Black Lies White Lies (32 page)

We started the process of getting dressed, all of us laughing and talking about old times. “You know what, Guys? I think Aunt Sally was tipsy. She and Marbella have been drinking since they got here. Those sweet drinks will sneak up on you, and they’ve had a few.” Sandra informed us.

I looked awesome. My hair was in a twist with some lose curls framing my face. My dress was a light pink linen and looked fabulous with my fiery red hair. Brenda should have been a makeup artist, because my makeup was flawless. “Ladies, we look fabulous. Now let’s go have some fun!” I announced.

~~~

The gardens were phenomenal. They were lit up with white lights. The Hawaiian musicians played soft music and the hula girls swayed their hips. Everyone was served spicy tasting champagne for the toast. There was a pig being roasted a few yards away that smelled delicious. Everyone was enjoying themselves, laughing and talking.

And then the toasting began. “Friends and Family, I would like to propose a toast to the Bride and Groom,” began Victor. “To my brother, it’s about time you married. I wish you all the happiness and success. To the bride, may you always look and feel as beautiful as you do tonight. And one more thing, here’s to having beautiful and healthy babies.” And then Victor looked at me like the cat that had swallowed the canary.

Next, Bryan said a prayer and toasted to our happiness. I was not going to let Victor spoil this for me. I was determined to enjoy myself. After we ate we went through the rehearsal. Uncle Tee would be walking me down the aisle since Daddy couldn’t be here.

Afterwards, Ashton and I walked down to the beach where the wedding would take place. The stage had been built out over the water, to appear as if we were walking on water. There were flower of every shade of pink you could think of. The archway was woven with pink and white silk. This was incredible. It was everything I had dreamed it would be. “Candice, I’m looking forward to the after party. We’re going to dance until the sun comes up.”

“Ashton, there is something I must tell you, but it will have to wait until after the wedding.”

“Ok, but this not the first time I’ve heard you say this,” he looked at me worriedly.

“Ashton, you’re the love of my life and the father of my children. Nothing or no one will ever change the way I feel.”

“I love you too. Tomorrow is our wedding day,” he placed his hands on my swollen tummy. “You and these two boys mean the world to me. I would lay down my life to defend you.” He kissed me gently, “I love you, Sweetheart.” I was so in love with this man.

The next day I was more anxious than ever. I sat there, looking in the vanity, as the stylist did my hair and makeup. This was the day I had planned for months. The stage was being set for the rest of my life. Tonight I was going to tell Ashton what his brother had done to me. I was so afraid he would hate me or never want to see me again. But I couldn’t think about it now, I just had to get through the day. Caroline and all her assistants were rushing around, trying to make sure things were right. The wedding was set to start at 5:00.

My dress was perfect. Lucy had done an excellent job. It was an off white linen with pink chiffon, the bottom was lined in tiny pearl beading and fell to just below the knee. It was something you had to see to fully appreciate, simple, but beautiful. There was a pink, pill box veil to go with it. I wore the pearls my grandmother had given me. “Candice, you are breathtaking,” Brenda brought me out of my thoughts.

“So do you. This is the first day of the rest of my life.”

“It’s time we go down, are you ready?”

“Yes, I’m as ready as I’m going to be.”

“Here’s your bouquet. Everyone is waiting downstairs.”

“I’m so nervous, Brenda, and the babies won’t stop moving.”

“Maybe they’re just as excited as you are. Just take a few deep breaths.”

“Breathing. Ok. I’m ready.” We took the elevator downstairs. There stood Uncle Tee, looking dapper in his white tux. I hadn’t noticed what a handsome man he was until now. Aunt Sally was a lucky woman and he loved her so much. I took his arm as we headed to the beach. The weather was perfect, eighty degrees with a soft breeze. 

As we walked down I could see Ashton standing there looking as handsome as ever, in his black Roberto Cavalli tux and a smile that could launch a thousand ships. All my friends and family were smiling up at me. I was truly happy in that moment.

~~~

Uncle Tee walked me down the aisle. I took Ashton’s hand and Bryan began the ceremony. The rings were exchanged and we said our vows. Then Bryan pronounced us husband and wife. We proceeded to a big tent where the reception was being held. It surpassed my wildest dreams. Words would never express it. The pink flowers were beautiful and the crystal chandeliers had everything sparkling, the cake was spectacular. It was all very regal.

The band was playing our song,
Sentimental Mood
. We walked to the dance floor, Ashton placed my hand in his, and we danced. He whispered in my ear, “I love you, Mrs. Williams.” Everyone joined us on the dance floor. I loved Ashton, now, more than ever. In the back of my mind I wondered what would happen after I told him my truth.

Before I knew it, it was time to cut the cake. We posed for the photographer. Our world seemed set forever, but I knew it was about to change. “Ladies and Gentleman, it’s time to toast the bride and groom.” Bryan and Sandra were first, Sabrina and Anthony next.

So far, the night was going off without a hitch. Sofia was behaving and Victor seemed to be MIA. The party was in full swing, when Victor showed up and pulled Ashton to the side. My nerves were in my throat, “Where are you going, Baby?” I asked Ashton.

“I’ll be back. Victor needs to speak to me.”

They left the table and Sandra came over. “What’s that all about?”

“I don’t know, but he needed to talk to Ashton.”

“I take it you didn’t tell him last night.”

“No, I was going to tell him after the party tonight.”

“I hope he doesn’t beat you to the punch.”

Suddenly we heard yelling coming from outside the party. Ashton was cursing at Victor, “…lying, drunken bastard! Will you stop at nothing? I will kill you if I ever hear you talk about my wife that way!” Then I saw Sofia get up and go outside.

