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Evangeline was sitting on her Mother’s porch swing reminiscing over the last 24 hours. Darius Tate went all out to make sure her cousin had a fairy tale wedding. She smiled as she allowed her fingers to trace the outline of the paper plate she was holding. She had grabbed a slice of the five-tiered traditional white wedding cake overlaid with a gold-leaf design and embellished with clusters of sugar flowers and berries. The roses on the cake were the same color as her flaming maid of honor gown. She also took a slice of the groom’s cake. Which was a two-tiered chocolate and vanilla cake topped with rolled chocolate fondant.
The wedding party started the unforgettable day at a full service aesthetics day spa. The partners at Darius’s law firm paid for the place for the full day. Everyone, male and female, who took part of the wedding party, was pampered. The first part of the morning Darius and Yvonne paired together to start their journal for a total body relaxation and rejuvenation with a Swedish massage. Which made all the other guys want to pair off with a bridesmaid. John and Evangeline found themselves sharing the experience together. And, she was very uncomforting warranting her masseuse to mention several times that she needed to relax. She couldn’t help notice her sister didn’t have a problem being partner with Morris.
For the Milk and Honey Body treatment, Mothers and daughters shared in the moment together while the father of the bride, groom, and the groom’s party bonded. Yvonne was sure her father was going to drive all the males away. Clay Williamson could be overly protective, and it drove all the females in his life crazy.
Three hours before the wedding Yvonne, Evangeline, and Layla were separated from the rest of the wedding party to be pampered by four women apiece. The ladies were indulged in a royal treatment. Each lady had her own personal stylist, manicurist, pedicurist, and a person to do their facial. Yvonne told the girls that she and Darius wanted this to feel like their special day as well.
John was the only person from the entire wedding party who refused to partake of the manicure, pedicure, and facial experience. So, to pass time while he waited on the others, he enjoyed another Swedish massage since he really didn’t enjoy the first one. Both he and Evangeline were uncomfortable being paired together and for different reasons. Also, he enjoyed a light lunch and movie.
Evangeline smiled when she recalled the comments of the flower girls and junior bridesmaids. She was checking on the girls and making sure they were behaving. They surely didn’t know she was listening because they were boasting on how they couldn’t wait to tell their friends of the celebrity treatment they were receiving. She knew their mothers wouldn’t approve, but she related to how they felt.
This was turning out to be a miraculous day. She found herself wondering if her own wedding would be like this. No, John would never make that much fuss. She quickly rebuked the thought and wondered why she hadn’t thought about Cristian. After that moment, she avoided John when she could, because she didn’t want to appear antsy in his presence.
She started to run her hand through her hair, but she stopped when she touched the top of her head. Yvonne decided to have her wear a half up half down modern Bohemian style. The relaxed bouncing corkscrew curls were pulled into a high ponytail with loose ends that fell freely from the sparkling cincher. The style was very flattering. As was Layla’s who her cousin chose a beach casual style for. Her smile widened as she remembered how beautiful her baby sister looked with her long wavy jet-black hair pulled loosely back from her face. One day, Layla would make a beautiful bride herself.
Yvonne succeeded in making both Williamson sisters feel like princesses today, but she was truly the vision of a Queen. The wedding was like a fairy tale. It was filled with so much beauty, love, and magic. On more than one occasion she found herself staring uneasily into John’s sapphire eyes. And, every time, they went to an unspoken intimate, supernatural place. When he finally asked her to dance, she feared being in his arms and politely declined. Her focus afterwards remained on her baby cousin and sister.
Yvonne was a vision with her off the shoulder satin a-line custom made wedding gown. Every detail of the dress revealed her cousin’s eye for detail, fashion, and creativity down to the chapel train. For her hair she went with an up-do and gleaming tiara to finish it off.
Darius had an exquisite Tiffany Voile three row necklace and bracelet sent to her private spa room they dressed in. He had included a note that said; “Your Mother said she was giving you her pearl earrings for something old. Here is your something new to go along with it. You are priceless. I can’t wait to start my life with you. I love you my Queen, Darius.”
Evangeline was sure the jewelry was more for Uncle Clay benefit than Yvonne. From the couple of weeks she has spent with the bride and groom, they were deeply in love. If Darius had gotten her cousin a Cracker Jacks necklace, she would have worn it with the same pride. It was a miracle that Darius broke through Yvonne’s fear of marriage. Yvonne felt just as…if not more strongly about how a paper commitment ruins things.
