"So, we want you guys all to take off this weekend." Ryan says from the dining room, his thumb fondling Kelsi's knuckles under the table. A smile appears on my lips as I am the only one who sees this kind gesture. Troy did the same with me before I walked into the kitchen. I pick up the carafe filled with water and slices of strawberries before walking back into the dinning room. Della and Ana are outside, looking through a telescope and discussing what they are seeing in the sky. I missed our monthly dinners. But the last weeks have been chaotic - and I've grown gigantically. Twenty one weeks and I look like 42 weeks with Adaline. I am huge. My feet are swollen, my lower back hurts and my boobs are sore. I am tired all the time - and every single time I do try to sleep, either one or all three of them is awake, kicking like crazy. I knew a pregnancy with triplets would be tough and so far I am doing alright. Yet, I didn't experience that with Adaline. It feels like my first pregnancy ever. I place the carafe in the middle of the dinning room before sitting down next to my husband. His blue eyes stare at me as I lean against the pillow I placed against the chair-back. "I am home now anyway. So, you don't have to ask me." Troy places his hand on mine. In just four weeks he'll join me and see how much it sucks. I bet he can't even stay away from work for a day!
"But those two moguls and that actress." his eyes move over to Troy, Lucas and Miley.
"It is a little last minute since today's Thursday. Do we need to arrange something with a baby sitter?" Miley asks, sounding concerned. It would be the first time she has to leave Liam alone for more than just a few hours.
"No, you all bring your kids along."
Luc nods, "Good, what's the plan?"
"You'll be attending a wedding." Kelsi informs us smiling.
"A wedding?" Troy asks surprised.
"But we didn't get any invitations." Lucas sounds as surprised as the rest of us.
I frown, "Whose wedding?"
"Our's." Ryan says with a big smile on his lips.
"What?!" Miley sounds shocked.
"You guys are getting married?" Lucas sounds just as shocked as his wife.
"I didn't even know you were engaged!"
Suddenly I feel my vision getting blurry and I know I'm crying, being the drama queen I never wanted to be. Fucking hormones.
"Gabriella," his whisper reaches my ears a second before his thumb starts fondling my knuckles.
I shake my head, "I'm fine." I ensure my husband before trying desperately to gulp down the tears. But they keep forming and rolling down my cheeks.
"Gabi..." my stepbrother breathes out causing all heads to turn to me. He rises from his chair and walks over to me.
"I am fine. I am not crying out of pain. It's the hormones that are three times as bad this time. I am happy. If anything these are happy tears. We'll attend." He pulls me into a hug, "I mean it took you guys long enough to finally tie that knot."
Ryan chuckles, "It's a last minute thing anyway. We decided this last night and ringed the town hall this morning. They happen to have something free on Saturday."
"Two days..." Troy shakes his head in disbelief.
"Wait, you don't even have a dress?" Miley asks not less shocked than before. "The dress is what matters the most!"
I roll my eyes. That's so typical Miley.
Kelsi shrugs, "I have a white dress in my closet. I'll wear that."
"You're kidding, right?!"
Kelsi looks helplessly at me.
"We'll go shopping right tomorrow morning. And we won't stop until we found the perfect wedding dress!"
"There is no way to get out of this." I say with a shrug. We all know Miley, she's the shopping queen. I look at Ryan who is still across me. "But you have a suit?"
He nods, "And wedding rings. We picked them out this noon, although we originally didn't want any."
"What changed your mind?" Troy asks.
"I kinda want people to know Kelsi's taken when they look at her." He shrugs.
"And I want the same with him."
I grin at their answer and look at my husband. We're definitely wearing those rings for the same reason.
"We need to celebrate this! We need champagne!" Miley grins from ear to ear.
I look at Troy, "Do we have a chilled bottle in the fridge?"
He shakes his head, "But the bottles in our wine cellar should be chilled enough."
Luc rises from the chair, "I'll get the bottles."
"Sixth aisle on the left should have the champagne. Third shelve, maybe the fourth. Don't go right or you'll end up at the white wines from Germany." I say to him, not arguing about not having to go.
Luc gives me a puzzled look, "What?"
Troy shakes his head with a grin and places his hand on his brother's shoulder, "I'll get us the bottles. You'll just get lost down there."
"How many bottles are there?"
"Trust me, you don't want to know. I don't even want to know. I just let him buy and collect whatever the hell your brother wants." I say with a smile on my lips. I know he has organised every bottle down there by country, color and type. I only go down there when I have to, because I tend to get lost down there as well - although everything is labelled. It's still a maze.
Lucas stares at his older brother, "How many millions are you hiding there?"
"Millions? I've reached the billions a few years ago." Troy winks before leaving the dinner table.
"He was not serious, was he?" Ry asks me shocked.
I shrug in response, "Knowing him, anything is possible."
"But billions? Really?" Ry asks back before sitting next to Kelsi again. His fiancé.
I lean over the table, "Ry, we all have our baggage. He collects cars and wine. I have a private studio on this property that is worth half a million. He lets me do my thing and I let him do his. I don't question him and he doesn't question me."
He looks at me stunt by the answer, "But about how many bottles are we talking here? A few hundreds?"
I shrug once more, "I think we've reached five thousand a few years back. The wine cellar is as big as the house. We might have to expand it in a few years."
"He's insane!"
"He's not insane!" I narrow my eyes at him and therefore make him feel sorry. "He has passions that he follows. Like all of us."
"But I like to see the world! I travel but don't collect wine and cars."
"And how much money have you spent there?" Miley gets into the conversation.
"You're protecting him?" Ry asks her, shocked.
"Oh you're one to talk to, Mr. I only fly first class and stay at five star hotels!"
"Yeah but at least I get value from it!"
"He does as well!" Luc starts arguing. "Don't forget we own vineyards in France. We know good wine and trust me when I say it is worth spending a few thousands of pounds on an old bottle of a Chardonnay."
Ryan sighs, "Fine." He holds up his hands, giving up on the subject.
"What kind of rings did you pick out?" Miley asks.
"Platinum bands. Classic. Nothing sparkly." Ryan answers with a shrug.
"No diamonds? Not even one?" Miley asks surprised.
Kelsi shakes her head, "I'm not the diamond kind of woman."
"But every woman is!" True, even I like diamonds. I wear enough of those around my left ring finger.
