Blissful Moments

Chapter 1

"Kate! What have you done to me; I feel like I'm dying!" Zoë shouted as she sat up in the unfamiliar bed. Kaitlin quickly rushed through to her with a cup of tea and sat on the edge of the bed. Zoë took a deep breath and studied Kaitlin's happy, casual facial expression. 'How is she so happy? I am experiencing a stroke or something.' Zoë thought to herself as she blinked at few times, continuing to study Kaitlin's grin. "What happened? Did you get me drunk?" Zoë questioned as she pushed her messy hair from her face and looked at Kaitlin roughly.

"I may have…" Kaitlin grinned at Zoë cheekily while she studied Zoë, who looked worse for wear. Her eyes were barely even open, she didn't remove her make-up after going to bed that night and her hair was a mess.

"You're a bloody nightmare, you know that don't you?" Zoë questioned as she took the cup of tea from her and raised her other hand to her aching head. She glanced down to the duvet that was covering her but she quickly looked back up at Kaitlin. 'Don't look down or you'll throw up. Eurgh. The room spins when you look down, that's awful.' Zoë thought to herself as she took a sip of the hot tea. "Thank you" Zoë said quietly as she gestured to the cup of tea.

"I know I'm a nightmare, but you had a bloody brilliant night! Here's some headache tablets." She said with a sweet smile as she placed two tablets into Zoë's waiting hand. Zoë seemed to wake up a little more after a couple more sips of tea.

"I wish I could remember what a bloody brilliant night I had though…" Zoë said as she raised an eyebrow and then Alexx walked through to her room with a fresh smile. Zoë gave her a tired smile and then turned her attention back to Kaitlin because she could see Kaitlin's grin becoming cheekier.

"Who needs memories when I have pictures?" Kaitlin questioned with a cheeky grin.

"Kate, no please!" Zoë said as she looked at Kaitlin with wide eyes as she placed the mug down on the side. Kaitlin turned her grin into a sweet smile as Zoë turned her attention back to Alexx. "Alexx, can you work your doctor magic and make me well please? I think I'm dying." Zoë said as she looked up at Alexx and picked up her mug again to take a sip with a self-pitying look.

"That's called a hangover baby girl and I'm sorry I can't cure those." Alexx said with a smile as she elegantly strolled over to the bed and perched on the end while she looked at Zoë with a smile. She found the state that Zoë was in to be quite amusing. It was clear that Zoë wasn't very used to feeling like that. 'She always looks so perfect even when unwell, but now. It's clear she's a proper human being.' Alexx thought to herself as she glanced down to her knees with her smile widening.

"Damn it, I feel rough." She said as she looked at them both..

"I'm not surprised." Alexx said softly as she looked back to Zoë with a smile.

"Are the pictures bad?" Zoë questioned Kaitlin and she shook her head with a wide grin developing again.

"They're hilarious! I'm framing most of them." She grinned as she got up and picked up a camera from the side. Zoë sat there blinking at Kaitlin. 'I hope that this is all a dream. I hope there is nothing bad on that camera. Oh gosh, what is Horatio going to think when I turn up at the church looking like I've been dragged through a bush? Have I been dragged through a bush? It's hard to tell.' Zoë thought to herself as she watched Kaitlin walk back round to her. Kaitlin got into the bed with Zoë and then turned the camera on as she glanced over to Alexx.

"Do you want a look as well Alexx?" Zoë asked softly and she nodded with a smile and then moved to sit on the other side of Zoë with a smile. Kaitlin flicked through the first lot of pictures which weren't so bad, but Zoë could see herself getting tipsy. 'Wow, one glass of wine and I can see that I look drunk.' Zoë thought to herself.

"I remember this half." Zoë said softly. 'This isn't so bad, we're all just having a good laugh.' Zoë thought to herself as she relaxed slightly.

"Just wait for the next half." Kaitlin grinned as she flicked to the next picture. Zoë raised a hand to her mouth as her eyes widened. She quickly put her mug down on the table and looked back to the camera.

"Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear." She said as she took the camera from Kaitlin and studied herself standing on a table, dancing with Kaitlin. There were a few pictures of the same thing and then she saw herself begging Alexx to get up too. Kaitlin and Alexx both seemed more amused by Zoë's reaction to the pictures.

"I've never seen you have so much fun, Zoë." Alexx said softly as they flicked through the rest of the pictures and saw a variety of things. A lot of photos with strangers, Zoë on the phone a few times, more dancing and then Zoë posing with a McDonalds meal.

"Why am I climbing up that statue?"Zoe asked as she looked up at Kaitlin.

"We had a competition to see who could get highest, you won, obviously." Kaitlin smiled and Zoë chuckled as she shook her head lightly. 'That's bloody dangerous! I don't even remember that… I can't show Horatio that; he'll have a full blown heart attack in front of me. At least it wasn't a bit statue.' Zoë thought to herself.

"What's Eric doing there?" Zoë questioned as she saw Eric appear in some of the pictures.

"Well, you phoned Horatio and naturally he worried so he sent Eric over to check up on us." Alexx said softly as she gave Zoë a gentle smile and Zoë nodded. She then began to laugh when she saw Eric drinking with them.

"He joined in with us!" Zoë chuckled more when she saw herself holding a beer funnel to Eric's mouth while he knelt as Kaitlin poured the beer in.

"He knows how to party, I tell you." Kaitlin grinned as she looked down at the photo.

"If you weren't with James, he'd be perfect for you." Zoë said softly and Kaitlin chuckled. There was a knock at the door. They all turned to look at the door.

"Come in." Zoë called and Kaitlin's boyfriend walked through. Zoë looked up at him in her hungover state and smiled tiredly. She studied his blonde hair and green eyes while he stood at the door with good posture.

"Ladies, there's been a delivery for Zoë." He said softly as he walked over with a dozen red roses and a card.

"I bet that's Horatio." She grinned as she felt a sense of warmth building up, taking her attention away from how rough she was feeling. "Thank you James." Zoë grinned as she knelt up and then gave his cheek a kiss as she took the items from him. He smiled back at her and then stepped back with a gentle smile as Zoë sat back with the red envelope after she placed the roses on the bed with a smile. She opened the card and smiled, each of the others smiles widened when they felt Zoë's warm energy being transferred to them.

"I love you, Horatio x" she put it down and then picked up the roses to run her fingers over the delicate red petals.

"I don't think he can get any more perfect." She said quietly as her eyes continued to study the perfect roses. James stepped back as he watched all 3 woman stare at the roses with dreamy smiles.

"Can I get you ladies anything?" He asked softly

"Not for me, thank you." Zoë smiled up at him and he nodded before he looked to Kaitlin and Alexx.

"Neither, thank you." Alexx said and Kaitlin said the same. Zoë then looked over to the clock and paused as she stared at it for a few moments just as James began to make an exit. Zoë quickly texted Horatio to thank him.

"Oh gosh, I'm getting married today." She said as she looked to Kaitlin from Alexx after James made his exit and closed the door. Zoë looked to be in a slight daze with a very happy smile. Both Alexx and Kaitlin grinned back at her and nodded. Neither could see the hungover Zoë she was 20 minutes ago. 'If I had have drunk that much, I'd be on the floor still.' Alexx thought to herself with a smile.

"You sure are, gorgeous!" Kaitlin squealed and then hugged Zoë tightly. Zoë grinned widely at Kaitlin as she began to bite her lip as she thought more about the wedding.

"I'm going to be Zoë-Mae Caine later! Zoë Caine, wife of Horatio Caine! I'm going to be Horatio's wife. He's going to be my husband! This is the best day of my life." She grinned before she picked up her tea and finished it off.

"We should all get a shower now, the hairdressers and make-up people will be here in 40 minutes." Alexx said softly and Zoë nodded as she placed the mug back down on the side and pushed the duvet from her legs.

"Okay." Zoë said before she squealed with happiness and then pulled Kaitlin close again and hugged her tightly. Kaitlin then pulled back and smiled at Zoë, Zoë could see that Kaitlin was extremely happy and knew it was because she was so happy.

