Part 19
"Are Tom and his parents here?"
Denise walked over to Cassy and removed her hands from her head. "The veil
looks perfect. Let's leave it alone."
Cassy grinned sheepishly. "I guess I'm a little nervous."
"I can see that. You need to relax. The last thing you need to worry about
is sweaty palms. As for Tom and his parents, yes they are here and ready to
go. So are the minister and the Lipschitz's."
Cassy closed her eyes and an image flooded her mind.
Denise saw the change in her facial expression. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"You'll think it's silly."
"Tell me what it is and then I'll let you know the silliness extent."
"I was just thinking how lucky Tom is to have his parents
here. They don't think he's making a mistake. Why couldn't my mother be
happy for me? Why couldn't any of my family be here? What was more
important than my wedding day?"
Denise handed her a tissue. "Please don't cry. Eileen isn't here to fix
your make-up. Besides, Mrs. Ryan took the rest of the box of tissue so
that's the last one."
Cassy laughed and hugged her. "Thanks for that. I just wish I had someone
to sit on my side of the church."
"Will I do?"
Cassy turned around and gasped. "Claudia!" She threw her arms around her
sister neck. "What are you doing here? I thought you were on a cruise or
something."
"I was but what's more important that watching my sister getting married?"
"I'm so glad you're here."
"Me too. But I must tell you that you have a very nervous groom out
there."
"You've seen Tom?"
"Sure did. He was waiting for me outside."
"He knew you were coming?"
"Yeah. He contacted me on the boat and when we docked in St. Thomas, I flew
home. I just came from the airport."
Tears filled her eyes. "Oh my. I can't believe he did that."
"Oh great. Claudia, you couldn't wait to make her cry until after the
ceremony?" Denise grabbed some toilet tissue and the make-up bag and tried
to fix the damage.
A giggle escaped Claudia's lips. "Sorry." She looked her sister over
from head to toe, her eyes returning to her stomach. "Cassy, honey, don't
take this the wrong way or anything but are you....?"
"Pregnant? Yeah I am."
Claudia squealed in delight. "A baby. How wonderful."
Cassy beamed with joy. "It is isn't it. I am so happy that...that.."
Denise turned to Claudia. "Claudia, I'm thrilled you're here, but get
out. I'll never get her ready if you keep making her cry."
Cassy was shocked. "Denise. Don't throw my sister out."
Claudia smiled. "No, she's right. If I stay, I'll cry. If I cry, you'll
cry. If you cry, Denise will stab me with that eyeliner pencil. Since I
have to catch the 6:00 flight back to St. Thomas tonight, I don't have time
for a trip to the emergency room."
Cassy laughed at her logic. "I understand. By the way, did that rich
boyfriend of yours come with you?"
"No, Kenneth stayed on the boat, but he's meeting me at the airport in
St. Thomas. It's a good thing that we had a three day layover there." She
hugged Cassy again. "I'll see you out there."
Denise directed Cassy back to the chair. "Now that she's gone, I am going
to try and salvage what is left of Eileen's work. We have about five
minutes to make you beautiful again. But if anyone comes in here before I'm
through, I really will stab them with an eyeliner pencil."
Tom stood at the altar with his eyes glued to the back door. His knees
were shaking so hard that he was surprised no one heard
them. He knew she was here, Claudia had reassured him.
Not that he had any doubts, but you never know. He wiped his
sweaty hands on his pants.
The door opened and there she was. Their eyes locked as she headed towards
him.
"We are gathered here together to unite Thomas and Cassandra in holy
matrimony..."
Just then the door opened and seven pairs of eyes turned and looked as
Evelyn and Christina St. John entered the tiny chapel.
"Mother," Cassy whispered.
Tom glanced at Cassy and then at Evelyn, not sure how to handle the
situation. Did Evelyn come to cause problems? He wouldn't put it past her
to do so.
But before he could do anything, Evelyn and Christina sat down behind
Claudia. The minister looked for some sign to continue and when Tom nodded
his head, he proceeded.
"We are gathered here to unite Thomas and Cassandra in holy matrimony." The
minister glanced at the door then back to the couple. "This is a sacred
institution based on love, commitment and trust. These two have expressed a
desire to be joined as one under God. If anyone can show cause why these
two should not be joined, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Tom and Cassy both held their breath as they waited to see anyone, mainly
Evelyn, would object. She didn't and the minister proceeded.
"Thomas, do you take Cassandra to be your lawful wedded wife, from this day
forward, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in richer and in
poorer, for as long as you both should live?"
Tom looked into Cassy's eyes. "I do."
"Cassandra, do you take Thomas to be your lawful wedded husband, from this
day forward, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in richer and
in poorer, for as long as you both should live?"
Cassy could feel a lump rise in her throat. "I do."
