Everything else about Aidan’s life was so big, so grand. She wanted their vows to be just about them and nothing else, devoid of glitz and glamour and unlimited budgets. It was a very simple, understated service. The only music was the soft, classical satellite radio station playing in the background. The only wedding photos were those taken on smartphones by those in attendance.
It seemed the perfect way to celebrate not only her wedding, but the fact that the last of her test results had come back and she was, at least for now, cancer free. If it did return one day, she and Aidan would deal with it, together.
The judge came in, dressed in her official black robes. After greeting Aidan and Mary, she cast a dubious look at Max, who sat regally with a small satin pillow attached to his collar.
“Ring bearer, Your Honor,” Aidan explained.
Andrew caught Mary’s eye and winked. Beside her, Rebecca and Lexi tried (and failed) to hide their grins. Ian’s cough sounded surprisingly like a laugh, and even Kane’s lips twitched a little.
Another benefit of having a civil ceremony – there wasn’t room for a lot of attendees. It would have been impossible to draw up a reasonable guest list had they done this anywhere else. Unless she invited everyone in Birch Falls (and a decent amount from Pine Ridge), someone would have ended up feeling slighted.
There, among the intimate group of friends and family, Mary and Aidan exchanged their vows, pledging to love, honor, and cherish each other for the rest of their natural lives. They had already covered the part about “obeying” in detail the night before. Aidan promised her many such lessons. Mary was totally onboard with that.
“Are you happy?” Aidan whispered, entwining his fingers with hers.
“Beyond,” she answered truthfully.
Before long, a limo was whisking them to the airport. For their honeymoon, they were going to spend a few weeks at the Harrison family’s private getaway in the Caribbean. Thankfully, there were no restrictions about dogs flying on a private jet, so Max came along (which earned Aidan bonus points). Max had his very own comfortable doggy seat in the cabin, and while Aidan and Mary sipped champagne and nibbled hors d’oeuvres, was even treated to a few gourmet bones for his in-flight snack.
On the way, they stopped in Georgia upon Aidan’s request so that he could introduce Mary to his parents. He’d already called and told them about the wedding. From the side of the conversation she could hear – namely, Aidan’s responses – they were taking it rather well.
“Stop worrying,” Aidan told her uselessly. “They are going to love you.”
She smiled and nodded, but she wasn’t convinced. She loved Aidan with all of her heart, but he was a bit biased. Then again, his refusal to accept any other possibility was probably the same mentality that had made him such a success in everything else. The man had some serious skills when it came to persuasion (namely his fingers, lips, and tongue), and by the time they landed, she could almost believe him.
At least until their chauffeur-driven limo turned into the private drive. It wasn’t a driveway. It was a road.
The car continued on for several long minutes, during which time Mary’s anxiety grew. They passed acres and acres of beautifully landscaped grounds before the residence finally came into view. The grandeur of the stately southern mansion was a bit numbing. After exiting from the limo, she could only stop and stare.
The three stories of gleaming architectural perfection took her breath away. The ground level consisted of a series of columns and archways. The second and third floors had balconies that ran the entire length of the structure. Stunning blooms and ancient trees provided bursts of color amongst the perfectly trimmed shrubbery.
Even Max seemed overwhelmed. He sat at Mary’s feet, staring at the place with interest.
“Breathe, Mary,” Aidan commanded, entwining their fingers together. Warmth flooded through her from the point of contact. As always, he knew exactly what she needed.
“It’s so... big,” she said.
Aidan chuckled. “Yeah, I guess it is.”
“I feel like there should be a movie crew around here or something,” she said, glancing around. “This looks like something right out of The North and the South.”
“It’s just a house, Mary.”
She half-laughed, half-snorted in her nervousness. “Just a house? Yeah, and the Goddess is just another restaurant.”
Aidan led her inside, but it did nothing to quell her anxiety. The interior was even more impressive than the exterior. Intricately carved hardwoods framed the massive entranceway, and the floor was a complex pattern of white and gold tile. Through another archway, Mary spotted a pair of curved staircases leading to a second level.
“It is good to have you home, sir.” Mary turned to find an older gentlemen in a dark suit standing ramrod straight, but the affection in his eyes was genuine. Her first thought was that he was Aidan’s father, but a father wouldn’t call his son “sir”, would he? Then she realized he was probably a butler and her anxiety ratcheted up again. Who had a butler?