An Imprinted Heart - Chapter Two
The reception is going well thanks to Danny and Tyler. Danny's grad school friend has provided a fantastic local dj who has provided great music which has had people dancing throughout the night - with each other and with the happy couple. Likewise, Tyler's connections have allowed him to arrange for the destroyed liquor to be replaced and for two servers to keep the guests supplied with plenty of alcohol.
During the toss of the bridal bouquet, Lacey catches it. (Phoebe has arranged with the other girls for Lacey to catch the bouquet.) During the bridal garter belt toss, Danny catches 'on purpose' – especially since Lacey has caught the bridal bouquet. Besides Cole had told Danny the direction he was going to toss it. Cole had wanted Lacey to be very aware of Danny during the festivities today. Perhaps their wedding would be a kick in the pants to Lacey and Danny.
Furthermore, Danny's catching of the garter belt helped another cause. Tyler wanted be nowhere near that thing…he wasn't about to jinx his bachelor hood. There were some thirsty females in attendance who would try to use (Tyler's catch of the garter belt) to their advantage. On second hand, there were some thirsty females in attendance that Tyler could find otherways to use to his advantage instead.
As the Bride & Groom Escape Into the Night…
Lacey, the bridesmaids, and other wedding party members quickly usher the guests to form a line to ring little party favor bells at the couple as they walk through their procession line as they bid farewell and hop into their awaiting limo to drive towards their wedding night destination.
Phoebe and Cole radiate happiness as they listen to the bell-ringers laugh and yell out wishes for a happy life together. Some more raunchy well-wishers yell for Cole to have a very active wedding night…to consummate the marriage officially. Both the groom and bride blush and yell back they may have already done a little wedding consummation at the reception. Guests holler back in laughter and remark about that tidbit.
Phoebe hugs Lacey one last time "I will miss you."
Lacey is tearful and reminds Phoebe and essentially reminds herself as well "I'll miss you, too. Why are we Weeping Marys here? It's not like you are never coming back. You are just going on an extended honeymoon with the man you love. Have a great time!"
Lacey helps Phoebe get into the limo and arranges the beautiful gown so it doesn't get squished and so that the wedding photographer can get some beautiful 'final reception moments' photos. Phoebe grasps Lacey's arm before she can close the limo door. Since Danny is on the other side of the limo talking to Cole, Phoebe tells Lacey again in a hurried whisper "Remember what I said about missing opportunities…this opportunity is staring you right in the face."
Lacey smiles and gently dismisses the advice. "Pheebs, that's the bridal 'I-want-everyone-to-share-in-all-this-joy-and-get-married-like-I-did' endorphins kicking in."
Phoebe was adamant. "Lacey, I am serious. Cole and I both have seen the way Danny has been looking at you all yesterday and today. He still has feelings for you. You two still have this ridonkulous chemistry. Seize the day. Don't let him get away again. Don't deprive me of my future godchildren!"
Lacey laughs at Phoebe's drama queen antics. She has been that way since high school. She glances briefly at Danny who is giving Cole a hug and clapping him on the back. "I will see how it goes…test out the waters. If it feels good, then maybe I will go for it" Lacey surmises.
"Good! That's my girl! Let me know it all goes. I want details!" Phoebe is excited about the what-ifs concerning Danny and Lacey.
"You are supposed to be concerned about your honeymoon – not my possible love life" Lacey reminds her.
"Lacey Porter, if you don't call/text me a report by tomorrow, you are on my shit list" Phoebe threatens.
Lacey chuckles. "Okay, I will at least text you what happened. However, you are to not respond. Instead, focus on your hubby and the start of a wonderful life together. Now, let me close the door so people can get that last look at the beautiful bride and groom." She gives Phoebe one last hug, an air kiss, closes the door, and steps out of the view of the photographer and guests. She joins the line waving goodbye at the couple. Danny has left Cole's side of the vehicle and stands besides Lacey to wave goodbye as well.
As the crowd disperses to go back inside, Lacey waits until the limo's tail lights are no longer in view. She turns. Danny is still besides her.
"Walk with me" Danny suggests.
They walk towards the side of the reception hall which has a lovely outdoor path leading to some benches where cherub sculptures are surrounded by gurgling water fountains, flora, and shrubbery. The late night air has a gentle breeze and there are no insects stirring. The moon is half-mast offering highlight and shadow to the landscape surrounding the hall and mansion.
