Chapter 66

One month later, Rachel walked down the aisle created in front of Alfred’s gloriously beautiful flower garden, holding a bouquet of white irises that looked like a cluster of clouds over green stems. Her ivory Vera Wang wedding dress was an off-shoulder creation that featured lots of tulles, crystals, and a full skirt that made her look like a Disney princess. Rob struggled not to cry as he walked his little sister down the aisle in his spotless three-piece suit.

“I almost can’t believe this is happening,” Rachel whispered excitedly to him.

“It’s happening, darling,” he replied in a whisper too. “Your fairy tale happy ending is finally happening and I cannot even begin to tell you just how happy I am for you.”

“You’ve told me a gazillion times already and that’s enough,” she said with a chuckle.

When they reached where Derek was waiting in front of the minister, Rob hugged his sister tightly and whispered, “I love you.”

“I love you more,” Rachel whispered back with misty eyes.

After Rob went to his seat, she faced Derek and her breath almost left her when she saw how incredibly handsome he looked.

“You look like an angel,” he said softly.

“Thank you,” she said. “You don’t look so shabby yourself.”

He chuckled, beaming with pride.

The minister cleared his throat and asked, “Shall we begin?”

Fifteen minutes later after the vows and rings have been exchanged, Rachel and Derek had their first kiss as a married couple. The applause from their guests was loud and their cheers even louder.

“I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Derek Fraser!” The minister announced happily.

Rachel was grinning so much that she thought her face would split into two. Zoe hopped out of Elaine’s arms and ran forward to join her parents under the leafy archway where they’d just gotten married. Derek bent down and scooped her up into his arms. She was just as happy as her parents even though she didn’t quite get what the ceremony was all about, but it felt good for her to see her mother looking like a real princess with her pretty dress and an even prettier sparkly tiara.

Everyone that mattered to them was there; Her friends, who witnessed the start of her relationship with Derek two years ago, her extended family including Taylor and Laverne, Alfred, Jonah, and his family, and of course, Yasmin, who had to wear a large hat and huge dark sunglasses to keep her face hidden from those who might recognize her. She’d showed up with some cute guy that neither Rachel nor Derek recognized but they both assumed that he was probably her assistant, although they weren’t quite sure if he’d come with her from Bermuda.

Giselle showed up to inform the guests that it was time for everyone to go inside for the wedding reception which was to take place in the ballroom upstairs. As they began to leave their seats to go inside, the newlyweds kissed again.

“Ew! Gross!” Said Zoe, squishing up her little face.

“Sorry,” laughed Rachel.

“Wanna go inside with Elaine?” Derek asked her.

Zoe nodded and he put her down. “Are you coming too?”

“Sure, we’ll be right behind you,” said Derek.

She ran off and into the waiting arms of Elaine, who happily picked up her ward and strolled with her toward the huge house where the rest of the party was taking place.

“We finally got our happy ending,” said Derek to his new wife.

“Absolutely, not,” Rachel laughed. “This is our happy beginning.”

“I think you’re right,” he agreed. “Our happy, new beginning.”

They kissed again and Rachel said, “I want to live in a place like this; open, quiet, peaceful, and surrounded by greenery. I’m so over that polished, sophisticated look of the penthouse. Besides, I think city life isn’t for me anymore.”

Derek smiled. “Do you have a place in mind? Just say the word and it’s yours.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Ok… in that case, how about we discuss that extensively during our honeymoon and see what our options are.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“We’re going to have cows, chickens, a vegetable farm… you know, the works.”

“Anything you want, baby. I would buy you a unicorn too if you’d like that.”

She laughed. “Aren’t you an over-achiever, Mr. Fraser?”

He grinned. “For you, I would climb mountains and swim through oceans to bring you whatever you desire. Just say the word.”

“Geez, I’m the luckiest woman alive,” she giggled and kissed him again.

“Are you two gonna come inside or what?” Jonah yelled from where he stood at the doorway of the manor. He was holding a glass of wine in one hand and looked like wanted to drag the newlyweds into the building.

“What’s the hurry?” Derek yelled back.

“Listen, I know today is your day and all that, but I’m tired of eating hors d'oeuvres, ok? I want to eat some real food and the party planner lady says we’re not getting any until you guys show up inside. So, what’s it gonna be?”

Rachel giggled. “You know what they say about a hungry man.”

“Yeah, I can see that now,” Derek grinned. “Come with me, Mrs. Fraser. Our guests are waiting.”

She linked her arm with his and they walked toward the manor side by side, grinning happily like a pair of soulmates who have finally found each other.

**********

They kicked off their honeymoon two days later with a trip to a private island near Fiji. It was a tropical paradise with white sand beaches, ocean front houses that were built wide apart to give each occupant some privacy from their neighbors. It was an exclusive luxury hideout that only the wealthiest folks in the world can afford.

They’d come along with Zoe and Elaine, of course, and Yasmin and the unknown guy that she had referred to as her companion. The house they were staying in was a huge all-white building with six bedrooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a cinema room, a library, a huge kitchen and dining area, two living rooms, and an in-house spa.

“Well, this place gives luxury a new meaning,” said Rachel after the facility manager gave them a tour of the place. “I love it!”

“I’m glad you do,” said Derek with a happy smile. “So, what would you like to do first? Go to the beach?”

“Uh… I don’t know,” she laughed. “I feel like sitting on the patio outside and just staring at the water. I mean, look at the view. It’s awesome!”

Derek laughed. “I can never get enough of your excitement over the things you appreciate. Ok, we could do that – sit on the patio, watching the beach while sipping a cold drink.”

“Are you two kidding? Both of you want to just sit down and stare at the beach all day when you can be doing something fun like actually going to the beach?” Yasmin asked them.

“It’s our honeymoon, Mom. We can do whatever we like,” said Derek with a wink.

Yasmin rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Sam and I are going to the beach, and I think Zoe and Elaine should come with us too, except you’re planning to bore them to death too with beach-gazing.”

Rachel laughed. She loved how the relationship between Derek and Yasmin had grown so much within days and they were exchanging playful banters that were typical of mother and child friendships.

“I’ll go change into my swimsuit,” she said and hurried toward her room.

“I’ll join you,” said Sam, following her.

“I don’t like this thing going on with my mom and that dude,” said Derek when the odd couple was out of earshot. “How old is he and where did she meet him?”

“I may be wrong but he does look like one of the waiters at your birthday party,” said Rachel. “However… I think you should cut Yasmin some slack and let her have a little fun. Her happiness is all that matters, right?”

“Yeah, but I’m not comfortable with the age difference. I hope he’s above 21.”

Rachel laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. That’s a whole man you’re talking about.”

Just then, Yasmin emerged from her room wearing a bright pink cut-out bathing suit that contrasted sharply with her fiery hair and left very little to the imagination, while her partner, Sam, wore only a pair of tight briefs that highlighted his junk in front in a way that made Rachel blush and Derek frown. He seemed to have applied baby oil on his body because his bulging muscles glistened with an oily sheen.

“What are you two wearing? Are you going to a nudies beach nearby or what?” Derek complained.

Yasmin giggled. “I know it’s weird for you to see me this way, but aside from being your mother, I’m also a woman,” she said and wiggled her eyebrows.

Derek groaned and walked away. Rachel laughed heartily and complimented Yasmin’s banging body.

“Thanks, boo,” said Yasmin. “My body is an example of money well-spent. Come on, Sam. Let’s hit the beach.”

Rachel wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she could have sworn that Sam gave her a hot look and a discreet wink as he followed Yasmin out of the house. She ignored the suspicious look and went to the back of the house to look for Derek.