When Evangeline heard Layla and her Mother yelling in the house. She glanced over her shoulder to see Layla walking to the kitchen and her mother on her heels. She shook her head and escaped back into her thoughts.
For something blue Layla presented her cousin with a blue and white lace and satin garter that she made. It was lovely and their cousin loved it. She especially loved how her baby cousin added a rhinestone heart pendant and blue and white ribbon bows. For something borrowed, Evangeline lent her a gold beaded and heart anklet that her late father gave her. She knew her cousin saw her father as more than just an uncle. He was like a second father to her.
Evangeline thoughts went to the reception. Everything was beautiful and decorated for a King and Queen’s unity, but the most memorable for her was when John McBain stood and demanded everyone’s attention. She was taken aback when he announced he had a poem rather than the traditional toast in honor of the bride and groom. He joked that he wasn’t big on speeches, but it was a duty he couldn’t get out of. The crowd laughed when he confessed he even tried to pay one of the other guys to give it. She was the only one who didn’t join in. She knew how much he hated public speaking especially ones of a personal nature. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. A part of her was angry that he put himself out there for her cousin and his friend, but he wouldn’t for her. She was doubly surprised when he didn’t pull out a piece of paper instead he recited the poem by memory. He stared at her as though he was speaking the meaning of the words to her.
During his recital, Evangeline wondered again what a wedding with John would be like. He wouldn’t want a big wedding like this or would he. She never thought he would recite a poem, but here he was doing it. Was John finally trying to change? Was this about him or was this just out of loyalty for his old friend? John was very big on loyalty. For the first time she wondered how John was with Caitlin. This poem revealed how he cherished and valued the commitment and importance of marriage. His eyes revealed that he did want to get married, even though, he once told her he wasn’t ready for it. She was being silly. Anyone presence today would entertain the thought of marriage. She was even moved by the emotions filling the room. After today, neither she nor John would be thinking about marriage.
When she heard a car pull up, her mind quickly snapped out of recent past events. She blinked a couple of times when she noticed it was John getting out of the car. She questioned in her mind what he was doing there. She thought he was headed back to Llanview. Standing, she placed her wrapped cake on the bench and stepped to the edge of the porch. She glanced over her shoulders before asking him why he was here. She could faintly hear her Mother and Layla still arguing, so she knew they wouldn’t be interrupted.
“I’m doing my final duty as best man.” He replied handing her three boxes. Two were rectangular shape while the third was square. “The square one is for you from me…” He paused waiting for a reaction. When he didn’t get one, he continued. “The other two is from Darius…One for you and on for Layla. They are thank you gifts.”
“Why would you get me a gift?” She asked softly studying him intently.
“I read in the Best Man Handbook that it was customary for him to give the Maid of Honor a gift.” John teased offering his signature goofy smile. She still had a puzzle expression on her face.
“There is no Best Man Handbook.” Evangeline replied seriously then asked again. “Why are you giving me a gift?”
“It’s not the end of the world, Evangeline.” He offered and gestured with his hands. “It didn’t cost me anything…and I think it’s something I owe you…I need for you to know some things…”
“I’m with Cristian.” She whispered as she looked down at the square box and wondered what John could have given her. She allowed his recent words to replay in her mind.
“I know. I know.” John said irritated. He sighed and asked what he had been wondering all night. “What happened to him? I thought he was supposed to be coming to the wedding.”
Evangeline glared at him and squared her shoulders. “Not that it’s any of your business, but he and Vincent got a flat tire. When they finally got it fixed, they got stuck in traffic because of a car accident.”
John nodded his head and she continued.
“They wouldn’t have made it in time for the wedding, and Cristian wasn’t going to be able to stay for the reception anyway because of his training. So, I told him not to worry about it, and I will see him in a week.” She regretted her last statement as soon as it came out.
“A week?” He questioned with concern. “Is everything okay?”
Evangeline didn’t answer but simply stared at him.
“Is everything okay with your Mom?” John observed her as she remained quiet and stared at him. “You’re confused…you’re questioning if you really love Cristian, and you’re taking time for yourself.”
Evangeline gasped at him hitting her emotions right on the nail, but she quickly gained her composure. “I know I love Cristian.” She stated with a gesture using her right index finger.
“But, you’re not in love with him.” He didn’t dare smile on the outside, but he was glowing on the inside.
“My feelings for Cristian are none of your business.” She stated sternly.
“What about your feelings for me?” John decided to test the waters. “Are those any of my business?”
