs from the other guests. "Okay, so, I know I probably told this same story last night, but I have a habit of repeating myself--A LOT--so bear with me."
Turning toward Gerard and placing a hand on his shoulder, Jason smiled. "I've known Gerard Cline for several years. He's kicked my ass pretty hard, subjecting me to car crashes, fist fights, jumping off the sides of buildings--I think I even flew a couple of times. But I really got to know him in Ireland when we were filming my first movie and now I'm glad to call him one of my closest friends. Now to back up, I knew Drew before we started filming--I was lucky to be surrounded by friends for my first movie. All three of us were going through shit at the time--Drew was going through shit, I was going through shit, Gerard--well Gerard doesn't WANT anyone to know when he's going through shit but spend enough time with him and you can practically read him like a book, okay?" Jason's laugh was infectious as the guests laughed with him. "So put three people together, all of us going through shit, and you could just imagine what work was like. Except it totally wasn't what you would think. We all just WORKED, it was great. So anyway, Gerard and I liked to frequent the pub several nights a week--he was frazzled from a long day's work, I was beat up all to hell every day. And one night, as we're sitting at the bar, he says to me, 'So what do you think are the chances of a guy like me with a woman like Drew?' "
Everyone laughed at Jason's mock British accent.
"At first I'm shocked because all we ever heard was him lamenting against relationships and marriage and shit and sitting there that night it was just a bad time to ask me anything regarding relationships and I didn't
think before I spoke and I was just like, 'Dude, stay away. It's not worth it.' But later that night I got to thinking about what he said and I said to myself, 'Well, goddamn...Gerard Cline actually has a heart!' "
More laughs.
"And then it was downhill from there. Poor guy. He found ways to work her into every conversation we had. He changed his route to and from the set every day so that he could conveniently run into her. The guy was smitten and she never even knew it. You were pretty slick, Gerard, you know that?"
Drew laughed and shook her head. "I seriously had no idea!"
"But this couple right here? I knew from the moment they met--because I just happened to be there--that there was something special there. I think they did, too. They couldn't be more perfect for each other and I couldn't be more proud to call them close friends. So I raise my glass and I wish you guys the best and I'll pray every day that you don't run her off, my friend."
As everyone laughed, Jason squeezed behind Gerard and reached over to hand the microphone to Mel. She looked up at him in horror and shook her head. He smiled and spoke into the microphone so everyone could
hear. "Well don't be scared, we all know you're not afraid to speak your mind."
She was put on the spot as she took the mic from Jason. She glanced beside her at Taylor and he smiled and nodded at her, signaling that it would be okay. Nervously she stood up. "Um, hello, everyone. I'm Mel,
I'm the maid of honor. I think you already knew that." Her heart pounded at the hundred pairs of eyes expectantly on her. "Uh, I'm sure my speech won't be quite as entertaining as Jason's was. I mean, who could follow that, right?"
"I could!" Mac yelled out from the back of the crowd.
"I know YOU could, Mac," Mel said dryly. "Anyway, so...Drew and I go way back. WAYYYY back. We used to crawl through each other's windows--it was easy because we were neighbors and we've practically been family ever since. I've had it rough for literally half my life and Drew was there for me, every step of the way. EVERY single step. When my husband died--which is an entirely different ballgame--Drew was the only person I cared to lay eyes on for several months. She was the only person I DID lay eyes on. She was there for me in every sense of the word. Nobody on this earth would have ever had the patience and made the sacrifices that she has made for me over the years. Nobody. No matter what, through thick and thin, good and bad, it's always come back to me and her. Always. And now I share her with this spectacular man. A man who is certainly the luckiest on the planet and completely deserves all the love and caring that she has to offer. Um, so, I'm going to wrap this up because I think I'm gonna cry and the stylist has taken his powerhouse eyeliner and gone home so..." A few light laughs rippled through the crowd. "Drew and Gerard, I'm so incredibly glad that you found each other and I'm honored to share this day with you. I love you both and...play ball!"
Mel didn't know what in the hell that last phrase was and she sat quickly hiding her face in her hand in embarrassment. "I love you, Drew," she said to her. "But no more goddamn speeches. This better be the only wedding I ever speak at."
Drew giggled and hugged her best friend. "It was perfectly fine! I thought it was sweet."
~~~~~~~~~~~~THE DANCE~~~~~~~~~~~~
After dinner was cleared away, the first dance for the bride and groom was announced. Somehow the dance had slipped Drew's mind and she was slightly disappointed that she had changed out of her wedding gown so soon, but after looking at Gerard in all his comfort, sans bowtie, she was immediately okay with it. This was who they were--comfortable and casual.
The music began to play and Drew was pleasantly surprised at Gerard's song choice. She had no idea what to expect when he had requested to be the one to pick their song, so when Frank Sinatra began to belt out "Strangers In The Night" a permanent smile was plastered to her face as he swept her across the dance floor. His eyes never left hers as he smiled back at her. "Very nice choice," she giggled as he quietly sang the words to her.
"This song has been in my head since the very first table read in Ireland. When I saw you coming down that hallway I knew it was all over for me then."
"Really? That soon?"
"That very moment."
"Well you totally fooled me."
"I couldn't very well be so forward so soon, could I?"
"Or for the next three months that followed," Drew teased.
"Meeting you was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, Andrew Cline. I never thought I'd find myself right here, but I love you more than you'll ever know. Not making you my wife was never an option."
The floodgates opened and Drew wrapped her arms tightly around her husband's neck. "I love you so much," she whispered.
The song ended much too quickly and Drew wasn't ready to let her husband go quite yet. However, Mac, who was DJ'ing the wedding, was the one who delivered the words that quickly sobered her up. "Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for the bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Cline! And now we move on to the very special father/daughter dance..."
Drew's eyes widened in horror at the words as someone close to him, and obviously close to the microphone, hissed at him, "Mac, no!"