"Well, I am not." Kelsi insists. "And if I change my mind in ten years or so, then I just get diamonds on the band. No big deal."
"This really is a last minute thing!" Lucas breathes out. "You won't even have a bachelor party!"
"Don't need one." He smirks at Kelsi who blushes. Luc and Miley were the only ones who got married the traditional way. They had a big wedding, a bachelor and bachelorette party and a proper honeymoon. Troy and me on the other side eloped and got married on our own island. Without witnesses. There was no wedding cake and we only took one photo. But we did have a proper honeymoon on French Cay. And now Ry and Kelsi are getting hitched their own way as well.
"So, just a civil ceremony for you then?"
"Yes. Nothing big." Kelsi nods. "No wedding cake, no reception afterwards..."
"Prenup?" Luc asks the engaged couple.
Ryan shrugs and looks at Kelsi who shrugs as well.
"You're kidding right?!" Miley asks shocked. "No, you guys need a prenup."
Troy comes back with two chilled bottles of champagne.
"You have one?" Kelsi asks Troy and me.
We nod. "Of course we do." Troy answers for me.
"But why?"
I lean forward, "Ry, this is not just about what happens in case of a divorce or death. This is about trust fonds for our children. What happens when we hit a certain milestone in our marriage..."
"Well, we don't want kids so that's out of the question. Right?" He asks his fiancé, who nods in response.
"What about your wealth?" Luc asks them.
"Oh, come on, you guys are one to talk to!" Kelsi rolls her eyes at all four of us. "We're not doing this for the wealth!"
"That's not what he meant." Troy barks at her.
Kelsi raises an eyebrow at him.
"When we got married we united an insane amount of money. We wanted to make sure we give enough to charity. You can write down organisations you want to support or places you want to visit as a couple or things you want to do before your fifteenth anniversary or-"
"You want our prenup to be a bucket list?" Ryan interrupts my husband, rubbing his chin. "I like that. I really do. Kels, maybe we should reconsider this thing."
Kelsi shakes her head with a grin on her lips, "You want a bucket list with me?"
He nods, "Yeah... of places where we'll fuck." He smirks.
Miley holds up her hands, "TMI guys, TMI!"
I laugh at her reaction, knowing Troy probably has such a list with me as well. I look next to me and see the corner of his lips raising into a smile. He definitely does.
"Alright fine, we'll do a prenup." She gives in.
"You want my lawyer to do that?" Luc asks.
"No, we've got it." Ryan waves his left hand at him. In two days there will be a ring on that hand. A ring!
I shake my head, "You guys are getting married in two days..."
"At least we didn't elope!" He jokes at me.
Troy chuckles next to me and I can't help but chuckle as well.
"We made up for that a year later." My husband reminds us.
Flashback
"Why are we all here?" Lucas asks as we eat dinner with the beach behind us. French Cay is just as beautiful in the night as it is in the day.
"As you guys know tomorrow will be our first wedding anniversary." Troy begins and I frown. I have no idea why we're here either or what our first anniversary has anything to do with our family trip to French Cay. "We eloped from our wedding and got married here. Without any of you to witness it. Which is why I thought I'd surprise you all with a ceremony to renew our vows." His bright blue orbs stare at my open mouth. He wants us to renew our vows! Here!
"That's a wonderful idea!" Diana breathes out, her eyes are sparkling. Of course, his mother would be over the moon.
In the back of my mind I hear the others agreeing as well. "You... you want to get married a second time?" I ask him in a whisper.
"He didn't discuss it with you?!" Ryan's voice is full of amazement.
"Obviously he didn't." I hiss, still staring at my husband. "He surprised me like all of you." I look at my brother for moment, before my angry eyes find my husband's.
He licks his lips, sensing that he's walking on thin ice. "I brought your wedding dress along. The blue one. Not the other one."
I close my eyes, "What about Adaline?"
"She has something to wear as well. All we need is you to agree to it."
I gulp, "I don't like you making plans behind my back."
"Do you guys have photographer this time?" Diana's voice interrupts our whispers.
"Yes mother, I thought of that as well." He smiles at her before his blue orbs look at mine again.
"Finally, I get to witness the wedding I wanted to see so badly!" I ignore Diana's comment.
"What do you say?"
"What shall I say? How can I say no to an idea you already presented to everyone, who all love it." I let him suffer a bit longer.
He licks him lips, understanding the issue that comes with this surprise.
"But I am in. Of course I'm in." I roll my eyes before I see his bright smile.
"How the hell are we suppose to plan a wedding in less than 24 hours?!" Miley breathes out shocked.
"Just like the last time, you let me do all the work." his bright blue orbs look at Miley for a second before finding mine again, "It worked out just fine the last time."
I roll my eyes before I lace my fingers with his. "Let's renew our vows tomorrow then."
End of Flashback
"Just you guys and our parents. Nothing we can't handle."
Parents... "Does Victoria know?" It's going to be the first time she'll see her grandchildren.
"Yes. Called her and Vance before ringing Sharpay. They are all in."
I feel my body stiffen. After all these years and all we have been through, she still makes me feel uncomfortable. She always will. "And she's doing well enough to fly?" Perhaps she has gotten her donation anyway.
"Well enough?" Ryan frowns at me. He looks more confused than ever.
Shit! He doesn't know. I thought Sharpay called him after ringing me, but turns out she didn't. Fuck and now I accidentally told him. "Leukemia." I say with a shrug, hoping that's explanation enough for him.
"C-Cancer?" Ryan's voice is filled with shock.
I nod, "Yes."
"Why don't I know about this?"
"Sharpay called me a few weeks ago to ask if I could make a donation. I can't. I'm pregnant so I can't get a needle rammed into my bones." I explain, "I thought she called you afterwards."
"Clearly she didn't." he snorts at me. "Because I would have discussed it with you if she did. You know that."
"Well, she must feel better if she's going to fly to London for the weekend. She must be better. Otherwise her doctor wouldn't allow it, so..." I trail off with a shrug. Perhaps she did find someone who saved her life already.
"Gabi made a tiramisu for dessert." Troy announces before rising from the table. I watch him leaving the dinning table and disappearing in the kitchen.
Topic's closed.
