Chapter 23: On Your Wedding Day
"On your wedding day / may your hearts be filled with joy / you've been waiting for so long / and now the time has come / may you both keep the faith / on your wedding day."
Payson was buried in paperwork. Stacks of it covered the desk; physical reports for all the girls competing at the Trials, travel arrangements to the Karolyi Ranch for coaches, advisors, and athletes, and various other things that she couldn't attend to until after the Trials. Her brain hurt, and all she wanted was to go home to Harper and Sasha, and have a glass of wine. Maybe even a bath. She sighed, imagining the hot water swirling around her as Sasha's fingers dug into the knots in her shoulders.
"Burning the midnight oil, huh?" Payson groaned and looked up to find Adam leaning in the doorway. She started shutting down the computer and organizing the papers she was already finished with, hoping he would get the picture and leave her alone.
"Not for much longer," she said tightly. "Sasha should be here in a few minutes to take me home."
"Funny how that happened, huh?" Adam asked, taking a step farther into the office. Payson frowned at him.
"How what happened?"
"You and Sasha, after all these years, getting married. You had a husband and a kid and then you came back here and…bam, it happened," Adam said with a shrug. He ran a finger over the edge of the bookshelf, slowly making his way closer to Payson.
"It wasn't quite that easy," Payson said shortly. Adam made a humming sound.
"So rumor is that you and Sasha got together before you were divorced; couldn't stay away from an old flame?" Payson nearly growled. For a week Adam had not stopped insinuating that she and Sasha truly had been something when she was still his athlete.
"I don't know why I have to keep telling you this, but Sasha and I were never together when I was a gymnast."
"So you're just a cheater?" Adam asked bluntly. Payson's head snapped up so that she could look Adam in the eye. She was scandalized, but he looked almost bored.
"I'm sorry?" she asked, clenching her fists.
"You and Sasha got together before your divorce was final, technically you were having an affair. That's cool, I like that. There's a sense of…danger," Adam said, closing the distance between them.
Payson was too shocked to do anything more than watch as Adam reached out and ran his hand over her hip, around to her backside, pulling her flush against him. She still hadn't processed exactly what was happening as his face inched closer to hers. She didn't come back to herself until she felt his lips on hers; chapped and too pliant.
Payson tore her mouth away from his and tried to squirm out of his arms but he held tight, the arm muscles he'd developed over a lifetime of competitive gymnasts holding her like a vice.
"Adam, let go," Payson said firmly, digging her blunt nails into his arms and praying that she could cause him some amount of pain.
"Oh come on," Adam said. "Sasha doesn't have to know." Adam leaned in to try kissing her against when something tore him away from her and tossed him against the wall.
"Sasha!" Payson cried. His arm was pressed into Adam's neck and his other fist was poised to strike. Payson ran forward, grabbing his cocked fist with both hands, hoping she was strong enough to hold him back.
"Sasha doesn't need to know what?" he hissed at Adam. The younger man shrugged.
"That you're marrying a whore."
Payson felt Sasha's arm tense as it started forward, intent on doing damage to Adam, and she dug her heels into the floor and leaned back.
"Sasha, stop!" She shouted. She felt him pause for just a moment. It was enough. "It's what he and Ellen want. Think about it." She felt him relax and a moment later he dropped his fist, though he still held Adam to the wall.
"I want you to stay far away from my wife," Sasha growled. Payson's heart skipped a beat at the title. "If you're close enough to touch her, you're too close. Got it?"
Adam held Sasha's glare for a long moment, and she thought he might try to goad Sasha back into a fight, but finally he nodded tersely. Sasha dropped his arm from Adam's chest and backed away.
"Good. Get out."
Together, she and Sasha watched as Adam left the gym, his head held high. Of course he would find no fault in his actions, he was just like Beals in that way. Once they heard the front doors slam, it was like the tension instantly drained from the room; Sasha and Payson slumped against each other, breathing for what felt like the first time.
"Thank you," Sasha whispered, pulling her into a hug. She buried her face in his chest, breathing him in, trying to drive the taste and feel of Adam from her memory. She pulled back just enough to look up into his eyes.
"I love you." He smiled down at her, his eyes sparkling.
"I love you too."
