by Holly Rayner
He smiled, his excitement building. “There’s something I want to show you.”
Alyssa’s hand stilled on the salt. “What is it?”
Reaching into his pants’ pocket, Ali pulled out the picture he had printed that afternoon. He handed it over, and Alyssa silently looked at it.
“It’s a beach,” she said. “Looks like a postcard.”
Ali nodded. “On an East Asian island called Gobo. It’s small; its year-round population is only about two hundred. It has two resorts, so it becomes a bit more crowded in summer. Still, it is never packed, like some areas. It should be wonderful in September.”
Alyssa looked at him over the photograph. “You’re suggesting we get married there?”
“Yes.” Ali held his breath, prepared for the pushback.
“Okay. Sure.” Alyssa put the photo down. “That sounds nice. My parents will love it.”
Ali wasn’t sure he had heard right. “Sure?”
“Ali, I thought some about it—well, really, Lucy made me see…that this wedding is something I should compromise on. If you think that a Baqari wedding is important, then okay. I’m guessing that going through with it is going to make our lives easier.”
“It will,” Ali said eagerly. He reached across the table for Alyssa’s hand, and she gave his palm a squeeze.
“So, yes,” Alyssa said. “Let’s book it. A wedding on an island sounds pretty awesome.”
“We have to go see it first,” Ali said.
“Hmm?” Alyssa’s gaze shot up from her plate. “Why?”
“I’ve never been there.”
“You just told me all about it. Beach. Resort. Not touristy.” She waved her fork. “The picture makes it look really nice.”
“I would really prefer to see it in person before making a decision,” Ali pushed.
Alyssa sighed. “Okay, so go look at it.”
Ali swallowed. “I want you to come with me. On Tuesday.”
“On Tuesday? Ali, you have to be kidding. Rashid has never flown before, and I can’t be gone from work all week.”
“We could be back within the week.”
Alyssa bit her bottom lip and shook her head. Ali gritted his teeth. So far, this conversation was not going the way he had hoped.
“Our wedding is important,” he said. “You just said that you agree to have a Baqari wedding.”
Alyssa sighed and pressed her fingertips to her brow. “I’m sorry, Ali.”
“It’s all right.”
“No, it’s not.” She smiled weakly at him. “A Baqari wedding is fine. Let’s do that. I just don’t want to take off on Tuesday to go look at this island.”
“Alyssa.” He paused, giving careful thought to his words. “It is not only about having a traditional wedding. I want you to be happy with it. I hope that, by visiting this island, you can come to be excited about the wedding.”
Alyssa stared blankly at him. “An island is cool, but what more do you want from me, Ali?”
“Come see the place with me. One of the resorts has a beautiful pavilion. It would be the perfect place for a ceremony, and then we could celebrate on the beach.”
“That does sound nice. But Rashid…I was hoping to not have to fly with him for another couple months. Not until the wedding.”
“I already spoke with Kinsley. She can stay with him.”
“No,” Alyssa said sharply.
“Why not?”
“Because he's never been away from us. Because half of his diet is my milk.”
“Which has been plentiful,” Ali reminded her. “You could freeze some, couldn’t you?”
Her face said “yes,” but she didn't answer.
“I understand it will be hard to be away from him,” Ali said. “It will be hard for me, too. But would it not also be nice to have a break?”
Alyssa’s lips twisted. “Yeah. It would.”
“It will be just you and me,” Ali said. “We’ve not been alone for more than a couple of hours since Rashid arrived. Will that not be nice?”
Her lips twitched with the smile she did not want to give him.
“Come here.” Ali extended his arms, and Alyssa came around the table to sit in his lap. He brushed some hair away from her face, and she hung her arm around his neck.
“It’s not just about the wedding,” Ali said honestly. “I want a vacation for us. A few days where we do not have to worry about anything else.”
Alyssa’s eyes took on a faraway look. “That really does sound nice.”
“Then, let's do it. Rashid will be fine with Kinsley. He is as happy and safe with her as he is with us.”
“That's true,” Alyssa murmured.
“What do you say?” Ali rubbed the small of her back. “A little pre-honeymoon?”
“Pre-honeymoon?” Alyssa laughed. “I’ve never heard of that.”
“I’ll take that as a yes, then?” Ali asked with a grin.
“Let’s do it.”
Chapter 6
Alyssa
The private jet was nothing new. It was one of several that Ali’s family owned, and over the last year, it had become something of a home away from home.
Settling into one of the window seats, Alyssa looked out at the tarmac. Sixty-five minutes. That’s how long it had been since she’d seen Rashid, and she felt like her soul had been ripped out of her.
She’d gone much longer than that without him, but this was different. This time, she knew she wouldn’t be snuggling up in the rocking chair with him that evening, or taking him to baby story time at the library the next day.
Though she’d gone twenty-eight years without him, once he’d arrived, it was like those years had been nothing more than a dream. Everyone always said nothing compared to a mother’s love, but Alyssa hadn’t been prepared for what that exactly meant.
“He is fine, my love,” Ali said from the seat across from her.
Alyssa glanced over at him. “I’m thinking about the cats.”
Ali chuckled. “Sure you are.”
