A CHOICE
Chapter 10
Epilogue
They were back home after just five days in New York City and Kate had a guest. It was Inessa and she brought her baby with her.
She had been there for all of about 15 minutes when she grabbed Kate's left hand. "Otkuda eto prishlo?"
Kate smiled wide. "Rik sdelal predlozheniye, kogda my byli v Nʹyu-Yorke."
"Eto zdorovo, ya tak rada za tebya." Inessa hugged her; she was overjoyed for her friend.
"Eto byl ogromnyy syurpriz," Kate said, her eyes sparkling. "On prishel domoy, vstal na odno koleno i sdelal predlozheniye pryamo na glazakh materi i Aleksis."
"A tvoy otets, chto on skazal?" Inessa inquired.
"My dad was thrilled for me," Kate replied. "I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm a little young to even think about getting married, but secretly, he can't wait to walk me down the aisle."
"Forgive me, Kate. I should be practicing my English." Inessa was embarrassed.
"You're the only reason I get to practice my Russian, speak it all you want," Kate told her. But Inessa focused on English. She wanted to be able to speak it fluently.
~oo0oo~
By lunch, they both knew all there was about getting married in Sri Lanka.
They needed an original birth certificate, valid passport, and if either party was previously married, an original divorce decree was required.
U.S. citizens should also be aware that Sri Lankan law requires foreigners to spend at least four days (three nights) in Sri Lanka prior to notifying a marriage registrar of the intended marriage. Once the registrar has been notified of the intent to marry, there is an additional waiting period of at least fourteen days prior to the date of the actual marriage registration.
"Chetyre dnya ...Um, four days?" Inessa was surprised by that.
"It sounds like we'll need a hotel for at least four days, then come back for the wedding. But at least it's possible," Kate said, relieved.
Glad for her friend, Inessa smiled.
Next came searching for the right place to get married.
After seeing thirty-nine locations online, in the end they settled on the Kyoto Northern Church. It showed them a beautiful vision of how the church could look. There would be a crisscross of green with white flowers overhead and another bank of greenery along with white flowers on either side of the aisle, where Kate would walk to stand with Rick and marry him.
Both she and Inessa thought it was beautiful. "I'll never fill it. I don't know that many people," Kate complained.
"It's not about the number of people, Kate. It's about what it looks like, and this looks perfect," Inessa told her. "Mikhail and I will be there. Perhaps offer it to all the staff. You might get lucky."
"Maybe." Kate hadn't thought about that.
~oo0oo~
Rick was glad that she had chosen something and that it was close. Now came the hard part: finding if it was available and when.
He broke it to her. "It's August, and the first opening is in December. The next is April."
"December, I suppose. Wait, December what? Because if it's close to Christmas, the answer is no," Kate said firmly.
Rick relaxed just a little. "That's the good news! It's December 4, 1999, which is a Saturday. Now, as to those four days, we can do that anytime. The trick is getting the flowers you loved and being able to do that long distance. I'm pretty sure one of us will need to be there to make arrangements."
"December 4 is good. As for the flowers, I suppose I could do that if you trust me." Kate waited to see what he had to say.
"Absolutely!" Rick was all in on that.
"Thanks." Kate kissed him. "Now we need invitations, my wedding dress, and a bouquet. RINGS! I need to find you a ring." She freaked out a little.
"Relax, we can do all that at the same time as the four days. I'll handle the flowers. And while I do that, you, with Alexis, can decide on my wedding ring. Easy-peasy." Rick smiled at his bride-to-be.
"I love you." Kate found it very easy to tell him now.
"I love you too." Rick kissed her. "We can take care of the invitations at the same time. Maybe even get a sign-in book. We have four days to do everything. Get a dress while you are there."
Kate nodded. She liked it but wondered if they were overdoing it just a bit. Only one way to find out.
~oo0oo~
It was a week later and they were flying from Malé to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Maniumpathy Hotel was their hotel of choice. At just $179 US per night, it was affordable.
Rick knew he had to designate a priority. "The registrar is first since we only have five days and four nights here."
Alexis had a question. "Will this make you my real mommy?"
"No, sweetie, it won't. I'm sorry." Kate hugged her and kissed her. Rick didn't say anything, just filed it away for later.
