After the Wedding, Much More Follows!

Silvia Point of View

Whoever said the best-laid plans didn't work out, she had never married Gerard Hush. True to our nature, which lacks patience, we got married very quickly, as soon as we could organize it on the beach, behind Gerard's father's house.

We timed the wedding to coincide with the completion of testing the European marketing campaign for the expansion that Ronny had started several months earlier. Someone had to take the tests to Europe and put them through a few focus groups, which Ronny suggested that Gerard and I go as part of our honeymoon.

I reminded Ronny that I no longer worked for him. Although Gerard and I had reconciled and I was willing to lend him a hand from time to time, now that he had a nice studio, my interests were back in my art.

I wasn't sure what would happen to my career, especially since it became known that I was going to marry Gerard. It was clear that people would think my art was a rich whim of my husband. But when I was in the studio that Gerard had created for me, I got lost in my work, and nothing else mattered. Well, except Gerard. Additionally, when work began to create artist studios on the ground floor, I found a new passion in working with Gerard on his vision for the building.

Gerard hated the idea of having to work on our honeymoon.

"I plan to make love to you for as long as we are there. A focus group doesn't need to see that.

I smiled".

"One thing is for sure, and that is that you will receive favorable reviews if you appear naked."

In the end, I convinced him, because it involved a full tour of Europe and I was able to extend the time we would need from two weeks to four. A month in Europe with Gerard exploring all the art and history was a dream come true and Gerard had said that he wanted to make my dream come true. I was worried that he would think that was why I was with him, like his ex, but I had made sure he could distinguish between my love and his.

After our wedding, Gerard put me on a private plane to Europe. Not only did we consummate the marriage, but he also initiated me into the miles club.

The first stop on our honeymoon was Barcelona, and although it was hard to beat San Diego for the weather and the beach, I couldn't deny that Barcelona was stunning. All the ancient architecture was beautiful. There was too much to take in, and I was pretty sure I hadn't brought enough sketchbooks. Gerard found a small art store and bought me some more. He said that, if he used them all, he would buy me more. I was worried about running out of space in my suitcase, but he told me that he would also buy me another one or arrange for the sketchbooks to be sent home. In reality, he was the best husband in the world.

It was our second day in the city, the first was spent in our room, in bed, to be exact, and we had gone out to explore the city, where we found a small cafe where we could have a delicious Spanish meal. In front of us we had a count of squid; Gerard walked over, picked one up, and put it in his mouth, winking at me as he did so. I took out my mini sketchbook and started drawing it. He was relaxed and handsome, and every time he smiled, it was that wide, beautiful smile that always took my breath away.

"I don't know if I should keep buying you sketchbooks if all you're going to do is draw me," he said, amused by my constant sketches.

"Well, if you stopped being so drawable, maybe I would.

After lunch, we walked around the city, seeing the sights and shopping, and at the end of the night, we returned to the hotel. We went up to the top floor terrace, where we had a great view of the city at dusk. We sat at a table and ordered some drinks.

"Have you ever thought about buying something here? " He asked.

"Do you want me to buy something here?"

I shook my head and laughed. It was good that I wanted to buy the world, but I didn't need it. Everything I needed was sitting next to me on the table.

His phone rang and he swore under his breath as he looked at the caller ID.

"What does Ronny want now? " He put the phone to his ear. " I'm on my honeymoon. This better be good."

"Where are you? "I heard Ronny's voice on the other end."

"I'm in Barcelona on my honeymoon. Now, leave me alone.

"I mean, where are you? Are you at the hotel?"

"I'm on the hotel's rooftop terrace having a drink with my beautiful wife. Now, stop calling. “He closed the phone with a click.

"What was all that about? " I asked.

"Who the hell knows. "He rolled his shoulders and then slid his arm along my back. He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. He is already there. Everything better now.

"Monsieur Hush?" asked a well-dressed man who had approached our table.

"Since when did I speak a French in Spain? "

"My name is Christian LaMont. I know his brother, Ronny, and his wife, Katy. I organized their wedding.