I lean against the pool table in his study, carefully watching him work. The wall on his left side is covered in text and photos of Carrie. Her book is coming out soon and we haven't found a way to stop her yet. Suddenly, our babies awake inside of me. I feel them kicking in this late hour as they start throwing their very own party. I place my hands on the deformation of my skin and gently rub. A yawn escapes my lips as I continue watching my husband. Suddenly, he throws the papers in front of him to the floor, clearing his mahogany desk with one sweeping motion. He growls before pinching bridge of his nose. He's mad.
I bite my lip, I wish I could help him. I wish I knew how to stop her from publishing this book.
"I can feel your eyes on me. You might as well speak your mind." He barks at me as he starts massaging his temples. He's mad, but there's nothing I can do to ease his rage.
"It's two in the morning. You should come to bed." I breathe out after giving him a moment to cool off.
He sighs before looking up at me, "I can't."
I push myself off of the pool table and slowly walk over to him. "Krimov didn't find anything?" I cross my arms over the bump.
"He found a lot, but nothing I can use right now." His bright blue eyes look up at me.
"That can't be true. If she's full of dirt, then there has to be something we can use."
"Father's in prison for killing her mother. He was an alcoholic, she was just trying to get her daughter and herself through the day. Worked in a supermarket during the day and as a bartender at most nights in the week. She left him when she was pregnant with Carrie. Never married again. The dad killed her mother when Carrie was thirteen. She witnessed the whole thing."
I gulp. That almost made me want to sympathy with her. Almost. "Siblings?"
Troy shakes his head.
"Aunts? Uncles? Grandparents?"
"Nothing."
I lick my lips, if there's nothing useful in her past, then maybe it's in the present. "What about her present life?"
"She's seeing four men at the same time. A journalist, a politician, an attorney and a police man." Troy points at a few photos on the wall across him.
"They don't know?" She's playing them the way she played me. That bitch has experience!
"No."
"Why would she date so many men? That are so completely different?" I think out loud.
Troy brushes through his hair, "I don't know. Maybe one fucks better than the other. Honestly, I don't give a shit what that bitch does in her free time as long as she doesn't mess with my family."
No, women don't just fuck with four men at the same time because of pure pleasure. There has to be another reason... I stare at the photos. All four men look so different: One is blonde and small, another one is red haired, tall and skinny, the third one is bulky with Mediterranean features and the fourth is a brown haired man in a nicely fitted suit. It doesn't make sense for her to be dating all else men - all these different characters. People have types which they stick to, but Carrie... Carrie's taste is all over the place. That can't be true. She can't be dating them unless she didn't want something from all four of them. I frown as the realisation hits me. "She built herself a protection wall, so we can't get to her."
"What do you mean?"
"Legal protection with the attorney and the police man. Media protection with the journalist. And politically..."
Troy leans back, "Damn, she's smart."
I nod, "I'm afraid I underestimated that bitch." I brush through my hair and look at the wall behind my husband. "Does she live alone in Putney?" I ask as I see the photographs of her on the streets of London at night. She's standing in front of a pub smoking a cigarette. They were taken yesterday according to the time stamp. Krimov's men are watching her every step.
"She has a roommate. Sandra Langston." He points at a blurry photo that shows a red haired woman behind a window in their flat.
"What about her? Maybe there's more between them than you think." I suggest, it's a thin straw.
"Krimov couldn't find anything."
"Her work?"
"She just started at a local newspaper." Troy sighs. "Nothing there."
"What about her flat? Did Krimov's team scan that?" My way of asking if they already broke into that place.
"They didn't find anything. He's going to look through the copy of her hard drive. He said her laptop is full of stuff and that it could take a while. But other than that the flat seemed pretty normal for two women in their twenties."
"Shit."
"Yes."
"Well, he has to dig deeper then. He has to find something for us to use. He has to."
"He found something else." He breathes out slowly.
I tilt my head to the side and look at him. "What did he find?" I ask the question slowly, feeling the hairs in my neck rising. I won't like this, whatever he found, I won't like it.
He bends down to pick up a thin folder. He places it on the mahogany desk and opens it. My eyes widen as I stare at the content. Photos of my husband. In every single angle. In suits, workout clothes and jeans and a shirt. Photos of him at work, in his beloved Ferrari and going for runs in our neighbourhood. There are photos of Ana and Della in Richmond Park with Troy. Photos of them at school and the farmers market. Photos my girls posed for. Private photos in our home. All taken by Carrie.
I feel like I'm going to throw up. A second later I realize that I really am about to throw up. I pick up the bin next to his desk and vomit into it. I vomit until all the food from today has left my stomach.
"Are you okay?" He asks me, handing me a napkin and a glass with water.
I wipe my mouth, empty the glass and shake my head. "That woman has invaded our privacy in ways I am just shocked by." I brush through my hair. This is a freaking nightmare! And there's no escape! No fucking road to destroy her, to stop her from releasing this fucking book! "Look, I don't like to bring this up but if Krimov didn't find anything beside that, then maybe-"
"No."
"But-"
"He has a few connections to the dark side..." If Krimov can't ruin her the legal way we should consider other options. Options only one man has to offer.
"Gabriella, no." He warns me.
I bite my lip, "He could help-"
"He's as dead to me as Victoria's to you." His glance is icy cold.
"I wouldn't consider him if it weren't for this situation."
"My father is not an option."
I sigh, "Troy,"
"No." I bite my lip as I watch him rising from the chair. "I said no. Drop it." He places his hands on my shoulders and looks deeply into my eyes. "Drop it, Gabriella." He repeats, killing the last urge to fight him.
I nod, "Okay. I just thought he is our last option."
He cups my face, "We're not there yet."
"But if we do-"
"If we get there I will reconsider my options." His fingers fondles my cheeks. "I haven't seen that man in over eight years. I can't just ring him. I can't just stand across him and not want to beat the shit out of him. Give me some time to get used to this idea. Give me time to find another solution. It can't be that hard to destroy her, can it? If all options fail, then I'll think about it again, okay?"
I nod, "Sure."
I wash the conditioner out of my hair as I suddenly feel his gaze burning into my skin. I switch off the water, squeeze the excess moisture out of my hair, wipe the steam away from the glass door and see my husband standing a few meters away from me in grey sweatpants and a matching shirt. His hair is messy, his abs are clearly defined beneath his shirt. But what catches my attention the most is the huge bulge in his pants. Twenty one weeks pregnant, I look like a balloon that is about to pop any second - and he still wants me. Obviously.
