Strangers

by A. L. Parks

  ***

  Bryce pulled Abby in close, and wrapped his arm tightly around her waist. She looked into his face, as the morning sun was rising higher in the sky, brightening it with every step they took. The rugged, masculine features of his face were softened by the mass of wavy black hair that had grown out since they had been in the tropics. A wide grin crossed his face, and, considering the mood he had been in all morning, Abby was sure his eyes were gleaming under his Ray Bans. He had awoken with a child-like exuberance to start the day; bouncing on the bed to wake Abby, kissing her while she tried to get ready, and nibbling on her ear lobe. Bryce was in a good mood - no, Bryce was in an excellent mood, and his excitement was infectious.

  Clara and Davis were already at the large round table, waiting for others to arrive so they could hit the breakfast buffet. Abby was sure Jim and Courtney would be the last couple to arrive, and she was equally sure they would be nursing some decent hangovers. Abby and Clara laughed recalling a slightly inebriated Jim placing his head on his wife's shoulder, slurring, "I luuuuv you."

  Courtney had responded with, "Yeah, well save some of that love for later, honey." Jim and Courtney had been married for twelve years, and at times, Abby thought they acted more like newlyweds now than when they had actually been newlyweds.

  Abby and Bryce sat at the table, waiting for others to arrive, as Clara and her husband of six years made their way through the huge breakfast buffet. Bryce put his arm around Abby's shoulder, and she reached up to hold his hand. Kissing her on the temple, he said, "I think today is going to be a really great day." Abby smiled, and squeezed his hand.

  The remainder of the party arrived, and they all sat around the table eating fresh fruits, eggs, and bacon, drinking coffee, and laughing. Miraculously, Jim and Courtney had managed to avoid hangovers, and seemed almost as chipper as Bryce. As the waiter cleared all the empty dishes from the table, everyone sat back and groaned.

  "I have got to stop eating like this," Rob muttered. "I am going to have to run for a week when I get back in order to get into shape."

  "Yeah, it's not fair that it takes so much effort to get in shape, and keep in shape, and no effort to ruin it all and have to start over. I don't even want to think about the pain I will experience when I finally get my fat ass back on an elliptical," Clara piped in. Davis, usually quiet and more observant, looked behind his wife, checked out her ass, then sat up and gave her a thumbs up. The table roared with laughter, as Clara playfully smacked her husband on the arm.

  "Okay, so what time are we ladies supposed to be at the spa this morning?" Becca asked.

  "In about five minutes," Clara answered checking her watch.

  They rose from their chairs and Jim smiled and rubbed his hands together, "Let's get this party started, men." Courtney punched her husband in the arm, as Jim exclaimed, "what?" while rubbing the point of impact. Abby looked over at Bryce, who smiled smugly and shrugged his shoulders.

  As the men gathered to leave, Courtney offered a final warning to her husband. "James Ira Clark, you behave." He smiled at his wife, and nodded.

  Abby looked at Bryce, who came over and gave her another kiss. "Have fun, baby."

  "You, too," Abby responded, somewhat befuddled. "But not too much fun." Bryce snickered, joined the group of men, and they left the hotel looking more like a bunch of frat boys on spring break than thirty-something men with successful careers and heavy responsibilities.

  Becca looped her arm through Abby's. "Come on, let's get pampered," and led her down the hallway towards the spa.

  "Yeah, there is a mimosa in there with my name on it," Courtney added from behind them. Becca and Abby rolled their eyes, and giggled.

  The day started with massages, followed by facials. Abby had been so relaxed at one point, she had fallen asleep in the chair as the tiny woman worked this oil and that moisturizer into her face. Lunch was served on a private patio, as the women sat around a teakwood table in their thin white wraps, and matching flip-flops. After enjoying the shrimp salad, fresh fruit, and iced tea, they sat in the hot tub until they separated into two groups; Becca and Clara would see the hairstylist while Courtney and Abby received manipedi's.

  As their feet soaked in the tubs of warm water, Courtney clinked her champagne glass against Abby's, and they both chuckled as they took sips. "So, how you feeling, Abby?"