~oo0oo~
The next day they split up. Rick went to the church, followed by a trip to the florist, while Kate and Alexis went to find Kate's wedding dress. Her first stop was Wedding Dreams.
They walked around, looking at dresses, and feeling overwhelmed. "I think we have our work cut out for us," Kate told Alexis, who nodded.
Hearing Kate, a woman on staff came over and smiled at them. "That's why you have me. My name is Nimali, so let's get started."
~oo0oo~
Kate chose a dress from Emerald Design in the end. Of all things, it was called Style 88670. Definitely not a very cool-sounding name. It was a chiffon A-line wedding dress. The bodice was form-fitting with a somewhat high neckline edged in lace and had sleeves that reached her wrists made of the same lace.
"Do you like it, Mom?" Alexis asked while she tried it on.
Through her tears, Kate choked out, "I love it. It's perfect."
They paid for it using Rick's credit card he had given her just for this reason.
"When is the wedding?" Nimali inquired.
"Saturday, December 4," Kate replied. "We're here for another four days. Do you think you can make that? I know it's not a lot of time."
"I can manage," she assured her. "Come back the day you're leaving, and I'll be ready for you. It will be in a garment bag, and no one will see it but you."
"Thank you." Kate was grateful for the fast turnaround. "We'll be here."
~oo0oo~
Rick was having the same kind of luck with the flowers. The church even knew who to use, so that was easy.
He met them at the hotel. "How did it go, ladies?"
"I bought a gorgeous dress." Kate was happy. "What about the flowers? How did that go?"
"It went well. The church even knew who to use. It's a good thing this is Sri Lanka. Everything is so much less expensive here than New York City." Rick rolled his eyes.
"Now I just need to buy your ring," Kate told him.
"Want some help?" Rick grinned, knowing the answer already.
"No!" Kate exclaimed. "It's a surprise."
"I thought you hated surprises. Besides, I'm the one who will be wearing it forever." Rick wasn't ready to give in just yet.
Kate huffed an irritated breath."I hate getting surprises. I don't hate giving them, and the answer is still no. In fact, I'll leave Alexis with you so she can't blab."
"Hey!" Alexis took exception to her blabbing on her. "MOM!"
"I'm sorry, sweetie, but I want it to be a surprise for your dad," Kate said. "I'll make it up to you."
Alexis crossed her arms over her chest, showing that she might say she was okay with this, but she definitely wasn't happy with it.
Kate checked the time. "We still need to eat, so let's find something close."
~oo0oo~
Day three of five. Kate was going out to find Rick a ring, while Rick and Alexis went to try and find a place that would print invitations and a guest book. Since they knew the date and the location, it should be a snap.
Kate found one she liked. "What's this one?" She watched him take it out for her to see.
"This is a Blue Men's ring with Gibeon Meteorite," he informed her. "It has a cost of 1,519 US Dollars."
She made a face at the cost, but she did love it. "Perhaps something less costly. It is beautiful though."
Kate saw another one she liked. "And this one?"
"That is a 14-karat, Two-Tone Rose and White Gold Men's ring. It is 1,521 US Dollars."
"Oh." Kate was having a problem. She wanted a million-dollar ring for just pennies.
She pointed to a different ring. "What about this one?"
"This one is a Brewer Gold Wedding Ring for a man with a total of 2.0 carats of diamonds all the way around. It is 5,675 US Dollars." He knew the answer already.
"OUCH!" Kate didn't even touch it. "I'll take the Two-Tone Rose and Gold ring." It would make a huge dent in her bank account, but Rick was worth it.
"A wise choice, Miss. Now I need to know the ring size." Kate gave it to him. "Come back in two hours, and it will be ready for you. May I suggest that you spend your time at the Market just down the street?"
"Thank you." Kate paid for it and made her way to the Market.
~oo0oo~
Day four was spent being tourists.
Temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil, Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara.
"We actually accomplished something," Kate said with satisfaction.
"As if there was any doubt." Rick ignored the glare Kate sent his way.
"What do you think?" Kate asked Alexis, who just shrugged.
Kate threw up her hands in surrender. "Fine!"
