“Claire, Carrie only wants the best for you. It took a lot of heartache to come to this point. She doesn’t want to live here anymore. Even without Nico in her life she was ready to travel and move on. She had resigned from AGM before Nico proposed.”
“I know Dad; I won’t live the life she wanted with Rob,”
“Claire you never could, it’s about new beginnings. Harry is thriving, your mum loves having you so near too,”
“But Dad, it’s her home; she’s giving away her home,”
“It’s now your home Claire. For you and Ryan and the boys,”
Dan had every faith in the decisions both his daughters were making. Without her relationship with Nico, Carrie remained financially stable from the estate Rob left her. She would not be destitute.
In their hotel room at the Devanti Royal in London Carrie handed Nico the envelope prepared by her lawyers. Their planned trip had been delayed after the arrival of Daniel. She was joining Nico for a few days in London to finalise the wedding and spend much needed time together. The documents were redrafted requesting zero financial assistance. Nico read through them. She was turning down millions. But Carrie knew money can’t buy everything. Money couldn’t save Rob and money couldn’t bring him back.
“I want to be clear Nico, I love you and I will not be bought. I married for love once before, if our marriage starts with how it could end, then I leave as I started. That’s with nothing, with no Devanti money,”
It pained him for her to refer to Rob and marrying for love. He tore the paper in to tiny pieces.
“Now its my time to be clear, I am marrying you for love Carrie. We don’t need any pre-nup. I love you Carrie. I refuse to discuss not having you in my life. We belong together.”
All her indignation, her hurt at being marginalised into a commodity in his life began to fade as they kissed.
“I still don’t want a penny from you Nico,” she whispered.
“Do you have to have the last word?”
“Yes,”
“Well you won’t have to take a penny because I am never letting you go,”
In the Captains Rest, the place that Carrie felt home again their parents met with a month to go to the wedding. It was almost neutral territory. Terri was in on their secret. A great friend to Carrie from that first day she remained in her confidence. She was delighted to hold a small gathering once again in the parlour for Carries parents to meet with Nico’s parents. Claire and Ryan had stayed at home, baby Daniel and Harry not yet ready for this trip.
Carrie’s mother was a force to be reckoned with. At one point Carrie felt a little bit sorry for Nico’s mother under her intense scrutiny. Carrie’s father quickly bonded with Gino over their love of golf. They were even planning a game the following day.
“Kate why are you crying?”
“I’m trying to let go Dan, Carrie looked so happy earlier with Nico. I know that she is finally letting Rob go. That’s why I am sad,” Dan moved closer and place an arm around his wife. They were briefly alone having returned to their room prior to the evening’s festivities. “I want nothing more than my daughter to be happy and free of the ghosts of the past,”
A solitary Gino was smoking a cigar outside on the porch. It was a rare treat that he indulged in, reserving it for special occasions. What more than meeting his future daughter in laws parents? He was at loggerheads with Dorothea. Outwardly he was projecting an image of the genial host in this gathering whilst his wife was secretly disproving of this union. “Thea darling Nico is beaming. Why cannot you be happy for him?”
She swatted the smoke away, “Must you Gino!”
“It’s a treat and one I hope to repeat if God blesses this union with children”
Kate and Dan approached the other couple. Their counterparts. The women using this opportunity to glower at each other with practised ease.
“I will join you in that sentiment Gino. Grandchildren are a blessing. Harry and Daniel have brought so much joy to our family,”
Gino offered a cigar which Dan declined. “No Gino, my vice is of the amber variety. I think it’s time for a wee dram. Care to join me?”
The two women remained on the porch as their menfolk walked away. The first time that just the two of them had been alone.
“Carrie has landed on her feet shall we say?”
Oh, in for the kill it seemed Dorothea was on the offensive. Playing her hand in full it appeared. Kate laughed and took a sip of champagne from one of the glasses she had picked up en-route to the party. Inside she seethed but outwardly? She may not have millions or indeed billions but she shared a common trait as her daughter and that was class.
“Dorothea, now that was uncalled for. Why are you so bitter? Can you not feel happy for your son?”
“My son means everything to me. All my children do. But this will fail and Devanti’s do not FAIL”
“Let me tell you this Dorothea, neither do we. They will make mistakes, yes like we all do but they are in love. I have no doubt that you and Gino have your son’s best interests at heart. But Carrie is my baby, my youngest child who has had too much heart ache for her young life. Nico loves her, that’s why he has our blessing. If you are wise, you will keep that in mind”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No but take it as a warning if you like. Remember when the children do come, Carrie will want to be close to her family. Don’t make enemies where there are none”
Leaving a fuming Dorothea in her wake Kate elegantly returned to the parlour. Her position as the Reynolds matriarch very clear.
A clap of applause sounded. Startled Dorothea turned to face her own nemesis of forty years. Gino’s mother.
“Well done Dotti”
Irked at the pet name she sighed her frustration. “Why am I the only one who has reservations about this marriage? Are you all trapped under the glow of your almighty tartan connection?”
“Why Dorothea are you feeling excluded?”
