He looked at his family, gathered around him, smiling, laughing, and having the time of their lives. Except for their little angel, who seemed not to mind the noise as she slept throughout the trip.
Everybody was busy planning the wedding that was happening in a few hours. Hopefully, everything would go according to plan and without a hitch.
So far, he had called ahead to his friend, one of his favorite clients, who agreed to help him with his plan. He owned one of the most extravagant hotels on the Las Vegas strip. If anyone could make this happen, it was her.
“Are you sure about this?” Amelia asked him, slightly wary that his plan might not go as he wanted since there was such a short time. “You know, I don’t mind if we go to one of the chapels where Elvis presides.” She suggested.
That was what he loved about her. For someone who had grown with luxury all her life, she was the most humble person he knew. She could have demanded the best wedding money could buy. And he would have given it to her, but she would settle for less to be with him.
However, he still wanted to give her a wedding that would create memories for them. It might be the best, but at least he made some effort to provide a worthy wedding to the woman he loved.
“What about we settle for a compromise? If this arrangement fails, we run to the nearest chapel and get married anyway.” He suggested, hoping to relieve the anxiety he saw in her eyes.
The last thing he wanted for his bride was to look worried on her wedding day. She should be smiling and feeling ecstatic like all the brides felt before their wedding ceremony.
“I think I like that.” She finally answered him, feeling more relaxed to hear that he was not pressuring himself with this wedding.
.....
Although she would be honest, she had fantasized about walking in a beautiful white gown on a long aisle with her father proudly escorting her. It was a dream she had finally let go of after failing to win Lance’s love.
But now, all she wanted would be to wear his ring, say I do in front of her family and finally proclaim the man beside her legally hers. She could forego the white gown, the beautiful church with its thousand roses, or the enormous and lavish reception.
“I think we should go for the pure white cake. It looks classy and simple.” Angela suggested as they checked on the pictures Evan’s friend sent to them.
He was unsure how his friend would make this happen in just a few hours, but she promised she would do her best for him. After all, she always insisted that, if not for him, she would have lost everything.
He did not think much of it since it was his job to help her. Besides, she paid him enough for his services. But she insisted on insisting that it was a debt that she owed him. Now, she would do this for him so she could finally get even.
“I like that. Don’t you think it is beautiful?” Amelia tried to show him the picture on her phone.
She showed him the other options, but they returned to the white, simple cake that only had two layers. He guessed they did not need a humongous cake since they would not have enough visitors to eat them.
“I think it is perfect for us.” He agreed, not just saying it, but he truly believed it.
He never thought planning a wedding could be this exciting when there were just a few hours to spare. It was not as tedious as the other wedding they initially had in mind.
“What about the flowers?” Eida said. “But there is no question about it. Amelia loves red roses, so we go with that and add a few whites in the mix.” She suggested.
“I have no objections to that,” Evan said, knowing how much his fiance loved roses. Then, the flowers were good to go.
He could not imagine her wedding without those beautiful flowers surrounding her. It just would not feel right. He wanted their simple ceremony to look perfect.
“Mrs. Bellamia suggested that we go straight ahead to the designer as soon as we land so we can pick our dress. There was no time for custom-made, so we will need to choose from a rack.” She scanned her phone again.
“But she promised that they have many beautiful selections of wedding dresses and gowns.” Eida continued since she was coordinating with his friend while they were still in the air.
“I already arranged for a car to drive us straight to the hotel,” Evan informed them.
“Then, we can make a stopover since your tailor is not far from the shop,” Eida informed them, making all the necessary arrangements.
One thing about Eida was her ability to work under pressure and produce results. No wonder she was good at her previous job. He did not doubt that her new employer would also see her value eventually.
It was just a shame that she had to give up everything because of what happened to her. But Evan could see that she never regretted choosing her child over her career and her previous life. Although, he could still see the pain in her eyes when someone reminded her of her lost love.
“I think that is a good idea.” Amelia finally joined in the planning. “I can’t wait to pick my perfect dress.” She told him.
He knew that whatever she chose. It would always look great on her. She was not as glamorous as the models he had dated in the past. But she had carried herself with class and sophistication that none of them would ever possess.
“I can’t wait to tear them off your body tonight.” He whispered in her ears, not wanting anyone else to hear what he had in his mind as he imagined her in a white gown.
It was technically their wedding honeymoon tonight, so he booked the entire penthouse suites, one for them and the other for his family. He could not think of anything but the best for the people he loved.
Then, he started claiming her lips, unable to hold his desire for her to be his wife. He could not control the excitement cruising through his veins as he imagined kissing her in front of the altar and proclaiming that she was finally his.
“Hey, you two. The honeymoon is still after the wedding.” Angela shouted at them, making them gradually stop their passionate kissing. “And you two should not be seeing each other before the wedding.” She added.
It was their tradition, but how could they avoid looking at each other when they were on the same plane? Besides, the wedding was still later. Therefore, technically, they could still be together.
“Ok. We will wait until later.” Amelia held him off, following what their grandmother instructed. “But I will be looking forward to tonight.” She whispered back to him before planting a gentle kiss on his cheeks as she moved next to Luisa’s carrier.
“Now, you ruined my fun, Grandmama.” He complained to her grandmother as he sat alone on the other side of the plane.
But his grandmother only smiled at him like she always did after giving him an earful. She was not exactly the type that would hold a grudge when he did something she did not like.
He might hear a few words from her, but after that, she would smile and ask him if he understood why she was mad at him. Then, everything between would be just like nothing happened.
“You will get over with that once you see your beautiful bride walking down the aisle,” Angela promised him as they waited for the plane to land.
At least he could not wait for the ceremony to be over. He was anxious to claim the most beautiful bride on the face of the earth. And finally, start a family with her.
“Ok. I guess you are right.” But instead of staying away from his bride, he moved to the other side of Luisa and played with their little princess, who was finally awake.
“Come on. Will you like to keep me company?” Evan asked the little child, still yawning adorably in her confinement. “They seem to be ganging up on me.” He confided to her little princess.
“I think you should go with him, my baby. He badly needs a friend.” Eida teasingly said. “Amelia, leave them for now. I need you here.”
Somehow, he had convinced Eida that her baby was safe with him. He had watched many clips on how to hold an infant and what to do in emergencies. He even learned how to change a diaper.
He had proven to the three girls that he was as good as them at caring for a child. Honestly, he was confident he could manage just fine if he eventually became a father.
“Go on. I will take care of my princess.” He told his fiance as he urged her to go with Eida.
He could not wait to have a girl just like his princess. So, she would have someone to play and bond with as sisters. He had seen how Amelia and Eida had treated each other.
They were just strangers who had a chance encounter. Yet, they had become friends, or better yet, more like sisters. They shared a love that would do anything for the happiness of the other.
He had proven that sometimes blood was not always as thicker as water.