The Stipulation (Volume Seven) Read online

  Tyrone and Rachel looked at each other with happy faces, as if surprised that I had loved the dish that much. I was surprised, too, for I usually didn’t like saucy meals, especially with meat in them.

  “That will certainly be arranged. Next, we have the steak,” Rachel said as the waiters took away our current plates and brought us the next dish to sample.

  I took a bite, with the steak being extremely tender, but not really comparing to the chicken, at least in my mind. This dish seemed so masculine and burly, which is why my father and Roman were raving about it and how perfectly it was cooked. The steak came with mashed potatoes and one of those rustic rolls that were splattered with flour.

  “And, how is this dish?” Rachel asked.

  “Oh, I love it!” Roman said.

  “This is the best damn steak I’ve ever had!” my father said, before covering his mouth in shock for swearing.

  My mother gave him a disappointed glare, but didn’t say anything because of the special occasion. I put down my fork in disappointment, and looked up at Tyrone and Rachel.

  “It was good, but I still want to stay with my chicken dish for myself. I know Roman will pick this for his, though,” I said.

  “You bet I am. I could even eat two of these!” he said happily.

  Waiters came and went, bringing out various dishes, from vegetarian and vegan for our more health-conscious guests, to desserts and even appetizers for before the reception begins. We were having an open bar, and would be serving drinks in between the time of the ceremony until we got there, which would likely be an hour after people arrived for the reception. We wanted to give them all a great time at our reception, and tons of free booze usually set the mood in a great direction.

  About a half hour after we finished sampling food, everyone began to socialize and look over the room. We all were staying at the hotel, and there was no point in just going and sitting in our rooms when we could all be together. It was getting too late to go out, and we had reserved and rented the banquet room, so we just stayed here.

  As time went on, though, I knew I needed to be with Roman in private and talk to him about my fears and trepidation toward the wedding. I felt incredibly nervous—my stomach felt as though it would come out of my mouth—as I thought about how I would bring this up to him. I didn’t want him to think I didn’t want to marry him, but I also didn’t want to go into this marriage without airing these feelings I was having.

  “Can I talk to you?” I asked as I came up to him while he was chatting with my parents.

  “Sure,” he said happily, as I grabbed his hand and walked outside of the banquet room.

  I looked around for a quiet place to talk, before seeing a small alcove with ice and vending machines. We walked in, I turned around, and it happened—I began crying.

  “Baby, what’s wrong?” Roman asked confusedly as he put his hands on my shoulders.

  “I don’t know. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but I just feel so nervous for tomorrow. I don’t want you to think I have cold feet and am going to not show up, but I’m just so scared, Roman,” I said as I wiped away the flowing tears from my porcelain face, which was quickly turning red.

  “God, you almost scared me,” he said as he put his hand on his chest.

  “What do you mean?” I asked in confusion. How could he be so calm while I was so scared?

  “I’m scared, too, Natalie. It’s natural and totally fine to be scared the day before your wedding. We’re devoting our lives to each other and taking some pretty sacred vows that mean an awful lot. Quite honestly, I’d be worried if you weren’t scared or nervous right now. Just be calm and remember that I love you,” he said as he grabbed me and wrapped his arms around me.

  I buried my face into his shoulder, his beating heart easily audible as I closed my eyes and slowly began to calm down. He had such a way of calming me and making me feel as though everything was always all right. I never had to worry when I was with him, and he treated me in the best way possible. I don’t know what I had done to deserve or score a man like him, but I was so incredibly glad that he wandered into my life. Without him, I would just be a lost girl, but with him, I’m an intelligent and strong woman. He made me a better person, and I was grateful for that.

  “So are you going to be okay?” he asked as he let go of me and looked me in my tear-filled eyes.

  “I think so, I’m just glad you’re not mad at me and that you feel the same way,” I said as I wiped my running nose with my index finger.

  “Just be calm, take a few deep breaths, and show up tomorrow,” he said with a smile.

  I smiled, leaned in, and kissed him softly on the lips, for the last time that both of us would be single. Tomorrow I was going to be his wife and partner in life, and I couldn’t wait to say I do. My wedding was only hours away, and now I felt I was finally ready.

  Chapter Three

  I woke up the next morning with butterflies in my stomach that begged to be set free. I was beyond nervous, for this was the day I was finally going to walk down the aisle in my pure white dress and take sentimental and binding vows that would claim Roman and I as husband and wife. I would become Mrs. Natalie Parker, and the life I thought I’d always have, alone and with a dozen cats, would fade away into oblivion.

  Even though Roman and I had talked last night, I still felt incredibly nervous, although my feet were warming up and weren’t as cold as they were. He made me realize that these feelings were normal, and that it might be a little strange if I wasn’t feeling incredibly nervous.

  “Natalie?” I heard from behind my door as my mother knocked on it.

  “Come in,” I replied as I sat up in bed so I didn’t look as though I was lazy and still sleeping in.

  The door opened and my mother was standing there in her outfit already, which was a tan dress she had brought from home. She refused to let us buy her a new dress for the wedding, and instead went to one of those older women clothing stores and found a dress that really accentuated her age and title as mother of the bride.

