“Yes.”
She took comfort in the fact that he groaned into her ear. It was painful that he could resist her, day after day, no matter what.
He sighed. “Well, I’m across the hall feeling lonely and sad, in case you need anything.”
“I’m lonely too, Gabriel. Can’t we do something about that?”
He hesitated, and Julia felt hopeful.
Gabriel groaned again in frustration. “I’m sorry, I need to go. I love you.”
“Good night.”
Julia shook her head somewhat resignedly as she ended the call.
* * *
Despite the absence of her mother, Rachel almost had a fairy-tale wedding. She and Aaron were married in a beautiful garden in Philadelphia, and although Aaron had initially rejected the idea of having fifty doves released at the moment the priest pronounced them husband and wife, Rachel wore him down.
(At least none of his relatives decided to practice their target shooting.)
As maid of honor and groomsman, Julia and Gabriel found themselves standing near the bride and groom, flanked by Scott. Julia spent much of the ceremony peeking over at Gabriel, and he stared at her unashamedly.
After the photographs were taken and the wedding dinner and toasts were complete, Rachel and Aaron enjoyed the first dance. They melted into one another’s arms before their parents were invited to join them on the dance floor.
There was a moment of nervousness amongst the guests when Richard stood, alone, before walking over to Julia and asking if she would honor him by being his partner. She was stunned by his request, as she had assumed that he would choose an aging aunt or friend, but she accepted quickly. Ever the consummate gentleman, Richard held Julia firmly but respectfully as he moved her across the dance floor.
“Your father seems to be enjoying himself.” He nodded at Tom, who was standing with a drink in his hand and engaged in an animated conversation with one of the female professors from Susquehanna University.
“Thank you for inviting him,” she said shyly as they danced to the strains of Etta James’s “At Last.”
“He’s an old friend and a good friend. Grace and I owe him a great deal from when we were having trouble with Gabriel.”
Julia nodded and tried to concentrate on her feet, lest she stumble. “Gabriel’s toast to Grace was very moving.”
Richard smiled. “He’s never called us Mom and Dad before. I’m sure that Grace is watching and that she’s very, very happy. I know that part of her happiness is seeing the transformation in our son. You brought that about, Julia. Thank you.”
She smiled. “I can’t take credit for that. Some things are beyond all of us.”
“I don’t disagree. But sometimes relationships can be conduits of grace, and I know you’ve been one for my son. Thank you.
“It took a long time for Gabriel to forgive himself for what happened to Maia and for not being with Grace when she died. He’s a very different man than he was a year ago. I hope that I’ll be able to dance with you at another wedding in the near future. One in which you and my son take center stage.”
An earnest expression came over her face. “We’re taking things one day at a time, but I love him.”
“Don’t wait too long. Life takes unexpected turns, and we don’t always have the time we think we have.” As the song ended, he kissed her hand and escorted her back to Gabriel.
Julia wiped away a tear as she sat down. Instantly, Gabriel’s lips were at her ear. “Is my father making you cry?”
“No. He’s just reminding me of what’s important.” She wound their hands together and brought their connection to her mouth so she could kiss his knuckles. “I love you.”
“And I love you, my sweet, sweet girl.” He leaned over to kiss her, and for a moment they forgot where they were as she reached up to wind her arm around his neck and pull him closer.
As their lips met and their breath commingled, the noise of the room slipped away. Gabriel pulled Julia so she was leaning across his lap, clasping her to his heart as he kissed her passionately. When they came apart, they were both breathing heavily.
“I had no idea weddings brought out such reactions.” He smirked. “Or I would have taken you to one sooner.”
After dancing several slow dances with Gabriel, Julia took a turn with Scott and with Aaron, and finally, with her father. It was clear that Tom and Julia had a lot to say to one another, and their expressions weren’t always happy ones. But by the end of the dance they seemed to have come to some sort of understanding, and Gabriel felt marginally relieved when she returned to him, wearing a smile.
Near the end of the evening, Aaron requested Marc Cohn’s “True Companion” and dedicated it to Rachel. Immediately, a throng of married couples scurried toward the dance floor. Tammy surprised everyone by bringing little Quinn over to Julia and asking her to hold him while she danced with Scott.
Julia was afraid that Quinn wouldn’t like her.
“He looks good on you,” Gabriel whispered as Quinn fell asleep snuggled into her neck.
“I’m worried he’ll wake up.”
“He won’t.” Gabriel reached over to lightly stroke the fine hair that decorated the boy’s head, smiling widely as he seemed to offer a contented sigh.
“Why do you want to get married and have children all of a sudden?” Julia blurted.
He shrugged uncomfortably. “Things happened while we were separated. I realized what was important—what I wanted for a happy life. And I went to an orphanage.”
“An orphanage? Why?”
“I volunteered with the Franciscans in Florence and they used to bring candy and toys to the children at the orphanage. I went along.”