"Come on, get ready." Alexx said softly and both Kaitlin and Zoë nodded as they hopped out of the bed in their shorts and small tops.

"Call us if you need anything, Zoë." Kaitlin said softly and Zoë nodded before she walked into the en-suite and closed the door as Kaitlin turned to Alexx.

"I think it's best that she didn't see those next pictures…" Kaitlin grinned at Alexx as she turned the camera off and Alexx chuckled with a nod.

"She'll flip at you." Alexx said as they walked out and closed the door behind them.

"I know…" Kaitlin grinned and then closed her door and walked out into the living suite of their hotel penthouse that Kaitlin had rented for the night for them. Zoë then walked out into the living suite as Kaitlin and Alexx did. They'd all had their showers and dried their hair.

"Do you guys know where my joggers and t-shirt are?" She questioned as she stood there in her underwear with her hands on her hips.

"I think they're on the sofa." Kaitlin said softly as she walked over to the kitchenette and put the kettle on again.

"If I had your body, I'd quit my job and go into modelling…" Alexx said as she picked up Zoë's jogging bottoms and top while Zoë dropped her hands from her hips and let them dangle by her sides with a small smile.

"I'm sure Horatio would have something to say about that." Zoë grinned at her with a cheeky smile as she picked up a hairband from the side and tied her hair up as Alexx approached her. 'And an extortionate amount of money would have to be paid to air brush my scars away.' Zoë thought to herself.

"How do you keep yourself so fit, Zoë?" Alexx questioned curiously.

"Diet and exercise" Zoë replied with a smile and Alexx chuckled as she handed Zoë the clothes.

"What diet, Zoë?" Alexx scoffed with a smile before she began to chuckle.

"The see food and eat it diet." Zoë grinned and Alexx chuckled more as Zoë pulled up the jogging bottoms and then pulled the top on. Zoë glanced over to Kaitlin as she made the hot drinks. Zoë pulled at the jogging bottom draw strings in hope of them not falling down but they were still too lose.

"Would you like me to tie them up?" Alexx asked softly when she saw that Zoë didn't want to ask.

"Please." Zoë said softly and Alexx gave her a sweet smile and then tied them up for her. They then both sat down on the sofa as they saw Kaitlin pick 2 mugs up.

"Tea and coffee." Kaitlin said as he walked over to the both of them and handed them mugs.

"Could you help me with make-up in a while, please Kate?" Zoë questioned quietly.

"Sure" she smiled as she picked up her mug and walked over to Zoë and sat by her on the cream sofa.

"We've got people in to do our make-up, baby girl." Alexx said softly before taking a sip of her coffee.

"I know, this is different make up, I know I have a veil on, but the dress doesn't cover my whole back, I'd feel more comfortable." Zoë said softly as she gave Alexx a sweet smile.

"Ah, sorry Zoë, I didn't realise." Alexx apologised. 'I hope I've not just made her uncomfortable.' Alexx thought to herself but when she looked to Zoë, she didn't seem to be affected at all.

"Don't worry about it." Zoë smiled warmly while she held the mug in between both of her hands. "I'm marrying Horatio today and then flying to the Seychelles with him tomorrow, could life get any better?" Zoë said with a dreamy smile developing across her face once more. Both Kaitlin and Alexx looked at her with smiles of their own. Both felt so happy to see Zoë so happy.

"I can't use your last name in jokes now…" Kaitlin pretended to sulk and Zoë began to laugh as she shook her head.

"You've not used a joke like that in years." Zoë chuckled.

"What's the joke?" Alexx asked softly with a warm smile.

"Oh gosh, you do not want to know, Alexx…" Zoë said as she looked over to Alexx, who's eyebrows rose. Zoë could see that she was curious, so decided that she'd give Alexx the idea. "If you haven't noticed by now, we're weird… we have a weird relationship and are very comfortable together… you can probably guess what she used to say when she tried getting me boyfriends. Think about it… Chambers… some call bedrooms chambers. She's a freak and she knows it." Zoë grinned and then looked at Kaitlin with a grin while she shook her head. She took a few sips of tea while she and Kaitlin reminisced. "What was it, come and meet my chambers–" Zoë began as her grin widened.

