Chapter 39: The Wedding Part 3 (I now pronounce you.....).
Chapter 39: The Wedding Part 3 (I now pronounce you.....).
Chapter 39: The Wedding Part 3 (I now pronounce you.....).
As everyone made their way to their seats, the wedding planner announced that the ceremony would be starting soon. As the music began to play, Ian made his way to the stage. Ian stood perfectly groomed in his tailored tux. The venue was gorgeous. Ian had truly outdone himself in an attempt to make Cassandra jealous. But to his dismay, he had not seen her in the audience.
‘Couldn’t handle me marrying another woman after all; could you Cassie?’
Ian grinned smugly as he looked around the hall. As the music played, the wedding host requested for everyone to stand as the bride was about to enter the hall. With gasped breaths everyone waited for Dara to make her way down the aisle. Rumors and gossip was already spreading throughout the hall as many were still in shock that Ian Keller was getting married so quickly after his divorce. Many was still not aware of Dara’s pregnancy. As she made her to the aisle, eyes were widened throughout the hall.
“Is that her? She looks beautiful.”
“Not as pretty as Cassandra but she’s cute.”
“Her dress is gorgeous!”
“It is but…..am I tripping or does she have a little bump?”
“A bump? Like a baby bump?!”
“Oh my gosh! That would make sense on why they are getting married so fast!”
“Oh wow! Then it was definitely Cassandra with the problem?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well they were together for like 5/6 years and no baby.”
"Oh wow! A cheater AND child barren....how embarrassing!"
"If it's true about her running to the east with some rich guy....I wonder how long that will last once he finds out she can't have kids!"
The guests quietly gossiped as Dara made her way to the stage. Her eyes were beaming brightly as she saw Ian standing ever so handsome at the altar. Many of the woman there eyes were filled with envy as she made her way to the stage.
“Well if she is preggos she’s lucky as hell! A baby and a wedding!”
“Hey….do you all think it’s true about the former Mrs. Keller?”
“What the affair?”
“I do! Why else would he have divorced her! Even though they ‘recanted’ the article….they never flat out said it was false!”
Dara’s smile was smug under her veil as she heard many gossiping about the “cheating” Cassandra Davis. Finally, she made her way to the stage as Ian gently took her hand into his.
“You look beautiful.”
Dara smiled brightly as Ian lifted her veil. Suddenly, in an instant moment, flashes of his wedding to Cassandra began to play in his mind. How beautiful she looked; how nervous he was, the tears that slid down her cheeks as he read his vows to her. Every moment was playing in his head like a presentation on a projection screen. Ian’s chest felt like it was tightening as he once again looked into the crowd to see if Cassandra would be there….would watch….would OBJECT! But nothing ever happened. As the Officiant read the vows; both Dara and Ian repeated their parts without waiver. And when the part:
“If there is anyone who objects to this couple’s union please speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Came…..no one objected. Ian could feel his heart slightly shatter. Part of him held on to hope that Cassandra would storm the wedding and object to his marriage professing her love. Now, it was official. Ian and Dara were married. As the officiant’s last words:
“I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride.”
Rang through, Ian felt as if something had broken inside him. Chalking it off as nerves, he clumsily pulled Dara into his arms and kissed his bride. As the cheers rang through the ballroom, everyone clapped loudly. Ian’s family stood and clapped with bright smiles on their faces that didn’t reach their eyes.
His father had been against the wedding form the moment Nancy told him the date.
“So he’s really going to go through with this!”
Nancy looked at her husband with slight annoyance.
“Ivan….what choice does he have….the girl is already having his child and he and Cassandra are divorced.”
Knowing their objections, the night prior to the wedding, Ian had given fair warning to his family to be on their “best” behavior.
“Tomorrow is all about my bride. If any of you so much as coughs wrong…..I’ll make your lives very uncomfortable.”
Everyone looked around nervous before Ivan poke.
“Ian….it’s not that I don’t understand WHY you are marrying her….but how much do you really know about this girl? I just want to make sure she doesn’t become an embarrassment-”
“Is that what grandad said about mother?”
“IAN!!!”
Ivan was furious! How could he say something like that about his own mother! Seething, Ivan walked up to Ian; his eyes dark.