Danny and Lacey sit upon the benches and look at the guests' images which are reflected in the reception hall floor to ceiling glass windows. The party guests are still in full merriment after the wedding couple has left. The area where they were sitting outside offered a calming, tranquil refuge from the boisterous excitement still occurring inside. The shadows offered a bit of seclusion but still enough light for Danny and Lacey to view each other's faces.
Danny sits back on the bench and looks over at Lacey. He begins the conversation. "Nice wedding, huh?"
Lacey's dimples are displayed as she beams. "Yes, it was…just as Phoebe had envisioned." She stretches her legs and rolls her shoulders before she reclines back again against the bench. She sighs happily. "Didn't they make a beautiful couple?"
Danny nods. "Yeah, they did. It got me to thinking about my own fantasy."
"Oh?" Lacey turns towards him with a look.
Danny surprises her with his answer. "You know, I used to imagine how we would look on our own wedding day."
Lacey's mouth opens in surprise. She closes her mouth and wets her lips before responding. "Yeah?" She decides to ask more details about Danny's fantasy – even though it may be putting salt in old wounds for her. "How did we look?"
Danny elaborates "We would look like a couple hopelessly in love. You would be in a form fitting gown, kind of like what you wore to Fall Fest when we were sixteen, but this time the gown would be white with a long train. Your long hair would have small white flower buds in parts of it – all leading to your veil headpiece. Your veil wouldn't be covering your face, like Phoebe's was. Your beautiful face would be on display for all to see with your veil flowing in your hair behind you in the breeze. You would look stunning. I would be in the finest tuxedo with my hair tied back…"
"Your hair should be down and flowing…like a hero in a novel or a dashing pirate…" Lacey interrupts.
Danny elbows her gently and teases her. "Hey, whose fantasy is this anyway?"
Lacey laughs. "Well, the fantasy bride should be able to tweak a few things to her liking."
"Touché. Good point." Danny smirks and then laughs. "Okay…back to the fantasy. I, the groom, would be in the finest tuxedo – with my hair down and flowing." He looks pointedly at Lacey, who motions with her hand for him to continue on. "Everyone would comment on what an attractive couple we made. Luckily, our mothers get along well, so there would not be a battle of which mother would upstage the other one. They look equally radiant."
"Was our day a big spectacle or something small and intimate?" She meant to say 'the day' instead of the phrase 'our day'. She hopes Danny doesn't think anything regarding the slip of tongue.
Danny follows suit with that slip of tongue. "Our day would be a destination wedding. We could go to some secluded island or else a tucked-away bed and breakfast on a harbor somewhere. We would have a small wedding: just a few close friends and family. We would have maybe 2 each in the immediate wedding party - on the groom and bride's side (with your sister Clara being a bridesmaid)."
Lacey chimes in. "A destination wedding sounds perfect shared with just the right amount of people…nothing fussy or outrageous. We would be surrounded by the tightknit group of people we love and that would make our day even more special."
"Exactly! Our wedding would be something small but meaningful." Danny continues his description of the day. "For the music, we could have someone to play the guitar or a harp."
"We should have our own handwritten vows." Lacey insists. "We each say something on how we have been changed for the better by our love."
"And how we vow to keep that love until death do we part. No matter what obstacles or misunderstandings, we would remember that love and work to pull us through the dark times – together. " Danny adds.
Lacey becomes a little somber. That declaration, although said simply, has a current of undertones since the two had broken up during their senior year of college. Danny had some frustration when the local paper, in their college town far away from Green Grove, had discovered Danny's juvenile past and wrote an outrageous cover story regarding him. Danny had internalized his struggles with that article – even though Lacey had encouraged him to lean on her and accept her help. Consequently, this drove them apart since this reminded Lacey of their youth when Danny let his angst divide them.
Noticing Lacey's silence and then her sad expression, Danny realizes what is occupying her thoughts. He grabs her hand and squeezes it to make her look at him. "During college, I didn't remember that love. I was so wrapped up in my own personal hell that this new town, with a new start for both of us, was turning into prejudicial Green Grove all over again. I didn't want that for either of us. When we broke up, I realized that I had failed our relationship. I sought therapy and found ways to 'get out of my head' and focus on the positive things that matter and the actual things I could physically change in my life."
