1Wedding bells"Why are they not finished yet? The wedding is about to start!" Amelia Lawson screamed, tugging her hair in frustration. Why hadn't her mother just let Jane decorate instead of these people?'I want everything to be perfect Lia.' Her mother's voice in her head replied to her and she hissed.They didn't even know their jobs. The finished decorations were tacky and sloppy looking. *Jane would have done a better job.*Amelia touched one of the roses and sighed. “Jane's would have done better.” *Perhaps there was something Jane could do before it was too late.* She thinks.Pulling her phone from the only pocket in her shorts, she dialed Jane's number and got her voicemail the first two times. 'Pick up Jane.'Jane eventually answered on the fourth ring and Amelia sighed in relief. "It's the esteemed maid of honor. To what do I owe the honor?"Amelia rolled her eyes, fighting back a smile as her best friend laughed at her sorry excuse for a joke. She would have given into
"Is this some kind of dream?" Lia asked no one in particular as she staggered backwards holding a chair just in time before she fell."I am perfectly aware of this situation, it's real-life."Even his voice sounded robotic and stoic. She was definitely dreaming, she had to be. That would mean she had misheard when he proposed, she takes her mother's place and get married to him instead."Of course Lia, it's a dream. Wake up now!" She chided herself and pinched herself yelping at the pain. She gasped and hung on to the chair for support as her legs turned to jelly.She wasnt dreaming, it was all real. Her mother was nowhere to be found and her mother's fiancée had just asked her to stand-in for her."Time is of the essence Amelia. I have important matters to attend to so I suggest we get to it." Fernando reminded her, staring at his wristwatch unaware and seemingly unbothered by her state of distress.This can't be happening. Lia shook her head violently, too shocked to scream or cry.
"The bride is going to sing for her husband." The MC announced and the guests cheered. Lia choked back a cry of protest, people were watching her, a little too closely at that. Her mother had loved to sing so she had been the one to add that bit to the ceremony. Lia didn't want to do it. Not because she couldn't sing, she could after all she was her mother's daughter. She had a beautiful voice that could move people but she didn't want to sing for him. This was all a sham, why waste her gift on a sham? "Baby, you don't have to if you don't want to. She's very shy." Fernando said beside her and Lia looked at him. She looked at his eyes, searching to find the truth in his words. "I mean it," he whispered under his breath. "Your mother had included that there despite my refusal." Lia relaxed at his words glad that she really didn't have to sing in front of all these people who believed this was real. The MC took the hint and moved on to the next item; cutting of the cake. Lia rose
Lia woke up with a start, screaming and coughing. She had been drowning in her dream. Fernando had been standing there, watching her but he made no move to help her. "Finally, you're awake." She heard and sat up quickly moving towards the head of the bed. She had fallen asleep in the wedding gown too tired to change. Fernando was on the couch watching her. How long had he been there watching her? Feeling self-conscious, she pulled the gown closely to her body as memories from last night assailed her senses.>>>>>>>"It's our wedding night, Amelia." Fernando said as he walked towards her. Lia wished the wall would magically grow a door so she could disappear and never show her face again. If wishes were horses…."How should we celebrate it? I have don’t have to go to work tomorrow, since I’m the boss. So technically, I have enough time to spend with you.”“Newly weds do have honeymoon after all.” He added chuckling. Lia shivered and pushed back against the wall willing it to move a
"Are you getting that?" Lia asked raising her head up, Jane nodded scurrying off to the next section.Lia chuckled and looked down at her phone. She couldn't believe how much had happened and it was just 3pm.>>>>>>>>>>Jane had been all worried about Lia falling asleep at her house thinking that for sure, Fernando was going to raise hell.Lia had been scared too, no terrified was the appropriate word. Fernando was being way too nice for someone who had promised her nothing but pain and suffering on their wedding day."Why didn't you wake me earlier?!"Lia jumped off the bed and raced into the bathroom turning on the shower. Water poured from the shower head and she set her hands under it, splashing some on her face.She couldn't believe she had slept off last night. Fernando was going to have her head for it and she didn't blame him.He gave her the chance to spend the day doing whatever she wanted, and she misused the opportunity.She shivered turning off the shower, bending her hea
"How long has she been missing for?"Lia gave Jane a look and sighed. "it's been two days. Can you find her?"She was trying not to get upset at this man but he was testing her patience. He had been asking irrelevant questions. Wasn't the job of a Private Investigator to find the person? What did it matter how long the person has been missing for?"Can you find her, Brian? George wouldn't recommend you if he didn't think you could." Jane squeezeed Lia's hand as she spoke, trying to calm her down."I apologize for my earlier behaviour ma'am. I just wanted to be sure you knew what you were doing." At Lia's raised eyebrows, he sighed. "I have had clients who only wanted to use me. Anyway, I apologize.""It's okay. How long do you think it'd take to find her?"Brian adjusted his glasses and looked at her mother's picture sitting on the table. "It shouldn't take long. A month tops.""But I need to find her as soon as possible." Lia sighed and Jane sent Brian an apologetic smile."I'm sure
