Just Beginning: A Prequel to Just Destiny Read online

  Days later, Jenny stood before the non-denominational officiant and her new husband feeling beautiful and chic in her strapless sweetheart gown. Beaded lace appliques covered the fitted bodice, then spread through a dropped waist in an ever-dispersing flow that gave way to the delicate tulle pleats beneath, reminding her of dozens of little mini waterfalls.

  Between the puffy skirt that brushed against her legs with every move, the way her train ever so slightly tugged at her butt and hips with each step, and the feel of her gauzy veil flowing from the crown of her head around her shoulders, Jenny felt like a princess going to a ball.

  She’d parted her hair slightly to the side and a light French braid framed her face. The rest cascaded down her back in long ringlets. Jenny had tried to coax Gabe into more comfortable island wedding attire, but he’d insisted upon wearing a suit.

  Freshly shaved, slightly sunburned, with the wind rustling his hair, wearing a suit that emphasized his broad shoulders, Gabe made her heart swell with happiness. A slow smile of awe spread across his face, and he nodded in approval when their gazes met as Dad walked her down the aisle. Jenny’s world was complete.

  Then Jenny, Gabe, and the minister stood cocooned beneath a gauzy arch accented with white chiffon, pink roses, and hydrangea. A gentle late afternoon breeze skimmed her bare arms and shoulders in a cooling caress while the surf serenaded them, and the rest of the world dropped away until it was just Jenny and Gabe taking their vows and declaring their love. Rings exchanged and first kiss bestowed, they turned to the officiant.

  “The butterfly symbolizes new beginnings, freedom, and happiness. In a few minutes, we’re going to celebrate Jenny’s and Gabe’s love and new beginning with the release of these butterflies.” He waved a hand at the white organza display that held a dozen sleepy Monarchs. Some of them clung to the side of the enclosure still while others slowly batted their wings as if fanning themselves.

  “When Jenny was a little girl, she was enchanted with the American Indian legend that claimed that if one captured a butterfly, made a wish, and then freed it, in gratitude, the Great Spirit would always grant the wish. So in a minute I'm going to invite you to close your eyes and make a wish bestowing upon this couple our very best blessings to carry to God. But first, I’d like to read this poem Jenny and Gabe selected. Learn to Fly by Larry James.”

  Jenny faced Gabe and held his hands between hers, wishing she’d written the beautiful lines because it so spoke to her heart. When she looked into Gabe’s dear face and saw his eyes glossy with unshed tears, she had to furiously blink back tears of her own. This poem was their truth and most fervent hope for their life together.

  What happened before this day didn’t matter. It was what they made of themselves and their marriage from this day forward that counted, how they learned to soar together.

  Like a butterfly emerges

  And unfolds its graceful wings,

  A marriage grows and it develops

  With the love each partner brings.

  Your flight through life together

  Is what you make it, so reach high

  Spread your wings and learn to soar

  As if with wings of a butterfly

  Share together life's great adventure

  Now the two of you are one

  Shower your lover with butterfly kisses

  Your infinite journey has just begun

  Be a lover, friend, and playmate

  Learn to listen, laugh, and cry

  God has given you your wings,

  But, you teach each other how to fly.

  “Please close your eyes and make your wishes,” the officiant instructed as he handed them the cage.

  With unsteady hands, Jenny swiped a finger under each eye, hoping her mascara truly was waterproof. She blew out a deep breath and faced her new husband. Gabe held the box while Jenny reached for the lid.

  Smiling, she looked up at Gabe. “One.”

  “Two,” he said.

  “Three,” they chorused as Jenny pulled the top off, freeing the butterflies.

  There was a round of applause as a half dozen Monarchs burst free in a graceful, elegant release. Jenny gently scooped her hand into the box to encourage the stragglers. One flew immediately to Gabe’s boutonniere and settled there.

  My favorite spot too, right over his heart.

  * * *

  After an hour spent moving from one beautiful location to another to pose for photos, the group was led to a small, private room with a wall of windows overlooking the ocean. Doors swung open and the photographer rushed ahead of them to snap more photos.

