Exception, p.44
Exception, page 44
Emily angled her head to look him. The curiosity flashing like fire in her eyes made him laugh and shake his head. “Don’t look at me like that. It’s a surprise, so I’m not telling you anything. And we better get that lovely ass of yours in the shower, otherwise we’ll be late.”
After a quick kiss to her lips Taylor hopped out of bed and swaggered to the bathroom, his naked bottom moving in a way that left Emily a bit light-headed.
Alone, Emily walked around, admiring the twenty-eight amazing flower arrangements scattered around the room. She felt like she’d been transported to some kind of wonderland.
Attached to the last bouquet of flowers was a white card with a simple metallic silver heart printed in the upper-right corner. With the goofiest smile on her lips, Emily opened it and read the short words scribbled in Taylor’s handwriting inside.
She read the words three times. Even without the sea of flowers, the card alone would have been the best and most romantic birthday present she’d ever gotten and, once she joined him under the hot water of their spacious shower, she made sure to show him how much her feelings for him were the same.
Staying away from each other long enough to get ready was a daunting task for the heated pair, but eventually they managed to accomplish it and, a little after ten in the morning, they stepped out of the elevator into the lobby.
Emily had been trying to figure out where he was taking her since their shower, but was having no luck whatsoever. Taylor was as tight-lipped as she’d ever seen him, which made her efforts to uncover the surprise an even more entertaining game. However, her guesses had been completely wrong until the cab Taylor insisted on taking, since Emily had never had that experience, parked in front of the Whitehall Ferry Terminal.
Stepping out of the car, Emily looked from the beautiful building to Taylor, her wide eyes blinking a few extra times. “We’re going to Staten Island?”
“Yep,” he replied folding his arms around her middle and kissing her below the ear. “You’ve never been, right?” Emily’s head bobbed in agreement, and he continued, “Good, and you’re gonna love it, babe. But before we get going, this is for you.” He kissed her cheek again and raised his hand, displaying a tiny white card with two silver hearts on the front.
Looking over her shoulder at him with an awed expression, she took the paper from his hands and opened it.
Her eyes watered as she looked from the paper in her hands to the brown eyes, so filled with love, staring back at her. Without saying anything, Taylor winked and pulled her hand towards the entrance of the terminal.
His excitement as he navigated the ferry, moving them to his favorite spot by the upper railing was contagious, and the moment they pulled out of the harbor Emily understood why. The view the ferry provided was even better than the one from their apartment building. Emily was mesmerized by it, and just when she thought it couldn’t get any better, the statue came into view and took her breath away.
She stared at the skyline in front of her, completely awed, thinking that, if riding that ferry was all Taylor had planned for her birthday, it would have been enough, because that was perfection. The sweet kisses to her cheek and neck, and the tiny card with three silver hearts and another beautiful love declaration he gave to her, made it even more so.
Arriving at the island, the simple yet adorable surprises Taylor had planned continued. They walked around, had ice cream and snacks, visited the zoo and rode a rowboat, and in every activity and at all of their stops, he handed her another card with more beautiful words scribbled on it, and one more heart on the cover. It was a perfect love-filled birthday.
For a late lunch, Taylor took Emily to his favorite Italian restaurant on the island. It was a cantina-style place that he and his family had gone to so many times during their trips to city as he was growing up. It wasn’t the most romantic restaurant, but the food was incredible, and he had another birthday surprise in store for her there.
Signore Ernesto was a tall, slim man in his late eighties, who greeted Taylor with a heavily-accented voice, a warm hug, and humorous complaints about not seeing him in so long. Taylor introduced Emily to him with a wide smile on his lips, making sure to mention that she spoke fluent Italian. When the older man smiled and greeted her in his own language, swinging his arms around her for a hug, Emily looked at her boyfriend with a wide smile, and he winked at her, knowing how happy she was to get to practice her Italian, something she hardly ever got to do.
The old man was probably the most charming person Emily had ever met and, in less than two minutes, the two were fully engaged in an animated conversation. Taylor had no idea what they were saying, but judging by Emily’s swooning expression, he guessed Ernesto was telling the story of how his parents fled Italy to escape their rival mobster families who would never allow them to be together. He’d heard that story so many times growing up that he knew it by heart.
Walking slowly with the aid of his walking stick, the old man took them to a secluded table by a window that had a gorgeous view of Manhattan and the statue. Not bothering to return to English, Ernesto wished them a good meal and promised to send a complimentary piece of his famous tiramisu for dessert.
“I think he’s in love with you,” Taylor teased, smiling lovingly at her as he handed her a menu. “Can’t blame him though.” Emily laughed and opened the black leather folder. Inside was yet another card.
Nearly snorting with laugher, she thanked him in the foreign language, lacing her fingers through his. The thoughtfulness he put into the day made her fall in love with him even more, something she didn’t think was possible.
The view on the return trip to Manhattan was even prettier. The setting sun added a whole new layer of beauty to the already amazing sight. However, as breathtaking as the scenery was, it wasn’t enough to keep Emily’s mind away from wondering what Taylor had in store for her next.
“Where are we going now?” she asked giddily as they stepped off of the ferry.
