Page 12 of Mommy Calls Me Princess (Mommies and Littles #1)

Chapter Ten

Vivienne

“I’m not nervous, you’re nervous,” Jack and I teased each other as we stepped out of the car at the wedding chapel.

The truth of the matter was we were both nervous.

Not in a bad way but in a we want everything to be perfect for our partners’ way.

And after spending the morning at the courthouse getting our marriage licenses I was afraid we’d miss our appointment time.

I bet Vegas was the only place the courthouses were open twenty-four-seven.

Thankfully, Jack and Vale were in and out of the jeweler in record time.

Vale knew just what he wanted, a band with a ruby to match his daddy’s and they’d found one.

“Come on, you two,” Sarah funneled us inside. “It’s like you’re twelve again.”

“Welcome to the Little White Chappel. You must be the Carlisle-Barrett party?” The curator greeted us with a warm smile. “I’m Drake, I’ll be your tour guide for today.”

Ah, a wedding coordinator with a sense of humor. Glad he had one because I was shaking like a leaf and his humor would help ease the nerves. “Nice to meet you, Drake. I’m Vivienne Carlisle, we spoke on the phone. And this is Jack Barrett.”

“Wonderful to meet you both. I absolutely love the theme of your party. Besties and Besties,” he swooned. That tidbit seemed to hit the hearts of all whom we shared it with. “And who is this lovely woman?”

“I’m Sarah, the one who’s giving away Darcy and Vale.”

“Sarah, you are a mother after my own heart. Now,” he glanced down at his iPad. “Just to verify, you’ve booked the Little White Chapel Ceremony, the photo session, video, and an officiant?”

“Scratch that last one,” Jackson said as he and Linda entered the lobby, “I’m ordained, and I’d like to perform their ceremony.”

Drake squealed. “This just keeps getting better. I’m not supposed to do that,” he whispered. “But between us I’m leaving in two weeks to branch out on my own so this is your lucky day.”

“Dad?” Jack questioned, on the verge of tears. “How?”

“That’s the real reason we couldn’t come yesterday. I had a few last-minute details to button up in order to legally perform your ceremony. It would be a great honor if you’d allow me to do that, son.” Jackson and Jack hugged while the rest of us dabbed our eyes to keep our make-up from running.

“And I handled the flower arrangements. I hand made them along with Jack and Vale’s boutonnieres.” Linda handed her beautiful floral creations out. Jackson pinned Jack’s in place while Jack did the same with Vale’s. “I wanted them to last forever.”

“Linda,” I had to pause and catch my breath before the tears ran.

“Thank you, they’re beautiful.” Darcy and I hugged her.

Pink and white roses mixed with baby’s breath.

The stems were tied with a shimmery pink lace.

These were gorgeous and I immediately visualized them in a shadow box with our marriage certificate between them.

My sweet girl did her best not to ruin her make-up, but had a hard time.

“Here Princess, let Mommy help you.” I dabbed her eyes and kissed her nose.

“You girls are stunning and Jack, you and Vale are so handsome,” Linda cooed.

Jack and Vale were dressed in black slacks and shoes with white button-up dress shirts and light pink ties.

Darcy and I wore the dresses we found in a boutique shop in San Diego.

One of a kind designs. While hers was a knee length floral dress that nearly matched our bouquets, mine was a skirt in the same pattern with a cream-colored lace top.

I honestly don’t think this day could be any more perfect.

Drake and his assistant shuttled us into the chapel where we posed for more pictures than I’m certain we paid for. Couples, parents, all of us, Darcy and Vale, Jack and me. I knew Jack and I would buy the lot and decide what to do with them once we were home.

“Alright,” Drake clapped his hands. “Darcy, Vale, and Sarah head back out into the lobby. The rest of you get into place.” While he said it with a smile he commanded the crew without question.

I’d make sure he had my contact information before we left.

Then once he was on his own, I’d send anyone wanting to hit Vegas for a wedding to him.

Jackson took his place front and center with Jack to his right and me to his left.

A smiling Linda sat in the front pew. As soon as Here Comes the Bride began to play, the double doors opened and in walked Sarah with Darcy and Vale.

My girl’s beauty was beyond words. I couldn’t take my eyes off her nor did hers leave mine.

The amount of love reflected in them blew me away.

Whatever I did to deserve her I’ll never know, but I’d do my best to never screw it up.

