A Taylor-Made Life (18 page)

With sly smile that turned me to mush,
Gavin pulled me back into his lap and settled me snugly against his
chest. “So tell me, Sweetness, what kind of ceremony do you want?
I’ve booked the Bellagio. Is that okay?”

The Bellagio. I’d never been to Vegas,
but it sounded swanky. I sat up to face him and placed my hands on
his cheeks. “My only requirements are that I want to wear my blue
jeans and this crocheted hat. Will that work? I want comfortable
and easy.”

He leaned his forehead against mine
and stared into my eyes. “You’re amazing, you know that? I was
wondering if I could wear my jeans. I planned on a tuxedo shirt and
coat.” He pushed the brim of my hat back. “Don’t you worry,
everything will be perfect.”

I brushed my nose with his in a sweet
Eskimo kiss and whispered, “You’re here and we’re together. It’s
already perfect.”

* * * *

I leaned back in the big leather chair
as Ramon, the spa’s make-up artist, applied my blush. He’d wanted
to put false lashes and a wig on me, but I’d declined. I just
wanted to be me today. Made-up but still me.

He hovered around, brushing and
sponging every inch of my face. I doubted Monet put as much effort
into his work. Hopefully, I wouldn’t look like water lilies. Mom
had left to get her blouse steamed and to pick up my
bouquet.

The hotel rose all around me like an
extravagant city. Gavin picked a good one. Gavin. My
soon-to-be-husband. Like in three hours.

Butterflies flitted around my insides,
but not from fear. Not about marrying him. I couldn’t remember ever
wanting anything more, including living.

Ramon sat me up and spun me to face
the mirror. I gasped. My skin glowed and my eyes sparkled. Was that
beautiful woman really me? Was this really my life? My wedding
day?

I strolled back to Mom and Dad’s room.
Gavin already occupied the bridal suite where we would spend
tonight. A ripple of something rolled over my body, and I wasn’t
sure if it was fear or desire. Maybe both.

“Oh, Taylor.” Mom came in with her
blouse, took one look at me, and that was all it took for the
waterworks to start. “Your make-up looks beautiful, honey. That man
did a wonderful job, and he was the sweetest thing, so animated.”
She sniffed.

I snickered and rolled my eyes. There
would be no way to stop her tears today.

I studied myself in the mirror, the
broad smile on my face the most noticeable thing I was wearing.
Just three weeks ago, a onetime hook up was what I’d looked for,
not brave enough to believe for more. Disappointment had done a
number on my optimism. Chills caused the hairless skin on my arms
to rise. I’d been willing to settle. For so much less.

Thank the god of wizards, weddings and
one-night stands. He knew what I needed even when I hadn’t known
myself. No matter what happened from here, today was a blessing,
and it gave me hope for the future, however short or
uncertain.

After dressing, I stepped out. “What
do you think?”

Mom came over and grabbed my arms.
“Taylor, you’re perfect. This day is perfect.” She cupped my cheek.
“We’ve had a lot of hard days in the last two years, haven’t we?”
She sucked in a deep breath as tears welled again. “And we may have
some hard days ahead. But I can’t remember the last time I felt so
happy. How about you? Are you happy?”

“Crap, Mom. You’re making me smear my
make-up.” I grinned and blotted the wetness from my own eyes. “This
day—Gavin is more than I ever dreamed of. I can’t imagine a time or
place that I have ever been or will ever be happier than I am right
now.”

* * * *

Gavin paced the bridal suite, his
nerves not allowing him to sit still for more than a few seconds.
Since arriving that morning, he’d been preparing the ceremony and
reception, but now he was done. All he had to do was wait. He hated
waiting.

Nerves, but no regrets or misgivings,
plagued him. Once his heart broke open, the rest of him went along
willingly.

He smoothed his coat and patted the
wedding bands in his breast pocket. A knock sounded. Taking a
calming breath, he opened the door.