She had purposely not planned a father/daughter dance because of the brutal obvious--there was no father to dance with.
"Wait, what?" she heard Mac say faintly, poorly covering the mic.
Before she could be humiliated any longer, leave it to Zac to swoop in and save the day. He approached the couple on the dance floor and said to Gerard, "I'll handle this one. I see it only fitting, considering I'm the
one who gave her away today."
Gerard smiled and gave a nod. "Very well, then." He kissed Drew's cheek and left her on the dance floor with Zac.
Elton John sang "Friends" through the loudspeakers. Drew didn't know what touched her more: Zac's gesture, the fact that he had gotten her favorite artist spot on, or the actual lyrics in the song. To keep herself
from crying all over again, she teased him instead. "You certainly know how to keep things platonic these days."
He smiled at her. "I didn't get the chance to say anything earlier, but--honestly, giving you away was the most surreal feeling I've ever had. I don't really know how to describe it."
"I think I understand..."
"You were my first love--"
"And you were mine."
"And you always think your first love is meant to be, but maybe sometimes first loves are there to prepare you. For life. You know?"
"But it isn't like we didn't try."
He nodded and smiled. "That's the truth. You know, at this time two years ago, I swore it would be us right here. Even with everything standing in the way, somehow I just knew--but I was wrong. I'd been wrong
the entire time. And, honestly, the way we are, here, right now? I wouldn't have it any other way. I sincerely couldn't be happier. For you, for Gerard--for us. We've come a long way, you and I."
Drew smiled at him. He was completely right. She couldn't have been happier either. She never thought she'd see the day when the man that made her heart flutter wasn't Zac anymore. She cherished this friendship almost as much as she treasured Mel's. "Were you freaked out by the fact that I asked you to give me away? Was it weird?"
"Uh, no, not really. I probably wouldn't have allowed it to be anyone else. I'm truly touched, and honored, to have been able to do that for you. I love you, Drew. I mean, not like--you know..."
Drew giggled and nodded. "Yes, Zachariah. I know. I love you, too."
~~~~~~~~~LUCY IN THE SKY...WITH DIAMONDS?~~~~~~~~~
And then there was cake. Glorious cake. Mel didn't understand why she focused so hard on the food tonight. Oh wait, yes she did. Food kept her occupied. Kept the wedding day blues away. How could she miss a man so desperately who had been by her side all night long?
Drew and Gerard were just adorable. Mel couldn't help having stars in her eyes as she watched them cut the cake together. Taylor smiled at her and reached for her hand. "I love you," he mouthed to her silently.
Mel smiled, her heart melting instantly. "I love you more," she mouthed back.
The sudden sound of, "Do it!" from amongst the guests turned their attention back on the newlyweds. Mel knew that they wouldn't go by tradition and smear cake in each other's faces and she'd been right. Mel
loved how Drew and Gerard seemed to throw tradition out the window and make this day their very own. Mel found herself looking back at Tay and wondering how he would want their wedding day to go--providing there ever was one--and tried not to wonder how his first wedding day had gone.
Mel's wedding had been gorgeous. She and John had married at the New York City Public Library. It had been a grand affair, spared no expense, no holds barred. It was the perfect wedding and, at the time, the perfect
man. She supposed that whenever you married someone you inevitably thought they were the perfect person at that time. How did love just change on a dime like that? Well, faking a death was a pretty good start...
However, that was all in the past and she and John's marriage was obviously just one more stepping stone that led to her life right now, sitting next to the love of her life, watching his beautiful eyes glitter in the twinkling lights surrounding the reception.
She found herself smiling at him again, suddenly feeling the wedding day blues melting away. She hated feeling she wasted most of the day letting selfish emotions get the best of her. Thinking back on her years with and without Tay and her marriage to John and all the tumultuous mess that led up to where she was now, she supposed that not having a ring on her finger yet wasn't THAT big a deal. She understood that Tay had just come out of a long marriage--a year and a half wasn't a lot of time when you compared it to ten. She couldn't blame him if he wasn't ready yet. And if he was, he certainly wouldn't have wasted any time popping the question. Good things came to those who waited and they had planned to be together forever
anyway, so what was the rush?
As the guests cheered at the bride and groom's first taste of wedding cake, the serving began and the music started up again. Opting now to skip on dessert, Mel allowed Taylor to lead her out onto the dance floor. "You
seem a little off today," he observed as he held her close to him. "Care to clue me in?"
Mel was ashamed to admit to anything and everything she'd been thinking all day. It seemed childish and selfish now. "Uh, well, you know, typical wedding stuff. It's--it's girl stuff, really. It's nothing. It's been an emotional day, watching my best friend get married...you know how women are."
"Oh," he nodded, thoughtfully. "Okay."
"What about you?"
He looked as if she'd caught him off guard. "Me? Have I seemed off?"
"Well...no, I guess not."
"Hm," he nodded again. "You're wishing it was us, aren't you?"
She looked up in his eyes, startled. "Why can't I ever have my own private thoughts around you?"
He smiled at her warmly. "Because I know you. You can't hide from me. You know that."
Mel sighed. "I guess maybe I was. A little. So I caught a little wedding fever today. I'm female, it happens, so sue me. It'll pass, though."
"Oh, it will?" he said, amused. "It's so nice to think that the thought of marrying me will 'just pass.' "
Mel couldn't help but laugh. "No! No, you know what I mean. I didn't mean it like that. I promise."
Taylor chuckled. "It's okay. I forgive you. This time, anyway. But while we're on the subject..."
Confused, Mel watched him quickly fish through his front pocket, gently fighting the tucked-in silk handkerchief on his way out. She felt the blood instantly drain from her face when the diamond he held between his fingers glittered from the light it caught from a lantern hanging overhead.
