Been In Love Before: A Novel (21 page)

Chapter Fifty

“I have to go and get Eian,” Robert said as he ran out the door.

“It’s almost time for pictures. Where are you going?” Mary Kate hollered, chasing after him.
No, not now. Please not now,
she thought to herself.
Brother stuff.

“I’ll be back. Talk to your father.”

“Oh no, this isn’t happening,” she said, nearly in tears.

She felt a calming hand on her shoulder. “It’ll be okay, pumpkin.”

“Daddy, what’s going on? We don’t have a lot of time,” she said almost frantically. “We need to take pictures, and Uncle Bob and Uncle Eian have to get dressed and ready. I knew something like this was going to happen, I just knew it.”

“Uncle Eian’s car was stolen while he was at the ball game. Bob went to pick him up. But don’t worry, he’ll be ready, I’ll make sure of it. Say good-bye to Claret. Angus is picking her up in a few minutes.”

He always knows just with to say,
she thought. She gave him her fake stern look. “I’m counting on you.”

The doorbell rang, and when Alison opened it, Angus appeared in a Campbell Black Watch Scottish kilt. “Don’t you look handsome,” commented Mary Kate.

The old Scotsman nearly blushed. “Well, thank you, my dear. And if you don’t look as lovely as a morning sun in Scotland, then I . . . you look wonderful.” He smiled and turned to look for his wife. “Come on, Claret; let these youngsters finish up here.” He shook Ryan’s hand and said, “It should be a grand party, aye?”

“Yes, indeed, it should be grand. See you at the church.”

“Wait, while you’re here, let’s get some quick photos of the four of you,” commanded Gloria. “Yes, that would be perfect.” The photographer took photos on the steps, in front of the fireplace, and in the formal dining room.

Finally Ryan said, “Enough. These good people have to get to church, and the rest of us need to finish getting ready. See you soon, Angus, Claret.” As they left, he saw the white stretch limousine pull into the courtyard in front of the house, closely followed by Robert’s car carrying Eian.

Eian and Robert stood in the foyer and started to tell Mary Kate what had happened. It was her wedding day, and she didn’t have time for all of this.

Eian told her, “We reported the car as stolen to the police, but . . .”

“Okay, okay, enough! Tell me later. Spare me the details. Just get dressed. Now!” she commanded and stomped away, muttering something under her breath.

“Well, there’s a problem,” said Robert.

“What now?” she asked, spinning around.

“Well, Eian’s car was stolen and—” Robert started to say.

“Yeah, yeah, I know that, so?”

“Robert’s tuxedo was in the back of the car—it’s gone, along with the car,” Eian said.

“Oh no!” she said, with her hands covering her face. Then, turning to her uncles, she said, “No time. Come on, you two; let’s get this show on the road. Go upstairs and find Daddy. I’m sure he’s already searching through his closet to see if he has any suits that may fit you.”

“Fat chance,” commented Eian.

“Well, I’ll not have you walking down the aisle at my wedding wearing only socks and boxer shorts. No sir,” responded Mary Kate.

Ryan stood at the top of the stairs. “I can’t find anything that would fit him unless . . .” He was out of sight for a brief moment, then returned. “How about this?” he asked, holding Robert’s dress Highland kilt outfit.

“Nay. I’ll not be wearing that to this wedding.”

Mary Kate spun around to face him. “Why not?”

“Because today is your day, and I’ll not be upstaging or taking any sunshine from your rainbow, darlin’ Kate, that’s why not.”

She softened and moved closer to him. “Uncle Bob, you could never do that, and I would be honored to have you wear the full Macgregor colors. Besides, Angus was wearing his Black Watch plaid colors, his Campbell kilt.”

“He was?”

“Aye.”

“Give us a few minutes to get ready, and we’ll be down shortly.”

“Hurry, we don’t have a lot of time.” This was not quite how she had envisioned her wedding day starting off, but she was glad that everybody was here. That was the important thing.
Now let’s get to the church before something else happens. Let’s get this over with.

