Chapter Thirteen
Flight Plan
Brant stared out the window of the Airbus that was set to carry him and his friends to St. Thomas for their wedding. He couldn’t shake his jitters. Brant hated to fly. Marv and Luke had made it a point to tease him relentlessly about the issue, too.
“Leave him alone, guys…” said Holly bluntly, as the razzing continued.
“See, Brant… I told you that Holly would protect you.”
This got a chuckle out of Brant.
“I’m going to kick the back of your seat the whole way there like an annoying kid. Just wait,” Brant threatened Luke.
***
As the plane reached full altitude, Luke nodded off for a nap and Arthur had his head phones on as he listened to his Rolling Stones album. Meanwhile, Brant capitalized on the quiet.
“I’m worried…” Brant said as he glanced over at Holly.
“About what?”
Brant brought his hand over Holly’s stomach.
“All I have right now are symptoms. I haven’t even tested yet.”
“Don’t you think you should?”
“I think I’m afraid to find out the answer.”
“It could be dangerous to wait.”
“I saw you packed the test. Please take it when we get to the hotel.”
“I will.”
“It just makes me really nervous after last time. I’m so afraid of losing you.”
“I am going to go to the doctor after we get back and have them do an ultrasound to see what is going on. I didn’t even think this was possible.”
“Let me know when the appointment is. I will go with you.”
“I know you’ll be there, Brant. Is that what you’re most nervous about?”
“I could never make that mistake again. I’m more afraid that this could put you in danger.”
“Everything will work out. You’ll see,” said Holly winking at Brant.
How could she be so sure?
Chapter Fourteen
Paradise
Sloane could barely contain her excitement as the plane began to land. Night time in Charlotte Amalie was a thing of magic with residents and homes lit up. The twinkling lights from boats in the harbor gleamed like stars on the calm water. You couldn’t even tell that a hurricane had whipped through. Nothing looked out of place.
Sloane jumped up and down in her seat like a child who had consumed too much sugar.Brant and Holly laughed as they looked out their window at the approaching paradise. It was then that they knew everything would be perfect for Sloane and Luke.
Philomena and Arthur had left for St. Thomas earlier that day and Sloane’s three brothers would be arriving early tomorrow morning. What Sloane didn’t know was that Arthur had a huge surprise in store for her. She was under the impression that he had no clue about the wedding move up, and that he’d be here to scout out wedding venues. Sloane was in for the shock of her life.
***
Arthur and Philomena had arrived earlier that morning, and were now settling into dinner at the Havana Blue restaurant. Philomena smiled pleasantly at her husband.
“So are you excited to check out the wedding venues tomorrow?”
“I am so excited. There is one in particular that I want to check out.”
“Oh? Which one?”
“Sweetwater.”
“How funny… I think that was Sloane’s favorite. I hear they have wonderful cuisine.”
“And they have the setting that she wants…”
“Oh, yes! White sandy beaches, outdoor reception…”
“I hear that the bride getting married tomorrow is gorgeous. Her father must be very proud.”
Philomena stopped for a moment.
“Arthur…”
“Yes?”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that I’ve known about the plan to have a surprise wedding since the day you found out.”
“Oh, Arthur! Are you angry?!”
“No. But you cannot tell Sloane, yet. I want to be the one to surprise her.
“I knew you’d come around. He’s a very nice young man.”
“He’s a good kid. What kind of father would I be if I didn’t test him, though?”
Philomena smiled at Arthur as she sipped at her white wine.
“Tomorrow is going to be perfect. I just know it.”
***
“To Sloane and Luke,” began Brant as he held up a glass of champagne in toast to the bride and groom. “May your friendship and your love continue to bless you in a happy and healthy marriage.”
Holly, Sloane and Luke applauded Brant’s toast. In lieu of a rehearsal dinner, Brant and Holly decided to take Sloane and Luke out for a nice dinner at the Island Rose Grille instead. The palm trees swayed lazily as the sea breeze blew in off the beach and rustled the gauzy curtains that blew in off the deck. Luke and Brant ordered the prime rib, while Holly opted for grilled salmon over a bed of wild rice, and Sloane indulged in the Paella Valenciana.
“Any wine or spirits tonight?” asked the waiter as he showed Luke and Brant the wine menu.