Mel had never seen a smile as big on Tay as the one she saw now. "So what do you say?" he asked her.
She couldn't speak. She looked at the ring and then back at him, his eyes sparkling brighter than the diamond. "Is that--?"
He nodded.
She couldn't contain her happiness. Her smile turned into a giggle and she felt the blood return to her face in full force. She nodded as she giggled and she was quickly losing her composure to the excitement as she fought hard to keep the moment between them. Tears sprang to her eyes and suddenly she couldn't stop kissing him, taking his face in her hands and leaving short kisses all over his lips and his cheek.
His laughter was music to her ears. "So...is that a yes?"
"YES!" She then clamped her hand over her mouth and looked around at the few eyes around them that had stopped to look toward the sudden sound. She had a feeling it was no longer a secret but she lowered her voice anyway. "I mean, yes. Yes, a million times, yes!"
Trying to be discreet, though more eyes were on them now, she nervously displayed her hand for him to do the deed. She looked up at his face as he prepared to slide the ring on, the tears welling in his eyes as he tried to laugh them back. As he slid the ring on, he looked at her and smiled and cleared his throat. "Pay no attention to the man behind the water leak. Just admire the jewelry while I collect myself."
"Oh, Tay," she said, placing a hand gently on his cheek. "I love you so much. It's okay, really."
Clearing his throat once again, he laughed. "Your makeup is running."
She laughed with him, wiping the tears off her cheek, certain she'd smeared whatever was there. "Dammit, I knew that would happen. Waterproof my ass." She took a moment to admire her new hand ornament. It was
white-gold with a marquis cut, surrounded by a border of old mine cut diamonds. The style was certainly not modern. She was madly in love with it. "When did you--"
"That ring has been in my possession for fifteen years."
Mel heard herself gasp. "Fifteen..."
"It belonged to my grandmother."
"Tay..." Mel was confused. "Why didn't you giv--I mean, how--?"
"It belongs to you. It always has. She gave it to me the very first day she met you. She never said anything when she gave it to me. But I knew."
Fresh tears formed in Mel's eyes. "I wasn't there for her funeral--"
"She passed not too long after I got married. One of the last things she asked me was if I still had the ring. I told her I did." He laughed a little at the memory. "Then she said to me, 'God bless, boy, do YOU still have the ring?' I assured her I did and she said, 'Good, keep it that way.' She knew, Mel. She knew and I knew."
"I'm so sorry I stayed away. I thought about you every day, Tay. I did. For ten years you were the last face I saw when I fell asleep and the first face I saw when I woke up in the morning. I just--I want you to know that not a day went by that you didn't occupy my thoughts or my dreams. Not a single day."
Wrapping his hand around her newly embellished left hand, he held it against his chest and rested his forehead against hers. "I have loved you every single day of my life since we were three years old. We've been
through heaven and we've definitely been through hell to get here but we're finally here and I can't wait to start living the rest of my life the way I've always been meant to live it. With you, by my side, my best friend, my lover, my confidant. My everything."
As Tay kissed Mel, Mac was heard faintly over the loudspeaker. "No way! Well did she say yes?" And then louder, startling Mel and Tay apart, "SHE SAID YES!!"
Mel and Taylor burst into laughter and finally looked around them, firmly landing back in reality. Neither of them had realized that perhaps they should have charged admission for witnessing their exchange for how many pairs of eyes were on them. Mel briefly held her hand up to flash the sparkling antique ring and they were soon surrounded by hugs and congratulations.
Mel had absolutely no way of seeing this coming. She had a feeling nobody else did, either. She smiled at the thought. Had he done this at nineteen years old there would have been a ridiculously obscene grand gesture
involved. At thirty-one, the option to keep it private, intimate, and spontaneous was probably the most romantic thing he had ever done for her.
If you had asked her a year ago, the ten year stretch that they were absent from each other's lives had been the bane of her existence. Two years ago, she wanted to multiply that ten by twenty more. Today she had learned to appreciate the ten year gap in their relationship. Perhaps ten years had been exactly what they needed to allow them to find themselves and figure out what they really wanted out of life. After all, every stepping stone in your life led you to the person you were at present. If ten years without Taylor was what it took to put her where she was now in this moment, she would gladly take ten more.
Mel shook her head as she finished up her brief reflection. She supposed now that she would have to used to that term she hated--muse. That was his go-to any time he wanted to win a spat, which was often. She smiled. Ten years and muses. THAT was what it took to finally find her way back home.
**Continue the story! www.tyamwedding.weebly.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~SMILE~~~~~~~~~~~~
Taylor stood there, smiling, as he watched Mel walk toward him down the aisle.
The past two years had been the most amazing of his entire life. Looking back when they were teenagers, he had always known that his world would forever revolve around Mel. He couldn't see life any other way. He
knew even then that he would be happy with her for the rest of his life. He didn't, however, anticipate the ten year hiccup, but that was water under the bridge, now. The past two years was all the confirmation he needed that he would love her forever, without a doubt, without question, no matter what.
She smiled at him and he smiled back at her. She had never been more beautiful. The way her hair was pinned from her face hadn't been her choice but it didn't matter. She was still so incredibly beautiful.
The small white bouquet she carried in her hands didn't dare hold a candle to her smile.
She took her place across from him and he couldn't take his eyes off of her. He wished he could say the same for her, but she performed her duty as professionally as she possibly could. As her eyes shifted away from
him, he knew he couldn't have been luckier, snagging the best seat in the house, front row, directly in front of Mel.
Following her gaze, Taylor turned around to watch the bride make her way down the aisle. He considered her a sister-in-law in every sense of the word. Drew did make a stunning bride and even the sun shining on her
didn't outshine the smile she wore on her face as she approached her groom, who awaited her anxiously.
Taylor glanced back ahead of him at Mel as she eagerly watched the ceremony begin. "Who gives this woman to this man?" the officiant asked.
