Hey everyone, just a quick note to say thanks for reading the latest chapters and to those leaving reviews, I appreciate the support :) thank you all so much.. Also, I hope that you are all keeping safe during this virus outbreak?
Anyways, thanks again :) here's the next chapter for you all.
Saturday 14th June 2008.
"Come in," Clarisse called out with a smile and sipped her tea as the door to her hotel suite opened and Pierre entered with Laura.
"It's just us come to say hello," Pierre smiled while walking over to the table as Laura closed the door behind them.
"Zio Pierre," exclaimed six year old Alysse as she stepped from her seat and rushed around the table to him.
"Hey little one," Pierre laughed and scooped her into his arms as Laura stood beside them and Clarisse placed her teacup back down on the table in front of her and smiled up at them.
"Who's this?" Alysse asked warily, looking at Laura as she smiled at her.
"This is Laura," Pierre said, smiling at Laura then back at Alysse, "she's my girlfriend."
"Hello," Laura smiled, giving her a small wave.
"Hello," Alysse said, giving her a small wave in return and glanced down at the small bump in her tummy, "are you having a baby?" She asked, looking back up at her uncle Pierre.
"We are, yes," Pierre smiled at Alysse and watched as she smiled at Laura a moment before looking back at him. "So, Alysse, I heard that something very important is happening today? Is that right?"
"Sì," Alysse nodded excitedly and smiled, "my papà and mamma are getting married today."
"They are?" He exclaimed as she giggled in his arms, "that's great news, isn't it?"
"Sì," she smiled, nodding excitedly once again.
"Are you happy that they are getting married?" Pierre asked and glanced at his mother as she sat smiling at them, watching them closely with her elbows resting on the table and her hands tucked together under her chin.
"I am, I am super super happy that they are getting married," Alysse smiled, "and nonno Joey is walking down the aisle with me."
"He is?" Pierre smirked and looked up at his dad, "and is your nonno scattering the rose petals?" He asked while looking back at Alysse.
"No silly," Alysse giggled, "that's me."
"Oh I see," Pierre nodded with a smile, "well I think you will make a wonderful flower girl."
"Me too," Laura smiled.
"Grazie," Alysse smiled shyly.
"Right little one, come now and eat the rest of your breakfast please," said Joseph as Pierre stood her down on her feet.
"Yep, go and eat your breakfast before it gets too cold," Pierre smiled and watched as she ran back around the table and sat back in her seat to finish her breakfast. Bending over, he kissed his mothers cheek and smiled while standing back up straight, "hello and good morning."
"Good morning, darling," Clarisse smiled up at him as he took hold of Laura's hand, "I'm so glad that you were able to make it."
"Us too," Pierre nodded and smiled over at Joseph sitting at the table with the paper, "good morning to you too, dad."
"Good morning," he smiled and gestured to the food on the table, "have you eaten? If not please do help yourself, there's plenty to go around," he said.
"Thank you but we have already eaten," Pierre smiled at him then at his mother as she sipped some more of her tea, "so what's actually happening today? With us getting here late last night we haven't had chance to see anyone yet?"
"Have you seen the grounds?" She asked while placing her cup back down and watched as he shook his head, "ok, if you come out onto the balcony with me I can show you while I explain it." She said while taking the napkin from her lap and placed it down on the table.
"Can I come too?" Alysse asked.
"Not this time, sweetheart," Clarisse said as she stood to her feet and smiled at her, "I would like you to finish your breakfast."
"Yes, let's see how much you can eat while we are out on the balcony, okay?" Pierre smiled at her as she nodded. "But no rushing."
"No rushing," Alysse said with a smile and shook her head before looking back at Clarisse.
"Alright, we won't be long," Clarisse smiled and lead the way out through the open balcony doors to show them.
"Wow, look at this view," Laura exclaimed in surprise at the beautiful ocean view as they stepped out onto the balcony. "I am so jealous that we are just right down the hall, but have an inland view." She said as the three of them chuckled.
"I was blown away too when I first saw it," Clarisse smiled as the three of them lined up along the balcony railings. "It's so beautiful, isn't it."
"It is, it's heaven," Laura said as Pierre looked at her then turned his head to look at his mother standing the other side of him and smirked over the both of them staring out at the view.
"Ok, so," Pierre began as Clarisse put her hands up on top of the railings and looked up at him, "when you have finished admiring the view, perhaps you might tell us what the plans are?" He teased.
"Alright, alright," Clarisse smiled and leant over the top of the railings a little while pointing down at the beach, "well down there, where they are setting up the seats and platform area that is where the ceremony will take place."
"Oh how beautiful, a beach wedding," Laura smiled at Clarisse then up at Pierre, "isn't that romantic?"
"Yes, very," Pierre nodded with a smile then looked back at his mother, "I thought there was mention of it happening in the garden?"