These two had argued and taken pot shots at each other in private for almost four decades but they were united in their love for their family. Their children. “This is your chance to embrace the future Dorothea. Kate has warned you not to go making enemies. Anyone can see Nico is claiming his bride. And not that silly girl Lea. That was never going anywhere. Despite your matchmaking attempts.”
“She has a past!”
“So does Nico, he’s no angel”
“I told her she has baggage,”
“You did what? When was this?”
“Last year, when she stayed at the beach house,”
“Oh Dorothea, will you never learn? I’m surprised she is still speaking to you”
“Nico wasn’t happy either about it if you want to know. She slapped me and left for Scotland. I thought it would be the last that I would see of her. But no, my son chases around the world to be with her!”
“I would slap you too. This is my final word on the matter but you have to accept Carrie or you are looking at a lonely future. Without your son or see your grandchildren grow. Carrie will want to be near her home and do you know what? I have a hankering to go back home too. Maybe Gino will finally tour those golf courses or learn his Scottish roots.”
With that stark vision of her future she pinned a smile to her face and re-joined the group.
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
“Nico, it’s beautiful. It will be perfect for tomorrow.”
Tomorrow, their wedding day and their new beginning together. The last six months had been challenging to say the least. Nico was heavily involved in negotiating a new chain of hotels in Europe. The Esperanza had been a complete success and had surpassed any expectations. They even had a celebrity wedding in the renovated church. But that glitz and glamour was not what Carrie and Nico wanted. Slowly her parents were more accepting of Nico. Their romance was heavily shielded from the press. Lea occasionally popped up at events that Nico was attending. The press speculating on reconciliation for the couple despite
the statement from the Devanti PR team stating otherwise. Lea continued to fuel these rumours during interviews. But Nico was full on workaholic mode to catch days in between meetings with Carrie. They spent weekends in London, Paris and Rome together. In Rome the discovered a love of the country and decided to take their vows in Italy. “Well it is the Devanti families birthplace.”
A small and intimate ceremony they wanted to commit to each other in front of close family and friends. Befitting the billionaire and celebrity side of his life they would have a large party for their extended family and friends to attend the following month. This appeased Nico’s parents who wanted the world to know that their son and heir were getting married. Robin had been a godsend during the last month when things had ramped up in speed and the wedding gained momentum.
In the Tuscan hills Nico had found the perfect location for their wedding. A medici villa dating back to the 15th century. The original building was a tower house which was added to over the years and extended. Each generation adding their own mark to this beautiful building. The current owners used it for exclusive hire. The outbuildings used when the olive grove and vine yards was a working estate no longer fully operational. Currently the harvest was a hobby for the owners. They had converted one of the outbuildings as a holiday let. A very luxurious one with all the amenities which the families would use to prepare for the wedding. A swimming pool and she was sure she saw a tennis court hidden behind the beautiful cypress and olive trees. She strolled through the grounds with Nico holding hands as he pointed out the uses for various outbuildings and the current restoration work that was being carried out. Further down the path another converted farmhouse. Her parents and Claire and Ryan would be staying there along with the boys. Nico’s family had commandeered another of the converted outbuildings. Tomorrow the courtyard would be swathed in white with peonies, gardenias and roses where they would be married. In token remembrance of their first night together and now Carries favourite flowers.
The legalities had been prepared by Donald’s legal team along with Devanti Law. The certificate of no impediment had been issued for Carrie and the subsequent translations into Italian carried out. Everything was in place.
The grand salon of the old main building was Carries room. Tomorrow she would share it with Nico as husband and wife. Her dress hung covered in white sheeting to protect it from the gaze of anyone in the room. D’von had once again been her knight in shining armour. Discretely touring wedding shops with her until they found the perfect dress. Then the perfect veil, shoes, underwear. You get the picture?
Tonight they would share a meal and everyone would gather to relax together before the revelries of the wedding.
It wasn’t a rehearsal just a get together for the few people who would be there but the ones who meant the most. She wore her hair down and flowing. The Donna Karan coral dress a perfect accompaniment to her golden skin. The halter neck chiffon with a contrasting silk organza belt and a low back. Strappy gold sandals and a small gold clutch bag finished the outfit. She walked down the large stair case which dominated the interior of the hallway in the former tower. Nico was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs.
“You look incredible; I can’t wait until tomorrow when you are my wife,” They kissed until a loud ‘cough’ interrupted them.
“Hello Robin,”
“Hi boss,”
Last month Carrie had approached Robin about working with her. She had discussed it with Nico first and he was in agreement that she would need an assistant. A helping hand to show her the ropes. They were out having coffee when Carrie asked her, “I know you enjoy working with Nico and honestly no hard feelings if this isn’t for you. But I like you, we get on well and I trust you to keep me right.”
Robin whooped out loud drawing a few grazes their direction and hugged Carrie.
“I take it that’s a yes!”
“Yes!”
They laughed and Carrie called the waiter over. “Please change that order to champagne!”
Clinking glasses Carrie continued, “I will be honest with you I don’t know where we will be based and the first six months it will be a bit hectic. You will probably know more than I do about Nico’s whereabouts but I think it will be great.”