"Lia wake up!" Jane stormed into the room and pulled the covers off her friend's body. "Prince charming is here."Lia opened one eyes and groaned. "Too bright, it's too bright.""Get up woman, your man is here.""Please let me sleep." Lia begged, shutting her eyes turning on her back. Jane sighed and walked off mumbling under her breath."I'm so sorry, she's fast asleep and it's usually a pain to wake her up in the morning." Jane smiled apologetically. Fernando chuckled and rose to his feet."I don't want to disturb her. Let her sleep. I only came to see if she was awake so we could go for breakfast at the restaurant."'This idiot!' Jane thought and smirked as an idea slipped into her head. "Give me a second, I'll have her ready.""I don't want to.." Fernando tried to stop her but Jane was already making her way into the bedroom.He chuckled again, shaking his head as he took his seat. She was a character, he could see why his wife was friends with her.His wife. This was all crazy, i
"I didn't know you were such a child." Lia commented, taking a bite from her ice-cream.Fernando brought them to the park after leaving the restaurant. She still couldn't wrap her head around this side of him. It was quite strange.He got them some sugar doughnuts the minute they walked in and now they were eating ice-cream and having small talk.All through the time he dated her mother, Lia had never spent more than a few seconds alone with him.Not because he was too scary or too boring, she just never saw any reason to. But now, life was presenting her with so many firsts. It was incredible."What's on your mind?" He asked, pulling her out of her thoughts and she took a bite of her ice-cream again."Just thinking about how life is full of unexpected twists and turns." Her ice-cream was melting fast.Fernando noticed and he brought out a saviet. "Here. That's going to leave a mark."Lia watched wordlessly as he used the saviet to wipe her chest where the ice-cream was starting to le
2 days later. "Are you sure about this?" Jane asked, fixing Lia's hair. "You still have enough time before your due date." Lia shook her head. "No Jane, I can feel that something is going to happen sooner or later. And if I'm going into labor, I want to be married first." Lia had called her friends and Fernando to inform them that she'd love to push the wedding forward after her visit with Dr. Baymont. She didn't want her child born out of wedlock and she didn't want to have contractions while walking down the aisle with her father by her side. "Well, you look beautiful." Lydia announced, walking into the room. "Do you have something borrowed?" Lia rolled her eyes. "Do people still stick with that tradition?" Jane gasped looking offended and Lydia shook her head. "Well of course people still follow it. We want to follow it." Lia opened her mouth to protest but Lydia glared at her. "No ifs or buts, you're doing it." She pulled out a packaged box from her bag and stretched it o
4 months later…."You started without me." Lia remarked, sitting down on the seat looking offended. Sebastian Reynolds smiled and held his hands up. "I'm sorry. It's just a cup of coffee, today has been a long day." Lia sighed. "Tell me about it," as she spoke, she rubbed her belly and Sebastian smiled. "How's the baby?" He asked, taking a sip of his coffee and she smiled, in the big way she always did whenever anyone asked about the baby. "Growing stronger everyday. I think I felt a kick earlier today at the shop but I'm not sure." Lia had opened a little coffee shop, BREW where she sold coffee and finger food. Fernando had been against it because of the baby but with a little push, she had been able to convince him. He sometimes helped her at the shop when he wasn't at the restaurant with Adam. Sebastian nodded. "When is your due date again? Are you sure you should still be working there?" Lia rolled her eyes and signaled to the waiter. "Dad, I'm pregnant not handicapped. I c
"i'll be in the kitchen Lia. It's nice to see you again Ms. James." Lydia greeted and walked off. Lia didn't miss the symphatetic smile she sent her way and she appreciated it. Why did her mother decide to show up at such a time?"Do you want to come in?" Lia asked, looking down at the window. Anything to avoid her mother's judging look. "I asked you a question." Janet shot back and Lia sighed. "Fine then, I'll sit because I'm tired and hungry." She took a seat and crossed her legs, leaning back against the couch. Janet eyed her for a while before walking over to her. She stood in front of her for a split second before she spoke. "So you're not going to answer my question?" Lia opened her eyes and glared at Janet. "I'm trying to decide if I actually owe you an explanation. I haven't seen you since you kicked me out of my husband's home and told me that my said husband is actually my father so no, I'm not going to answer your question." Janet stared at her in silence, the clock h
Fernando leaned back and groaned, pushing the plate away. "I have missed this so much.” Lia raised her eyebrows. “Have you….really?”Fernando nodded. “I didn’t realize how much I had until I ate that.” Lia’s face fell and she nodded. “Oh, it’s the food. I see.” “Yeah, I'm telling you. You are a mean cook.” he smiled and she forced a smile too but he saw through it. “Did I say something wrong?” Lia shook her head. “No, you didn’t. It’s fine. I’m just…never mind.” She struggled to rise to her feet. “I will just clear these up.” she reached for his plate and placed it on hers, “Uhn, no, I’m not letting you leave like that.” He reached for her hand before she could take another step. “What did I do?”She shook her head. “Nothing Fernando, you did nothing.” “Then what did I say?” “Nothing Fer, I told you.” “Are you going to actually not tell me what I said?” he asked and she sighed, tugging for him to let go. He did. Lia sighed. “Look Fer, the fact that I actually have to tell you.