"I do."
And then Drew was "given away" to her groom.
Finally, Mel's eyes met Taylors. They smiled at each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~EARLIER~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I don't know what you're getting so upset about. You chose the Villa Skyletta specifically for this purpose!"
"Yeah, Mel, but at the time there wasn't the threat of rain!"
"Drew! It's an outdoor venue! There's always the threat of rain!"
Drew was a bit of a bridezilla. She knew it. She didn't mean to be, but she just wanted everything to be perfect. She wanted her perfect outdoor wedding, on the perfect Malibu mountain hillside, overlooking the
perfect landscape and even further into the perfect Pacific Ocean. She had the perfect Vivienne Westwood gown, the perfect groom, and the perfect maid of honor. All she asked for was the perfect weather to go along with it.
"You have a plan B, right?" Mel asked.
Of course she had a plan B. The interior of the villa was gorgeous. Drew just had no intention of moving the wedding. "How fast could we get a hundred abnormally large umbrellas??"
"Well now you're just being crazy."
Taylor walked past the doorway, looking absolutely dashing in his tuxedo. He wasn't a member of the wedding party, surprisingly, but that certainly didn't keep him from dressing for the occasion. Still dressed in
the white pantsuit she arrived in, Drew hissed his name. "Tay! What's the weather report saying?"
Tay stopped and fished his phone out of his pocket, looking at her incredulously. "You're not ready yet?"
Annoyed, she waved off the comment. "I still have two hours."
Clicking through his phone, he smiled at her. "Seems like whatever these clouds are is passing over. Looks clear for the ceremony!"
Drew smiled, a weight lifting off her shoulders. "I knew I loved you for a reason! Hey, where's Zac? I need to see him."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! Why wouldn't I be?"
"Okay...I'll find him and let him know you're looking for him..."
With that, Tay was off on his new assignment.
"What was that I heard about Zac?" Mel asked.
"Tay's going to get him for me."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
Drew looked at Mel in disbelief. "Do you two share a brain or something? What is with you? Yes! It's perfectly fine, I promise. Is my stylist here yet? I have to start getting ready. How are the caterers doing with the reception?"
"Drew! Calm down! Seriously, everything will be okay. You stylist just got here, he's setting up inside. Let's go and get you transformed into the bride of the century."
"I hear helicopters. Do you hear helicopters?"
Mel shook her head and led Drew inside. The ceremony was supposed to be private. No media, no paparazzi. She'd had her fair share of them lately. The media just couldn't seem to get enough of the wedding rumors.
As Drew sat in her chair, having her hair and makeup done, she looked in the mirror at her bridesmaids behind her. It was a small ceremony and she smiled at Mel, Nikki, and Jeanette as they readied themselves. She was especially tickled at Jeanette who had been extremely ecstatic to have been asked to be in the wedding and since she and Mel had gotten close over the past year or two, she kind of became a staple in their small circle. It also helped that she had been introduced to Mac Hanson and they had hit it off, carrying on a long distance relationship. And since Mac lived in LA, Drew had managed to pick herself up a new little brother. Things always seemed to come full circle when it came to the Hanson family.
Drew looked at the bridesmaids in their dresses, pleased with her choice. Mel's was a gown with a halter top and heart-shaped neckline. The charmeuse material couldn't have been more perfect for the burnt orange color Drew had picked out and the mini bouquet of white lilies were the perfect contrast against the dress. Nikki and Jeanette's dresses were strapless and knee-length. They wore matching gold, strappy stilettos and
the same pinned-back hairstyles.
Then she thought about the groomsmen. Mel nearly died, and was a bit surprised, when she heard of the lineup. For one of the most highly-anticipated (and highly private) weddings of the year, they sure were
some kind of motley crew.
When Drew's stylist was finished with her hair and face, it was time to get in her dress. This part made her nervous. When she had approached Vivienne Westwood to design a gown for her, the designer had been all too happy to do it. So now here she was, about to slip into a one-of-a-kind designer gown and the mere thought of messing it up in any way nearly made her sick.
The gown was gorgeous. It was long and slim, barely off-white chiffon, with the top layer completely designed in intricate lace patterns. Secure at the waist, the neckline was strapless and dangerously
low, with a roughly three-inch wide scrap of lace on either side of her upper arms draping around, acting as straps that had merely fallen lazily off her shoulders. The dress was light, whimsical, and vintage-inspired. With her blonde hair styled in a modern finger-curl style, her headpiece was reminiscent of 1920's glamor. The intricate jeweled and feathered piece pinned to the side of her hair, while the white netting wrapped around, making a soft circle around her head. When the finishing touches were finally put on her, the entire room gasped at the sight.
Mel began to tear up. "Oh, Drew. Do you have any idea how gorgeous you look?"
"Don't you dare cry. Because then I'll cry. And then our makeup will run."
Mel dabbed her eyes lightly. "You're right. Sorry."
To help capture every moment of her special day, Drew had called in a photographer to photograph the wedding. He had been snapping pictures all morning, and he was now back in their dressing area, ready to take pictures of Drew in her dress, along with her bridesmaids.
As the photographer was wrapping up the current session, there was a knock at the door and Zac suddenly appeared across the room. Drew took in a breath upon sight of him, as his hair fell over the shoulders of the
perfectly-tailored black and white tuxedo he was wearing. He was still buttoning his cuffs as he glanced up at her. "You're looking for me?"
Finding her voice, she said, "Yeah, like, two hours ago--hey. Are you supposed to even be seeing me right now?"
He looked up at her and shrugged. "I'm about to anyway, right? Does it really matter?"
Not having the energy to answer him, she said, "Look, I really need to talk to you. Privately. Very privately."
Zac followed her to a private corner of the room they were in and she said to him quietly, "Okay, so don't freak out at me. Okay?"
"Okay..."