I open the glass door and step out of the shower. "What?" I ask as I wrap a large towel around my body.
He just stands there, staring at me like I'm a piece of art. I'm definitely not a piece of art.
"Okay, fine." I give up waiting for him to say something and walk over to the double sink. I get out my body cream and start towel dying myself in front of him, feeling his gaze burning holes into my skin. I open the body cream but still as a I hear him inhaling.
"I came here to tell you the girls are dressed. They want you to braid their hair." His voice is hoarse as I start smearing the body cream all over my body.
"Good, I'll be there in five minutes." I say as I spread the body cream on the bump. My skin will be covered in stretch marks after I've given birth, so I don't know why I even bother to try to prevent them from forming. "Hand me my underwear, please." I say after another minute of silent staring from him has passed. But he doesn't move. "Troy," I breathe out his name as I turn around. Suddenly, his lips crash against mine. He wraps his arms around my upper body, pressing the bump as close to him as possible. I return his kiss and wrap my arms around his neck. One kiss from him and I am melting. As our tongues dance a tango, the triplets inside of me awake as well. They start kicking and boxing in my womb, causing me to break away from my husband's lips. "Looks like they want to join the party." I say with a grin on my lips as I look down and see the clear deformation. Little bubbles are forming on the bump as there is definitely not enough space for three pairs of hands and feet. I feel my husband's fingertips lifting my chin until I meet his gaze. His orbs sparkle in a teal green with a swirl of icy blue. It's absolutely stunning to see his emotions written in his eyes. It takes my breath away so easily.
"I love you." He breathes out, voicing the obvious.
A smile appears on my lips as his words reach the deepest part of my soul. "I love you, too." I say as I feel his hands running down my bare back, following my spine. His hands move over my ass before slowly moving up the bump. He places his large palms on the even larger bump and bends down to kiss them. "And I love you guys." He whispers against the bump, causing tears to form in my eyes. He rises to his full height before meeting my gaze again. "And I love our two big girls. I love my life with you." He cups my face, "You are the best that's ever happened to me. The best!"
With all the shit that is happening in our lives right now it feels good to hear this. It feels so good... I feel the tears rolling down my cheeks. "I thought I could at least wait until the ceremony before I start crying." I breathe out as his thumbs wipe away the rolling drops.
He chuckles before kissing me again. "At least I didn't ruin your makeup yet."
I chuckle as well, "You better keep your mouth shut after I'm done with my makeup. No word is coming out of your mouth or else I will turn into a waterfall again. And then I have to start all over again."
He nods, "Good thing I've said it now then." He jokes.
I hit against his stone hard chest lightly, "I'm serious."
"I was, too."
My eyes soften at his sweet voice. "Troy..." I feel tears forming in my eyes again.
He licks his lips, probably to restrain himself. "Our girls are waiting for their mommy."
I nod and kiss him softly. "A million times more."
"A million times more, my angel."
I finish Della's braid tying the end off with a little rubber band. I started with a Dutch braid and finished with a fishtail braid. I start pulling it apart to make it look more voluminous. "Mom, are you done yet?" Della starts shifting her weight from left to right. She's just as inpatient as me.
"Just a second..." I mumble spreading out the last few strands. "Okay."
She starts running out of her bathroom as I carefully rise from my knees. I watch her blush coloured dress flowing in the air. She looks so cute! I feel the triplets moving around, battling again. I smile and place my hands on the deformation of my skin. It feels so weird to feel more than a pair of arms and legs moving. Knowing there are three humans growing in me is such an amazing feeling... I walk out of her bedroom, my feet feel huge. I feel like I am walking like a duck.
"Mom!" I hear Ana's voice crying for me.
"I am coming!" I answer back, taking it step by step. That hallway has never seemed longer to me. My heart is racing in my chest as I reach the staircases that lead to the front door. I feel hot and sweaty. This pregnancy is starting to feel tough. I can see Adaline and Anastasia waiting for me at the front door. They wear both the same peach coloured chiffon dress, shoes and hairstyle. They look so adorable!
"We'll be waiting in the car." Della says before looking at Ana. "She's going to take forever."
"Hey, I might be slow but I can still hear you!"
Della opens the door without responding and walks out. Ana looks first at the huge wooden doors before looking at me.
"Go." I say as I made it down a pair of stairs. Della is right. It's going to take forever.
I watch Ana turning around before leaving the house as well. My fingers wrap around the iron banister and I stop to catch my breath. I am wearing a peach coloured maxi dress and I look huge. Plus my feet are so swollen in these heels that I already want to take them off.
"Is everything alright, my angel?" His worried voice reaches my ears. I look down and see him looking up at me.
I nod before taking another step. "Could you... could you bring me some flats? Ballerinas or sandals or anything flat really."
"Okay..." he nods before opening the door of our wardrobe downstairs. I watch his eyes scanning in the inside of it. "We have flip-flops."
I bite my lip. I am wearing a maxi dress anyway. No one will see my swollen feet. "These will do."
"Good." He picks them up as I reach the last step. "Lift your dress." He orders and I obey. I kick the left Manolo Blahnik shoe off before he places the flip-flops on my foot. I do the same with the right shoe. "Better?" He asks me as the dress covers my feet completely.
"Yes." I say smiling as I take a step. "So much better."
"Oh Kelsi you look so beautiful!" I breathe out as I see Kelsi wearing a floor length white bridal dress. It's tight and made out of silk with short sleeves. She looks breathtaking!
"And you said you could just wear any old white dress." Miley narrows her eyes at Kelsi as she looks at herself in the mirror. She has a white lily in her hair. She looks so stunning!
"Yeah, you're right." Kelsi smiles. "It was a good decision to go dress shopping yesterday."
Miley hands her the bouquet that's made out of lilies as well. "Ready to get married?"
Kelsi nods, "Yes."
Suddenly we hear a knock on the wooden door and turn around. The door opens and I see Ryan walking in. He's wearing a black suit with a black tie. He looks so handsome! "Come on, we have to get going." He urges us.
"What, no, you look hot honey?" Miley asks him confused. "Or stunning or beautiful or something?!"
His eyes look at Kelsi. "You look hot honey. Now lets go!"
Kelsi chuckles, before we all walk out of the room. "I hope you know what you're getting yourself into." Miley says to her best friend.
"I've known exactly what I have gotten myself into for eight years now." Kelsi laughs.