“I…I…” Before she could finish, her mother was at the door informing her that Cristian was on the phone. “Thank you Mother…please let him know I will be right there.”
Evangeline was speechless when her mother invited John inside. Before the wedding, the last time Lisa Williamson saw John Mc Bain, she was far from cordial.
“Thank you Mrs. Williamson.” John’s eyes remained on his ex’s face even though she refused to look at him. “But, I must be going. I have a plane to catch.”
“Oh, business or pleasure.” Lisa asked genuinely. “Silly of me to ask. Evangeline has always said you were a workaholic.”
Lisa didn’t miss the tension between the two adults. “John, you really should take some vacation time. Being a workaholic isn’t healthy for anyone. I tell Cookie…Evangeline that all the time.” Evangeline smiled at her Mom when she wrapped her arms around her. “And, she finally listened. She’s taking a week off to spend some time with me.”
“Well, Ma’am, this trip just happens to be on a personal nature.” Both Evangeline and Lisa turned their attention to the man before them. John didn’t wait for them to ask what he meant. “I’m going to help my grandfather who is ill in Dublin…my brother, Michael is there now, so I’m going to go and relieve him.”
Evangeline searched John’s eyes as he said his next words. “I’m not needed in Llanview right now, but I will know when to come back home.”
John glanced at the square box she was holding then politely said his goodbye. Evangeline’s eyes automatically followed the direction of his.
“Have a safe trip John.” Lisa said ignoring the last exchange between her daughter and John. “Cristian is waiting for you, honey.”
“What?” Evangeline puzzled study her Mom.
“Cristian is on the phone waiting for you.” Lisa glanced out at John pulling out of the driveway as she turned her daughter towards the door.
Later that night
Lisa walked into the living room to find Evangeline sitting at the piano fingering the gift box John dropped off. Both of her daughters opened up Darius’s thank you gift in the kitchen earlier. He had gotten them gold and diamond watches with 3Ws engraved on the back. He included a note saying that he got Yvonne one too because they will always be the three Williamson blessings of the world.
“Has Layla made it home?” Lisa asked straightening a couple of pictures above the fireplace.
Startled, Evangeline slightly pushed the gift box and turned on the bench. “Yes, she called ten minutes ago.”
Lisa watched as her daughter turned back around towards the piano and started playing Selena Dreaming of You. She couldn’t stop the proud parental smile that took over her face as she walked over to join her daughter.
“I remember the day your father said he was going to get you a piano.” Lisa stood beside the piano and watched her daughter. “He took a second job for months and put us on a tight budget to get this piano for you.”
“I’m sorry, Mom.” Evangeline stopped playing and pushed some hair behind her ear. “You and Daddy made so many sacrifices for me and Layla. You two have shown me many times how important it is to put your happiness and dreams on hold for the one you love …I’m sorry…”
“Please Cookie.” Lisa walked over to the other side of the bench and sat beside her daughter. “Your father and I didn’t put our happiness and dreams on hold for you and Layla. You two were our happiness and dreams…I’m still praying your sister finds her calling, but I’m thankful if we took a part in making you a success.”
“Took a part.” Evangeline chuckled returning her mother’s hug. “If it wasn’t for you and Daddy, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
“Your father was very proud of you.” Lisa said caressing her daughter’s shiny black hair. “I’m very proud of you.”
“Mom.” Evangeline started as she pulled away and turned to her only living parent. “Dad was so subdued how did you know he loved you…us?”
Lisa looked at her daughter and smiled. “I knew James. No one knew him like I did.”
“How do you know Dad did all the things he did out of love and not obligation?” Evangeline wondered and finally had the courage to ask. She couldn’t remember the last time her father said he loved her. “Mom, how did you know Dad loved us? I can’t recall the last time he said the words…how do you know he didn’t make sacrifices out of duty…and not love.”
“Because I knew James better than anyone…even his brothers, sisters and Mom didn’t know him like I did.” Lisa stood and walked over to a picture of James Ernest Williamson. “Your father held a lot of things in…except when he prayed…But, I could always tell what he was thinking and feeling without him saying a word…Evangeline, your father loved us more than anything in this world.”
Lisa glanced back at her daughter when she didn’t reply to the last statement. “So…the wedding turned out beautifully.”
“Yes.” Evangeline answered glancing at the box on top of the piano.
“What did John give you?” Lisa turned and focused on her daughter who offered her a puzzled expression. “The gift.” Her mother pointed to the box. “What did John give you?”
