Magnolia Blossoms (20 page)

Six months after agreeing to become Mrs. Jace Taylor, the much anticipated day arrives. Big Daddy, who seems to have developed quite the man-crush on Jace, insists that money is no object for our nuptials, and he means it. I wanted Honey to do my makeup, but Big Daddy has hired hair stylists and cosmetologists to doll up Honey, Sunny, and me, so we all take advantage of the pampering. Once the artists finish, I’m helped into my gown, and when I see myself, tears begin to pool in the corners of my eyes. I quickly wave my hands in front of my face to keep the tears from falling and ruining my makeup.

“What’s this about?” Honey asks, lightly dabbing them away.

“I was thinking about how much my life has changed in a year. I go from thinking that the only way I’ll matter is by killing people, and now here I am, a princess about to marry the most amazing man to ever live.”

Sunny stops primping in the mirror to look at me with surprise. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t worry, it never went anywhere. Killing people was just a quick random thought.”

Sunny doesn’t look all that relieved when she turns back to the mirror.

“It happened a little later for you than most, but you finally blossomed,” Honey says with a proud smile as she smoothes my veil. She looks absolutely radiant in a pale pink gown; it’s obvious that domestic life suits her well. She moved in with Dr. Jerry a couple of months ago, and those two are practically inseparable. Jace and I have dinner with them at least once a week, and there are lots of times that Honey and I take off to go do something fun while the guys are working.

“The majority of it is thanks to you. You’ve helped me so much, and you’ve always kept an eye out for my wellbeing. For that, I’m incredibly grateful. I’m glad you’re a part of my life,” I say with sincerity while hugging her tightly.

When I pull away, tears are streaming down her face. “Sunny, you have raised an incredible daughter. It wasn’t in the cards for me to have children of my own, so I appreciate that you share yours with me.”

“Of course! My Magnolia is a gift that should be shared with the world. It took her a while to find her niche, but look at this beautiful woman. I’m so proud of the lady you’ve become. Your father and I love you,” Sunny says.

“I love you, too.”

There is a knock on the door, and Honey opens it to find Big Daddy standing outside. He’s dressed in a snow white tux, complete with tails, white vest, and white bowtie. Even his shoes are white patent leather, and the fact that he carries a white cane and wears a white top hat pretty much sends his wardrobe into the outrageous category. But, it makes him happy, so I say nothing about it.

“This beauty standing before me is far too stunning to be someone I brought forth into the world. Magnolia, you take Big Daddy’s breath away.” I turn to look in the mirror once more before leaving with him. My long, dark brown hair is in loose waves down my back, but the sides are pulled up and held with a crystal-adorned clip to which my veil is fastened. My makeup is soft and subtle, with just a hint of rosiness on my lips, cheeks, and eyes. My green eyes sparkle under the lights, and my skin has a glow from the anticipation of seeing Jace.

“I’ve had a talk with my boy.” Big Daddy has been calling Jace “my boy” for months now. He sees him as the son he’s always wanted but never had.

“Big Daddy, you didn’t say something that might make him run off?” I snap.

“Of course not! That boy is one of the best things to happen to you and this family. He’s not going anywhere. No, I had a talk with him about the importance of family. I regret many of the things I’ve done, and not being a good father to you is one of my biggest. I hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me, darling Magnolia.”

“You are a good father, Big Daddy. How were you supposed to know that things were so bad when I constantly covered them up? That’s all in the past now. I’m a different person. I’m so happy, Daddy. I love Jace so much, and I can’t wait to be his wife.” I hold out my hand to him. “Would you please do me the honor of escorting me down the aisle?”

“Sweet Magnolia, the honor is all mine.”

We walk down a long corridor, and Sunny and Honey hustle ahead of us. The wedding coordinator gets one of the ushers to escort Sunny to her seat, while Honey is handed a white and pink rosebud bouquet. She takes her place in front of the double doors, and just before they open, she gives me a huge grin and a thumbs up.