“Who gives these two away?” Jackson asked Sarah.

“I do,” she sniffled. Seems we finally got to her. Sarah kissed Darcy then Vale, telling them both she loved them. I couldn’t wait to watch the video replay of that.

Darcy and Vale took their places beside us and Sarah sat beside Linda then Jackson began.

“Dear family, friends, and friends who are now family. I’m honored and proud to stand here before you today to perform this ceremony that’s so close to my heart. I’ll keep it short and sweet before my son passes out.” We all chuckled.

“Do you Jackson Barrett Junior take Vale to be your lawfully wedded husband? In sickness and in health, forsaking all others, until death do you part?”

“I do.”

“Do you Vale Harper take Jackson to be your lawfully wedded husband? In sickness and in health, forsaking all others, until death do you part?”

“I do.”

Jack and Vale’s hands shook so badly I wasn’t sure they’d get their rings on without dropping them, but in the end they managed it.

“Do you Vivienne Carlisle take Darcy to be your lawfully wedded wife? In sickness and in health, forsaking all others, until death do you part?”

And that’s when it hit me and the tears refused to stop.

“I do.”

“Do you Darcy Hanley take Vivienne to be your lawfully wedded wife? In sickness and in health, forsaking all others, until death do you part?”

“I do.” Tears streamed down my Princess’s face, but she was all smiles, as was I.

We slid our rings in place then Jackson continued.

“By the power vested in me by the great states of Washington and Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and husband, and wife and wife. You may kiss your partners.”

Sarah and Linda clapped and whooped while Jackson and I tipped our spouses back and kissed them with the intensity of the infinity symbol my wife and I proudly wore on our fingers. No beginning, and no end. Just a promise of forever.

“I’m not throwing my bouquet, Mommy. I don’t want to ruin it.”

“I’m right there with you baby girl, and I already know what I’m doing with them when we get home.”

Home.

The place I’d share with my wife. I couldn’t wait for her to see it. The contractor was thrilled to have the extra days with the impromptu Vegas trip. He insisted Darcy’s room be just right for my little Princess.

“Drake, can we get three more pictures?”

He called the photographer back over. “Absolutely, Vivienne, what would you like?”

“One of all four of our hands with our rings on, one of Jack and Vale’s, and one of mine and Darcy’s.” The vision I had for the shadow box included this. Another sweet surprise for my baby girl.

We thanked Drake and Jack, and I gave him our business cards so he could reach out and we both tipped him handsomely. Word of mouth was one of the best ways to build a business and he’d gone above and beyond for us on our important day.

Thankfully the limo Jack had ordered was waiting curbside to take us to dinner when we stepped out into the brutal Vegas heat.

“Jackson, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. What you did for us today went above and beyond.”

He smiled. “No thanks needed. Just like Darcy is to Sarah, you are to us. You may not be of our blood, Vivienne, but you’re still our daughter.”

“Don’t make me cry again!” My Princess cuddled up beside me as I did my best to hold the tears at bay. I’d cried enough for one day and likely looked like a zebra now. “I love you, baby girl.”

“Kisses.” That smoochy face of hers got me every time. “I love you too, Mommy.”

“I forgot to ask, Sarah, how’d you do on the slots last night?”

She shook her head. “Damn sluts took my money, and I didn’t even get to come.”

“Mother!” Vale hollered but his words were drowned out by our fits of laughter.

“Hey monkey boy, don’t act like you’re an angel.” Sarah shook her head. “You’re not the only one with needs.”

Every time that woman opened her mouth I swear, she had my undivided attention.

I couldn’t wait to hear what random words of wisdom she’d regale us with.

Vale’s face was red, but this was fantastic.

Sarah knew how to get a rise out of Vale and there was no way she didn’t do it on purpose. Goddess, that woman was gold.

I’d never eaten at Spago and was excited to try it. Jackson checked us in, and we were led right back to a table with another glorious fountain view. Darcy and Vale were thrilled.

We gave our drink orders and Jackson also ordered a bottle of champagne.

The waiter said he’d return with our beverages after the show.

I scooched my chair closer to Darcy’s and wrapped my arms around her and she leaned back against me.

It was so romantic, the two of us cuddled up enjoying the fountain show.

As it came to an end, Darcy and Vale popped up clapping and cheering. These shows were a modern marvel. I couldn’t fathom what went on behind the scenes to bring them to life.

