Chapter 3

Dressed in his black tuxedo and wedding shoes, Richie stepped outside and glanced up to the balcony off the master bedroom.  He hadn’t seen his bride-to-be since they rolled out of bed this morning.  He missed her face, missed her smile.  He hoped to maybe catch a glimpse of her in these last few quiet minutes before everyone showed up and the place was alive with activity again.

He wandered around.  His backyard had been beautifully transformed into an intimate wedding tableau for him and Stephanie and their closest family and friends.  Candles and torches were ready to be lit, the white fairy lights strung through the trees would come on at dusk and air was perfumed with Stephanie’s favored roses, orchids and lilies.  He stopped at the arbor where they would exchange their vows and become man and wife.  He was ready for this, ready for the next chapter in his, their life’s story. 

He turned at the sound of the doors opening behind him and found both of his daughters heading his way.  Ava was simply stunning in a long, flowing maxi dress the same shade of blue as her eyes.  She looked more and more like her mother every day.   And Lily, the little ray of sunshine their lives had been blessed with three years ago was holding her sister’s hand and chomping at the bit to race around the patio to get to him.

“Daddy!”  She beamed when she saw him.

He crossed the patio and scooped Lily up into his arms, “look at you baby girl, all dressed up and ready to party!”  Her dress was pink and white and made for a princess with all its ruffles and sparkle.

She laughed and pressed a smacking kiss on his cheek, “yes now!”

“Almost, but not just yet.”  He leaned down and pressed a kiss to Ava’s cheek.  “You look beautiful too, baby.”

Ava smoothed the blue silk over her hips, “thank you.”  She studied him, “you look pretty good in your new suit too, dad.”

He put his arm around her and directed them back toward the house, catching their reflection in the tall windows.  “We Sambora’s clean up pretty good I’d say.”  Ava smiled and nodded her head in agreement.

Lily wiggled to get down, “daddy, mama?”

Richie set her on her feet, “mama’s probably getting dressed.”  He glanced up toward the balcony again, but all he could see was the reflection of the setting sun on the glass.

“I go find her” Lily started toward the door ruffles swishing and curls bouncing as she went off in search of her mother.

YYYYYYYYY

The master bedroom had turned into one giant dressing room.  All the girls were with Stephanie, getting themselves and her ready.   Stephanie snuck off to the bathroom and closed and locked the door.  There were too damn many people in her room. She couldn’t breathe.  She dropped the lid on the commode and sat down.  She hadn’t seen Richie all day.  She wished she could, but the girls weren’t letting her out of their sight.  Closing her eyes she took a few deep, cleansing breaths.  When she opened her eyes they fell on the house phone and a smile kicked up the corners of her mouth. 

Lifting the receiver she pressed the button for the guest room Richie had been shuttled off to that morning and waited.

No answer.

Dammit.

She pressed the button for the kitchen, hoping maybe he was trying to sneak a snack or something. 

Again she got nothing.

She nearly gave up before trying one more number. 

He picked up.  “Yeah?’

Bingo, should have started with the office/music room.

“Hey you,” her greeting was soft, nearly a whisper.

“Hey yourself Sweetheart,” he settled into the chair he had used earlier to write his vows.  “Aren’t you supposed to be getting dressed and made up right now?”

She exhaled, “yea, but I can’t take all the estrogen in the other room.  I’m going crazy, there may be some new grays on my head after this.”

“Come on” he chuckled, “it can’t be that bad, can it?

“You try getting dressed with 10 other women in your bedroom and see how long you can stand it.”  She frowned, she shouldn’t be this cranky.  “Sorry Rich, I should be blissfully happy today, not a crabby bitch.”

He couldn’t help the laugh, “once upon a time that might have been a fantasy come true for me, but the women would be getting undressed.”

She couldn’t help but laugh, “perv.”

Happy he had gotten the laugh he had been looking for, he continued.  “Hey, can’t change the spots now darlin’.”

She laughed again and then they were both quiet for a long moment.  Richie spoke up first.  “I’ve missed you today.”

“Me too” she replied.  “We’ll see each other soon though and then it’s a whole week of just you and me.  You might get sick of seeing me after that.”

“Not a chance.”  He waited a beat, “are you all right now?”

She sighed, “yea.  I was just being stupid.  I guess I just needed to hear your voice.”  As usual, just the sound of his voice, a few words and a little laughter evened her right out.

“Glad to be of service.  Now, the faster you get your very fine ass dressed, the quicker we get to see each other.”

“I know.  Thanks.  Love you.”

“I love you too sweetheart, now go let the women pamper and fuss over you.”

“I’m going” she said and hung up the phone.

Feeling better for having at least heard his voice she took one more fortifying breath before opening the door and heading back into the madness. 

Jess came up to her when she slinked out of the bathroom and sat the vanity.  “Hiding in the bathroom, really?”

Stephanie examined her face in the mirror and picked up her foundation.  “I wasn’t hiding, mother nature called and we don’t ignore her.”

“No,” Jess shook her head, “we don’t but you were in there an awfully long time.  I was beginning to think you snuck out the other door and were trying to escape.” 

Stephanie’s eyes met her sister’s in the mirror and she stuck her tongue out at Jess, “I don’t need to escape.  I just needed to talk to him for a minute.”  She picked up an eye pencil before meeting her sister’s eyes in the mirror again, “okay?”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”  Jess was still worried from their conversation earlier.

Steph nodded, “I’m fine.  I just needed a little calm in the storm this room has become.” 

Jess looked around, and then back at her sister, “want me to get some of them out of here?”

Stephanie eyed the crowd from the mirror, her friends and family were talking, fussing over Lily and generally having a good time.  Champagne had been poured and snacks were being passed around.  “No, it’s fine.  Let’s just finish up so I can finally see my man today.”

Jess took the eye pencil out of Steph’s hand and swiveled her around, “okay, then let me do this and we’ll get you into that fabulous dress and get you downstairs.”

Q Note:  the link above (fabulous dress) that will take you directly to a pic of Stephanie's dress.  Thanks and enjoy!