by K E Osborn
She cuddles into him while staring at her engagement ring. “We should go to Vegas and get married.”
Chris smiles. “Fuck, that’s every guy’s dream. I love how you think, babe. But I’ve spent all my money on your ring and these flowers.”
She stares at her ring and shrugs. “It’s okay. We can go to the courthouse and have something quick and simple before our little princess makes Mommy look fat. You did go a bit berserk with the flowers, but I love each and every one of them.”
Aiden looks at me and smiles brightly. I’m pretty sure he’s up to something. “I have an idea, and I don’t want you to say no as it will be Jeni and my wedding gift to you,” Aiden states, and I look at him smiling.
“I want to take us all, including Mel, John, and Trish to Vegas where you can have your dream wedding, Sarah, in a chapel or wherever you want, on us. You guys have been there for us every step of the way, and I want to give this to you both as a thank you. I want to pay for everything, and I won’t take no for an answer. What do you say?” Aiden asks.
Sarah and Chris both stand there with their mouths gaping.
He wants to give his friends the best wedding they can possibly have.
“Seriously, dude? I can’t let you do that,” Chris declares.
“Why not? Does it hurt your fragile male ego?” Sarah asks in a laugh.
“No, not at all. If Aiden wants to pay, then that saves me from having to work until I’m ninety-eight and a half to pay it off,” Chris jokes.
We all laugh. “That’s a very specific age,” I tell him.
He nods and pulls Sarah closer to him. “Yep, but I’d do it if it makes Sarah happy.”
“Well, you don’t have to. It’s on me. And I won’t have any arguments,” Aiden replies as Sarah looks up at Chris for his approval.
He hesitates and sighs. “Okay, thanks, man. I owe you big time for this.”
Aiden shakes his head. “No, you don’t. Like I said, it’s our gift for being the best friends we could ever ask for.”
Sarah runs over to Aiden and hugs him tightly. “I think I might love you a little bit, Aiden.”
Chris scoffs. “Seriously? I just proposed to you, you’re pregnant with my firstborn, and you’re already falling for my best man? Jeez,” Chris jokes.
She shrugs. “Well, he is hot and rich,” she jests.
Chris pulls her away from Aiden and into his arms as he caresses her cheek.
“But I guess you’ll do.” Sarah smirks.
Chris shakes his head and then leans down to kiss her.
It’s been two weeks since the incident with Niall. His treatment and care are ongoing but I’m not sure what has changed.
Sarah and Chris wanting to get married as soon as possible has made things hectic to say the least. We found dresses and have organized everything down to the last detail, including getting married at Caesars Palace. Aiden spared no expense and has made sure they are getting the best of everything.
With Aiden letting Brielle hold down the fort at work, we can have a few days to celebrate with our best friends. It’s time I’m dying to have after everything that’s transpired.
“Vegas, baby!” Chris yells as we board the plane for Las Vegas.
“I hate flying,” Sarah mumbles.
“You’ll be fine, babe. I’m here. I’ll protect you if the plane crashes into the ocean,” Chris mocks.
Sarah raises her eyebrow. “Seriously? How are you going to protect me from the explosion, the flames and then the impact? And then if I survive all that, how will you protect me from the sharks and the bitter, ice-cold water? Huh? Tell me that.” She rubs her face in exasperation. “Why am I marrying you again?”
Chris chuckles. “Because I’m ruggedly handsome, and you’re carrying my Starke spawn.”
She huffs. “Oh my God, you’re such a child. And my daughter is not spawn or a pigmy from the Starke tribe. She’s a human, an actual human being with emotions and feelings, and right now, our daughter hates you, and so do I.”
I look up at Aiden and smirk at her overly heightened emotional state.
Aiden looks at me as we take our seats in first-class. “Wow! She’s a hot mess,” Aiden whispers, taking my hand in his.
“Yeah, hormones are a bitch.” I sit back and relax into my deluxe seat.
