The Choice Ch. 34

Dominic is Skip's best man while four of Skip's friends have arrived as his groomsmen and are now at Dominic's house. Baby Lucia is the flower girl and will be dressed at the last minute.

I am wearing a silver cocktail dress, my hair is swept up and held by a silver and diamond comb, Anna is giving everyone orders and looks beautiful in a black and white cocktail maternity dress. The wedding will take place out in the garden that looks incredibly beautiful with flowers and a chuppah. Rabbi Silverman arrives, as does Father McCarthy since Rachel is Jewish and Skip is catholic.

Marion looks lovely in her navy mother of the bride dress with a sweetheart neckline while her husband looks handsome in his navy suit.

Brian has changed out of his chefs' jacket and black pants that he wore for most of the morning and afternoon since he prepared all the food into a grey suit. The cake is delivered by Sylvia Weinstock herself and is a three-tiered vision with handmade edible flowers all over it.

After rushing around, I go into my bedroom to see the bride fully dressed. Rachel takes my breath away. While Anna looked regal in her dress, Marlene looked sexy in her gown our Rachel looks virginal. Her dress is by my friend, Amsale in a silk taffeta/spin duchess satin strapless ball gown with a sweetheart neckline and satin cummerbund with crystal broach.

Anna has loaned her the diamond tiara and I have given her diamond earrings and a diamond bracelet as a wedding gift. Rachel has a cathedral length train and will be wearing a veil.

Marion enters the room and tears spring in her eyes. Both of Rachel's parents will be walking her down the steps and out into the garden.

Ilich comes up to me and kisses my cheek. "I just want to thank you Stephanie. My wife and I understand so much more now. Please take care of our girl. We'll be back and forth. We want to spend as much time with her as possible before..." His voice chokes.

I hug him, "We will all take care of our darling Rachel."

Ilich goes to his daughter and hugs her, "You look so beautiful my eldest, my brightest, my daughter." She kisses his wet cheeks as the tears have started to fall. "I've already told Skip that he must take care of you or I will take him into the playroom."

Rachel laughs, "He's a Dom so I don't think that would happen."

Rachel's friends, who know of her lifestyle, look at one another. Ilich turns to them and says, "Don't look so shocked. We know and we approve."

It is time and Anna and Brian take their seat out in the garden. There are heaters in the tent so it is comfortable. There are about 40 people here. It feels small and intimate. Candles are all around the space.

Marlene looks at me and winks before she goes downstairs and takes her seat. I hold a thumb up. We have done a good job. Dr. Heart and Dr. Durante are also present as is the nurse who will be with Rachel full time from now on. She will live with Skip and Rachel until the end.

The groomsmen walk down the aisle and would usually be followed by the best man, but since the best man is also the groom's father. Dominic, Skip and I walk down the steps together. I was surprised, delighted and had tears in my eyes when Skip asked me to walk with him as his mother. A chair in the front row with a bouquet of white roses labeled Lucia and draped in netting to signal her presence is missed, but they know her presence is there.

The bridesmaids walk down with their bouquets. Abigail walks down looking very serious followed by a toddling Lucia who manages to throw rose petals onto the runner. Her mother scoops her up as she reaches the end.

The door leading into the garden is closed and then opened, as Rachel makes her entrance. The string quartet plays, 'Your All I need to Get By' as Rachel walks in with her parents. We are all standing and watching her, as she looks ethereal in the candlelight. Skip stands straighter and smiles as his blushing bride makes her way to him. The Rabbi and the Priest say the ceremony for both denominations. Skip breaks the glass as a chorus of Mazel Tov goes up. It is done and applause breaks out. As they kiss, I look at Dominic and see the tears in his eyes. We both know they will not have nearly enough time. I whisper to him, "Is it ever enough?"

He looks at the chair that was for Lucia and says "No, never. But I have solace in knowing that Lucia will be there waiting for our Rachel. She will take good care of her."

I kiss his cheek.

I have hired a local wedding band that is quite good for the reception that is held in what is usually our office space. It is quite large and spacious.

Skip holds his bride tight as the music begins to play for their first dance to "No More Wishing." I meet Rachel's Aunt Sophie who is fighting back tears.

Dinner is a choice of salmon, steak and chicken. Brian supervises the caterer's and makes sure that everything is served hot to our guests. After dinner and dancing, wedding cake is cut and served with homemade ice cream. Rachel looks so alive and so happy. I am happy for her. Anna and I manage a dance, as do Brian and I.

Sometime around eleven, Anna tells me she is tired and goes upstairs to bed. Brian picks her up, takes her up to our room where he helps her undress, and puts her in bed.

