Freedom
Chapter 15
SPOV
Our cuddle fest on the sofa, relishing each other's silent presence was interrupted by the doorbell which startled me. Most of the guys knock, Ella just comes in… oh, oh…. it must be Connie and Lula! I slowly get up, happy that I'm still feeling pretty good and go answer the door while Ranger goes to his office.
Lula burst through the door as soon as I cracked it open. "Whit girl! You're alive! You look like hell, good thing you got me and Connie here to help clean yo ass up. We got some celebratin' to do!"
"Lula, it's so good to see you, girlfriend! Thank you for coming over before the party for some girl time.
You have no idea how much I miss you both!"
"Steph, are you alright to do this tonight? You went through a lot yesterday. We almost lost you from what Ranger told us on the phone." Connie took me in her arms, more delicately than Lula had.
"I'm doing well. The stitches from where they had to sew me back up are tender and I ache all over, but if I keep on top of the pain with some Advil, I fell pretty good."
Lula was just about jumping up and down she was so excited. "Girl, I got some new nail polish for you in every shade of red they make to match your dress, just like Ranger requested. I can't wait to show you our dresses and shoes. Your man didn't even give us a spendin limit! You are so lucky, white girl."
"Come into our bedroom, let me show you my dress."
Needless to say, the girls loved my dress. When Lula said she bought every shade of red, she wasn't kidding. We found just the right shade to match my dress and we started our manicure/pedicure process. It was so nice to relax with my friends, just like old times around the bonds office. Connie said Vinnie about had a cow when I told him we were closing up early, but when Tank, their chauffer for the evening appeared in the doorway, Vinnie apparently cowered back to his office. I asked Lula how the FTA's were going, and she said Lula was doing the really low priced bonds and Vinnie had hired someone new for the mid-range bonds. Neither of them particularly liked the new guy, Henry, but I think that has more to do with the fact that he isn't me.
Ranger had brought us lemonades before he headed downstairs right after the girls got here and now when I look at the clock I'm surprised to realize it's only an hour until the party. Wow, how time flies! Carlos and I wanted to be downstairs 20 minutes early, so I have only 40 minutes to do makeup, hair and get our dresses on.
"Connie! Lula! We only have 40 minutes! We need to get this show on the road!" I did my makeup first, deciding to just go fairly natural with mascara and lip gloss, the way Carlos likes me. My hair had cooperated pretty well this morning after getting out of the shower and I only had to put some of Mr. Alexander's magic serum on my curls to get them more pronounced and tamed. Lula went next while Connie helped me into my dress. I had undressed and put a new, special lacy black panty and bra set in the walk-in closet, and when I stepped out to have her help me put my dress on, she gasped and her hand flew up to her mouth, concern visible in her eyes.
"Steph, I had no idea. I heard the truck you were in rolled onto it's side, but honey, your bruises…"
Lula came out of the bathroom, hearing the commotion and walked over to me, hugging me so gently, a tear running down her cheek.
"I'm ok guys." The bruising is especially bad from where the seat belt was on my chest and across my hips. "It looks worse than it feels if that's any consolation. And the little cuts and scrapes aren't too bad."
We got the dress over my head, straightened out and zipped up in the back. Connie and Lula both stood back and had the most loving smiles on their faces, making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I'm thankful that not much bruising can be seen and what could be seen on my arms, I was just going to live with.
Connie took my hands in hers and said, "You're so beautiful Steph. Even being in a horrible car accident yesterday, you just glow. You're truly happy, aren't you?"
"For the first time in my life, yes, I'm truly happy and madly, deeply in love. I have you to thank for introducing us."
"Rubbish! I have a feeling with the magnetic pull between the two of you, it would have only been a matter of time before you two met and sparks started to fly all on their own. I just speeded up the process a bit is all. Now, let's call that man of yours and tell him you're ready."
While Connie used the intercom to let the monitor room know I was ready, I turned to look in the full length mirror and was pleased. If I do say so myself, I really was hot! And grateful for it. Yesterday could have been so much worse…
I heard Carlos open the front door, and I stood in the kitchen, leaning against the breakfast bar, seductively. He crossed the room to get to me in a flash, taking me in his arms.
