Lessons Learned, Part 9

I’ll give you a little synopsis of what’s happened so far, but feel free to start at the beginning and read Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5 , 6, 7 and 8 for the complete story, especially if you’re new to my blog. 🙂

Regina loved Bobby back in high school, they had a huge fight and split up before they knew she was pregnant.  When she lost the baby, she tried to get in touch with him but he never came to the hospital.  They hadn’t spoken since, until they meet up in the airport on Maui, where they’re unknowingly standing up at the same wedding.  They’ve talked some and Bobby insists he never knew about the baby, which has Reggie totally confused about her feelings for him.  He’s always called her Gina and she always called him Bobby, but their friends (Jamie and Mike from my short story  Eyes Wide Open) know them as Reggie and Rob.  

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Mike and Jamie’s wedding day dawns cloudless and beautiful, but it’s Maui, so what else would you expect?  We have all day to get ready, staring with massages and mani-pedis, hair and make up, and its wonderfully relaxed and pampering.  Jamie wants our hair kind of loosely pulled back with flowers which is perfect for a beach wedding.  And she even found some kind of sun block with glimmer to it, so we’ll be glowing even as we’re protected!

When the girl doing our make up asks if we’d thought about false eyelashes or lash extensions, Jamie and I look at each other and just burst out laughing.  Jamie tries to explain how the one time she tried lash extensions her lashes got stuck together and she ended up tripping and spilling red wine across the front of her white silk blouse, all in front of her soon-to-be groom.  But the little Hawaiian cosmetician only looks confused and Jamie trails off into a fit of nervous giggles.

Jamie’s mom came with us to the spa and she’s looking good, even though she’s about 60 now.  She hugs me tightly and I can tell she’s getting all emotional.  I guess it’s not everyday your only daughter gets married.  I assure her that yes, I think Jamie and Mike are very right for each other and will be blissful together.  Jamie rolls her eyes and makes faces at me behind her mom’s back like we were 10 years old.  It feels really good to be smiling again.

Then it’s early evening and time to go back to our rooms to get dressed.  Bobby knocks on my door to escort me downstairs and I can see the appreciation in his eyes, especially as they settle on my cleavage before guiltily returning to my face.  I can’t help but smile and shake my head at the chagrined look on his face.

He clears his throat. “You look incredible, Gina — Reggie.  I told myself I was going to try to call you that, sorry.”

I smile a little. “So should I call you Rob now?”

“Well, Bobby does sound a little high school, doesn’t it?  It didn’t work out so well at my first job. Nobody wanted their accountant to be called Bobby.  But when you say it, it sounds like home.”

I shrug my shoulders and turn away quickly, before Bobby can see all the emotions I’m feeling.  I wonder what he’s doing, saying all those things to me now.  I don’t like the swirl of emotion in my stomach and turn to gather up my purse and a light summer sweater in case the evening breezes are too cool later on. Then we set off for the beach.

It looks like everyone is assembled already, with the exception of the bride and her father.  Mike looks really relieved to see us.  He’s so big and solid, I guess I didn’t expect him to be nervous.  But I swear I’m seeing his hands shake just a little bit.  I walk over to kiss his cheek and whisper, “I’ll go check on her and see how long yet.”  Mike grabs my hand and leans in.  “You don’t think something’s wrong, do you?  Like she changed her mind?”

“For God’s sake, Michael, get a grip!” I hiss at him. “Talk to Rob over there and I’ll be back in a minute.”  I toss my head toward Bobby and find him looking a little amused. He claps Mike on the back and moves him toward the beach bar. “C’mon, man there’s probably time for one beer,” he says and Mike looks shocked.  As I walk toward the hotel, I hear Mike saying how Jamie would kill him if he smelled like beer during the wedding. Maybe some ice water will calm him down!
As I’m heading past the lighted tiki torches, I spot Jamie and her dad walking towards the beach. She looks wonderful and I can see by the glow about her that Mike has no need to worry. “Reggie,” she calls. “You look fabulous in that dress!”  I smile because it’s just like her to do that.  The bride telling me how good I look.  “Aww, honey, you’re so beautiful,” I say, careful not to muss her dress or hair as I give her a hug. “You better hurry,” I tease, “or Mike will think you’re not gonna show up!”  “Yeah, right, like he’d ever worry about that,” she smiles.  “But I’m more than ready.  Daddy, what do you say we get on down there?”

Mr. Cooper wings out his other arm for me to grab and escorts us to the beach where Mike is looking considerably better now that we’re approaching.   And as I take my place to walk towards the flower-strewn trellis on the sand, the beautiful strains of “Over the Rainbow” accompany Jamie and her dad as they start down the sandy aisle.  The sun is just beginning to set as Jamie and Mike face each other and take their vows.

Afterwards we all go to one of those fun touristy luaus with all the Hawaiian delicacies and wonderful music.  Mike and Jamie are feted by the Master of Ceremonies as the only newlywed couple tonight. Deliciously tropical mai tais and pina coladas are flowing and by the time I get up to dance with Bobby my head is spinning ever so slightly.  He holds me a little too close and I find that I don’t mind a bit.  I swear, it’s like all the years are falling away and we’re back together again.

As I look into Bobby’s beautiful face I can hardly remember why we aren’t still together.  And I swear he’s looking at me with love in his eyes.  He leans down and I feel his breath on my cheek, as he whispers into my ear, “I love you, baby.  Please spend tonight with me.”

I think I might be falling in love with him again!  The thought surprises me, but I nod my head and smile and he breaks into a huge grin. “C’mon, then, let’s say our good night’s to everyone so we can go.  After all this time apart, I don’t want to wait another minute.”

(To be continued…)

Photo credit: Pixabay