#
"Momma's home!" Kelly said with a gasp when she heard the garage door opening. Harper looked up from her place next to Kelly, her eyes dancing as she clutched her elephant figure tightly in her hand. She paused only a moment before tossing the figure across the room and running to the door.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Harper shrieked, jumping up and down, waiting for Payson and Sasha to come in. Kelly couldn't help but smile. When the door started to open, Harper crouched low and pawed at the ground with her foot like a bull getting ready to charge. As soon as Payson and Sasha were clear of the door, Harper launched herself at them and Kelly dissolved into laughter.
It took Kelly a few minutes to be able to breathe again, and only then did she notice the tightness in Sasha's jaw, the tiredness in Payson's face. They both looked like the day had put them through the wringer.
"Hey baby," Payson said with a tired smile, lifting Harper into her arms. Harper hugged Payson tightly, burying her face in Payson's neck. Sasha ruffled her hair as he slipped past them and into the kitchen. Kelly levered herself off the floor and moved towards Payson.
"You okay?" Kelly asked. Payson sighed, pressing her nose to Harper's hair and breathing in deeply.
"I'll tell you about it later," Payson sighed. "But we need to get rid of Adam, pronto." Sasha reappeared with a cup of tea, trading Payson the cup for Harper.
"Want to help me cook dinner puiule?" Sasha asked. Harper nodded happily.
"Yes, yes!" Sasha carried her into the kitchen, leaving Payson and Kelly alone. Kelly reached out to grab Payson's wrist, dragging her to the couch.
"What happened?" Kelly pressed. Payson scrubbed her hands over her face and slumped back against the cushions with a groan.
"Adam…I don't even know what to call it. He came on to me I guess," Payson sighed.
"Came on to you, how?" Kelly asked incredulously.
"He just got a little hands-y and kissed me."
"What?" Kelly shrieked. "What kind of hands-y?"
"He grabbed my ass and tried to shove his tongue down my throat," Payson said. Kelly jumped to her feet, her face going red.
"That's assault, Payson! I'm going to kill the bastard," Kelly growled. Payson grabbed her arm and yanked her back down.
"Relax Kel, Sasha took care of it," Payson said, grimacing at the way it made her sound like some damsel-in-distress.
"He gave him two black eyes?" Kelly asked gleefully. Payson shook her head and snorted out a laugh.
"He would have, but don't you think that's exactly what Adam and Beals wanted? Beals will take any excuse she can to get control of the National Team and Sasha beating the crap out of another coach would certainly work to her advantage. Adam is just trying to stir up trouble, and we aren't going to let him," Payson said forcefully.
"I hate that guy," Kelly muttered. Payson sighed, shaking her head.
"Me too."
#
"I have a plan," Kelly said as she, Kaylie, and Emily browsed the Tiffany store. They'd made a special trip to Denver's Cherry Creek Mall, one of the ritziest around, just to shop for Payson and Sasha's wedding presents.
"What kind of plan?" Kaylie asked, leaning down to look at a gorgeous pearl necklace in the display case.
"Are you sure we want to know?" Emily asked, drawing a giggle from Kaylie and a playful glare from Kelly. Emily and Damon had flown in from L.A. just two days before so that she could be part of all the pre-wedding festivities and Kelly would never admit it, but having the four of them back together again felt like coming home.
"Shut up Kmetko," Kelly said. "Adam is stirring up trouble…"
"Wait, who's Adam?" Emily asked.
"Oh God, I forgot we hadn't told you yet. Okay, basically he's Beals' mole; he's trying to rip the staff apart or give the NGO a reason to fire Sasha," Kelly explained.
"Hasn't Beals gotten over all that by now? I truly don't understand what her problem is," Emily said. She tapped lightly on the glass display. "What about those for Sasha?"
The three of them leaned over the display case, staring at the pair of cufflinks Emily had pointed out. They were unlike anything the girls had ever seen, silver and concrete, but very Sasha.
"I love those," Kaylie said.
"Me too. Great, now we just need something for Payson," Kelly said. "Anyway, my plan. We need to distract Adam, right? Keep him from causing any more trouble. Well Lauren just happens to be unattached at the moment, right?"