"Babe, you look… you look amazing."
"Thank you. Remind me to tell Hall thank you for going back for my dress."
"The dress is beautiful, but it's the woman inside it that makes it come to life. I can't wait until after the party to get you out of it and show you just how much I love you, how much I need you."
It felt like time had stilled as Carlos pulled me in for a toe curling, mind-numbing kiss that left me dazed.
"Carlos, if you keep that up, we're not going to make it to the party."
"Then I guess we should get going."
"Let me go tell the girls we're heading downstairs. I think they just need another couple of minutes."
When we arrived on the basement level, I was shocked to say the least. Carlos pulled me in his arms, my back to his front, his arms wrapped around me, and we took the room in, not wanting to miss a single detail. What once had been storage and a large open area used for such things as paint ball games (when wall panels were set up) to a large scale employee meeting area (when folding chairs were brought in), it was now a romantic wonderland. Where Ella and I had arranged invitations, food, music, etc., Carlos had wanted the control over the setting which I happily agreed to knowing he has impeccable taste.
Glistening gold fabric had been draped around the room, creating soft walls that had lighting on the outside that seemed to make them glow. White fabric created a ceiling, starting at a center point and extending to the walls. Stars hung from the fabric and if I didn't know any better, they seemed to twinkle. Tables and chairs were set up around the edges of the room with the center being dedicated to a dance floor. The sensual beat of the Cuban music Ella and I had chosen played seductively on the speakers that weren't visible. And the room smelled so enticing with the blue hydrangeas, white roses and rose colored gladiolus arrangements in the center of each table. I can't believe it all came together even more perfect than we had planned.
"Babe, why are you crying? Is everything the way you wanted? Did we forget something?" Carlos had me in his arms, the concern in his voice making me twist in his arms to look at his face.
"No, everything is perfect. I'm just so used to being a screw up, and this is so incredible. I can't believe I had a part in all this."
"Babe, you have to believe me when I say you are far from a screw up. Actually, scratch that." Huh?
"You are a screw up in all the ways I want you to be which are being 'burg, cooking, cleaning, and listening to that damn mother of yours." Oh, I see where he's going… "You are not a screw up in any other way, the ways that count. You are the most loving, accepting, funny, beautiful, intoxicating women I have ever met and you're mine."
"Thank you. That means a lot to me. I guess with years of hearing what a disappointment I am, it'll take some time to believe it myself."
"I'll remind you daily with my actions and words just how valuable you are, right now, just the way you are. And babe, the room looks exquisite. Ella said she was just along for the ride, and moral support I think she said. You were the one that had the ideas and made the selections. Enjoy the fruits of your labor, babe, you deserve it. This really is incredible."
I went over to the caterer who was staged in the far corner of the room with a buffet line fit for a king, knowing most of the men would go back for seconds, and thirds. Everything Ella and I had tasted and it looks like a few surprises for me as well were displayed on three tiered tables of culinary perfection. I'm drooling just thinking about being able to taste everything.
"Babe, the guests are arriving, let's go to the elevator and greet everyone as they arrive, then we can enjoy the rest of the evening."
Tank had asked Lula to be his date, and they stepped off the elevator first with Woody and Connie behind them. When Connie said she had a hot cowboy she asked to be her date, I didn't have a clue it was Woody, but he's such a gentleman, just perfect for her.
The next elevator trip brought Lester and his date, Cindy, Bobby and his date Melissa and Hal and his date Carolyn. I hope I can remember all these names by the end of the evening. My Dad and Grandma were the next to join us as they entered with my cousin, Eddie on the TPD and his wife. Eddie would be the only person having to do with law enforcement tonight and only because he was family. On some level, I'm sad that my Mom couldn't be here due to her tunnel vision of how my life 'should' be. I think she actually would've been proud of me.
"She would've, babe." Damn ESP! "We'll have lots of pictures… maybe one day you can show them to her."