Nerves are starting to get the best of me, and I pray that I don’t vomit all over the altar. The wedding coordinator, who is unbelievably prepared, hurriedly passes me a shot of Pepto and a few sips of Sprite. It’s amazing how quickly my stomach settles. Without missing a beat, she takes the drink from me, positions me and Big Daddy in our spots, and cues the bridal march.

The doors open, and my breath catches. The church is completely adorned with pink and white bows, flowers, and ribbons. Looking past the audience, I spot Jace standing next to the priest on the altar. He’s unbelievably handsome in a white tux that accentuates his tanned skin. His crystal blue eyes exude absolute bliss, and I take comfort in knowing that he feels just as right about our marriage as I do.

Every ounce of me wants to run down the aisle, but Big Daddy keeps perfectly in time with the music. Guests are smiling, tearing up, and nodding as I make my way past them, and I try my best to make eye contact with each of them, but my attention keeps drifting to Jace.

When we reach the altar, and the priest asks, “Who gives this woman?” Big Daddy is supposed to answer, “Her mother and I do.” However, the priest’s eyebrows shoot up when Big Daddy begins one of his monologues. Gripping his lapels, he begins to pace up and down the aisle.

“My dear family, friends, and guests, thank you for joining us on such a glorious day. I was happier than a june bug on the Fourth of July the day my sweet Magnolia informed me that she’d accepted Jace Taylor’s proposal of marriage. Being that she’s my only child, it makes my heart swell with pride to know that through this marriage, I’m gaining a son who not only treats my daughter like the treasure she is, but has chosen a career in which he selflessly gives of his time and energy by being nothing short of a superhero. How can one not make mention of this fact? Thirty-three years ago, a child was born…” Big Daddy is interrupted by the priest’s loud throat clearing. “Right, well, Sunny and I welcome each and every one of you to this joyous event, and we hope that you will join us for…” The priest clears his throat again, but this time it’s much louder and more forceful. “Her mother and I do,” Big Daddy bellows before kissing me on the cheek. He grumbles all the way to his seat.

I pass my bouquet to Honey and take Jace’s hand in mine. He gives it a squeeze, and I give him a smile. The service seems to drag on forever because all I can concentrate on are Jace’s lips and the fact that I want them on mine. Finally, the words I’ve been dying to hear are said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Jace takes me in his arms and dips me low while we share our first kiss as a married couple. The guests cheer, and I go weak in the knees. It doesn’t matter because Jace practically carries me down the aisle as the priest announces, “I’m honored to present for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Jace Taylor.”

A stretch limo is waiting in the drive for us, and as soon as we’re in the back, the driver asks if he should bring us immediately to the reception site or drive around a bit.

“Why don’t you drive around a bit?” I request. “It’ll give the guests time to get there and get settled before we arrive.”

“Very well, madame. Congratulations to you both,” he says, shutting the door. Jace raises the privacy partition and is all over me before the car is in gear.

“I’ve been waiting all day to have you in my arms. It was torture watching you walk down that aisle when all I wanted to do was toss you over my shoulder and carry you out so I could have my way with you.”

“Funny you should say that because I spent the entire time wishing you would.”

“I guess it’s a good thing I was able to control myself, or else I wouldn’t get to call you my wife.”

I edge closer to him. “I love the sound of that. Say it again.”

“You’re my wife,” he says, pulling me into his arms. He tries to kiss me, but I’m in a teasing mood. To make him work for his kiss, I intend to make him chase me around the back of the limo. As though I’m playing a game of musical chairs, I quickly jump up to move to the seat across from us. I feel a sudden rush to my head, and then it’s black until I hear Jace telling the driver where to park.

“Mags? Baby, do you hear me? Can you open your eyes, sweetheart?”

I want to open my eyes for him, but they feel so heavy. I manage a moan to let him know that I hear him.

“Wake up for me, Mags. Wake up.”

