Bouquet Toss (31 page)

We walk slowly to the patio, the brisk March air pierces my skin, but before I can even react to the weather, I feel Tanner’s tuxedo coat wrap around my shoulders.

“Thank you.”

“Daphne, sometimes things aren’t as they seem.  Remember that, alright?”

“What do you mean?  You’re sounding cryptic.”

“I was attempting to be, but I guess you see right through me, don’t you?” he laughs, pulling me towards his chest.  “What I’m trying to say is that there is a reason you did not catch the bouquet tonight.  I wanted tonight to be different.  I had no idea you would take it the way you did. I thought you would understand…” his voice trails off.  My heart begins to race for I still have no idea what he’s trying to tell me.

“I asked Morgan to aim the bouquet as far away from you as possible.  I didn’t realize you’d be so heartbroken.  She tried to warn me, but I didn’t really listen.  I was too busy with other things.”

“Wait, I’m confused.  You asked Morgan to
not
throw the bouquet my way? Why would you do that?”

“Like I said inside, I wanted this to be your Opposite Day.  I wanted you to see that you didn’t catch it for a reason.  You didn’t need to catch it, my sweet.  And I hope that when I give you
this
, it will be all you ever need as a memento from this night.”  He reaches into his pocket as he kneels on the patio below.  My heart leaps from my chest as the man I love pulls a small velvet box from his pants pocket.

“Daphne Jane Harper, I’ve been in love with you from the moment we first started our witty banter at Henry and Elise’s dinner party.  You’ve set up a place in my heart and I can’t imagine, nor do I ever want to imagine, you not being there.  I want you forever in my life.”

Choking on my tears as he speaks, my heart continues to expand with every word.

“And so I kneel before you, asking you to be my wife.  Would you please,
please
marry me Daphne Jane and make me the happiest man on the planet?”  Tanner’s eyes are glistening as he holds the ring between his fingers.  It is exquisite, just like Tanner.

“Yes!  Yes, of course I will marry you, Tanner. Of course!”  He places the ring upon my finger, stands and pulls me into his arms.  I am his, completely his.  No more baggage, no more ghosts, no more lies.  I want Tanner and no one else.

We stroll, arm in arm, back into the reception in order to tell my parents our big news.  They pretend to be surprised, but judging by their terrible poker faces, Tanner has already asked for their permission and blessing.  As I’m finishing a long hug with my elated mom, the bride pounces on me.

“Is it official? Did he ask you?” Morgan practically screeches.

“Yes, he did.  Did you know about this, Mrs. Renbeck?” I pretend to chastise her for her involvement.

“Guilty, I know.  I almost lost it the night of my bachelorette party.  I was still coming down from my drunken haze at the martini bar and I was terrified that I would somehow tip you off!  Your fiancé had just asked me to help him find the perfect ring.”  God, I love that word, fiancé, especially when it is in reference to Tanner.  

“So, you knew then?  I had no idea!” I laugh, loving all of these revelations, first my parents and now Morgan.  Within an instant, I recall Morgan’s confidence that Tanner was as emotionally invested as I was and that she would someday return the favor of a bachelorette party.

“Yes, I did.  And, I have something for you.  I’ll be right back.”  She scurries off, dragging her gorgeous lace skirt behind her.  Matt approaches to congratulate Tanner and me.  It is clear that he is in on the secret, as well.  Perhaps I am the only one who did not know, I think to myself, as I watch Evan smile and pat my fiancé on the back.  I seem to be the only one who is, at all, surprised that this proposal has taken place. 

“Here you go, sweet cousin of mine,” Morgan says, tossing a large bouquet gently into my hands, as she continues to stroll towards me.  Luckily, my reflexes act quickly and I’m able to catch it before it hits the floor.  It’s different than the bouquet that she tossed earlier this evening.  It’s larger, fuller and much more elegant; orchids and calla lillies gathered together and tied with a satin ribbon at the base. 