  Off to the side, one large, oval table was set with china and sparkling crystal. Different sized snow-white candles scattered throughout a wood bark vine strewn with leafy flowers in a variety of pinks and lavenders. Like a candle-lit walk through a forest. Perfect.

  Jenny’s gaze traveled the room from the table to the parquet dance floor, to—she froze and clutched Gabe’s arm. Her eyes grew wide, and her mouth dropped open.

  “Surprise!” An arm landed across her shoulder as a beaming Alex popped up between her and Gabe.

  “Wha—?” Jenny slowly walked forward. Oh my God. But how?

  She looked from Gabe to Alex to her parents and Michael. Cindy, her date, Dillon, and Ted stood grinning while George looked as puzzled as she felt.

  George leaned toward Ted, muttering, “What’s the big deal?”

  “Are you kidding me right now?” Jenny looked at Gabe. “How?”

  Gabe grinned and inclined his head toward her parents.

  Picking up her poufy skirt, Jenny darted across the room and threw herself into her mom’s arms whispering, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

  Mom squeezed back. “Someone who appreciates sweets as much as my girl deserves a delicious wedding cake.”

  “Oh, my God. It’s not lemon with raspberry filling, too?”

  “The top layer is. The other is chocolate with Bavarian cream, and then plain yellow for the bottom.”

  “But how? You didn’t bring it all the way from home, did you? You couldn’t—that’s ridiculous.” There was no way they could have transported that cake forty-three hundred miles on the plane, especially when there weren’t any direct flights. And the caterer had been adamant about the desserts they would offer, and butter cream frosting had not been an option—no matter how sweetly Jenny’d requested it.

  Mom smiled and stood a little taller. “Where there’s a will...”

  “It’s right, isn’t it? Just like in your book?” Alex asked.

  Jenny nodded. It was more than right. It was perfect. An exact scaled-down replica of her wedding cake. The three-layer cake had a dozen silk butterflies winding and twisting up the side of the cake to a few small ones swirling around the feet of the bride and groom cake topper.

  Wide-eyed, Jenny circled the cake. At the back, under a butterfly wing, she used her index finger to scoop up a healthy dollop of icing, half-afraid it was fondant masquerading as something tasty.

  “That’s it, right?” Gabe asked.

  Jenny held her finger of icing up to him. “Buttercream?”

  Gabe leaned forward and took the sweet into his mouth. Gaze locked on Jenny’s face. His hot, wet tongue sucked the icing away, then swirled leisurely around her finger, the way he suckled and enjoyed tasting other parts of her.

  Jenny held her breath, and her heart launched into triple time. She flipped her hair over one shoulder and tugged on her finger. Gabe grabbed her hand and held it steady.

  “Gabe,” she whispered and glanced at their audience. “Behave!”

  With a last lick, Gabe released her, smiling. “Buttercream.”

  Flushed and hot, Jenny turned to the others. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

  “Me too,” Gabe murmured in her ear.

  She pushed playfully at his chest.

  Between sentimental champagne toasts, Jenny feasted on an amazing caprese salad while Gabe started with butte
rnut squash soup, and they shared her pepper-crusted filet mignon and his butter poached Kona lobster, washing it down with a lovely mellow cabernet the wine steward recommended. Superb.

  Cindy picked up a spoon and tapped it against her water glass and others—with the exception of George, who undoubtedly considered the custom silly—immediately chimed in in an insistent clinking until Gabe kissed Jenny.

  Michael thought the tradition was great fun, thoroughly enjoying that they could make Gabe and Jenny stop whatever they were doing and kiss. He was often the instigator of many a kiss, until the zeal got the better of him, and Michael used his knife a little too hard and smashed his water glass.

  Alex and Ted burst out laughing, enjoying Michael’s red face and fluster as servers rushed forward to sop up his mess and replace his broken glass. Mom, on the other hand sent her wayward offspring a furious scowl. Jenny failed to hide her smile, unperturbed by one glass broken in a careless moment of enthusiasm. But Michael hung his head, sufficiently chastened.

  Satiated by food and drink, Jenny and Gabe took to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. They glided around the floor as Josh Groban sang “You Raise Me Up.”