Chapter Fifty-One

The Chapel-by-the-Sea was a small, very quaint, hundred-year-old building set back and secluded from the street, under a huge ancient magnolia tree. In traditional Palm Beach style, the walkway was lined with perfectly trimmed hedges of sea grape bushes. The rear of the chapel overlooked the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Inside was a small and intimate church with high marble arches. The beautiful blue-and-red stained glass windows cast their wonderful colors on the old stone floor as they caught the warm rays of the Florida sun. It was perfect for a small, intimate wedding.

Angus, dressed in his kilted outfit, walked his wife, Claret, down the aisle, her arm draped over his. She smiled at the assembled crowd. The groomsmen looked handsome in their tuxedoes, as did the bridesmaids in their lovely coral dresses.

Robert strode down the aisle with Coleen on his arm. They looked like the perfect couple. He looked so dashing in his traditional but very formal Highland regalia, his subdued red-plaid Macgregor kilt with his belt and ornate silver clan buckle, his fancy hand-tooled leather sporran, the white kilt shirt, and his traditional brogue shoes. Women turned to watch him walk down the aisle.

At the sight of the traditional Macgregor colors, Angus Campbell’s eyes flashed red, and his wife noticed the change in his demeanor. As they sat in the pew, she patted his arm to calm him down. But Claret knew him too well, and she most likely would have little effect on him. No one else noticed . . . except for Robert.

The organist began the wedding march music, and Mary Katherine Macgregor walked down the aisle with her father, holding tightly onto his arm until he lifted her veil at the altar. He hugged her and kissed her on the cheek, whispering, “I love you, pumpkin. Your mom would be proud of you.” It nearly brought her to tears. Her arms and legs began to shake.

Mickey stood there patiently waiting for her at the altar. She wished her mother could have been there to see it all—she would have been so happy. The wedding was a blur to her; it seemed as if it were over in mere minutes. She remembered the flowers, the scents, the people in attendance, but soon the only person she had eyes for that day was—Mickey.

When Mary Kate reached for Mickey’s hand—the trembling stopped. Just from the touch of his hand. She felt safe and secure. Everyone knew her as a strong and independent woman, which she was, but she felt safe with him. Always did. The only thing she remembered was saying the words, “I do.”

She felt happy when it was over and then shot a quick glance at her new wedding ring. Touching it made her feel warm. Married. “Mrs. Mary Katherine Thompson,” she said softly to herself. It had a nice ring to it.

The photographer kept them for more than an hour taking photographs, but soon they were on their way. When they walked inside the reception hall and were introduced for the first time as husband and wife, the room went wild with clapping and shouts of congratulations, as the band began to play. These were memories she would always cherish, for the rest of her life.

The MC stood with the microphone. “And now we will have the father-and-daughter dance. A waltz.”

Ryan took her in his arms, and they waltzed around the dance floor. He held her for one last time in his arms. He never wanted to let go of his little girl.

“Thank you, Daddy, thank you for everything. I love you,” she said, nearly in tears.

“I love you too, pumpkin. He’s a good man.”

When they finished their dance, Ryan returned her to her seat and took the microphone in his hand. “Aye, girl, this is your day, the day of your wedding for both you and Mickey. I give you the ancient traditional Scottish blessing:

May the best you’ve ever seen

Be the worst you’ll ever see;

May a mouse never leave your pantry

With a teardrop in his eye;

May you keep whole and hearty

Till you’re old enough to die;

May you be just as happy

As I wish you to be.

Today, tomorrow, and ever be.

“Cheers,” the crowd thundered.

Robert stood and took the microphone from his younger brother. “I too have a toast for the two of you, in health and happiness. It’s an old Celtic blessing upon you:

May the blessing of light,

Be with you always,

Light without and light within,

And may the sun shine

Upon you and warm your heart

Until it glows

Like a great fire

So that others may feel

The warmth of your love

For one another.

“Cheers to Graw and Mickey. May you live long and love forever.”

The crowd clapped and the band began to play again. Now everyone was dancing, including Rose and Eian. Robert and Coleen were lost in each other as they danced around the floor.

As the night progressed, Ryan danced and danced with Alexi, then finally led her to their table. Alexi held his arm and said, “You did real well dancing tonight. I am very proud of you.”

“Thank you, my dear.”

An old family friend who had had a few too many cocktails during dinner dropped by their table and said, “Nice wedding, Ryan. Like yours and Gracie’s. Remember?”