“I tried to warn that man of yours that you would need this.  You’ve gotten very used to catching these things.  It felt cruel to send it in the opposite direction.  So, I asked the florist to make this for you.  It’s the last bouquet you will ever ‘catch.’  Now you can look forward to
your
bouquet. The one you will hold as you walk down the aisle.”

“Oh Morgan,” I practically sob as I pull her towards me, “I can’t thank you enough.  I’m so lucky to have you.  You know me so well, don’t you?”

“Yep, I do.” She says, satisfied with her crafty little self.

“Thanks for not giving up on me,” I whisper into her ear.

“Never.” She smiles.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.  You may kiss your bride.”

My husband smiles appreciatively at the man of the cloth.  He then grins playfully before lifting the ivory veil over my head.  His kiss is gentle and loving, yet satisfying in a way that no other kiss has been in my life thus far.  After our kiss is forcibly ended, knowing we have a chapel full of people in the audience, my husband reluctantly pulls away but holds each of my hands tightly in his own.

“Ladies and gentleman, it is my pleasure to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Tanner Finley,” the pastor announces.  Rousing applause fills the chapel as I lift my bouquet up in the air in celebration.  Smiling at Tanner, I say, “We did it!”

Tanner lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses it ever so gently before placing it over his heart.  His eyes moisten and he smiles.  “Yes, we did.”  His simple words send a chill of delight down my spine and I do my best to hold back the tears, but one slips by and drifts down the side of my nose.  Tanner wipes the tear gracefully with his handkerchief. 

Our road to the altar was not all sunshine and roses.  We had obstacles to overcome, misunderstandings to resolve and ghosts to evict.  But, we did it.  And I am overwhelmed at the amount of happiness this man brings to my life.  I don’t ever want to know what it feels like to be without Tanner Finley.

As we turn to face our friends and family, my eyes search for the one invited guest who did not send in a reply card.  I’m not sure if she will be here, but I am hoping to see her, to feel her support as I embark on the next chapter of my life with Tanner.  As we continue to walk towards the doors of the church, my heart sinks just a bit knowing she was unable to be here to see this moment.  But, I understand.  Some things are just too hard.

As we’re nearing the end of the chapel, however, I see her.  She is seated at the far end of the pew and she is smiling, tears streaming down her face.  Taking both of her hands, she forms a ‘V’ and blows me a kiss.  And I know, in this moment I have her blessing. 

I place my hand over my heart and I mouth, “Thank you, Cece.” She nods in solidarity.  Deep down, I know she will not be staying for the reception.  This is her goodbye to me.

Tanner rubs the side of my arm and waves to Cece.  So proud of the man I have just married, of the man who has accepted me with all of my faults, all of my baggage, all of my links to the past. I glide my hand across his cheek when we reach the foyer of the church.

“You are truly incredible, Mr. Finley.  I’m so proud to be your wife.”

“I can’t wait to start our lives together, Daphne.”

“Ahem.” I tilt my head accusingly at Tanner.  He knows what to say next.

“I’m so sorry....
Mrs
. Finley.”

“That’s much better,” I tease. “Now, let’s get to that party of ours.”

Four hours later, the cake has been cut, the open bar is about to close, and it is time for the bouquet toss.  Standing on the dance floor, holding my gorgeous bundle of red roses, each adorned with a pearl in its center, I smile to myself.  My life has changed considerably since I caught my first bridal bouquet.  I never dreamed that I’d be standing here today, the happiest I’ve ever been, with an incredible man, an incredible partner with whom I am prepared to share my life.  The young women gather on the other side of the dance floor and I look at each of their faces, remembering my own emotions at each of the weddings I attended in my early adulthood. 

Tanner’s cousin, Mindy, looks nervous.  She is here with her boyfriend of several years and I know she would be thrilled to catch these roses.  My eyes wander and find my co-worker, Samantha, rolling her eyes.  She was pushed onto the dance floor by the rest of the women at her table.  All at once, I understand both of these women as I’ve experienced every emotion there is to have in regards to this silly tradition. 