“I can hardly wait,”
“If you don’t like it, as I said no hard feelings, honest. You can go back to your old job,”
“Thank you Carrie, let’s get started!”
“Fantastic, Nico said legal will speak with you in a few days. Its just a new contract but I asked Nico to increase your salary,”
“What? Thanks but why?”
“Well, you will have a lot more travel and responsibility. I think your salary should reflect this,”
So now Robin joked and called her boss. “Your guests are waiting in the main reception room. The caterers have set out drinks and some canapés. As requested no band, just some music playing from your ipod,”
“Thanks Robin, come and join us,”
They walked along the small corridor until they reached the main reception room. The walls were decorated in colourful frescoes and a large stone carved fireplace dominated the feature wall. The high ceiling with exposed wooden beams and white washed walls. Low sofas and high winged back chairs with occasional tables. Despite the size of the room there was warmth around it. She could imagine sitting on the winged back chair, reading a book or cosying up on the sofa with Nico with the fire burning. Her imagination also added a sleeping Beau at her feet.
Terri, Tansie and Monique her friends from the cape rushed towards her. Enveloped in the arms of Monique, “Oh my girl, I am so so happy for you. Those sad eyes have gone”
“I’m so glad you could all make it. Who’s running the Captains?”
“Carrie, we wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Charlie and the rest of the gang have all pitched in. They think we are over visiting you.”
“I’m sorry it was so cloak and dagger but we want to try and keep it private for as long as possible”
“We understand, this place is awesome. I brought you a little gift,” Tansie handed over a jar of her blondies. “I thought you might be missing them plus I’m trying out some new recipes for the store,” Tansie was taking her fantastic bakery skills and combined with vivacity of Monique they were opening up a bakery and coffee shop. The empty store near Shamiqua’s boutique a perfect location. Carrie was also supporting them with a business loan as was Terri. They had a business plan and contract all in place. Although Monique was a full time Mom she had also gained her Masters in Management and was more than capable of taking on the challenge of the business. When the fire had occurred it had happened at a time in her life when she was completely unprepared. Although it was misfortune that brought Nico and Carrie into her life they were all firm friends. “Oh thank you! I will need to hide these from Nico!”
A few hours spent chatting relaxed some of the nerves that were gathering in her stomach. Nico was holding her in his arms as they danced on one of the terraces.
“This time tomorrow, you will be my wife”
“And this time tomorrow, you will be my husband. No regrets?”
“None, I love you Carrie,”
“I love you too Nico, so your last night of freedom and you don’t want to make a run for it?”
“Are you kidding? It’s taken 6 long months to get to this point; I would have married you months ago if I could,”
“I would have married you earlier too.”
The sun was shining brightly and Carrie stood by the open window of the bedroom. Dating back to its time as a fortress the open window frame was protected by the iron grate covering. The garden was in bloom and she could hear voices as the gardens were transformed for the wedding. She had already had her bath in the large standalone bath. Her hair and make-up due in another hour. For now she drank her cup of tea and thought of the day ahead. There was a knock on the door.
“Hi Robin,”
“Good Mo
rning, good morning, Mrs Devanti to be. Are you excited? Because I am freaking out exciting”
“Yes, I am. I’m a bit nervous too,”
“Well we are all here to help you; I do have a gift for you from Nico,”
She handed Carrie a flat square jewellery box. Opening it the diamonds reflected back at her. The exquisite jewellery that she wore for the commerce dance. The necklace, earrings and bracelet. She gasped.
“Dear Carrie,
My beautiful wife to be. Theses jewels were always yours. I could never let them go after our night together. Wear them today for me and they will dazzle as brilliant as you.
Love
Nico x”
Carrie started to cry. “Oh I better have the waterproof mascara on today!”
With the help of D’von the dress she had picked was rush ordered at the designers. It was amazing what money could do but they managed it on time. It surprised D’von but she picked the dress after visiting their second bridal appointment. A mix of elegant and timeless but sexy too. She didn’t want to look like a fairy-tale princess but the mature woman she was. The dress was ivory venise lace in a floral scroll and motif design with tulle. A v-neck sweetheart neckline with delicately twisted tulle straps. Lots of beaded lace that ruched until the waistline dropped. The back was a deep v finished with what seemed like hundreds of silk covered buttons until it joined yards and yards of tulle in a train. Not a diamantes in sight.
Her wedding gift jewellery would be a perfect accompaniment. Their first night together had been so special to her and she was touched that he had kept the jewellery. When she looked in magazines she had wondered if a celebrity would be wearing them. Now it explained why she hadn’t seen anyone with it. She picked the jewellery box up and placed it on the side table until she was ready to dress.
The next hour was an excited hub bub of activity. Her mum, sister and Belle briefly joined her before leaving to get ready. They shared a glass of champagne together. Belle was still taking full credit for bringing Carrie and Nico together. “Oh Darling, I am so happy for you. Nico has given me the best gift and that is seeing you smiling again. That was all I wanted to see your beautiful smile again,”
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