Always & Forever

by Scarlett Avery

  “Ciara, baby, look at me,” he commands. I obey. “How many times have I let you down?”

  “Well…” I begin. He’s never given me a reason to doubt him in anything. “Maybe this is bigger than the two of us.”

  “You didn’t answer my question. And for the record, if we’re united, nothing is bigger than the two of us.”

  He always has the right words.

  I nod. “You’ve always stepped up to the plate, Nikolaj.”

  “And I’ll do it again. Trust me on this.”

  I sigh, my nerves calming. “Okay. I will.” My eyes well from this emotional rollercoaster.

  “I love you so much. You and I are getting married tomorrow, so save those tears,” he whispers, gently wiping away the first one rolling down my face.

  I’ve been struggling to keep it together all day, but his unwavering conviction gives me permission to let go. I fist my hand in the fabric of his tee shirt and I lean into him, his confession rocking me with hope. Perhaps this is all delusional on my part, on his part, given the odds aren’t looking too good right now, but I’d rather hold on to his words than the possibility that we might have to postpone our wedding or the thought that his parents aren’t safe.

  I close my eyes, taking a second to calm down the turbulent tide washing over me. “Me too, Nikolaj,” I murmur into his neck. “I love you too.”

  He wraps his arms around me tighter and I pull him in even closer, wanting—no, needing—the feel of his body against mine.

  “Why don’t you stay behind for a while, sweetness?” Nikolaj asks.

  “No.” I shake my head vehemently. “I want to help find them.”

  “I know you do. I’m just suggesting you sit it out a little longer.”

  Honestly, I have a headache that’s threatening to split my brain in half. “Maybe I will.”

  Diego, who’s been standing to the side, finally speaks. “Honey, your mom and I will stay with you,” he suggests. “Let’s have another cup of coffee and the three of us will go back towards the river to check one more time.”

  “That’s a good idea, Diego,” Nikolaj says. “I’ll ask Michel to assign seven of his employees to your team. They can wait for you until you’re ready. It shouldn’t be just the three of you out there.”

  “That sounds good, son.”

  Diego and Nik have become so close since the Jakob crisis, but in this instance the intense connection between the two of them warms my heart.

  “Take care of her during my absence.”

  “Always.”

  The two men exchange a serious look laced with so many unspoken words.

  “Baby, I’m going to head out with my cousins and my uncles now. I have my phone with me. Call or text me if you need me.”

  “I will. Be careful out there,” I add.

  “You know I will. I’ve got you to come back to.” Nikolaj winks.

  * * *

  One cup of coffee leads to another and thirty minutes later my parents and I are still discussing the unimaginable events of the day.

  “Honey, I know Katrine might have come on too strong, but I don’t think she meant to disrespect you or Nikolaj,” my mother says.

  “No matter how much I tell myself that Katrine must be traumatized to react in such a drastic way, it still doesn’t help to minimize the humiliation.”

  “Not everyone can handle stress in a calm and collected manner,” Diego adds.

  “I’m sure she didn’t intend on hurting your feelings,” my mother says. “She’s most likely a little distraught and her emotions took over.”

  I close my eyes momentarily, resigning myself. “I hear you, Mom, but still, her words and attitude were biting.”

  “I’ll borrow an expression your mom kept using during the time Nikolaj was digging himself out of the hole Jakob had created. I’m Team Nikolaj all the way.” Diego claps his hands before rubbing them together. “Here’s what I know,” he begins, looking down at his watch. “It’s three o’clock now and by noon tomorrow my only daughter will officially be a married woman.”

  I believe Nikolaj with all my heart, but sometimes shit happens. “God wouldn’t be so cruel as to throw this kind of crazy wrench my way. She knows how I love this man and how much I want to become his wife.”

  “You heard your Danish billionaire, he’ll find his parents,” Diego says, caressing my back affectionately.

  “Honey, Nikolaj will move mountains and earth to make that happen.” My mom is sitting across from us and as usual she’s full of hope.

  “You’re right, my sweet child,” Diego says.

  “About what?”

  “God wouldn’t do that to you. She wouldn’t dare.” He smiles warmly.

  “From your lips to her ears.”

  “Mi querida hija,” he begins in his native tongue. “Some might call it a miracle given the circumstances, but your man is stubborn and he’s desperately in love with you, two lethal combinations in the face of adversity.” He chuckles. “I should know.”

  “I agree with your father.” My mom giggles.

  “I’ve seen it with my own two eyes. Nikolaj will fight like a warrior to find Jonas and Nicoline and make good on his promise to you just like he tore through Jakob’s web of lies to claim you back last Christmas.”

  I’m about to respond when a freaked look crosses my mother’s face. She turns pale as a ghost.

  “What’s wrong, Mom?”

  Her eyes are as wide as saucers, her mouth is gaping, she’s hyperventilating and she’s waving her finger in front of her.

  “Julia, what is it, my love?” Diego asks, concerned.

  After a few brief seconds she finally manages to speak. “Dear Lord, we’re witnessing a miracle.”

  Huh?

  Diego and I look at each other, perplexed, before following my mother’s pointing finger. When I turn around, I gasp. Holy amazing. I jump to my feet, unable to believe what I’m seeing.