~oo0oo~
The trip home was easy and uneventful. But then, Rick decided he wanted to see her dress. "I paid for it."
Kate put her foot down. "No. No. And No. You know it's bad luck, so NO!" Except now she needed a place to hide it. There was only one place...
Kate picked up the garment bag, walked to the Kuznetsov Villa, and knocked on the door. Inessa answered and invited her in. "I have a favor to ask, Inessa. Would you hide this for me? It's my wedding dress, and I don't want Rick to see it before the wedding."
"Gladly, Kate. ButI have one condition. I want to see it."
"Well... Since you're not Rick, all right." She held garment bag so Inessa could unzip it and take a took.
"Oh, my! It's lovely and I can't wait to see you in it. I have just the place for it. No worries." Inessa took the garment bag and hid it where it would be safe.
~oo0oo~
It took until October to receive the invitations. Rick immediately sent one to his mother. He mailed one to Roy Montgomery and his wife, a few went to some of his fellow authors, and he decided to pin a few up on the board, inviting all of the staff, but knowing that very few could make it.
Kate hand-delivered hers to her dad. "So you're really going to do it?" Jim asked.
"You think I shouldn't?" Kate was hurt.
Jim shook his head and sighed. "That's not what I mean, Katie. I just never thought this day would come. After some of those boyfriends that you put your mom and me through, I'm just amazed that this day has come."
"Oh." She knew what she had put her parents through with some of them. "Not all of them were bad. But Rick isn't any of those. He's different."
"Yes, he is," Jim agreed. "And I'm glad you can recognize that. You're going to marry a good man. A man with a built-in family. Are you ready for that?"
"I am, Dad," Kate replied. "I love Alexis. I'm not old enough to be her mom, but that isn't important. Yes, she calls me Mom, even if I don't feel like a mom."
"That's very good. December 4 is after your birthday. And officially, you'll no longer be a teenager." Jim felt much better. "So tell me about the chosen site."
Kate described how it would look. "It's a church. It will have this far-reaching greenery with white flowers going up and crisscrossing before coming back down again. Then there will be the same greenery and white flowers on the edge of the pews. It should be lovely."
Jim smiled at his baby girl who was all grown up now. "So I get to walk you down that aisle filled with flowers. That sounds nice, Katie." He liked it. "I hope it all works out for you."
~oo0oo~
Jim had another visitor that day. This time it was Rick. "Katie already told me everything."
"That's good, but that's not why I'm here." Rick took a deep breath. "I need your help as a lawyer. I have something I need you to set up for me."
Jim listened intently to what he had to say. "You're sure about this?" Jim asked after Rick explained it to him.
"As sure as I can be, Jim. She doesn't have to sign the papers, but I want her to have that option." Rick waited, afraid he would turn him down.
Jim was still turning things over. Then he made a decision. "In that case, you came to the right man. I'll get to work on it right away."
Rick thanked him and shook his hand, grateful that Jim was willing to do what he had asked.
~oo0oo~
It became more of the same for them all. Except Alexis' summer vacation soon ended, and it was time for school again. But that was something she didn't seem to mind. Actually, she enjoyed it.
Mikhail and Inessa went on vacation with their baby. So for five days, the manager they had hired was in charge. Though Mikhail left Rick as a backup.
Kate didn't want to confuse Alexis, so she slept in her room and didn't stay in Rick's. That didn't mean she didn't make love to him. They made love daily. Most days, they used a condom and her birth control pills as a backup.
They celebrated her birthday with Rick, Alexis, Mikhail, Inessa, and baby Alina. Inessa had become a close friend. She suspected it was because she got to use her Russian, but that wasn't the only reason.
~oo0oo~
It was finally time. Jim, Rick, Kate, Alexis, Mikhail, and Inessa with their baby caught the same boat that took them to Malé, where they were on a flight together to Colombo. The only real difference was the hotel that they chose.
They agreed to meet up for dinner. "It's almost time, my friend." Mikhail studied Rick. "Nervous?"
"Very," Rick admitted. "The first time with Meredith had been okay, but this time feels like so much more."
"Good, that means it will last." Mikhail slapped him on the back, andthey went to join the others.