"Okay, yes it's weird, I'm sure Alexx doesn't want to know. But the point is I can't use it anymore." She smiled shyly and looked embarrassed as she cut Zoë off. Zoë nodded with a giggle and then saw that Alexx had started to regret asking in the first place. There was a knock at the door and James quickly answered it while all 3 woman looked over to see who it was.

"Make-up and hair?" James questioned and they nodded and then got up and greeted the make-up artists and hair-stylists.

XXXXXXXX

2 hours later, the make-up artists and hairdressers had left and they all had their hair done to the style they wanted and their make-up done perfectly.

"I'm getting butterflies now." Zoë said as she turned to them as she bit her lip. She could feel her stomach fluttering away the more she thought about marrying Horatio, she didn't want it to end and she knew that the feeling would only intensify.

"You'll be fine baby girl, it's probably the excitement." Alexx said softly and Zoë nodded with a wide smile before she took a very deep breath.

"In an hour and a half until I'm walking down that aisle… In an hour and a half, I'm going to be Horatio's wife." Zoë said as she looked at both Kaitlin and Alexx with an exceptionally dreamy yet excited smile.

"Let's get dressed then! Everything's going to be perfect." Kaitlin assured her with a wide confident smile and Zoë nodded and then paused again.

"Kaitlin, I still don't know how I'm getting to the church, you've not let on to anything!" Zoë said as she placed her hand on her hip and tilted her head, wanting Kaitlin to tell her how they were getting to the church.

"You'll see, don't worry, it'll all be fine, I promise you babe." She smiled and Zoë nodded as she took a deep breath and looked down to the floor to compose her growing excitement.

"Make-up?" Zoë questioned and Kaitlin nodded. They turned just as there was a knock at the door. Kaitlin and Zoë stopped to see who it was while Alexx quickly answered.

"Hey Alexx, I'm sorry, H wants to know that Zoë's okay?" Eric asked softly and Alexx nodded with a smile and then stepped away as Zoë walked up to the door with a wide smile.

"I'm fantastic thank you, tell him to stop worrying and that I'll see him at the church in about an hour and a half." She grinned and Eric nodded with a smile. He could see her brimming with happiness and excitement. He thought back to Horatio who was pretty much feeling the same.

"How are you feeling after last night?" Eric asked softly with a cheeky smile.

"A lot better than I did this morning, I tell you. How are you feeling? I see that you joined us last night." She grinned and he nodded with a chuckle as his smile widened, thinking back to the night.

"I'm good thanks." He said softly and Zoë nodded.

"Anyway, we're about to get dressed, see you later sweetie, give Horatio a hug and a kiss for me please." She grinned.

"Not sure how well that'll go down, but I'll give it a go." He grinned back at her and she chuckled. She closed the door as he walked away and then grinned at Alexx and Kaitlin. She and Kaitlin then walked through to Zoë's bedroom where Zoë quickly stripped and then changed her underwear. She put on a strapless bra before she sat on the bed while Kaitlin sat behind her and picked up the special make-up designed for scars.

"They really aren't that bad anymore, Zoë." Kaitlin said softly as she studied Zoë's back and then began to apply the concealer.

"I know, but I'm still self-conscious, you know. You only need to do the top half, the bottom half is fully covered by the dress." Zoë said softly as she glanced back to her and Kaitlin nodded. They both quietened down while Zoë felt Kaitlin's hands move smoothly over her back, covering the scars. Zoë tried her best not to tense but she always tensed whenever anyone but Horatio had their hands on her back, especially her bare back. Kaitlin just gently continued, she knew Zoë was tense as she could feel it, but she knew that Zoë trusted her immensely. She always used a tender touch when she dealt with Zoë's back. There was then a knock at the door and they both looked over to it.

"Who is it?" Zoë questioned loudly.

"Alexx, baby." Alexx said softly.

