Chapter 40: Chapter 40

"Wow you look like a princess"

"You forget that she is a Princess" Jazz bumped her mother smiling. They'd gone all out with the dress, a dazzling beaded bodice on flounced tulle ball gown that made her feel like the princess they kept calling her and the makeup was kept to a minimum. Her shoes were a pair of embroidered ivory lace heels that completed her look. She couldn't begin to imagine what they'd done with the venue.

Ray had insisted on getting married in a church which was funny because normally the brides were the ones who did that. Not the bridegroom. But this was the man who loved her and wanted to make all her dreams come true. To him, that included giving her a church wedding. He really wasn't like any other man she knew, excluding her father of course. Last night he'd insisted on not seeing her until the wedding. She'd asked him who still followed that stupid superstition and he had said he didn't want to take any chances. Of course, she'd laughed off his suggestion about not sleeping in the same room but when she'd realized he was serious, she had marched off angrily. Expecting him to go after her. He didn't. So she snuck into his room which was in their house because her father had demanded they spend the night there. Apparently, he wanted to make sure Ray didn't get her pregnant before marrying her.

Too late.

But that was her secret. For now. Although Ray had tried to kick her out of his room after he got out of the bathroom and found her lounging on his bed. His excuse? The whole family was in that house. Not just hers, but his too. Jasmine had dragged Vince, literally dragged him to the Rutherford mansion because she wanted to have a girl's night. On the eve of Alexis' wedding. She had an excuse too. That it would be a few years before her daughter got married and she wanted to enjoy someone else's bachelorette party. There had been lots of alcohol involved and dirty dancing. At some point, someone must have drunk dialed a stripper -her guess? Jasmine of course - and that's when her father had intervened claiming his daughter was too innocent for that. It was adorable how he wouldn't accept that she was a grown woman.

Anyway, it was pretty clear that by the time she made it to Ray's room, she was a little tipsy. And when he'd tried to take her back to her room, she'd threatened him that she'd scream. He'd pointed out that she was in his room but she'd told him her father would always believe her over anyone. She could come up with a stupid lie about how she was going to the kitchen and on her way there, he'd pulled her into his room and locked them in there and JR would believe her without a doubt. So he was left with one option. Negotiate. They came to an agreement that he'd make love to her, finally -because every time he tried to he always ended up losing control because he couldn't take it slow - then he'd carry her back to her room, carry being the operational word here, and tuck her in. He'd called her a spoiled Princess but proceeded to fulfill his part of the bargain in order to shut her up. Well, as much as he could anyway since she really did scream his name out an hour later.

That and the fact that she was going to be a mother after a few months, were the reason she was glowing. The wedding had taken at least ten months to plan because her father had insisted on making it the event of the year. Which she believed it would be since the guest list alone had more than five hundred guests. That was her mother's fault. Hayley had told everyone to compile their own guest list so they could combine it later. In her defense, she didn't want anyone to miss out on such a special occasion. You'd think she was marrying one of the Princes. But she wasn't complaining. It was the day she'd dreamed of ever since she saw her mother walk down the aisle. To have a man who loved her as much as her father loved her mother and to at least be as beautiful as her mother was on her wedding day.

Her wish list would have been complete if Jim had been there but she told herself that he'd be with her in spirit. As if knowing she was thinking about her late husband, Lucinda marched into her bedroom carrying a blue velvet square box. She hadn't changed much over the years except for her hair which had turned gray. "Okay, everyone out!" she said pointing to the door.

"What? We're not done fussing with her yet" Shree complained while her mother and Jasmine nodded in support of her.

"My only granddaughter is getting married today. I need to pass down the family secrets and heirlooms to her. Now get lost. All of you" Sasha (Vincent's daughter), Deirdre and Brooke (Nick's daughters) giggled all the way out taking their flowers with them. They heard Sasha voice her thoughts on what secrets Lucinda wanted to pass down to her and poor Jasmine almost had a heart attack. She scrambled out of the room yelling

"Sash you're too young to even know the definition of sex. And I mean the word, don't even get me started on the act" her mother and Shree followed her out sharing a secret smile, leaving her alone with Lucinda.

"Grandma," Alexis said staring up at the Matriarch of the Rutherford clan.

"Give me a minute. I want to always remember you like this so that when I see Jim again, I'll describe everything to him" that was sad and sweet at the same time and it made her feel like crying. She held her arms out and hugged Lucinda. "There, there. Don't ruin your makeup now. Crying isn't one of the secrets although it worked every time I wanted something from your grandfather and he was being difficult."

