CHAPTER THREE: THE WEDDING CEREMONY

“What the hell is going on here?” Rachel whispered to Jake. 

“Beats me,” the latter shrugged and she believed him, as he appeared as confused as she was feeling. 

A week had gone by since they had their latest discussion.  And their plan had been working perfectly or so had thought Rachel until she’d received a call from Jake.  He’d sounded disturbed and had briefly told her that Devin had summoned both of them. 

Apparently, Devin was not satisfied with the way things had turned out.  That was maybe the reason why he’d called them.  Too bad for him!

Nothing was going to change. Whatever it takes, vowed Rachel silently.  They were both prepared for any of Devin’s strategies. There was no way he could manipulate them into something they didn’t want, not for a second time.  Once bitten was twice shy, wasn’t it? And in this case, she couldn’t even count the times they’ve been bitten.

Nevertheless, Rachel couldn’t shrug off completely the sense of premonition engulfing her as she followed Jake in the study.  Devin was already there, looking as determined as ever.  Tough! That meant they wouldn’t be able to get away without going through hell first!

“I must tell you, I’m not altogether too pleased about the way you two are behaving nowadays,” he admonished as soon as Jake closed the door behind them. 

The cheek of the man! thought Rachel. 

“Dad! It’s none of your business how we live our lives,” Jake retorted harshly.  Stunned, Rachel threw him a look to silently reprimand him.  They had decided that they would not take him seriously and tell him to go to hell as politely as they could.  So why was he getting angry now?

“I care for your happiness.  And Rachel, you’re my responsibility now after Trevor’s death.”

“Is that so? Well, I’m relieving you from any responsibility.  I’m grown up enough to take my own decisions,” snapped Rachel and got an approving look from Jake.  He approved?! Well, well! Wonders never cease! It seemed that they would not be able to get out of this mess without telling the old man clearly what they felt.

“And of course you wouldn’t care about my feelings, would you?” asked Devin with his best-wounded ‘puppy’ look.  Neither Rachel nor Jake would buy it though.  “Ok,” he capitulated finally.  “I’ve tried emotional blackmail and it’s obviously not working.  So I guess we’d better get a little serious,” he said matter-of-factly and moved behind his desk. 

Motioning them to take a seat, he opened a drawer and removed a file. 

That was it! thought Rachel slouching her shoulders in defeat.  She should have known better.  Devin wasn’t one who gave up easily.  As if sensing her distress, Jake gave her a reassuring look but couldn’t quite mask his own worry. 

“These are the papers you’ve both signed in accordance with the codicil.  Unfortunately, it does not certify a marriage yet,” he adapted an aura of diplomacy and professionalism completely different from the one he had before. 

“What?” exclaimed Jake.  “If we are not really married, what the hell was that all about?”

“That’s what I’m getting at if you would care to listen.  The paper only certifies that you’ve agreed to a legal and wedding in the near future.”

“And how near is the ‘near future’ supposed to be?” asked Jake in a sarcastic voice. 

“Well,” answered Devin cheerfully making Rachel want to wring his neck.  The wreck! “It did precise that you had a ten days’ notice.  I think seven days have already gone by, so mathematically speaking, you still have three days left.”

“Three?” yelled Rachel.  “We can’t possibly get married in three days!”

“Why not?”

“Well, for instance how about because we don’t want to?”

“That’s not my problem! The codicil also says that if you don’t get married on the coming Sunday I can sue you.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Oh he would,” contradicted Jake recovering from his state of shock.  “Dad, we can’t have a church wedding in three days.  Don’t you think it’s too late to start any of the preparations?” he reasoned. 

“It has all been taken care of.” Devin actually glowed. 

“What?!” they exclaimed in unison. 

“Hell! I’ve been planning this wedding for the past twenty-five years.  You didn’t think I would miss something, did you? I’ve already booked the church and convinced old Miller to perform the ceremony.  Everything is under control.  Everyone in town knows that the marriage is on Sunday,” he announced jovially and added as an afterthought with a wicked chuckle “And of course you two are invited!”

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

“Baba black sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir. Three bags full.  One for my…”

“Rach! For God’s sake! Cut that crap!” scolded Kyra. 

“I’m panicking! Please let me panic!”

“Stop fretting! I’m having difficulty in adjusting the hem.”

Rachel sighed loudly trying to shrug off some strange feeling. It was finally Sunday. The much-awaited day! Her wedding day! She was getting married! To Jacob Crighton! Desperately, she tried to stand still but couldn’t help feeling restless. Her nerves were in tatters. She was dressing up at Kyra’s place for the ceremony, which was about to begin in…less than fifteen minutes. No wonder she was going berserk!

