Love at First Sight

“We better get back in a minute, rescue the twins from Al and Katherine.”

“Oh yeah… I know they’re supposed to be friends now, but I don’t buy it. We don’t want the twins learning to fight from them, I’m sure we’re going to have enough of that through our lives.”

“So true. We don’t want that just yet…”

32

Tamara

“This is so nice, I’m so glad you brought me here.” Katherine rolls her head back and relaxes fully. “What a classic idea for a bachelorette party, I agree with you now. Parties are just too crazy. We’re totally too old for this now, aren’t we? A nice relaxing day by the pool is so much nicer. I’m freaking loving life right now.”

“I just didn’t want to leave the twins for too long, and with Al taking Logan God knows where, it seemed like the perfect thing to do.” I smirk at my friend. “Plus, I get the amazing sight of you looking like a creature from the blue lagoon. I have to say, that green stuff is super sexy smeared all over your face. That’s very calming!”

“Mick all you want, but it feels amazing.” She blanches as she sees me reach for my cell phone. “But don’t take any pictures of me! I don’t want to be reminded of how I look later on.”

“No, no, I’m not going to take a picture,” I chuckle. “I don’t want the memory either. I just want to see if the sitter has called in.” I see her give me a look. “I know the kids are fine but I still want to know for sure.”

“Nothing?” she asks me with a smile. “Good, because I told that girl not to bother you unless it was desperate. You’re getting married soon, you need to relax. I bet the wedding plans are really stressing you out.”

“Truth be told, Logan has taken control of most of it. He’s done it all for me. I’ve pretty much only had to sort out my dress. Thank you for coming with me to pick that, by the way, I wasn’t sure I’d find one to suit me now.”

“Oh, come off it.” Katherine rolls her eyes. “You act like your body has changed since having babies. It’s pretty much exactly the same! If I saw you walking down the street without your pram, I never would know.”

She’s lying, of course my body is different now, but the compliment feels nice. I don’t mind the few tiger stripes sliding across my torso, I’m not too concerned about the slight roundness to me now, the differences don’t bother me because they gave me my babies. I just don’t quite know how to dress for it now.

“Well, thankfully the mermaid style works quite well so I’m much less nervous about the big day. It’s good that it’s only going to be small affair anyway. I’d be freaking out right now about the idea of a crowd.”

That’s something we decided on together, to just keep the guests to the bare minimum so it isn’t a big deal. We don’t want our wedding to be about showing off our love to other people, it’s just about us. There will be people in our wider circles coming to the reception afterwards, that’s going to be more of a massive party with all the people we work with and who we’ve connected with along the way, that part should be a lot of fun. Just as I want it. The romance for us, the party for everyone else. Who could complain about that?

“Only two more days as well.” Katherine squeals with excitement. “Oh, I can’t wait now. It’s going to be such an amazing day. And the travel theme you have for your reception is amazing, I love it!”

“You’re going to be there to hold my hand, aren’t you? I’m still going to need you. I’m not totally convinced that I’ll make it down the aisle without tripping up or something equally embarrassing…”

“Is that your cell ringing?” Even Katherine looks panicked now. “Uh oh, what’s happening?”

If the babysitter is only allowed to call me in the case of an emergency, then this must be bad. My heart leaps up into my throat and it balls up causing a blockage. I can hardly get any breath in.

“Oh, wait… it’s Al.” Now I’m even ore confused. He told me not to contact him or Logan today because he had an amazing day planned for the bachelor party. “What’s he contacting me for?”

Katherine looks as wide eyed and shocked as me. “I don’t know, but you better answer it quick.”

“Yeah. Of course.” I hit the answer button. “Hello? Al, is everything alright?”

“I… I…” The panic blasts through the phone and makes my blood run cold. “I don’t know how…”

I sit up straighter, my spin bolts and freezes. “What’s going on, Al? Has something happened?”

“I don’t know… I’m sorry, it all just… I didn’t mean…”

“Didn’t mean what? Al, tell me what’s going on here?”

“I just… I….”

“Tell me already!” My fingers fist up in my hair with frustration. “This is driving me mad.”

Hot tears ball up behind my eyes as my brain starts imagining the worst. He’s dead… he’s in hospital… he’s clinging to the edge of life… “Al, will you just tell me what’s going on already?”

Katherine snatches the phone from me and I let her take it. She’ll be able to deal with this much better than me. “Give it up, Alistair,” she declares bossily. “What’s going on? If I find out that asshole has cheated on my best friend with a stripper, then heads are going to roll. Starting with yours.”