Sleepless Nights:The Donovans of the Delta 2(60)
o0o
Later that day, just before sunset, Amanda stood in the dressing room of the church with her best friend, preparing for the actual ceremony.
Maxine pulled the Victorian gown over Amanda’s head and began to fasten the buttons.
Amanda sucked in her breath.
Maxine struggled with the buttons at the waistline, then stopped to face Amanda.
“Amanda?”
Amanda smiled and nodded yes.
“Well, hot damn! Does Tanner know?’
“Not yet.”
“He’s going to be thrilled pea-turkey pink. How long have you known?”
“I wasn’t sure until February. My first impulse was to call him, but I wanted to tell him in person. The brief weekends we’ve been together have been so hectic, the time didn’t seem right. It will be his wedding present.”
The faint echoes of Lohengrin’s Wedding March drifted into the dressing room.
“Hurry and fasten those buttons, Maxine. I’ve waited eleven years for this.”
Minutes later she stood at the back of the church and watched as Tanner’s twin sisters, Hallie and Hannah, marched down the aisle. Maxine trailed sedately behind them. Then little Elizabeth skipped down the aisle, strewing rose petals and humming a nursery song under her breath.
At long last Amanda began her walk down the aisle to Tanner Donovan. He was waiting for her at the altar rail, flanked by his father and his brothers, his eyes shining.
They pledged their vows, and there was a collective sigh from the audience when Tanner kissed his bride. As the triumphant strains of the Wedding March filled the church, every head turned to watch the customary exit of the newlyweds.
Much to the delight of the guests, Tanner scooped up his bride and carried her down the aisle. His brother Jacob was waiting for them outside the church, along with Napoleon—and the sun.
Tanner lifted his bride into the saddle, and they rode off into a picture-book-perfect sunset.
o0o
They didn’t have a private moment until Tanner’s jet had touched down in New York and they were settled into their room at the Plaza.
He held out his arms. “Come here, Mrs. Donovan. I’m dying to get to know you better.”
She lifted her face for his kiss. “I pledge to you a lifetime of love, Amanda Donovan.” His mouth was hungry and eager on hers, and yet there was such tenderness in his touch that she almost wept with the sweetness of it.
Her face shone with the radiance of a madonna, as the kiss ended and she looked up at him. “Do you think you can manage a few antique buttons?”
He turned her around and began to unfasten buttons. “Does every dress you own have these blasted buttons?” he muttered, then added, “There’s never been a dress designed that would keep me away from you.” He slipped the garment from her shoulders and hugged her from behind.
Amanda turned in his arms, glowing with joy and passion and her secret.
“It’s been so long, Mandy. I’d almost forgotten how perfect you are.” He slid the dress over her hips, taking her slip and panties with it.
Amanda unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hands over his chest. “And I, you.”
Tanner picked her up and carried her to the bed. The moonlight set off flaming highlights in her hair and touched her body with silver. Tanner knelt beside her, tracing her with his eyes and his hands.
“You’ve never looked more beautiful.” He tenderly touched breasts, her abdomen. It curved gently under his hands. “You’ve been eating right, Mandy. I approve. Who’s responsible? Maxine?”
“You.” She smiled.
“Me?”
“Yes. Christmas Eve, I think. In your bed.”
She watched as the slow dawning of comprehension and a look of joy spread across his face. Then, cocky, arrogant Tanner Donovan, who made all of life his private parade, developed tears in his eyes.
“We’re going to have a baby?”
She laughed. “You don’t have to whisper, Tanner. There’s nobody to hear except you and me.”
He pulled her into his arms and rocked her jubilantly on the bed. “I want the whole world to know. I want to lean out the window and shout it in Central Park. I want to have a parade down Fifth Avenue. I want—”
“Tanner,” she said, interrupting him.
His grin was sheepish as he pulled back and looked at her. “What?”
“Do you think the parade can wait till tomorrow?”
His smile became wicked. “Do you have something else in mind, Mrs. Donovan?”
“A proper wedding night, Mr. Donovan.”
He lowered her to the bed and gave her one.
-o0o-