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Dreamgirl
So tell me that you love me
I see you in my dreams
You're always with me
I'm walking into the night
So tell me that you love me
We'll always be that way
When you're down You'll always be that way |
Taylor and I sat in front of the church looking at the front doors. We had been sitting in the car for about ten minutes trying to decide our next move. We could go in and disrupt everything or we could just sit here and wait until we were sure the rehearsal was over and sneak in the back. Or, we could go home, which was my vote, but Taylor immediately shot that one down. Through the open sunroof, we could hear the fits and starts of organ music, the unmistakable crowing of Zac's voice doing his best Chris Farley impression, the tittering giggle of Zoe, the deep rolling sound of Reverend Bryson’s voice. The rehearsal was going on without us, but we had known that would be the case.
Taylor had talked to Isaac about an hour before it began and told him we'd be there but late. Taylor figured since Isaac would most likely have the most violent reaction to the news, he should tell him first. Surprisingly, Isaac wasn't even slightly taken aback or shocked by where Taylor and I were coming home from or what we had done. His one comment had been "wait'll the jackals get a hold of this info." It wasn't that we didn't want to go in, but we just weren't sure how the rest of our loved ones were going to react. We had been married for a little more than twenty four hours, we were still getting used to the idea, how in the world could we be expected to come up with a good way to tell everyone else?
"Well, we could just go in and say it!" Taylor suggested. "I think as a general rule people will be happy."
"Oh yeah, that news'll make Ike ecstatic." I said rolling my eyes. "We walk in and say "hey, we know this is your big day, but guess what?" Ike's going to freak..."
"Are you forgetting that he's the only one that knows?" Taylor asked. "And he didn't freak when I told him."
"I just think that maybe we need to keep this secret one more day." I said sighing. "Maybe we can tell everyone tomorrow after the reception as Ike and Em are leaving..."
"Yeah, I suppose." Taylor said shrugging. "But really, this is the best thing to ever happen to me, I hate the idea of keeping it a secret."
"I do too," I said sighing. Soon, I could hear Isaac's guitar coming from inside the chapel. Did I make a mistake by not having a big wedding where Taylor could sing to me? Where everyone I love could be around me? Did I miss out? No, I think my quiet little ceremony witnessed by complete strangers was perfect. In fact, it was so perfect, I wanted to take the video resting in my dress bag, go into the chapel and make everyone watch it, right this minute. I think Taylor and I must have watched it twenty times last night. Those few short minutes were highly arousing. Maybe I didn't want to watch it with everyone. "You're right, we should just go in and tell them. That way no one can say anything about you coming home tonight."
"Coming home, to our home," he said kissing my hand. I turned and smiled at him. He kissed me then. Each kiss was like the first kiss, electric, exciting, surprising. He pulled away and leaned his forehead against mine. "But, you do make a valid point. No matter how okay Ike says he is with this, I think he'll see it as me trying to focus all the attention on me. Even though that is totally not the case."
"Are we going to go on a honeymoon?" I asked the thought suddenly occurring to me.
"I hadn't even thought of that," Taylor answered.
"You hadn't? I thought you'd taken care of everything!" I teased.
"Well, yeah. But," Taylor said looking at me with a grumpy face, "there were some things I thought we could do together."
"Oh, okay," I said. "Where should we go?"
"We could book a flight to Bora Bora and go with Ike and Em." Taylor suggested.
"Ew, isn't that kind of incestuous?" I protested. Images of us having to share a hut came springing forth. "We are definitely going to get to spend more than enough time with them on the bus... Let's fly to Paris and make love in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower!"
"Sounds a little too public," Taylor said shrugging. "How about booking a private boat and sailing around the Caribbean?"
"What? So I could make Zac's motion sickness look like hiccups?" I asked memories of our last boat trip making me feel woozy. "We could go to New Zealand, take the Lord of the Rings tours."
"Sounds fun, but do you really want to spend 24 hours on a plane?" He asked. "And then when we get back, we'd have to listen to Zac whine and complain that we went on the Rings tour without him?"
"Good point," I agreed. "Well, we could go to New York. I've always found it to be very, very romantic. We could walk through museums, ride in hansom cabs, wander through Central Park."