"Shouldn't you guys not see each other before the wedding?" I ask her.
Kelsi narrows her eyes at me, "You blew your own wedding off and eloped because you saw each other before the ceremony."
"Exactly."
"You guys are married for eight years now. Happily married." her glance rests on my baby bump.
I roll my eyes at her, "Fine. It probably won't do any harm."
"Exactly." she agrees with me as we reach the living room that's empty. Troy, Luc and the kids are already on their way. Just the groom stayed because he wanted to drive his bride to the town hall. Ryan said that he wants to drive there as a happy man and drive away as a happy married man. I think it's cute. But I still chose to drive in a separate car with Miley.
"Are you wearing flip-flops to a wedding?" Miley asks me frowning as we walk down the stairs in the hallway.
"Yes. Because I am twenty one weeks pregnant. I am sharing my body with three other humans. My feet are too swollen to fit into any heels. So yes, Miley, I am wearing flip-flops to a wedding."
"Okay." She says and nods.
"Okay?" That's unusual of her.
"Yes. You are pregnant. You have a free pass."
"Even from you?"
She nods, "I shared my body with one baby and it was hard at times and you are doing it with three. You could wear a potato sack and get away with it."
"Really?" I ask her back as she unlocks the Range Rover Sport.
"No." She says chuckling, holding the door open for me.
I climb in and shut the door before Miley gets into the car as well. She starts the engine and follows the black Bentley that's driven by Ryan through the streets of London. "You know, I just realized something." I start smiling as we stop at the red light.
Her blue eyes look at me, "What?"
"Today, after the ceremony, we will legally be a family. An actual family. We'll all be related. Kelsi's Ryan's wife, you're Lucas's wife, Troy's my husband... we're a family."
She smiles, "I haven't even thought about it that way."
I return her smile as she continues driving, still following the black Bentley.
"Who would have thought that twelve years after we've met, we'd be here? In London as a family..." Miley breathes out before glancing at me, "A growing family that is."
Miley, Ryan and Kelsi rush down the hallway in the town hall. I am far behind, being not nearly as fast as they are. I feel like I am walking on water. This hallway seems awfully long.
"Guys, walk a bit slower." I ask them as I start going out of breath.
Ryan stops, causing Kelsi to stop as well as he pulls on their holding hands. She turns around at the same time as him. "Gabi, I won't be late for my own wedding."
"I'm sure the registrar can wait a few more minutes." Kelsi explains, narrowing her eyes at him.
I shake my head, "No, he's right. Go. Miley's your maid of honor anyway. You won't need me to sign." I catch my breath before starting to walk again.
"Gabriella," Miley starts sighing. "they won't get married without you." she holds out her hand and I take it.
"Somehow I underestimated this pregnancy." I breathe out as we continue walking down the hallway.
Miley chuckles, "Perhaps we all did."
After two more minutes of walking we finally see the door of the room where the small wedding is going to be. I can see Troy who is talking to our girls and smile. They are so perfect and soon we'll have three more of them. I can't wait.
Suddenly I see Sharpay and Vance and I freeze. Victoria is here somewhere as well. She has to be. Today is not about Victoria, Vance or Sharpay. It's about Ryan and Kelsi. It's their day. I take a deep breath before I walk over to them. Luckily, Lucas seems to be in a deep conversation with Vance and Sharpay.
"Kelsi, you look so beautiful!" Ana breathes out as she sees her. Her forest green eyes memorise every single detail of her outfit. From the way her hair is made to the length the silk wedding dress is. I am sure she's going to make a drawing later.
"Like a princess." Della adds smiling at her.
"Thank you, you two." Kelsi smiles.
"Can we do this now?" Ryan says, looking at the watch.
Just on time the registrar opens the door, "Good morning. Let's celebrate an union today, shall we?" The red haired woman says smiling. I watch Ryan, Kelsi, Miley, Troy and the girls walk in.
Confused I look around. Victoria is not here after all. Lucas turns around and I can see Sharpay's eyes widen as she sees me. Vance stops talking as his eyes notice me. I look heavily pregnant, I know. I feel heavily pregnant.
"Oh my God!" Sharply breathes out, her brown eyes still wide at my appearance. Now she knows why I couldn't fly and donate.
"Congratulations!" Vance smiles at me. Troy hasn't told them. Didn't he talk to them at all?
Sharpay turns around before mumbling something. I frown as I watch a woman rising I haven't seen in almost a decade. She's holding Sharpay's hand with a tight grip. She looks skinny, her eyes look tired and she seems weak. She's wearing a red dress and has sleek dark hair. It's a wig. She's wearing a wig. There are fake eyelashes on her eyes and a little make up. She looks sick. She has the word cancer written all over her face.
She's not better.
"Gabriella..." her voice sounds weak, but her chapped lips form a smile.
"Victoria." I greet her with a nod. Her brown eyes stop at my belly. There is no denying that I am pregnant. She opens her mouth to comment on my pregnancy, but I interrupt her. "We should head inside." I follow Vance inside, having Victoria and Sharpay behind me. I take a seat at the front right next to Troy and my girls.
"Are you okay?" Troy asks me, taking my hand in his.
I nod, "I am fine." I whisper back as I feel him fondling my knuckles with his thumb.
I decide to not turn around once during the short ceremony.
"You are now officially husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Tears roll down my cheeks as I watch my brother kissing his wife. They are so happy, so full of love and life. It took them eight years to get married and to be honest I never thought they would. From the beginning of their relationship I was so sure that it wouldn't last... but they proofed me wrong.
Both are smiling as their lips part. Mr. and Mrs. Evans look at us and I wipe away the tears from my cheeks to see them more clearly. I swear I wasn't nearly as emotional when I got married.
"And now off to our honeymoon!" Ryan announces, making us all laugh.
It was the right decision to let them take our jet for the trip - while their jet is still being made. Therefore they will get our gift a little later.
Miley and Luc get to congratulate the happy couple first before Victoria, Vance and Sharpay get their turn. A smile appears on my lips as my girls wrap their arms around Kelsi and her husband. "Mrs. and Mr. Evans..." I breathe out smiling before wrapping my arms around them. "Congratulations!"
"It was about time you guys tie that knot." Troy says before hugging them as well.
"Mom, can we go outside?" Della urges me. That girl can't sit still for more than an hour. "My lungs crave some fresh air."
