AUTHORS NOTE: I really want more reviews. I'm not kidding, people. I really want reviews, but I'm going to keep writing anyway 'cause I'm nice. : P
The next three months were filled with preparation for the wedding. Anna arranged to have her maid-of-honor, her orchestra teacher from middle school, Rachel Lismore, whom she has kept in touch with and who was now like a second mother to her, fly out to see them a couple months before the wedding to help plan and to meet Criss.
"Criss, honey, I think it's time to pick Rachel up from the airport." They were watching TV at the time.
"She's going to hate me." He didn't look up at her. He just kept watching the TV.
"No, she isn't! I swear! She's nice."
"Your parents hate me." He stood up and faced her
"They didn't know who you were before-hand. They were just a little shocked." She knew her parents hated him. They refused to come to the wedding, but Rachel was different. There was nothing that Anna could do that wouldn't make her proud, and she reminded Anna of that constantly. "Let's just go and see, okay Criss?"
"Okay." He pouted and followed her to the SUV the production crew used to drive where they need to go. The drive to the airport was filled with stories of Rachel as her teacher in school, cheering her on at all of her recitals, teaching her life lessons, and caring when no one else did. Even Criss was surprised by how devoted Rachel was to a kid that wasn't even hers. They walked up to security, waiting for Rachel to emerge from the other side. They heard her before they saw her.
"Anna!" An extremely tall (6'2), very thin woman spotted her and ran full speed, hugging the shorter girl like she hadn't seen her in years. She had cerulean blue eyes, dark, chin length brown hair that flipped naturally at the ends, a prominent nose, and stylish glasses to complete the look. She looked like she could be a model if she wanted to. "How are you? What have you been up to? Did you quit school? Please don't tell me you quit school." Rachel had a habit of asking several questions in a row. She hadn't changed at all since Anna was in school.
"Don't worry, Rachel. I'm taking classes online, but it's been tough since my violin's still in Maryland." She looked a little disappointed.
"Oh, I brought it for you." Rachel held up the case.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Anna said. She hugged Rachel. She loved that violin more than life. "I love you, Rachel."
"I love you to, Anna." She looked at Anna the same loving way she always did.
"Rachel, this is Criss, my fiancé." She gestured to the man standing next to her. Criss was intimidated by Rachel's height. She was taller than him.
"Yes, I know. Hello, Criss." She extended her hand and he took it "Rachel Lismore."
"Criss Angel. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"And you." Rachel seemed to like him "He is cute." She whispered to Anna.
The drive back to the Luxor was filled with conversation and laughter, as any conversation with Rachel was. She shared stories of removing tangerines from saxophones and her daughter, Maggie's flute recital. Maggie was the spitting image of her mother.
They entered Criss' suite and set her bags down.
"So, what do you have so far on the wedding?" Rachel asked
"I'll bring it in." Anna skipped off to get her plans.
"Please, sit down." Criss told Rachel. She sat on the couch and he sat on the armchair opposite it.
"Criss, can I tell you something?" Rachel's eyes stared into his.
"Of course." He was scared.
"I have known Anna since she was twelve. I saw myself in her, a meek, shy little girl whom everyone loved. I loved her. When I saw her scared, I couldn't help but comfort her. When she was doing something that endangered her health I was scared out of my mind. She is one of the most precious things in my life, and I believe I had a hand in making her the person she is today. What I mean by this is that I know her, better than you probably and I know the type of guy she would usually date. Believe me, Criss. You're not it. You're eighteen years older than her, a bad-boy, a magician-"
"Illusionist." He interrupted.
"Yeah, whatever. I trust you. I know that you love her, but be careful she's young, breakable. In other words, if you hurt her you won't have to wait to drown in a shark cage. I will kill you with my bare hands."
"I will never hurt her. I can guarantee you that." Criss said meaningfully and honestly.
"Good." Rachel added. Anna had been hiding around the corner listening to this whole conversation.
"Here it is!" Anna walked into the room with two arms full of sample menus and paint swatches, which sparked a conversation on Anna's great taste.
"Of course I've told Criss to tone down the magic for the wedding." She said. Criss looked disappointed. After Criss started to get impatient with the whole wedding planning scene they ordered lunch.
The next few weeks with Rachel were a blast. Criss and Rachel became good friends and Anna seemed livelier with Rachel around. All too soon, the wedding day rolled around. Her dress was perfect, her hair was perfect, the ceremony was perfect, and the reception was even better, even though Criss broke his promise and did a couple table tricks for Rachel's husband. Rachel made a lovely speech about teaching Anna and caught up with Sitara, Vanessa, and Grace, all were her former students. Life was good.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Don't worry; this isn't the end of the series! By the way, Rachel is a real person. I just changed her last name.