Once Upon a Fantasy Ch. 15-16

I was pleased to see Andrea fitting in at the store as well as she did. She looked a little wan from her month long ordeal as her jaw healed but otherwise was bright and happy in her new job. I always got a nice smile from her when I was nearby. She was still a very attractive woman and I was sure that if she could get over her mistaken episode with Kurt Howell, she could find herself a man who would treat her with respect and love.

Kim was such a different person from Andrea it was impossible to compare the two. The physical differences aside, she was a wholly different personality. She exhibited determination, focus, a ribald sense of humor, self confidence, and yet tenderness when it was appropriate. She was a more complex personality than Andrea, but one that I had come to appreciate, enjoy, and above all else, love.

I already owned a tuxedo and decided to wear it to our wedding when Kim's father, Charles, declared he would walk her down the aisle in his tux. Len Murchison would be my best man and rented a tuxedo for the occasion. Kim went all out and bought three dresses for the bridesmaids and herself, all in a satin pale blue color that I really liked. The bridesmaids were, of course, Candice and Deborah.

There was a wedding party dinner on Friday evening and it was there I got to meet Charles Rampling. He was, as described, a delightful man. Well read, full of good humor, and pleased to see his daughter happy once more. He and Kim's brother Lou were very close and they made the entire dinner a fun occasion.

I had never pressed Kim to tell me about Lou, but I suspected he might be gay and not feel comfortable with revealing that. I was wrong. He was single but dating a very lovely woman who would be coming to the reception when she finished her work assignment. She was a police officer, in fact a detective. I thought they made an interesting couple, considering how different they were.

There were twenty-six guests invited and almost all of them showed up at the church. Conspicuously absent was Helen Rampling, Kim's mother. I was delighted to see our housekeeper, Frances Ormstead, in the front row with my parents and the girls. She had been important to us during the last few months and I wanted her recognized.

The ceremony was almost disappointingly brief considering all the work and planning that had gone into the wedding. Kim looked spectacular as expected, but I was blown away by Candy and Deb. They had blossomed into very beautiful young women and looked every bit the part that afternoon. Their twin boyfriends would be joining them at the reception I was told, since they had weekend jobs and couldn't get away until mid-afternoon.

I found I wasn't particularly nervous before the ceremony. I was far more nervous on our first date in fact. When we kissed at the end of the service it dawned on me that I had realized my fantasy. I was married to Kim and we were together until death do us part. It was as if I had been holding my breath all the while waiting for this moment. I let go and gave her a kiss that she would remember for a long time.

The reception was in a small hall adjacent to the church. We had hired a pianist to look after the music for the dance as well as during the obligatory cake-cutting, etc. There were several congratulatory notes, one of which was passed to me in a sealed envelope. I recognized the handwriting and slipped it into my inside pocket to read later.

If there was one surprise it was the appearance of Helen Rampling. I made a special effort to thank her for coming. I was sure she wasn't at the church service, but she made the effort to be at the reception and that was an important signal to me. Perhaps there would be a thaw in the relationship between her, Kim, and her new son-in-law. She was pleasant and complimentary while still avoiding her ex-husband. Charles was wise enough to steer clear of her as well.

For her part, Kim was expressing her happiness by hanging onto my arm at every occasion. There were the obligatory dances with her father and my father, but otherwise she was always close by. She danced with Len when I danced with Frances and with Lou when I danced with our daughters, happily slow ones. It wasn't long before my knee was telling me it was time to take a rest. I had to space my turns around the floor generously in order to remain mobile.

The food was catered and very good. All mother's and Kim's planning had paid off with a wonderful day for us. There wasn't a single moment that I didn't feel our guests were enjoying themselves. We cut the cake and shared it with our friends and relations. There was very little left when that was done.

Candy and Deb's friend Vanessa caught the bouquet. I had a feeling it was a set-up, engineered by Kim and our daughters. John, Vanessa's boyfriend of long-standing, was looking a bit startled when she caught it. I wondered if he knew what the significance was. I was pretty sure the girls did.

