on, I still don’t understand. How is this happening? I mean, who is going to marry you?”
“Ned Armoury. I had to see him to sign some papers when we came back from Hawaii, and I remembered that he was a Justice of the Peace. I asked if he could officiate a wedding ceremony. He said yes and so we took it from there.” Sam ran one of his hands through his hair. “I really wanted to tell you this morning, but I couldn’t get the two of you together.”
“What about Miranda’s parents?” Chilli asked, still rubbing her forehead.
“I wanted to ask her father for permission, so I went to their home this morning. Miranda’s mother has been in a panic all day and hasn’t stopped calling.”
Chilli could well imagine! Rob still hadn’t said anything. Normally, she was the emotional one and he was her rock.
She knew she had to take control. “Okay my two men. Let’s do this. Hang on, I have to hug you again my darling.” She couldn’t let go of her son; she busied herself straightening his bowtie. “When did you turn into this man and I wasn’t looking!”
He was not her little boy anymore. It wasn’t that she was unhappy; she was just totally overwhelmed. Chilli had imagined his wedding before, and this was not how she thought it would be. Things began to make sense now; the dinner suits, Miranda’s dress, the borrowed earrings, Sam and Miranda stressing over details that normally wouldn’t be an issue.
Again the three of them hugged until finally Rob regained his composure. He cleared his throat. “Right, we have guests upstairs and a wedding. It’s your show mate, lead the way.”
*
Upstairs, guests with noodle boxes in hand, were munching on crisp, fried, soft shell crab with green mango salad and roasted shallots. Murmurs of delight echoed around the room.
Miranda flanked by her parents, Ken and Lucille, watched as the Montgomerys rejoined the party. With his parents in tow, Sam made a beeline for her. Chilli embraced the young woman tightly and wasn’t sure whose heart she could feel pounding more, Miranda’s or hers.
“I don’t need to say welcome sweetie, you have been for a long time,” Chilli whispered to her.
Rob shook Ken’s hand furiously. “Right Ken, I think that this show is all yours.”
Sam interrupted, “But Dad I don’t want the wedding to overshadow the opening. Maybe we should do the formalities for it first?”
“Priorities mate. I think that just maybe the wedding is going to overshadow it, so let’s make sure it well and truly does.” He patted his son on the back and turned back to Ken.
But Ken was keen to hand it over. “Quite frankly, I’d like to be guided by Sam and Miranda. This is their show and we may have a few hours on you Rob, but we’re still a little overwhelmed,” he explained. The two mothers reached out and grasped hands, squeezing tightly.
Finally Chilli found her voice. “Could I have one second please? I’d like to touch up my lipstick.” What she really needed was a few moments alone. Her face belied the shock she was feeling as she walked across the room, making small talk with her guests as she went. She closed the door and looked around, grateful to have it to herself. It was the first time since this dramatic room of floor to ceiling black Bisazzaa tiles had been finished that she didn’t walk in and admire her handiwork. She didn’t see a thing.
She leant against the black vanity, rubbing her forehead, her mind going a million miles an hour. She caught sight of her reflection in one of the silver oval mirrors, and instantly lifted her brows to alleviate the furrow put there by shock. A pot of white orchids sat on the vanity. Her index finger gently stroked a petal. Her mind briefly registered that Miranda had not missed a single detail. She shook her head to clear it. Head bent, she rested her palm against her forehead.
What the heck had just happened? He was her baby. She wasn’t ready for this. When did he grow up and she wasn’t looking? At this moment, she didn’t feel very grown up. And she did not feel ready to have a son who was a husband. What she needed was for all of the guests to leave so she could digest it. She didn’t want to talk to anyone at the moment. Maybe if she just lay down for a couple of minutes, she’d be fine. But they did love Miranda and they didn’t want anyone else. Miranda was the one. Sam was ready! Miranda was ready! But she was not ready. Maybe she was never going to be ready. Maybe this was the best way. Maybe if they had been engaged for a year, she still wouldn’t be ready. Oh my God, Sam was a man and she hadn’t seen it. And that man was about to do one of the most important things in his life and she was in the bathroom.
Deliberately she took her hand away from her forehead. After taking three slow, deep breaths, she opened the door, squared her shoulders, lifted her chin and swept back into the room, summoning up every bit of composure she had.
Her family was waiting for her. Smiling serenely she looked at her son, and nodded her head. “Ready darling?” But her heart was pounding and her knees were wobbly. This was too surreal.
He looked down at her face. “Absolutely Mum! Are you?”
“Absolutely darling, I’m with you all the way.” No she wasn’t, she was never going to be ready.
“Chilli,” said Miranda, “I’ve made this wrist corsage for you. I kept your dress in mind, so I hope that it’s okay for you to wear.”
Chilli touched the young woman’s hand. “Oh sweetie, you’re so talented. Of course I’d love to. How delightful. Can you tie it for me or are your hands shaking as well?” Together they laughed at their nervousness.
Sam tapped a teaspoon against his champagne flute to attract the attention of his guests. “Good evening everybody and a very huge welcome to our new baby this evening. We love it, and we hope that you will love it, and that you are going to return and bring as many of your friends as possible.” He paused and looked around the room. “This was initially my dream shared with my beautiful Miranda and my parents. My parents, as you all know have supported me every step of the way. They have helped make my dream a reality. I will never be able to thank them enough.” He paused. “Not only are they my parents but they’re my best friends as well.” There was a huge amount of cheering at this. Sam took a deep breath and continued slowly. “It’s very hard when you have a special secret and you can’t share it with even your best friends and that is what Miranda and I have done.”
Guests began to look at one another, wondering what was to come next. Chilli caught her parents’ eyes. She smiled and winked at them, acting far more composed than she actually felt. Not in a million years would they guess what was about to happen.
Sam continued. “This was a very select guest list. Our more formal opening will be in a couple of months. Tonight we wanted people who were special in our lives and you all are. You are so special in fact, Miranda and I would like you to share in our wedding this evening.”
There was complete silence, while everyone registered exactly what had been said. Then there was bedlam. Everybody began talking and laughing at once. A couple of people even shed a few tears of emotion. Chilli knew exactly how they felt, but thought if the tears started they may not stop. She looked around for her older brother Charlie. From across the room he held his champagne flute up to her, and with a look of delighted surprise on his face, he toasted her. She smiled in return.
Sam tapped his glass again. “If everyone could please gather around
