Page 59 of Degrees of Control
“I know it’s soon, but I don’t want to wait anymore,” I say.
“Katie, nothing would make me happier, but seriously, do you not know how long it takes to organize a proper wedding?” she asks.
“Mom, I don’t want a large wedding. Just family and a few close friends and a lot of the family planned to come back to New York for Christmas anyway,” I say.
“That’s true, Katie, but there’s not even time to have a dress made. Then there’s the catering, the flowers, and not to mention the cake,” she laments.
“I don’t care about all that stuff. I want to walk down the staircase and see Chase waiting at the bottom for me. I also need to talk to Dad and find out if he’ll give me away. It will be absolutely perfect, Mom,” I say as her eyes fill with unshed tears.
Chase and my dad come back into the room with a glass of wine for each of us and we chat a little before moving into the smaller dining room since the ladies are still putting the finishing touches on preparations for tomorrow’s holiday festivities in the large dining room.
“Don’t you have something to tell your dad, Katie,” my mom says as we have barely taken our seats.
I shake my head at her half contained excitement. I’m pretty sure Chase has already talked to Dad, and as if reading my mind, he gives me a confirmatory nod from across the table. “Dad, Chase and I are planning to get married on Christmas Eve. I know it’s short notice, but we would like nothing better than to get married at your home. Most of the family will be home and I’d be honored if they could see you walk me down the same staircase you had built for Mom years ago,” I say.
My father’s eyes moisten for the second time in as many weeks. “Katarina, you couldn’t have made me and your mother any happier. We’d be delighted for you and Chase to marry at our home,” he says.
The kids arrive just before lunch on Thanksgiving Day. Gaby has outdone herself with roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, a cauliflower and cheese casserole, scalloped corn, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and an assortment of Jell-O salads, bars and pies. Chase spends time talking with the young adults as a group, but also with each individually, introducing me as his fiancée and drawing me into the conversations. I learn many of the children are from the community and not surprisingly, Chase is supporting many of them in their educational goals. My parents are drawn to the kids’ outgoing personalities, as they tell stories and we play board games throughout the afternoon.
“Who’s up for a bonfire?” Chase asks as night falls. The suggestion is met with resounding approval and we follow him through the french doors and down the deck stairs to the snow cleared path below. Several men have started quite a brush pile and chairs are set out in a circle around the fire.
“Here pass a few of these around,” Chase says, tossing a couple bags of marshmallows to the teenagers closest to him. The kids are lively and animated passing them out, slipping the large white puffs onto the silver skewers that have been placed around the fire. They take turns toasting them until golden brown.
“You want one, Katarina?” Trey, one of the quieter teens, asks.
“I thought you would never ask,” I say.
“Coming right up,” he says, grinning while he attempts to load his skewer with four marshmallows.
I am seated next to Chase and take his hand. “Good?” he asks, looking into my eyes.
“Unbelievably good.”
After a while servers arrive with a round of hot cocoa for everyone and the group talks about the ice fishing outing planned at the cabins for next month, until it is time for the bus to return them home. It’s been a magical day all around and it is with sadness that I watch them leave.
“It was an amazing evening. I think the Thanksgiving holiday just took on a greater meaning for all of us,” I say to Chase on the way up to our room.
The rest of the weekend flies by. Mom and I spend much of the time between Friday morning and the time they have to leave on Sunday evening preparing for the wedding while Chase and my dad stay secluded in the study with Jay and the security teams in an effort to track Alfreita.
The four of us are just finishing a late supper of lemon pepper salmon, served with baby Yukon Gold potatoes and green beans when Sheldon peeks his head into the kitchen. “The helicopter will be ready shortly and they have the jet preparing for departure at O’Hare,” he says.
“Perfect timing, Sheldon. We’re all packed and ready to go. We’ll say our goodbyes and be right behind you,” Carlos says, standing up from the table and pulling back my mother’s chair for her.
“Chase, thanks for having us for the weekend. We had a great time and we’re looking forward to many more holidays with the two of you in the future,” he says, coming around to give me a hug.
“We look forward to it, Carlos,” Chase says, before turning to whisper something to my mom.
“What are you two up to?”
“Don’t spoil your surprise, Sweetie,” my mom says, giving me one last squeeze.
“Alright, we’ll see you in a couple weeks,” I say, lowering my eyes at her as Jay peeks his head in to hurry my parents along. We wave one last time as they get into the helicopter and Chase puts his arm around me, before closing the door. “It was a nice weekend, but it feels good to have the house back to ourselves,” he says, kissing the top of my head.
“I couldn’t agree more. Seriously, I’ve never spent a more enjoyable holiday, ever. It was amazing,” I say, hugging him to me tightly.
“Let’s go upstairs,” he says, scooping me into his arms as we reach the elevator and he hits the keypad to the upper level. The elevator opens as it reaches our floor and he lets me slide down his body slowly, pressing me against him as my feet find the ground. “Baby, raise your arms. I want to see your body,” he says, sliding my skirt and panties past my hips, letting them drop to the floor. He raises my hip-length sweater past my waist, over my chest and head, leaving me completely naked before him with the exception of a white lace demi bra with a front clasp.
“All of you,” he says, pushing the clip that separates the small amount of material that when opened leaves me completely bare. “Do you know how much I want you right now?” he asks, smothering my reply with his kiss.
