Sometime during their first night home, Claire awoke and heard Tony’s breathing in her bed. The drapes were open, and the moonlight illuminated her suite. She looked around and snuggled into the soft covers. She was in her suite in her home, not in New York. In three weeks, it would actually be half hers. The monetary value wasn’t what enamored her. It was the fact that he wanted it to belong to her. She possessed memories that she refused to revisit. She also possessed a promise of a future. As she cuddled under the fluffy down comforter next to her warm sleeping fiancé, she knew she would hold tight to that promise.

They met with Brad and Monica on the Monday following Thanksgiving. Claire knew they were definitely worth the expense, whatever that may be. Tony told Claire not to worry about it. Their ideas were amazing. The wedding would take place in the grand entry, with Claire descending the staircase, which would be decorated with lights and sheer tapestries. The reception would be in the backyard, in a large floored, heated tent accessible to guests from the sunporch. There would be many Christmas trees and millions of clear lights. There would be evergreens and red flowers. Emily would wear black and carry a red bouquet. There would be an open bar and hors d’oeuvres and then a full sit-down meal of multiple courses. The cake was chic and decorated with real flowers. The flavors would include white, chocolate, raspberry, and carrot. Claire was especially excited about the string quartet from the Quad City Symphony, the place of her and Tony’s first night out.

Tony gave them the list of guests that Patricia had compiled. He asked Claire about guests over and over. She repeated that she only cared about Emily and John and Tony’s close friends. She saw the difficulty that Emily had with Claire’s new lifestyle. She feared that her old friends would not feel comfortable, and mentioned Meredith as an example of why her friends from before should not attend. Tony couldn’t argue that logic. The guest list consisted of the few people who called Tony Tony and 150 of his not so close business and political allies. People, he explained, should be invited whom he liked, needed, or who needed him.

Brad and Monica had a draft of the wedding invitation:

You are cordially invited to the private

wedding ceremony of:

Ms. Claire Nichols and Mr. Anthony Rawlings.

The ceremony will take place at

the Iowa City estate of

Mr. and Mrs. Rawlings on

December the eighteenth two thousand and ten,

at precisely five thirty in the evening.

A dinner and dance reception

will immediately follow at the estate.

Patricia volunteered to receive and compile the RSVPs. It would all be handled at Tony’s Iowa City office.

The string quartet would begin playing at five, with the ceremony at five thirty. There would be valet parking and a coat check since winter coats were predictable. The reception would include a live jazz band and dancing. There would not be a DJ, but there would be an MC to make announcements and talk to the guests. Each guest or “couple” would receive a gift basket in appreciation of their attendance from Mr. and Mrs. Rawlings. The baskets would include a bottle of fine wine, two crystal wine glasses, some fine chocolates wrapped in red and green foil, and a note thanking them for their attendance.

Brad asked Claire if her father would be giving her away. She told him that her father was deceased. He asked if she had anyone else to give her away or did she plan to walk down the stairs and aisle alone. The question prompted Claire to think of John. She didn’t ask, she just looked at Tony.

He sighed and responded to Brad, “She would like to have her brother-in-law give her away.” Later Tony told Claire he liked the idea. Perhaps if John gave her away, he would accept that she was his wife first and foremost.

Tony, Brent, his best man, and John would all need matching tuxedos. Tony liked Armani and said he would contact the men to have the tuxedos tailored. It didn’t take Tony and Brent long to reach a mutual understanding regarding the prenuptial agreement. Tony agreed not to have one. Brent agreed to accept Tony’s decision.

Once Tony and Claire approved the designs and blueprints Brad and Monica created, the work began. First thing Tuesday morning crews of workers descended upon the estate. There were trucks with cherry pickers putting lights in trees, and electricians connecting wires to ensure illumination. A construction crew worked in the backyard building the large tent, with more electricians for lighting and heating. There were people in the house putting up decorations. Catherine was uneasy with the multitude of people. She made sure that everyone knew she was in charge of the house and everyone answered to her.

Claire did her best to stay out of the way. Tony left each morning for work. He had a wedding in less than three weeks and the pesky challenge of a multibillion-dollar industry that needed his attention. He even needed to make some day trips to places as far away as Dallas, Los Angeles, and New England.

Claire also needed to make a few more trips to New York for dress fittings. Tony hadn’t planned for that. It was Courtney’s offer of help in any way that reduced his anxiety. He required Claire to be the one to call Courtney and inquire. Courtney sounded thrilled. They would use Tony’s jet as long as he wasn’t using it. If he needed to travel there would be Rawlings Industries jets available. Eric would accompany them.

Tony also allowed Claire to contact Emily and John after the meeting with Brad and Monica. She let Emily know about her dress, it would be black. Emily sounded elated to learn it wasn’t pink. Claire also asked John if he would do her the honor of walking her down the aisle and giving her away. He responded, “Claire, I would be honored to walk you down the aisle, but know I will never give you away.” Of course, Tony was listening as she spoke and rolled his black eyes at Claire. She didn’t let her voice falter. She thanked him for his constant devotion. Claire also reminded Emily to contact the boutique regarding her fittings and told them that Tony or his secretary, Patricia, would be contacting them about their travel plans as well as John’s tuxedo.

Everything was falling into place.

On their first trip to New York, Claire and Courtney left Iowa early on Wednesday morning, the eighth of December. With an hour time difference, it took three and a half hours to get to NYC. They left at six in the morning, which both ladies said was too early. They arrived before ten East Coast time and went directly to the boutique.

The dress was ready and in need of some alterations. Claire’s shoes were white Mary Jane-style beaded four-inch heels. They looked magnificent with the dress. When Claire exited the dressing room, Courtney screamed. It shocked Claire at first but then she started laughing. Courtney was a riot. Claire had so much fun with her. Courtney went on and on about how stunning, beautiful, and stylish Claire looked. She promised Tony would be spellbound from the moment he saw her.