  “Good morning, sweetie. Did you sleep well?” she asked as she came over and sat down next to me on the bed.

  “I slept all right, but I tossed and turned a bit throughout the night,” I replied.

  “Oh, that’s to be expected. I didn’t sleep a wink the night before I married your father. It was a very scary time, and I felt horrible about it all,” she said.

  “So it’s normal?” I asked, trying to reassure myself, even though Roman had the night before.

  “Oh, it’s very normal, dear. You are about to change your life in a big way, and everything you currently know is changing. Soon you’ll move in with him, hopefully have children, and start a family of your own. Life is about to change, but it’s an amazing change, and I know you’ll do just fine,” she said with a smile as she rubbed the back of my head.

  I could see her trying to hold back the tears as she talked to me. She was either thinking about my big day or remembering the feelings she felt on hers. Either way, I knew she was right, and that I needed to take a deep breath, get up, and get ready to go to meet my soon-to-be-husband.

  ***

  Tara, Jillian, and I all went to a nearby salon to get our hair and makeup done together. This seemed like a ceremonial thing, and every bride and her bridesmaids would go together to bond and sort of tie themselves together emotionally. They were my support system, and Jillian was doing a hell of a job as my maid of honor. If I needed anything—anything at all—I knew I could count on her to get it done.

  “So, what are we going to do with your hair today? Would you like to wear it down, up, to the side?” my hairstylist Gregory asked.

  “What do you guys think?” I asked as I looked at Tara and Jillian.

  “I think you should wear it down and a little wavy, like you just came from the beach,” Jillian said.

  “Yeah, that would look really pretty with your dress,” Tara said.

  “I can see it,” Grego
ry said as he tussled with my hair.

  “It looks like that’s what I’m having done then. I’m in your hands now,” I said to Gregory.

  It took an hour and a half for Gregory to do my hair, as two other stylists did Tara’s and Jillian’s hair, also. We all looked glamorous when it was all over, with mine being wavy, Jillian’s being up in a loose bun, and Tara’s being swept to the side with long and loose curls. I loved the fact that we all had different hairstyles, for it really made us unique. I wasn’t going to be one of those brides who made them all look like little clones of each other. They were the most unique and out-there girls I had ever met, and their personalities needed to show through their hair and clothing.

  “If you ladies would follow me…I will take you over to our aesthetics area, where our makeup artists will complete your look,” a receptionist, Ally, said to us as our hair was completely finished.

  “Thank you so much for everything you did. You really made me look beautiful,” I said to Gregory, as Tara and Jillian said thanks to their respective hairstylists.

  “It is my pleasure, my dear. It is your big day and I want you to look sensational,” Gregory said as he gave me a kiss on each cheek, you know, the European style.

  Ally led us through the salon, which was rather expansive, with many different rooms for facials, massages, and reflexology, before leading us through the archway and into their makeup and aesthetics area, which had a different vibe than the rest of the salon. It seemed more fun and hip, with the girls laying out their many different types of makeup and tools.

  “Good morning and welcome! Which one of you is the bride?” one woman asked happily.

  “She is!” Tara said as she put her hands on the backs of my shoulders.

  “Congratulations! We’re here to make sure you ladies look as beautiful as you can, while still keeping everything classy and elegant. If you all would have a seat in one of the chairs, we will be going to work and getting you in and out of here so you can get to your ceremony,” the woman said with a smile.

  The makeup artists, who I came to know as Jessica, Ramona, and Yulie, all did fantastic and amazing jobs with our makeup. It seemed as though the makeup really complimented our hairstyles, and they almost seemed to match perfectly with them. Since my hair was more of a beachy and Bohemian look, Jessica gave me a soft and sun-kissed look, which really made me look as though I wasn’t wearing that much makeup, which is what I loved. I generally wasn’t one for over the top makeup looks, and I’m sure that a smoky eye or eyeliner would drown out my beautiful hair and dress.

  “Well, ladies, our time is up. We have really enjoyed doing all your makeup, and I really hope your wedding goes off without a hitch. Have a great day and we hope to see you again soon,” Ramona said as some other clients entered the salon, meaning we were set to exit.

  After paying and leaving great tips for all of the busy and attentive workers, Tara, Jillian, and I all walked out of the trendy salon and stood outside as we realized it was now time. We had to go get dressed back at the hotel, leave for the church, and get me down the aisle so I could marry the man of my dreams.

  ***

  “Well, Natalie, the time has come for us to go down the aisle together. I just want to tell you, before we get out there and I turn into a nervous wreck, that I love you very much and am so happy you found a wonderful and protective man to take care of you and love you. You are the sweetest and most beautiful girl I know, and I am positive you’ll make him a happy man,” my father said around the corner from the aisleway of the church as he choked up.

  I smiled, trying to hold back tears and snuggled up into his arms, before laying my head on his shoulder and being close to him, which is something I didn’t get to do that often. It was somewhat comforting, knowing my father approved of Roman and loved him like his own. So many kids get married with their parents hating their new mate, but my parents loved Roman, almost as much as I did.