Gerard and I looked at each other and smiled. Apparently, Christian LaMont still didn't know that Ronny and Katy's original wedding had been fake.

Gerard extended his hand, shaking Christian's.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. LaMont."

"Please call me Christian.

"I'm Gerard and this is my wife, Silvia.

It always shook me to hear Gerard refer to me as "his wife."

"Will you join us for a drink? "Gerard asked Christian. Christian waved his hand.

"No, no, I know you're on your honeymoon. But your brother asked me to deliver this to you. He knew that you were going to be here in Spain and he sent him to me to deliver to you.

"Why didn't he send it to us directly? "I asked . The family had our itinerary. But Gerard and I could be spontaneous. It was possible that we were going to Greece, or something like that.

“He was worried about not catching you in the right place,” Christian explained. I'll be honest, I was hoping to meet you. I am looking forward to working with the family behind Hush Incorporated.

I guess that explained the phone call.

Christian handed me a very colorful magazine. I looked at the title when I picked it up and my heart sank. It was the leading art magazine, not only in the United States, but throughout the world.

"What is it? "Gerard asked me.

"It is the crème de la crème of art magazines. "I ran my hand over the colorful cover.

"You speak French," said Christian.

"Not really. “Just the French phrases we’ve adopted in the United States,” I said. Christian pointed to the magazine.

"I suggest you go to page forty-three."

Intrigued, I flipped through the magazine, stopping at page forty-three. My jaw dropped when I read the title and saw the photos. Not sure what I was really seeing, I looked at Gerard. He smiled.

"You knew this? "I asked. He nodded his head.

"I asked for the family's help to fix what that other magazine ruined.

I was so overcome with emotion that tears formed in my eyes. I looked at the magazine again, taking in what it said. The author of the article did not mention anything about my relationship with Gerard and, instead, he talked about my art and how it had evolved in my short career. Additionally, there were quotes from other art critics, all of them complementary in their criticism, even as they implied that I was still evolving.

Gerard put his arm around me.

"Now you're a real artist, baby. I turned to him and put my arms around his neck. He laughed-. I love these bursts of affection.

-I love them. Thank you. Thank you. "I looked at Christian, who was smiling at us". Thanks to you too, Mr. LaMont.

"Call me Christian. I hope that when you arrive in France on your honeymoon you come to the castle I have there. I would love to show you where I posted "The Girl Who Plays in the Puddle."

I was speechless.

"Do you have one of my paintings in your castle? "My art wasn't chateau quality, was it?

"Yes of course. My wife and I love the essence of the painting. You captured in him the pure joy of the simple things of childhood."

I could barely breathe; I was very overwhelmed by everything that was happening.

"I have to go now, my wife is waiting for me. "He," he nodded toward an elegant woman sitting on the other side of the terrace. She smiled and waved. Christian shook our hands and returned to his wife.

"I can't believe it," I said, looking at the magazine again and wondering if she was dreaming.

"Believe it, darling. "Gerard kissed my temple.

"Thank you for this, Gerard.

-I did nothing. You have talent. Now the world knows it.

I looked straight into his eyes, which gave me back the shine of love.

"I wouldn't have any of this without you. "I placed my hands on his cheeks because I wanted him to see that I was speaking with total sincerity". I love you, no matter what, even if there was none of this.

He smiled.

"I know. That makes me love you even more. It makes me want to give you everything your heart desires. "He kissed the inside of my wrist.

"My heart only wants you. This is all magic, but the only thing I need is you. I am so grateful that you came into my life.

"I'm the one who should be grateful, Silvia. You are an angel sent to save me from a life devoid of love. It's true that sometimes I think you're the devil, but, in any case, I have love. My life is full and happy, and that is thanks to you.

"There are two of us," I said, wrapping my arms around him and kissing him. At that moment, there was nothing else. Just Gerard, me and our love.

It was more beautiful than any work of art, and I would savor it forever.