“Margaritas all around,” Luke replied.
“Just a glass of ice water for me,” said Holly with a nervous smirk.
Brant smiled ever so slightly, but Sloane gave Holly a scrutinizing look.
“Okay, what’s going on, you two?!”
With a nervous smile, Holly admitted, “I’m pregnant…”
“What?!” Sloane yelled as she jumped up from the table and hugged her best friend.
“Don’t get too excited just yet.”
“Why?! It’s wonderful news!”
“I don’t know if the baby is healthy, if I am healthy… I want to be excited, but I don’t want to get my hopes up.”
“I thought you had a hysterectomy?”
“Partial,” said Holly.
“When are you going to the doctor?
“The day after we return to Philly.”
“I am so excited!”
Sloane grabbed her champagne glass again and stood up, preparing to toast Holly, Brant and their unborn baby.
“May you be healthy and happy… Baby, don’t you give my friend any trouble…”
Holly smirked as she looked over at Brant who had a look of deep emotion on his face. Brant grabbed her hand and kissed it as he shot an appreciative glance over at Luke and Sloane.
“So… Are you ready for your life to change, tomorrow?” Brant asked Luke.
“How is it going to change…? It’s just a piece of paper.”
“Oh, no, Luke…” said Holly, as she gave Brant a meaningful look. “It is so much more than that.”
“You’re giving yourself to each other, and making a promise to be there for each other and love each other until the ends of your life.”
“It’s not always going to be perfect. I can promise you this, though…” said Brant, as he gave Holly a wink, “It will be worth it.”
Luke and Sloane smiled at Holly and Brant as they exchanged a meaningful kiss. Luke leaned in to steal a sweet kiss from Sloane.
With a sly smile, he said, “Yeah, I think I can handle that.”
Chapter Fifteen
A Surprise Visitor
Sloane woke up at 10 A.M. when her beautician knocked at the door with her case of make-up and hair care products. Luke insisted that he and Sloane sleep apart the night before the wedding. He believed in keeping some things sacred. Sloane drug herself to the door and let Raphael in.
“Darling!” said Raphael who was dressed from head to toe in purple silk. Raphael kissed Sloane on each cheek and began to set up shop at the vanity.
“So, gorgeous… Are you excited?”
“Excited… nervous… in need of caffeine…”
“Oh! No worries there,” said Raphael as he passed a white travel mug to Sloane.
“Drink up, girl… Time to get gorgeous!”
***
Holly and Brant were still in bed at noon, when Holly’s cell phone buzzed loudly on the night stand. A text message had come through from Sloane.
“Are you up?!”
Brant groaned as her heard the phone buzz. He reached for the phone, and as he saw Sloane’s message he shook Holly awake.
“Baby, wake up. Sloane’s freaking out, again.”
“Again. Why now?”
Holly began clicking the buttons on her cellphone to respond to Sloane’s text message.
“Just woke up, about to get in the shower.”
“Raphael is about to come to your room. My hair and make-up is done. Mom is coming in an hour to help me get dressed. When you’re ready, come over.”
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Holly threw on a pair of pink yoga pants and a tank top as she ran to the door. Standing in the doorway was Raphael look nothing short of fabulous with his gelled coif and tanned skin.
“You must be Raphael…” said Holly with an amused tone to her voice.
“It is I, come to make you gorgeous, but I see you don’t need much help from me!”
“Cute… C’mon in…” said Holly as she led Raphael into the living room. Holly couldn’t decide which was more gorgeous… her bed head, her morning breath or the mascara that was left over on her lashes from last night. Raphael pretended not to notice.
“And who is this fine specimen of a man?!” Raphael said pointing at Brant who had fallen back to sleep with nothing on but a sheet to cover his goods. His rippling chest looked absolutely delicious in the early afternoon sunlight.
“He’s all mine, hands off…” said Holly with a smirk.
“Ooh! Saucy! I like it!”
As Raphael worked his magic with Holly’s hair, Brant stirred in bed. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Raphael called out to him, “Well good morning, cutie! Wakey wakey!”
Brant woke up with a bewildered look on his face.
“Holly….”
“Hi, baby! I’m over here getting my hair done.”
“Who is your friend?” said Brant as he pulled on his boxer briefs.