I have a dance with Dominic. The bride and groom leave for a night in the Presidential suite of the Waldorf Astoria followed by a weeklong honeymoon to Tahiti. Simon drives them to the hotel in the Bentley.

The party is over by 1:30. In the morning, everything will be returned to normal. It has been a fun day. Brian picks me up in his arms and carries me upstairs. We get to the top of the stairs and hear moaning. Opening the door, we see Anna holding her stomach and in pain.

I go to her, she is groaning, "It hurts." Looking at the bed, I see blood.

Brian calls 911 and Dr. Heart. He then calls Dr. Kennedy, Anna's OB/GYN who tells us to get her to the hospital. The ambulance arrives. Anna looks pale and week.

Dr. Heart returns with Dr. Durante who was with him when he got Brian's call. Together with the paramedics, they manage to stop the bleeding and we are on the way to the hospital.

At the hospital, Dr. Kennedy lets us know there has been a rupture that has been repaired. Anna is under complete bed rest until the baby is born.

I breathe a sigh of relief and go into see her. She looks better. Her color is returning. She has been moved to a private suite. "You should have used the intercom and called me." I say kissing her forehead.

Brian who has been talking to the doctor comes in. "The doctor says you are to be completely off your feet. You can come home tomorrow, but you have to be in bed. I will see that you are. You did too much." He admonishes her.

She smiles at him weakly, "I'm sorry Bry."

We leave her to rest. Brian and I walk home holding hands. As we enter the house he says to me, Mistress."

"Yes?" I answer.

"We are going to have a hard time keeping her in bed."

I can see there is more to this, "Did you have something in mind?"

"I think that we can finish the nursery for her, set up the computer so she can order anything she needs and give her some organizational things to do. The files on my laptop and hers need to be reorganized." He says looking at me with a grin.

"Busy work so she won't go crazy." I say.

"Exactly." He says.

We have formed a plan. I sleep late as Brian insists on going to the hospital alone in the Bentley to pick up Anna.

While he is gone, Abigail and I transform part of my bedroom into a space for Anna. My bedroom is huge and I order a Queen Size adjustable hospital bed for Anna. We also have an adjustable table and stock a bookcase with books, magazines and swatches for Anna.

We will work very hard to keep her busy until the baby is ready to make his/her entrance.

The holiday season is upon us. Anna is very restless, as the rest of the house gets busy with decorating and cleaning. She hates being in bed. The doctor has allowed her to get up for only a half an hour a day and she makes the most of her time by spending it in the nursery.

The nursery decorator loves Anna's style and the room is a lovely mix of modern with some Russian accents. Anna's due date is December 29.

Rachel and Skip have returned from their honeymoon and Skip and I are at work beginning our new project. Two screenwriters we've worked with before are writing the screenplay. Dominic has sold his house in Los Angeles and is looking for a bigger place near me. Daniel's apartment has gotten too small for him with Lucia and her toys taking up every space.

I shop for Christmas presents. Abigail has proven herself invaluable in helping with Anna while Rebecca spends most of her time with Rachel. She grocery shops and cooks for her every day while helping the nurse. Rachel has good days, bad days and horrible days when she has to stay in bed all day in the dark.

On December 12th, we get some very exciting news, I have been nominated for a golden globe as best director, Anna for best supporting actor, Adrian Close for best actor and our movie for best film.

I am so excited that I can hardly speak. The phone is ringing off the hook, Anna lying in bed is crying, and I go to her. "Mistress, I can't believe it."

Brian comes in, "I can. You were wonderful."

Dominic and Skip arrive and we all have breakfast in my bedroom. Abigail and Rebecca come in for a few minutes to share our joy then they are both off to visit Rachel.

My agent and publicist calls. Until the baby arrives, I inform everyone Anna can make no public appearances. I schedule the View and a few others close to home, but it is Adrian who will get the most attention.

Anna is having a bad day. She wants to get up. She has not been outside in three weeks. She's yelling at everyone. Brian takes care of her as I have an interview to give. It is December 23.

When I return home, Anna is asleep. Brian tells me that she is feeling uncomfortable. He has spoken with Dr. Kennedy and has been told it is normal.

On Christmas Eve, Dominic and Marlene arrive with Lucia. Skip and Rachel have gone to spend Christmas with her parents along with Abigail and Rebecca. All of Rachel's family and friends will be at their house. This will probably be Rachel's last Christmas.

We have our Christmas Eve dinner in my bedroom. Anna is finishing her meal sitting at the table. She gets up and suddenly gasps, "I think my water just broke."

Daisy gets a mop, Brian calls the doctor and the contractions begin. We are on the way to the hospital when it begins to snow...We are going to have a baby.