Chapter 18
London
We Fed-Exed all the gifts and worn clothes back to Sandy’s house and took my small suitcase to London. By the time we were ready to leave, Gram had sent a couple of tickets for us to come visit her. During our two-hour trip on the TGV, I had many more questions for Jake.
“Honey, what kind of ring is this and how big is it?”
“Do I sense a complaint that it’s too big?”
“I’m not complaining, though it’s a bit…monstrous. How can I go out with such a huge rock on my finger and not have people stare at me? Oh, and where’s my eternity band? I really miss it.”
“Your band is right here,” he said taking it out of his pocket.
“Why’d you make me give this band to Henri?”
“I had to hand it to Henri because we had to fix it a bit.”
“What could you possibly fix on this band? It’s perfect. I love it.”
“It only fits on your ring finger, and you can’t wear it there anymore now that you have your engagement ring. So, I had Henri carefully enlarge the ring. This is very difficult to do. Only an expert like Henri can add to an eternity band. Here.” He put out his hand asking for my right hand.
He then placed the band on the fourth finger of my right hand.
“Jake, I can NOT wear both these rings at the same time. People will think I’m asking for a mugging. I look so pretentious.”
“I think it looks great. Also, your engagement ring is an original Asscher cut diamond. Joseph Asscher patented this cut back in the early 1900’s, and my great grandmother bought one of the original cuts before the Nazis came and seized all their diamonds during World War II. The Asscher cuts nowadays have seventy-four facets on the diamond as opposed to the fifty-eight you have on yours. I thought about having the diamond updated with more cuts but I decided to leave it as is. There are very few originals out there.”
“So how big is this diamond?”
“It’s about six carats.”
“Monstrous,” I said.
“Gorgeous,” he said.
When we arrived in London, Jake’s gram sent her driver to pick us up at the station. I guessed this was how the Reids travel in London as well.
“No Underground?”
“No Underground. Get used to it, Mrs. Reid,” he answered putting his arms around me. My new title gave me a warm tingle. It sounded delightful.
Gram also stood around five feet seven. She had a pale complexion with bright blue eyes like Jake’s, and her face was quite lovely. She was dressed from head to toe in designer clothing. As soon as we arrived, Jake went over to hug his grandmother but she passed right by him and came over to hug me instead.
“Gram, this is my Emily,” he attempted to introduce us. No introductions were necessary.
“Emily!” She hugged me like my grandmother used to hug me whenever we hadn’t seen each other in a while.
“Hi, Gram.” I hugged her just as lovingly. “You’re so beautiful! Jake must have been crazy to think I was anywhere as beautiful as you are.”
“Welcome to the family!” was my warm invitation from Gram. “Let me look at you. Why are you so thin? Has Jake not been feeding you?”
“Are you kidding me, Gram? She eats like a horse. And, she’s got tremendously expensive taste.” Jake tried to put his arms around me and pull me away from Gram. They got into a bit of a tug of war. Gram won.
“Gram, thank you for giving us your ring. It’s stunning.”
“Jakey told me that you refused his first proposal because the two-carat diamond wasn’t big enough. He came and begged me for a bigger diamond so I had to pass down my heirloom so you would finally marry my favorite grandson,” Gram accused.
My jaw dropped.
I started stammering. “No, Gram. That’s not true. Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you told her that.” My eyes shot daggers. “Gram…” Then I turned to my fiancé, “Jake…”
They both started laughing at me. “Gram’s just kidding, Love.”
“Oh!” I breathed a sigh of relief. “Funny, Gram.” I tried to laugh.
Holding hands, Gram led me to a grand dining hall. She lived in a mansion-like flat with butlers, drivers, and maids. All of her furniture looked to be antiques, and although she lived most of her life in the States, she was born here, so she fancied herself more English than American. I felt like I was having tea with the queen of England.
The maid brought out an elaborate tea with more food than we could consume. There was a variety of scones, biscuits, and pound cakes. I couldn’t figure out the variety of creams that accompanied the tea cakes. There were fruits and chocolate and a myriad of teas to choose from. Of course, Jake broke the tradition and asked for coffee. I followed his lead, as hot tea was not my favorite.
“So when’s the wedding?” Gram inquired.
“I don’t know,” I said. “We haven’t discussed it.”
“How about the fourth of July?” Jake asked.
“Next year, fourth of July?” I questioned.
“No, I mean, July 4th, as in three weeks from now.”
“In three weeks?” Gram and I both said, our voices raised.
“Yup!” Jake wasn’t fazed at all. He obviously didn’t realize that you couldn’t put a wedding together in three weeks.