The twins arrived a little after the cake cutting but soon got into the swing of things with the girls. They were allowed one glass of champagne, with adults monitoring them to make sure it was just one. I was sitting down more often now as my knee was beginning to ache. Candy and Deb must have noticed since they came over and sat beside me.

"Mr. Tyler," Deb said quietly. "Would it be alright if I called you Dad like Candy does. My real dad was 'Pop' to me, so it wouldn't be the same."

"Of course. I'd be honoured if you did. You are part of the family now, so it's completely appropriate."

"Thanks, Dad," she grinned.

"Candy, are you comfortable calling Kim, Mom?"

"I guess so. I can't think of another name for her and don't think it's right for me to call her Kim in public."

I nodded. She had clearly thought about it and had come up with no alternative but to call her what she called her birth mother.

"You know Grandma is going to keep an eye on you and the house while we're gone. You're both almost adults, so I expect you ... I mean ... we expect you to look after it and call them if you have any problems."

"Yeah ... we know. Behave!" they giggled to each other.

"I think that sums it up nicely," I grinned.

Kim and I had packed for our honeymoon and would spend our wedding night at the local airport hotel since our flight was early the next morning. It was late in the afternoon when we finally checked in and Kim decided to have a shower and change before we went down to dinner. I would follow her when she was done.

As I undressed, I found the letter I had slipped into my tuxedo jacket pocket and took it out. I was sitting on the bed looking at it. It was addressed to me in Andrea's distinctive formal handwriting. I wondered if I should open it, but then I couldn't resist. I unfolded it and began to read.

Dear Norman:

I wish you and Kim health and happiness on this very special day. I have mixed emotions as you can imagine. Part is sorrow for what I have lost and part is joy that you have found someone to love. You have been more than kind to me considering what I have done. It is that kindness that I will miss the most.

I have much to be thankful for, all things considered. I am thankful that I have a new life to look forward to because of your generosity. A lesser man would never do what you did for me. I am especially thankful for your help in my reconciliation with Candice. I don't know what I would do if I had lost contact with her. And finally, I am thankful that you have forgiven me for my sins. No man would do what you have done for me, if not for that.

I will always think of you with love and fondness,

Yours truly,

Andrea

I flopped back on the bed and the tears came. I couldn't help it. On this day of happiness and celebration, I had been reminded just what had brought it all about. The cost had been high and I had been bottling it up inside me just how devastating our divorce had really been. I had masked it and hid from it and diverted my thoughts from it, but now, in just a few written words, it had all come back.

And that was how Kim found me, my arm over my eyes to cover my tears and the letter lying open on my chest. I felt her more than heard her as she picked the letter up and read it.

"Oh, my," she said softly. I felt her lie down beside me and then hold me. There were no words to share. She understood and simply stayed with me until my emotions were under control.

"Maybe I shouldn't have opened it," I said, looking up at the ceiling.

"Would that have made a difference?" she asked, whispering in my ear.

"No ... I guess not. It had to come sooner or later. I had to put it behind us at long last. No more ghosts. No regrets about us or the future, just the past ... and we can't change that."

I dropped my arm back on the bed and looked at the face of my new bride through blurred eyes. She had a comforting smile on her face and was gazing at me lovingly. I drew her to me and kissed her deeply, hoping to express my love for her.

"Better now?" she asked.

"Much."

I had never been on a cruise before and neither had Kim. The ship was magnificent, almost a city in motion. There was little we couldn't do to entertain ourselves. Our shore visits quickly became shopping tours with all sorts of various retailers being recommended by the cruise line. It didn't take long to figure out that it was all pre-arranged with the retailers.

We made an attempt to get souvenirs from each island for Brandon and the girls. I bought some local costume jewelry for Kim, along with an indecently small bikini that would look spectacular on her if only I could get her to wear it.

We took the local transportation to get around in order to save wear and tear on my knee. They were often small, gas powered over-sized golf cars with a fabric top for a sun shade. A couple of them were old modified mini cars from the sixties. Nonetheless, they were ideal for getting around the hilly islands and seeing the sights off the beaten track. The drivers, when we could understand them with their thick accents, were full of helpful information about their island.

