What happened to my simple, quiet life?Three weeks earlier I was living in Oakland in a three-bedroom apartment with my two kids. Now, I was surrounded by a picky wedding planner and her assistants, as they plucked and prodded me, ensuring the long, off-white dress I wore looked perfect.
“Where’re the kids? Are they dressed? They need to be at the front with Ms. Sheryl,” Janet stated into a walkie-talkie she had. The woman actually carried a walkie-talkie for these events.
“Is all of this really necessary?” I mumbled.
“Of course it is!” Janet insisted. “I’m surprised this wedding isn’t more over the top. You’re marrying one of the wealthiest men in the country.”
I pinched my lips. “Don’t remind me.”
Janet paused, gaping at me as if I’d lost my mind. I would’ve told her that,yes,I had indeed lost my mind, but I didn’t want to hold us up anymore than was necessary. The past two weeks had been a flurry of motion. The same day I agreed to marry Aaron, not only had wedding planners shown up at our hotel to begin organizing the event, movers had shown up that night, insisting on moving our luggage and items into Aaron’s home. I was ready to ream Aaron out as soon as we got to the house but he wasn’t there. For his part, he’d moved out, insisting that he wouldn’t move back in until we were married because he wanted to give the children time to adjust.
The following evening, he showed up, expecting me to introduce him to the children. It was awkward to say the least. I’d had to explain to Kennedy at least twice that no, her daddy wasn’t in heaven as she’d previously thought. After a few moments of hesitation, the children were completely taken with Aaron. It didn’t surprise me as much as it should’ve. Despite his less than friendly demeanor, children always seemed to take to him. Children and animals…and me.
“Okay, I think we’re ready.” Janet clapped with excitement.
I wanted to ask for a drink but bit my tongue. We were marrying in a small ceremony held at Townsend Manor. Save for Aaron’s immediate family, Ms. Sheryl, and the children there were no guests. I hadn’t even told my father about the wedding. He was home recovering from surgery and I figured I could let him know when everything died down. I knew that was silly, but me and my father’s relationship was…strained, to say the least.
“Are you sure you don’t want anyone to escort you down the aisle? I can have Jacob do it.” Janet asked for a third time.
“That’s not necessary. Let’s get this over with.” I pushed out a breath as we emerged on the back patio. There was a white trail covered in red rose petals that led down a path overlooking the lake out back of Townsend Manor. It wasn’t the beach wedding I’d dreamed of in my early twenties, but as far as views went, it could’ve been a lot worse.
I let my eyes scan the couple of rows of chairs, seeing Aaron’s family on the right and only Ms. Sheryl, Kennedy, and Kyle on my side. I looked toward the front and saw a flower arch that’d been created by Janet and her crew. Under it stood the officiant and next to him stood my husband-to-be. My breath caught at the sight of Aaron in an all black tuxedo, tailored to fit his frame perfectly. He’d trimmed his dark hair, and for a second a memory of me running my hand through that silky mane when it was longer, sprang to mind.
I lowered my head, and raised my hand to pat the chignon that my locs had been formed into. The music started.
“That’s your cue,” Janet said at the same time everyone rose to their feet.
Inhaling, I proceeded down the aisle on shaky legs. I glanced to the left, looking at a smiling Kennedy and Kyle as I put one foot in front of the other until I made it to my destination. Not until I reached him did I look up to see Aaron’s stern gaze staring me down. I chose to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. Too many emotions whirling around to pick just one.
“Please be seated,” the officiant began.
I heard the rustling in the background as the guests took their seats.
“We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
My grip tightened around the stem of the bouquet of white lilies I held.
“Has the couple written their own vows they’d like to say to each other.”
“No,” Aaron impatiently answered, looking toward the man.
My eyelids drooped and I stared off into the distance for a moment before giving the preacher an apologetic smile.
He cleared his throat. “That’s fine. I am a fan of tradition myself,” he tried to joke but Aaron’s placid expression held. He continued on, reciting lines I’d heard numerous times in movies, television shows, and even in real life at the handful of weddings I’d attended. But they rang hollow at my own wedding.
“Aaron Richard Townsend, do you take this woman, Patience Marie Thiers, to be your lawfully wedded wife? Forsaking all others?”
I could barely look at Aaron as he held my hand, moving the white gold wedding band down the ring finger of my left hand.
“I do.”
I fiddled with his matching but larger wedding band in my hand.
“And Patience Marie Thiers, do you take Aaron Richard Townsend to be your lawfully wedded husband, forsaking all others?”
A chill ran through my entire body. I glanced up at Aaron who was frowning, waiting impatiently for my response. I turned my head, peering toward my children who were on the edge of their seats, smiling. Kennedy had told me over and over how much I looked like a princess in my dress. I turned back to Aaron and watched a flicker of emotion appear in those hazel eyes but half a second later it was gone.
“I-I do,” I finally answered. I slid the ring down his ring finger and went to pull my hand back but found it locked in his grip. Our eyes connected again and I couldn’t turn away.