"And?" Emily asked carefully.
"And, isn't it obvious? We kill two birds with one stone; get Lauren out of our hair, and get Adam out of the gym. Set them up on a little date. They're both devious enough to keep each other occupied, at least long enough to get us to Johannesburg," Kelly explained.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Kaylie asked, peeking into the display case of engagement rings, just to dream for a moment.
"Kaylie, for serious? I'm the master plotter in this group, my plans never fail. Just go with it," Kelly said. "Ooh, what about this for Payson?" Kelly pointed out a breathtaking pearl bracelet; three strands of pearls were connected by an open silver heart toggle clasp. It was obviously a little more jewelry than Payson would normally wear, but Kelly also knew that the bracelet would go perfectly with almost all of Payson's special occasion outfits.
"It's gorgeous," Emily breathed.
"It can be her something new!" Kaylie cried, clapping her hands together.
"Perfect. Now let's go so I can put my awesome plan in motion."
#
"You really think that's going to work?" Payson asked. She turned her head from side to side, examining the job Kelly had done on her hair. It was pulled back into a bun, much like the one she'd always worn in competition but looser, with softly curled strands falling around her face.
"Of course it's going to work. It's my plan! Why is everyone doubting my scheming abilities all of a sudden?" Kelly huffed. Payson laughed and straightened the neckline of her forest green dress. The pleated, form fitting, single-shouldered piece made her feel like she should be walking the red carpet, not going out for her bachelorette party but Kelly had insisted that they all "glam-out" for the night.
Kelly herself was in a black mini dress, covered by a white blazer. She wore dangly earrings that Payson would never have even considered and a heavy statement ring that looked like it could double as a weapon. She looked dangerously gorgeous, as she always did.
"I am not doubting your scheming abilities," Payson promised. "I'm…concerned about Lauren being part of any plan."
"Look, we all have our issues with Lauren and I'm not saying we should be best friends with her, but…she is strangely defensive of you and Sasha now. If we tell her, she'll throw herself at the plan like she threw herself at Carter Anderson," Kelly said. Payson snorted.
"She is enthusiastic."
The doorbell rang and Payson started down the stairs to answer it, wobbling a little in her nude colored heels.
Kaylie, Emily, and Lauren stood on the threshold, all decked out in their very best. Kaylie looked stunning in a gold sequined dress that made her tan skin glow and sky high black heels, Emily was radiant in a loosely draped aqua blue dress, and of course Lauren looked fantastic in an original grey strapless number.
"Let's party!" Lauren shrieked happily.
"But our ride isn't here yet," Kelly said with a devious smile. Payson whipped around to stare at her maid of honor in horror.
"What did you do?" Payson asked.
"I promised you a bachelorette party that would blow your first one out of the water. Well, get ready for a spectacular night," Kelly said.
"That didn't answer my question, Kelly Parker," Payson hissed. Kelly just smiled and batted her eyelashes. Payson didn't get a chance to ask her question again, because a moment later a monstrous Hummer limousine pulled up in front of Payson's house and tapped the horn twice. Kelly grabbed Payson by the hand and pulled her toward the limo.
"Payson Keeler, you're having fun tonight, no matter what," Kelly insisted.
Together, the girls all piled into the limo. Chilled Champaign was waiting for them and a special Kelly Parker playlist blared through the speakers. As they settled in, Kelly poured everyone a glass of the bubbling, gold liquid and raised a toast.
"To life, to love, and to her last night as Payson Keeler."
"Here, here!"
#
There was a stillness in the air the next morning, Payson's wedding day, one that mirrored the stillness in her soul. Unlike when she married Jeffrey, Payson was completely calm, peaceful, and happy. Six months before, Payson looked upon the day with terror, fear that her mistakes were doomed to repeat themselves again and again, but Sasha had driven those fears away. He was her rock, her anchor.
The stillness was broken when Harper and Kelly barge into Payson's childhood bedroom, jumping onto the bed and bouncing until Payson's entire body was being lifted into the air. She laughed, surging up to grab Harper and tickle her mercilessly.
"Mommy!" Harper shrieked in protest. Kelly fell to her knees and joined in the torture.
"Come on PK," Kelly said after a few minutes. "Time to get ready."