  “Madre de Dios,” Diego lets out under his breath and I know I’m not the only one who’s completely taken aback.

  I blink a few times to make sure I’m not seeing a mirage.

  “Oh, Ciara!” a voice booms in the middle of the empty garden.

  My soon-to-be mother-in-law approaches me. Scratch that. She’s hopping towards me on crutches with a huge grin painted on her face. My soon-to-be father-in-law follows her and he has the same giddy expression on his face. What the hell? I’m uncertain who the little man holding an iPad and looking up at me with inquisitive eyes is, but right now all I care about is the fact that these two are alive and safe.

  Is this really happening? My heart is beating like a drum when I finally speak. “Oh, my God. Nicoline? Jonas? You’re alive,” I shout out at the top of my lungs.

  “Of course we are, Ciara. And where is everybody?” Nicoline asks, looking around. “We’ve been walking around this place, but we can’t find anybody. It’s as if the guests and the staff have disappeared.”

  I delay answering her question and ask one of my own. “What happened to your leg?”

  “My husband and I have had quite the eventful night and you won’t believe the morning we had. It’s amazing what happens when two people decide to go on a lovers’ stroll in a foreign country in the middle of the night.” She giggles. “I have quite the tale to recount.”

  Diego stands up and runs to pull up a chair for Nicoline. “You shouldn’t be on your feet like this. Please sit down. You’re injured. Did you twist your ankle?” My father pulls out a second chair and delicately brings Nicoline’s bandaged leg up. She collapses and hands her crutches over to her husband, who places them near her, resting them against the table. He pulls out a chair and takes a seat next to his wife.

  “I hurt my ankle and this one over there,” she says, turning towards Jonas, “broke his glasses. I couldn’t walk to save my life and since he’s nearsighted and blind as a bat without them, we were stranded in the middle of nowhere until this kind man took pity on our s
ouls and helped two lost tourists.” She points at the short man holding the iPad.

  “I don’t think I understand any of this.”

  “I think it’s best to start from the beginning, Nicoline,” Diego suggests.

  “Ciara, honey, given how many people are worried sick, why don’t you text Nikolaj, Martin and Logan to share the good news?” my mom says calmly.

  “Julia’s right. Ciara, you need to call off the search party immediately.”

  “Search party?” both Jonas and Nicoline inquire at the same time.

  “You’re absolutely right. I need to put an end to this tragic morning,” I tell my parents before focusing my attention on the couple who’s been missing for fifteen hours. “Nicoline, you were asking why this place looks like a ghost town. Well, every one of our guests and most of the employees are out there looking for the two of you. We’ve all been worried sick since this morning because no one knew where you were and there was no way of getting in touch with you. Nikolaj is far too proud to admit this, but I know he’s been freaked out beyond words by your disappearance.”

  “Oh, my God. I’m so sorry. I forgot my clutch on the table we were sitting at last night and both my phone and Jonas’ are in it. There was no way for us to get in touch with anybody. We tried to tell people we were staying at Château Balzac, but no one seemed to know where the castle was located. We thought we had the wrong pronunciation, therefore no one understood what the heck we were talking about.”

  “Ciara, if there are people out there looking for us, please gather everybody back here. We don’t want anyone to worry more than they already have.” Jonas looks down at his wife with concern in his eyes.

  “Give me a second,” I say, lifting my index finger at them. Without wasting any more time, I grab the phone on the table behind me. My hands are shaking from the elation of the moment. I send out three quick text messages. I exhale and cross my fingers.

  The responses are instantaneous. Martin and Logan both want to know if Nikolaj is aware of the incredible turn of events. As I type a message to each of them, my fiancé’s text comes in.

  Are you flipping serious? Mom and Dad are back?

  -----

  Yes. It’s over. They got back a few minutes ago. I’m looking at them right now.

  -----

  Are they hurt?

  -----

  They’re absolutely fine and they arrived laughing their heads off.

  I don’t want to alarm him. He’ll see his mom soon.

  -----

  Oh, my God, baby. My parents are safe. This is amazing news.

  -----

  It definitely is, my love. Now get your sweet ass back here as soon as possible. I miss you already.

  -----

  Yes, ma’am. I should be there in about half an hour or so.

  -----

  I love you.

  -----

  Not nearly as much as I do.

  I put the phone back down on the table, eager to hear my soon-to-be in-laws’ story. “Okay. Everyone is on their way back and they should all be here within the next thirty to forty minutes.”

  “I feel so bad for putting everyone through this ordeal.”

  “Nicoline, it’s not your fault. Obviously you had your fair share of drama to deal with,” I reassure her. “I can’t wait to hear your story, but before you get started, who is this?” I ask, pointing at the quiet man still standing to the side.

  “Oh, that’s Antoine, our savior.”

  I nod and he does the same.

  I guess he’s the silent type.

  “Something tells me this story is quite layered.”

  “You have no idea.” Nicoline takes a deep breath and interlaces her fingers with her husband’s. “Do you remember when we waved you and Nikolaj goodnight at the fountain last night?”

  “Of course. You shouted something at us but neither of us could make out you were saying. Maybe we were too far away?”

