Chapter Six: Hey Baby, I Think I Wanna Marry You
It was a nightmare, an absolute and total nightmare. Sitting on the floor of her living room, surrounded by numerous bridal magazines and wedding planning books, Haley decided she was in hell. Who knew planning a Wedding could be so difficult. A theme? Location? Flowers? Furniture? Invitations? Dresses? Tuxedos? Catering? Lighting and Sound? Specialty cocktails? How the hell was she supposed to manage her career and plan a wedding at the same time?
"Dave?" She looked up at her fiancé who sat on the couch with his leg elevated. He was flipping through channels on the television, oblivious to her mounting panic.
He turned his head away from the screen and glanced down at her. "What's up, Babe?"
"I can't do this." She rattled the magazine in her hand and shook her head. "I need serious help, or I will turn into Bridezilla."
Dave's handsome face creased into a grin and he chuckled. "So then hire someone."
Her mouth started to curve upward. "Really? You'll let me hire a Wedding planner?"
"This is going to be the last Wedding I ever have and I want it to be everything that you want. If you want a Wedding planner, you get a wedding planner." Dave nodded in assent.
She sighed in relief. "Thank God. I'm going onto his website and getting his phone number." She began typing on her laptop.
"You already have someone in mind?" Dave asked, surprise written all over his face.
Haley nodded. "Of course. David Tutera. He's the celebrity wedding planner who has that show My Fair Wedding on the WE network. It premiered back in October." She explained. "He's genius! You give him an idea, a theme and he takes care of everything. He's incredibly thorough. With how much traveling we do, we'll need someone like him."
"Got it all figured out, don't you?" Dave sounded amused.
"Yes. I'm going to get us an appointment." Haley grinned at the thought. "Then all I have to focus on is setting the date, finding the perfect dress, oh…and telling my mother."
"And not in that order I hope." Dave reached down and twirled a lock of her hair around his fingers. "You should probably talk to her before you set a date, Sweetheart. The phone call at Christmas was pretty frosty."
Haley sighed. "I have so much on my plate right now, working out my issues with her seemed so minor in comparison. I haven't even told my family about the engagement and that's not right. I'm just so happy that I don't want her to ruin it with her negativity."
"I know, Baby. But if you don't tell her and start planning this Wedding, the rift between you is only going to get worse. Besides, she's either going to have to get with the program, or miss out on her only daughter's wedding." Dave pointed out. "I don't think she'd want to miss out on something like that."
"Fine." Haley sighed. "I'll go see her tomorrow."
"That's my girl." Dave nodded in satisfaction. "And after that, we can go meet with the Tutu guy."
"Just because he is gay does not mean you can call him the Tutu guy, Dave!"
The black BMW 745Li pulled into the driveway on the slate gray farmhouse, idling for a moment before shutting off. Haley stepped out of the driver's side of the car. Snow blanketed the front lawn and the walkway had been shoveled clear, her father's handiwork no doubt. She was pleased to see his truck was parked beside hers and knew her mother's Hyundai would be parked in the garage. Erin Mariano did not go into the office on Fridays, so her daughter knew she would home. But she was pleasantly surprised that her father would home this early on a Friday as well, it meant back up when she broke the news.
With a sigh, her boots crunched over the frozen ground as she approached the front door and knocked. She had grown up in this house, had never knocked before, but with the disagreement she with her mother hanging in the air, she felt she should.
Kostas Mariano swung the front door open wide, a look of baffled, but pleased surprise on his weather beaten face. "Haley!"
"Hi Dad!" She leaned up and kissed his leathery cheek. "Sorry to just drop in on you like this."
"That's okay." He stepped aside to let her inside. "It's good to see you."
"I missed you." Haley told him while taking off her boots and setting them beside the heater and hanging her coat up in the entryway closet. "Is Mom home?"
"She's upstairs, sending a fax to the office." Kostas replied, studying his daughter curiously. "I figured you'd be unpacking in your new house now. What brings you out this way?"
"I had some exciting news I wanted to tell you and Mom face to face. I remembered that she doesn't normally go into the office on Fridays." Haley informed him.
"Well then, I'll go get her. If you want anything, the kitchen's stocked." He called over his shoulder, heading for the stairs.
Instead Haley went into the living room, taking a seat on the chocolate brown couch and waited. In her mind she went through how she would break the news. Erin had not approved of Dave, simply because of his profession when she had brought him home last summer. She doubted her mother's opinion had changed, since she still wished her own daughter would get out of the wrestling ring. But Dave was the love of her life and he was right, Erin would have to get with the program or miss out on a lot of important milestones in Haley's life.
"Haley?" Erin Mariano eyed her daughter cautiously as she entered the room a step ahead of her husband. "This is a surprise."
"Hi Mom." Haley forced a smile. "You look great."
It wasn't a lie. Even in her late fifties, through a strict diet and a workout regiment, Erin kept her body lean and fit. Since she was working from home that day, she worn black yoga pants and gray sweatshirt, her dyed blonde hair scraped back off her face in a ponytail.