"You promise I'm going to like the dress?" Payson asked, slipping on her robe and following Kelly into the kitchen where Kim and Mark are making a breakfast feast of epic proportions.
"Morning, sweetie!" Kim said happily. Payson felt like she was sixteen again as she pulled herself onto one of the stools at the breakfast counter. Kelly and Harper followed suit, waiting for eggs and hashbrowns and pancakes to be ready.
"I'm not going to fit into my dress!" Payson teased. Kim pressed a kiss to her head as she set the plate down in front of her.
"Sure you will sweetie, besides you need all the energy you can get today," Kim reminded her. Payson nodded. Even the most low-key weddings were exhausting.
"Is everything set up?" Payson asked.
"The team left twenty minutes ago to start working at Kaylie's," Mark said. It was the one decision Kaylie and Lauren had made that Payson was grateful for; hiring a team to set up and tear down both her "church" in her parent's backyard and the reception site in Kaylie's.
"So Kelly," Kim said. Payson groaned at her tone, knowing the start of an interrogation when she heard it. Kelly, however, had no idea what was coming.
"Yes?" Kelly asked curiously.
"You and Austin have been dancing around this for a while; when are you going to tell him yes?" Kim asked. Kelly's entire body went rigid as she whipped her head around, waiting for Austin to appear.
"He's at the house with Sasha," Payson reminded her. Kelly didn't relax, but she did stop looking around so frantically.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Kelly said, suddenly very interested in her coffee. Kim sighed and clucked her tongue
"He's so in love with you, honey," Kim said. "Don't make him wait too long." Kelly was about to argue when the front door slammed open.
"I'm home!" Becca's voice called from the front entry. Harper squealed and jumped down from her stool, running to meet her aunt. Payson got up too, eager to see her sister for the first time in months.
"Hey!" Payson cried, pulling Becca into a tight hug.
"Hey. Sorry I couldn't make it to the party last night, stupid class," Becca grumbled. Payson laughed and smoothed a hand over Becca's hair.
"It's fine." Becca turned her attention back to Harper as they all made their way into the kitchen again. Kelly barely spared Becca a glance as they exchanged a fist bump, the most enthusiastic their greetings ever got.
"Where is everybody?" Beccas asked, stealing a forkful of Payson's hashbrowns.
"Kaylie, Lauren, and Emily should be here in an hour or so to start getting ready," Kim said.
"I still can't believe you're letting them near your hair and make-up," Kelly told Payson. The bride threw her hands into the air.
"Well you weren't helping!" Payson protested. Kelly just laughed.
"Go shower," Kelly said, giving her a little shove. Payson glared, but did as she was told.
#
"Hair and make-up, done," Lauren announced proudly, giving Payson permission to open her eyes. The vision greeting her in the mirror almost takes her breath away. Lauren has styled her hair naturally, perfect beach waves tumbling over her shoulders with a few tiny braids creating a lattice over her scalp. Nestled among the braids is a simple mother-of-pearl comb that her veil will attach to once she's ready to walk down the aisle. Her make-up matches her hair, muted Champaign colors that allowed her eyes to be the focus, and a shiny, pearl pink lipstick.
"You look like an angel," Becca whispered. Payson caught Kelly's eyes in the mirror and for a moment she thought she saw tears there.
"Ready to see the dresses?" Lauren asked cautiously. Payson nodded, unable to speak around the lump in her throat.
Lauren crossed the room to a row of several thick garment bags that each held a bridesmaid dress. After unzipping each bag, Lauren pulled the dresses out so that they were on full display; Payson had to admit they were gorgeous. In keeping with the outdoor theme, Lauren had chosen a soft, clover green color chiffon fabric. The dresses were strapless with and intricately ruched bust leading into an empire waist and a hem that fell to just about the knee. Her friends would look beautiful.
"They're amazing, Lo," Payson admitted. The knot in her stomach over her wedding dress started to ease; if the bridesmaid dresses were that beautiful, she was sure the wedding dress would be as well.
"And now, the main event," Lauren said with a smile. She gestured to the only unopened garment bag and started to slowly lower the zipper. Kelly and Emily appeared on either side of Payson, holding tightly to her hands and they held their breath.