Everything had indeed been under control as Devin had said.  Whatever obstacles either Jake or she had tried to create to cancel the wedding, Devin “Tinker bell” had the instant solution.  Not later than yesterday, they had confronted Devin announcing that the wedding couldn’t take place.  No wedding dress was the reason that time.  In fact, she had deliberately omitted to say anything before the last minute so that they would gain some time to think of something else. 

However, Devin had been as impassive as ever saying that he was actually glad that Rachel had not gotten herself a dress.  His beloved wife’s wedding dress was still as good as new and most appropriate for the occasion it had been Anastasia’s last wish that Jake and Rachel should marry. 

So, there she was all dressed up in fluffy white lace, pearly beads, satin and everything with Kyra making some slight alterations. Kyra’s “I’m finished” drove her out of her reverie. 

“It’s too short! I can’t go out there like that!”

“Rach!” growled Kyra savagely.  “This is the thirteenth time that I’ve readjusted this damned dress! I’m telling you it’s looking perfect.  Trust me.  Nobody would have a clue it belonged to your future late mother-in-law.” 

“Oh, please don’t say anything so nauseous! I’m going to throw up!”

“What did I say?” her best friend asked bewildered. 

“My future hmm… you know!”

“Rach, I’m really getting worried now. If you’re having second thoughts, you can still change your mind,” Kyra asked fearing for her friend’s sanity. 

“You’re still at second? I’m having thousands of thoughts!”

“Rach…,” Kyra began warningly.

“Ok.  I’m ok.  Everything is ok,” chanted Rachel hysterically.  It was finally happening.  She was going ballistic! “I just wish Selena was here.”

Selena McKenzie was her cousin, the daughter of Aunt Norah, her Mom’s sister.  But she’s been living with them since she was born and was more likely the sister she never had.  Right now, Selena was out of town for one of her dumb job assignments and she couldn’t help missing her. 

At that moment Tyra, Kyra’s younger sister burst inside announcing the arrival of Uncle Cooper, cutting in her thoughts. 

“Okay, sweetie.  It’s now or never,” encouraged Kyra. 

A sudden overwhelming fear gripped her and she finally turned to look at herself in the mirror. 

It was the whiteness of the dress, which drew her attention instantly making her glow and feel more confident.  With her veil and everything, she seemed like a true bride heady with happiness, her eyes full of hope and anticipation for a bright future.  It was all so perfect. 

Without warning, an age-old yearning crept inside her making her wish that the wedding were a real one.  That they were going through it just for the hell of it.  Or simply because they loved each other…

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

“She’s not coming, Ash.  I think she got the good sense to run away.  It’s not fair! Why hasn’t the idea occurred to me first?” Jake raved childishly as he stood in front of the altar waiting for his bride.  His bride.  That still sounded so queer. 

“Calm down, Jake.  Thank God I talked you into not wearing that horrible pair of socks,” Ash, the best man answered. 

“It was not horrible, it was only chartreuse,” protested the groom. 

“Well, yes.  That’s it! It was horribly chartreuse!”

“Don’t try to pick up a fight with me.  I think my bride has just ditched me and I’m sure you’ll excuse me if I’m not feeling very hospitable right now!”

“Say, Jake.  Is that our Rach?” asked Ash suddenly. 

In a jerk, Jake turned round and his breath faltered. 

Wow! That was all that came to his mind.  It was their Rachel alright! Looked more like a fairy princess however.  His muscles tensed as an unfamiliar and totally unwarranted emotion grasped his heart.  She was a complete knockout! The wedding gown fitted her like perfection, neither too tight nor too loose at the waist from where it flared into white pools on the floor. 

A feeling of pride and possession gripped him.  His bride.  That somehow sounded right now. 

With one arm hooked under Uncle Nash’s, Rachel was marching towards him her eyes focused fixed ahead.  Like in a dream.  She looked like a fairy.  And ready to bolt any second.  Her eyes were wide with apprehension appearing brighter than usual.  Her smile was tentative, quivering even at the corners. 

Then, their eyes collided.  The music faded in the background and the faces around him blurred.  It was as if only the two of them existed.  Nothing else mattered. 

Jake couldn’t look away, not even if his life depended on it.  Slowly, in a trance, he held out his hand towards her as she reached besides him.  Hesitantly, she placed her trembling hand in his and he released a long breath he wasn’t aware he had been holding.  Eyes still locked, she smiled shyly at him and his heart missed a beat.  He squeezed her hand gently and smiled back.  Some of the tension seemed to ease out of her body and together they turned towards the minister who’d begun to recite the usual words. 