"Thank you, though I'm not looking my best today." Erin glanced down her at clothes in distaste before turning her attention back to her daughter. "You're looking well."
"I'm great." Haley nodded.
"Your father said you had some news to share with us." Erin took a seat on the other couch, daintily crossing one leg over the other. Kostas leaned against the entrance wall, eyeing his daughter curiously.
"You remember my boyfriend, Dave Batista right? I brought him home over the summer." Haley shifted uncomfortably, remembering that particular day hadn't ended pleasantly for mother and daughter.
"Yes, the very large fellow who is also a wrestler." Erin nodded stiffly.
"Well," Haley held up her left hand. "He proposed and I said yes."
A beat of silence followed her announcement. Erin looked absolutely stunned as she stared at the diamond twinkling on Haley's ring finger, while Kostas looked like he had been sucker punched. Haley bit her lower lip nervously, not knowing what to make of it.
"Congratulations." Kostas spoke first, crossing the room to give her a hug. "That wasn't what I was expecting. I knew you two were moving in together, but he moves fast. Is he what you want?"
Haley smiled, hugging him back tightly. "He's everything I always wanted and never knew I needed." She said.
Erin made a strangled choking noise before speaking. "Kostas, could I have a moment alone with Haley please?"
Kostas pulled out of the hug and looked back and forth between his wife and daughter with an unsure expression.
Haley made up his mind for him. "It's all right, Dad. Why don't you go see if there's wine in the kitchen, for us to celebrate?"
Kostas nodded, gave Erin a warning look before leaving the two women be.
Haley steeled herself and turned to face her mother.
Erin took a deep breath and exhaled before speaking. "Do you love him?" She asked quietly.
"More than I've ever loved anyone in this life." Haley retook her seat and nodded. "He's the world to me and more, Mom. He makes me happy and he's there for me through everything."
"Like I haven't been." Erin stood up and began to pace. "I owe you an apology and that's not easy for me. I wanted more for you. I wanted better. But, even I can see that you love your life and if you said yes to this man, you must really love him too."
"Mom, all I've ever wanted was for you to be a part of my life. I wanted you there when I won my first Championship. I wanted to come see you at Thanksgiving, over Christmas. You wouldn't let me include you." Haley reminded her.
"I thought if I made my disapproval abundantly clear you would change your mind. I can see now that I was wrong. I love you, Haley, you're my daughter. And while I can't guarantee that I'll be completely accepting of everything I am willing to try and support your lifestyle. And I would really like to help you plan your wedding."
Haley beamed. "I would love that. I mean, I'm hiring a Wedding planner because I'm traveling a lot right now. We're getting close to Wrestlemania so it's going to be very busy, but I can use all the help I can get." She stood up and crossed over to hug her mother. "I love you, Mom, even if you are a little crazy."
Erin laughed, returning the embrace. "Well, who do you think you got it from? Certainly not your rock solid father."
Haley giggled. "Come on, I think Dad's worried we'll start screaming at each other if we don't go join him in the kitchen."
"Good point." Erin agreed. "By the way, your man has exquisite taste." She took her left hand in hers for closer inspection of the engagement ring. "It's beautiful and it suits you."
"Tiffany's." Haley said proudly. "He done good."
"He done perfect. He'd find no woman better than you." Erin corrected. "I'd like you to bring him home again, so we can celebrate properly."
Haley nodded. "As soon as he's healed up enough to walk around more I will. He just had surgery for a hamstring tear and is a little immobile at the moment."
"How dreadful." Erin shook her head sympathetically. "Well we could come to you if that makes things easier. I'd love to see your new house."
"That would be perfect." Haley told her. "Pick a time!"
David Tutera was becoming one of the top Celebrity party planners in the United States. His client list alone was impressive; Barbara Walters, Jenifer Lopez, Shania Twain, Mathew McConaughey, Antonio Pierce and Elton John, were just a few of his Celebrity clients. Plus, his Corporate list was even more extensive, Avon, Bergdorf Goodman, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ritz Carlton Hotels and Sony Music.
Needless to say, him driving out to Ipswich, Massachusetts to meet with WWE stars had come as quite a surprise and a thrill for Haley Mariano. She had thought she would have to go into New York City to meet with him, or catch him the next time she was in Los Angeles. Instead, she had called his offices to schedule an appointment, and he had personally called her back to come out and see them at her convenience.
Ten minutes before his imminent arrival, Haley was camped out in the dining room. Bridal magazines, laptop and various books on flowers and food littered the table top. Dave sat on the opposite end of the table from her, looking entirely bored as she rechecked to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything important.
"Hales, he's a wedding planner." Dave said exasperated. "I don't think he needs all these magazines to help him out. He does this professionally. It's probably all in his head."
"You asked me to marry you, Dave." Haley reminded him. "Which means now you have to suffer through the actual planning of the Wedding."
