Author's Notes: This is nearly the end. I believe the next chapter will be the very last. This story is I believe the first novel length Skewed Romance story. Reviews are always appreciated and even more so as I get ready to say goodbye to Death of Innocence. I will be updating other stories after this series finishes and believe in a few weeks I'll start making a major push to complete Portrait.
Part 56
Age 34 Years 9 Months
Jack and Samantha were bustled from the part of the clearing where their ceremony was held to the part where the reception was sat up. A dance floor had been temporarily erected and tables were laden with food. The twenty members of the Konstinappolis family who had followed Konstantine and Sofia to Atlanta were only a small portion of the family. More than a hundred Konstinappolis' were in attendance to bless and celebrate the union of Jack and Samantha.
Before Jack and Samantha were permitted to sit down, they were photographed until they were nearly blind from the flash. Every member of the Konstinappolis family wanted to be photographed with the Newquays. Although Jack had been an unofficial part of their family for a long time, they were thrilled he'd been reunited at long last with his Samantha. The couple's legal remarriage was the perfect ending to the romantic tale of love affair that had begun when they were teenagers.
When at last they were released from their photo session, Samantha lead Jack towards the cake table, "I have something I want you to see."
"Ah a replica of our first cake," Jack observed looking at the rose bedecked white tiered confection.
"True, but actually I wanted to show you the groom's cake. Since there's so many people we needed a lot of cake and this has it's own table," Samantha laughed and lead him to another table.
Jack looked at the cake and blinked in amazement, as emotion welled up and he couldn't speak. On the table was an enormous sheet cake, that was a replica of Jack's Game which he'd created for Samantha. All the pieces were created out of marzipan and icing precisely, even down to the cheetos. But the game was set up midplay and his gamepiece, the box with a blue skeleton, sat in the winner's circle. Also in the winner's circle beside the skeleton was Samantha's piece a mirrored cube. Carefully Samantha lifted the mirrored cube and held it out for him to examine. The mirror had been etched with her image and when he wiped the icing away from the bottom with a napkin she handed him, he read the inscription:
For Jack O. Trades on our wedding day. You won our game and today begins a new game. Now we play the game together, we're the same. Amor infinto, Samantha Trades
"Samantha-" Jack murmured and trailed off.
His eyes grew glassy with unshed tears as he looked from the cube to Samantha and back at the cube. Samantha had finally surrendered to him on every level, it was her offering of Katerina to his Petruchio. The game which had bound them together in their years apart had come to an end and a new game had begun. But whereas the first game had been facing one another as opponents, now they played together against the world. The full spectrum of the new games potential dawned on him and it was glorious.
Wrapping his arms around her, Jack buried his face in her hair and whispered, "My Samantha. It's wonderful, thank you so much. Other than your heart, I can't imagine a gift more beautiful."
Sofia told them to save their romance for later, it was time to eat so they would have the energy to be as she put it, newlymarrieds. Sitting at the table she conducted them to, Jack looked at the dinner with amusement. Well acquainted with the cooking of the Konstinappolis women, Jack had expected to see Mediterranean cuisine and there was right alongside another festive wedding turkey like they had had at their first wedding. Although Jack had laughed numerous times, Samantha never saw him laugh as hard as he did at the sight of the wedding turkey. It was the first time in the entire time Samantha had known Jack, that she saw him laugh until he cried.
Whatever the rest of their wedding day held, the expression on his face when he saw the Jack's Game cake and the mirrored cube, and seeing him laugh so hard, the day was perfect for those alone as far as Samantha was concerned. After Jack had fought so hard to keep them together and had given her so much, she was pleased to finally be able to give Jack something in return.
Once everyone was served and had drinks, Sofia stood up and announced it was time to begin the toasts.
