I talk to Sarina at lunch, after she's spoken with John about having dinner to talk some more about what's going on and she also wanted to invite her brother and Alyssa over. She thought it'd be good for the two old friends to see each other. He informed her his free time is limited at the moment, suggesting to do it Saturday, but that would be David's party/wedding. So Sarina suggested Sunday, which he was fine with, as he had to leave on Tuesday for business.
We would both be leaving work early today, since we would be shopping with Alyssa and David for Saturday. We planned on handing out invites to people as we made our way to Lance and Lirael's to pick up the lanterns and other decorations that Lirael had put together for us to use. I had two thirty minute sessions with patients, before I left the office. We met up at one of the bridal boutiques and saw that Amanda had joined them to help out. David got into my car so me and him could go get him a nice suit.
He was rather quick, finding a nice gray suit in less than ten minutes once we arrived at the store. Since we were done, we went to Sarina's work, because David wanted a ring for Alyssa that his sister had made. Her employee's recognized David before they realized me, with even Art coming out of the back to tell David hello. David invited them to come to the party and wedding Saturday telling them the address and time. We finished David's purchase and we left the place to stop at a few other places that had people he wanted to invite to the wedding.
"So doc, do you still plan on asking my sister to marry you? Not right now of course, but later?" David asks as we head back to the bridal shop.
"Yes, of course. We both have agreed to work on areas that we find issues with but yes, I do. Why?"
"Pull over up there. I have something I need to give you before we get back to the shop." He instructs me to a parking lot up ahead.
Once parked, he has me grab a box out of his wheelchair. He takes it from me and opens it, grabbing something from inside of it before explaining.
"This ring... this ring was the first ring my sister ever made. She made it for our grandma, who passed before she could give it to her. She threw it away in her grief when we were told by our mother at her place. When my sister left, I took it from the trash and have kept it. She brought it up the other night at Alyssa's, how she wished she still had it. I want you to ask her with this ring, when the time is right. There's a letter in there with it for her too, if I'm not here when you do ask." He chuckles, "I suggest you give her the note first. Just in case."
I flabbergasted into silence, blinking rapidly at him as I process what he's giving me. He hands me the small jewelry box and I take it, feeling dumbstruck on not knowing what to say to that.
"Thank you." I finally say, opening the box and seeing the first ring that Sarina had ever made for her grandma. It was a simple setting, a pear shaped light blue topaz, with a round white opal on each side, on a silver band. "Thank you." I repeat, turning to David for him to nod and smack my arm.
"No worries man. Come on and lets get back to the place. I'm sure the girls are done by now." He grins, and fixes his oxygen tube that moved, back behind his ear.
We head back and get ourselves through the door. David expertly moving his chair around the racks and displays with me a few steps behind him. When David stops, I almost run right into him, and nearly falling into his lap.
"Are you trying to have me fall in your lap or what?" I laugh it off as I correct myself and follow his line of sight.
In one of the mirrors, we can see Sarina in a wedding dress. My heart doesn't know whether to stop or beat out of control at how perfect she looks. She's glowing, smiling, as she looks at herself, moving so the dress sways around her. Her smile outshines the twinkle on the form fitting bodice that shows off her curves to just below her hips, softly flowing into a light, vertically ruffled, gossamer skirt. I already knew she was a goddess, but to witness it right now....
I need to sit down. I grab David's handle on the side of his chair, before my knees buckle.
"You alright, brother?" David asks, breaking his gaze from his sister to me. His eyes widen when he glances at me, then his sister and starts moving his chair back away. "Hey, come on man. You don't want to get caught looking at her!" He whispers as he moves us away from the view of the mirrors.
He takes where there's a seat for me and I sit shakily, smiling. I suddenly wanted to ask her to marry me right away, just so I could see her smile at me in that dress. I look to David who has his face covered with one hand, his breathing heavy.
I immediately sober, "David? Are you okay?" I ask, leaning over to get a better look at him.
He sits up, rubbing his face, "Yes. I'm glad I got to see what she looked like in a wedding dress." His eyes are red, but he smiles brightly at me. "My sister sure is pretty, but I know Alyssa is going to rip my heart out on Saturday."
I let out a laugh, "At least we know she's capable of putting it back in there for you."
Me and David share a laugh and I notice Amanda pops her head out and looks around till she spots us. Her eyes widen and she pops back into the dressing rooms. A few minutes later, the girls all come walking out, big smiles on their faces and ready to go.
"Where's your dress bag?" David asks Alyssa.
"I pick it up tomorrow afternoon. There was something on the hem, so they will clean it." Alyssa's smile is wide and excited. David releases a light chuckle and pulls Alyssa down for a kiss. Amanda rolls her eyes and walks out of the place, mumbling something under her breath.
I grin at Sarina, pulling her close to me, "So what were ya'll doing back there?"