Gram wanted to know, “What’s the rush, Jakey? She’s agreed to marry you. She’s not going anywhere.”
“Gram, Emily won’t have sex with me till we get married. I need to get married right away.”
I just about wanted to die. I hoped that the ground would open up and swallow me whole. I couldn’t believe Jake just told his Grandmother about my sexual history, or lack thereof. My face flushed, my head fell to the ground, and I went mute.
“Good for you, Emily. I’m glad to see that my Jakey is marrying someone with virtues.” That sounded like a compliment, but I was too embarrassed to thank her.
Jake realized that he would be in trouble once we were alone.
“I’m sorry, Emi,” he said trying to snuggle up to me. “It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. You see, Gram thinks highly of you for holding out on me.”
Nothing he said made me feel any less annoyed with him. If my head were up, I would have shot something even worse than daggers, at Jake.
While Jake tried to make amends, Gram called everyone back in the States. The butler got Jake’s parents, Uncle Henry, Aunt Barbara, Jane, and Nick all on conference call. We told them the good news and Jane seemed the most excited as we would become sisters shortly.
Jake announced to the family our plans to get married on the Fourth of July, and I could hear Sandy gasp.
“Mom, consider it a slightly bigger Christmas dinner. Let’s have the wedding at the house, and we’ll just use all the people you use regularly.”
“Emi, do you mind getting married at the house? This idea just came to me. Also, we live so close to the fireworks display, it will be beautiful at night during the reception.”
Getting married at the house was a fantastic idea if Sandy didn’t mind.
“Mom,” I couldn’t believe I had a mom again. My heart exulted. “Do you mind if I call you Mom, already?” I asked with hesitation. I wasn’t sure Sandy would feel comfortable with me jumping into the family.
“Emily, Bobby and I’ve loved you since the day we met you in Hawaii, and knew you would be a part of our family. I am thrilled you want to call me mom.”
Sandy’s answer brought a smile to my lips and a tear to my eye. I felt this weird mixture of sadness and joy, as I no longer had to wish for a family anymore. They were all here on the phone with me. Jake put both his arms around me and kissed my head.
“Thank you, Mom and Dad. I love you too.”
“Are you OK with getting married at the house?” Sandy asked.
“If you don’t mind…I really like Jake’s idea. Could you get the preparations started for me? I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“Sandy, Barbar
a,” Gram said. “I’ll buy Emily and Jake their dress and tuxedo here. You get started on the reception.”
By the end of the conversation, everyone had a to-do list. Once the wedding dress and tuxedo were taken care of here, we’d fly back with Gram and finish up the rest of the wedding preparation.
Gram’s driver took us shopping the rest of the day. Gram and I walked into a designer wedding dress shop while she sent Jake over to get fitted for his tuxedo. As soon as we walked in, Gram and I instantly gravitated toward the same wedding dress. The silk organza gown that hung on the first rack called my name. This was the gown for me.
“Emily, go try it on,” Gram urged.
The sales lady led me to a suite-sized dressing room and helped me into my dream wedding gown.
The gown fit as though it was made expressly for me. The slightly puffed sleeves naturally fell off my shoulders and the clean bodice hugged my waistline. The skirt was also a clean sheet of pure silk organza. It had no lace, no beading, and no details—just the simplicity I wanted. There was a semi long train and a bow that tied beautifully in the back. I felt like Cinderella going to her ball.
“Gram, I love this dress.”
“Emily, I think we are done looking. You look gorgeous,” she exclaimed with an approving nod. “Let’s buy this dress.”
“Gram, Jake and I will pay for this dress. I don’t want you to spend any more money on us. Your ring is present enough.”
“Nonsense. Don’t you know that I’m the richest person in this family?” She probably wasn’t kidding.
“Thank you, again, Gram!” I said while hugging her.
“Emily, you’ve made my favorite grandson a very happy man. I hope you two will love each as much as his grandfather and I loved each other.”
“We will,” I promised. “We will.”
The sales lady agreed to ship the dress to their Los Angeles store overnight, and I would have my final fittings over there. We walked over to Jake, and he was finishing up with the tailor. I was overcome with emotion thinking of Jake standing at the altar. He looked so handsome.
“Why are you back so soon?”
“We’re done.” I was beaming.
“Jakey, your bride is going to be stunning in her dress!”
“She’s always stunning, Gram.” He was delighted.
The tailor put the last touches on Jake’s tuxedo and we walked to Harvey Nichols Department Store and had a bowl of noodles for dinner. I hoped we were done for the day, but Gram wanted to buy a few more items for the wedding.
“Jakey, you go look around by yourself in the department store and I’m going to take Emily up to lingerie.”