"So, I've been dreaming of this day since I was a little girl. Perfect dress, perfect man...perfect everything. Except not perfect everything."
"I'm not following..."
"Let me finish. You know my father died when I was little. My grandfather passed away years ago. I have no brothers."
"Is this going where I think this is going...?"
"Zac, I don't want my mom to do it. It has to be a man. And you--well you're the only feasible man who could do it. Who could--"
"You want me to give you away."
"YES!" Drew said, relieved that he took the words out of her mouth. "Yes. Please. You're my best friend. My best male friend--you know what I mean."
"Your timing is incredible," he said sarcastically.
"I totally understand if you don't want to. I know it's a big thing to ask. And you're right, the timing is short, but--really, Zac, could you think of anyone better? Because I can't."
She watched his face soften before her eyes. "Drew, I would be honored to give you away today. As odd as it will be to walk down the aisle with you like this--"
"Yeah, yeah, I know--"
"I would be honored," he smiled. "So yes, I will give you away."
She threw her arms around his neck. "Oh thank god! I mean, YOU, thank YOU! You don't know what this means to me!"
"Judging by my increasing lack of oxygen, I think I have a pretty good idea."
"Oh. Sorry." Drew pulled away and dusted off his shoulders. "Will Kate be mad?"
"Kate is mad because the doctor wouldn't let her travel. I hope you don't mind my having my cell phone on. She could go into labor at any moment."
"No, it's fine. I understand. I'll make sure to send some cake home with you."
"She would love that."
At that moment, the wedding planner's voice rang out across the room. It was time to start.
~~~~~~~~~~~~PRESENT~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mel fought tears the entire day. She was so proud of Drew and how beautiful she was. However, she nearly lost it when she saw Taylor in his tuxedo. He wasn't in the wedding party, but he had insisted on getting
dressed at the venue so that he didn't risk wrinkling his tux on the way there. Mel was convinced that it was an excuse to hang out with the guys. If getting dressed together was what did it for him, then so be it.
Maybe it was the atmosphere, with all the flowers and the dresses and the violins. But when she first laid eyes on him since he'd changed, the sun had hit him just the right way and the way he smiled at her nearly negated a janitor to mop her up off the floor. A tug at her heartstrings faintly wished that it were her in the white dress today and she wrung her hands, feeling all of her bare fingers. She could feel the wedding day blues trying desperately to rear its ugly head.
And now she stood across from him in the late afternoon sun, not exactly how she preferred to stand across from him but she had to remind herself that this was Drew's day, and not hers.
So she decided to focus all her attention on Drew and the ceremony like a good maid of honor was supposed to do. As Zac gave Drew away, she handed Mel her bouquet and Mel took it graciously, happy to be there for her
best friend. Gerard Cline's smile was completely infectious as he took Drew's hand from Zac and helped her onto the platform to take her place with him as the bride to his ever debonair groom.
Jason Kamealoha stood by as Gerard's best man. At the rehearsal dinner the night before he had delivered an uproarious speech regarding his friendship with Gerard and hijinx from Ireland that ultimately led to Gerard's
"downfall," as Jason liked to call it. And now he towered behind Gerard, making faces at Mel as the bride and groom exchanged their vows. Mel stifled a giggle when it backfired on him when it was time for rings
and he hadn't been paying attention. She had to admit, she was relieved for the little bit of comic relief.
Behind Jason stood Isaac, who had become quite close with Gerard over the past year and a half since the first movie premier. When Gerard asked Ike to be a groomsman in his wedding, Ike didn't stop talking about it for
months. He was completely star struck and highly honored to be asked. Mel could speak for the entire family when she said she would be glad for this day to be over, simply so Ike would shut his mouth. It was nice, though, knowing that all aspects of her family were coming together as one. It was a heart-warming feeling.
Behind Ike stood Gerard's agent. Mel felt kind of bad for Gerard and for the agent. Gerard didn't keep too many close friends around but Mel was sure the agent had been around longer than both Jason and Ike. So to
be the last of the groomsmen...well Mel just hoped he was honored to be in the party at all.
With the kissing of the bride, it was all Mel could do not to run to Taylor at that moment. Again, maybe it was all the love that filled the air, but just standing there across from him in the front row, she missed him. She
missed his lips and his arms...all she wanted was to be close to him. Instead, she had to go through the motions and walk down the aisle with Jason before she could return to the man of her dreams.
Unconventionally, after introducing Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Cline, Gerard literally swept Drew off her feet and carried her down the aisle. Drew giggled the entire way and the rest of the guests had a good laugh. Mel
walked with Jason, then Nikki with Ike, then Jeanette with the agent and Mel's mind went a mile a minute down the short aisle. She found it funny to be walking this aisle with Jason while referring to Tay as "the man of her dreams." She had remembered on several occasions in the past where she was convinced that Jason was the man of her dreams. And in many ways, he had been. There were several moments in the past where she pictured the private Hawaiian beach wedding they would have, her covered in flowers, him with no shirt on...now she just looked at him and laughed. She loved how she was in a place in her life that involved no confusion and no mixed feelings. She loved how she and Jason could merely be friends without all the angst and complicated emotions that had come with their friendship before.
It was another hour before Mel was reunited with Taylor again. After wedding photos were taken and after Mel had helped Drew change for the reception, Tay had been a sight for sore eyes. Not that she was having a
bad day. A woman just needed her man at her best friend's wedding. She wrapped her arms around Tay tightly upon sight of him, burying her face in his neck.
"Wow, what's all this?" he asked, hugging her back.
"I just missed you today," she said, her voice muffled.
"I missed you, too," he responded quietly.
She pulled away from him. "It was a beautiful ceremony, wasn't it?"
"It absolutely was."
"And they are so perfect for each other. Really. After all this time, you'd think she'd end up marrying Zac but instead she finds her soul mate in a middle-aged man. Who'd have thought it?"