  “I think you mean we were tipsy, so it’s possible we weren’t making much sense. We indulged way more than usual because the champagne here is incomparable. It’s nothing like the more commercial brands we find at home.” Nicoline smiles. “After we waved goodbye, we started walking around, admiring the starlit sky. We were so caught up in the moment and enjoying the fact it was just the two of us. At some point, we noticed a fork in the road and we decided to venture on. We were having such a great time and we figured as long as we could see the lights illuminating the castle, we’d be fine. Without a care in the world, we kept walking around, figuring we could easily retrace our steps. Of course, tripping over a tree lying on the ground wasn’t part of the plan.” She sighs. “Jonas tried to catch me, but it was too late. I landed flat on my face. When my husband attempted to rescue me, his glasses slipped off his nose. There we were in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night and only one of us could see.” She pauses, looking at her husband.

  “I know it was foolish of us to gamble that way, but we were having so much fun and we really thought we could find our way back before everyone went to bed. I’ve never felt so useless in my life,” Jonas continues. “There was my wife in pain and I couldn’t see far enough to go and get help for her. Without my glasses, everything around me is blurry and it’s worst at night. I dropped to my knees and tapped around me, hoping I could find my glasses, to no avail. Suddenly, Nicoline grumbled in pain. I took a step towards her to be by her side and that’s when I heard a breaking noise. I knew immediately I had stepped on my glasses and I also knew we were screwed until sunrise. Eventually, exhausted, we both fell asleep and when we woke up the next morning Antoine and his three German Shepherds were staring at us.”

  “You mean three very large dogs barking ferociously at us, honey.” Nicoline widens her eyes. “I’ve never been much of a dog person, but these big beasts nearly scared the living daylights out of me.”

  “Nikki, no one can blame them for wanting to protect their owner’s property.”

  “You woke up on Antoine’s land?” I ask.

  “We did. Ciara, we woke up surrounded by the most beautiful bright yellow flowers I’ve ever seen in my life. Under any other circumstances this would be the most romantic wake-up call, but given the fact we were two uninvited strangers, Antoine and his dogs weren’t very welcoming at first.” Nicoline looks at Antoine and he smiles shyly.

  I turn towards the quiet man. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for rescuing them,” I say, tears filling my eyes.

  Both Nicoline and Jonas burst out laughing.

  “Ciara, Antoine doesn’t speak a word of English. This is one of the major reasons why all this turned into the circus it did. Jonas never learned French and I only speak three words. You can imagine I can’t string together much of a conversation with bonjour, au revoir, and voulez-vous couchez avec moi?”

  Dear God.

  Hello and goodbye are indeed French words, but the last part is technically a sentence, not a word—a saucy sentence that has my mom, Antoine and I blushing.

  “My French isn’t great. I got the first two words, but what does the last one mean?” Diego’s innocent question sends my mom and I over the edge. “What’s so funny?” he asks, puzzled.

  Nicoline looks over at my father, her sapphire-blue eyes sparkling with humor. “Diego, your wife and daughter are having a little fun at your expense because that last part is a very provocative way of seducing someone with promises of a good time. If you know what I mean.” She laughs.

  “Ah. I see,” Diego answers awkwardly.

  “It took us two minutes to realize we weren’t going to be able to communicate with the person who rescued us and I was in terrible pain. The only thing I could do was point to my injured leg. When that didn’t work, I channeled the clown in me and contorted my face in all sorts of positions hoping Antoine would get it. The only thing I managed to do was to amuse my husband. Jonas was on his back laughing uncontrollably and Antoine was completely at a loss. After a few
minutes of charade, he finally figured it out. Antoine and Jonas helped me to my feet and I leaned against both of them, hopping all the way to Antoine’s farm.”

  “But Nicoline, when you looked around, didn’t you see the outline of the castle?”

  “That was the first question Jonas asked me when I got up. Unfortunately, the only thing I could see were fields upon fields of flowers. There was no building in sight. That meant we’d walked further than we’d imagined.”

  “Desperation must’ve settled in,” my mom says.

  Nicoline turns her attention to my mom. “In more ways than one.”

  “I can’t imagine what you went through given the language barrier and the state you were in.”

  “It’s definitely an experience that’s changed both of us.” Nicoline gazes lovingly into her husband’s eyes.

  “I bet,” my mom says. “But please continue. I interrupted your story.”

  “Once we were safely inside Antoine’s home, he pulled out his phone and I panicked because for a second I thought he was calling the police. Maybe he didn’t understand what I was trying to tell him after all and he assumed we were intruders.”

  “My eyesight is so bad I didn’t even know what he was doing,” Jonas adds. “Nicoline flagged this to me and by the time I readied myself to plead our case, because the last thing I needed was to end up in jail the day before my son’s wedding, I heard a woman’s voice on the other end. I’ve never been so happy in my life to hear someone speak English.”

  “Who was it?” I ask, fascinated.

  “When Antoine realized we weren’t going to communicate in French, he dialed in his daughter who lives in Paris and who happens to be married to a Brit. She speaks English fluently and she’s been our translator throughout this whole ordeal.”