My face turned red at the thought of buying lingerie with Jake’s grandmother.
“Gram, I’m coming with you,” he absolutely insisted. “I should have a say in this. It’s really more for me than it is for her.”
I was mortified at the thought of both of them arguing over which lingerie would look better on me. I hoped Gram would not allow Jake to follow us. Without a doubt, Jake won this battle. He practically ran to the lingerie department with a silly grin the whole way up. Gram and Jake enjoyed picking out lingerie while I stood there flustered. Jake, of course, picked out the skimpiest outfits. Gram picked out classic and demure ones I felt more comfortable looking at.
Jake feverishly summoned me with a continuous curling of his hand and suggested, “Emily, try these on. I can come in and help you if you like.”
Gram and I both slapped him on the arm. Jake was having a ball.
Luckily, Gram didn’t make me try on any of the pieces but she purchased them all.
“Gram, I don’t think I need so many outfits,” I said, trying to sway her from buying me too much.
“Emily, a girl can never have too many diamonds or lingerie.” With time, I could get used to this adage.
“Amen!” Jake added.
We got back to the flat exhausted. The maid set up our rooms while I helped Gram up to her room. I noticed that she had two twin beds in her room and I asked if I could sleep with her in the unused twin bed.
“Would you mind, Gram? I’d love to hear stories about Jake’s grandpa if you’re not too tired.”
“That would be lovely, Emily. This bed hasn’t been used since my husband died two years ago. I’ll have the maid get it ready for you.”
“Thank you, Gram.”
Jake and I got ready for bed, and we said our good nights by his door. He watched me walk up to Gram’s room and curiously followed me in. When he realized that we were sleeping in the same room, he insisted on sleeping with us.
I tried to send him away.
“Jake, there’s no room in here for you. Where will you sleep?”
“Gram, I can’t believe you let Emi in here, but not your favorite grandson. Either I bring my own mattress and sleep between you two or Emi has to move back to the guest room. That’s not fair,” he whined.
“How old are you? You sound like a five-year-old.” I pretended to scold. But, Gram and I both couldn’t resist him. We gave in to his tantrum.
Jake and the butler brought in the mattress and the box spring and placed it between Gram and myself.
“What, no bed frame?” I asked.
“I was tempted, but the butler looked annoyed with me so I thought I’d stop here.”
So here we were—Gram, Jake, and me sleeping next to one another on three separate beds. It was a Kodak moment.
I asked Gram to tell me stories about Jake’s late grandfather, and she started and ended about the same time. She was so exhausted from the day, she fell right asleep. Jake swiftly jumped onto my twin-size mattress and cuddled me.
“I knew this would happen. The minute her head hits the pillow, Gram is out. We finally get some alone time. I don’t think I’ve touched you since we got to London.”
“Is this why you wanted to sleep in this room? I’m still upset with you for your indiscrete confession about my lack of experience. I told you I’m not letting you touch me till we get married.”
He paid no attention. “We can change…” his lips started on the hollow of my neck, “your lack of experience status…” I became immobilized by his mouth devouring every inch, “right now if you like.”
“Are…you…nuts…?” I said talking slowly, breathing heavily. “Gram is five feet away from us.” And yet, I didn’t refuse him. “You can stay here for a bit but you need to move back down to your bed.”
I could hear Jake’s silent laugh. He knew I wanted his lips to stay on my body the entire night if possible. I feigned a white flag and allowed Jake to stay with me the rest of the night. I had the best night’s rest since we got to Europe.
We left for Heathrow early in the morning but Gram chose not to fly back with us. She had too many loose ends to tie up before coming to the States. She promised to come in two weeks. On our way to the airport, Jake brought up a thought that was on the forefront of my mind.
“Emi? When do you want to go see your parents? Don’t you think I should meet them before we get married?”
I instantly started to cry.
“Love, why are you crying?”
“Because I missed them so much when I was in Japan. I almost flew to Texas one of the weekends to apologize to them. Last time I was there, I said a lot of hurtful things and was really mean to them. Those words have haunted me for months.”
“What did you say to them?” With his arms around me, I tried to feel comforted.
“I ranted like a child about them being happily together while leaving me by myself, miserable. I apologized in the end, but I’m sure my parents were up in heaven crying with me.”
“Let’s go make things right, and I need to apologize as well. I’m sure they’re not too happy with me since I’m the one who made you cry. Can we postpone New York and stop by Texas instead? From there we will go home.”
“Thank you, Jake. I would love that.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. Reme
mber, we are a family now. Just like you treat my parents as your own, I will do the same with your parents.”