“I…I…” Evangeline’s cell phone started ringing. “That could be Cristian.” She hopped off the bench. “I need to talk to him.”
“Okay.” Lisa watched her daughter pick her cell phone up from the coffee table and walked out of the room. She glanced over her at the gift then over her shoulders. Something serious was going on with her Cookie. Her daughter wasn’t sticking around just to visit. She was running but from what?
Four days later
Evangeline was in her room at her Mother’s house packing up things. She was taping up a box when Lisa walked in.
“Cookie, I wish you wouldn’t do this.” Her mother protested as she entered the room with her hands on her hips. “When you come to visit, I want you to have a comfortable place to stay.”
“Mom, you can turn this room into a sewing room, a library…or an exercise room.” Evangeline glanced around her room and gestured with her hands. “I’m tired of visiting and seeing a shrine to my childhood…I’m not that same girl.”
“Cookie, I know, but you and Layla don’t come and visit as often, so I just like the memories.” Lisa picked up the container of tennis balls on the bed. “You know, I haven’t beat you in tennis since you were…what…fifteen or sixteen?”
Evangeline smiled then pretended to be distracted my searching for something. She knew her mother was going to bring up her two wins yesterday on the tennis courts at some point. “I haven’t played in awhile.” She reasoned still pretending to be focused on finding what she was looking for. “My game is a little rusty…that’s all.”
Lisa studied her daughter. Evangeline was at her dresser looking through drawers. She finally took the contents out of the second one and placed them in a near box.
“Sweetheart, you are in wonderful shape…and, if you didn’t play for ten years, you will still be ten times better at the game than me. You have mastered the kick serve and backhand overhead.” Lisa continued when her daughter didn’t acknowledge her statement. “If you didn’t choose law, you could have been the Serena or Venus Williams of the tennis world.”
“I doubt that very seriously, Mom.” Evangeline laughed slightly as she took more items out of her drawer. A statement John had made when they first got together flashed into her mind. He had said she was like the Serena Williams of law. She quickly pushed the memory out of her head. “You and Dad had me believing I could do anything and everything.”
“Cookie, it wasn’t just your father and me who said you could have your pick of careers. From your ballet instructor to your tennis instructor everyone said you could go to the top with your skills…secretively, I know your father was very happy when law won out.”
Evangeline offered her mom a huge smile as she turned to face her. “Yeah, I remember the shine in his eyes after I told him I wanted to be a lawyer. He never said anything, but I knew he wanted me to be a lawyer more than anything.”
“See, your father didn’t have to say words for you to know what he was feeling…since you were a little child you always wanted the approval of your father.” Lisa frowned as she studied her daughter. “I have always wanted to ask. Was law what you really wanted to do Cook…Evangeline?” She corrected seeing her eldest roll her eyes. “Was law for you or just to please your father?”
Evangeline shrugged and walked over to her desk. “Mom, I love being a lawyer…I love winning. I don’t see myself doing anything else…except…” She chewed on her bottom lip for a second before continuing. “Being a mother.”
“Mother?” Lisa questioned surprised. “I’m surprised…Cookie, are you pregnant? Is that why you haven’t been eating and sleeping…and so unfocused?”
Evangeline tried to answer her mother, but Lisa wouldn’t let her get a word in. She watched as her mother placed the tennis balls on the desk and started pacing. She couldn’t help but smile.
“I’m not ready to be a grandmother.” Her mother quickly switched gears onto another issue that made Evangeline frown. “You’re not married…and this man you are supposed to be involved with…Cristian Vega. You barely talk about him with me. Everything I know about him I have found out from Layla…Oh, Baby, this can’t be happening now. I’ve been questioning if Cristian is right for you.”
Lisa didn’t notice her daughter astonishment, so she continued on her thoughts.
“I know after your accident you told me you had fallen in love again…Layla confirms that Cristian is sensitive and treats you like a queen…But, I have been wondering for months now if this is really what you want, and it really doesn’t have anything to do with him not making the wedding…or him not having a real career.”
“Mom, say what you really feel…As far as him not making the wedding, he got a flat tire. And, he’s a boxer…and painter. Those are his careers that is what he loves…what Mom?” Evangeline snapped, getting defensive. “You said you wanted a man for me that will love me the way I deserve to be loved. You wanted a man to love me back…” She ran both of her hands through her hair not ready to deal with this. She didn’t want her mother’s opinion on her love life. “You are the one who told me if a man can’t tell me that he loves me, there is a problem…Cristian tells me every day…several times a day.”