"Well you did it, too," Tay teased.
"Hey, he wasn't middle-aged when I married him."
"Gerard's a good man. He'll take care of her."
"Pretty sure it's the other way around."
"Maybe that's what they need."
Mel smiled up at Tay. She lived for the moments when their minds were in synch.
The reception was gorgeous. Mel was amazed at how fast the crew had turned the ceremony space into the reception area. It took them no time to set the tables, fix the lighting, and bring out the buffet. The relaxed
atmosphere of the reception seemed to be what the doctor ordered for everyone. Drew and Gerard had emerged amidst the cheering of the guests, Drew in her long-sleeved, white, mini-dress and Gerard minus a tie with his shirt un-tucked. If the bride and groom were ready to party, then so was everyone else!
At that moment in time, all Mel could think about was food. She hadn't realized how starved she was until she had smelled the buffet. Sitting at the main table with Tay and the rest of the wedding party, Mel was
silent for the first few minutes as she focused on eating and took in her surroundings. Dusk had come fast and the lit-up deck the reception was taking place on was illuminated and gorgeous, lights strung up and torches burned everywhere.
Three seats down from her, on the other side of Gerard, Jason stood and someone rushed him a microphone. He looked surprised as he smiled at it in his hand, switching it on. "Wow, I feel like I should sing a song in this thing or something," he joked, receiving light laughs from the other guests. "Okay, so, I know I probably told this same story last night, but I have a habit of repeating myself--A LOT--so bear with me."
Turning toward Gerard and placing a hand on his shoulder, Jason smiled. "I've known Gerard Cline for several years. He's kicked my ass pretty hard, subjecting me to car crashes, fist fights, jumping off the sides of buildings--I think I even flew a couple of times. But I really got to know him in Ireland when we were filming my first movie and now I'm glad to call him one of my closest friends. Now to back up, I knew Drew before we started filming--I was lucky to be surrounded by friends for my first movie. All three of us were going through shit at the time--Drew was going through shit, I was going through shit, Gerard--well Gerard doesn't WANT anyone to know when he's going through shit but spend enough time with him and you can practically read him like a book, okay?" Jason's laugh was infectious as the guests laughed with him. "So put three people together, all of us going through shit, and you could just imagine what work was like. Except it totally wasn't what you would think. We all just WORKED, it was great. So anyway, Gerard and I liked to frequent the pub several nights a week--he was frazzled from a long day's work, I was beat up all to hell every day. And one night, as we're sitting at the bar, he says to me, 'So what do you think are the chances of a guy like me with a woman like Drew?' "
Everyone laughed at Jason's mock British accent.
"At first I'm shocked because all we ever heard was him lamenting against relationships and marriage and shit and sitting there that night it was just a bad time to ask me anything regarding relationships and I didn't
think before I spoke and I was just like, 'Dude, stay away. It's not worth it.' But later that night I got to thinking about what he said and I said to myself, 'Well, goddamn...Gerard Cline actually has a heart!' "
More laughs.
"And then it was downhill from there. Poor guy. He found ways to work her into every conversation we had. He changed his route to and from the set every day so that he could conveniently run into her. The guy was smitten and she never even knew it. You were pretty slick, Gerard, you know that?"
Drew laughed and shook her head. "I seriously had no idea!"
"But this couple right here? I knew from the moment they met--because I just happened to be there--that there was something special there. I think they did, too. They couldn't be more perfect for each other and I couldn't be more proud to call them close friends. So I raise my glass and I wish you guys the best and I'll pray every day that you don't run her off, my friend."
As everyone laughed, Jason squeezed behind Gerard and reached over to hand the microphone to Mel. She looked up at him in horror and shook her head. He smiled and spoke into the microphone so everyone could
hear. "Well don't be scared, we all know you're not afraid to speak your mind."
She was put on the spot as she took the mic from Jason. She glanced beside her at Taylor and he smiled and nodded at her, signaling that it would be okay. Nervously she stood up. "Um, hello, everyone. I'm Mel,
I'm the maid of honor. I think you already knew that." Her heart pounded at the hundred pairs of eyes expectantly on her. "Uh, I'm sure my speech won't be quite as entertaining as Jason's was. I mean, who could follow that, right?"
"I could!" Mac yelled out from the back of the crowd.
"I know YOU could, Mac," Mel said dryly. "Anyway, so...Drew and I go way back. WAYYYY back. We used to crawl through each other's windows--it was easy because we were neighbors and we've practically been family ever since. I've had it rough for literally half my life and Drew was there for me, every step of the way. EVERY single step. When my husband died--which is an entirely different ballgame--Drew was the only person I cared to lay eyes on for several months. She was the only person I DID lay eyes on. She was there for me in every sense of the word. Nobody on this earth would have ever had the patience and made the sacrifices that she has made for me over the years. Nobody. No matter what, through thick and thin, good and bad, it's always come back to me and her. Always. And now I share her with this spectacular man. A man who is certainly the luckiest on the planet and completely deserves all the love and caring that she has to offer. Um, so, I'm going to wrap this up because I think I'm gonna cry and the stylist has taken his powerhouse eyeliner and gone home so..." A few light laughs rippled through the crowd. "Drew and Gerard, I'm so incredibly glad that you found each other and I'm honored to share this day with you. I love you both and...play ball!"
Mel didn't know what in the hell that last phrase was and she sat quickly hiding her face in her hand in embarrassment. "I love you, Drew," she said to her. "But no more goddamn speeches. This better be the only wedding I ever speak at."
Drew giggled and hugged her best friend. "It was perfectly fine! I thought it was sweet."
~~~~~~~~~~~~THE DANCE~~~~~~~~~~~~
After dinner was cleared away, the first dance for the bride and groom was announced. Somehow the dance had slipped Drew's mind and she was slightly disappointed that she had changed out of her wedding gown so soon, but after looking at Gerard in all his comfort, sans bowtie, she was immediately okay with it. This was who they were--comfortable and casual.