"That's where it was meant to have been but when we arrived the other day, they changed their mind so now it's happening on the beach instead," Clarisse smiled then looked at Laura, "and I agree, it is romantic." She said and they both smiled at one another before looking over the railings again. "Then, where the bamboo roofing is over here," she said pointing to the other side, "that's where the sit down meal will be."
"It's overlooking the ocean, how lovely," Laura smiled as Pierre put his hand on her back.
"It is lovely," Clarisse nodded and smiled at them, "we all had dinner in there on our first night here and getting to sit with the ocean right out there is just so peaceful."
"And what about the reception? Is that back on the beach afterwards?" Pierre asked and watched as Clarisse shook her head, "well that surprises me."
"It's going to be in the garden," she said while pointing down to the garden, "you can see some of it down there, it goes around the building and it's quite a huge area. They have a gazebo area too, where the DJ is going to be and they are setting up tables, seating areas and a dance floor."
"Wow, all of this must have cost them a bomb," Pierre said as he looked back at his mother.
"Actually no it didn't, Beppe's brother owns the hotel so they didn't have to pay no where near as much as they would have if it had been at any other hotel," Clarisse said while looking down at the beach a moment before looking back up at her son, "and it's only us wedding guests that are staying at the hotel too."
"Oh really?" He said and watched as Clarisse nodded while resting her forearms on top of the railings and clasped her hands together.
"Did you see Mia and our beautiful Imogen yesterday?" She asked while turning her head to look at Pierre and Laura.
"We did," Pierre nodded as he studied the view and turned his head to look at her, "Mia gave me her Vicki's and Beppe's wedding present that you forgot to bring with you the other day."
"I know, I completely forgot to pick it up when we were at the palace before we left for the airport," she said and Pierre laughed. Smiling, she looked back out at the view a moment before looking back up at Pierre and Laura. "Now, as much as I would love to stay here and admire the view all morning I need to go finish my tea and make my way to spend the morning with Vicki and Maya," Clarisse smiled as she turned to Pierre and Laura.
"Oh how lovely, what are you doing?" Laura asked.
"We are having massages," Clarisse smiled at her, "but please stay out here to enjoy the view for as long as you like."
"Thank you," Laura smiled and watched as Clarisse reached up to kiss Pierre's cheek.
"See you both later," Clarisse smiled and stepped closer to kiss Laura's cheek. "I'll let your dad know you are hanging around here for a bit."
"Yes, thank you," Pierre smirked as Clarisse walked over to the doors, "I don't fancy him locking us out here."
"As if he would ever do that," Clarisse laughed as she turned back to them then made her way inside.
Early Afternoon.
Hearing a knock on the door, Clarisse walked through the suite to answer it with her shoes still in her hands. Opening the door, she smiled when she saw Maya stood smiling back at her. "Hello, come in come in," Clarisse said and walked over to sit on the sofa. "I'm nearly ready."
"Thank you and that's alright, there's no rush." Maya smiled as she entered the suite and closed the door behind her before turning back to Clarisse as she slipped on her shoes. "But I have a message for you."
"A message?" Clarisse said as she looked up at her and watched as she nodded, "from who?"
"Vicki, she would like to see you in her suite," Maya smiled and watched as Clarisse sat back up straight.
"Oh really?" Clarisse said in surprise and smoothed her hands up her thighs to her knees before standing to her feet. "Do you have any idea why?"
"No, she didn't say," Maya said with a shake of her head and looked down at the pale blue v neck knee length dress Clarisse wore. "You look great by the way, that colour really suits you." She smiled and they started walking over to the door together. "Sets of your eyes beautifully."
"Thank you, the same to you," Clarisse smiled while opening the door and gestured for Maya to go first, "shall we?"
"Thanks," Maya smiled, leading the way out of the suite where they started walking down the corridor together once Clarisse closed up the door behind them. Reaching the lift a moment later, they both stopped as Maya pressed the button, calling for the lift. "I'll go downstairs to check on how everything's going on down there to leave you both to talk and I'll be back up in a bit."
"Alright, see you in a bit," Clarisse smiled and continued down the corridor towards Vicki's suite as Maya stepped on the lift.
Hearing a knock on her door a moment later, Vicki stood to her feet and smiled. "Come in," she called.
"It's just me," Clarisse said as she opened the door and popped her head in the room. Looking across at Vicki standing in her robe, she smiled. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, I did," Vicki smiled and waved for her to enter, "please come in."
"Is everything okay?" Clarisse asked as she entered the room and closed the door behind her.
"Yes," Vicki nodded and watched as she turned and walked over to her, "you look beautiful."
"Thank you," Clarisse smiled as she stood in front of her and watched as Vicki reached out and took hold of Clarisse's hands. "What's wrong?" She asked while looking back up at her.
"You know that you can tell me anything, right?" Vicki said and watched as Clarisse nodded.
"Of course," Clarisse smiled, wondering to herself where this was going.
"Okay," Vicki nodded, "then is everything alright between you and dad?"
"Yes, why?" Clarisse nodded and smiled.