Evangeline grabbed a blow pop out of the bag she had on her desk. She brought a bag when they went shopping after church.
Lisa watched as her daughter opened the lollipop and started licking on it. She smiled inside knowing since childhood that was her child’s way of silently stating she didn’t want to talk about something. She slowly walked over to her oldest child and took the candy from her. She knew this was a big elephant in the room, and she wasn’t going to let her daughter hide from it anymore.
“Cookie, talk to me.” Lisa pleaded. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Mom, you can relax. I’m not pregnant.” Evangeline couldn’t stop the weak smile from creeping onto her face when her mother exhaled with relief. She knew Lisa Williamson wasn’t ready to be a grandmother no more than she was ready to be a mother. “I was late, but my doctor told me I had physically over worked my body. I was training with Cristian and working out on my own too. I’m fine, and my visitor has come and left town.”
Lisa didn’t smile at her daughter’s joke about her monthly cycle. Instead, she embraced and studied her child as she continued to wonder what Evangeline wasn’t telling her.
“Your pregnant scare forced you to realize your true feelings for Cristian?” Evangeline tried to break from her mother’s hold. Lisa didn’t let her go but continued to study her intently. “Well, since you want to quote me, please quote me completely. I said, “As long as my baby is in love with a man who loves her back, that is all I care about. You only gave me half of that statement…you’re not in love with Cristian.”
“Can we just drop this please?” Evangeline stepped out of her mother’s hold and this time Lisa let her go. “I only have three more days before I have to leave, and I have a lot more stuff to pack.”
“Evangeline Ella Williamson, you can pack up this whole house, and it’s still not going to change the truth.” Lisa sighed. “I knew there was something.”
“How is that Mom?” Evangeline asked in a sarcastic tone. “What has big mouth Yvonne and Layla been telling you.”
“I don’t need Layla or Yvonne to tell me when my baby isn’t happy.” Lisa challenged with a glare. Evangeline knew that look and knew she crossed the line with her Mother. “All I need are eyes and ears…you and Cristian have been together for months now.” Lisa walked over to the bed. “Not once did you mention bringing him home, inviting me to visit, expressing you can’t wait for me to meet him or initiating a conversation that included him. Those things alone told me you didn’t think I would approve of him Cookie.”
Evangeline didn’t answer but simply stared at her mother.
“And, I’m not saying you need my approval because you know I will be happy as long as you are…but I wonder if you don’t have your own approval. I’m wondering if you are happy or just settling for the words.”
“I don’t want to hurt Cristian, Mom.” Lisa observed her daughter as she walked over to the window. Evangeline was hugging herself as she stare aimlessly out the window.
“James had some standards for you girls that I thought were a little high.” Lisa waited until her daughter glanced back and their eyes locked. “But, one standard I thank him for teaching you and Layla was never settle. James didn’t raise you to be second…we didn’t raise you to settle.”
Evangeline turned her attention back to the window. Lisa walked over and hugged her daughter from the back.
“Baby, for once take care of Cookie.” Lisa whispered in her child’s ear. “Search your heart and do what is going to please you and make you happy.”
Lisa felt a tear on her hand that was in front of her daughter’s body.
“I am sure Cristian is a wonderful guy, but we can’t force our hearts to feel something.” Lisa kissed her on the back of the head. “You have always been driven by our expectations and dreams for you. Now, I think you need to decide what Evangeline wants…not what someone else expects or wants, but Evangeline.”
Evangeline remained quiet.
“How about I make us some herbal tea?” Lisa didn’t move until Evangeline nodded. “We can have tea and talk about my arts and craft room. You can help me pick out the pictures I’m going to use for Yvonne’s wedding scrapbook.”
“Arts and craft room…Scrapbooks.” Evangeline smiled at her mom. “Mom, I think Layla, Von, and I would rather you have a shrine to my childhood. If you start a scrapbook collection, no one will ever get out of this house with you bragging on us.”
“Cookie, you know, everyone loves my scrapbooks…and I don’t brag too much on you girls. I also have crocheting and needle point projects I can show.”
Evangeline looked around her room then at her Mom. “Okay, if you say so…how about I save the family from Lisa Williamson’s bragging on her ladies, and we turn this room into my guest room. I don’t want the trophies and memorabilia of my childhood…How about a nice decorated room?”
“That sounds like a wonderful compromise.” Lisa walked over and hugged her daughter. “Baby, for once in your life, think about yourself and make you happy.”
Evangeline didn’t say anything but hugged her mother tighter.