Chapter Fourteen
"Thank you for choosing to stay at Six Senses Laamu, your bags will be sent to your room. If you would follow me, Mr Archibald, I will take you and your fiancée to your room." Nate and Serena followed the receptionist together to their villa. They were both in awe of where they were, not only was their resort amazing, but the whole island was spectacular.
Serena thought the Hamptons was amazing, but the Maldives topped it – the water was as blue as Nate's eyes (if that was even possible) and it was an island of privacy and stunning landscapes. She saw couples walking along the beach, having breakfast together or simply just walking around. It was peaceful and quiet, something Serena needed since she had been in New York – she had only been to the Hamptons a few times, but other than that she was tired of the bustling city.
"Mr Archibald, Ms Van der Woodsen," The young lady opened the door to their private villa and led the blonde couple in and showed them around their room, "this is your room – it is called the Laamu Water Villa with your own private pool. You have been located the furthest away from the main island which ensures your privacy that you have requested. As you can see outside, there is the outdoor relaxing platform next to the pool with day beds and aquarium dining deck if you wish to each outside by the water with your own view of the ocean. This room has a King-sized bed and an all-glass bathtub, a Nespresso Machine and your own bicycles for you to ride around in the resorts. You also have complimentary breakfast through our In-Villa Dining. If you have any issues or request, don't hesitate to contact us using the IDD telephone." She finished. Serena opened her purse and gave her a very generous 765 Maldivian Rufiyaa as a tip (equals 50 US Dollars). The lady thanked her profusely before exiting the room.
Shortly, their valet dropped off their bags in their room before leaving Serena and Nate alone on their outdoor deck overlooking the ocean. Nate wrapped his arms around Serena and pulled her into his embrace as Serena wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Thank you, Nate, this place is beautiful." Serena sighed softly. Nate's eyes lit up and pecked her lips.
"Anything for you S… it's beautiful, just like you." Serena giggled.
"That's so cheesy Natie." She ran her fingers through his hair. Nate crashed his lips onto her lips surprising Serena but started to respond just as hard and passionately as him. His hands were roaming all over the curves of her back and her body was tingling with his touch. He bit her bottom lip eliciting a moan from the back of Serena's throat and thrust his tongue into her, tasting her mouth. His hands slid down to her ass and picked her up, instantly Serena wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to the bedroom. He threw her onto the bed and clothes flew off. He was hovering over her locking his eyes with her lust-filled eyes.
"I love you so much, Serena." He whispered and pressed kisses down the column of her throat.
"Oh, I love you too Nate, more than you know…" She managed to groan out. That day, began the holiday of a lifetime for them both.
Two Weeks Later
Serena laid out on the daybed on the platform deck looking out to the ocean – Nate left her alone as he went for a run along the beach, leaving her to think about the past two most amazing weeks she's ever had. Much to Nate's surprise, the first two weeks were all about doing activities and seeing new things – not once did they have a Spa day. They did several full days of island hopping where they met the local people and visited a school and played with the young children; they also did a sunset dolphin cruise, several surfing lessons which Serena managed to pick up quickly, some cooking classes; they also went on a night dive where they saw beautiful animals that lived in the island's waters. Serena got up off the daybed and dived into their private pool and swam several laps before leaning on the edge of the pool again admiring the ocean surrounding her. Last night Nate surprised her with private barbecue dinner on the sandbank where they shared stories and laughed whilst enjoying their dinner and watching the night sky. Nate walked into their villa and saw the back of Serena in their pool, so he pulled his shirt off and dived in and swam up to her.
"Hey, baby…" He wrapped his arms around Serena and pressed a kiss on her bare shoulders.
"Hi, honey… can you believe we're leaving soon?" Serena said sadly. Nate had organised a big surprised for Serena that he had been keeping as a secret for a few days.
"Well, we can stay longer if you want." He suggested. She spun around and looked at him with an eyebrow raised.
"Really? Don't you have to go back and work?"
"Well, I know how much you don't want a big wedding or all that drama that comes with a wedding, so I thought we could get married here and spend two more weeks here as our honeymoon." He said casually. Serena's eyes widened.
"You mean, elope here?" She looked at his face – he was serious.
"Why not? We don't have to deal with our mothers or Blair. We don't need to worry about guest lists or where to have our reception. I've already organised everything."