“I was thinking about going for a walk. What do you say?”
Snaking her arm around his waist, she kissed his cheek. “Okay,” she consented, just glad to be in his arms.
They walked through Battery Park, admiring the gorgeous view of the bay at dusk and enjoying each other’s company. They talked and played and laughed and kissed, as if they weren’t standing in a crowded park in the beating heart of the world. To them, at that moment, they were the only two people around.
The sky was dark and the city lights twinkled beautifully in the background when Taylor stopped in the middle of a sidewalk and tugged on the hand he was holding, pulling Emily towards his body. Holding both her hands behind her back, he kissed her lips softly. “Do you know how much I love you, Emily?”
Emily’s heart fluttered inside her chest as she shook her head in reply, a smitten smile on her lips. He kissed the tip of her nose before looking up at the gorgeous night sky above them. “There’s more love for you in me than stars up there. You’re my life, my future and my happiness, and you go way beyond my best and wildest dreams, Ems.” Lowering his eyes back to look at her, he offered a small and honest smile.
Tears were stinging Emily’s eyes. Removing her arms from the hold he had on her, she brought her hands up to cup his face. Not trusting words to express her feelings eloquently, she stretched on her tiptoes and, pouting her lips, delivered a soft, loving kiss to the tip of his nose, and another just above the line of his stubble. Those were their kisses, the first ones they’d ever shared, and the ones with sentiment that, even in their simplicity, outweighed even the most passionate of kisses.
“Thanks for giving me the perfect day, Tay. I loved it.”
They stared at each other for a few seconds with similar smiles and loving gazes. The silence between them was loud with all the promises their eyes were making. Finally, Taylor’s voice sounded again. It was low and incredibly sexy. “Well, Watson, I’m pleased to announce that the day is not over yet, and I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. So, if you’ll follow me, I’d like to get you naked in a very large Jacuzzi overlooking the Statue of Liberty and do unspeakable things to you before we go on and continue celebrating your day.”
Knowing that their own Jacuzzi was far away and didn’t have a view of the statue, she followed him through the stone steps that led to guarded entrance of the luxurious hotel.
Riding in the back of a sleek black sedan with Taylor by her side, Emily almost resented her sister for requesting they have dinner together. The two mind-numbing hours spent with Taylor in the lush Jacuzzi surrounded by candles and the most amazing view of the bay had been too short, and as soon as her body left the hot water she wanted back in. However, it was her birthday, and not celebrating with Charlie was unthinkable.
The venue for the celebration dinner was still a mystery. All she knew was that it was somewhere fancy, since Taylor was looking impeccable in a midnight-blue suit and she was wearing all of the gorgeous gifts he’d given her: a mint-green mini-dress, gray pumps and matching clutch.
“We’re here,” Taylor announced as the car came to a stop.
He stepped out of the vehicle and offered his hand to help her. Wide eyed, she took her surroundings in. The Manhattan skyline twinkled on the other side of the Hudson River and a formidable garden, blooming with the colors of spring, led the way to a restaurant nestled under the Brooklyn Bridge. The place looked like it was from a dream.
Holding Taylor’s hand, she followed him inside where a tall blond woman greeted them and wished her a happy birthday before leading the way to their table.
The interior of the restaurant was almost as pretty as the outside with crisp linens, crystal glasses and gorgeous floral arrangements that filled the air with their sugary scent. A gray-haired pianist was playing Pachelbel’s Canon in D in the background, adding to the dreamlike quality of the place.
“Your table is right through here,” the woman announced, cracking a door to what looked like a veranda. After a polite “Thank you” from Taylor, the woman turned around with a smile and returned to her position at the front of the house.
Instead of opening the door and heading for their table, Taylor folded an arm around Emily and brought his lips close to her ear. “I think I’ve been a little selfish today, keeping you all to myself.” His words were followed by a kiss to the soft skin under her lobe that made her squirm, as he continued, “Especially when you have so many people who love you.”
Before she could even deliver him a puzzled look, he pushed the door open revealing the assembly of loved ones waiting for them. A mixed chorus of “Surprise” and “Happy birthday” sounded around them, making Emily giggle and clap her hands excitedly.
Along with the familiar and expected faces of Charlotte and her family, Simon and Johanna Webber, her two best friends with their boyfriends, Penelope, Nate, Rick and Tina, Gabe and Tara, Emily’s two bosses—Chelsea and Laura, who brought along her boyfriend, Trey—and even Stanley Parker.
Emily looked from the crowded room to Taylor a few times. “H . . . how?” she stuttered the word at him.
“This is all Charlie’s magic. I’m only making a monetary contribution.” After his good-natured explanation, he guided her inside. They made their way around the room to greet the guests, who overwhelmed Emily with their love.
Catching up with all of them was incredible, and added a new layer of perfection to her already unbelievable day. Having every person she adored together in the same room was the best gift she could have ever gotten, which didn’t prevent the guests from offering her other gifts, as well. Each one warmed her heart a bit more. Stanley’s gift, however, actually made her eyes water.
With Stan’s compulsion for snapping shots of her and Taylor any time the three of them were in the same room, it was no surprise that the present was a framed picture of Taylor holding Emily against his chest and kissing her hair softly. What surprised Emily was the dress she was wearing in the photograph.