I look down at her, Hyde Park is just next to the Kensington and Chelsea town hall. "Fine. Just give me a second before we go."
"Okay." Della looks at her sister. Ana is just as eager as her to get out.
"Are you sure, you guys don't want to do anything with us?" Miley asks them.
Kelsi shakes her head, "No. We decided to not carry on with any traditions. No wedding cake, no party afterwards and no gifts. We wanted you to be here when we sign these papers because we know how hard it hit all of us the last time a certain couple decided to elope." Kelsi smirks at me and Troy. Eight years later and they still haven't gotten over it. I'm not sure they ever will.
I look at my husband before looking back at them, "Well, we might understand the whole reason to break traditions or not to follow them, but there is no way you won't get a gift from us."
"But to be fair your gift will be delivered in a few weeks." Troy adds to my words. We got them their own jet with a slightly different interior than ours. I know how much both of them love to travel and see the whole world, using our jet and now they're going to get to do this in their own. It doesn't get any better than this.
"Mom!" Della starts pulling on my hand. I let out a sigh at her impatience - she's just like me. "We have to get going - the girls want to get to the park."
"Yeah, sure go. You guys have some fun." Ryan says before kneeing down to my girls. "Thank you two for coming - I know it wasn't the most entertaining event to participate."
"Correct." Della says to him.
"Della!" Troy warns her.
Kelsi chuckles and shakes her head, "No, she's right. But we really are glad you guys made it. Even if we were nearly late."
I laugh at her words before the three little babies inside of me start kicking in response. My tummy starts deforming and even through the loose peach coloured dress it's still visible.
"Yes because of you guys." Ryan looks at my tummy. I can feel them kicking against each other and against my organs. It feels so weird and so beautiful at the same time!
Adaline pulls on my hand again, "Okay, we have to get going." I hug them again. "Have a lovely honeymoon!" I say before my daughters drag me away from the rest of my family - and Sharpay, Victoria and Vance. Both Ana and Della are eager to get some fresh air, "You guys know I am not the fastest these days."
"Yes we know." Ana says smiling.
"Gabriella," I hear someone say my name. I tilt my head to the side and watch Sharpay approaching me.
"I'll meet you guys at the elevator." I say, letting go of my daughters hands.
"Just make sure we don't have to wait forever." Della says before walking away from me - my daughter gets bitchy when she's bored. Ana chuckles before following her sister. I don't let her words get too close to my heart. "Yes?" I ask Sharpay as she stops across me.
Her dark brown orbs stare at my bump, "You're really big."
"Yes." I agree with her. She's really fast, huh?!
"Can we talk for a moment?"
I frown at her, "Is that not what we're doing?" I hiss at her, sounding a bit harsher than I wanted to.
She sighs, "Look, I know things between us have been tough..." A very big understatement. "But I want you to know that now, seeing you like this, I understand your reasons and I came here to apologise to you. For saying what I said." Her dark brown orbs look sincere.
I sigh, I didn't need her apologise. "Thanks, but I didn't feel offended by your words."
She nods, "It's just..." her brown orbs look behind me. Probably at Victoria and Vance I guess as her orbs start filling me tears. "She might have never been a good mother to you, but she's been the best mother to me." Easy for her to say this - she never had a mother as she died a few years after she and her brother Ryan were born. "So I really wished you could save her but I know you are unable to." She looks back at me. "But maybe your daughter... Do you know her blood type?"
"No, she's not a match." I lie into her face. I know Della has my blood type and therefore Victoria's. But I will never ever allow her to misuse my daughter for her own selfish needs.
I watch the last bits of remaining hope in her eyes shattering like glass that falls to the floor. She tries to hide her devastation but I can see it nevertheless. I broke her heart. But I don't feel sorry.
I feel nothing.
"Listen, I have to go." I say as I notice her lower lip shaking. She's barely holding herself together.
She nods, unable to say anything.
Without another word I leave her side. I really hope she won't make a scene on her brother's wedding day.
I stare out into the darkness, looking more at my reflection in the window than into the dark night. I didn't want to switch on the lights in the winter garden. Somehow, I prefer the darkness. In my hands I am holding a mug with lavender tea in it, but it has already turned cold - and I didn't even take a sip. I am sitting on the couch with a blanket on my lap. It used to be on my shoulders but it fell down a while ago. I didn't bother to pick it up again. I am not cold. I can't believe I saw her today. I can't believe how weak, how fragile, how sick she looked. This is not how I remembered her. She was only a sand grain of who she used to be - a woman who likes to call herself my mother.
I feel a shiver going down my spine and I actually shake as the word mother in combination with the name Victoria crosses my mind.
"They are staying at the Lanesborough hotel at Hyde Park." I can hear my husband's voice informing me. A second later I feel him sitting down next to me in the winter garden. He pulls the cashmere blanket over my shoulder blades again before brushing through my hair.
I look at him, "I don't care."
"Yes, you do." he says, fondling my right cheek. "I know you, my angel. So, don't try to hide from me."
"Am I really as transparent as glass to you?"
A soft smile washes over his face, "No. You think I am the unreadable one of us, when it's really you. You can hide your feelings towards anyone behind a mask with ease." I had to built this mask. I had to create it for the public image I'm holding. Being one of the richest women in the world comes with constant media pressure. I've worked three times as hard as men in my position to get there. No one will take that away from me. But sometimes, I forget to pull off the mask when I get home and am surrounded by my loved ones. "But over the years, I've come to read you a bit better."
I bite my lip before staring in his bright blue orbs, "She looked so..." there are not even words to describe what I saw.
"I know." he whispers before taking the cold tea mug out of my hands. He places it on the marble table next to the couch on which we're sitting on.
I can feel his hands wrapping around my cold fingers and I feel a warm rush going through my body immediately. "I can't help her anyway." I breathe out and shrug.
His blue orbs burn into mine, "I think a conversation after over eight years would be enough. The last time you saw her was on the day we originally planned to get married."
I shake my head, feeling icy cold out of the sudden. "I can't." my lower lip starts shaking. I have no idea what's going on with my body. The reaction is so unusual for me.
He wraps his arms around me, warming my cold body more than the cashmere blanket could. "You don't have to do it tonight. It looks like they're staying for a while here in London."
