Losing Control (21 page)

He looked at Fawn; she clasped his
hand.

“Let’s sit here for a bit, and you
can tell me all about it,” the Sergeant said.

Taury nodded. “First, though, I’d
like to have my lady here checked out by a doctor.”

“Certainly. There should be an
ambulance on its way.”

Fawn slumped in her seat. Yet another
ambulance – when would it end?

Morning found them in Taury’s private
plane, on their way home. Fawn snuggled against him on a small suede couch, and
watched excitedly as
San Francisco
vanished beneath the billowing white
clouds. All the proper paperwork had been signed and witnessed. All the charges
filed, and court dates tentatively set. She would have to return when the
trials started and she was willing enough to do that but the idea of ever
residing there again unnerved her. Maybe her mind would change over time – but
she doubted it.

“But won’t you miss our screaming
fits in the penthouse bedroom?” he asked.

“We can have those anywhere!”

“Yeah, but just anywhere won’t be
soundproofed!”

She smiled, feeling a weight lifting
off of her heart. Somehow, once they were headed south, it all seemed right
again. No more drama or danger; they could live out their busy days and
passionate nights in the precious
Malibu
bungalow, surrounded by family and
friends. He wanted to buy more old houses, restore them and sell them. And she
could get back to making custom jewelry. It would be a simple, satisfying life.

When they arrived at the bungalow
Fawn couldn’t help but notice how different her life was from that first day
she’d come there not quite so long ago. Would she change some of it if she
could live it over again? Of course, but the gist of it, the solid foundation
that was her and Taury’s love, could never be changed. That was destined, just
as he had believed. Now, she believed it, too.

They slipped out of a rented sedan,
waved off the driver and walked past her idle sports car to the patio. Taury
held her tight as they both breathed in the wonderfully salty sea air. The sky
was a perfect precise blue, uncluttered by clouds. The sun sat proudly way up
high, its warmth calm and comforting. The tender breeze caressed their hair,
welcomed them home.

“It seems so unreal to finally be
here again. There were times I honestly didn’t think it would happen.”

“I know, babe. But it’s real. And
tomorrow we’ll be married and living out our dreams. I knew it would come to
this eventually, and that knowledge carried me through the worst of our
problems. Even when you were in the hospital and they told us you might not
make it, I never once gave up believing we’d be here one day, with all the
misery behind us.”

“I’m glad you didn’t give up. I love
you so much, Taury. It gets stronger every time I see you.”

“Yeah, I know the feeling. We’re pretty
damn lucky, I’d say, to have found each other.”

“Yes, we are. And I swear I will
never take that luck for granted.”

“So do I!”

He kissed her; she savored his
sweetness, sent her thoughts grazing on the night ahead, when they’d be alone
in the bungalow for the first time since that night he proposed.

There was movement below, at Connie’s
beach house. Lots of people were setting up tables with white coverings, and
placing big urns full of pink roses all about the yard. The caterer – Jimmy De Paolo
– was waving his arms around at his assistants, pointing to metal trays lined
with food-warming bins and grills and boxes of ingredients. June was in the
center of it all, looking as if she was ready to collapse.

“Oh, dear, I thought I asked them to keep
it simple,” Fawn frowned.

“Well, don’t fuss about it. It’s only
one day. Once it’s done things will calm down. You’ll be bored with me before
you know it!”

“Ha! Not as long as you keep giving
me candy orgies!”

He laughed, kissed her again. Then
they made their way down the path to the beach house.

TWENTY ONE

Her wedding day arrived. Fawn was
happy this time around, not afraid and worried about what kind of wife she’d
be. She knew exactly what kind not to be, that was for certain.

The yard behind the beach house was
dolled up like a glamorous movie star, which seemed befitting since it had once
belonged to Constance Carroll. Fawn hoped that somehow Connie was watching the
proceedings with an approving eye.

“She is,” June decided after Fawn
expressed her wish. “And she’s proud of you.”

“I’ll bet she’s proud of you, too,
Mom. I can’t believe you did all this without getting in a panic!”

“I have to admit I almost did. But I
felt I owed you a happy wedding. Your first one was such a sham.”

“No looking back, Mom. Not at the bad
stuff, anyway. Taury has taught me that!”

“He’s a good man, Fawn. I’m glad to
have him as my son-in-law.”

Fawn almost cried. “Stop, you’ll make
me ruin my mascara. And I don’t have time to fix it again!”

They giggled. June helped Fawn on
with her dress, a long white jewel of a gown, rather European in style, with
lace over the bodice, a tapered train, and fluffy sleeves meant to hide the
multitude of scratches left by Harper Trigg.

Once her veil was perfectly placed
upon her up-swept chestnut hair, and her clear Cinderella shoes slipped onto
her feet, Fawn made her way from June and
Kent
’s bedroom into the living room of
the beach house. She was to wait there until the proper music began. Kent
Brennan entered; he would escort her out the front door and around the side of
the house to where Taury was standing. She had stolen a peek at him earlier; he
was wearing a sleek black suit and brandishing the widest, most beautiful
smile. Her heart had jumped loops at the sight of him.

All their friends and relations were
sitting in folding chairs, ready for her to make her appearance – Libby
Trahern, George and Molly Finch, Frank and Jimmy De Paolo, a few of Taury’s
employees and a distant relation or two - everyone but her cousin Stephanie.

“Is Steph here yet, Dad?”

“Not yet. She called from
Los Angeles
. They’re on their way.”