  Snuggling close, Jenny looked up at Gabe, but his attention was focused across the room. This was their first dance; he should be paying attention to her. Jenny turned to see what Gabe was staring at. Beer in hand, Ted was talking to George.

  Jenny leaned in, murmuring, “One beer at his father’s wedding does not an alcoholic make.”

  “It’s illegal.”

  “It’s a special occasion.”

  “I thought the fine and alcohol class would’ve gotten through to him.” Gabe scowled. “I talked to Ted on the plane. I thought we had an understanding.”

  “Well maybe you should’ve had that talk with George since he’s the one who gave it to him. I’m sure Ted took it to save face.”

  “Great. Big help he is.”

  Jenny pushed on Gabe’s shoulder, turning them so Gabe had his back to George and Ted. “Forget them and pay attention to me.” She smiled. “I love this song but was surprised you even knew it. I wouldn’t have taken you for a Josh Groban fan.”

  Gabe folded her hand in, tucking it close to his heart and lowered his head. “Truth? I barely knew his name before.”

  Jenny smiled and nodded. That’s what she’d suspected.

  “But when I heard the lyrics, I knew this was the one because meeting you and loving you have raised me up and made me want to be a better man, and I hope my love does the same for you.”

  Jenny scowled and sniffled, trying to hold back tears. She pinched his hand. “Stop saying such sweet things that make me cry.” She rested her head on his chest. “I love you.”

  Gabe squeezed her tight and they danced until the end of the song, when he led her over to where Dad and Mom stood watching. Gabe gave her hand to Dad. “Thank you.”

  Her dad danced Jenny back to the center of the parquet floor to Rascal Flatt’s “My Wish”. Dad moved her around in the slow box step he’d taught her at her cousin’s wedding when she’d been small enough to dance on the top of Dad’s feet. “You look gorgeous today, Jenny.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “At first I was concerned at your change in wedding plans, but this has worked out beautifully.”

  “Oh ye of little faith,” Jenny teased. Hope Mom thinks so, too.

  “I like Gabe and his kids. I’m enjoying getting to know them better. This vacation was a great idea.”

  Jenny searched out Gabe, who was sitting next to his uncle. He’d taken off his suit coat and rolled his sleeves. Jenny’s gaze lingered on his muscular forearm, then Gabe winked at her. She drew back, a little surprised yet delighted, then rewarded him with a warm smile. “I’m pretty pleased with them myself.”

  “Though it might be nice if those kids had less luck at cards.”

  “Tired of losing to a couple of kids?” Playing Hearts, Euchre, and Spades was a favorite pastime Mom and Dad taught her and Michael at early ages. It actually started in elementary school. Dad had taught her cribbage to improve her addition skills. Ted and Alex delighted in embracing the Campbell tradition.

  Her dad scowled at her. “Watch it, young lady.”

  “You’d better be nice to me, or I’ll tell them to let you win.”

  “Don’t you dare. I’ve been holding back since they’re new to the game.”

  “Uh huh,” Jenny said, her voice thick with doubt.

  “To build their confidence. But they’re getting a little cocky now. I think it’s time to put them in their place.”

  Jenny chuckled. “Good luck with that.”

  Both Ted and Alex had strong card sense, and Dad notoriously had poor luck being dealt good cards. She’d put her money on the kids.

  Dad looked at Mom, whose head was bent close to Alex’s. “I especially appreciate you giving us older grandchildren so we missed the diaper changing phase.”

  Jenny chuckled. “Anything for you, Dad.”

  He twirled her around. “I’m not sure you’ve ever looked happier, little girl.”

  “Life is pretty good right now.” Only one way it could be perfect. Jenny sought out Gabe where he sat talking to George. Okay, two maybe. George aside, one little conversation with Gabe would—

  Don’t be greedy. Be happy with what you have.

  * * *

  Gabe took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, then settled in next to Uncle George to watch Jenny dance with her dad.

  Damn, that woman’s beautiful. And mine.