I rest my head on his right shoulder, feeling his pulse against my left cheek. Despite being 21 weeks pregnant with three of his children, he still wants me. Our bodies still crave for one another. It's crazy. "What do you mean?" I ask him after a few minutes of being in his arms that have warmed me up a bit.
"I talked to Vance before the ceremony." he starts, causing me to look at him. "There is no hope. But Dr. Marin, Victoria's doctor, allowed her to do this one last flight. She has maybe six months left to live, perhaps less. More likely, a lot less. There are good days and very bad ones. She has given up on chemo. The cancer has spread into her liver."
"She's really dying?" I ask him back, frowning. Somehow I thought Victoria would outlive us all - despite knowing she's sick.
He nods, "I'm sorry."
I shake my head, "No, it's..." I can't make myself say the word okay as I realize that it doesn't fit at all. It is not okay. Somehow, her dying is bothering me anyway. I thought I was through with this woman. I lived on, forgot about her for over eight years ago! I have a family she doesn't know of! I have a life she is no part of! I exist happily without her.
But her dying still effects something inside of me.
I gulp, "Did she meet Ana and Della before the ceremony?"
He shakes his head, "No. They were outside the building, busy by analyzing the architecture of it. She only saw them a few minutes before you appeared. She didn't talk to them and they didn't ask questions about her." he bites his lip, "Well, not in the town hall. Della did ask some questions when I brought her to bed."
"What did she ask you?"
"She wanted to know what kind of cancer this woman earlier has." he looks behind me for a moment before focussing my eyes again, "She didn't see her as a grandmother or as any relative at all. She saw her as a sick patient that needs treatment. Or more likely, as a dying human being."
She didn't even make the connection to me. I gulp at his words, "What about Ana?"
"She asked who Victoria was."
"What did you say?"
"That she's Ryan's stepmother."
"She didn't make the connection to us?"
"I'm sure she did, but she didn't say so. She just nodded and went to bed."
This might be the last chance for my daughters to meet their grandmother. Their grandmother, who fucked me up really well. She called me a fraud, she didn't listen to my warnings or pleas, she closed her eyes in order to not see the raping that was happening right in front of her face... but she's still their grandmother. Who is dying. Right in front of my eyes.
I close them, hoping my mind would stop fucking with me right now. I can't. I decided to throw her out of my life. I had every right after all the shit she made me go through! Because of her I was raped. Because of her I was sexually abused. Because of her I got to experience domestic violence first hand. Because of her I was thrown into a psychiatric clinic. Because of her I was ripped out of my known surroundings being thrown into Manhattan's Upper Class society. Because of her I had trusting issues. Because of her a healthy relationship seemed unreachable for me. Because of her my life was completely fucked up.
Because of her I met my husband. Because of her I have these two children - and another three on the way. Because of her I became the strong, confident woman, I am right now. Because of her I am extremely successful in what I do because I know what I write about. I've been through this shit I am writing about because of her. But I also weren't the person I am if it weren't for her.
"My angel," he breathes out, carefully fondling my right cheek.
I open my eyes and look at him. This man has been through more with me than I wanted him. This man knows me inside out. This gorgeous man with a heart that's bigger than mine could ever be. I bite my lip. "Okay." I whisper to myself. I'm giving in. There's not much damage she can do, right?
He frowns, "Okay?"
I gulp, I can't believe what I'm about to say. "I'm going to meet up with her."
His eyes widen, "Really?"
Even he thinks he misheard me. Ten years of being with me and not once have I wanted to see her or talk to her. It was always her who pushed me into a conversation and confrontation. "Yes." But this time it's me.
He nods, "Okay."
"But we'll leave the girls out of it." I add quickly. "I don't want them to meet a dying grandmother. Ana has seen enough horrific things in her life - a dying grandmother should not be added to the list."
"Okay." He nods again, afraid to say anything else apparently.
Suddenly, I feel the triplets kicking inside of me. A smile appears on both of our faces as he feels the kicks from the deformation of my belly, too. "But I guess I have to take those three with me."
He chuckles, "Weirdly enough, they seem to be excited about it."
It's so weird to feel three arms and legs kicking. It was weird enough to feel one person boxing against my rips and organs, but three? That's a whole new level. I feel them kicking against each other and worry every single time that they might hurt each other. I worry about that when they're only in my belly - it will be a hell of a lot more when they are born and grow up together. They surely will continue arguing with each other and occasionally there will slip a kick or two. It's just how kids grow up.
He places his hands on my stomach, feeling a kicking feet and a boxing arm. I place my hands on his, feeling the strength of the kicks even through his hands. Three strong little babies are inside of me.
It still blows my mind.
I knock on door number 3082 and wait for an answer. I'm wearing maternity jeans and a striped shirt - vertical not horizontal stripes, but even those don't make me appear slimmer. I bite my lip as there seems to be no answer. They are not here. Great, then I can leave again. I am about to turn around when I hear a familiar voice saying my name.
I look at Vance, who seems to be just as surprised as me. Yes, a day ago I didn't expect to find myself standing here as well. But somehow I am. "Is she here?" I ask him, gulping down my nerves.
"She is..." he trails off as his light grey eyes look at me, "But I'm afraid she's not doing too well."
Must be one of those bad days then. "I won't show up here another time." I say into his face, knowing that I can only find the courage once.
Without another word he holds the door open to the double room in Lanesborough Hotel at Hyde Park. I walk into this luxurious room and turn left at the end of the hallway. A stack of paper is laying on the desk, right next to the shut notebook. Everything is tidy and neat I notice as I scan the couch with it's cushions and the closed suitcases placed behind it. I'm surprised they didn't get a suite. I turn my head further left. There she is.
I can see Victoria laying in her bed with a Hermes scarf wrapped around her naked skull and an IV standing right next to her. She looks surprised to see me - so now we're three in that boat. "Gabriella," she breathes out my name.
My eyes look at the solutions she's connected to. NaCl to keep her hydrated and a vitamin solution. Nothing for the pain. Maybe she took oral medication for that.
"It looks worse than it is."
"I know." I don't tell her that my eight year old daughters practically study medicine because they're so smart.
"I'll go for a walk. I'll be back in an hour." Vance informs us before leaving us alone.
Walking closer to her, I see the empty armchair and sit down next to her. "I'm not sure why I'm here."