The minister turned towards Tom. "Thomas, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee
wed."
Tom's eyes never left Cassy face as he slipped on the ring. "With this
ring, I thee wed."
"Now Cassandra, with this ring I thee wed."
Cassy's hands shook as she slipped on the ring. "With this ring, I thee
wed."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
The room filled with applause while Tom took his new wife in his arms and
kissed her.
The minute the happy coupled entered Harry and Frannie's house they were in
for a surprise. There was a huge wedding reception waiting for them.
"Surprise."
Cassy couldn't believe it. It looked as though the entire police department
was there.
Frannie gave them each a big hug. "Are you surprised?"
Tom chuckled. "Are we ever."
The band Frannie hired began to play "Gift of Love" and Tom escorted his
wife out onto the dance floor for their first dance.
Tom looked down at Cassy. "Happy?"
"Never been happier." The look in her eyes said it all.
No sooner had the dance ended when Cassy came face to face with Evelyn. Tom
stayed at her side. There was no way that Evelyn was going to upset his
wife on their wedding day.
"Hello Mother. I'm surprised to see you here."
"Why is that? You are my daughter and today is your wedding day. Where else
would I be?"
Cassy was stunned. "Um..thank you for coming."
"My pleasure."
Christina joined the small gathering. "Congratulations are your wedding."
She turned to Evelyn. "I just called the sitter and the kids are fine."
Evelyn nodded to her eldest. "Then we had better go."
"Go?" Cassy asked. "You haven't been here but for a few minutes. Stay for
the cake."
Christina looked at her watch. "We can't. Eve has ballet class and
Christopher has a riding lesson. We mustn't be late."
Cassy tried not to let her sister's coments affect her. "Of course not. The kids
activities are very important to you. I just wish attending your sister's wedding held
the same importance."
Evelyn was about to say something when Christina cut her off. "I beg your
pardon. Did I not just attend your wedding?"
Cassy could feel herself getting angry. "Yes, you did. Why is that? Why
would you come to my wedding, late at that, when you declined the
invitation stating that you would not be a party to another one of my
mistakes?" Cassy turned to her mother. "That goes for you too."
Christina was about to say something when Claudia joined the group. "Hello
Mother, Christina. Isn't this a wonderful wedding? Didn't Cassy look
beautiful?"
Tom smiled at Cassy. "She sure did."
Evelyn cleared her throat. "We must be going. Good-bye Cassandra, Claudia."
Cassy watched as her mother and sister walked away. Claudia took her hand
and squeezed it. "Don't cry. They're not worth it."
"Why would they bother to come?"
"Why isn't important. What is important is that all these people came her
to see you?"
Cassy looked closely at her sister. "Claud, what aren't you telling me?"
"Nothing. Isn't it time to cut the cake?"
"Claudia..."
"All right, all right. The only reason Mother and Christina came was
because Mother ran into the mayor's wife at the Miami Country Club this
morning and mentioned how excited she must be about
this wedding and how much she adored the two of you and...."
"I get the picture. The only reason for my mother and sister to come to my
wedding was to save face. Great."
Tom put his arms around Cassy. "Forget them. Who needs them? Everything
we have and need is right here."
"He's right." Claudia gave her sister a big hug. "I have to go. My taxi is
probably waiting out front. I love you."
"I love you too." Cassy smiled through her tears. "Now go have fun."
Claudia began to cry too. "You too. Take care of her, Tom."
Tom hugged her too. "I will and thank you for coming."
Claudia nodded and headed for the house.
Tom turned to his wife. "No more tears. This is a happy occasion."
"You're right."
"Now, there is a certain Irishman over there wanting to dance with his
beautiful daughter-in-law."
"Sounds good to me"
Cassy danced with Lyam, Harry and several officers. When John Turner gave
her a spin, Tom watched like a hawk and it made Cassy laugh.
Cassy noticed that John and Denise seemed to hit it off. She made a mental
note to inquire on that later.
In spite of the cheering, Cassy and Tom shared the first bite of cake
without any mess. Tom knew she would have skinned him alive if he got food
on her wedding gown.
Cassy threw the bouquet and Denise was the lucky recipient.
However Turner and Hughes wound up wrestling for the garter and ripped it
in two. Denise said it was a good sign...for her.
They changed clothes and ran through the flying birdseed into the limo.
"Well?" Cassy asked when he returned.
"The flight has been delayed for about 10 minutes."
"I wish you'd tell me where we're going."
"Nope," he smiled. "It's a secret."
"A hint?"
"Mmm. It's someplace you've wanted to go and I promised you I'd take you
there."
Cassy thought for a minute. A smile formed. "San Francisco?"
Tom nodded. She threw her arms around him. "I can't believe it. I'm so
excited."
If they had been paying attention, they probably would have noticed the
couple watching them.
To Part 20