She grinned wryly. “Funny how I used to see Ralph as my baby. I had no clue.”
Steven, the pilot, came on the intercom, announcing that they were about to take off. They’d flown with him at least half a dozen times. Often, there was a flight attendant on board, but not always. For this trip, it was just the three of them.
Alyssa leaned back into her seat and stretched out. No matter how many times she flew private, she was sure it would never get old. Already, her muscles were relaxing and a deep calm was coming over her.
From in her purse, her phone buzzed. Taking it out, she found that Kinsley had texted her a picture of Rashid. He was on his play mat on the floor, smiling up at the camera as Ralph sniffed at his foot.
“I got it, too,” Ali said.
Alyssa set the photo as her phone’s background.
“You’re smiling,” Ali commented.
“Yeah.” She shrugged a little. “I guess I’m feeling better about this whole thing. Although, I’m not looking forward to putting on my bathing suit. I should have brought a one-piece.”
“You are perfect,” Ali said.
“I just had a baby. I don’t think anyone’s gonna ask me to pose for a magazine anytime soon.”
Ali laughed. “And you would if they asked?”
“God, no.” She pulled a face. “You know I wouldn’t.”
“I think you’re sexy,” Ali said.
“Well, thank you. I guess you’re okay, too,” Alyssa joked with a wink.
Alyssa curled her legs up and watched as they took off. The part where they soared away from the city was her favorite. Depending on which direction they headed in, there could be a great view of the skyscrapers.
With New York gone and the endless blue of the Atlantic taking its place, Alyssa closed her window shade. This part, she could do without. She’d never been afraid of flying, per se, but she preferred to have some land under her when she did it. Having water under her just freaked he
r out.
Ali pulled out his laptop and began tapping away. Yawning into her hand, Alyssa tucked a pillow under her head and got cozier. It was late morning, but she hadn’t slept well the night before. Rashid had been fussy, and though Ali had gone to care for him, Alyssa had ended up getting out of bed as well. She never could sleep when Rashid cried, and knowing she was leaving him the next day had her wanting to be close to him every second she could.
Another deep wave of relaxation drifted over her. The next few nights would be baby-free. That had terrified her before, but she hadn’t been thinking about all the opportunities for sleep that would provide. Sighing happily, Alyssa allowed herself to be carried away into a deep slumber.
When she woke up some time later, Ali had put his computer away. Instead, he sat looking at his phone.
“How long did I sleep for?” Alyssa asked, stretching her arms above her head.
“A few hours,” Ali said, putting his phone away. “You were snoring.”
Alyssa threw her pillow at him, and he deftly blocked it with his forearm.
“You’re angry with me for stating the facts?” he asked on a laugh.
“The world is made up of facts,” Alyssa quipped back. “You could be a little more selective about sharing them.”
“The snoring was cute,” he said with a cheeky smile.
“Yeah, yeah.” Alyssa opened her blind halfway and looked down. Clouds and ocean. Why had she even bothered peeking?
“Hungry?” Ali asked.
“Not really. Thanks.” She wiggled around in her seat. One of her legs was asleep, and there was a crick in her neck. “What kind of food do they have on this island?”
“Coconuts. That is all.”
“Ali! Don’t even.”
“A person could live off of coconuts,” he said.
“Why would a person want to do that?” She stuck her tongue out at him.
“The resort we’re staying at has a five-star restaurant.”
“What about cheeseburgers? This fancy-schmancy place have those?”
“My little American,” Ali cooed with a smirk. “You do love your burgers and fries.”
“You’d be hard-pressed to find one of us who doesn’t.”
Ali picked up the notebook sitting on the seat next to him. “Since we will be on this plane for several hours more, I thought it would be a good time to do some wedding planning.”
Alyssa nodded. “Sure.”
“I made a list while you were asleep. Things to go over.”
“Hit me with it,” Alyssa said.
Ali looked at his notebook. “First up is catering. The resort where we’re going to be staying is capable of doing it. I was thinking we could ask Marnie to create three American dishes—she knows what we and our friends like—and I can ask my mother to have her chef design three traditional Baqari ones. Then, our guests can choose what they’d like?”
“Awesome blending of our cultures, and a good compromise,” Alyssa said with a smile.
“They will have to bring in extra staff,” Ali added, “but they said that will be doable. Especially since we’re paying for the whole island for the wedding.”
“Hold up. We’re booking the whole island?”
Ali looked at her over his notebook. “Yes. And it will be a no-fly zone, in order to prevent paparazzi.”
Alyssa’s head spun. She remembered the pictures she’d seen of movie stars’ weddings. They always tried to make these affairs secretive, but in the end, some enterprising photographer found a way to get his shot. Maybe it was thanks to scuba diving to the beach. Or shooting from an airplane. Or sneaking onto the grounds as a member of the catering staff.
Whatever it was, these weddings hardly ever remained private.
“What about the guest list?” Alyssa asked. “What are you thinking for that?”
Hesitation flashed in Ali’s eyes. “We can…cap invitations at five hundred.”