Jake barely paid any attention.  Rachel’s scent enveloped him almost like putting her mark on him.  He felt an unfamiliar sense of belonging, someplace inside his soul being soothed by the warmth of her body heat. 

“Do you Jacob Bruce Crighton take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” he was asked. 

“I do,” he answered solemnly and suddenly meant it from the very depth of his heart. 

When it was Rachel’s turn, she looked at him seeming less certain than he was but suddenly smiled and said “ I do” slowly, surely. 

That moment felt so special to him that Jake wished it were real. 

When the minister asked for the rings, Jake frowned.  Damn! He’d forgotten completely about them.  And by the look of it, the idea hadn’t occurred to Rachel also.  To top it all, the minister did not seem too impressed by their confused expressions. 

Fortunately, the ever-dependable Devin quickly thrust forward the rings and after the exchange, the minister enthusiastically pronounced them as man and wife with a traditional “You may now kiss the bride.”

Jake turned towards his new wife and lifted her veil.  What he read in Rachel’s eyes made him go mush inside.  Feeling already intoxicated, he bent to press his lips against hers. 

He couldn’t help feeling disappointed when nothing happened.  What were you expecting you fool? he berated himself.  Sparks?! Of course it was…

Rachel opened her mouth, then.  Slowly.  Like a blooming flower.  And the sensations that rippled through him were beyond what he’d expected.  Exploring teasingly, he dipped his tongue inside her mouth and touched her tongue.  A soft moan escaped her and Jake felt himself going hard.  Damn, what was the problem with him?

All his senses were screaming at him to draw back but he couldn’t.  Leaning closer, he deepened the kiss and caught her tongue between his teeth and nibbled softly.  And wrenched himself abruptly away. 

Confusion and desire chased themselves across her features reflecting exactly the conflicting emotions he was feeling inside. 

“Wow! That was a hell of a kiss, man,” Ash teased him. 

Still in a daze, Jake threw his friend a bemused look that made Ash burst into helpless laughter.  The minister frowned at him and everybody was looking at him condemningly.  Thankfully, Kyra the maid of honor nudged him hard in the ribs until he finally sobered. 

Afterwards, everything happened quickly.  Arm in arm, the newlyweds walked down the aisle smiling and waving only to stop outside the church as they posed for wedding photos.  Then, it was time for the traditional toss of the bridal bouquet. 

Of course Kyra caught it.  Who else? thought Rachel happily. 

The reception that followed was equally lively, filled with mostly local people.  Everybody congratulated the ecstatic bride and groom.  Nobody would have guessed that the two were being married through sheer pressure.  They laughed, chatted easily, fed each other the traditional bite of the wedding cake and opened the gifts. 

“Now, son.  Aren’t you glad you’ve got me as father?” Devin caught Jake as he was heading towards the limo.  Rachel was lagging behind because she needed assistance with her dress but he was sure she was within earshot. 

“Sure,” he sneered back. 

“Oh, no need to thank me,” scoffed Devin.  “This is the key to your new house.”

“New house?” repeated Jake baffled. 

He got a loud impatient grunt.  “Why do you think? You’re newly married.  You need somewhere to live in.”

“But…”

“Surely you didn’t think I’d let you continue living in that love nest of yours down in New York? You can still do business here.”

“But why can’t we live in Crighton mansion?”

“That’s my house! I love living alone.  Besides, this is my wedding gift.  You’ve always had the tendency to dampen my enthusiasm.  Don’t argue with me this time Jake.  Please?”

Jake looked desperately at Rachel for support but the latter had her head bent.  He couldn’t help wondering what she was thinking.  Or how she was feeling now that the ordeal was over. 

“Okay,” he finally agreed. 

“Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you.  You two…”

“Dad,” Jake interrupted.  “Please don’t tell me there’s more.”

“No, nothing dramatic.  Just wanted to tell you that you need my signature to be able to file a divorce.  But there’s no need for you to worry.  As if you two would ever think of divorce!”

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

“I didn’t know you own the penthouse – or that your dad owned it to gift it to you,” Rachel observed as the car drove into a familiar valley.

 Lord! Her voice was still unsteady from the aftermath of that kiss.  The mere reminder made her feel hungry-starved even.  She’d never been kissed like this before and even she knew that kisses weren’t supposed to make one see sparkling stars! Not in broad daylight, for Heaven’s sake! It made no sense at all.  Maybe it was because that kiss had sealed their marriage vows that had made it so sizzling, she thought hopefully. 

“Well, yeah.  After Ash bought the plot, GEMS enterprise built the house.  Then Dad said that since the house was situated in our town there was no need to sell it.  So, I guess we kept it,’ Jake shrugged obviously to her discomfiture. 