“This is Raphael, my beautician for the day.”
Raphael waved and got back to work as he curled and pinned Holly’s hair into an elaborate up-do.
“Nice to meet you,” said Brant feeling a tad bit awkward with the attention Raphael had lavished upon him.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door again.
“Yo, are you awake in there,” called Luke from the other side.
“Come in…” said Brant as he pulled on a pair of khaki shorts.
“Wanna hit the links before we get this party started?”
“Yeah, let me get dressed.”
“Just grab a t-shirt and let’s go.”
“Holl… I’ll be back around 3…”
“Have fun guys…”
***
Philomena helped Sloane slink into her elegant bridal gown, as Sloane looked nervously into the mirror. Her black bob was curled softly at the bottom, and had a vintage hair clip adorning her hair. She opted for a simpler look and decided to forgo the veil and tiara that many brides went for. Philomena buttoned Sloane’s dress up one by one as the ideal image of Sloane’s wedding day look came to fruition.
“Oh, honey… You look elegant.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
“Are you nervous honey…?”
“Not really about getting married. I’m nervous about Dad’s reaction.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about that…”
“Why is that?”
Suddenly, the door to Sloane’s hotel room opened ever so slowly.
“I have an inkling that he’ll be just fine for the wedding.”
“I need him to like Luke. It’s important to me. I wish he was here.”
“Sweetheart, I’m right here,” said Arthur looking dapper in a black tuxedo with a sly smile on his face.
“Daddy…”
“Do you really think I would miss your wedding day?”
“Who told you?”
“No one. I saw your mother’s credit card charges. Then she said we were going to St. Thomas this weekend and I knew.”
“I’m so glad you’re here,” said Sloane as she rushed up to her father with tears in her eyes.
“Of course I am here.”
“Sloane, you should know that your father and Luke had a very good retreat last weekend.”
“They did? I heard all you did was complain?”
“I gave him my blessing.”
Sloane was taken aback. Words just wouldn’t come to her mouth.
“Come here,” said Arthur as he smiled at his daughter. “I couldn’t just let any old bum marry my daughter. I had to test him.”
“And he passed?”
“With flying colors.”
“He saved Daddy from being attacked by a bear.”
“I know. I heard…”
“Turn around honey… I have something for you,” Arthur said as he pulled a blue box out of his jacket pocket.
Sloane did as she was told as Arthur opened the box.
“This belonged to your grandmother. She wore it on her wedding day, and now so shall you. She married someone who was not her father’s image of the ideal son-in-law. Grandpa Markowitz was a door to door salesman. Great Grandpa Leaman refused to give him his blessing until one day he was eating breakfast and they got into an argument. While your grandmother cleaned up the breakfast dishes, great grandpa clutched his chest, and suffered a heart attack. Grandpa Markowitz pulled him into his car and rushed him to the hospital. Another couple of minutes and he would have been dead.”
“So he showed Great Grandpa Leaman that he was a good man.”
“Exactly.”
“I’m glad you and Luke have been able to see eye to eye. You should know that I would have married him regardless.”
“Oh, baby girl. I know you all too well.”
Sloane admired the beautiful saphire necklace that her father had just given her.
“It’s beautiful…”
“It’s your something old and your something blue.”
“Mom loaned me her hair pin…”
“You just need something new.
Philomena grabbed a red box out of her purse.
“This is your something new. It’s from me.”
Sloane took the box from her mother and gave her a pensive look.
“What is it?”
“Just open it.”
Sloane did as she was told and was blinded momentarily by the contents of the box. A sparkling Cartier bracelet shone out with a watch face installed in the center.
“The stones are new, but the face of the watch is old. When you’re going into your future with the man you love, don’t forget to remember where you came from. I hope the lessons we’ve taught you will guide you through your future as you embark on your new journey with Luke.”
“Oh, how incredible…” said Sloane as she continued to admire the incredibly personal and touching gift.
“We love you, sweetie,” said Arthur and both he and Philomena gave Sloane a kiss on each cheek.
Sloane suddenly realized that they had a visitor. Holly was standing in the doorway looking like a movie star in her champagne colored dress, elegant up-do and perfectly done makeup. With a confident smile, Holly lit up the room with excitement.
“It’s time.”