Her lifeless dark brown orbs stare at mine. She used to be the most vivid woman I knew - she was full of life and prestige. But now... Now she looks as poor as the homeless people do. Money doesn't buy you health. "You know that I'm dying." She used to look like me, but now there's nothing but the eyes that connect her to me.
I tilt my head to the side before folding my hands and resting them on my baby bump, "My husband informed me." I nod.
A smile appears on her cracked lips, "How's he? I didn't have a chance to talk to him before the ceremony." And after, because we left without glancing at the Evans family one more time.
"Good. He's doing good..." I trail off. This feels much harder than I expected it to be.
Her eyes rest on my baby bump, "I can imagine with another one right around the corner." There seems to be something like a sparkle in her eyes.
Grandchildren... She hasn't met any of my children. "Not one." I say, causing her glance to move up as her forehead wrinkles.
"Twins?" she asks surprised.
I shake my head, "Triplets."
I watch her expression change from excited to over the moon. I didn't think I could cause such an expression on Victoria's face - and to be fair, it was caused by these three growing inside of me. "No!" she's still in shock, "Three babies?"
I nod, "Twin girls and one boy."
"That's so fabulous to hear!"
As on call, they start kicking. They are the most active babies by far - definitely something they already have from their father.
"Are they... Are they kicking?" Victoria's eyes move from left to right as little bulges appear all over my stomach. After all, six feet and six hands require space.
"Yes, but this time they haven't decided to take it out on me." I smirk as I look down on my stomach as well.
"How far along are you?"
"Today marks the beginning of the twenty second week." I say, meeting her glance again.
She smiles at me, "Which one of the girls was Adaline?"
"The one with the bright blue eyes and the chestnut colored hair." I say smiling, she looked adorable yesterday.
"She looks so much like Troy."
"She does, but to be fair, she seems to have gotten a lot from my character." I add and can't help but smile. "She's stubborn like me. And she insists on always correcting people - like me. And she's kind like Troy. She also has his big heart..." She's such a perfect union of the both of us. The way she laughs when Troy tickles her and the way she growls when she has to go to bed but wants to watch the stars through the telescope a little longer... the way she buries herself in a medical book, forgetting time and place. She could read in our library for hours...
"Your heart is not any smaller than his. It's just he wears it more on his sleeve than you do." Victoria's words interrupt my thoughts.
I look at her, "True." My husband does wear his heart on his sleeve most of the time. He has never been afraid to voice his feelings. Unlike me.
"Who was the other girl?"
Another smile appears on my lips, "That's Anastasia. We just adopted her about eight months ago. She was born in Moscow."
"She seems very lovely."
"Yes, she is."
"How's Adaline doing with the change?"
"She's doing really well. She loves Ana not less than we do. And now with three more on the way... Let's just say we're all over the moon."
Victoria starts coughing and I pick up a glass filled with water before handing it over to her. She takes a sip before laying down in the bed again.
I place the glass on the nightstand again, "Troy told me you stopped chemo."
"It's not helping. I feel the death's hands wrapped around me - there is no escape."
I nod, she surely looks like it. "Sharpay called me a few months ago to ask if I could donate."
Victoria's eyes widen, "She did?"
"She didn't mention it?"
"No."
"Well, I couldn't donate anyway." I say and shrug. "Perhaps you'll find someone here in London."
"I am AB (-) that's the world rarest blood type." she says into my eyes as if I didn't know that. After all, I am an AB (-) as well. Just like Adaline.
"How much time do you have?"
"Dr. Marin said six months. But he has to stay positive as we pay him enough."
"And how much time do you feel like?"
"Three, maybe four." she shrugs at me, "Sometimes I feel like one, though."
I bite my lip. Three months. My babies will be born after those three months. I place my hands on my bump. It's so ironic to see her embody death and me life when it used to be the other way all these years. How tables turn.
Or maybe it's just Karma getting its hands on her. "I'd like to leave my girls out of this." I breathe out.
She nods, "I understand. I wouldn't want to introduce them to a dying grandmother as well."
"But Troy and I are going to attend your funeral. If all goes well, in three months I'll be having those three babies." I say into her eyes, "But we should make it to your funeral. Do you plan to get buried at the Woodlawn cemetery in New York?"
She shakes her head, "I want to do it here. In London. I want to be close to you."
"What?!" I ask her shocked. What the fuck has gotten into her?! "Are you insane?! Mom, you don't have to do this. You have your whole life in New York with friends and Vance and Sharpay... You live in New York City. You have been living there for the last - what - eighteen years? You have a social life there. Vance lives there. And Sharpay! I'm sure they want to visit your gravestone from time to time and it'd be ridiculous for you think they'd fly here every time they want to do that. Plus, Vance is going to want to get buried next to you someday and he's a New Yorker through and through. So, New York City is where you should be buried at. Not here where there's nothing. I don't need your dead body in London." Honestly, I wouldn't even visit her grave.
I can see tears building in her eyes and I frown. Is she starting her acting again?
"What?" I ask her confused. I know, I am right. I always am!
"You just called me Mom for the first time in fifteen years."
My mouth falls open, "No, you must have misheard me." I didn't call her Mom, did I?!
She nods, "Most of my body may have given up on me by now but my ears and eyes still work perfectly fine, Gabriella."
I bite my lip, perhaps she is right. She's dying, so I decide to give her the benefit of doubt. "I don't think Vance nor Sharpay must have really liked the idea of you laying here in London while they live in Manhattan."
"They won't know until it's time." she whispers to me. "I have it written in my last will."
I frown, that sneaky little bitch! She's doing it all over again! Even in deathbed, she's doing it! I chuckle and shake my head, "They'll fight to bring you to the States."
"I've given you the authorization over deciding what to do with my dead body." she breathes out. "And I want you to follow my last wish. In fact I want you to do everything that's written in my will. I know, I screwed up with you, but let me try to make this right..."
"By having you laying here in London, where I could come and visit you?"
"Yes."
I lean back in the chair, "And what would make you think that I'd actually come?"
"Because you just called me Mom after fifteen years. There's still a tiny bit of love left in your heart - and believe me or not, but you were always the most important person in my life."
I lick my lips, "Okay." I say, giving in. "I'll make sure your dead body rottens in British soil then."
"Thank you." she nods at me before her eyelids start becoming heavy.
"I should go." I say, slowly getting out of the chair.
"Come back." her words are the plea coming out of a dying person.
"We'll see." I say to her, unsure if I have the courage once more.
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