  When Gabe caught his first glimpse of Jenny walking down the beach on her father’s arm, all graceful and stunning in that beaded, gauzy dress, she’d taken his breath away. Literally; he forgot to breathe. But Lord help him, when she smiled for him—and it’d been just for him—she made his head spin faster than downing four straight shots of whiskey. He was the luckiest man in the world.

  Jenny laughed at something her dad said then glanced at him. He winked. I’ve got my eye on you, lady. Later you’ll be laughing for me, and giggling, then moaning...

  Gabe shook his head to clear his brain. They had a ways to go tonight before he was free to see what it took to get Jenny out of that gown, and thinking that way would only lead to frustration.

  He reached for his ice water and turned to his uncle. “Having a good time?”

  “Dinner was pretty good.” Uncle George frowned at him. “What’s with her old man and that getup?” He nodded at Mike, dressed in a white embroidered Hawaiian dress shirt, khakis, and sandals.

  “Jenny asked him to dress in traditional Hawaiian clothes, like the other guys.” Ted, Michael, and Dillon were similarly dressed.

  “That’s fine for younger men, but he should know better. Looks ridiculous.”

  “He looks fine.”

  Uncle George raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t.”

  “I’m the groom, not a guest.”

  He watched the way Jenny swayed to the music, her hair moving half a beat behind, brushing bare, silky skin, begging to be caressed.

  Uncle George shook his head. “You gotta do something to keep a looker like that. Judith didn’t look half that good, and, well, we both know how that turned out.”

  “Thanks, Uncle George.”

  “I’m just sayin’ if you’re gonna go to the trouble of marrying the girl, it’s good to see you’re trying to hang onto her. That ring. This wedding. You’re certainly bringin’ your A game.”

  “Glad you approve,” he said dryly. And she still married him after she’d met Uncle George. Gabe shook his head in wonder. When they got home, he was going to have to have a long talk with his uncle about boundaries and guarding his tongue a little better.

  “I wouldn’t go that far,” Uncle George muttered. He scowled and rolled his beer over his blistering forearms.

  “Did you use the aloe lotion Jen gave you?”

  “Doesn't work.” He moved the beer to his other arm.
r />   “You’d think at your age you’d be able to avoid a sunburn.”

  “I shouldn’t have burned. I’m out in the sun plenty playin’ golf.”

  “The sun doesn’t reflect off the green like it does the ocean. You know that. Besides, Jenny reminded you to put suntan lotion on before we left.”

  “What? She’s my mother now?”

  “Nope. She’s just right.” He smirked.

  Gabe’s uncle had been put out at having to fly all the way to Maui for the wedding, so to make it up to him, Gabe paid a small fortune and gave him the fishing trip of a lifetime. While the ladies indulged in a little retail therapy, Gabe chartered a fishing expedition for the men.

  He gave Michael, Mike, and Dillon their first fishing lesson, while Uncle George and Ted chased marlins. And Uncle George fried his arms. Gabe wasn’t sure he made fishermen of the Campbells, but they seemed to enjoy it well enough, and it was a nice chance for the men to spend a day together.

  When the last notes played, Jenny pulled her subdued brother out on the floor. The photographer darted in and around, getting pictures of the bride dancing with her brother and then some shots of the group.

  Michael wasn’t half-bad. He watched the kid shimmy and move. Geeze, the guy had rhythm. Everybody formed a circle around him, and amid clapping and shouts, Michael threw himself to the floor executing a pretty good version of the Worm that ended with a breakdance twirl.

  To his surprise, Ted pulled Mary to the center and twirled her around a bit before pointing to Cindy and Dillon to take center stage. Alex ran over and held out her hand to Uncle George. “Come dance with me, Uncle George.”

  “Aw, no thanks, Alex. I don’t dance.”

  She tugged on his arm. “You do, too. I’ve seen you.”

  “I don’t know this song.”

  “So? It’s got a good beat. Come on, Uncle George.”

  “Uhh, my sunburn’s botherin’ me. I’ll just watch.”

  Gabe stood to dance with his daughter and let Uncle George off the hook, but then Mike approached. Mike held out a hand to Alex, and jerked his head toward the others on the dance floor. “Come on, Alex. Let’s show ’em how it’s done.”