~oo0oo~
Mikhail and Rick arrived at the church separate from the others, leaving Kate with Inessa and Alexis to get dressed.
"Your wedding dress, Kate, safe and sound. Do you need help getting dressed?" Inessa would assist her if she needed it.
"I think I've got it," Kate told her. "But thanks."
"Nervous?" Inessa asked, even though she knew she was.
Kate swallowed hard. "Scared to death. I've never done anything like this. And I'm a one-and-done kind of girl."
Inessa hugged Kate and kissed her cheek. "I'll be right outside the door if you need me." She retreated, leaving Kate alone.
"I wish you were here, Mom." She was the only person missing.
~oo0oo~
Jim entered the room and found Kate standing in front of the mirror. "You look lovely, Katie. A more beautiful bride I have never seen. Save for your mother, of course."
"Thanks, Dad." Kate was still quivering inside. "I'm so nervous." She held out her hand and showed him.
Jim took her shaking hand in his. "Your mom is here, sweetheart. You may not see, feel, or hear her, but she is. There's nothing that would keep her from being here."
Kate felt a little better. "Let's go get you married." Jim was ready.
~oo0oo~
They did things differently here. Kate got to walk down the aisle between all the flowers and under the flowers. "WOW!" But there was no music.
She saw a few of the staff that had managed to attend. There was a group of men in suits that she didn't recognize. She spotted Mikhail and Inessa.
Then she saw Rick. He looked even more handsome than ever. Kate smiled at him when at last, she was across from him and watched him smile back.
The ceremony was average. Except for the minister that married them was clad in a unique gown.
She held out her hand to receive the wedding band that was full of diamonds. It was narrow but beautiful. She slid the ring she chose on Rick's finger. If he was surprised at what it looked like, he didn't show it.
Then they kissed, and it was official. Jim introduced them to their guests as Mr. and Mrs. Castle. Kate beamed at hearing her new last name.
It was just a church, but they soon found out that Mikhail had arranged for dinner for everyone. It was there that Kate learned who the strange men were: Patterson and Connelly. She opened her eyes wide in surprise. She didn't know that Rick knew them that well.
~oo0oo~
It was late, and they were back in their hotel room. Rick cleared his throat. He was even more nervous than he had been earlier. "I have something for you." Kate waited and saw him produce some papers. "I had your dad arrange something for you. These are adoption papers, Kate. Once you sign them, you will be Alexis' parent legally. You'll have a say in her life."
Kate drew in a sharp breath and covered her mouth with both hands. She didn't know what to say or think even. "You're serious?"
Rick nodded just once. "Very. I've thought about this long and hard. You don't have to sign the papers now, but I hope you will. I'm sharing my life with you, and I want to share Alexis."
Kate still hadn't taken the papers and stood there staring at them. Then she looked up at Rick and saw the sincerity in his eyes. He really meant it.
"Do you have a pen?" Kate almost laughed, watching him searching just about everywhere for a pen so she could initial the papers and finally write her signature.
"Even if we wake her, can we go get Alexis?" Kate asked him. "I want to tell her."
Together they woke Alexis. She was still sleepy. "Alexis, sweetie, I have something to tell you." Patiently, Kate waited for her to wake up a little more. "Your father gave me adoption papers to sign. I've legally adopted you. Officially, I'm now your mother."
It took Alexis a moment. The second she understood, she was out of bed, hugging her mother and crying tears of joy. She had a mother that she knew would always love her, at last.
INESSA: Otkuda eto prishlo?Where did this come from?
KATE: Rik sdelal predlozheniye, kogda my byli v Nʹyu-Yorke. Rick proposed while we were in New York.
INESSA: Eto zdorovo, ya tak rada za tebya. That's great! I'm so happy for you.
KATE: Eto byl ogromnyy syurpriz," Kate said, her eyes sparkling. "On prishel domoy, vstal na odno koleno i sdelal predlozheniye pryamo na glazakh materi i Aleksis. It was a huge surprise," Kate said, her eyes sparkling. "He came home, got down on one knee, and proposed right in front of his mother and Alexis.
INESSA: A tvoy otets, chto on skazal? And your father, what did he say?
INESSA: Chetyre dnya? Four days?
INESSA: Da? Yes?