  “I love you, Daddy,” I said.

  “I love you, too, sweetheart,” he said before letting me go and rubbing my back.

  “They’re ready for you two,” Tyrone said with his clipboard in tow.

  “Well, Dad, this is it. Are you ready?” I asked as he wiped his eyes.

  “I’m ready if you are, dear,” my father replied as he held out his arm for me to grab onto.

  I smiled, grabbed his arm, and we began to walk around the corner, as music started and everybody in attendance stood up and looked back to see me. It was surreal: walking out in a wedding gown. I nervously looked ahead at Roman, who was there with an insanely huge grin laced across his face, although I couldn’t stop casually looking at everybody around me. Friends and family members were everywhere, and people I hadn’t seen in years had showed up to celebrate this special day with me. A flurry of emotions took over me, but I kept calm and strong, and continued slowly with my father, as he held me up.

  We approached the altar, and my father shook Roman’s hand, before going to sit down with my mother as Roman took my hand and brought me over in front of the pastor. The pastor looked on with a smile, as Roman stared into my eyes and smiled, in the most blissful and calm way he could possibly smile.

  “We are here today to celebrate the most magnificent union of Natalie and Roman, who are standing before you to take their vows of marriage in this most sacred of churches. Friends, relatives, loved ones; all of you showed up today to show your love and support, which is the most important thing today. Without love, we are empty shells, and without a partner, we are lost nomads searching the earth for something we cannot find. At this time, Natalie and Roman will speak their vows, and make the holiest of promises and commitments to one another,” the pastor said.

  Roman’s best man, Adam, handed the pastor the rings, which he held in his hand firmly, before handing Roman’s to me.

  “Do you promise to love and protect Roman, in sickness and in health, in richer or poorer, in bad times and good, for as long as you both shall live?” he asked.

  “I do,” I said as I stared happily into Roman’s eyes and slid the ring onto his long and tanned finger.

  The pastor handed Roman my ring, an extraordinary and astronomically big diamond and silver band that cost so much it could feed a few countries.

  “Do you promise to love and protect Natalie, in sickness and in health, in richer or poorer, in bad times and good, for as long as you both shall live?” he asked.

  “I most certainly do,” Roman said with a loving smile as he slid the ring onto my small porcelain finger.

  “By the power vested in me by the State of Illinois, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss your bride!” the pastor yelled out joyously.

  Roman and I both leaned in, the butterflies in my stomach tickling my tummy, as his lips touched mine, to the applause and cheers of the crowd next to us. This kiss wasn’t anything special in execution or length, and I had kissed Roman thousands of times before, but this kiss almost seemed like the best one yet, not because of the technique, but because of the meaning. It was our very first kiss as husband and wife, and it signified new beginnings for both of us.

  Roman and I turned, walked down the steps hand in hand, and walked down the aisle, as I held up the front of my dress and our bridal party followed closely behind. There wasn’t a still or frowning face in the crowd, and everybody in attendance was clapping and smiling, as if giving us their full blessing and support.

  Roman and I walked out of the chapel, looked at each other, and almost said a thousand words with just one smile.

  “Hello, Mrs. Parker,” he said.

  Chapter Four

  Roman and I took what must have been a hundred pictures after the wedding with our party and parents. The photographer, who worked with many prestigious magazines, was a friend of Roman’s and offered his services today, even though a wedding is far below what he should be doing. He was so successful in his field that his thing was more supermodels and presidents, not weddings. My m
other and father, of course, wanted about a dozen photos with me themselves, with my mother having to restart constantly for fear that she didn’t look that good in front of the camera. We kept telling her she looked fine, but she refused, until finally my father switched spots with her to give her good side to her, which looked exactly like her other side. She was happy, though, and went along nicely with the photos, which was what we all wanted all along.

  After about an hour of taking pictures, we realized that we had to get over to the reception before it got too late. It was already five in the evening, and our guests must’ve been hungry and waiting to get the party started.

  “How are we getting there? Limo?” I asked.

  “Nope, that is our ride,” Roman said as he pointed in the opposite direction.

  I looked and was floored by what I saw. The most beautiful white vintage Rolls Royce was coming our way, and it was just big enough for the two of us, which meant no stretch limo where our entire party could fit.

  “That’s our ride?” I asked.

  “You bet it is,” he said as the Rolls stopped in front of us.

  The driver got out, tipped his hat with a smile, and opened the door for us to get inside.

  “Have fun you two, and we’ll see you really soon!” my father said as he held my mother from behind, with smiles on both of their faces.

  Roman helped me in, stuffing my dress inside, which was admittedly far too poufy for a car of this size. They really didn’t make gigantic SUVs back in the day, and I was learning that my dress was far too big, even though I did manage to get in and push it down some, as the air came blowing up in a whoosh, like a popped balloon.

  Roman got in, the driver closed the door, and ran around the front to get back in the front seat. Roman rolled down the window, and we both waved and blew kisses to our friends and family outside who had waited around with us. As the driver pulled out, I looked behind me, out of the small rear window, and looked at all of them still waving, as I realized that the wedding was over. It was official: I was a married woman.