Three months later at the Engagement Party (Monday)
As the party goers entered the restaurant they all stared in amazement. It was a beautiful venue, that was tastefully decorated. Servers were bustling back and forth providing the guest with hor douveres.
"This place is beautiful." Nadia smiled taking a flute of orange juice from her mother.
"You really out did yourself Irina." Weiss adds.
"Thank you. But some of the credit goes to Julian. He was able to book this venue for free, he says he knows the owner."
"Where is Sark?" Weiss asks.
"He and Sydney aren't here yet." Nadia replies.
At that moment a hush runs through the crowd. Irina turns to see the source of the commotion. Vaughn and Genevieve enter the room arm in arm.
"It's ok mom. Weiss and I invited them." Nadia says taking Weiss's hand and walking over to them.
"Nice place." Vaughn acknowledges shaking Weiss's hand.
He and Genevieve both hug Nadia. At that moment Sark and Sydney enter.
"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in." Vaughn jokes.
Sark pays him no attention and helps Sydney with her coat.
"I'm so sorry we're late. Traffic was terrible coming back from San Diego." Sydney says hugging her sister and her future brother-in-law.
"You're here now, that's what matters." Nadia smiles.
Sark hugs Nadia and shakes Weiss's hand before all of them return to the party. Everyone is mixing and mingling when Irina lightly taps on the glass of champagne she is holding.
"This will only take a moment. I would like to be the first to give the happy couple a gift. Jack will you." She smiles.
Jack opens the door and Weiss's parents walk out.
"Mom, dad," Weiss says excited.
He rushes over and hugs both of them tightly.
"How did you get here? I thought the tickets were too expensive."
"Your in-laws bought them for us. They are generous people." His father explains.
"It's good to see you hijo." His mother says kissing him on the cheek.
"Mom, dad. This is my lovely fiancé Nadia." Weiss introduces.
"Mr. and Mrs. Weiss, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." Nadia smiles.
"We share your sentiment. Our boy can't stop talking about you." Mr. Weiss says.
"Thank you everybody." Irina says taking Jack's hand and walking over to the Weisses.
"I don't think we have been properly introduced," Irina smiles "I'm Irina Bristow and this is my husband Jack."
"Pleasure." Jack says smiling.
"I'm Sonia, and this is my husband Abraham." Sonia introduces.
They all shake hands, as Sydney and Sark walk over.
"Allow me to introduce you to my eldest daughter Sydney and her boyfriend Julian." Irina smiles.
"Nice place huh. Nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Weiss. I'm Vaughn, Eric's bestman and this is my girlfriend Genevieve." Vaughn interjects.
"Yes, this is a nice venue." Abraham acknowledges.
"Mr. Sark. We have run out of the stuffed tomatoes ." A waiter says walking over to Sark.
"What are you telling him for?" Vaughn laughs.
"Well, he is the owner. What would you like us to do Mr. Sark?"
"Is there more bruschetta?" Sark asks.
"Yes, plenty."
"Serve that, for now. And let Jean Claude know that dinner will need to be served ten minutes earlier."
"Yes sir."
When the waiter walks away everyone looks at Sark shocked.
"This is really your place?" Vaughn squeaks.
"Yes. It hasn't been open for long but we've had a steady stream of business." Sark explains nonchalantly.
"This is one of the hottest new restaurants according to the LA Times." Genevieve states.
Sark shrugs.
"I really appreciate it man." Weiss says.
"No problem. Will you excuse me for a moment." Sark states giving Sydney a tender kiss on the lips.
They all rejoin the crowd mixing and mingling. Sydney is about to leave when Genevieve starts talking.
"Are you proud of yourself Sydney?"
"What are you talking about?" Sydney sighs.
"You win, for now at least."
"This isn't a competition."
"Foolish girl. Everything in life is a game. You always have a winner and loser, and I never lose."
"I guess there's a first time for everything." Sydney says walking away.
Ten minutes later dinner is being served. Nadia, Weiss, Sydney, Sark, Vaughn, Genevieve, and their parents are seated at the head table.
"So Irina, what do you and your husband do?" Sonia asks.
"Jack is a one of the U.S ambassadors to Europe, and I am CEO of Bristow International. It's a corporation that deals with stocks on a global scale." Irina explains.
"Impressive. Abraham is an anthropologist and he teaches his trade at Dartmouth." Sonia smiles.
"What about you Sonia?" Irina asks.
"I'm a justice in the New Hampshire court system."
"So Jack. You're an ambassador. It always seemed like a tedious job to me, but to each his own." Abraham jokes.
"It can be tedious, but a professor of anthropology. That makes me tired just thinking about it." Jack laughs.
Everyone at the table pauses for a moment.
"You have a sense of humor." Weiss says feigning surprise.
Everyone laughs and Nadia hits him playfully.
"Michael I see you have a new girlfriend. What do you do Ms. . ." Abraham asks.
"Delacroix. Genevieve Delacroix." Genevieve begins.
"Bond, James Bond." Weiss teases.
"I'm a heiress to several multimillion dollar estates." She states.
"Really, now that's a job worth having." Abraham remarks.
They all laugh again.
"Julian, this wine is exquisite. What is it called?" Irina asks.
"It's fairly new. It has only recently been put on the market. It's called Lotos Perfectus."
"Perfect Lotus. Interesting name."
"I only recently gave it a name."
"You named it?"
"I'm sure you remember how I always wanted a vineyard. You are sampling the first bottle to come out of the cellar."
"Are you serious? First a restaurant, now a vineyard. Come on." Vaughn exclaims.
"How did you come up with the name?" Genevieve asks.
"I was inspired by a walk in the park, after a magnificent date with a very charming woman." Julian explained smiling at Sydney.
Sydney returns the smile then leans over kissing him on the cheek.
"I'm glad everyone is enjoying themselves. Sampling Sark's first wine. Lucky you." Nadia exclaims.