I feel him lift me into his arms, and just as he carries me through the double doors, I’m able to open my eyes. “Hey, there you are. It’s okay, sweetie. I’m here. I’m right here.”

I’m deposited onto a stretcher, and Jace follows the nurses to one of the exam rooms. They ask Jace what happened, and after he tells them that I passed out in the limo, he asks me how long it’s been since I’ve eaten.

“I can’t remember,” I answer truthfully.

“We’ll get a blood sugar reading,” the nurse says, putting her stethoscope in her ears. She takes my blood pressure and remarks that it is on the low side. She moves on to take my pulse. Another nurse hooks me up to a heart monitor, while another pricks my finger.

All of the commotion gets me nervous because I have no clue what’s going on. “I’m scared,” I say to Jace. He lightly kisses my forehead.

“Don’t be scared, sweetheart. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“Fifty-two,” the nurse says.

“Let’s start a line just in case. Jace, what’s your wife’s name?” the nurse asks.

“Maggie,” he answers.

“Maggie, I’m going to give you some sweet stuff that will make you feel much better really quickly. I need you to swallow it for me, okay?” she asks.

I agree, and she shoots some of the thick gel into my mouth. She gives me a carton of orange juice to chase it down. The doctor comes in and rattles off a few orders. He wants them to draw a few tubes of blood so he can get a more accurate reading of my blood sugar, along with some other levels. “We’re going to check you for anemia, and a few other things,” he explains. I nod.

“You were right. I’m starting to feel much better already,” I tell the nurse, who is now charting on a laptop.

“Great. Let’s do a repeat CBG.”

Someone pricks a different finger this time, and once she’s finished, Jace covers my finger with an adhesive bandage. “Seventy-one.”

“Excellent. It looks like you had a bit of a blood sugar issue, Mrs…?” the doctor asks.

“Taylor,” I say with a smile. It’s the first time I’ve called myself that.

“Mrs. Taylor. I’m guessing that you got so nervous and busy preparing for the wedding that you forgot to eat. Am I right?”

I nod.

“It happens more than you know. Let the drip run for another fifteen minutes. She’s probably a little dehydrated, too. Do one more CBG after you d/c the IV, and if it’s normal, she can be discharged.”

“Yes, doctor,” the nurse who is charting replies.

“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor,” he says with a smile.

“Thank you,” we say in unison.

Jace buries his face in my hair. “You scared the hell out of me,” he whispers in my ear.

“I’m sorry, Jace. Thank you for taking such good care of me.”

“Always. Oh! I need to get in touch with your parents to let them know what’s going on. I’ll tell them to start the party and to expect us in about twenty minutes. He fishes his cell phone from the pocket of his tux then steps out of the room to make his call.

“Jace is happier than I’ve ever seen him. You must be quite a woman. Congratulations,” the only nurse remaining in the room says.

“Thank you,” I say. “He’s an amazing man, and I’m lucky to have him as my husband.”

She smiles. “He sure is amazing. The way I see it, he’s the lucky one. It’s good seeing him so happy. He’s always smiling when he drops off patients to us. We wondered what caused the change, but now the mystery has been solved.”

“I’m so embarrassed. I’m supposed to be dancing at my reception, but I land myself in the emergency room instead.”

“The doctor wasn’t exaggerating when he said it happens all of the time. We get brides, grooms, ushers, parents of the bride and groom… You’ll be enjoying your reception in no time. Most people won’t even notice that you’re late, and the ones who do will think you took a stop off for a quickie,” she says with a wink.

“A quickie would’ve been more fun.”

“I can give you two the room for a while before I discharge you,” she says, and I’m not sure if she’s joking or serious. I decide to go with teasing.

“Thanks, but this isn’t the most romantic setting,” I reply.

“Agreed,” she says with a smile. “My name is Lisa, by the way.”

“It’s nice to meet you Lisa. Thank you for taking such good care of me.”