"Then don't make me cry"

"I'll try not to." she pulled back then held the blue box in front of her. "Something new"

"What is it?" Alexis asked taking it from her.

"Pearls. From your grandfather"

She swiveled her head up "W... What?"

"He bought them for you, specifically for this day," Lucinda said opening the box. There, lying against a silk material was a pair of earrings and a pearl necklace that looked vintage and priceless. "He knew this day would come and he had prepared everything. It was as if he'd known he wouldn't be around. That sly old man"

"I miss him so much. I wish he was here today" Alexis murmured fingering the pearls.

"Don't worry. I don't think anything could keep him away. He'll be somewhere in the crowd for sure."

"Oh grandma, I hope that is true."

"Okay, let's get this beautiful pearls around your neck. I believe your soon to be husband will swoon when he sees you. Poor boy. I pity him already. Rutherford's aren't easy people to deal with" she said clasping the necklace behind her neck. The pearls were soft and cool against her skin.

"Thank you. For loving me as if I were your own granddaughter" she murmured feeling like she needed to say that.

"Now what are you going on about?" Lucinda moved in front of her.

"I just.... You know my grandmother didn't really like me. If you hadn't accepted me, I wouldn't have known what it was like to feel a grandmother's love. So thank you"

"Oh, you silly girl. You're so easy to love that I really had no option. I mean look at you? You are so beautiful that it's impossible not love you"

"Grandma" Alexis threw her hand over the older woman's shoulders crying. She heard Lucinda sniffle and she remembered the day they first met. It seemed like yesterday that she was being ushered to the kitchen, being mistaken for a maid's daughter. The years had changed Lucinda so much. Getting married to Jim for a second time contributed too and she was glad that with them, she had found the perfect family. A father, grandparents, brothers and even Nick and Vince. They were all a big family.

"Mom what did you do now?" JR said walking in. Pulling them apart, he took Alexis' face in his hands and wiped away her tears. "What did she do?" he asked again eyeing his mother.

Lucinda rolled her eyes "None of your business. Shouldn't you be in church already?"

"No. I'm riding with my daughter. Hayley is about to leave and she sent me to tell you to hurry up or they would leave you behind" they wouldn't, really, but Lucinda shuffled out leaving the two of them alone.

"You're smearing my makeup all over my face dad"

"Good. That way you can wash your face and if he doesn't like you without your makeup on then he doesn't deserve you" they were back to talking about Ray. They'd done that a lot because JR wasn't ready to give his daughter away. He kept trying to find faults in everything Ray did but her soon to be husband was perfect in every way.

"Ray is a good man dad. He'll marry me even if I show up in a rag" she told him truly believing what she wore or how she looked wouldn't matter to him.

He sighed. "I know and that is why I don't like him" he sounded so frustrated that she wanted to laugh but didn't.

"That doesn't make sense"

"It is clear how much your boyfriend loves you and no matter how many times I've tried to scare him away, he wouldn't budge. He is so much like his father that I want to punch him every time I see him"

"You're such a bully. Why do you have to take your anger out on Ray? Your problem is with Vince. Not his son"

"But I don't want him to marry you even though he really is the right man for you. You're making Vince a part of this family. It's frustrating honey"

"I think you're getting old since you don't remember that Vince is Jasmine's husband." she didn't even want to understand what he was talking about so she let him be. If they started arguing about Ray, they'd never leave the house. Changing the subject she asked, "Is it time to leave yet?"

"Almost. Let me look at you first" he took a step back and she was happy to hear his swift intake of breath. "You are the most beautiful bride I've ever seen sweetheart. Don't tell your mother I said that" he added as an afterthought.

"I won't," she said smiling. He took his phone out and took a selfie claiming it was going on his Instagram then called the makeup team back in because she'd ruined it from all the crying she had done.

An hour later they stopped outside the Presbyterian Church on fifth avenue. It was a little intimidating, knowing all the people inside were waiting for her but the moment her father took her arm, Alexis relaxed. He was going to be with her every step of the way and that calmed her worries. He walked her down the aisle and when they'd arrived at the front where Ray was standing JR held on to her hand a little longer, refusing to let go. She had to tag on it a few times before he finally grunted and placed her hand on Ray's. Since he just had to have the last word, he whispered to Ray that if she ever went home crying, he'd break his legs and hands. JR turned to leave but then spinning around he added "Your neck too" just for good measure and finally walked to his seat.