  "Really great," she replied, as a woman refilled her champagne flute and then moved away. "Although, that has some of its own stresses."

  "What do you mean?" Courtney asked.

  "Well, I am so happy that we postponed the wedding, but I also know that means that I am that much farther away from marrying Bryce - which sucks. So, I know I have to deal with the whole wedding thing, and - I don't know - exercise some demons, so I can get on with life, and marry Bryce. But every time I think about being in that church again in a white dress, having to wait in that awful room to walk down the aisle, I want to curl up in the fetal position and cry like a baby," Abby sighed. "I just wish I could get past the panic attacks whenever I even think about the monstrosity of a wedding Mom has planned. I just really DO NOT want that wedding."

  Courtney contemplated for a moment, then offered, "You had your chance at that wedding, and it didn't happen. Perhaps you understand better than Charlotte that it's what comes after the wedding that is important. I mean, don't get me wrong, I loved Jim and I's wedding. It was beautiful. But would it have been any less beautiful if it had been smaller and more intimate? Who knows? I mean, if I were to meet Jim now and marry him, I don't think I would want the big wedding. But then, I understand now that it's not about the party, or the dress, or the flowers. It's about the words, and the promises. So, for you, at this time in your life, with the experiences you've had; maybe a small wedding is the right way to enter this marriage." Courtney waves the champagnepourer over. "And if you ever tell your mother I said she doesn't understand the real meaning of a wedding, I will have to kick your ass." She clinked her now full glass against Abby's.

  "I just know that all this waiting is having an effect on Bryce," Abby continued, needing to air some of the fears she had

  been holding inside for the past two weeks. She needed an opinion from someone other than Bryce. "He thinks I will regret not having the big wedding if we just fly to Vegas for a quickie."

  "Well, Abby, I think for the present, you should just sit back, relax, and let it all go. Things have a way of working themselves out, and the answer will come when you least expect it," Courtney hypothesized, a Cheshire grin sliding across her face.

  Abby looked at her sister-in-law, waiting for her to elaborate. But Courtney sighed and pretended to drift off to sleep. Abby considered the advice. It was the same advice Bryce had been giving her. It was not in her nature to just let things go; she needed structure and routine. But life with Bryce was different. He was carefree, and spontaneous. And she loved that about him. It was time for her to embrace his attitude. To let go of her worries about the wedding, and let life dictate what happened next. She loved Bryce; he loved her. The rest would fall into place.

  By early afternoon, just as Abby was taking her seat in the stylists chair, her cell phone buzzed with a text from Bryce.

  **Have special night planned. Surprise waiting for you when you get to the room. Put it on and meet me in the lobby at 4**

  Abby shook her head, as her eyebrows raised. Bryce was full of surprises, and, unlike many women she had come across that had proclaimed how much they hated surprises, Abby loved "Bryce surprises" - he had never failed to make things special, and Abby was almost giddy at the thought of a lifetime of surprises with this man she adored.

  After Abby had informed the stylist that a special night was planned, the woman set about curling Abby's hair. By the time she was done, long flowing curls cascaded down her lightly tanned back, held back in a beautiful clip at the top of her head. The make-up expert gave Abby a flawless, natural appearance,

  explaining to Abby the best colors for
her skin type, and how to apply make-up properly. Abby loved the shade of lipstick the woman had applied so much so, she bought two tubes of it before the foursome left the spa.

  Clara and Becca left for their rooms to get ready for the night's festivities, which they claimed they had no more idea of what was going on than Abby. Abby was unsure she believed them, but also didn't care. The last time they had all been in on a surprise, it had resulted in Bryce asking her to marry him.

  Courtney walked with Abby back to the bungalow, intent on seeing what Bryce had left. The women entered the room, and Abby called out Bryce's name. It had crossed Abby's mind halfway down the path that Bryce might be her surprise, waiting for her in bed. Abby flushed at the thought of Courtney walking in and finding Bryce sprawled out on the bed, long stemmed rose between his teeth, bare-ass naked.

