Book One: Chapter 34
Paul sat quietly nursing his drink. The reception was held on the patio with circr tables arranged
along the perimeter. Off to one side was a piano with the center left open for the dance floor. The
the twins. As close friends he, Victoria, Franklin and Dillon (when she wasn’t taking photos) were
seated at a neighboring table which would have normally been for Macey’s family.
From there he had an excellent view of the happy couple. Macey had not stopped smiling leaning in
whenever Julius moved to kiss her, which he did often whether or not the crowd tapped their sses.
They followed traditional French meals beginning with an aperitif (an alcoholic drink which Macey
substituted with sparkling juice she shared with the twins), hors d’oeuvres; a main course with a choice
of vegetarian, seafood and chicken alongside a te of sd and followed by a selection of cheeses.
They were now enjoying dessert which had several options all included honey as the main ingredient to
satisfy the bride’s sweet tooth rather than a typical wedding cake.
After he finished his dessert Caden left the table to sit at the piano much to the surprise of the majority
of the guests. He started with Beethoven’s Für Elise and the attendee’s were instantly captivated to
hear such ying from one so young.
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Franklin did not miss the opportunity to record the performance on his phone. He still hoped to
convince Julius and Macey to enroll the kids at Anderson assuming they returned to the States
permanently next year. He also wanted proof as some of his colleagues still didn’t believe him about
the boy’s ability.
Paul’s attention remained on Macey. No one had been more surprised than him when Julius followed
through with his promise to move to Paris to be with her and the twins. There had beenughable
moments as he adjusted to the unfamiliar culture but the twins helped him as much as they could even
introducing him to Elias.
Surprisingly Elias, who generally didn’t like people, took to Julius immediately earning him even more
points as far as the twins were concern since they were fond the street performer. In seemingly no time
Julius was able to make business contacts andy the foundations of his family’s business. Its
influence was already growing.
But, worse for Paul, was news of Macey’s pregnancy. Ever since it was confirmed she practically
glowed. Dillon was given more responsibilities in the dark room as Macey wanted to limit her exposure
to chemicals though she still took the lead behind the camera fulfilling her promise to photograph
Victoria’s new line as well as continuing her own projects. She wanted to get as much done as she
could before the final trimester so she could focus on the baby.
When he saw her walk down the aisle Paul’s breath had been taken away. Even now he was lost in
admiring her as she leaned into Julius’s embrace listening to Caden y. As he finished Caden looked
to the table with his family gathered around. At first it looked as if he was seeking his sister but his gaze
settled on his mother.
Smiling Macey stood, kissing Julius’s cheek before making her way to the piano. Aria immediately took
her mother’s ce and climbed into her father’sp. Many curious gazes followed Macey as she sat
beside Caden. Their curiosity was soon satiated as the pair yed a tune familiar to everyone even if
they didn’t know the name: Hoagy Carmichael’s Heart and Soul much to the delight of the audience.
“I didn’t know Aunt Macey could y,” Jude looked to his family in surprise.
“Oh yeah,” March nodded. “We used to go to her recitals when we were kids. I think she even won a
fewpetitions, didn’t she?”
He looked to his brother for confirmation. Julius nodded remembering Macey being so nervous she
almost threw up before one in particr, perhaps a city championship? If he remembered correctly she
lost to a younger girl. He couldn’t remember her name but he recalled they imed she was some sort
of prodigy.
What he did remember was how devastated Macey had been. In order to console her Julius had gone
to the refreshment area and brought her back a honey bun drizzled in extra honey. Macey’s tears had
dried almost instantly at his gift and he was rewarded with a genuine smile.
“But she stopped all of a sudden,” March added.
“She stopped ying after he father passed,” Augustus informed. His sons looked at him in surprise as
neither of them had made the connection. “He’s the one who taught her to y. I remember…they had
his grandmother’s old upright and there was one key that was always out of tune no matter how often
they had it adjusted. But he and Macey would sit together and y…just like this.”
Augustus looked over at Macey and Caden with a smile. No doubt memories were running through her
head as she yed her fingers moving over the keys with practiced ease. No one would be able to tell
it had been decades since shest yed seriously. As the duet finished the pair paused before
shifting into Chopsticks making more than a few chuckle as they ended with a flourish. Laughing Macey
hugged Caden whose expression was ecstatic and without his usual reserve.