Lacey smiles a little at his words. "I am glad for you, Danny. It hurt me that I couldn't fix things for you."
"I had to learn to fix them myself, but I shouldn't have pushed you away. For that, I am deeply sorry." He picks up Lacey's hand and kisses the top of her knuckles. Danny finally is able to voice what he has wanted to say for the past 3 years.
Lacey's breath catches. She changes the serious direction of their conversation back to the light discussion of their fantasy wedding. "So…anything else about our wedding?"
"The 'something old' would be my Gujarati Indian grandmother's Buddist beaded necklace. Before she passed away, she stated that she wanted her heirs to wear the necklace some way on their wedding day. First, my dad had worn it underneath his shirt on his wedding day. Next, my Aunt Tara had worn it wrapped around her wrist several times when she married my Uncle Michael. After he died, Tara had given the necklace to my mother for safekeeping for my marriage. I would have worn it around my neck to honor my grandmother's wishes. " Danny reveals.
"That's very sweet. I know your grandmother would have been proud that her legacy lives on through that necklace. It is as if she is part of the wedding day, too." Lacey feels very moved that Danny has a sentimental side that not very many people get to witness. She feels fortunate to know this side of Danny.
"The necklace could count as the 'something borrowed', too, since it is meant to be an heirloom passed down through the generations. That leaves the 'something new' which would have been airline tickets to France and tickets for us to see Musée d'Orsay and The Louvre."
Lacey gasps. "You remembered how much I wanted to go visit those places after I graduated from grad school."
"Of course, I remembered." Danny gently scoffs. "I accompanied you on plenty of art museum visits along the East Coast during our college years. You would always mention how you wanted to travel and see the great museums of the world. After hearing that, I knew that I wanted to make that wish come true."
Lacey is touched that Danny had considered giving this particular gift to her. She smiles to herself. Lacey perks to attention as she realizes Danny has stopped talking. Lacey unfortunately has to snap out of the fantasy that she has pictured in her mind.
With every layer of Danny's fantasy wedding, Lacey finds herself swept in the illusion as pictures display within her mind with each scene he had set. She clears her throat and offers her thoughts. "Oh, that would have been nice. I loved each special touch that the wedding had."
Danny gives her a closed-mouth smile as he stares directly in her eyes. "I'm glad. I had hoped you would."
After hearing Danny's interpretation of their wedding, Lacey didn't want the imagining to end – for it would signal the reality of Danny and her not being together. So, she asks another question. "What about the presentation of the new couple? The bell ringing at Phoebe and Cole's was fine, but not really my style. Personally, I have always liked bubbles to greet the new Mr. & Mrs. as they are presented or as they take the final walk to the limo as they say goodbye to their guests."
Danny nods in approval. "Cool…bubbles sound nice…bubbles it is then – to greet us, the newly wedded happy couple."
Lacey laughs. "Hmmm, that would have been a beautiful wedding." She is curious about other details. "Hey, how did you propose to me in your fantasy? Where did we go to honeymoon? Did we have kids? Did we live 'happily ever after'?"
Danny loves that Lacey is so invested in his wedding fantasy. He has often dreamed of a future life with Lacey. Prior to Phoebe and Cole's wedding, Danny had been hesitant to contact Lacey. He knew that she was single, according to Cole, but he was uncertain if Lacey still had feelings for him.
With the recent events of pre-wedding and post-wedding activities, Danny received enough positive signals via Lacey's reactions to him. So, Danny decided to just inform Lacey of his feelings for her. While he himself had been caught up in a moment and accidently revealed his fantasy of Lacey and his wedding, he was now very grateful for his lapse in judgment. When Lacey seemed receptive to hearing his dreams of their nuptials, then Danny decided to go with the positive momentum. Everything seemed to booster his hope that her thoughts were on the same accord as his.
Danny grins at Lacey's curiosity on how the rest of their love story unfolds in his fantasy. "Wow, so many questions…" Danny smirks as he teases "Hey, what about leaving a little mystery? I told you some of the fantasy but I think we should leave a 'little left untold for the mystery to unfold' – is that how the quote goes? Anyway, let's just say that…yeah, we had a very good life."
Lacey is silent once again. Her face has an expression that Danny cannot decipher.
Danny questions "Lacey, what is it?"