John smiled as he stepped in. “You
look a little pale. Nervous?”

Gavin nodded.

His soon-to-be-father-in-law clapped
him on the back. “Gavin, you’re not what I envisioned for Taylor,
but she loves you. I’m glad you’ve found each other.” He squeezed
Gavin’s shoulder. “Take care of my little girl.”

Gavin swallowed thickly. “I’ll do my
best.”

* * * *

An attendant ushered Maureen to her
seat. She tilted her head like she always did and smiled. Gavin’s
heart filled with love for the woman, and he smiled back. She’d
supported him, taking on his burdens as her own and helping carry
the load. She reminded him of his own mother, and she filled an
important space in his life.

The chapel manager stuck her head
around the back door and gave him a thumbs-up. “We’re
ready.”

He shifted his weight from one foot to
another. His requested Ingrid Michaelson song,
Everybody
,
filled the chapel, and the doors opened.

A knot knit itself in his throat, and
waves of every emotion he’d ever felt crashed over him.

Taylor stood with her dad, clad in
jeans that hugged her lean curves. A white ruffled blouse rippled
as she walked. Beautiful. Wholesome. She embodied everything good
in his world. Her hands clasped a small bouquet of white roses, and
her smile lit his heart with love.

All the women who’d wanted him for
their own reasons came to his mind. They’d never seen
him
.
And this young woman, half a country away, had seen him from their
first moments together. Yes. He loved her, and she was made for
him.

Only Maureen sat in the chapel, and
when John deposited Taylor at the altar, the man took a seat beside
his wife in the front pew. The minister spoke a few words, and they
exchanged their simple vows.

His heart pounded. He couldn’t keep
his eyes from his bride. She trembled like a new leaf in a spring
storm. The minister led them through the ring exchange and
pronounced them
man and wife
.

A smile, as wide and bright as the
Vegas Strip, spread over Gavin’s face. Before permission was
granted, he swept an arm around her waist and pulled her close. No
fear shone in her eyes. Only love. He cupped her neck and kissed
her slowly, reverently…thoroughly.

My wife.

Music played as they left the chapel
and headed to the reception. When they reached the lobby, the sound
of clapping and cheering echoed down the hall lined with hundreds
of people.

Taylor’s eyes widened and her gaze
darted to him. He couldn’t help but laugh. “What have you
done?”

He flashed her a sly smile. “I invited
a few of our new best friends.”

Gavin led her to the Grand Ballroom,
where the staff had spent all afternoon busting their tails to pull
off a last minute miracle. It was amazing what a few phone calls
and some cash could do. He stepped onto the parquet
floor.

A thundering cheer rose, and music
began to play. Lights, balloons, flowers…and people. Lots of people
crowded the mammoth room. As he’d requested, the guests wore blue
jeans and white shirts.

The party attendants bustled around
serving hors d’oeuvres and champagne. A DJ, clad in sequins and
sunglasses, played music in the back of the room with a set of
speakers ten feet tall and five feet wide.

Guests greeted them as they passed and
offered best wishes and congratulations. A long table in the corner
overflowed with wedding gifts and a four-tiered wedding cake.
Taylor’s gaze darted from place to place, as if she didn’t know
where to settle her focus.

He pulled her to the dance floor. The
lights dimmed, and a slow song began to play. He wrapped an arm
around her waist as the DJ announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please
give it up for Mr. and Mrs. Gavin Taylor as they dance for the
first time as man and wife.”

A spotlight settled on them. The crowd
exploded with applause.

Emotion churned in him. Taylor in his
arms was pure heaven. He studied her as they swayed and forth to
the music. “So…what do you think, Mrs. Taylor?”

Her bewildered smile told him without
words. She shook her head incredulously. “I’m overwhelmed. I can’t
believe you did all this. Who are these guys? Where’d you find
them?”

“I invited a few people while you were
at the spa.” He grinned and decided to come clean. “Actually, I had
them make an announcement for a free party in the hotel and
casino.”