"You have? Oh, Nate!" She squealed and hugged him tightly. "Let's do it!" She smiled brightly. Nate kissed her lips chastely and both smiled so brightly that no one could ruin their happiness.
"Well then, my darling fiancée, someone will come and help you get ready, while I go and make sure everything is ready for our ceremony later today."
"Today!? Honey, why the hurry if we're going to be here for another two weeks?"
"I can't wait to be your husband for much longer. I just want to make you my wife already." He grinned. Serena sighed – Mrs Archibald… that had a very nice ring to it. They spent a bit more time in pool planning their life back home with the occasional make out. At about three in the afternoon, women from the resort spa came into their room to give Serena a facial, massage and helped her get ready. Nate was off at the wedding location, talking with a chef and the wedding planner to make sure that everything was perfect. He believed that this wedding will be more memorable than anything that Lily or Blair would plan.
"Ms Van der Woodsen, Mr Archibald has hung your dress in the bathroom and would like you to wear no shoes." Serena nodded and walking into the bathroom and her mouth dropped at the sight of her dress. She walked up and felt touched it – it was a stunning ivory lace gown with full-length sleeves and a straight boat neck and it was floor-length. She undid her robe and wore her dress which was also backless. She walked out of bathroom smiling.
"Oh, you make a beautiful bride Ms Van der Woodsen." The spa attendant did very minimal make-up to enhance her blue eyes and cheekbones, while they braided her hair into a milkmaid braid with some loose waves framing her face, and placed a white floral headpiece on top. She put on her diamond teardrop earrings and slipped on some simple sandals and walked out to meet the wedding planner and her driver. She was driven around the resort to a private beach where she saw her man standing with an older man who she can assume was the celebrant. The wedding planner handed her a beautiful bouquet of flowers and she took her sandals.
Nate turned around and saw his wife-to-be walking towards him with the Boduberu Maldivian band playing in the background, in her beautiful wedding dress that he bought and packed secretly. Both blondes had soft smiles on their faces as they were getting married without drama and chaos, and overlooking the crystal blue water and on the clean, white sand. He put his hand out and Serena interlaced his fingers with her as they both stood in front of the celebrant. He had asked the Chef (who Nate and Serena had become good friends with over their stay) and the wedding planner to act as witnesses.
The ceremony began smoothly and they could not take their eyes off each other.
"Nathaniel, please proceed with your vows," The celebrant asked. Nate took a deep breath and smiled softly.
"Serena, I have loved you since we were just kids. Despite all our mistakes and endless numbers of exes, we always wind up back together. It may have taken us many times to get it right, but finally, we made it. I love you so much, and I couldn't imagine being without you. I am your knight in shining armour to my damsel-in-distress. I am your King to my Queen. I will protect you, love you and cherish you for the rest of my life." Serena could feel tears sliding down her face but Nate quickly wiped it away with his thumb leaving a tingling feeling.
"And Serena, please proceed with your vows."
"Natie, you have saved me so many times – without you, I would've been dead or still in rehab. Despite everything that has happened to me and all the wrongs that I have done, you have never judged me, hurt me or lied to me. You have always been the one to be there for me when no one else would. I have taken me years to realise just how much I love you since we were kids. I love being your Queen, your damsel-in-distress and the love of your life. I will always love you and I will always be there for you. You are the light of my life." She smiled as Nate squeezed her hand gently.
They exchanged rings that Nate had bought from New York before the trip, also from Harry Winston – he wore an 18K white gold and Zalium band and Serena wore a full circle diamond platinum wedding band under her engagement and full circle princess-cut diamond wedding band on top of her engagement ring making a three-ring stack.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Nate smiled his brightest smile ever and dipped Serena into a passionate kiss with his hand resting on her bare back. They walked to the table and signed two marriage certificates – one that is non-legal from the Maldives and the legal one from New York. He gathered her into his arms and they took photos taken by a wedding photographer. As time progressed, the sun began setting and they were led to a private table on the beach surrounded by flowers and tea-light candles. They sat side by side enjoying their meal and delicious wine.
"Mrs Serena Archibald…my darling wife." He whispered in Serena's ear and gently bit her earlobe making Serena moan in delight.
