“It just feels odd to think that you would get married in your own back garden, albeit a very beautiful garden. Maybe it’s the Englishness in me. We generally don’t get married in our own homes and it doesn’t lend itself to some of the traditions, does it?”
“Which traditions?” He smiled again, realising she had obviously put some thought into it.
“The not seeing the bride before the wedding, arriving separately, just the tradition of it all.”
“So maybe I’m not the only traditionalist. We could get married in a hotel, a country club, anywhere, baby. Indoor or outdoor venue?”
“Outdoor,” she decided as she realised that wouldn’t necessarily be an option in England because of the weather, but in the Californian sunshine it wasn’t a problem. “Somewhere pretty, but not too public. Somewhere like the vineyard,” she said thinking aloud.
“What about the vineyard?”
“Really? Could we? Wouldn’t your parents mind? It’s their home.” Tasha was suddenly excited that it would be perfect, but panicking that it might not be possible.
“Of course. I’m sure they won’t mind, but to be sure, let’s ask them.”
Tasha could feel a smile spreading across her face. A big, face splitting grin. That was real. She was going to marry Jim. This wasn’t just talk. She really was going to marry him.
“Come on then.” Jim was already on his feet, turning the TV off.
“Where are we going?”
“To the vineyard. Let’s go and see if we have a wedding venue, even without a date, yet.” He picked up his keys and tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for her.
“Like this?” Tasha gestured to herself, dressed in grey sweats the same as his and a plain white vest top that matched his own t-shirt.
“Yes, baby. You look beautiful, always do. Just put some shoes on.”
As they pulled up outside the house, Tasha looked across at Jim nervously.
“Honey, don’t look so worried. My mom will love playing hostess, and I called ahead so they’re expecting us,” said Jim as he got out of the car.
Maisie, within the first half an hour of being there had apologised several times for Mickie’s presence and Bria’s treatment of her the previous evening when Jim eventually spoke up.
“There is a reason we’re here. We were talking about wedding venues earlier and we were wondering how you felt about us getting married here, whether you’d mind?”
“Mind? We would love it, wouldn’t we, Jack?” asked Maisie without waiting for an answer. “We should go and look over the possible locations and think about a marque maybe, it’s a little dark now, but come over tomorrow, or Tuesday. You’re not working on Tuesday, are you, James?”
Jim frowned at her use of his full name, but it quickly changed into a smile as he realised just how excited his mother was to have Tasha join the family and she wasn’t done yet.
“No, of course you’re not, so you’ll come Tuesday then. Come for breakfast. What about a date, do we have a date in mind?”
“For goodness sake woman, come up for breath,” called Jack.
“Sorry,” said Maisie with an apologetic glance towards Tasha. “But it’s exciting.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Tasha asked, thinking Maisie may not have felt she had the option of saying no having had it sprung on her this way.
“No date, Mom, but we’ll have one by Tuesday and yes to breakfast. Can we keep this between us for now, until we’ve got some definite details?” asked Jim.
“Yes, of course. Tasha, bring a notepad with you for us to discuss details.” Maisie was still excited and struggling to contain it.
****
When Tasha woke the following morning to the sound of her phone ringing she was surprised to see that it was already after nine. Her call was from Jon who arranged for her to meet with some of his people later in the week. She went downstairs and found the house empty so made herself some tea and sat outside by the pool. She smiled to herself as she realised that this really was going to be her home. Who would have thought that the little girl who had started life as Natasha Bailey would ever set foot in a place like this never mind live here? Her phone rang again to an unknown number. She answered nervously and was surprised and nervous when the voice at the other end spoke.
“Hi, Tasha, it’s Bria, Jim’s sister.”
“Oh, hello.” Tasha’s reply was nervous.