"Well I heard him telling mom just before he left to go downstairs earlier, that you were avoiding him. So I wanted to make sure you were alright, and that everything was okay between you both." Vicki said and watched as Clarisse started laughing, "what's so funny?"
"Oh darling," Clarisse said, smiling at her as she raised her eyebrow, "I promise that everything is absolutely fine between me and your dad."
"Then why are you avoiding him?" Vicki said, puzzled as Clarisse looked down between them and smiled to herself. "Remember, you can tell me anything."
"Because, well-," Clarisse said after a moment and looked up into her eyes, "honestly, woman to woman?"
"Yes, honestly, woman to woman," Vicki nodded and watched as Clarisse took a deep breath before continuing.
"Because of his attire, I find him-, well let's just say I find him very handsome in the kilt and thought it was best that I avoid him until the ceremony," Clarisse smiled mischievously and watched as Vicki realised what she meant.
"Oh! I get you," Vicki exclaimed, "I have exactly the same feelings with Beppe," she said and they both giggled a moment before she continued, "so there's definitely nothing wrong between you? You're both still talking?"
"Yes, I promise everything is fine," Clarisse smiled and gasped as Vicki quickly embraced her in a hug.
"Thank god, I'm so relieved! I was worried that we were going to have to separate you both today," Vicki said as she pulled back and looked into Clarisse's eyes.
"Oh no, well that's what I am doing now I suppose, but for other reasons," Clarisse smiled, "not for the reasons you thought."
"Thank god," Vicki smiled as someone knocked on her suite door. "That will be my maid of honour come to help me get in my dress," she said to Clarisse before calling out, "just a moment."
"In that case, I will go and let you get ready," Clarisse smiled and kissed her cheek lightly, "see you in a short while, sweetheart."
"Thank you," Vicki smiled as Clarisse made her way over to the door, "I love you."
Stopping at the door, Clarisse turned back to Vicki and smiled. "I love you too."
Stepping from the lift into the hotel lobby, Clarisse smiled when she saw a waitress standing there with a tray resting on her hand containing several glasses of champagne. Reaching out here hand, "grazie," she smiled and took one before walking further into the lobby when she spotted Gino and Elly walking towards her. "Ahh you made it," she beamed.
"Of course, we wouldn't miss it for anything," Elly said and smiled as they kissed each other's cheeks.
"Come here you beautiful thing you," Gino laughed as he held out his arms to Clarisse, "it's been far too long," he said, hugging her as other wedding guests started looking over at them.
"Gino, people are staring," Elly laughed as he kissed Clarisse's cheek.
"Let them look, I'm only greeting a very good friend," Gino smiled and stepped back, "but no honestly you look great and look like you have caught the sun a bit while you have been here."
"I have," Clarisse smiled and watched as he grabbed himself and Elly a glass of champagne from the same waitress Clarisse got hers from and returned to them.
"Thank you," Elly smiled, taking her glass from him. "I can't believe how hot it is out there today, are the men going to be alright in those kilts?" She said and took a sip of her champagne.
"Well they were given the option to wear something different yesterday, but all of them said that because it's to honour Beppe's grandparents they will wear them as planned for the ceremony but will probably get changed afterwards." Clarisse said and took a sip of her champagne.
"Ahh yes, it's different if they are wearing them to honour someone," Gino said and looked around the lobby, "talking of men in kilts, where is that husband of yours?"
"I have no idea, I'm actually avoiding him until the ceremony," Clarisse said and watched as they both raised their eyebrow at her.
"Why, what's he done?" Gino asked.
"Nothing," Clarisse said with a shake of her head and smiled, "I just thought it best to."
"Oh I remember you mentioning that you were going to avoid him today on the phone the other day," Elly smirked as Gino looked at her then back to Clarisse, as both women started laughing. "And I don't blame you."
"Alright so if you are avoiding him, you might like to know he's actually just walked in with Enzo and several others," Gino said and put his hand up to him before looking back at Clarisse.
"Oh god," Clarisse replied and put her free hand on her tummy as it filled with butterflies at the thought of seeing her husband in a kilt.
"Do you want to see him? Yes, or no?" Elly asked as Joseph started walking over to them, "because he's on his way over here."
"This is really really hard," she said and bit her lip as she thought about it a moment before shaking her head, "no I can't, not yet," she said and started walking away.
"Hey buddy," Gino smiled and shook his hand.
"Hello to you both," Joseph smiled at him then at Elly before kissing her cheek. "I take it Clarisse is still avoiding me?"
"Yes she is, and in all fairness Joe I don't blame her," Elly nodded with a smile, "you are looking incredibly handsome right now and I can totally understand how hard that would be for her to keep her hands off you, I mean you have only got to smile at her and she's jumping on you."
"That's true," Joseph said and laughed with Gino, "but listen, can you just go and make sure she's alright for me?"
"Of course," Elly said and walked off to find Clarisse, leaving the men to catch up.
To Be Continued...