"Nathaniel Fitzwilliam Archibald, my sexy husband..." She smiled kissing his lips gently. After dinner, Nate took her on a romantic stroll along the waters before taking up to their room and making sweet, sweet love to his wife.
Serena was getting annoyed with the constant ringing and texts on her phone from Blair and her mother about the wedding. She groaned at the latest text and threw the phone onto the closest lounge seat. Nate and Serena had only just landed back in New York and settled in their new penthouse a few blocks from Blair and Chuck's apartment.
"What's wrong, darling?" Nate wrapped his arms around her waist from behind as they were looking out the window. Serena spun around and threw her arms around his neck.
"Blair and my mother are driving my phone insane with all their wedding plans, ideas and appointments. Now, there's a family dinner tonight at my mother and Rufus's place." Nate frowned.
"Does this dinner include all the Humphreys?"
"Unfortunately." Serena sighed. "I really just wanted to spend time in our new home, just the two of us."
"I know baby, but it's family. My mother is having one this weekend as well with the Archibald family and my grandfather will be there as well."
"I can deal with your family. Your grandfather loves me." She giggled. Serena dragged Nate into their master bathroom and took a long shower to get reacquainted with each other before getting dressed to go to dinner. As Serena was putting on her jewellery, she stopped to admire her rings. She absolutely loved them and promised Nate that she would never take her rings off and Nate promised never to take his off either, and if he did when he exercised, he would wear it around his neck. Serena had wrapped her arm around Nate's arm with her hands caressing Nate's biceps with a dreamy smile on her face as they entered the Humphreys' home. It seemed that they were the last ones there – she politely greeted Dan and Jenny as she walked up towards her mother.
"Hi mom, hi Rufus." Nate also pecked Lily's cheek and shook Rufus's hand.
"Darling, you look absolutely radiant. Your hair has grown back beautifully." Lily complimented running her hand through Serena's blonde locks. Serena was thankful that her mother hadn't noticed the rings on their fingers.
"Serena! Nate!" Blair squealed walking quickly towards the blondes and embraced them. Blair immediately noticed her sparkling ring finger and glared at her best friend.
"What is this? Did you guys elope!?" She screeched causing everyone around them to wince. Nate swung his arm around her waist as she snuggled into his embrace.
"Yes…" They smiled sheepishly. The room went silent – preparing for Lily and Blair's reaction. At that moment, Lily's plate clattered on the floor.
"SERENA!" Blair screamed. She began pacing up and down the room muttering words that no one could pick up.
"Good surprise sis. I've never seen my wife so agitated from something you did. Well done." Chuck smirked standing next to his best friend while holding Henry in his arms. Nate grinned and ruffled his nephew's hair.
"How could you do this to me, Serena!? My eldest daughter ran off to get married in another country where she had no friends or family there to see her. No pre-planning, reception or anything. What on earth is the matter with you?"
"Yes Serena, do tell us what you and Nate were thinking, running off to get married, IN THE MALDIVES!?" Serena was sick of this, she was a changed woman – since she had returned to the Upper East Side, she swore never to be the same superficial, careless and selfish girl that she was before she left.
"Stop! I'm not that same girl that you guys knew before I left! I don't care about having a lavish wedding where I'm wearing designer dresses. I don't care about the flower arrangements, or what colour scheme the reception should be. I just care about marrying the man I love. From the minute we announced our engagement, you two have been planning our wedding. It's like a competition between the two of you." Serena ranted.
"Well, why didn't you just us S?" Blair sighed in defeat, understanding her reasoning.
"Would you have listened?"
"No…" Blair sighed.
"Well, congratulations Nate, Serena. I hope you have a long and happy marriage. Now let's all sit down" Rufus said graciously. Nate and Serena nodded in thanks. Everyone sat around the dining table and settled to enjoy a delicious feast prepared by Rufus and Lily. Lily and Blair were still internally fuming with Serena and Nate's choice to elope, and would not acknowledge them as husband and wife yet, but the newlyweds didn't care, they were happy.
Yes, typically, Nate and Serena would have a lavish wedding that was the Upper East Side's most talked about event, but I got lazy and to a point where I could not be bothered doing all the research and a chapter dedicated to their wedding. So, it was far easier to make them elope on their vacation which turned to their wedding/honeymoon.