The music began to play and Drew was pleasantly surprised at Gerard's song choice. She had no idea what to expect when he had requested to be the one to pick their song, so when Frank Sinatra began to belt out "Strangers In The Night" a permanent smile was plastered to her face as he swept her across the dance floor. His eyes never left hers as he smiled back at her. "Very nice choice," she giggled as he quietly sang the words to her.
"This song has been in my head since the very first table read in Ireland. When I saw you coming down that hallway I knew it was all over for me then."
"Really? That soon?"
"That very moment."
"Well you totally fooled me."
"I couldn't very well be so forward so soon, could I?"
"Or for the next three months that followed," Drew teased.
"Meeting you was the greatest thing that ever happened to me, Andrew Cline. I never thought I'd find myself right here, but I love you more than you'll ever know. Not making you my wife was never an option."
The floodgates opened and Drew wrapped her arms tightly around her husband's neck. "I love you so much," she whispered.
The song ended much too quickly and Drew wasn't ready to let her husband go quite yet. However, Mac, who was DJ'ing the wedding, was the one who delivered the words that quickly sobered her up. "Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for the bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Cline! And now we move on to the very special father/daughter dance..."
Drew's eyes widened in horror at the words as someone close to him, and obviously close to the microphone, hissed at him, "Mac, no!"
She had purposely not planned a father/daughter dance because of the brutal obvious--there was no father to dance with.
"Wait, what?" she heard Mac say faintly, poorly covering the mic.
Before she could be humiliated any longer, leave it to Zac to swoop in and save the day. He approached the couple on the dance floor and said to Gerard, "I'll handle this one. I see it only fitting, considering I'm the
one who gave her away today."
Gerard smiled and gave a nod. "Very well, then." He kissed Drew's cheek and left her on the dance floor with Zac.
Elton John sang "Friends" through the loudspeakers. Drew didn't know what touched her more: Zac's gesture, the fact that he had gotten her favorite artist spot on, or the actual lyrics in the song. To keep herself
from crying all over again, she teased him instead. "You certainly know how to keep things platonic these days."
He smiled at her. "I didn't get the chance to say anything earlier, but--honestly, giving you away was the most surreal feeling I've ever had. I don't really know how to describe it."
"I think I understand..."
"You were my first love--"
"And you were mine."
"And you always think your first love is meant to be, but maybe sometimes first loves are there to prepare you. For life. You know?"
"But it isn't like we didn't try."
He nodded and smiled. "That's the truth. You know, at this time two years ago, I swore it would be us right here. Even with everything standing in the way, somehow I just knew--but I was wrong. I'd been wrong
the entire time. And, honestly, the way we are, here, right now? I wouldn't have it any other way. I sincerely couldn't be happier. For you, for Gerard--for us. We've come a long way, you and I."
Drew smiled at him. He was completely right. She couldn't have been happier either. She never thought she'd see the day when the man that made her heart flutter wasn't Zac anymore. She cherished this friendship almost as much as she treasured Mel's. "Were you freaked out by the fact that I asked you to give me away? Was it weird?"
"Uh, no, not really. I probably wouldn't have allowed it to be anyone else. I'm truly touched, and honored, to have been able to do that for you. I love you, Drew. I mean, not like--you know..."
Drew giggled and nodded. "Yes, Zachariah. I know. I love you, too."
~~~~~~~~~LUCY IN THE SKY...WITH DIAMONDS?~~~~~~~~~
And then there was cake. Glorious cake. Mel didn't understand why she focused so hard on the food tonight. Oh wait, yes she did. Food kept her occupied. Kept the wedding day blues away. How could she miss a man so desperately who had been by her side all night long?
Drew and Gerard were just adorable. Mel couldn't help having stars in her eyes as she watched them cut the cake together. Taylor smiled at her and reached for her hand. "I love you," he mouthed to her silently.
Mel smiled, her heart melting instantly. "I love you more," she mouthed back.
The sudden sound of, "Do it!" from amongst the guests turned their attention back on the newlyweds. Mel knew that they wouldn't go by tradition and smear cake in each other's faces and she'd been right. Mel
loved how Drew and Gerard seemed to throw tradition out the window and make this day their very own. Mel found herself looking back at Tay and wondering how he would want their wedding day to go--providing there ever was one--and tried not to wonder how his first wedding day had gone.
Mel's wedding had been gorgeous. She and John had married at the New York City Public Library. It had been a grand affair, spared no expense, no holds barred. It was the perfect wedding and, at the time, the perfect
man. She supposed that whenever you married someone you inevitably thought they were the perfect person at that time. How did love just change on a dime like that? Well, faking a death was a pretty good start...
However, that was all in the past and she and John's marriage was obviously just one more stepping stone that led to her life right now, sitting next to the love of her life, watching his beautiful eyes glitter in the twinkling lights surrounding the reception.
She found herself smiling at him again, suddenly feeling the wedding day blues melting away. She hated feeling she wasted most of the day letting selfish emotions get the best of her. Thinking back on her years with and without Tay and her marriage to John and all the tumultuous mess that led up to where she was now, she supposed that not having a ring on her finger yet wasn't THAT big a deal. She understood that Tay had just come out of a long marriage--a year and a half wasn't a lot of time when you compared it to ten. She couldn't blame him if he wasn't ready yet. And if he was, he certainly wouldn't have wasted any time popping the question. Good things came to those who waited and they had planned to be together forever
anyway, so what was the rush?
As the guests cheered at the bride and groom's first taste of wedding cake, the serving began and the music started up again. Opting now to skip on dessert, Mel allowed Taylor to lead her out onto the dance floor. "You
seem a little off today," he observed as he held her close to him. "Care to clue me in?"