“It’s breathtakingly beautiful.  Ever since I came here for the first time, I wondered why you didn’t keep it.  The architecture has an exotic touch, not at all like the others you have designed.”

Designing houses was Jake’s profession and his passion as well.  She’d always admired the creative aspect in him relishing the aptitude he had to produce perfect specimens of buildings in less than no time. 

The three of them, including Ashton Cooper had a joint association in GEMS enterprise, the corporate Devin and her father had established some thirty years ago.  Ash had to search for suitable sites while Jake had the responsibility of establishing the houses he’d designed himself.  After that, as she herself was an interior decorator, the furnishing and decorating of the houses was up to her.  And it was up to Ash to seek out the customers. 

“You’ve been here before?” Jake asked her, not aware of the post building procedures of the company. Devin and sometime Ash were the one who took care of that. Jake apart from being the designer of GEMS enterprise owned his own company and was quite proud of it.

“Of course I have.  Who do you think decorated that chef-d’oeuvre?”

 In fact, she’d been quite sad fallen in love with the house at first sight.  Had her relationship with Jake been as it was before she would have sought him out to congratulate him for the excellent décor.  However, the reticence in their relationship had made her feel reluctant to take the first step.  But now, she owed him the truth.  “I must congratulate you, you’ve done a nice piece of work,” she exclaimed enthusiastically unable to mask the pride in her voice. 

“Thank you,” he answered bowing is head dramatically as he opened the door of the limo for her.  Silently, she alighted from the car and started as she felt a hand beneath her knees. 

“What are you doing?” Rachel cried horrified as she felt herself being scooped up in his arms. 

“Well, carrying the bride over the threshold as tradition demands,” Jake grinned Devilishly.  

Rachel felt pleasantly surprised.  She had been thinking that Jake was already regretting their marriage from the conversation with his father.  He’d sounded like someone who was fed up while she had been looking forward to the marriage after that kiss.  Silly, of course.  Probably didn’t mean more than a peck to Jake who was an expert in the domain.  And heaven knew why that fact bothered her so much!

Totally unprepared for the rush of sensations that threatened to swamp her as she felt Jake’s hand caressing her bottom, she nearly gasped out loud.  In despair, she bit her lip and looped her hands around his neck.  The position she was in gave her a close view of his tanned throat and she fought desperately against the urge to bury her head in his neck and snuggle closer in the warmth of his embrace. 

Was it her imagination or had she heard Jake whisper her name? Looking up at him had her temperature soaring to unbelievable heights.  Her breathing quickened and her lips parted slightly and she saw his eyes darken in awareness. 

“Rachel,” he whispered softly and at the same time blowing away a tendril from her cheeks. 

Blackness overwhelmed her as sensual pleasure rippled through her.  Involuntarily, she tensed waiting as his lips descended on hers. 

Unfortunately–or maybe fortunately they were interrupted by a cheerful looking woman who didn’t seem to notice their awkwardness. 

“I’m Mrs. Hunter, the housekeeper,” she introduced herself as she led the way into the house. 

“Welcome to your new home,” she said and chatted on unaware of the tension between the two. 

“Jacob, please put me down,” Rachel whispered her face flaming. 

It was only then that Jake realized that he was caressing her and put her down her quickly as they reached the living room.  Rachel noticed that he was looking everywhere except at her. 

After they both politely declined from dinner, Mrs. Hunter retired to the headquarters hurriedly presumably assuming that the newly wedded couple couldn’t wait to be left alone. 

Nothing could be further from the truth.  In fact, Rachel had been dreading that moment from the minute they’d reached the house.  Hundreds of questions had been troubling her since then.  Now that they were officially married, she had no idea what to expect given their strained relationship.  Or what Jake expected from her. 

“How about we go upstairs and change into something more comfortable?” he asked casually after some time although Rachel could swear he was feeling as awkward as she was. 

“Sure,” she agreed quickly glad for a moment of respite. 

However, to their great amazement there was no luggage in sight in the guest room where Jake had ordered their luggage to be sent. 

“Do you think they forgot?” Rachel asked uncertainly.  She sincerely hoped not.  How she would have liked a hot shower and change into something lighter. 

“Oh, no.  I don’t think so,” Jake answered in a strange tone. 

She risked a glance at him.  He wasn’t looking too happy, a bit irritated as if someone had beaten him to something he should have thought of. 

“What’s the matter?”

Without a word, he took her hand and Rachel tried to ignore the little flicker of flames that darted along her arm.  He led her to another room.  It was supposed to be the master suite, Rachel recognized as Jake pushed open the door. 

What she saw made her hope for a peaceful night fled away.