Payson couldn't help it, the moment she saw the dress she started to cry. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she threw her arms around Lauren, hugging her as tightly as she could. The dress was stunning; a trumpet gown made of beaded lace, with an empire waist.
"Stop it!" Kaylie cried. "You're going to ruin your make-up!" Payson laughed and allowed the girls to help her slip into the dress.
It fit perfectly, ghosting over her curves like a cloud with a deep v-neck and capped sleeves, and an understated train. It was simple, just as Payson had wanted, but also a work or art.
"Lauren, this is a dream. Thank you," Payson whispered as Kim attached her veil. Lauren scoffed playfully and rolled her eyes.
"Well duh!" Her smile softened. "And you're welcome." There was a knock on the door that Becca quickly answered, ducking out of the room to talk to whoever had come calling.
"Okay, we just have a few more things to take care of," Kaylie said. She grabbed Payson's shoes and knelt down in front of her, careful not to kneel on her own dress or Payson's. She took a penny from the vanity table and put it in one of the shoes.
"For luck," she said, helping Payson slip the simple heels onto her feet. Kim appeared next, with beautiful pearl drop earrings.
"Something old and borrowed," Kim said, tears in her eyes. "I wore these the day I married your dad." Payson fastened them quickly, willing herself not to cry.
"Something blue," Emily said, holding out Payson's sky blue garter. Payson giggled and pulled it onto her leg.
"And finally," Kelly said. "Something new." She pulled out the blue Tiffany box and handed it to Payson, who removed the top slowly, almost reverently.
"Oh my God, you guys…this is beautiful," Payson breathed.
"We love you, Payson," Emily said. Crying again, Payson gestured Kaylie, Kelly, and Emily in for a hug.
"Payson?" Becca asked, slipping back into the room. "It's time."
#
The backyard had been transformed. Chinese lanterns were strung over rows and rows of white chairs. At the end of each row of chairs, lining the aisle of white petals, were small bouquets of wild flowers that added a pop of color to the area. At the end of the aisle was an arch covered with honeysuckle vines, another pop of color.
But Payson wasn't looking at the decorations, and she wasn't looking at the guests; Annabelle, Lauren, Steve and Summer, a host of other gymnasts and coaches. She wasn't looking at the groomsmen; Marty, Austin, Damon, and she wasn't watching her bridesmaids precede her.
Her eyes were locked on Sasha, and his on her.
A string quartet hidden somewhere in the yard played Pachelbel's Canon in D as she made her way towards Sasha. Tears slid down her cheeks. The walk seemed to take forever.
Finally she reached him. He lifted his thumb to brush away her tears and smiled, swaying in like he wanted to kiss her and then remembering himself and swaying back.
"You look spectacular, love."
The music ended and the chaplain cleared his throat.
"Welcome, family and friends, to this joyous occasion. We are here to join Sasha and Payson in wedded bliss…"
Payson didn't hear the rest of his words. She watched as Sasha responded appropriately to the vows, the sounds around them a muffled buzzing in her ears. Sasha's hands were sure as he slipped the wedding ring onto her shaking fingers. She tried to listen to the chaplain asking for her vows, and she responded with a heartfelt "I do," laughing through her tears when she fumbled with Sasha's ring.
"It gives me great pleasure to announce you man and wife. Sasha, you may kiss your bride."
Sasha reached one hand to the back of her neck, pulling her face towards him and wrapping his other arm around her waist, bending her slightly backwards as his lips slanted over hers. The crowd exploded in cheers and applause.
"I love you," Sasha whispered against her lips. She smiled, kissing him again.
"I love you."
A/N: As always, thank you so much to JTellersOldLady, lakessler, LauraW89, JCI, Barrel of Monkeys, Kiwiflea, Egyptian Kiss, Ida-cullen, explamation points forever, and SunStar123 for your reviews!
IT'S THE WEDDING! I am so happy to see our favorite couple at this point, it's a little ridiculous. Next chapter we'll see the reception and a whole bunch of other stuff.
Also, I've put links up in my profile for Payson's engagement ring, Tiffany bracelet, the bridesmaid's dresses, and of course Payson's wedding dress. Take a look!
Let me know what you think!