"How have you been?" Fernando asked and Lia eyed him for a while. Was that really his first question? Lia shrugged. "I'm doing okay. Just moody half the time and sometimes, I can't understand why." Fernando's eyes filled with concern and worry and Lia hoped he'd ask the question that was really on his mind. "How's the baby doing?" Lia sighed. "The baby is growing bigger everyday. I thought I felt him kick yesterday but I think it's still too soon to tell." "Him?" He asked with raised eyebrows and Lia took a moment to drink him in. It had been so long since she had gotten the chance to look at him like this. He didn't look different from the last time she saw him, which was a few hours ago in the bathroom. She looked away and her gaze fell on her lap. She had put on some weight. "I can't call the baby an it and I really want a boy." He just smiled and Lia rolled her eyes. "This is the part where you tell me what you want the baby to be." He flushed and she laughed. "Well, I d
"Oh no you don't." Lia scoffed and ran after him. She opened the door expecting to find him but he was long gone. "Coward." She muttered under her breath as she walked back towards the place she knew her friends would be. Surely enough they were right there. Lydia was taking pictures of some cute onesies while Jane was staring into space. Lia sighed and walked up to her. Jane looked up as soon as she got to her and smiled. "Hey, where have you been? I was getting worried." Lia rolled her eyes and laughed. Trust Jane to worry even when Lia had screwed up. "I'm sorry about earlier, I'm not handling any of these changes well. You didn't do anything wrong and I shouldn't have shouted at you." Jane scoffed and tugged Lia's hand until she sat down beside her. She looked into her eyes and shook her head. "You don't owe me any apology. I should have understood that everything that's been going on is a bit too much. Perhaps I shouldn't have pushed for this shopping spree anyway. The only
"Don't tell me she's still in bed?!" Lydia yelled, tossing her bag on the sofa. She kicked off her shoes and crossed the room, stomping towards the bedroom.. Jane scoffed and waved her hands. "Does she ever leave the bed? I swear at this point we need an intervention." "You don't need an intervention, I'm fine." Lia announced her presence, walking out of the room. She almost bumped into Lydia on her way out. "Hey girl, how come you are here so early?" Lydia opened her mouth to reply but nothing came out. Lia chuckled and shook her head, walking away. Her steps were not uneasy this time or unsure, she actually seemed to be in a good mood for a change. "Is that a smile I see?" Lydia asked, running towards Jane and she gasped, glaring at Lydia. "Don't you dare creep up on me like that again. I almost had a heart attack." She scoffed and crossed her arms against her chest as she looked back at Lia's retreating form. "Yes. I think something good is going to happen today. She's been li
"Hey babe.” Lydia called and Adam raised up his head, a big smile on his face. "Yeah?" "Have you seen Lia's sonogram? It's beautiful! I can't wait for her to give birth." Lia rolled her eyes and smiled at Adam. "She's exaggerating, it's not like that at all." Adam eyed her for a while, a smile playing on his lips. "Why do I feel like you're not giving yourself enough credit?" Lia shrugged smiling, although it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I don't know why you'd think that." "Yeah, she's being modest." Lydia said, stretching out something to him. "Lyd—" Lia made a move to grab it but Adam shook his head. "I just want to see, Lia." Lia hesitated for a while and then shook her head. "Fine but it's not all that." "Let me be the judge of that." He said as he examied the picture in his hands. At first he didn't get it but then, it hit him. "Wow, this is really beautiful Lia, I'm so proud of you." Lia flushed and hugged Adam, sniffling. "Thank you, that means alot coming from you.
Adam eyed Janet and Fernando who he had just called out. "I'll leave you two alone." He pated Fernando's shoulder on the way out of the living room. "I'll be in the office if you need me." Fernando nodded and walked into the living room taking a seat. Janet her eyed for a while and sat down too. They settled into the silence around and then Janet sighed. "I came to see how you're doing." Fernando let out a dry laugh. "How do you think I'm doing?" Janet shrugged. "Well, if that's your reply then not so good I guess." "Have you even reached out to your daughter since everything happened?" Fernando asked and Janet shook her head. "I'm still mad about her moving on with you so fast after I left." Fernando scoffed. "That's really what you're upset about right now? in this situation, I honestly thought you'd be siding with your daughter after hearing what actually happened between us. I mean it was my fault she even got married to me in the first place." "Those are just semantics Fe