Love Is Never-Ending, ch. 31
Chapter Thirty One
When Mick thought back on his wedding day decades later, the fuzziest part of the day was the limo ride from the pier to the Roosevelt Hotel. It seemed unusually long to him. But then again he was so engrossed in his new bride; the rest of the world fell away. As soon as the limo door closed, Beth practically pounced on him. She attacked his lips with wild abandon oblivious to anything around them. Mick was momentarily shocked by the ferocity with which she kissed him, but soon recovered. Mick pulled her awkwardly into his lap bunching her dress around her knees. Beth wove her fingers in his hair and began reigning kisses down along his jaw and neck. Mick moaned when she reached the sensitive spot just below his left ear. Beth was about to untie his tie when they passed over a large pot hole causing Beth to nearly tumble from her awkward perch.
Mick’s grasp on her waist remained strong but the mood was broken. Disappointment flickered in Beth’s eyes. “Sorry,” she said lamely.
“Funny. I don’t remember complaining,” Mick said with a small smile.
“I know. I just forgot that I don’t have you all to myself yet.”
Mick held up his left hand. The white gold band shined against the passing city lights. “I thought that’s what this meant.”
Beth smiled. “I only meant that -“
“The reception. Josef will kill us if we don’t show. Plus I have a surprise for you.”
Beth looked intrigued. “What?”
“Ah, ah. Not telling.”
Beth pouted. “Not even a tiny clue?”
“Nope, you’re just going to have to suffer, Mrs. St. John.”
“I hate you.”
“We’ve been married for ten minutes and you already hate me. That must be some sort of record,” Mick deadpanned.
Beth hit him playfully on the arm. “You can be really annoying, you know.”
Mick grinned. “I know.” Gently, he lifted Beth off his lap and turned her so that her back was facing him. He sat her back on his lap wrapping his arms around her waist. Beth leaned back against him and sighed happily. After a few minutes of contented silence, Beth spoke.
“Mick?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you happy?”
Mick pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder. “Deliriously.”
“So am I.”
Soon after, the limo pulled up in front of the Roosevelt Hotel. Mick got out and held out his hand for Beth. She took it, grinning, and walked arm in arm with him to the ballroom. The head waiter asked them to wait outside so he could properly announce their arrival. Leave it to Josef to make a big production out of everything. The head waiter returned and graciously held the door open for them. Together they entered the ballroom to loud and raucous cheering. Beth blushed a little from all the attention. She looked at Mick imploringly and he guided them to the large table where Josef was waiting for them.
“That was the most pathetic entrance I’ve ever seen,” Josef snarked.
“It’s good to see you, too, Josef,” Mick replied.
“I thought marriage was supposed to make you more civilized or something.”
“Apparently, it didn’t take.”
Josef grinned. “Come on, Mick. It’s time to eat, drink and be merry. Or at least as merry as you ever are. Dig in.”
Beth and Mick took their places at the high table. Waiters brought food and wine. For the vampires, the wine was spiked with blood. Mick looked around the room worriedly for a second. Nothing jumped out at him. Almost all the vamps in the room had dealt with this type of mixed crowd before. Their food remained largely untouched, except for the occasional push around the plate that made it look like they were eating.
While Mick observed the room quietly sipping his wine, Beth ate ravenously. Her bagel had been a long time ago. The food was wonderful; the kitchen staff had really gone all out. As had the decorators. The ballroom was gorgeous. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling. The walls were painted a deep burgundy. The marble floors gleamed. A thirty piece orchestra played in the far corner. As Beth finished eating, she noticed that a guitar rested near the edge of the orchestra. Beth glanced past Mick to Josef. When she caught Josef’s eye, Beth nodded in the direction. Josef said nothing; he simply winked at her. Abruptly the elder vampire stood and clinked his spoon on his glass to get everyone’s attention. The room quieted immediately.
Josef cleared his throat. “This will just take a second everyone. As best man, it’s my responsibility to give a toast.”Josef looked down at Mick and Beth. Those two meant more to him then they would ever know. Now was a time for seriousness. Josef turned his eyes back to his audience. “I’ve known Mick for a long time. And while he’s not the easiest person to get along with, he’s my best friend and there is no one happier to see him this way than me. It’s been a long and interesting road for these two. Let me be the first to wish you all the happiness and joy that you deserve.” Josef raised his glass; everyone followed suit. “To Mick and Beth. May your life be filled with love and laughter.” Josef downed his wine as the others murmured around him. Josef clapped Mick on the shoulder as he sat. “You ready?” he whispered.
A tiny flicker of fear flashed across Mick features. “As I’ll ever be.”
Mick stood and held out his hand for Beth. She took it curiously. Mick guided her down to the corner where the orchestra sat. A large plush chair appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. Mick urged Beth to sit. He turned and went to pick up his guitar. His hand was shaking. It took him a minute to reign in his nerves. Mick picked up the nearby stool and his guitar and faced Beth. Her eyes flew wide when she realized what Mick was about to do. She watched him with tear-filled eyes as Mick sat down on the stool in front of her and placed the guitar in his lap. Mick gave her a tentative smile and began to play.
It’s a long trip alone over sand and stones
That lie along the road that we all must travel down
So maybe you could walk with me a while
And maybe I could rest beneath your smile
Everybody stumbles sometimes and needs a hand to hold
‘Cause it’s a long trip alone
Mick didn’t look at her. He just concentrated on not screwing up. So he missed the tears that began to fall.
It’s a short piece of time but just enough to find
A little piece of mind under the sun somewhere
So maybe you could walk with me a while
And maybe I could rest beneath your smile
You know we can’t afford to let one moment pass us by
'Cause it’s a short piece of time
And I don’t know where I’d be without you here
‘Cause I’m not really me without you there
I don’t know where I’d be without you, either, Beth thought.
Yeah, Yeah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, oh
So maybe you could walk with me a while
Maybe I could rest beneath your smile
Everybody stumbles and needs a hand to hold
So maybe you could walk with me a while
Maybe I could rest beneath your smile
Maybe I could feel you right beside me ‘til I’m home
'Cause it’s a long trip alone
When he’d finished, Mick looked at Beth hopefully. Tears were still spilling onto her cheeks but she smiled. “That was beautiful.”
Mick grinned in relief. “Thanks,” he said quietly.
Mick sat the guitar back in its stand and reached for Beth’s hand. She took it wiping her tears with her free hand. Mick nodded to the orchestra. As the opening notes of “At Last” began to play, Mick asked, “May I have this dance?”
“Yes, you may.”
Eagerly, Mick led her out onto the marble dance floor. They held each other close as the glided around the room.
“Did you like your surprise?” Mick asked.
“Yes, you should play more often.”
“Maybe I will. Especially now that I have a captive audience.”
Beth just smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. Mick gently kissed the top of her head. By now, they had been joined by several other couples, but they only had eyes for each other.
To be continued…