One True Love

Chapter 26

Feeling the boat pulling out of the harbor, I looked towards Scotty who still had this mischievous grin on his face, almost as if he was up to something. What was he not telling me?

Moving closer to him, I whispered so that Monty could not hear, "Okay, Scotty. Spill the beans. How do you know Monty?," I asked

He smiled and kissed the top of my head. Whispering, he said, "Do you remember how I told you in my letter that I pulled some strings and was able to get you an appointment at Kleinfeld?"

"Yes," I said

"Well, Monty is the one person that was able to get you in there today."

I laughed quietly, "Well, I've already figured that out. I figured that out when, today at the appointment, he went straight to your mom and hugged her before focusing his attention on me. Still, that doesn't answer my question. How do you know him?"

Looking out across the water, he was silent for a few minutes, before he turned back towards me and wrapped the blanket around my shoulders where it had fallen off. Taking a deep sigh, he said, "Well, it's kind of a long story."

I laughed, "Well, it appears that I'm not going anywhere."

Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, he said...."Okay, well you're not going to believe this but Monty is actually from North Carolina! He and my mom grew up together and they were really close friends until they graduated high school. Monty, being the type of person that he is, wanted to study fashion design and so when he was accepted into the NYU Fashion and Design program, he jumped at the opportunity. Falling in love with the city, he never wanted to move back to North Carolina, but he and my mom have stayed in touch over the years. I've been told that he was there when Ashley and I were both born, although I can't be certain on that."

A voice in the distance spoke up, "8 lbs 11 oz, a head full of hair. You were born in the early morning hours and your mom was so beyond tired, and we were all exhausted from sitting in the waiting room, but the smile on your mom's face when she looked at you is one I will never forget."

I smiled, "Monty, why have we never met?"

He laughed, "Oh my dear, but we have. Don't you remember being at Kleinfeld today?"

Looking at Scotty, I crossed my arms against my chest...."No Monty, why have I never met you before this trip?"

Bringing us closer to the Statue of Liberty, he let the boat idle and turned around to face us...."Well, I haven't been home in a few years. With TLC making the shop into a show, our business has been booming. I admit, I do need to come home more often, but I simply feel as if there is never enough time."

I smiled, "Well, I'm glad I got to meet you this weekend, I've always loved you."

He chuckled, "Sweetheart, when Scotty here told me that he had popped the question, I told him that I must meet this girl who has stolen his heart. I also told him that you must purchase your dress from the store and that I would do everything I could to make that happen."

Looking towards Scotty, he smiled and pulled me close, kissing me gently. For a moment, it felt as if we were alone on the boat. Staring into each other's eyes, it seemed as if we both did not have a care in the world.

It wasn't until Monty spoke up that it brought us both back to reality....."You two are something special," he said and then continued, "I see brides come in and out of the store every day, all day. On rare occasions, some bring their fiancée with them, but if they don't, they always tell their story."

He smiled and looked at Scotty, patting him on the knee..."You've got yourself a good one here, my friend. The way she looks at you, the way she talks about you, the way she lights up when you're around, yes you two are going to go the distance."