Lacey shakes her head and attempts a smile, but her eyes get a little watery. "Nothing…it's just nice playing pretend for a while, that's all." She issues a small laugh. "I think that my body is tired from all the festivities this weekend and my emotions are all over the place. I hear weddings make people that way…makes a person unusually weepy or sad."
Danny agrees. "Understandable. I think it is safe to say we are both experiencing those same sort of 'feels'." Danny looks intently at Lacey. "So, going with that presumption, I have a question for you. Would you like to make the fantasy into reality?"
Lacey smiles as she jokes. "Of course…what girl, in her right mind, would turn you down after that daydream?"
Danny doesn't respond to her teasing but instead just gazes at her. Lacey's eyes widen as she understands what his gaze means. The words sink in. She speaks in a hushed, surprised tone. "Are you really asking me to marry you right now? We aren't even in a relationship…"
Danny shyly smiles as he boosters his confidence – for he sees a light within Lacey's eyes. He also notices she is not responding negatively to his inferring a future together. "Let's say that I'm taking a 'raincheck' on the proposal but that I am instead actively asking for a chance to romance you again. What do you say?"
Lacey knows it is crazy and spontaneous but everything about her and Danny's prior involvements have been just that – crazy, spontaneous, rushed, heady, and intense. She missed that. She missed him. She still loved him. Lacey looks into Danny's eyes and sees those same feelings reflected in his gaze right back at her. Therefore, with confidence, she laughs and then reveals a huge dimpled smile as she says very clearly "Yes. Yes, Daniel Desai, I would love for you to romance me again."
Danny expression is of pure joy as he laughs and then places a hand on each side to frame her face as he gently pulls her closer to him as he leans in to place his face near hers. Lacey parts her lips in anticipation. Danny first bestows gentle kisses upon Lacey before his emotions get the better of him and he sweeps them both away in a succession of deep kisses which leaves them eventually breathless.
As their breathing becomes normal again, Danny wraps his arms around Lacey tightly as she nestles her face near his. She begins to nuzzle his neck and breathes in his scent, light, clean cologne and his own essential scent. This is another thing she missed.
As the lovers continue to embrace, Danny whispers "If I had known it would be that easy to elicit a 'yes' from you, I would have asked long ago." Danny is overjoyed with Lacey's response.
Lacey sighs. "We weren't in the right place for us to reconcile or to even consider a future marriage back then. Now, we are. 'Our hearts knew and felt the imprint long before we knew the why.'" Lacey quotes part of the prose she had read at the reception dinner.
She confesses "You were the reason why I picked that particular piece. I thought that if I couldn't read it to you directly, then at least I could read it aloud where you would hear it. I thought that if you heard it, maybe some of the words would resonate with you."
Danny had his own admission. "I had the same intentions as well when I picked my piece. 'Love knows no end. It starts with no expectations. It lives in the moment. It sustains during its course. It remains even through death.' Those words were meant for you."
Epilogue…
One year later, there is another wedding which concludes with the union of Danny and Lacey Desai. Their wedding was just as they had fantasized at a secluded harbor. The gorgeous couple honeymooned for several weeks in Asia.
Later, they had two beautiful children named Joshua Daniel Desai and Joy Elizabeth Desai. Indeed, unexpected love imprinted itself on Lacey and Danny's hearts remaining to provide a wonderful life together…happily ever after.
*Lovely Readers, I had envisioned this 2 chapter fic while writing notes for 'The Beautiful Ones' and for 'The Break'. Since it was something shorter, I decided to create and post. It has provided me a little space away from the heavy but loving chapters of 'The Beautiful Ones' that I last wrote. This short fic provided some light-heartedness. Besides, who doesn't love a wedding?
The next chapter of 'The Break' will also contain some light-heartedness. You will also find out what was in Danny's diary. The diary's contents prompt the light-heartedness that follows. I will post this chapter by Sunday night. It is partially composed.
Oh, you will notice Kavan "Easter Eggs" in this fic….the art references are because Kylie expressed in the Cambio interview that she liked painting. The other surprise in the fic is the Gujarati Indian reference and the Buddist bead necklace which is a reference to part of Avan's heritage and in reference of the sandalwood bead necklace with attached emblem that he likes to wear often. (Of course, I haven't had any specific confirmation of any Buddist beliefs but after seeking sources online to establish what kind of necklace he constantly wore, this is what I found.)
I hope you enjoyed reading. Thank you for your support! DimplesValntina