“I hope she gets here soon. Is it hot
out there?”

“No, the weather is cooperating. I
don’t think this could be a more perfect day.” He moved closer to her. “Fawn, I
wanted to tell you how wonderful you look. I’ve never seen you this happy. It’s
a world of difference from the way you looked on your first wedding day.” He
choked up; embarrassing her.

“Now, Dad, it’s like I told Mom. No looking
back! This is the beginning of a new life, for all of us!”

He bobbled his head in agreement,
headed to a bar for a drink.

They heard a car pull up.

“Maybe that’s Steph!”

Fawn picked up her train, hurried to
the front door. When she opened it she found Stephanie, dressed in a knock-out
blue silk dress. Then she recognized Tom Cedar from his pictures on the sports
sites. They were accompanied by a woman; she was probably in her early forties,
and quite trim and blonde. Fawn noticed her deep set blue eyes and gasped
aloud.

“Inger? Could it be?”

“Yes, I am Inger. You must be Fawn. I
am very glad to meet you.”

She held out a freckled hand. Fawn
dropped her train, clasped the hand for a vigorous shaking. Her mascara was
wet, threatening to spoil her perfectly made-up face.

“I can’t tell you how glad I am to
see you! Taury will be thrilled! Has Stephanie explained everything?”

“You know I did. I’m thorough, if
nothing else.”

“Yeah, you are! I owe you big time
for this, Steph!”

“And I’ll collect on it, too! Meet my
man. Tom, Fawn. Fawn, Tom. And these good people are her parents, June and
Kent
.”

The notes of a classic love song
filled the air.

“That’s our cue!” June announced in a
shrill voice.

“I will wait here until after the
ceremony,” Inger stated. “I don’t want to upset your plans.”

“No, I want you to walk out with me.
Please?”

“Oh, I couldn’t! The boy has no idea
I’m here. I don’t want to shock him.”

“You will only make this day happier,
believe me. Will you do it?”

“But I’m not dressed very well.”

“I think I have a dress for you,”
June offered. “It’s just your size!”

June led Inger down the hall to her
room.

“I’ll stall the ceremony,” Kent
Brennan said as he scooted past the visitors and stepped outside.

“You look gorgeous, Fawn,” Stephanie
observed. “I knew Taury could make you happy!”

“You look radiant yourself! Pregnancy
agrees with you.”

“You haven’t had to deal with her
cravings at four in the morning!” Tom laughed. “Kippers, red hot chili peppers
and chocolate mint ice cream! Man, that’s nasty stuff!”

“Um, sounds so good, but don’t
mention it now! We skipped lunch!”

Fawn laughed at them. It was peculiar
to see Stephanie in this new role. She’d always been so certain of herself, so cool
and detached. Men were passing fancies, to be enjoyed and forgotten. But she
was hung up on Tom Cedar; her eyes searching his face constantly for approval
and affection, which he returned in droves.

“There’s a huge buffet outside,” Fawn
told her. “Hold on awhile longer then you can sample every dish!”

“It’s a plan! Well, look at her!”

They all aimed their eyes down the
hallway. June and Inger were walking towards them. Inger was wearing a pale
blue dress and two-tone pumps with her long blonde hair pulled up in a loose
ponytail.

“Is this all right?” she asked,
surprisingly shy for her age.

“Oh, yes!” Fawn sighed. “You’re
lovely! Shall we go?”

Inger nodded; Fawn took her arm, they
joined
Kent
around the side of the house while
June ushered Tom and Stephanie to some empty chairs.

The music started again. Everyone
tilted their heads to see the bride. Fawn had to stifle a giggle as she noticed
all the confused looks on their faces.

They came out in full view of the
podium, where Taury stood with a preacher, the Reverend Harmon Gill, a
flamboyant friend of Frank and Jimmy’s. He was dressed in a bright
melon-colored jacket and navy slacks.

Taury’s eyes were transfixed on Fawn,
so much so that it took him a minute or two to realize that there were two
people escorting her down the aisle. He glanced at Inger then at Fawn and back
again. Fawn spoke to him with her expression – he understood. Tears dampened
his eyelashes as
Kent
gave Fawn’s hand to him and stepped
away. He locked gazes with Inger; she offered him a touching smile.

He turned to the small gathering of
friends. “Before we start, I’d like to introduce everyone to my mother, Ms.
Inger Sjostrom!” By then every one of them had heard the story of James Trahern
and Inger. They all burst into applause, sparking more tears. Taury hugged her.
“Hello. I’ve been waiting a lifetime to meet you.”

“You’re a beautiful boy!” she cried.
“I can see Jim in you. He would be proud!”

“Yeah, he would. Reverend, shall we
proceed?”

“Yes! This is a happy day!”

The ceremony went along as planned;
Taury spoke words he had written for Fawn: “I promise to love you as long as I
live, if not longer, to respect you and listen to you and hold you above all
others. I will give you my love, my heart, my soul, my life. I will never
control you, or keep you from being exactly who you are. You’re a part of me,
the other half that makes me complete, I was lost without you, but now I am
found. I cherish you, and offer you all that I am, the good and the bad, if
you’ll have me.”

Fawn uttered a breathless “I will!”
then she recited some words of her own: “I promise to love you forever, to
respect you, believe in you, and never try to control or demean you. I give you
my love, my heart, my soul, my life. You are the breath of my body, the reason
I live. I offer my companionship, my smiles, my tears, myself, to you, if
you’ll have me.”