Sarina blushes, "Nothing much, I may have tried on a dress or two..."
Raising a brow at her, I lean in and give her a peck on the cheek, "Were you now? Did you like any of them?" I ask her.
Blushing, Sarina nods and avoids my intense gaze, clearing her throat and saying something about getting going to Lance and Lirael's. Sighing I release her and we all head on over to the house.
We're greeted at the door by Lirael, who hugs me and Sarina before shaking everyone else's hands. She welcomes us to the back porch, where Simon, Dass, Aman and Big Daddy are. Aman is still healing, his face still bruised but doesn't look swollen. Big Daddy nods to me and I nod back when they spot us.
Sarina stiffens at Dass's presence but slowly starts to relax as I wrap my arm around her shoulders as we greet Lance and start the introductions. As soon as the introductions happen and we're all handed a drink of our choice, something happens I wasn't expecting.
"Dass, could I speak to you privately for a moment?" Sarina asks her, making me look at her in silent question. She just gives me a cocked brow and I shrug, knowing she's not wanting to start anything.
Dass nods, hesitating, "Uh, yeah. Sure." I can't help but notice the way her and Amanda keep checking each other out.
Lance gestures his chin at me then nods his head in the girls direction, silently asking what's up with that. I just shrug with my lips pursed to the side, saying I know, but can't say now.
Lirael is talking to Alyssa, asking what she would like to take for decorations, since she had more than just lanterns and offered up those other items, taking Amanda and Alyssa to look through them in the garage. While us guys all sat around enjoying a drink and talking.
"How you both been feeling?" I ask Aman and Big Daddy.
Big Daddy just shrugs, "Nothing I can't handle."
Aman grimaces but quickly relaxes his face, "I had to get surgery to fix my broken nose, but thankfully they went through my nostrils. I had the gauze taken out a few days ago and fingers crossed I won't need to sneeze for at least a few more days." He gives a stressed smile, showing off more of his teeth than normal.
"Yo doc?" David says when we've all gone a little quiet.
"Yes?" Me and Aman say in unison.
David throws his head back and forth between the both of us, brows raised, "You're both doctors?"
Aman nods, "Yes, I'm a medical oncologist."
David taken aback by that information nods, but asks, "What's your area of expertise?"
"Gastroenterology, why do you ask?" Aman sips his drink before setting it down.
"I know a few oncologists. However, they specialize in the lungs." David shrugs like it's no big deal as Dass and Sarina come walking back up, both having awkward and slightly flushed faces.
Dass sits down next to Simon, while Sarina looks for Lirael.
"Garage." Lance points Sarina in the right direction, in which she smiles and nods a thanks before taking off.
"What was that all about?" Simon asks Dass, who looks down at the porch and shrugs.
"Nothing, just setting things straight that were misunderstood." Dass starts playing with her thumbnail, while Simon puts his arm around her shoulder, squeezing her close.
"Everything alright? Or are you ready to go?" Simon asks her to which she shakes her head no to. "Okay."
"Where's your car Dass?" I ask her realizing she's riding with Simon.
"It's in the shop, had a check engine light come on but it's just a sensor needing to be replaced. It'll be ready sometime tomorrow. Simon picked me cause Lance wished to speak with all of us and we work together tonight." She says absentmindedly, staring off towards the garage.
A minute later, Amanda comes walking out, a smile on her face like something hilarious just happened.
"That's the first time I've seen you smile like that in a while, Mandie girl. What's brought it's monstrous form out from it's cave?" David looks sheepish as soon as Amanda turns a scowl in his direction.
"Eat a dick, David." She flips him off and sneers at him.
David snickers and taps my shoulder, "I would but the doc here don't give it up."
"Oh god... here we go... " I mutter under my breath as Simon joins in.
"Tell me about it! He's stingy about keeping all that gorgeous man meat to himself."
David laughs, "It's not him that's stingy, it's my sister that doesn't like to share..."
Sarina comes out of the garage, hands on her hips, "What about me not sharing?"
David turns and points to me.
Sarina walks up and wraps her arms around my shoulders. "Why would I share him with you? You trying to steal my man again?"
"You just can't let our love bloom can you sis?"
"You're darn right she won't. Neither will I. You're all mine." Alyssa says joining us to lay a kiss on David's cheek.
"Thank you ladies. I feel better knowing I have you two to protect my innocence." I smirk at them.
"Innocent my ass!" Lirael laughs, taking a seat in Lance's lap. "Boxes are ready for you guys to load them up in the cars." She says sweetly, batting her eyelashes at Lance before laying a kiss on his cheek.
"I'll help you guys out." Dass stands up along with Amanda and head to the garage.
We all kind of sit back watching those two looking at each other and smiling before we join them. A knowing smile shared on some of our faces.