The days seemed to pass by in a flash and I was almost wishing we'd taken a longer cruise. Almost because I was a bit anxious to get back to our home and the store. Perhaps next time. When our ship returned to Fort Lauderdale we were rested, sun tanned and well fed. Our nights and a couple of our afternoons were spent in the cabin making love as well as sleeping. We extracted every bit of fun and togetherness out of our honeymoon.

When Kim and Deb moved in after my second episode with my knee, we talked about the future merging of the two families. It wasn't much of a discussion since everyone agreed that my home was the most suitable for us with four bedrooms and a potential suite above the garage in case of visitors. The mortgage on Kim's home had been retired and her real estate agent was confident that even in this slow market it would sell promptly.

I insisted that it was her money and should be kept for her purposes. We weren't short of money in any case and Kim's investments were still making a modest return, even in the "down" economy. The insurance settlement from the construction company had been over four million dollars and she had taken some good advice to protect it for the future.

But Kim can be stubborn when she wants to be and in this case she worked her way around me by seducing the girls and Brandon with the idea of a swimming pool in our large back yard. Of course, that would also include a hot tub and that would mean expanding the deck as well. With four against one I surrendered, knowing full well that it would be pointless to resist.

With some rapid planning and a soft construction market, we had the plans approved and construction started within the month. The pool would be ready for the warmer spring weather. I'm not sure, but I got the feeling that Kim was as excited about the pool as the girls were. Or ... maybe it was the hot tub.

There are always surprises in life and I got one from a place I didn't expect; Brandon. Well, not Brandon directly, but Candy to begin with.

"Dad, has Brandon ever talked to you about what he wants to do after college?"

"No ... not that I can recall. Why do you ask?"

"Well ... maybe I shouldn't say anything ... but ... I think he'd like to work with you at Highland."

"Really? I had no idea."

"You know he's taking Business Administration with a minor in accounting, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, he thinks that's what he'd need if he went to work for you. He says he wants to keep Highland in the family."

I was shocked. Although he'd worked at the store before going off to college, he never indicated an interest in making it permanent.

"How do you feel about that?" Candy asked.

"Uh ... great ... I guess. Yeah. That would be great ... if he's serious. I know you have your own plans ... but ... yeah ... I'd like that."

"I think he's serious all right, but a bit scared to talk to you about it."

"Why? I'm not an ogre or anything, am I?"

"No, of course not. No ... I think it's about what you want and if you'd want the store to stay in the family."

"How come you're telling me this? Does Brandon know?"

"No. I just thought it was no big deal. I mean, doesn't every father want his son to succeed him in business?"

The more I thought about it the more enthusiastic I became.

"Yeah ... I guess we do. I just hadn't given it much thought. But now that you mention it, I'd be really happy if he wanted to be the future of Highland Home Center. That would be great!"

"Well, since I wasn't supposed to mention it, maybe you can bring it up like it was your idea. At least you can ask him if he'd be interested."

I looked at my seventeen-year-old daughter like I was seeing her for the first time.

"You're quite a little schemer, aren't you?" I grinned.

"I just thought he needed a push to let you know how he felt."

"I'm glad you did. And ... your suggestion of my talking to him first is a good one. We'll just keep this conversation to ourselves, okay?"

"Sure, Dad."

I planned to have that conversation when Brandon came home at spring break.

The pool and deck were almost finished when spring break occurred. Brandon had called as said he wanted to bring "a friend" home with him if it was okay. I assured him it was and he sounded relieved again. Perhaps I should have asked more questions about his friend, but I trusted his judgment and chose not to. Kim agreed with me.

His friend turned out to be a dark-haired beauty named Sylvie Bouchard, an academic scholarship student living on campus. She had nowhere to go on her break as her parents lived in a small town in Quebec, a long way from the college. She looked pretty nervous when she stepped out of Brandon's car, but Kim immediately solved that. She walked right up to the lovely young woman and hugged her in welcome.