“You have no idea what happened between your mother and I!-”
“I know you were engaged to another woman, and my mother crashed your wedding pregnant. If anything….I thought you would be proud. I’m a chip off the old block…..right dad?”
Nancy and Isabelle both stood in shock as Ian and Ivan stood off!
“At least I knew who your mother was! I knew she came from a good and reputable family! You don’t know anything about this girl!-”
“I knew everything about Cassandra, and she wasn’t good enough either! This conversation is over! Show your ass tomorrow and I’ll make sure you wished for death by the time I get finished!”
As Ian turned to walk away he stopped in his tracks.
“Don’t worry father…..I won’t wait until my son turns eighteen to pin all of my failures on him and kick him out of the family.”
With that, he left the manor leaving everyone stunned and in fear. As they all clapped after the nuptials, Ivan leaned into Nancy’s ear.
“Find out everything you can about that girl starting tomorrow.”
Nancy nodded.
“I plan too. I’m not sure where, but I know I’ve seen her mother before.”
As everyone made their way to the reception hall, Dara stayed behind with Ian.
“I can’t believe it! We’re finally married!!! Ian! I am so happy!!”
Dara smiled as tears of joy slid down her cheeks! It finally happened!! She was married to Ian Keller!!! Ian smiled down at Dara, allowing himself to feel happiness for her. Though his mind wondered to Cassandra, he wanted Dara to feel the joy of her wedding day.
Kissing the top of her forehead, Ian took her hand.
“Shall we got to the reception hall?”
Dara beamed as she shook her head eagerly.
“Besides….I think this little one is getting hungry!”
Ian smiled warmly as he rubbed her stomach.
“Got an appetite just like his father!”
As they made their way to the reception hall, the wedding host announced their arrival.
“If everyone could please stand as we welcome for the first time, Mr. & Mrs. Ian Keller!!!!”
CHEERS!
CLAPS!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Everyone stood and cheered as Dara and Ian made their way to the dance floor for the couple’s first dance. As the music crooned, Dara felt as if she were on the top of the world.
Back in her hotel, Cassandra sipped her wine as she watched the wedding festivities. The day before, she’d met up with Lisbeth, Suzanne’s best friend with a special request.
“Suzie!!! OMG I missed you so much!!!”
Lisbeth hugged Suzanne tight as tears welded up in her eyes. Suzanne smiled brightly at her best friend as she hugged her back.
“Oh Lizzie I missed you too! I’m sorry for leaving you like that!”
“No! I totally understand! I’m proud of you!”
After their hugging and greeting, Suzanne turned to Cassandra.
“Lizze….you remember Ms. Davis!”
Lisbeth smiled brightly.
“I sure do! I’ve missed your brownies!”
Cassandra laughed as she hugged Lisbeth. After catching her up on everything. Lisbeth could hardly believe her ears.
“What a scheming bitch!”
Suzanne nodded in agreement. She and Lisbeth had already hated Dara, to hear she was this dirty was like salt on a wound. Cassandra spoke next.
“Indeed she is. But…..so is Ian. Which is why I need your help.”
Lisbeth looked at Suzanne and then Cassandra.
“C-Can I come to SDP too?”
Cassandra smiled warmly at Lisbeth.
“Even if you don’t want to do what I am about to ask….of course you can! We’d love to have you on our team!”
Tears welded back up into Lisbeth’s eyes! She had been wanting to leave Keller-Corp for months; it had turned into a complete shit show!
“Tell me what you need boss-lady!”
Cassandra smiled.
“I need you to be my eyes.”
Now, thanks to the special eyeglasses Ayden had made with the camera, Cassandra was able to see the entire wedding. As she watched Ian and Dara dance blissfully, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
“Enjoy it while you can Mr. & Mrs. Keller.”
Ayden walked over to her, his face slightly amused.
“I think you’re enjoying this. Maybe we should have went.”
Cassandra smirked.
“Nah….watching like this is much better. The looks on ALL of their faces when that video plays….the way they are going to squirm….looking for us in the crowd…..that’ll be the highlight of the evening.”
Ayden smiled at Cassandra as he held up his glass.
“Then let’s cheer to the take down.”
CLINK!