“Five hundred?” Alyssa shrieked. “You're kidding. Ali, how are five hundred people even going to see us get married? You’d have to project the ceremony on a screen, like a concert!” Her stomach cramped. “Why would you want half a thousand people see us get married? How do you even know that many people?”
“I don’t know them all,” Ali said, his tone clipped. “They are friends and business associates of my family. Politicians. Plus their guests. Everyone gets a plus-one.”
“But why?”
“Alyssa, we went over this. You said you were open to a Baqari wedding.”
“I didn't know it meant inviting five hundred people.”
“They won’t all show up,” Ali said. “That is a benefit in having it somewhere remote. We can expect around three hundred.”
“Okay, so if they aren't all gonna show up, why invite them?” Alyssa asked.
“Because there are many people who would feel snubbed if they did not receive an invitation.”
Alyssa sat there dumbly, feeling like she'd just stuck her finger into an electrical socket. A painful electric energy ran through her every cell.
She took in a long breath, giving herself time to calm down.
“Maybe we can compromise on this. We can have the Baqari wedding on this island, doing everything the traditional way, except we have a smaller guest list.”
He shook his head sharply. “A Baqari wedding is not small.”
“This isn't only about Baqar, Ali.”
“What is the point of having an extravagant wedding if no one gets to see it?” he asked.
“I never wanted an extravagant wedding,” Alyssa snapped, her voice rising. “This is all what you want!”
“It is one thing I ask of you,” he said coldly. “Half a week.”
“It's my only wedding,” Alyssa choked out. “Not a trip to the beach.”
“It’s my wedding, as well. It is not all about the bride, Alyssa.”
“This is what matters to you?” she asked. “Image? It matters more than the people we know and love? More than me?”
“That’s not what I said—”
“You don’t have to say it, Ali.” Alyssa shot him a look colder than she’d ever thought she would give him. “It’s pretty apparent.”
She folded her arms and looked away so he couldn’t see the hurt in her face. If they were anywhere but a plane, she would have gotten up and left. As it were, the only way to currently leave would be via emergency parachute.
What was going on here? When Alyssa had met Ali, he hadn’t cared at all about image. She’d thought his getting more involved in the family business would be a good thing, but if this was what it resulted in, then maybe it wasn’t.
She glanced his way, but he looked in the other direction, chin propped in his palm. Often, he was the one who made the first move to end their arguments. Now, though, he did nothing.
An awful ache filled Alyssa, and she looked away again. She hated this plane. Hated the whole trip. She should have never agreed to coming along.
Ali sighed heavily. “Please, let’s not fight. Not while we’re on vacation.”
“Is that what you call this?” Alyssa sniped. “Because this seems more like a business trip than anything else.”
Ali’s nostrils flared, and again they stared each other down, waiting for the other to make the first move.
Alyssa sprang first. “This whole trip was a bad idea. I should have—”
The plane jumped, sending her a clear two feet out of her seat. Alyssa yelped, and Ali yelled. Her butt hit the seat, hard, and she grasped for the armrests. The emergency lights flashed.
“What’s going on?” Alyssa cried.
“Put your seatbelt on,” Ali said, scrambling to fasten his.
She did as he said, and just in time. The plane jerked again. And again. It leaned forward much more than it should have.
“Oh my God,” Alyssa gasped. Her nails dug into the armrest, and her stomach plummeted.
The intercom crackled, and Steven came on. “An engine
has become detached,” he said, the fear evident in his voice. “Repeat. An engine is detached. Brace for impact.”
Alyssa caught Ali’s eye. “What’s happening?” she asked.
“We’re going down.”
Chapter 7
Alyssa
It wasn’t exactly true that when you were about to die, your life flashed in front of your eyes. For Alyssa, it was the future that she would never have. Her beautiful son going to his first day of kindergarten. Growing up and starting a family of his own.
Rashid wouldn’t even remember his parents. He would never know how much they loved him, how they would have done anything in the world for him.
“Ali!” Alyssa cried.
“It’s all right, my love.” His hands found hers.
All around them, the lights flashed on and off. The plane kept going down, down, Alyssa’s stomach somehow dropping even more. Her loose hair covered her face.
How long would it take to die? Would the impact kill all three of them? Or would they go underwater and be trapped down there as the plane filled up with water?
And all for a wedding. A wedding they couldn’t agree on for stupid reasons.
“I’m sorry, Ali,” she sobbed.
“I know,” he said. “I am, too.”
How could he be so calm? All the years of pushing forward, always thinking of the future—and now, there was no future.
Suddenly, the plane angled up some. Not all the way, but enough that it wasn’t crashing straight down anymore.
A loud rumbling noise filled the air, but it wasn't the sound Alyssa had expected. Gritting her teeth, she gripped her seat’s armrests as the plane skidded, skidded…then came to a stop.
Alyssa whipped her window blind open. The plane rested on top of the water.
“We’re alive,” she gasped, having trouble believing it.
Ali unbuckled his seatbelt and stood. “Steven?” he called.
The door to the cockpit opened, and a pale Steven appeared. “Are you both all right?” the pilot asked.
“Yes,” Ali said. “Are you?”
Steven nodded shakily. “There’s an island about a hundred yards off,” he said. “We can take the inflatable raft there.”