The priest frowned at him but started the ceremony. Two hours later he was trying to tear them apart. Literally. After he'd said 'you may kiss the bride' Ray had latched on to her lips and refused to let go. "The youths of today" she heard the priest murmur, letting them be. The guests applauded but after a few minutes, they stopped. She suspected that if it was up to them, they'd walk out and leave them alone. But the bride and groom had to walk out first so they stayed put and found something else to keep them busy.

"Okay, that's enough now. Some of us are hungry and we want to eat" Jazz said from somewhere beside them. Ray finally let go saying

"I thought for sure your father would be the one to come over and try to pull me from you"

Understanding dawned "So you were kissing me just to rile him up?"

"I kissed you because you're my wife. I only prolonged it to see what your father would do."

"Really Ray that's just mean. You know how sensitive he is and instead of understanding what he's going through, you're trying to bait him. I'll remind you that he is my father..."

"Oh my God. You're already fighting like a married couple" Jasmine interrupted them laughing "Wait. You are married. This is going to be fun" they both looked at each other and started laughing. Ray tried to kiss her again but Jasmine took his hand and dragged them away outside. People applauded, apparently happy that someone was able to do something.

The reception was at the Ritz hotel. Her mother's choice because that was where she'd first met her father. While the food was being served, Ray pulled her towards him and asked: "How soon can we leave?"

"Are you bored already?"

"Not really. But I can't wait to be alone with you. I'm curious to know what is underneath that dress"

"What did you just say?" JR asked startling them.

"Dad! Are you seriously eavesdropping on our conversation?"

"No. I was just passing by when I heard him ask what's under...." catching himself, he stopped.

"What's under what?" Ray asked daring him to finish that sentence. "And think carefully about your answer because this is my wife we're talking about here. I won't hesitate to knock your teeth off old man"

"Is that so? I'd like to see you try, kid. Come on, get up"

Turning towards the guests Alexis signaled for her mother. "Mom, take your husband away and put him on a leash. He's upsetting my husband"

Hayley frowned "Why do I need to put him on a leash? He's my husband, not a dog. Come on honey, let's dance. We never really got to dancing on our wedding day"

"Wait" Ray called out. Alexis groaned. "The couple gets the first dance. Come on" he pulled her to her feet and led her to the dance floor.

"Ray, you have to stop trying to get on my dad's nerves. I don't like it"

"Relax baby. I'm just joking around with him."

"You call that joking?"

"You're a woman so you don't understand. Just wait, soon we'll be spending our weekends at the golf club and hunting or fishing."

"Okay. If you say so"

"Have I told you how beautiful you look?"

He did. The second her hand was placed in his, he hadn't stopped telling her how beautiful she was. "No. I have this feeling that all you want to know is what's under this dress"

"That too. But you are beautiful especially today. Would you believe me if I told you that you're glowing?"

"Oh that's just the pregnancy hormones" she blurted out. When he stopped dancing, she asked "What? Why did you stop?"

"You said pregnancy hormones."

Crap. "I did?" she hadn't meant to say it.

"Are you pregnant?"

"Nah. Why would you think I'm pregnant?"

"Because we've been trying to have a baby Alexis. Why didn't you tell me you're pregnant?"

"I found out a few days ago and I wanted to surprise you on our honeymoon. I also didn't want dad to overreact"

"I don't care what he thinks. We're having a baby. Can you believe that Alexis? A baby"

"You're having a baby?" someone asked from beside them making the people who were dancing stop.

After that everything went crazy. Despite her father's dislike of Ray, she was surprised when he lifted her up and twirled her around laughing. Not wanting to be left behind, Nick did the same too which led Vince to spin her around. She swayed when they finally let her go and Ray stepped forward claiming that his wife had had a tiring day and that she needed to rest. Alexis was about to complain that being pregnant wasn't an illness when he winked at her letting her know that it was just an excuse to leave the party early. She pretended to sway and they couldn't be thrown out of the reception fast enough.

As the car sped to the airport, they laughed and Ray whispered: "I am going to make you the happiest woman on this earth Alexandra Lachlan".

*****************************************

Fun fact: I'm sure you guys don't remember this but before JR changed Alexis' name to Rutherford, she was using Vincent's last name. Funny how she ended up being a Lachlan. Again.

Thank you for reading Broken Promises.