  There was no answer to her call, so Abby made her way back to the bedroom, Courtney close behind. The women stopped abruptly and gasped. Laid out on the bed was a beautiful white lace dress. Abby held it up so they could get a better look at it. A beautifully intricate rose pattern weaved throughout the lace. The dress was strapless with a high/low skirt. Abby held it up against her and gazed into the mirror. It was stunning.

  "Holy shit," Courtney gaped. "Let's get you into this!" Abby began undressing, as Courtney called the front desk and inquired about someone having a dress delivered to the bungalow. When she hung up, Abby looked at her with raised eyebrows. "I bought a dress at the boutique in the hotel lobby, and they were supposed to deliver it to the room today. Since we are apparently having a special night, I figured I might as well wear my new dress. And since you will need help getting into this, I figured it was just as easy for me to get dressed here and walk with you up to meet the guys."

  "Always thinking, Court," Abby replied. "Do you think I will need a strapless bra with this?" Courtney looked at the dress, and shook her head.

  "Nope, you're good. It has a built in boulder holder. Looks pretty substantial, should be able to hold your melons without any problem."

  "And always so eloquent," Abby murmured with a smile on her face.

  By ten minutes to four, the women looked at each other in the mirror. "Better than mortal men deserve," Abby stated.

  "And yet, we still allow them to be in our presence," Courtney concluded the thought. Giddy and laughing, they entered the main lobby, drawing the attention of other guests who simply smiled at them. Abby caught Bryce's eye across the room, and hurried towards him.

  "Here she is," Courtney told Bryce, "delivered as promised." Bryce smiled, and kissed Courtney on the cheek.

  "Thanks, Courtney. Your better half is waiting for you." Bryce pointed to a set of double doors leading to a ballroom. Abby had glanced in the room during one of her trips through the lobby. A wedding reception had been taking place, and the bride happened to look up as Abby passed. They smiled at each other, and Abby felt both a rush of happiness for the woman, and a pang of jealousy.

  "Pfftt, he wishes he were the better half," Courtney retorted, leaning over to kiss Abby on the cheek. She pulled the door open, and disappeared inside. Abby turned to follow, but Bryce grabbed her hands.

  "Just a sec, I want to talk to you a minute. I missed you today."

  "I missed you, too," Abby admitted. Bryce's eyes danced and smiled, mirroring the smile on his face. He pulled her arms open to get a better look at her dress.

  "Wow, I didn't think it was possible for this to look better on you than I had imagined, but you look gorgeous," Bryce admired her.

  "It's such a beautiful dress, Bryce. Thank you so much. I feel like I say that all the time to you, but I am so thankful you're in my life."

  Bryce smiled, and lowered his head, his fingers played with her engagement ring. They had taken their ideas to an artist friend of Bryce's, who created a rendering of what the couple wanted. Then they took all of the rings they had, and found a brilliant jeweler who took the artists drawing, and duplicated the ring of Abby's dreams. It was a platinum band and had the diamond solitaires from Emily's ring and Abby's ring, along with a new solitaire that Bryce had purchased just for Abby. In between the diamonds were rubies, which Bryce had suggested, since Abby's favorite color was red.

  "So, I had a discussion with Courtney a couple of weeks ago," Bryce raised his eyes to meet hers. "And she told me about the night at your mother's house, and the fiasco at the dress shop. And she told me the same thing you have been trying to tell me, but I wasn't listening. You want a small wedding without any of the craziness. Period."

  He paused and took a deep breath, holding it in before exhaling. "If I could promise you that small wedding, would you marry me?"

  Abby looked into his eyes for some clue of where this was going. "No craziness?"

  "No craziness...just simple," he reconfirmed.

  Abby tightened her grip on his hands, and took a step closer to him. "I would marry you in a heartbeat, Bryce."

  "Would you marry me today?" his eyes searched hers, as he pulled her hands to his lips.

  "Today? As in now?" Abby asked, glancing around the lobby, her eyes settling on the ballroom doors.

  "Yes," Bryce stated. "Right now."

  Abby looked at Bryce. He was wearing a white linen button up shirt, and white linen pants. Smiling, she looked at her dress; the dress Bryce had picked out for her to wear tonight - on the special night he had planned.