Our suite is to die for with a luxurious king-sized bed and a Jacuzzi in the bathroom, which Aiden and I have already made good use of. Sarah and I had a long phone conversation about how hormonal she is, but she’s making it up to Chris, in typical honeymoon suite fashion, and I haven’t heard from her since.
Dinner reservations are soon, so we head downstairs to the restaurant to join Sarah and Chris. We are the first to arrive at our table. Aiden pulls my chair out for me before he takes his seat. As we wait for everyone, he orders a bottle of Cristal champagne and a glass of orange juice for Sarah.
Mel, John, and Trish caught a later flight but should be here any minute now and are also joining us for dinner.
“We’re all here for Sarah’s wedding, and she can’t even have a drink to celebrate,” I say, making Aiden chuckle.
“I know. She’s going to hate it,” Aiden replies.
Mel and John walk toward us, so we stand, and I hug Mel tightly while Aiden shakes John’s hand.
“Hey, Mel, I can’t believe we’re here, in Vegas,” I gush as she takes a seat next to me.
“I know, trust me. But I’m glad they’re getting married before my first grandchild arrives.” I watch as some sort of realization comes over her face and she pales. “Oh my God, I’m old. Me, a grandmother? Honestly, I can’t believe it.” John laughs. “Shut up, John. You’re going to be a grandfather, so it makes you old as well,” she clarifies.
Trish walks in, and I wave as she sits down next to Mel.
“Mel, John, nice to see you guys again. Where’s the champagne? I need a glass, or a bottle, or five,” Trish states.
“It’s on its way,” I advise her.
Eventually, Sarah and Chris show up, and they both look exhausted. They sit down at the table, and we order dinner.
“Okay, so I think being pregnant is fucked up,” Sarah blurts out.
“Sarah! You can’t say that!” Trish berates her daughter.
“No, seriously. Why punish pregnant women? I mean, really… I’m bringing a new life into this world, and that’s something to be celebrated. But nooo… you can’t actually celebrate when you’re pregnant, can you? No alcohol, no cheese, no processed meats, no seafood… hell, what’s the point in celebrating if all the things you celebrate with you can’t have? It’s just rude is what it is.” She huffs. Mel and I laugh. “And another thing… I never cry. Ever. And now, I cry over stupid stuff. Earlier, it was when I saw a bird flying in the blue sky. It was so freaking beautiful.” Her eyes start to glass over as she shakes her head. “What the hell is with that?” She shoves Chris in the shoulder. “Chris, you’ve made me defective.”
Everyone laughs. Poor Sarah.
The night continues with Mel telling us embarrassing stories about Chris. “So, he was running around the backyard buck naked and screaming about wanting a turtle…” Mel says. “Why he decided to run around naked is beyond me.”
“That’s not how it happened, Mom. I was not naked.”
“Yes, you were. I remember because I saw your little pee-pee.”
Chris frowns. “Hey now, hold up. My cock is not little, thank you very much, Mother. It’s a monster.” Chris looks at Sarah for her to confirm.
She raises her hands in surrender. “Oh, no way… I’m staying out of this one,” Sarah resists.
Yeah, tonight’s going to be a lot of fun.
I can’t believe this day has finally come. Sarah and I have planned and dreamed of our wedding days for years, and now one of them is here, and it’s nothing like what we imagined. But to be fair, a Vegas wedding suits them, and I can’t see this going any other way. Sarah puts on her very short, very tight, white strapless
dress and her three-inch diamante-encrusted heels.
Mel, Trish, and I change into our matching pastel yellow Grecian style cocktail dresses. I have to give Sarah credit—her choice is superb.
The excitement pulsing through the air is palpable as we make our way to the chapel inside Caesars Palace and meet up with the guys who are wearing dark jeans, a crisp white shirt and suit jacket, sans tie. They all look great, especially Aiden, but I’m biased.
Chris looks at Sarah lovingly—his eyes glisten, and he’s smiling so brightly I’m sure his cheeks will be hurting later. I can only hope that Aiden looks at me that way when we get married.
The ceremony is short and sweet, and it isn’t long before Sarah and Chris are exchanging rings. I can’t help a stray tear that falls down my cheek when I hear them say ‘I do’ to each other. It’s fantastic to see Sarah finally settling down, and she couldn’t have picked anyone better than Chris.
Aiden looks over at me, and instantly my knees feel weak. I know I can’t wait for the day I hear Aiden saying his vows to me.
The extra two days of our trip, we spent by the pool sipping cocktails and occasionally going to the casino for some gambling. The quality time was very much needed.
Sarah and Chris abandoned us shortly after their ceremony, and we didn’t expect to see them until it was time to catch our flight home.
Arriving back in Mornington Vale, Mike is waiting for us at the airport. Having missed him and Callie, we invite them over for dinner to catch up on everything that happened while we were gone.
As soon as Aiden has a minute, he calls Bree to see how things went at the office in his absence. Once she fills him in, she informs him of Niall’s progress.
He’s grumpier and losing himself quickly. His anger is the biggest problem, and the nursing staff are having to restrain him more often. I can’t help but feel for Niall, even after everything he put me through.
It’s Saturday, and we’ve invited Sarah and Chris to spend the day with us.
“Jeni, c’mon. We haven’t got all day,” Sarah calls out to me.
I slowly walk from the kitchen to the sofa.
Aiden’s amused as I sit next to Sarah, who has her laptop open checking out places to get married.
“Aiden, you should be here for this, too,” Sarah calls out to him. In true Aiden fashion, he joins us without question and sits next to me.
“Are we thinking beach, church, or garden?”
“Garden,” we both reply in unison.
Sarah types in Mornington Vale gardens into the search engine, and the first one that comes up is the beautiful Mornington Vale Botanical Gardens. Aiden grins at me, and I nod—another place that has special meaning for the both of us.
It’s where we had our first date and where Aiden proposed to me—it’s perfect.
Sarah opens pictures of the gardens. The ceremony site has an archway covered in greenery with white gilded roses. There’s also a lake with a water feature. The grass is pristine, and the pathways are made of the same cobblestone as the waterfall. It is breathtakingly beautiful.
“This is the place?” she asks.
“This is definitely the place.” I nod emphatically.
Sarah claps her hands and writes down the phone number for Aiden to contact them.
“Baby, when it comes to your dress and those for the bridesmaids, I want you to have whatever you want.”
Sarah’s eyes widen. “Aiden, after all you’ve done for me and Chris, I’m happy to pay for my bridesmaid dress.”
“Don’t be silly. Of course, you won’t be paying for your dress. We will take care of it. That goes for you too, Jeni. Don’t shop for a price tag. You need a designer gown.”
“Aiden, I don’t need a designer gown. I will be happy with a normal wedding dress,” I reply to him honestly.
“No. I want you to have nothing but the best and something you adore, not something you settle for.” He cocks his head, looking at us both. “I won’t take no for an answer. This is your day, Jeni. Treat it as such and don’t worry about the money,” he relays.
He stands, and I look up at him—this means so much to him.
“Thank you. Hopefully, I can find something you like as well.”
“Thanks, Aiden,” Sarah adds.
“You’re both welcome. And Jeni? You could wear a bedsheet and you’d still be the most beautiful bride.”
My chest swarms with the undeniable love I have for this man—a man I would walk over hot coals for, a man I would do anything for. He is my life, my world, and right now, the way he is looking at me, I know I am his too.
The Next Morning
Waking suddenly with a start, I know I heard a noise, I just can’t figure out what. I was in a deep sleep, so I need to gather my bearings. Inhaling, I note I’m spread out on the bed but Aiden isn’t with me.
Confused, I crinkle my face in question and stand to walk to the ensuite, but he isn’t there.
Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I see a figure reflected in the mirror. I turn, and Niall’s standing there with the most devious of evil grins on his face. How on earth is Niall here right now? Fear pummels through my body and my head snaps around, searching, but I can’t see anything to help me.
“Aiden!” I call out, but there’s no response.
My heart starts to race, my breathing quickens as he edges closer. His eyes are so dark, so ominous, the onyx tone of them makes him look like the devil himself.
“What do you want?” I yell.
With each step he takes, I take a step back, trying to widen the gap until my back collides with the wall, and I realize I have nowhere to go. Panic rises as I glance to the door and know I can’t make it. So, I do the only thing I can think of. “Help!” I scream, but Niall rushes to me. I tense all over as he slams his palm over my mouth, smothering my cries for assistance and holding me firmly against the wall.
Niall stares at me, his body close to mine, an eerie demeanor taking over his soul. “Hush now. You should be quiet. You might wake Aiden,” he whispers.
I tremble all over wondering what the hell that means as my eyes slowly move toward the end of the bed.
Then I see him!
Aiden is lying on the floor with blood oozing from his head and a shattered vase lying next to him.
Niall’s body edges closer and closer until he’s touching mine. He’s wearing white pajamas and definitely appears confused, he must have escaped the facility!
He leans in and whispers in my ear, “You… you took everything from me. Now, I’m going to take everything from you,” he sneers.
Niall moves his hand from my mouth, grabbing my shoulder, and pulls. I fall with such force, that I catapult to the tiles with my arms flailing about. On the way down, I smash my head on the edge of the vanity. I hear the crack before I feel it. Slumping on the floor, I let out a groan as my forehead instantly begins to pound. My vision blurs a little, but as I pant through hurried breaths, I glance over at Aiden’s limp, lifeless body, to watch the blood draining from his head. “Aiden,” I murmur.
A harsh hand slams across my face, so hard, the pain ripples through me making my head snap to the side violently. He pushes me into the spa bath with his foot then bends down and pulls my hair. Pain sears through my scalp when he starts dragging me out of the ensuite and into the bedroom. I bring my hands up to try and fight, clawing and digging my nails into his hands to get him off me, all the while I’m screaming as loud as I can to gain someone’s attention. Though, I know it’s futile, no one can hear me.
“Aiden, wake up,” I call out helplessly as Niall hurtles me on the bed. I quickly crawl to the other side and jump off, making my way to Aiden’s to check on him.
“Uh… uh… uh…” Niall mocks.
I place my hand in front of Aiden’s mouth to check if he’s breathing. There’s nothing, no air is coming out or going in. My heart thuds ferociously as I start to panic, but Niall grabs hold of my hair again and throws me across the other si
de of the room, smashing my whole body into the dresser drawers.
Pain, undeniable agony, leeches through me, but I can’t think of me right now, I need to help Aiden.
“Aiden’s not breathing,” I call out, trying to get Niall to stop and help his son.
“He’ll be fine. It’s you that should be worried, girlie,” Niall sneers, storming over to me.
I find my feet, running toward the door to get out, but he blocks my path and pushes me down to the floor. I cry out in pain as my knees graze on the carpet as I slide. He takes my head and smashes it against the wall which gives way under the pressure he’s applying. My head swirls, making me dizzy and disorientated. I blink a few times to keep myself awake—last thing I need is to lose consciousness.
Niall pulls me up by one arm, my body is limp as he drags me over next to Aiden. “Look at him,” he yells loudly.
I open my eyes even though I feel like they are rolling around in my head and glance at Aiden, who’s lifeless on the floor. “Oh God, Aiden,” I whimper.
His father hits me over the head with his open hand, making me fall to the floor next to Aiden’s body. I struggle, but stretch my hand out to touch Aiden, and then Niall drags me by one foot toward the balcony, and my negligee slides up around my neck. As he’s pulling, I am trying with all my might to grip onto the carpet so hard that one of my nails cracks and breaks right off.
I can’t breathe.
I’m so panicked that I actually can’t breathe.
“Aiden, wake up,” I try to scream but in reality, I think I only say it in my mind while I’m clawing at the carpet.
Niall keeps dragging me regardless of how much I resist and opens the doors to the balcony. I kick and struggle against him, and finally he lets go of my feet. I get on all fours and scramble away, but Niall huffs, then drags me back by my hair.