"Come in." Zoë called and Alexx came in holding a coat-hanger with her wedding dress in a dry cleaners bag with a fresh smile.

"Thank you Alexx." Zoë said with a sweet smile.

"Do you need a hand?" Alexx asked softly while Kaitlin concentrated on Zoë's back.

"No thank you, I've got this." Kaitlin said softly and Alexx nodded with a gentle smile.

"You're very welcome to change in here too, Kaitlin probably will. The dresses can be a hassle, so you might need a hand." Zoë said softly as she linked her fingers together.

"Thank you, but I think I'll put the dress on in another room and then get you to do the zip up, if that's okay?" Alexx asked softly as she hung the dress up with a shy smile.

"Of course, but you shouldn't feel self-conscious around us, I mean look at me, my body is riddled with scars." Zoë said softly and Alexx gave her a small smile.

"Yes, but you two are younger than I." She said softly as Kaitlin applied the powder so the make-up didn't shine when the light caught it.

"So? What difference does age make? You're fit Alexx, if I were a man I'd have you. There's nothing to worry about." Zoë said softly and Alexx smiled shyly yet sweetly. Zoë could see that Alexx was a little hesitant still. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable though." Zoë said softly and Alexx gave her a nod with a confident smile developing.

"You know what, stretch marks are stretch marks, they show that I've had my babies." Alexx said softly as she nodded at Zoë.

"Exactly, I've got stretch marks too, but only on my boobs. They're just marks." Zoë said softly and Alexx smiled at her and she then walked out to come back in with both her dress and Kaitlin's dress. Kaitlin and Alexx quickly changed and Zoë pulled their zips up for them.

"You both look absolutely beautiful." Zoë said with a smile as she stepped back and admired the long silk lilac dresses. 'I'm glad I went for them being strapless now.' Zoë thought to herself as she nodded.

"Your turn now." Kaitlin smiled and then picked up Zoë's dress. Zoë could see that Kaitlin couldn't wait to get the dress on her.

"The make-up is fully dried and everything, isn't it?" Zoë asked as she turned and Kaitlin touched her back.

"Yes gorgeous, don't worry, it won't get on the dress." She assured Zoë and Zoë nodded. Both Alexx and Kaitlin helped her to get the dress on. Zoë adjusted it so it was comfortable and then turned to Alexx and Kaitlin. Zoë pressed her lips together when she saw Alexx and Kaitlin stand back and stare at her in the dress. She saw Kaitlin raise a hand to her mouth and began to worry that it didn't suit her or that there was something wrong.

"What?" Zoë asked frantically as she looked down at herself, thinking that there was a large stain on the dress or something.

"You look absolutely beautiful, look." Kaitlin smiled with a tear in her eye as she pointed to the mirror after uncovering her mouth. Zoë walked over to it and looked at herself. She studied the dress for a few moments and then her hair and make-up before she stood still and blinked a few times.

"Will Horatio like it?" Zoë asked as she turned back to them and looked at Alexx for an answer.

"He'll love it baby, it's a gorgeous dress, you look beautiful, Zoë." Alexx said sincerely and Zoë gave them both a smile and then looked back to the mirror and wiped a tear from her eye before it fell. She took a deep breath and looked to the floor as she pressed her lips together again.

"Don't cry please, you'll set me off and we'll have to re-do our make-up." Kaitlin said as she rushed over to Zoë and placed her hand on Zoë's back. Zoë tried her best to keep the tears in and took a deep breath and nodded as her hands began to tremble slightly.

"What's wrong baby?" Alexx questioned as she walked over to Zoë and stood at the other side of her and also placed her hand on Zoë's back while both Alexx and Kaitlin took hold of her trembling hands. Zoë took a deep breath and looked into the mirror at the both of them standing by her sides.

"I really want Horatio to like the dress, I can't believe I'm finally marrying him. I wish my mother and brother were here to see this. I wish David and Jen were here too. I wish they could have met Horatio, they'd all love him." She said as she took a step back and pulled her hands from theirs and placed them on her waist.

