Part 44 (1/2)
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The event was held at the Marriott Marquis. When I entered the event hall, a man greeted us and took my summer jacket and purse. He asked if we had brought a gift for the soon-to-be newlyweds, and I held up a white envelope that contained the gift card and something witty from Hallmark. The man pointed me in the direction of the gift table that was being guarded by two formally-dressed women. When we approached them, they smiled and greeted us warmly.
”Hi,” the one with the biggest smile said. ”Do you have a gift for Lexus and John?”
”Yes,” I said as I handed over the envelope.
She frowned as she took it from me. ”Okay, well,” she said. ”Enjoy the party. You can go right through those doors there.”
She sat the envelope on top of a pile of smaller gift boxes and quickly waved us off to move on to the next pair of guests that were behind Mom, Ally, Nick, and me.
At first, I didn't understand why I had gotten such a snotty response from that woman, but as I pa.s.sed the next four tables that were covered in oversized and elegantly wrapped and bowed boxes, it all began to sink in. I shook off the minor upset, seeing that it didn't seem to bother Mom or the twins, and we approached the large, dark, double doors to the ballroom. Two professionally-dressed men standing at each side reverently opened the doors. As the men held the doors open for us, we entered the ballroom in complete astonishment.
Lexus' parents had hired a party planner for the engagement party, and it looked like it was money well spent. I immediately noticed the high, hanging chandeliers that rose from the ceiling. Dim, romantic light made the crystals in the chandeliers sparkle like stars in a creamy, vanilla sky. The way the room lit up made everything from the tablecloths to the champagne gla.s.ses look like gold. A woman held a wine gla.s.s in her hand. When she pressed the gla.s.s to her lips and began to drink, it looked like she was drinking pure atomic number 79.
There were tables and bars set up. Servers hurried through the crowds in the most professional attire and manner. They walked from the tables to the kitchen in a maze of party guests. Some of them were going to the bars to collect drinks to take back to tables. They stood tall with their chins and noses up while they were still. When moving, they were swift and traveled with perfect balance in a synchronized rhythm. They didn't seem to spill a drop.
There was a large stage at the front of the hall. Before the stage was a modest-sized dance floor. The crowd of people dancing looked like they were having the time of their lives. The middle-aged and thirty-something-year-old dancers were being serenaded by a jazz band that was conducted by a maestro. The jazz band looked down at the entertained dancers from the large stage as they played instrumental, upbeat music.
What was even more astonis.h.i.+ng to me was the effect this formal event seemed to have on the guests. It made everyone in the room look like movie stars, and some looked and even behaved as if they were royalty. One of those people was Lexus' mother, Clarisse. She was elegantly dressed in a backless, black and white, Christian Dior, silk chiffon gown. She wore heavy jewels around her neck, in her hair, and on her fingers. Jonathan Sr. looked just as nice, dressed in a black tuxedo with a white bow tie and c.u.mmerbund. I could only imagine how lovely Lexus and John must have looked.
The two proud parents spotted us entering the ballroom. They had been talking to each other, along with their own spouses. As soon as Mariah saw me, she kissed her husband and walked in the opposite direction. Jonathan and Clarisse were the first people to greet us out of the group of four. As they approached us, Jonathan smiled at me and gave a handsome wink. John definitely got his charm from his father.
”You made it!” Clarisse greeted us.
She and Mom stretched out their arms and gave each other a quick pat on the back without genuinely embracing.
”I'm glad you all could come,” Jonathan greeted us.
Mom smiled. She asked, ”Where is the newly engaged couple?”
”The kids will make their entrance soon,” he answered.
”Look at Miss Alison. You look so cute,” Clarisse complimented. She reached her arms out to Alison, wanting a hug.
Alison sweetly obliged and embraced her.
”Thank you,” Alison said. She pulled away and took her place beside Mom again.
”And Nick,” Clarisse said to him without reaching out for a hug. ”That's a casual suit you are wearing.”
Nick rolled his eyes at her.
”This is all he can fit into.” Mom tried to laugh it off. ”He's growing up so fast! I can't get him into anything he owns anymore.”
”You should see James. We had to buy him a tuxedo the other day, just for tonight. I'm sure he's going to be growing out of that by next week,” Jonathan said. ”So I know exactly what you mean.”
Mom laughed. I could tell that Mom was feeling embarra.s.sed and self-conscious.
Mom looked relieved as Clarisse took over the conversation. She was probably relieved because Clarisse hadn't commented on what she was wearing. Mom's outfit wasn't completely dressy, but it wasn't casual, either. She wore a solid color, light brown, knee-length, spaghetti strap, v-neck dress with stockings and matching sling-back high heels. Compared to what Clarisse was wearing, I guess it was nothing to brag about.
I was waiting for Clarisse to size me up, but she didn't look at me even once after she saw what I was wearing. Jonathan looked at me with a frown, but quickly caught himself and smiled at me to try to cover up.
”You ladies look lovely tonight,” he said to Mom and me.
As Mom talked with Clarisse and Jonathan, and with Alison staying beside Mom, Nick and I slyly sneaked away without excusing ourselves. Nick grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the front of the room. We giggled mischievously, knowing exactly what we were doing.
”Lexus' mom looks hot,” Nick said.
”What?” I asked while laughing.
”What? She does!”
”I can't believe you,” I said.
We laughed together as we wandered closer to the front.
”Well,” he said. ”She doesn't look as hot as Lexus, though.”
”Where do you see -” I gasped.
Nick pointed towards the stage.
The crowd cheered as the maestro stopped the music to kindly introduce Lexus and John to the stage.
”Everyone say h.e.l.lo to the future bride and groom: Lexus Reed and Jonathan Christian, Jr.”
The crowd cheered and applauded in an excited roar as though Lexus and John were rock stars.
”Let's give these two kids a hand, folks! They are on their way!” he exclaimed gleefully.
Lexus stood on the stage in a colorful and strapless Betsy Johnson floral and tulle dress. John stood beside her in a black tuxedo with a loose bow tie and no c.u.mmerbund. His jacket was b.u.t.toned and his collar was undone and turned up. His long locks that he'd let grow out over the years handsomely draped his neck. A few strands attractively fell over his cheerful eyes. The breathtaking couple dreamily stared at one another. I believe that they saw no one else but each other at that moment. Their smiles were something to admire enviously and enough to make tears fall out of my eyes.
Nick looked at me as the cheers began to fade and the music started back up.
”Hey, sis. Guess what?”
”What?” I asked while wiping dry my wet eyes.
”She doesn't look hotter than you.”
I smiled at him. He was a prince to adore.
”Thank you,” I said.
”Come with me,” he said as he gently grabbed my hand and began to lead me towards the crowd on the dance floor.
”No, Nick. I am not dancing in these shoes,” I told him.
”You wore high heels and that cute, short skirt for a reason. You are going to show them off.”
Nick knew me too well. He swung me out on the dance floor. As we moved to the music that had no lyrics, I couldn't help but laugh and let the good time I was having with him take over me. We weren't really into swing music, but that's what was playing, so we made the most of it by doing the best we could, which was our worst. So we made fun of each other and ourselves as we tried to do swing moves that we had seen on television.