"It's so nice to meet you, Sylvie," she said warmly. "Welcome to our home."

I met her with a hug myself and repeated Kim's greeting. I helped Brandon with their bags and stopped before we entered the house.

"How do you want to arrange the sleeping?" I asked carefully.

"Uhhm ... well ... separately ... I guess," he stammered uncertainly.

"What would Sylvie be most comfortable with?" I asked, trying to get him off the hook.

"Separate, I think."

I nodded and smiled. Sylvie would have the guest room next to Brandon's. If they got together at all they wouldn't have far to travel. One look at the young woman told me that my son had very good taste. She was very easy on the eyes.

If Sylvie was nervous, Candy and Deb got rid of that almost right away. She became another adopted sister and since they weren't far apart in age, they had lots to talk about, including what to expect next year in their first year of college.

The new extended deck was now finished and since the temperature was still comfortable, Kim and I sat out on the deck, enjoying a glass of wine before dinner. The barbeque would get a workout this evening. The twins were coming over as soon as they finished work along with Vanessa and her boyfriend, John. Deb and Candy promised to do the cooking and cleaning, so Kim and I could sit back and relax and enjoy our children and their friends.

"Norm, can I ask you a personal question?"

"You're my wife. There isn't any question you can't ask me," I said with some emphasis.

"I've always wondered when you discovered Andrea was ... cheating ... why weren't you more angry about it. I mean, you seemed to handle it so ... calmly. If it was me, I'd be boiling mad. I thought you'd be ready to strangle her."

I snorted. "I'm not the strangling kind. Yeah, I was angry, but most of that was when I pretty well figured out she was seeing someone and I was trying to find out who. I had some tough times holding my temper and trying to act normal when that was going on."

"It's not your nature to stay angry, is it?" she said quietly.

"No ... too much stomach acid and too little reward. Besides, with Andrea, I knew there was no going back. My thoughts were focused on Brandon and Candice. I couldn't handle not having them around. I even considered cutting a deal with Andrea that I'd stay in the house and look after them while she went out and played around."

"You knew that would never happen, surely."

"I guess I did, but I was desperate not to lose contact with them. Of course the whole scenario was moot when she gave up custody to me. I think I was more shocked about that than anything. I couldn't for the life of me understand why she would do that. It was only long after we were divorced that I found out the kind of hold Kurt had on her. He intimidated her verbally and I guess she was vulnerable."

"You never saw that in her?"

"No ... but then ... that's not my style anyway. I'm a conciliator not a confrontationalist. That may sound wimpy, but it's who I am."

"I know. I like that ... no ... I love that about you," she smiled. "Of course, it might mean I can browbeat you into doing things that I want to do."

"Yeah, well you're just big enough and tough enough to make it stick." I was needling her, but she could tell it was in jest.

We sat in companionable silence for a while, watching our children and their friends frolic in the pool and generally have a good time.

"This is making us old, Norm. It won't be long before the girls will be gone and we'll be on our own. Are we ready for this?"

I didn't think she was being maudlin about the future, but I could see that she was wondering about our life in the next few years.

"You still enjoying your job?" I asked.

"Yes, very much so."

"Me too. With all that new business that you're stirring up, it will keep us plenty busy. As far as our free time goes ... well ... there is the hot tub," I smirked. It would be ready for us in two weeks I was told and I was really looking forward to it.

She laughed. "Yes ... there is that. Actually, I was hoping you could find someone to take over for you so that you can take some proper vacations and not just the one week ones you've been used to."

"Yes, that's my thinking too. I'm sure Len can run things for a couple of weeks or so without any problem. He proved that when my knee was injured both times. I don't know why I haven't taken advantage of that."

"Well, now that I'm around, I'm going to insist." She said it with a smile, but I knew that she was serious.

The opportunity to talk to Brandon came about when the girls took Sylvie shopping one afternoon. We were sitting on the back deck and just chatting about nothing in particular when I thought the time might be right.

"Brandon, have you given any thought to what you want to do when you graduate?"

He looked at me for a moment and then strangled a laugh.