Aria pulled her dad’s ear close whispering, “It’s time for your dance, daddy.”
Julius smiled standing and carrying her to the piano. Setting Aria down he offered his hand to Macey
who blushed. Taking his hand she allowed herself to be led to the center of the patio. Caden situated
himself on the bench and once his parents faced each other began to y.
To those who had been present for their wedding the melody was recognizable as it had been the song
Macey and Julius first danced to in the past. For those who hadn’t been there it was still recognizable
as it was the theme of Macey’s favorite movie: Storybook Love from Princess Bride. Aria’s sweet clear
voice joined her brother’s ying as she sang in French to the crowd’s surprise.
Viens, je vais te raconter une histoire.
D’un gars et d’une fille et de leur amour.
Et il l’aimait tellement.
Et tous les charmes qu’elle avait.
?a s’est produit une fois.
Quand ce n’était pas sipliqué.
Il adorait le sol qu’elle marchait.
Et quand il l’a vue, il était obsédé.
Mon amour estme un conte de fées.
Mais c’est aussi vrai que mon c?ur.
Mon amour estme un conte de fées.
Mais c’est aussi vrai que mon c?ur.
C’est aussi vrai que mon coeur
Cet amour était plus fort que le mal
Un prince avait en sa possession
Tisser des sorts pour voler un coeur
Dormant dans sa poitrine
Mon amour estme un conte de fées.
Mais c’est aussi vrai que mon c?ur.
Mon amour estme un conte de fées.
Mais c’est aussi vrai que mon coeur.
C’est aussi vrai que mon coeur.
Il a dit, “Ne sais-tu pas que je t’aime
et que je dépose mon coeur à tes pieds?”
Elle a dit, “Ne sais-tu pas que les contes de fées
ont toujours une fin heureuse?”
Il l’a prise dans ses brasme dans les livres
Et sur son cheval, ils s’en allèrent
Mon amour estme un conte de fées.
Mais c’est aussi vrai que mon coeur.
Mon amour estme un conte de fées.
Mais c’est aussi vrai que mon coeur.
Paul watched the couple dance leaning close to each other. Julius rested his forehead on hers as her
arms circled his neck. His hands were at her hips, thumbs gently stroking her belly as they swayed to
their children’s performance. Paul struggled to swallow back the jealousy ring within him.
Since the gallery opening he had familiarized himself with Macey’s favorite book and movie as well as
some of her other likes but apparently there was still more he didn’t know. Like Jude, he hadn’t known
she used to (and still could) y the piano or that it was a special memory with her father. Everything
he learned only taught him how little he knew and how much more Julius already did.
As the twins finished their song Franklin put away his phone and headed to the piano. Some of the
guests recognized him as he and Caden fist bumped before changing ces. While Franklin made
himselffortable Caden and Aria hurried to their parents. With smiles Julius and Macey changed
partners each taking a twin as Franklin began the next song, A Thousand Years by Christina Perri.
“Shall we?” March asked smiling at Rose.
She blushed and nodded. He took her by the hand and led her to the dance floor joining the newly
cemented family. Encouraged by his grandfather Jude left the table to ask another young attendee to
dance. Taking this as a cue several of the guests stood and joined them.
* * *
November 6th
New York Times
Love is in the Air.
Yesterday, a hundred of the closest friends and associates of the DaLair family gathered to celebrate
Julius and Macey DaLair’s marriage with a touching vow renewal ceremony. The blushing wife was
gorgeous and sophisticated in her one of a kind gown created by the famed designer Victoria Laurent.
Celebrated pianist and member of the Philharmonic, Franklin Jackson, yed a beautiful rendition of
Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” while the bride, apanied by her father-inw
and proceeded by her precocious twins walked down the aisle.
During the French inspired reception guests were treated to a special concert by Caden DaLair and his
masterful piano ying as well as his sister, Aria DaLair, whose voice is as beautiful as an angel’s. The
pair performed a special version of “Storybook Love” for their parents’ first dance. Afterwards Franklin
once again returned to the piano so the twins could join their parents in a touching dance that brought
many to tears while others chose to join the family on the dance floor and celebrate their love and joy.
Julius and Macey n on returning to Paris soon so the twins can continue their schooling. Julius is
also busy building his family’s business overseas and Macey, who is famed photographer M. Gray,
readies pieces for her next exhibit. The happy couple is also preparing to wee their third child due
in March.
Fin.