RACHEL
The small plane makes its way to the furthest island the eye can see from the coast of Sicily. As the plane draws near a tiny air strip comes into view from the sky. The plane makes its way to the airstrip and makes a landing.
The flight to the small island was very uncomfortable even though the plane itself was spacious and luxurious. We get off the plane to find Greyson waiting for us. I wanted to get Ryan alone to talk to him.
I barely arrived in the city when Ryan called me and told me we need to leave in two days for the wedding. He told me he would send a vehicle to pick me up. I wanted to go to his office and demand that he clears his diary so he can talk to me. I am sure the conversation would take all day. I couldn't do that since I quickly had to get a new dress and things that I could bring on this trip. When the vehicle came to pick me up Ryan was not in it. The disappointment almost smothered me.
Now, seeing Greyson welcoming us alone on the island seems to waken the constant disappointment I have been feeling all along. The fact that he is alone tells me that we are going to split into two groups and see each other at the wedding again.
Greyson hugs his brothers and slaps Adrien on the back. I take it that slap must be congratulatory since he and Ava was practically glued together the entire flight. Ten years can conjure up a lot of longing. I know because I can feel it whenever I look at Ryan.
A lady called Lorna asks the ladies to follow her to the main house on the island. The men will go to the cottage where Ellie and Greyson have been staying all along.
* * * * * *
BAILEY
Brandon told me to take the following day off to get a dress to wear to the wedding. He stuck a card in my hand and asked me to get a wedding present as well. He insisted on paying for my dress also. I got the most beautiful skin tight champagne coloured dress that costs way more than I could ever afford on my salary. I had more trouble buying a decent wedding present for the couple that could really buy themselves anything.
I finally decided to get them both matching Tag Heuer watches and had it engraved with their wedding date. Brandon didn't pay much notice to the gifts but asked to see my dress. I refused, of course.
During the flight I saw Brandon look at Adrien and Ava a few times. They seemed happy. As if the last ten years did not happen. Brandon would then look at me and then avoid looking at me.
I guess he also thinks of me as broken goods. I used to have a lot more confidence than I have now. I use to love swimming in bikinis. I haven't even put on a swim suit in the last ten years. The scars on my stomach and upper legs are impossible to hide. The scar on my chest is barely hidden by a V-neck top. I can only wear items of clothing with rounded necklines or anything with higher necklines.
We follow Lorna into the main house. Ellie is sitting in front of a mirror in one of the bedrooms, having her hair done. She looks beautiful and beaming.
Lorna comes into the room with a tray with glasses of champagne. The woman finishes with Ellie's hair and she gets up to hug each of us. She takes a glass of champagne and holds it out in front of her.
"To the first of four weddings" she toasts to herself.
Ava chimes in immediately "I will drink to that"
Rachel hesitates but then puts a brave smile on her face and toasts with them. I mimic Rachel. She has always been good at handling situations. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or confused, I would watch Rachel and follow her lead.
"We need to get dressed" Ellie announces and puts her glass down. She goes to a walk-in closet and retrieves a wedding dress. The dress is timeless and sleek. There is not a lot of detail to it. It is white satin with fine pearl detail on the neckline.
Rachel helps Ellie into her dress without ruining her makeup or hair. Ellie sits and puts on her shoes while the rest of us scurries to get ready for the wedding. I run into the bathroom before anyone else can to get dressed in private.
The champagne dress looks gorgeous against my lightly tanned skin. My blonde hair flowing like liquid platinum down the one side of my neck. I do my makeup and put on my shoes before I leave the bathroom.
Ava is dressed in a shimmering grey dress. Her black hair pinned to her head in messy curls. She looks every bit as sexy as she knows she is. Her lips are painted bright red and her eyes are done in a smoky black. She looks very good.
Rachel is dressed in a tight fitting dusty pink dress. It hugs her curves perfectly and has a slit that comes up high on her thigh. She definitely has the legs to wear a dress like this.
Ellie looks at me and her eyes widen.
"Bailey! You look beautiful!" I blush at her compliment. I haven't felt beautiful in a very long time.
"Thank you"
* * * * * *
AVA
Lorna hands each of us a bunch of flowers to carry down the aisle. We follow her out to the small cottage where Greyson and Ellie are staying. From the pathway in front of the cottage we can see the four men standing in front of a temporary arch set up on the beach. The arch is decorated with soft flowing ribbons that dances as the wind blows lightly through them and white flowers with green leaves tied to the arch.
We walk slowly towards the arch. The four men all turn toward us when one of Lorna's helpers starts playing on a violin. Each one of the four men stare at another woman walking down the aisle. I wonder if I am the only one who notice it.
When we reach the front of the aisle we stand to the left of the arch. The men stand to the right. Greyson and Ellie meet each other in the middle. They are beaming at each other.
The pastor gives a beautiful little speech about love always prevailing. Ellie places a wedding band on Greyson's finger and Greyson gives Ellie a ring that would make any woman in love's heart melt.
They kiss and the pastor pronounces them husband and wife. We clap hands and smile as their vows are sealed with a kiss. I look over to Adrien who is staring at me with a smile. I wonder how long it will take us to reach the point of marriage.
The ceremony was so beautiful we didn't even realise the clouds coming together. When Ellie and Greyson turn toward us, Lorna stands ready with another tray of champagne glasses. We all take a glass and toast to the newly weds happiness.
The rumble of thunder drowns out our cheers and the first few drops come down on us.
"Everybody, please come to the main house. There are enough rooms for everyone and we have prepared a fantastic meal for all of you." Lorna announces and turns to walk away. She hurries up the pathway to the main house.
In our group laughter and happiness can still be heard when the next few drops come down on us. Another flash of lightning followed by a very loud crack sounds through the air. Everyone starts hurrying to the main house as rain starts pouring down on us. I am almost immediately drenched. By the time we make it to the main house everyone is soaking wet and dripping on the porch. Adrien puts his arms around me and kisses me full on the mouth. I wrap my arms around him to hold him tight to me. The wind on my wet clothes feels like icy fingers wrapping around me.
* * * * * *
ELLIE
I wrap my arms around my husband. I am sure my makeup is a mess and my hair is plastered against my head and neck. It doesn't bother me much because Greyson is still looking at me as if I am the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.
He holds me to him and kisses me sweetly. Even though we have kissed and loved each other before, now it somehow feels different. He is my husband. My husband. I feel like my heart cannot hold all the joy I am feeling right now.
Lorna comes out of the house with arms full of thick large towels. Everyone takes a towel and wraps it around their bodies. They start walking into the house and Lorna ushers them to different rooms where they can change into dry clothes.
Greyson and I are last to leave the porch. Greyson wraps his arm around me as we make our way towards our room.
* * * * * * *
Under the large tree near the coastline, where there is some shelter from the pouring rain, a woman stands in the shadows looking up to the main house. She grits her teeth and clenches her fists and watches as Greyson and Ellie walks into the house.
"I will be damned if any of my sons get married without inviting me" Marcella fumes with rage, trying her best not to scream with the rage she is feeling and ultimately exposing herself to the bodyguards guarding the four brothers and their companions.