"Don't cry please, don't cry." Kaitlin begged her and Zoë managed a smile as she took another deep breath as she found Kaitlin's frantic words amusing. She looked down and took another deep breath and held it for a few seconds while she composed herself.

"They are with you gorgeous, they always are." Kaitlin said softly as she stopped her own tears from falling. Zoë looked back up at her and swallowed as she nodded. "They'll all be so proud of you too, but please do not cry." Kaitlin said frantically again and Zoë turned around to look back in the mirror.

"He will love the dress Zoë, he can't wait to marry you either. I'm getting messages from Eric telling me that he can see just how happy Horatio is." Alexx said softly and Zoë nodded. She quickly wisped another tear from her eye and then moved closer to the mirror to make sure that the make-up hasn't run.

"Okay, I'm good. I'm ready to become Mrs Caine. It must be the nerves and excitement." She said as she took another deep breath and nodded to herself in the mirror, psyching herself up for the biggest day in her life.

"That's what we like to hear." Alexx smiled. Zoë gave them both a quick hug and then walked over to the bedside table and picked up her gun.

"You're not taking your gun, are you?" Alexx questioned and Zoë nodded.

"You know what our luck is like." Zoë said as she lifted the front of her dress and put the gun in a modified holster on her thigh. "It's not even noticeable." Zoë said softly as she dropped the dress and sorted it out as Alexx nodded. Zoë looked up and saw the worried look on Kaitlin's face. "Don't worry Kate, it's safe." Zoë assured her and Kaitlin then nodded as her phone went off. She answered quickly. Zoë looked at her and saw Kaitlin nod as a smile appeared on her face.

"We'll be out in 5 minutes, thank you." She said before she hung up and put her phone away.

"Our ride is here and Joe is meeting us outside." She said softly with a gleaming grin.

"Joe's meeting us here?" Zoë questioned and Kaitlin nodded.

"What have you got planned?" Zoë questioned with a suspicious expression.

"Just promise me that you won't cry, please?" Kaitlin asked with a sweet expression as she took hold of Zoë's hands.

"I'm not promising anything, but I'll try my best not to cry whatever it is." Zoë said softly and Kaitlin nodded and dropped Zoë's hands back down to her sides.

"James is already there, he's taken our stuff back to yours too." Kaitlin said softly and Zoë nodded.

"What about our clothes we've just changed out of?" Zoë asked softly.

"Don't worry, he's coming back later to make sure everything is taken." She said softly and Zoe nodded, happy that Kaitlin has thought of everything. "Are you ready?" Kaitlin asked and Zoë took a large breath and looked back into the mirror. 'Ready to be Mrs Caine? I think so!' She said to herself and then nodded eagerly at Kaitlin.

"Come on then." Kaitlin said with a beaming smile as she took hold of Zoë's hand. They closed the door after them and went downstairs and out into the reception where Zoë received some good luck wishes and congratulations off the staff and strangers. Joe stepped into the reception as they made their way across the foyer. Zoë stopped and froze when she saw Joe in the crisp grey suit and lilac tie looking fresh. Suddenly her excitement and happiness doubled before she quickly rushed over to him with opened arms and a beaming grin.

"Ready?" He asked as she threw her arms around him and she nodded and then pulled back. Kaitlin quickly hugged him and Alexx shook his hand. Kaitlin lifted up the back of her dress while she lifted the front so it didn't drag along the floor once they got out of the hotel. Joe quickly pulled his phone out as they stood by the road.

"Are we walking?" Zoë questioned as she raised an eyebrow at both Joe and Kaitlin when she didn't see any form of transport around.

"You'll see." Joe grinned as he linked arms with her and she could hear the loud pat of horses hooves from down the road.

"You got horses?" Zoë questioned as she turned to Kaitlin and Joe with a wide grin when her excitement doubled again.

"That's only half of it." Kaitlin said softly as they saw the horses turn onto the road. She then saw a low bright red car travelling behind the horses with another black car behind that with more horses after. They approached closer and Zoë then covered her mouth in shock as a few tears began to fall immediately. 'Looks like an old classic car, why's she crying about it?' Alexx thought to herself.