"Yeah, it is." Taylor said rubbing his fingertips softly over my knee. "But there is always the beach to consider. Malibu would be just perfect at this time of year. The sun, the sand, the surfing... Didn't I promise to teach you to surf one day?"
"Well, considering that involves swimming in the ocean, I don't see it happening." I said smiling at him. That may be my one and only fear, swimming in the ocean. Give me a river or a lake any day. But the ocean? No thanks.
"You know you're insane, right?" Taylor said shaking his head. "The open ocean is amazing... What a feeling of freedom!"
"So many options," I said my breath catching as his fingers found a sweet spot behind my knee. "Tay, stop."
"Maybe we can just stay in bed for a week?" Taylor said tucking a particularly unruly curl behind my ear.
"Okay," I agreed wholeheartedly. Last night had been a revelation for both of us. Who knew that being married would make everything so much better? I had no clue, that's for sure. "We can go out to Bixby get your stuff and just install you."
"Maybe we can go look for a house?" Taylor suggested. "A little home made of brick with a fireplace, a white picket fence and a self-mowing lawn."
"Sounds perfect," I sighed. "So, did you tell Ike when we'd be back?"
"Nothing specific," he answered.
"So, we could just go home and say we got back too late?" I asked my hand rubbing his thigh. My fingers sneaked under the edge of his new shorts.
"You know that your plan is evil, right?" Taylor asked raising his eyebrow. The front doors of the church opened. Emory's dad stepped out a cigarette stuck in the corner of his mouth. He walked towards us and jumped when he noticed us. "Crap, we've been spotted."
"I guess we'd better go in," I said sighing. The next few minutes would either be great or really bad.
"What are you two doing out here?" Mr. Blonstein asked as we both climbed out of the car. We made quite a pair both of us in baggy, newly purchased shorts and Las Vegas t-shirts. Mine was black with a picture of Elvis on it and the words "Viva Las Vegas" in red glitter. He gave us both a look of amusement. "While I can appreciate why you'd be sitting out here, you're most likely wanted inside."
"We're on our way," Taylor said grabbing my hand. "Take a deep breath and relax, there is nothing to worry about. Everyone will be happy about this."
"Okay," I said trusting him.
“We’ll make a token appearance and then jet.” Taylor said as we stood just outside the door.
“But what about the idea of it being a rehearsal?” I asked pulling back on his hand.
“What about it?” He asked.
“Doesn’t that suggest that we need to be here to rehearse?” I asked.
“Don’t worry Mom, Ike gave us permission to not stay.” He said as he pushed the door open. I noticed immediately that the room was filled with people I loved. Including my parents, which I found odd. What I didn't know was that Isaac had asked my parents to be his witnesses. The crowd was gathered around Isaac and Emory who were standing in front of Reverend Bryson and a gentleman who had to be a Rabbi. Reverend Bryson was pontificating in a very loud voice, explaining how each couple would come down the center aisle. "Just a final reminder, Cleo and Taylor will come down the aisle right after Isaac and Emory... Speak of the devil! Hello!" He said pointing at the two of us.
I raised my hand in a sort of half greeting. "Hi?"
"Where in the world have you been?" Diana called.
"Umm..." Taylor began not sure how to answer that.
"Are you okay?" Walker asked as he started down the aisle towards us. Suddenly, there were a whole lot of people coming towards us, leaving Reverend Bryson and the gentleman standing alone. The room had erupted in a cacophony of sound that only a Hanson gathering can generate.
"Yeah, we're fine," Taylor responded.
Before I could even react, Jessica had me in a bear hug effectively pinning my arms to my sides. "Oh God, when I heard about you and Tay's fight, I was sure you had broken up!"
"Cleo, I'm so glad you're here!" Avery said grabbing me around Jessica.
"Tay, dude, you're alive!" Zac said clapping him on the back.
"We're fine," Taylor protested as Diana grabbed him in a hug.
"But we tried calling! Your phone said it was out of service," Diana said. "I was so worried."
"You're always worried," Ike said giving Taylor a big hug. "So, do I have a new sister-in-law?"