“This is…
amazing
.” She quit
craning her neck to look him square in the face. “You’re
amazing.”

He hugged her tight. The song ended,
and the room burst into a cheer. They sat and ate. Couples danced.
Photographers snapped pictures.

A sweet-faced woman and her husband
stopped them on the dance floor. “Young lady, my husband and I are
from Michigan and have been married for twenty-five years today. We
came the Vegas for our anniversary, but never expected to attend a
wedding. We’ve had the best time.”

Gavin’s heart skipped a beat.
Twenty-five years was a long time.

Taylor beamed. “Congratulations on
your anniversary. I’m so glad you’re here.”

The woman gave her a quick hug. “The
best advice I can give is to start and end every day with a kiss
and
I love you
.”

The DJ broke in, “Hey guys, the groom
has a special treat for his bride tonight. He’s going to sing her a
song.”

Oohs and ahhs rose from the room.
Taylor shot him a playful-what-have-you-done-now glare. He laughed
as he led her to a chair facing the dance floor. The guests cleared
back to their tables.

The music,
Boyfriend
by Big
Time Rush, started. And a head rush was exactly what he was having
as he sang to his wife. If you could call it singing. He’d never
been able to carry a tune, but looking at the glowing face of his
bride, he knew every hideous note was worth it. He spun on his
heels with dance moves no one in his uncoordinated condition had
any business attempting. The crowd roared with laughter.

Gavin captured Taylor’s gaze as he
stalked to her. She bit that pouty bottom lip he planned to give
ample attention a little later. His stomach clenched. Pulling her
up from the chair, he swung her into an elegant dip, and kissed her
deeply. Sweeping her back to her feet, he grinned at the dazed look
in her eyes. He loved how his kisses affected her and how she
responded. “Your turn.”

Her face paled. “Oh, no.” She giggled
and shook her head.

“Oh, come on. For me.” His chest
tightened, and he glanced at the DJ, who nodded to him. Her
surprise was ready, and she was making it easy on him.

“I don’t even know what song to
sing.”

“How about that Rihanna song you love
so much?”

Her face lit. “That’s
perfect.”

He settled himself in a chair and
handed her the microphone. The music started, and Taylor stood
awkwardly as the intro played. But before she began, the DJ
interrupted, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a special guest here
tonight to help the bride sing her favorite song. Please
welcome…
Rihanna
.”

Colored lights flashed over the dance
floor, and the sultry-voiced siren glided across in her blue jeans
and black boots. Taylor dropped the microphone to clap her hands
over her mouth. The room thundered with noise. The beautiful singer
led a shocked Taylor to the seat next to Gavin.

Her voice rang out in the suddenly
silent banquet hall. “I’ve got your back on this one,
girlfriend.”

Taylor held his hand and listened to
the song. Tears streamed down her face. Rihanna finished the lyrics
and hugged them both before her security team ushered her
out.

The DJ played a new song, and couples
took the floor to dance again.

Taylor pulled Gavin into a tight bear
hug. “I can’t believe all you’ve done.”

Pushing the floppy brim of her hat
back, he trailed his thumb down her cheek and wiped away a tear. He
studied her sweet face. “I wanted this to be a night to
remember…forever.”

As he leaned in for a kiss, she
whispered against his lips, “It is and more.”

* * * *

Staring back at myself in the bathroom
mirror, it occurred to me: I could’ve never gone through with my
original plan. I fidgeted with my toothbrush, my hairbrush, the
ribbons and bow on the sheer nightie I wore. My trembling hands
pulled the soft crocheted hat over my ears. I shook like a bad
dance move and tried to breathe.

If it wasn't Gavin in the other room,
I would’ve been plotting to escape. That still might be a
possibility. The crazy thumping in my chest proved, even under the
best circumstances, having sex was a challenge to my courage. But
it
was
Gavin in the other room, and I trusted him. My
quivering limbs weren't as sure.