Mel was ashamed to admit to anything and everything she'd been thinking all day. It seemed childish and selfish now. "Uh, well, you know, typical wedding stuff. It's--it's girl stuff, really. It's nothing. It's been an emotional day, watching my best friend get married...you know how women are."
"Oh," he nodded, thoughtfully. "Okay."
"What about you?"
He looked as if she'd caught him off guard. "Me? Have I seemed off?"
"Well...no, I guess not."
"Hm," he nodded again. "You're wishing it was us, aren't you?"
She looked up in his eyes, startled. "Why can't I ever have my own private thoughts around you?"
He smiled at her warmly. "Because I know you. You can't hide from me. You know that."
Mel sighed. "I guess maybe I was. A little. So I caught a little wedding fever today. I'm female, it happens, so sue me. It'll pass, though."
"Oh, it will?" he said, amused. "It's so nice to think that the thought of marrying me will 'just pass.' "
Mel couldn't help but laugh. "No! No, you know what I mean. I didn't mean it like that. I promise."
Taylor chuckled. "It's okay. I forgive you. This time, anyway. But while we're on the subject..."
Confused, Mel watched him quickly fish through his front pocket, gently fighting the tucked-in silk handkerchief on his way out. She felt the blood instantly drain from her face when the diamond he held between his fingers glittered from the light it caught from a lantern hanging overhead.
Mel had never seen a smile as big on Tay as the one she saw now. "So what do you say?" he asked her.
She couldn't speak. She looked at the ring and then back at him, his eyes sparkling brighter than the diamond. "Is that--?"
He nodded.
She couldn't contain her happiness. Her smile turned into a giggle and she felt the blood return to her face in full force. She nodded as she giggled and she was quickly losing her composure to the excitement as she fought hard to keep the moment between them. Tears sprang to her eyes and suddenly she couldn't stop kissing him, taking his face in her hands and leaving short kisses all over his lips and his cheek.
His laughter was music to her ears. "So...is that a yes?"
"YES!" She then clamped her hand over her mouth and looked around at the few eyes around them that had stopped to look toward the sudden sound. She had a feeling it was no longer a secret but she lowered her voice anyway. "I mean, yes. Yes, a million times, yes!"
Trying to be discreet, though more eyes were on them now, she nervously displayed her hand for him to do the deed. She looked up at his face as he prepared to slide the ring on, the tears welling in his eyes as he tried to laugh them back. As he slid the ring on, he looked at her and smiled and cleared his throat. "Pay no attention to the man behind the water leak. Just admire the jewelry while I collect myself."
"Oh, Tay," she said, placing a hand gently on his cheek. "I love you so much. It's okay, really."
Clearing his throat once again, he laughed. "Your makeup is running."
She laughed with him, wiping the tears off her cheek, certain she'd smeared whatever was there. "Dammit, I knew that would happen. Waterproof my ass." She took a moment to admire her new hand ornament. It was
white-gold with a marquis cut, surrounded by a border of old mine cut diamonds. The style was certainly not modern. She was madly in love with it. "When did you--"
"That ring has been in my possession for fifteen years."
Mel heard herself gasp. "Fifteen..."
"It belonged to my grandmother."
"Tay..." Mel was confused. "Why didn't you giv--I mean, how--?"
"It belongs to you. It always has. She gave it to me the very first day she met you. She never said anything when she gave it to me. But I knew."
Fresh tears formed in Mel's eyes. "I wasn't there for her funeral--"
"She passed not too long after I got married. One of the last things she asked me was if I still had the ring. I told her I did." He laughed a little at the memory. "Then she said to me, 'God bless, boy, do YOU still have the ring?' I assured her I did and she said, 'Good, keep it that way.' She knew, Mel. She knew and I knew."
"I'm so sorry I stayed away. I thought about you every day, Tay. I did. For ten years you were the last face I saw when I fell asleep and the first face I saw when I woke up in the morning. I just--I want you to know that not a day went by that you didn't occupy my thoughts or my dreams. Not a single day."
Wrapping his hand around her newly embellished left hand, he held it against his chest and rested his forehead against hers. "I have loved you every single day of my life since we were three years old. We've been
through heaven and we've definitely been through hell to get here but we're finally here and I can't wait to start living the rest of my life the way I've always been meant to live it. With you, by my side, my best friend, my lover, my confidant. My everything."
As Tay kissed Mel, Mac was heard faintly over the loudspeaker. "No way! Well did she say yes?" And then louder, startling Mel and Tay apart, "SHE SAID YES!!"
Mel and Taylor burst into laughter and finally looked around them, firmly landing back in reality. Neither of them had realized that perhaps they should have charged admission for witnessing their exchange for how many pairs of eyes were on them. Mel briefly held her hand up to flash the sparkling antique ring and they were soon surrounded by hugs and congratulations.
Mel had absolutely no way of seeing this coming. She had a feeling nobody else did, either. She smiled at the thought. Had he done this at nineteen years old there would have been a ridiculously obscene grand gesture
involved. At thirty-one, the option to keep it private, intimate, and spontaneous was probably the most romantic thing he had ever done for her.
If you had asked her a year ago, the ten year stretch that they were absent from each other's lives had been the bane of her existence. Two years ago, she wanted to multiply that ten by twenty more. Today she had learned to appreciate the ten year gap in their relationship. Perhaps ten years had been exactly what they needed to allow them to find themselves and figure out what they really wanted out of life. After all, every stepping stone in your life led you to the person you were at present. If ten years without Taylor was what it took to put her where she was now in this moment, she would gladly take ten more.
Mel shook her head as she finished up her brief reflection. She supposed now that she would have to used to that term she hated--muse. That was his go-to any time he wanted to win a spat, which was often. She smiled. Ten years and muses. THAT was what it took to finally find her way back home.
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