At that question the room went silent. Taylor looked at me across the crowd separating us. I smiled at him and shrugged. Hell, if Isaac was going to ask, he was going to get the answer!
"Funny you should mention that," Taylor said reaching for my hand over his sisters.
I reached for him, but didn't make it. Jessica and Avery snatched my hand just as my fingertips brushed Taylor's. "Look at that band!"
"Cleo is now a Hanson," Taylor said grabbing my hand.
"Now you really are my sister." Avery breathed as she hugged me. "I love you."
"I love you too Avery," I said hugging her back. I felt my heart swell with love for her.
"I love you!" Zoë said as she launched herself into my arms.
"Oomph!" I said the breath almost knocked out of me.
"Another new sister!" Zoë yelled. "Now, there will be more girls than boys."
"And I have the big sister I always wanted," Jessica said giving me a much more gentle hug and lifting Zoë off my neck.
"Congrats stinky!" Jarrod said hugging me. "Now you'll always have your blue skies..."
"This is so exciting!" Emory said practically crushing my ribs. "Our anniversaries will be a day apart. Now neither one of them can forget."
"Boy, I wasn't quite expecting such a physical reaction," I said smiling at my new family. Or my old family, the one I always felt like I belonged to from the beginning. I felt so loved. Who needs a big wedding when you can get this much love without the bother?
"Hey! I break!" I protested as someone else yanked me.
"I can attest to that," my dad said as he enveloped me in a huge hug. I could feel his breath catching. A single dry sob escaped as he held me. He kissed my cheek. "No more breaking, okay?"
"Okay Daddy," I whispered realizing I was about to cry.
"Was it wonderful?" He asked still holding me in a very tight, super close hug. "Was it everything you ever wanted?"
"That and more," I answered; the tears had started in earnest.
"I'm glad to hear that," he said finally letting go and stepping back. He wiped at both my cheeks before smiling at me. "I wish I could have been there to walk you down the aisle. I'll bet you were beautiful."
"Daddy..." I said realizing for the first time just how selfish Taylor and I had been.
"I can't say that I understand," he said trying not to start crying again. "But you have to do what works, right?"
"Yes," I said quietly. Diana was holding onto Taylor in much the same way my dad had been holding me. Only, she was openly crying. "We just thought it would be better and easier to just…"
"Elope?" My mother said. It was phrased as a question, but it was definitely a statement. "So, you ran off and got married with total disregard for those who love you?"
"Mom, it wasn't like that," I protested.
"Well, then what was it like?" My mom asked taking my hand and looking at my ring.
"It was exciting and spur of the moment..." I said watching her silently appraising the ring. "It was so romantic how Tay planned everything without me knowing... He swept me off my feet."
"Well, I suppose there are worse things." She said sighing. “And if you’re happy then I’m happy.”
“I am happy,” I said as my mother pulled me into a wholly unexpected hug. “I just hope you were dressed better.”
“Oh mama,” I said holding her tightly. “Taylor planned every detail and it was perfect and amazing.”
“Good. I really do love you, even if I don’t understand you even a little.” She said into my ear.
"I know and I love you too.” I said sighing happily. I pulled back and was surprised to see tears in her eyes.
“Can I ask you a question?” My mother said smoothing my hair off my forehead. I nodded my head. She leaned forward and kissed my cheek before whispering in my ear. “Baby, are you pregnant?”
“What?” I asked pulling away from her. “Why would you even ask me that?”
“It’s just so sudden…”
“It's not!" I protested. “We were engaged…”
“With a wedding date for December 25th.” She pointed out.
“Okay, sure, the timeline changed but not the reason.” I said noticing that Taylor was wending his way over to me.
“Okay,” she said grabbing my hand. “I just want you to be happy.”
“Don’t worry, I am.” I said smiling as Taylor moved towards me. “I can’t imagine being any happier.”
“You ready to go?” Taylor said as he slid his arm around my waist. “Hey Mrs. Burton!”
“Hello Taylor,” my mom said smiling. “Please, call me Sarah.”
“Sarah, I need to steal Cleo so we can go and start our happily ever after…”
The End