When All Seems Lost
Chapter 1 Whoa Nelly
The doors of the church flew open, just as the minister said, "I now pronounce you man and wife." A look of helplessness and guilt flashed across Lux's face as she physically felt the shock which rendered Baze riveted to the floor.
Cate and Ryan had turned to face him, and just for a moment, Baze and Cate locked eyes. Lux watched as her mother seemed to reach some inner resolve, turning toward Ryan, looping her arms around his neck, and pressing her body to his, as she engaged him in a major lip lock.
Baze's eyes were glued to the couple, as if he were watching a train wreck in morbid fascination. The newlyweds walked down the aisle toward the front of the church and the waiting limousine outside.
Cate had a smiled pasted on her face, and her unfocused eyes stared straight ahead, and she leaned on Ryan for support. Ryan, for his part, was clueless to the emotional battles being fought in his very midst; at least to the nature of the turmoil.
Baze's appearance was troublesome. However, Cate had pushed any doubts and fears he had way down inside him, when she embraced him. His love for Cate filled him to overflowing, and he basked in that love as they walked together toward the exit as man and wife.
Lux followed, leaning over when she reached Baze' s pew, and whispered loudly in his ear, "We need to talk NOW! DON'T GO ANYWHERE!"
Baze nodded his assent, bowing his head between his hands, which he rested on his knees. He had no idea what good talking to Lux would do. He was too late. Besides, Cate's smoking hot embrace of Ryan, demonstrated whom she preferred, didn't it?
"Cate, wait a minute!" Lux called as she ran down the church steps to the waiting limousine.
" You and Ryan go ahead. I'll catch a ride with someone else. There is something I have to do first."
"And what would that be young lady?"
Cate's eyes narrowed as she looked at her daughter's nervous expression. Lux was the queen of cool. This flustered state wasn't good, and it had to do with the man still sitting in a pew at the back of the church. What had happened to Lux' affirmation that Baze would never be the man Cate wanted him to be? She had seemed so certain.
"I married Ryan on the strength of Lux's convictions. I-can't look back now. What does Baze think he's doing, showing up like he did?"
"Mom, please just give me a few minutes," Lux pleaded. "Don't ask any questions. Just trust me. I have to do this."
"Mom?" This is serious!"
"Okay. We'll wait. You have five minutes."
Lux ran back up the steps, and Cate let out a deep breath, and she would have leaned back against the seat, except Ryan caught her by the waist. With one hand, he turned Cate's head, so she had to look at him.
"Would you like to explain to me what is going on?"