"Which isn't going to be for another year! You said you wanted a longer engagement with my injury and our crazy life style." Dave groaned. "Relax, will you? Hiring him is supposed to stop stressing you out."
"It's going to take an entire year to plan out a wedding, Dave. I know you didn't have a big Wedding with Angie because you were broke back then. But this is supposed to be a dream for both us. That means lots of planning." Haley pointed out. "Now quit whining. I think he just pulled in the driveway." She said as she heard car tires cruise up the outside pavement.
She skipped out of the room to answer the door, leaving Dave to roll his eyes skyward and mutter a quick oath. "Should have totally listened to Hunter. Vegas would have been so much simpler."
David Tutera was a handsome man. Some women would complain about it being a waste since he played for their team, but Haley had found her man, so she didn't mind him being gay in the slightest. In fact, she admired his keen sense of style as he stepped out of the silver Mercedes. Freshly pressed, navy slacks, a plaid dress shirt in shades of gray and blue and a dove gray sport coat, fitted to his trim physique. Spiky espresso brown hair, styled to look casually windblown, paired with tanned skin and warm brown eyes, all set off with a flashy white smile.
"You must be the bride!" He said in an airy, jovial voice. "Gorgeous house! And the scenery on the drive up was marvelous!"
"Glad you enjoyed your trip!" Haley slid her hands into his when he held them out to her and air kissed his cheeks. "Thanks for coming out."
"Oh absolutely. When you called I knew I wanted to do this wedding! The blogesphere is going haywire over your romance! I wanted the credit for planning your wedding just as much as I would love to plan a party for Oprah someday!" He tucked her arm through his as they re-entered the house. "Now where is your scrumptious groom?"
Haley giggled. "In the dining room. But do me a favor and don't call him scrumptious to his face. He's kind of bashful." She joked.
"Sorry, I googled the both of you after reading about you on the internet. You're both gorgeous! And I had so much fun picturing wedding dresses for you. What a figure!" David got a faraway look on his face for a moment before smiling at her. "Now, introduce me to the groom!"
They walked arm in arm into the dining room with caused Dave's eyebrows to lift curiously at the pair of them.
"Ah, the lucky man!" David disentangled himself from Haley to shake his hand. "David Tutera! Pleasure to meet you, and can I say your photos don't do you justice. You are even bigger in person!"
Dave cracked a grin. "I get that a lot."
"I can imagine!" David removed his sport coat and delicately draped it over the back of a chair before clapping his hands together. "Well, let's get right down to it! Do we have a theme in mind? A date?"
"December 19, 2009." Haley supplied, taking her seat beside Dave, who covered her hand with his. "It's a Saturday. And since we have to work around the WWE schedule because our co-workers make up a huge chunk of our guests, it's the only Saturday that will essentially work for everyone because there are no house shows. Too busy gearing up for Tribute to the Troops." She explained.
"A winter wedding, excellent." David nodded, whipping out a notepad and jotting down the date. "Are we thinking a Christmas theme?"
Dave shrugged. "This is her show. I just want to put the ring on her finger and kiss her when it's over."
Haley gave David an imploring look. "Neither of us is really religious, so I would rather not get married in a Church. I don't really have a theme in mind, but I do have a venue. Turner Hill, right here in Ipswich, Massachusetts. It's a huge Estate."
"I drove by it on my way here." David nodded. "Beautiful. I'll set it up. Is this going to be a small, intimate wedding or…"
"It's going to be huge." Dave interrupted. "You should see how many people we work with alone, plus her family's large. It'll be the event of the year."
"Cocky much?" Haley laughed, sharing an amused look with her fiancé.
"He said we blew up on the blogesphere, next thing you know we're in the tabloids, especially because you are highly associated with the Rock." Dave reminded her.
"Oh you'll definitely received press coverage." David agreed. "That's why I became so eager to do this wedding. I knew it would be huge! I would love to have it on my show?"
"No thanks." Haley chuckled. "We're on TV enough as it is."
"Too bad." David sighed in disappointment, pouting for a moment before smiling again. "All right, so we're thinking a grand ballroom kind of wedding? Elegance? Romance? Timeless, it never goes out of style. I can tell just by looking at you, Haley, you're a classic kind of girl. Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina."
"I love that movie!" Haley's face lit up. "And her dress! Oh I loved her dress!"
"Excellent, we have a date, a venue and a theme! Now tell me Dave, can you pull off Bogart's cynical edge with a heart of gold beneath?" David looked to the groom.
Dave looked clueless. "I've uh…never seen the movie."
David and Haley shared identical looks of horror. "You see why I called you to help me, right?" Haley said, half joking.
"Oh yes, you definitely need my help." David nodded gravely, hiding a smile. "I'll have my work cut out for me now."
"What?" Dave protested. "I grew up dirt poor. TV and movies weren't exactly a staple in my growing up."
"No excuses." Haley playfully nudged him. "It's classic, Dave. We are watching it tonight, just so you know."
"Oh I am going to have so much fun with the pair of you." David laughed airily and jotted down some more notes.