"Or not" I muttered under my breath, earning me a squeeze from Carlos.
Carlos' family must have driven together, because they came down in the next two elevator loads. His Mother, Father, four sisters and their spouses (except his little sister who is single and came without a date) and his brother and his wife were all present and accounted for. His Abuela was unable to make the car ride, with her health declining. I had a feeling his grandmother and mine would've gotten along fabulously.
Each time the elevator stopped at its destination, we were greeted by more Merry Men. Carlos said Hector, Cal and eight others he had called in from his Boston office were heading up security upstairs. This was a strict, invitation only affair and you not only had to have your invitation with you, but each person was on a checklist with their photo beside their name. I don't think the President is this secure. Carlos would always have two men he trusted implicitly from the Trenton office, just in case, and they would rotate who could be down here so everyone could enjoy each part of the evening. I appreciate the measures everyone is willing to go to, to insure my safety and make sure our evening of celebration wouldn't be threatened in any way.
When it looked like the last of the guests had arrived, Carlos and I went to the center of the dance floor and announced that the food would be served after the first dance and we had gone through the line. He made sure everyone knew food, wine, and dancing were available the whole night. I picked a lot of music that personally meant something to him or I because it was a favorite artist, or the words were particularly poignant. When the music started and I heard the song 'Wind Beneath My Wings', we danced holding each other tight and the room faded away as if we were the only people in the room, hell in the world for that matter. When I tried to find a song that expressed my love of this incredible man, and all he'd done for me, I thought the last verse of the song spoke volumes since he's the first person to ever help me truly fly in every way.
"Fly, fly, fly high against the sky, so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you, thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings."
But all so soon, our dance ended and as I looked up at my gorgeous fiancé, he said, "this is the first day of the rest of our lives, babe. Tonight we celebrate our decision to join our lives, but in reality, that day will just be a date on a piece of paper. I am yours and you are mine in the company of our friends and relatives tonight. I can't wait to move forward in my life with you by my side in every way."
"Oh, Carlos. You always know what to say to make my heart feel fuller than it did just a moment ago, and I didn't think that was possible. I love you. More than I'll be able to show you in our life time, but I'm looking forward to trying."
"I am too, babe, I am too."
My stomach picked this incredible romantic moment to make its self known with a loud growl. "Guess it's time to eat, huh?"
"Come on, babe, show me what you chose for our special night."
I looked over and saw a look of pride on Carlos' face. He actually looked hungry and I could swear I saw him lick his lips at the bounty spread before us. Ella and I chose several of his favorites that he grew up with from his Cuban heritage. A few dishes Ella said were favorites of the Merry Men and I wanted to make sure our adopted family of big, manly Rangers were happily fed tonight. For dessert, I decided to go with an assortment of my favorites. We had cakes, cheesecake, chocolate mousse and of course flan, something my Cuban lover has gotten me hooked on. Absent was the pineapple upside down cake which isn't a favorite anymore… too many bad memories, and my tastes have evolved.
We loaded up our plates and sat at our table. We already had a side salad waiting for us as well as warm rolls and whipped butter. Waiters (whom I'm sure went through a rigid screening process) came and took our drink orders. I stayed with water and when then a woman with a wine cart passed by, I asked for a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. I was surprised when Carlos abstained from drinking. "Want to be fully alert tonight, babe. None of my men will be drinking. No worries, ok?" I nodded, understanding why even though I didn't think it was necessary.
Several couples were dancing while they waited for the line to die down and by the time we were done eating, we had the dance floor to ourselves. Time is going by too quickly. We've already been partying for almost two hours and it felt like just one. If I'm dreaming, and this is heaven, I don't want to wake up. Carlos is the perfect dance partner and I am Cinderella at the ball. My feet didn't even have to think, they just glided across the dance floor with ease, following each step of my perfect dance partner. After several songs, however; I had to stop and clutched my side, bending over, I caught my breath, but the pain was increasing where my stitches were.
"Babe…" I looked up at Carlos and felt a tear escape my eye. No, no, no, this isn't supposed to happen. My perfect, beautiful night…