"Since the invention of the kiss there have been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind.”
Jack really knew how to kiss. Jack, who was now my husband. Lucky me! I could have amazing kisses whenever I wanted!
The reception was a blur of talking, kissing cheeks, hugging, smiling till my cheeks hurt, dancing, and laughing. I was so glad we hadn’t eloped. This was a once in a lifetime party.
Jack danced the first dance with me, spinning and dipping me to Michael Bublé’s Everything, the song from our actual first dance. And when he ended the dance with a deep dip and a kiss, everyone applauded.
We had cake and champagne. Everyone had a toast for us, wishing us happiness. I felt bathed in love from every direction, but mostly from Jack. His arm hadn’t left my waist since we’d danced. He would nod and smile at the people talking to us, but the words he’d whisper in my ear were for me alone.
Then there was a drum roll, and everyone cleared the dance floor. Jack led me to a chair and asked me to sit. Then he carefully hiked up the hem of my dress to reveal the garter. I tried to calm my racing heart rate, my body’s reaction to his hand on my thigh. He gently shimmied the garter down and over my foot. Then he called all eligible bachelors to stand in the center of the room. He stood with his back to them and launched the garter into the crowd. Morgan, head and shoulders above everyone else, easily snagged it and waved his trophy aloft, grinning.
Then it was my turn for the bouquet toss. Jack held my arm and whispered in my ear. “Aim for Kimi.” I nodded acknowledgement and called for all the single women to group on the floor. I made eye contact with Kimi and tried to signal her to move to the edge of the group. While all the women, plus Jack’s nieces, were jockeying for position in front, Kimi sidled to the edge. I marked her place and turned my back to them, then launched the bouquet. Kimi caught it easily and turned a lovely shade of pink.
“What was that about?” I whispered to Jack.
“Morgan’s going to propose tonight.”
I grinned, delightedly. Even more joy for this day!
Then there was another drum roll. A server in a white jacket placed a chair in the center of the floor and Jack led me to the chair and asked me to sit. Oh no, a surprise. This was not something I’d planned. I wasn’t very good with surprises.
Jack went over to where the band was set up. The musicians left, turning off their music stand lights. The only one remaining was on the grand piano. Jack sat down and began to play. It was a song I’d never heard before. The melody was achingly beautiful. And then Jack began to sing. And I began to cry.
There’s no way I’ll stop loving you
There’s no way I ever could
There’s no way I would ever leave you
I never would, No way I could,
Ever stop loving you
By the time the song ended, I was full on sobbing, so it’s a good thing my grandmother had come prepared with handkerchiefs. Jack came to me, pulled me to standing and hugged me to him. I think people were clapping, but I didn’t notice. All I could hear was Jack whispering “I love you, Wife.”
Epilogue
Two Weeks Later…
Jack put the bags inside the apartment then came back to pick me up.
“Are you sure you don’t mind us living here, Jack?”
“I would never ask you to leave the home you love. And wherever you are, that’s my home.”
He picked me up and carried me, giggling, across the threshold. He put me down and gave me a kiss that stole my breath.
“What’s that for?” I asked.
“Because I can,” he grinned. “Perks of being your husband.”
Our honeymoon had been two weeks of heaven in France, Spain, and Italy. We’d walked, talked, eaten, laughed, and loved each other. I felt stuffed with happiness, like I’d eaten a Thanksgiving spread of joy. I didn’t know how I could cram another morsel in.
We’d barely caught our breath when there was a knock at the door. It was Stephan, the doorman. He held a large, flat, rectangular parcel. It had lots of customs labels and stamps.
“This came for you this morning Miss, um, Mrs. Garcia.” Jack thanked him and took the package to the kitchen to open it.
Whoever had packed this was very careful and thorough. Once we had removed all the packing material, I saw an envelope. It was sealed with red wax featuring some sort of crest. I broke the seal and pulled out a stiff, heavy card. On the front was the same crest as the wax seal. I opened it and gasped. I knew that handwriting. I knew it well.