“Yes, I do, Sam. It was a good time. Good to see you again.”

Alexi squeezed his arm in support as he walked away.

“He was a neighbor who lived down the street from us at our old house,” Ryan explained. “He loved to tease Gracie.”

Ryan finished another glass of champagne, smiled, then reminisced, “At our wedding reception, we made a promise to each other that no matter who wanted us to come to their table to visit them, we were going to stay together—no matter what. We had the caterer follow us around with champagne and told him to keep filling our glasses. Our wedding celebration was the best time I’ve ever had in my life. Everybody was there.” He began to talk about his life with Gracie, as he had not ever done before. “I miss her. She would have really enjoyed tonight.”

Alexi felt a twinge of sorrow for him and tried a few times to change the subject, but he continued to talk about his life with her and how perfect it had been for them. She could tell he still loved his wife.

Mary Kate sat at the head table having the time of her life as people stopped by with envelopes and best wishes for the both of them. She looked at Angus and could tell something was wrong and turned to Mickey. “What’s wrong with your father? He looks upset. Should you go talk with him?”

Before he could answer her, their attention was diverted by a loud voice in the center of the dance floor. It was his father yelling. “Macgregor!” he slurred. “Where are you?”

Robert walked slowly to the center of the room and said just above a whisper, “Aye, brother. We’re family now. And I’ll not raise my voice against family.” He seemed to have caught him unaware. “Angus, it’s not Scotsman against Scotsman; it’s Scotsmen against our enemies. We are bound together, like it or not, as family, and I’ll drink to your health.”

“I’ll not drink to no Macgregor’s health. I’ll as soon die as . . .”

The loudspeaker drowned out what he said next, and they both turned to face the head table. The bride stood tall, holding the microphone, eyes and temper flashing. “This ends now! Do you hear me!” she said, looking squarely at the two men. “My name is Mary Katherine Macgregor Thompson. I am proud of my family, both of them. We are here tonight by the grace of God.” She paused. “I would like to make a toast to Bobby and Patti Macgregor. And a blessing to all of those who are not here tonight, especially Tess Macgregor, Alice Macgregor, and my mother—Grace Macgregor. And also to Bryce Campbell, may he rest in peace.” The old man began to shake at the mention of his dead son.

She continued, “There is a Scottish belief that as long as someone is still loved, they will never die. My mother said that so long ago and taught me the Scottish blessing for those who are not here, written by Mary Frye. It goes something like this:

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamonds glints on snow

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain

When you awaken in the morning’s hu
sh

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

By the time she finished, she was in tears. “We will always remember those who are not here, but the time for feuds is over. Let’s not forget what we are here for today and tomorrow. All shake hands as family, or heaven help me, I will . . .” Her voice rose to fever pitch. Her father was at her side whispering something that calmed her and brought a smile to her lips. She handed him the microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I know this is a wedding, but I just got a text and a picture. Robert, I have something for you to see.” He walked down to join the two men. “I just got this text from Bobby, at the hospital. They tried to call you, but your phone must still be off. Patti and Bobby had their baby! It’s a girl. Congratulations, Grandpa.” He gave Robert his phone and showed him the picture of Patti holding the new baby.

“Oh my God. I’m a grandpa! Whoa.” Robert read Bobby and Patti’s message aloud: “Meet your new grandchild—Roberta Tess Macgregor, six pounds, seven ounces.” Robert hugged Ryan and said, “Aye! Strike up the band. Let the celebrating continue!”

He turned to Angus and showed him the picture of the newest Macgregor. “Now this is something worth fighting for, my friend. Our children and their future. And in a few years you’ll know what I mean.”

The old man’s face softened, and in his tears, Robert knew it was over. Angus said, “Aye, let me buy you a drink, Macgregor . . . I mean Robert . . . Bob.”

Mary Kate and Mickey danced the night away. Waltzes, rumbas—they danced them all. At the end of the evening, they were among the last to leave. She put her arms around his neck and said, “Take me home, Michael Thompson, husband. I love you.”

“I love you too, Mrs. Thompson.” They walked hand in hand out the door; they had made and kept a pledge:
Hold on tight to each other throughout the night
. Life was good.