  "I could be your wife by tonight?"

  "You could be my wife within the hour, if you want," Bryce clarified.

  "I want. More than anything. All I have ever wanted was to be your wife, Bryce."

  He kissed her, pulling her tightly against him as his lips sent sparks throughout Abby's heart and soul. She was going to be his wife. The words bounced around her head like a pinball machine, as the passion in his kiss sent her reeling. He pulled away, and placed his forehead against hers, whispering, "then, let's go."

  Pulling open the door to the ballroom, every eye turned toward the couple. "Let's have a wedding," Bryce proclaimed, and a cheer went up from her family and friends. Clara had a huge smile on her face, as Davis held her firmly around her waist. Becca was crying, of course, and Rob was patting her back in consolation as he winked at Bryce.

  Courtney came towards them both, giving Abby a hug before announcing, "Well, let's get this thing done!"

  Bryce pulled Abby back in for a kiss. His hand settled on the side of her face, closing his eyes as he laid his forehead against hers, "I will see you on the beach, baby," kissing her.

  Abby grabbed his face, smiling, but more serious, "Promise?"

  "Promise. Nothing could keep me from marrying you, Abby." Rob and Davis came over and collected the groom, and made their way out onto the back deck through large open glass doors. Becca, Clara, and Courtney descended on Abby, and she looked at them - all wearing the matching hot pink dress delivered to Abby's room for Courtney an hour earlier.

  She shook her head. "You guys got me good," she smirked.

  Jim came up next to his sister, as the bridesmaids set off for the beach. "So, I will be escorting you down the aisle, so I would appreciate you not tripping me up. There will be someone recording this, and with my luck the damn thing will be the next You Tube sensation."

  "Whatever, Ira, you just make sure I am not hit in the head by some errant frisbee, or run over by a dog or little kid playing on the beach," Abby responded. She looked more seriously at Jim, and asked tentatively, "So, no Mom and Dad?"

  "No," Jim answered, his voice low. "Their loss, Abby. It was either give in to Mom's irrational demands or this. We all chose this, because it's what's best for you and Bryce. If Mom can't see that, then there is nothing you and I can do about it. This is your day, Abby. This is what you wanted. Enjoy it, and be happy."

  "I am happy, Jim. Happier than I have ever been. Part of that is because you're here. I am so lucky to have a brother like you." Abby struggled to talk over the lump in her throat, as tears sat precariously on the edge of
her eyelids.

  "Yeah, yeah," Jim responded, embarrassed by the compliment. "Let's get this over with," and he started towards the back door. Before they reached it, a woman came in with a worried look on her face. She looked from Abby to Jim, and then motioned for Jim to follow her out.

  All breathing ceased. The blood drained from Abby's face, and settled somewhere in her feet. And she froze, unable to move, one thought running through her head. No, she shook her head, this cannot be happening again.

  Her mind raced, trying to come up with something that made sense. What could have happened simply walking across the beach. Thoughts of the Jeeps that the lifeguards drove flooded her mind. Small sobs forced their way out of her throat, as she tried to take in any air she could find. Visions of Bryce lying on the beach, covered in blood, taking his last breathe. The Jeep off to the side, a headlight missing, a dent in the front corner, and traces of blood and black hair stuck in the creases of the bent metal.

  Abby tried to move, but her feet stayed glued to the floor. Tears flowed down her face as the broken sobs kept coming. Where is Jim? He should be back by now. Abby was sure she had been standing there for hours, but only a couple of minutes had passed. In that time, however, she imagined Bryce dead, gone from her life forever. Somewhere in the distance, a siren wailed, and Abby knew - it was coming for Bryce. Her worst fears had been realized. Finally, she forced herself to move forward towards the door. She had to find him. She had to see him. She had to save him.

  Jim came through the white sheer panels that hung over the door, and stopped abruptly when he saw his sister. His face drained

  of all the blood, as he hurried toward her. "Jesus, Abby," he said when he reached her, and pulled her hands from her face.

  "Bryce," