“Nico, I apologise on behalf of our family, this is not the introduction you should have received. For far too long Peggy has been excused for her sometimes outrageous comments as “oh that’s just Peggy for you”. I did ask that no-one post anything on social media, as I didn’t want anything to intrude on Dan’s retirement.” She placed a comforting arm around Carrie’s shoulder. “It’s okay Carrie, I think your fathers comments to Peggy will be gossiped like wild fire within the family but nothing could be further from the truth about Rob, even I can see that and I apologise for earlier,”
“Mrs Reynolds, there is no need to apologise,”
“Yes, there is Nico, it was rude and I cannot abhor rudeness, please call me Kate,”
The next few hours the numbness that Carrie felt over Peggy’s comments slowly eased away. She danced, smiled and laughed but now she doubted. “I can read your thoughts you know,”
“Can you?”
“Yes, you are thinking you have made a mistake agreeing to be my wife, I can see the doubts flicker across your face,”
“I’m sorry Nico, I just wasn’t expecting the reaction from everyone but at least my Mother seems to have come around,”
Everyone had gathered for the speech her father was giving.
“I’d like to thank everyone for coming this evening, It has been a hard decision to retire and say goodbye to so many friends that I have made over the years. I’m sure the practice will continue to move on to bigger and better things and you can be sure I will still pop around. I won’t be far away! But before all that I’d like to say a special thank you to my wonderful wife Kate. Kate has been by my side through those early student years when I did wonder if becoming a dentist was the best thing to do. It’s not been easy but as a family the Reynolds have always worked hard, no more than my Mum bringing up eight children after my father passed away too soon.”
“Here, here” someone shouted out.
“We are fighters and when I did waiver about my career choice Kate pushed me on with my beautiful daughters Claire and Carrie by our sides. This is why it’s been a difficult decision to leave my other ‘baby’ my practice but it’s the right time to move on and spend time with my family. I’ve got to teach Harry how to play golf and help me beat his Dad Ryan on the course! So a big, big thank you to everyone for their kind words and gifts its much appreciated.”
Cheers, whistles and applause broke out through the room.
Carrie and Claire joined their parents; Harry was toddling forward holding the flowers with Ryan at his side. “Mum & Dad,” Claire began, “Thanks for everything, for your support and always being there for us,”
Belle had joined Nico.
“We want you both to start retirement in style and booked you a cruise,”
“If Dad wasn’t going to take the hint Mum, we finally did! But thanks for the hints on where and when you wanted to go; it certainly narrowed the choices down!” Carrie added and laughter broke out. She handed over the gold envelope with the holiday tickets and their retirement card.
“We hope you both enjoy your trip”
Her Dad took the mike again, “Thanks everyone, now drink, dance and be merry!”
“Well Nico, how has your first evening with the Reynolds family been? It’s quite overwhelming isn’t it? I felt that way the first time I met them all en mass all those years ago. Kate and I had a very quiet upbringing and it was a bit of shock being part of such a big extended family.”
“I can imagine, but Carrie had prepared me for this.”
“I heard about Peggy misbehaving earlier, was it as bad as the gossips say?”
“She’s a bit brutal but I think Carries Dad handled it well, I was going to interrupt but it seems sorted now”
It was a little after 2am. Carrie and Nico were sharing a brandy with her parents and Belle. Claire had promised to go home and rest. “I don’t think we have long to wait until Baby McIntosh makes his or hers appearance,”
“No Belle, I don’t think we will, she’s due on the 3rd October and that’s only a couple of weeks away,”
Carrie promised to return the next day and help with the clear up.
“Tell me Mr Devanti, after this evening, do you still want to marry me?” They were lying in bed. The beautiful diamond ring back on her finger, glittering in the moonlight pouring in through the high window. “Yes Carrie, I want nothing more than to make you my wife”
“Remember your Mum did say I have baggage Nico, no let me finish,” as he was going to interrupt, “I do have emotional baggage but I promise Nico that I will never let my memories of my life before with Rob change my life with you. I love you Nico,”
“I love you too Carrie, I won’t deny that there is a part of me that is jealous of Rob. But I would be jealous of any man who shared your past. Our future is together. As long as I have your heart now, I don’t care about any baggage,”
“Just me and you and Beau of course!”
“Of course, Beau and babies, I want that”
“Babies?”
“Yeah lots of little Nico’s with their father’s chocolate brown eyes,”
“I want that so much Carrie, my parents will be delighted if we have a family too. They’ve wanted grandchildren for years. But I’ve seen you with Harry, how much he loves you and I know that you will be a great Mom when the time comes,”
“Thank you Nico, I love Harry very much and that’s why I want to support Claire with the new baby too. I have an idea that I want to run by you,”
For months Carrie had wanted to help Claire and Ryan on a more permanent basis. “I want to give them the house, I know they will resist my offer but I think with a little persuasion from my parents too they will agree. I’ve been thinking for a while about moving away. There are too many memories good and bad here for me. Claire love’s the house and with their things around it feels more of a family home. I can admit it was a show house in the past. It was a great house for entertaining but with just two people it was too big. Claire and Ryan have breathed some life back into it. I want to give them this start.”
“Carrie, it’s your house to do with what you want. If you heart is telling you to do this, then follow it, you know that wherever we live permanently we will decide this together.”
“Nico, I know that you are a man of immense wealth but I’m not interested in any of that and I will sign anything to say that. I know you have honour and if things don’t work out for us it will be for a damn good reason. I’m not going to profit from any breakup.”
“Carrie, let’s not talk of breakup’s. We are in this together. I support you in what you are doing for your sister; let me know if you need my help setting things up,”
“Thank you Nico, remember Uncle Donald? Well I didn’t mention earlier he has one of the top law firms in Scotland. I’m going to try and see him next week to draw up some paperwork for me. I want to set up a trust fund for Harry and the same for the baby,”
“Montgomery Law?”
“Yeah one and the same”
“I have a confession to make, earlier tonight when your father took me away for a whisky, he asked me what my intentions where”
“He did what!”
“So his question kind of pre-empted my proposal. I told him I was in love with you and that I wanted your hand in marriage”
“You said what!”
“I told him that I hadn’t asked you yet but that I would be soon. We had a glass of whisky, I think while he summed me up. He said if his daughter consented then he gave his permission for me to ask you,”
“What would you have done if he said no?”
“Well I still would have asked but it would have taken at little longer to do so”
The marquee was in the process of being dismantled when they returned the next day to her parents’ house. It was a flurry of activity as the band packed up their equipment and the house returned to a resemblance of normality.
“Coffee?” Her Dad shouted from the kitc
hen above a loud bang as the final section of marquee was lowered.
Carrie nodded and added the sugar and cream. “Well girl, do you have something to tell your old Dad?”
“Uh huh I do but I guess I better wait for Nico and Mum. He’s just finishing a call. Where is Mum?”
“Carrie darling,”
“Hello Belle, I was just asking Dad where is Mum?”
“Oh she’s just having a word with the marquee team, I’m off to do a little shopping, will see you later darling”
Carrie poured a coffee for Nico as he joined them. They sat on the sofa waiting for her Mum. Nico holding her hand. “Ah there you are, I was looking for you in the kitchen. For a moment I thought you had sneaked off to watch some sports or other”
“Ah retirement is going to be fun! Do you golf Nico?”
“Not really I have tried Dan but my father is more at home on the golf course than I am, it’s his domain”
“Mum and Dad, we wanted to tell you both first. Nico has asked me to marry him and I’ve said yes. He asked me last night when we were upstairs. We didn’t want to say anything whilst the party was going on and move the spot light from you.”
“Oh Carrie, are you sure? Your father did tell me last night that Nico had asked his permission.”
“Yes Mum, I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”
“Well congratulations darling. Why are we drinking coffee? Dan let’s have some champagne we have some celebrating to do. Carrie, help your Dad with the glasses won’t you”
Kate had cleared the room to briefly speak with Nico on their own.
“We won’t have long before they return, but I want you to know Nico that I only want what is best for my daughter. I don’t care if you as rich as Croesus but if your playboy ways return and you hurt my daughter in any way I will hunt you down.”
“Kate, I love Carrie very much and I will never hurt her. She has gone through so much but as Dan said last night, you Reynolds are fighters. I love her spirit, her strength, her smile. Everything about her. I promised Dan I would take care of her and I will.”
“Okay Nico, I believe you, just don’t let me down. I expect Belle will also have a similar conversation with you as will Claire, Ryan, you get the picture! We are a very protective family.”
It took the pop of the champagne cork and clink of glasses before Carrie burst into tears.
“Happy tears Nico, remember. Happy tears”
He pulled her close and kissed her softly on the lips. “Okay baby, I get you. Happy tears, right?”
She nodded.
“Well, let me see the ring,” her Mum interrupted. “Oh wow, it’s beautiful Carrie.”
“I love it; Nico picked it from Harry Winston,”
Nico’s phone was ringing once more, “Sorry, I have to take this call,”
“He should be back in the states but with some alterations, I have him for another day. So why the change of heart Mum? I thought you would be dead against the engagement.”
“After everyone left last night your father told me about Nico asking his permission. We talked about it. Belle also told me about your mugging and some of the details you omitted.”
“I’m sorry Mum; I just didn’t want to worry you especially when Claire was getting stressed about moving and her pregnancy. Nico was there for me. Even when I wanted to run away he picked me up and helped me get better.”
“I understand that now. I can see that you are both in love. I guess that was the turning point.”
“Carrie your Mum and I just want you to be happy. That’s all we’ve ever wanted for you.”
“I am Daddy, honestly, Nico makes me happy.”
Nico returned to the room, he relaxed as Carrie was smiling at her parents.
“The Esperanza?”
“Yes, sorry one more crisis averted.”
“I was just about to ask my parents to come over to the house later. We haven’t told Claire and Ryan or Belle our news. You are the first to know.”
She knew this would please her mother as she always felt excluded from Carrie’s announcements.
“I know Claire will be tired after last night’s party but I would like us to have a little celebration before Nico leaves tomorrow.”
“Leave it to me, I will organise some drinks and nibbles,”
“Thanks Mum,”
“We have something else to discuss and I think you guys will need to help me to persuade Claire and Ryan to accept. I’m going to give them the house.”
“What on earth!”
“I know, it seems a little crazy but hear me out. They love living there. It has room for all of them and more even once the baby is born. For a few months now I have been thinking about moving. It is too big a house for one person. Claire knows this as I told her ages ago I felt disconnected living there. Too many memories,” Nico squeezed her hand. “But that’s not why I want to do this; I want them to make it the home that it should be.”
“Oh Carrie, it’s a wonderful gesture but I think they might say no. Your sister can be stubborn as a mule and she does have her pride too!”
“Well we won’t let them, will we?”
“Kate and Dan, I fully understand why Carrie is doing this. She only wants Claire and Ryan to have a family home they can make their own.”
“Carrie if Claire does refuse, don’t take it to heart, okay?”
“Okay Daddy”
Nico returned to his hotel as he had a conference call to make but he dropped Carrie back home and would return later that evening. She opened the door to the familiar sound of childrens TV. Peppa Pig if she was not mistaken. “Hello,”
“Tantie, tantie,” Harry ran across to her and she scooped him up. “Hiya Sis, how are you feeling?”
“Oh Carrie, today I am sore, my back aches, even my toes ache. Arghh”
“Stay there, don’t get up, do you want some tea or anything?”
“Tea would be great, hey stop!”
“What?”
“I saw it, get back here. What is that rock on your finger?”
“Oh that, I was just about to tell you. Nico and I got engaged last night. We just told Mum and Dad”
“Oh my god, oh my god! Let me see” she struggled up. “Congratulations, I am so so so happy for you both,” she grabbed Carries hand to look at the ring. “Now that is a rock. But it’s a beautiful rock.”
Carrie laughed. “I guess you could say it is but I love it. Now let’s get that cup of tea and I will tell you all the details! Oh and don’t panic but Mum, Dad and Belle are coming over later to have a little impromptu glass of bubbly for our engagement.”
They had their tea and Carrie sent both Claire and Harry away for their nap while she had a tidy up downstairs. She removed the ring and put it in her pocket whilst she was cleaning. The duster in her hand swept over the little candle sticks on the bureau, one of them wobbled slightly before falling. She caught it before it landed and straightened it. Moving it back into place it still had a wobble. There underneath the base, a penny. A shiny new penny that she knew hadn’t been there before. Her breath whooshed out as she exhaled. Rob, it could only be Rob. Did he approve? She hoped that somewhere up above he did.
She had some champagne in the garage in a box from before, well before when Rob was alive, before when the house had people to entertain, before everything changed. After popping it in the fridge to chill she checked on Claire and Harry who were both sound asleep. Claire on her bed and Harry in his cot bed. She intended on soaking in a hot bath before getting ready for the evening.
The vibrant fuchsia Marchesa mini dress was hanging over the door, ready for her just to slip into. The embellished jewels and crystals leaving no need to wear any other jewellery than diamond drop earrings. She finished putting the final pin in her hair as she wore it in a lose bun. Little tendrils softened the look. Black dolce and gabbana sandals with a thick ankle strap completed her look.
Belle of course was taking credit for their enga
gement. “Nico, I am delighted to welcome you to the family. But please don’t call me Auntie Belle!” She joked. “What do your parents think of your news?”
“Thank you Belle, my parents don’t yet know. I will tell when I return home but I am sure they too will be delighted,”
Belle snorted which wasn’t unnoticed by Kate or Claire.
“Okay Belle, spill the beans. What was that all about with Nico’s parents?”
“Oh its not my tale to tell,”
“Belle,” The tone of Kate’s voice left no room to waver. “Okay, okay all I can say is that Carrie didn’t exactly see eye to eye with Nico’s Mum when she was staying at the Cape. Although I have to say initially I could understand why. She thought Carrie was a married woman carrying on with Nico and then his sister tried to humiliate Carrie at dinner. Then Carrie flung a glass of red wine all over the girl and threatened to eh malkie Nico if he ever came near her again. There that’s the condensed version, if you want to know any more ask Carrie,”
“Malkie? Where does that girl get that turn of phrase from?”
Carrie wasn’t joining Nico at the hotel. He was leaving in a few hours, already impossibly behind his schedule as the opening to the Esperanza drew closer. Belle would be leaving with him. They had agreed to no public announcement and only Carries parents, Claire and Ryan would know their news. Nico had tried to prepare Carrie for how her life would change. Before they left for her parents earlier that day he had given her a gift bag, “Another present Nico, you shouldn’t have” She opened the bag and it contained another box. Opening this it contained a pair of black oversized a la Jackie O in style sunglasses. “For the paparazzi, so your eyes never get sore again”
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