“When I took this picture I had just entered the gallery. I didn’t know who you were or what your story was. However, when I saw this scene, these old eyes of mine saw a deep love and I felt compelled to register it as a reminder that true love, like true beauty, is in the little things that go by unnoticed, like a kiss to the shoulder.”
Emily looked at him with confusion flashing like a neon light on her face. His tiny smile grew wider as his long finger pointed to the print, where Emily’s pouted lips delivered a tender peck to Taylor’s shoulder. The love Stanley was talking about was there, flaunted in front of her in bright, beautiful colors.
“Thank you Stan.” Her words were filled with honesty as she draped an arm around his neck and kissed his cheek. “It’s a shame my Nana is not here anymore. She would have been smitten with you.” Her words made the old man laugh loudly.
Once Emily had talked to every guest and opened every gift, the group sat around the large rectangular table to enjoy the delicious dinner. For most of the meal, Emily simply watched the interaction happening between her guests with wonder.
Laura and Trey were in deep conversation with Gabe and Tara. Taylor and Chuck were laughing hysterically over something Charlotte said. Nate seemed quite taken by Chelsea’s fiery personality as she told him about the sisters’ upcoming cook and crafts book, which for some reason was earning the woman eye daggers from Penelope. And, sitting at the head of the table, Stanley was entertaining everyone else with his art history lessons and snarky comments.
Silently, Emily sent out a heartfelt thank you to Nana and Lewis for once more orchestrating such a perfect night.
The celebration continued until the wee hours of the morning when, one by one, the guests hugged Emily and Taylor, showering her with last happy birthday wishes and expressing their excitement at being reunited in a few hours for Stanley’s show. Eventually, only Emily’s two best friends and Taylor’s parents remained at the large table.
After offering their beloved almost-daughter goodbye, the older couple insisted their son accompany them to the door, which he did, leaving his girlfriend alone to continue sharing the delicious and sordid details of her day with her two closest friends.
Rick and Tina were, as always, all praises regarding Emily. That night had been the first time they’d seen his son and girlfriend as a couple since the beginning of their relationship and the sight was awe-inspiring.
“That was some hard work you put into this day, son. Emily was beaming with happiness; it was quite a wonderful sight,” Tina said smiling at Taylor. The shy smile on Taylor’s lips was enough to show his own joy to his parents. Tina brought her chubby hand to cup her son’s cheek and delivered a furtive kiss to the line above his stubble. “I love that girl for making my boy this happy.”
Mother and son stared at each other in some sort of silent communication before she kissed him once more, and turned towards her husband. A knowing smile curved her lips at the sight of the hand tucked inside his jacket pocket. “I believe you have an important conversation you were rehearsing to have with our son, my love. I’ll go wait in the car while you do that.”
Rick bobbed his head lightly and winked at his angel, completely ignoring the frown on Taylor’s forehead. With a kiss to his lips and a wide smile on hers, Tina retreated to the black sedan waiting by the curb, leaving two of her three favorite men alone for a much-needed heart-to-heart.
THE TEMPERATURE was unusually cold for late April. Taylor sat in his bed that Saturday, with his back pressed against the dark wooden frame, while his fingers played with the small red leather box he’d been carrying around for the past twenty-four hours.
His day had been great and extremely tiring. Though Carla had taken care of all the details of Stanley’s exhibition, he was the boss, something he’d just recently admitted to his staff, which guaranteed him lots of work during such an important event. His efforts and the efforts of all his team paid off, and the night had been a huge success. Lots of books and photographs were sold, lots of publicity for the gallery was created, and a retirement party was held, worthy of his hero and friend.
For most of the night, while he was busy talking to people and putting out fires between Kimberly and Carla, Emily had worked the room on Stanley’s arm, making the old man so full of himself that it was impossible for Taylor to look at them and not laugh. However, as wonderful as Stan’s reaction was, it was nothing compared to the sight of the smile on his beloved’s lips. A smile that, even now, as she slept peacefully at his side, wouldn’t leave her face. It was the most heartwarming sight Taylor had ever seen, and they made the words his father said to him when he handed him that red box as they stood in front of the River Café, echo in his mind.
“If a man is lucky enough, he gets to meet one woman who will smile at him. That smile will be his greatest achievement, and for the rest of his life he’ll know that no amount of money, success or anything else will ever compare to the joy brought by that simple smile. There is, however, one exception to that truth, and that is the life-altering sight of the perfect ring on her finger.”
He opened the box and peeked inside at the beautiful ring that had once belonged to his grandmother. A ring he’d spent his entire life dreaming of seeing on the finger of his wife, and months imagining sparkling on Emily’s hand. Removing it from the box, he placed it on his pinky and stared at it with reverence.
His mind drifted back to the first time he held it. At the time, his childish mind had thought that a perfect proposal and the perfect ring would give him the perfect marriage he dreamt of. A marriage like his parents shared. However, what he failed to see back then was that perfect marriages are made by two people who love one another fiercely and choose, daily and against all odds, to be right for each other. Everything else is just frosting on the cake.