Smiling at his wife, Konstantine stood up and spoke, "I would like to offer our children the first toast. Exactly twenty-two years ago today, you walked into our lives and our hearts. When first we met you, what strucked us most wasn't your youth, but your love for one another. Your journey has been long and hard, but your hearts have remained true. Never forget how hard you have struggled for you love and your marriage will be happy. May the gods bless and keep you."
The crowd cheered and raised their glasses to Jack and Samantha. More toasts were offered to the couple. All of Konstantine's Sons offered best wishes to their adopted Brother and their new Sister. Sofia tearily thanked Samantha for being her Daughter and for having the good sense to end Jack's misery and marry him again. Laughter and tears mingled with champagne throughout the toasts.
Jack stood up and said, "Whether it's traditional or not, I would like to toast my bride. The day we first married was the happiest day of my life. I couldn't imagine being as happy as I was when you came to me a bride in white. Today, I discovered that the happiest day of my life was twenty-two years ago, but rather today when you came to me a goddess in red. To my Samantha who never ceases to amaze me and make me love her more."
"To Samantha," the Konstinappolis' echoed.
Samantha kissed Jack when he sat down and then rose, stating, "I would also like to offer a toast. Actually I guess it's two toasts. First, I would like to toast Konstantine and Sofia. I want to thank you for your guidance in the first days of our marriage, you are a large part of how Jack and I got to this point. And I also wish to thank you for watching over Jack and making him part of your family when he was very much alone and in need of a family. To Konstantine and Sofia, who lead by example and guide all of our hearts."
After everyone toasted Konstantine and Sofia, she turned to Jack and took his hand as she lovingly offered, "My Jack, I cannot let the day end without toasting my husband. You have loved me, unwaveringly and faithfully, in a way few women will ever experience. Never once have you questioned whether what you did was right or wrong, because everything you did, was done for love. Even if I didn't always appreciate at the time, I have come to appreciate all the sacrifices you made. So I toast you as the most amazing man I've ever met."
Sitting down, Samantha whispered, "I love you so much Jack. I couldn't say it allowed in front of everyone, but I do appreciate all of your death creations."
The Konstinappolis Quartet began to play Tea For Two, the first song they had danced to in the attic in the orphanage and Jack extended his hand to Samantha. "May I have this dance Mrs. Newquay?"
"Gladly," Samantha agreed and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor.
Gliding in his arms, Samantha realized that it was the first time they had danced together in over twenty years and they still moved in perfect synchronization. Gazing into Jack's eyes, Samantha felt light headed as her heart raced with joy. She was actually dancing in her Jack's arms again and the sensation was wonderful. Although her time at the orphanage had been a bittersweet memory when she had thought him dead, now that he was alive, their time in their attic was a treasured memory. One of Samantha's favorite parts of the house, aside from the rose filled clearing being their back yard, was the enormous blue stained glass window with a red rose had been purchased from the city of Cincinnati and was part of the master suite.
"You know, I'm not entirely sure I like being Mrs. Newquay."
Jack nearly missed a step as he gasped, "What?"
"Not the part about being your wife," Samantha reassured him, pressing a kiss to his lips. "I mean the association with your family."
"Well we could always change it," Jack suggested.
"To what?"
"We could change it to Konstinappolis."
Samantha laughed, "Well I'm sure they wouldn't mind."
"Hmm, we could legally change it to Trades," Jack teased.
"Fun but legally difficult. Maybe we should stick with Newquay," Samantha decided. Looking at Jack, Samantha requested, "But could we be Mr. and Mrs. Trades when we're alone?"
"Absolutely, Mrs. Trades."
"I think I rather like that Mr. Trades," Samantha murmured huskily, then demanded, "Say it again."
Capturing her lips, Jack punctuated each word with a kiss, "I love you Samantha Trades."
As rapidly as they melted against one another, they were brought crashing back to reality as Sofia told them it was time to cut the cake. Kissing and taking many minutes to reach the cake table, they ignored their frothy wedding cake and cut into the groom's cake instead. Exchanging a meaningful and amused glance, the couple wielded the knife together...