While planning the wedding, I suggested that we cut this from the reception’s activities convinced that somehow, it would bounce off of the ceiling and land back in my own hands.  But, Morgan, Elise and my mother were having none of that.  “It’s a right of passage,” my mother said. 

“And after everything, you need to toss the shit out of that thing,” Morgan added.  And so I agreed.

The crowd erupts as I toss the bouquet.  Mindy scoops that sucker up with an enormous grin.  She does a small victory dance before presenting it to her boyfriend,
Troy
. 
Troy
rolls his eyes, but puts his arm around her as he turns back to me.  He winks in my direction as he pats the pocket of his suit.  I gasp with happiness, knowing Mindy is about to become engaged.  

Next up is the garter toss.  The groomsmen seat me in a chair and Tanner kneels before me, a naughty grin in his eye.  He gently raises my dress up over my knees and pushes it further to reveal my powder blue garter.  He removes it seductively with his teeth.  I hear my Dad yell, “Hey, that’s my daughter out there!” and the crowd laughs.  Tanner turns to my dad and gives an innocent shrug.  I move off the dance floor and watch as Tanner tosses my bit of lingerie.  Evan catches the garter, looking shocked as it lands square in his hands.  I point to him as I jump up and down, so happy for my friend.

“Looks like the curse continues here,” I tease as he gives me a big hug.  He shakes hands with Tanner and pats him warmly on the back.  Tanner grins at his new friend,
our
friend
, Evan.

“You know, my friend Samantha is single.” I gesture discreetly towards the young woman with flowing blond hair and deep sapphire eyes.

“And cute,” Evan says, wide-eyed, staring at my co-worker.

“Go for it, buddy,” Tanner laughs, patting him on the shoulder, giving him a bit of a nudge towards Samantha.  Evan lets out a hearty laugh and saunters up to Samantha.  She looks pleasantly surprised by his approach and nods her head as he gestures towards the bar.  I smile at Tanner, wondering if we’ve made a love connection.

Before I can say anything about our two friends at the bar, Tanner pulls me onto the dance floor.  We sway together to song after song.  My shoes are now off and I am starting to yawn.  It has been a long, yet perfect day.

“So, was it everything you had hoped for, Daphne?” Tanner asks, pushing a few stray hairs away from my face.  Even this small touch makes my heart soar.

“
You
are everything I had hoped for, Tanner. I thought you’d never arrive...and even when you did, I almost couldn’t see it. I—“

“Daph, sweetheart, don’t do this to yourself.  I’m here now and I am yours...always.  We’re past all of that.  It took some time, but it was worth it,” Tanner smiles. 

Where have I heard those words before?  Lost in thought, I search my memory for the moment when I first heard that sentiment: “
He brings you peace and a tremendous amount of happiness, although you may not realize it when the relationship begins.  It will take some time, but it will be worth it for you, for him, for both of you.  He is the one I see.
”

“Oh my god, Tanner!  How could I have not realized this sooner?  The psychic; you’re the one the psychic told me about!” I practically yell, jumping into his arms.

“Daph, sweetheart, what are you talking about?  When did you visit a psychic?  I’m a little lost here.”

“I’m sorry, let me explain.  Morgan dragged me to a psychic when I first started seeing Mayson.  Her name was Kim and she didn’t see me with Mayson, not in the future. She saw a tall man with brown hair and brown eyes.  She said he would bring me immense happiness and peace.”  My cheeks warm at this realization.

“She was right, Tanner.  She was so, so right.” Once again, my eyes fill with tears.  I look into Tanner’s gorgeous speckled eyes and he is gazing at me in wonder and appreciation.

“So, you mean to tell me that in all the time we were dating, you never mentioned that you believe in psychics?” Tanner teases.

“Well, I do now, that’s for sure!” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“So, don’t tell me, you’re now wondering if you should visit her with more questions like where will we live, how many children will we have, where will they go to school....”

“Nope,” I shake my head with absolute certainty.  “No need for that.  Whatever the future has in store for us, we’ll take it as it comes.  That’s all I need to know, Tanner.  Besides, our children will be attending the
University
of
Illinois
.  That’s obvious.”