“What’s going on with you, Ashton?” I heard her ask, “This is your brother. You two are embarrassing yourselves so stop this now.” I was afraid to go to Ashton, he was enraged. People were starting to stare. Ashton swung and hit Victor, knocking him down. I had to go to him, this was going too far.

Victor got up, stumbling backward, “You will regret this, Brother.”

“The only thing I regret is that you
are
my brother.”

“You just wait until I take my children from you and that bitch! This isn’t over.”

“Ashton, you are an embarrassment to our family! You would take this woman and her family over your own?” came Sofia’s voice.

“Mother,
you’re
an embarrassment to yourself. So you take your lying son and get the hell out of my face!”

“Let me tell you something about lying. Ask your wife why I saw your brother come out of her room.” Ashton stopped cold still, “Mother, you had better take that back.”

“Take back what, Ashton? Take back the truth? Ask her.” I was standing there in disbelief, my mouth gaping wide open. I couldn’t tell him. Not here, not now. So I just ran away, as fast as my swelling feet could carry me.

“Candice!” I could hear Sandra yelling behind me. My tears blinding me, I kept going. I wanted to get out of there.

I lay across what would have been our wedding bed, crying until I threw up. How could he? Didn’t
he
rape
me
? And now it was
my
fault? I could hear Sabrina and Sandra, banging on the door. “Candice, you need to open this door before we get security.” I just wanted to die. Ashton hated me and I wanted to die.

I lay there sprawled out on the bathroom floor, sick from a lie. My wedding was ruined, my life was over. I felt myself losing consciousness. I just wanted to forget. I could hear Sabrina saying to get a doctor, something was wrong. “What’s wrong? Sabrina, there’s blood on her dress.”

When I came to, I was in a helicopter and could hear the medics talking. “If we don’t hurry she’ll abort.” I started praying. I didn’t want to lose my babies. Then everything was silent and dark.

Chapter 28

“Ashton, you better hope nothing happens to my sister.”

“Sabrina, I love Candice. Do you think I would wish her harm?”

“I don’t know or care what you wish, but I do know and care about my sister.”

“Just calm down, Sabrina,” Anthony said. “We don’t know the story.”

“I don’t care what the story is! My sister could die! Why the hell didn’t you get on that helicopter with her, is what I want to know?”

“Don’t worry about it, Sabrina. We need to catch this next flight to the main land. We have to leave now.”

Bryan and Uncle Tee were staying behind at the resort. Me, Sabrina and Anthony, and Ashton hurried to catch the flight. We took our seats and I stared out the small window thinking how our family was built on lies. Lies that stretched over generations. And now my father and sister were lying at death’s door. It was more than I could take, but I had to be strong. I made a conscious decision to tell the truth, no matter the consequences.

We quickly arrived in Honolulu, got a cab and headed straight to the hospital. Sabrina and I stopped at the nurse’s station for her room number, “Nurse, can you give us any information on her condition?”

“Sorry, Miss, you need to talk to her doctor, but I can tell you she’s resting now. You can go see her.”

When we walked in, Candice was on oxygen and well sedated. The doctor walked in, “I’m Mrs. Williams’ doctor. Is her husband with you?”

“Not yet, but we’re her sisters. We’ll sign whatever is needed.”

“I’m sorry, but we need her husband. Do you think he will be here soon? I’m going to need permission to treat her.”

Just then Ashton walked in, “I’m her husband, Doctor.”

“Ok, Mr. Williams, sign here. This will give us permission to treat your wife. Would you ladies kindly step out so I can discuss her condition with her husband?”

“Doctor, I’m sorry, but I’m not leaving. This is my sister.”

“It’s ok, Doctor. She would want them to know,” Ashton said.

“Alright. Mr. Williams. The stress your wife has been under has put the infants in distress. The lining of her uterus has thinned and this could cause complications. She must be on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy.”

“Doctor, we live in New York. Will she be able to fly?”

“I’m afraid not. She will have to stay in our facility. It’s ok. I will contact her doctor for her records. The babies are thriving at this moment. They weigh a couple of pounds each. That’s good, being she is almost six months.”

“Six months? We were told she was only four.”

“I’m sure there was a mistake. It happens often when twins are involved. We have state of the art equipment and it’s not wrong. I assure you.”

Then these couldn’t be Victor’s babies was all I could think.

“Thank you, Doctor,” Ashton saying. “I’ll make arrangements for us to stay.”

“I’m going to stay too, Ashton. My sister needs me.”

“Sabrina, I think I can handle things from here. She’s my wife.”

“Sabrina, would you go and get some coffee? I’d like to talk to Ashton alone.” When she left the room, I told him everything that Candice had told me about the rape.

“Why didn’t she tell me, Sandra? Doesn’t she know I love her?”

“I’m sure she knows, but she didn’t want to cause a rift in your family. We had a hard upbringing, and I’m sure that played a part.”

“Candice never tells me much about your family. I can’t believe she would sacrifice so much for me.”

“That’s the kind of person she is and always has been. So when she told me what happened I believed her. She honestly does love you, Ashton, and you should never take her love for granted.”

“How could I have been so foolish? I know she loves me.”

“We all make mistakes, Ashton, only God is perfect.”

“How did you become so wise, Sandra?”

“I guess my life has had its own testimonies.”

“Thank you for all your advice and I’m glad you’re my sister-in-law.”

“Same here, Ashton. I couldn’t have asked for a better brother,” we hugged.

“Here are your coffees. Did I miss anything?”

“No, but you two are the best. I hope Candice knows how lucky she is.”

“We love her. She’s our sister.”

Candice began waking up, “Are you alright?”

“Where am I?”

“You’re in the hospital. You had a little incident.”

“Are the babies ok? I thought I was losing them.”

“They’re fine, Honey. We have to stay here for a while though.”

“Ashton, there is so much I have to tell you.”