“I swear, I could watch that all day.” Darcy was enthralled by the fountains.

“What do you like best about it, Princess?”

“Everything. The music, the way the water waves, when it shoots out really, really hard and fast.” She swayed to and fro as the streams of water had. “It’s magical.”

“As are you, my love.” The flirtatious blush tinting her cheeks was more than worth having an audience for our private moment.

Jackson cleared his throat, breaking my Darcy induced trance. “To the newlyweds. May the love you share today blossom with each passing day. And always remember the golden rule— never go to bed mad.”

Conversation flowed throughout the fantastic meal. No one was left out and as I glanced around at all the smiling faces it hit me how truly blessed I was. Every person at this table loved me and my Princess for who we are, not for what we could give to them.

“Thank you for dinner, Jackson.” Darcy and I hugged him and Linda again. “And for sharing this important day with us.”

“You’re family, Vivenne. Don’t ever forget that. We’re here for both of you just as we are for Jack, Vale, and Sarah.” There are so few true, honest humans left in the world but somehow we’ve found a few.

Jackson and Linda decided to go sightsee while the rest of us went up to our suite to change and decide on our next move.

“Is the Build-A-Bear store still open, Mommy?”

I glanced at my watch then at Jack who gave me the go-ahead in the form of a nod. “I believe it is and it’s halfway between here and Circus-Circus.”

Darcy and Vale squealed. “Please Mommy, please?”

“Please Miss Vivienne?” Vale pleaded.

“It’s Mrs. Vivienne now. I’m a married lady, after all.” I wiggled my ring finger.

“Makes sense, V. Everything else is at the opposite end of the strip so we can spend the day there tomorrow. You coming with us, Sarah?”

“I’ll pass tonight, but I’m in for tomorrow’s adventure.” Can’t say I blamed her. I’m sure tonight’s adventure would be full of screaming kids running around. Not that a little and a monkey wouldn’t wreak their own havoc.

“Alright, put on comfy clothes and shoes. We’re in for a lot of walking.” The happy little and her monkey skipped toward their respective rooms to change. Jack snickered and followed his boy while I went to see what my princess was up to.

“Want Mommy to braid your hair?”

“Yes, please.”

Literally, if we were home I could picture myself sitting for hours on end brushing her hair, mindlessly twirling it around my fingers. It was so soft and billowy. As soon as I finished hers I decided to do mine too. Might as well keep as cool as we could.

The short walk took no time and as soon as they saw the sign the ran straight for the door.

“Monkey, what has daddy told you about running off?”

Vale chewed on his bottom lip. “Not to. Sorry daddy, I just got excited.”

“Remember your manners, sweetheart.” He kissed the top of Vale’s head. “Let’s get your bear and wait in the filling line.

They went one way and Darcy, and I went another. “Which bear do you want, Princess?”

“The pink cuddles with the bride outfit and I want the veil headband for myself. Is that okay, Mommy?”

Not the bear I expected her to pick at all. “That’s more than okay, sweet girl. This is for you, after all.”

“Mommy,” suddenly my girl was nervous. “Can we um, can we get the recording for the bear?”

“What do you mean?”

“They have an option where you can record a message and when you press its paw it says it to you.”

Confused, I turned my head to the side. “What message were you wanting.”

She stared down at her feet, nervously shifting. “I want my bear to say I love you, Princess but it has to be in your voice, or it won’t be the same.”

If we weren’t in a public place full of children I’d have kissed my Princess hard. “We can absolutely do that. I’d be honored, my love.” The simplest of things with her went a long way. Darcy wanted nothing more than to be loved and the constant reminder of having her bear say it spoke volumes.

Darcy kissed my cheek and hopped over to the bear shells, selecting her pink one then we got in line for the machine.

“Here Mommy, let’s both kiss the heart.” We did that then handed it and the shell to the attendant who ran through their spiel while they filled the bear.

I recorded the message then the recorder was placed inside before the bear was sewn up.

The associate directed us to choose our accessories, and stated she’d have the bear waiting at the register for us.

Jack and I opted for the backpacks they had to carry the bears in.

The boxes they usually gave them in were the size of another piece of luggage and for that we had more than enough already.

This way Vale and Darcy can wear them while we’re walking around.

Guess I hadn’t thought this trip through too well luggage wise, considering my inability to tell my sweet little no.

Now, it was off to the arcade to rival all arcades.

Goddess, help us get through the insanity.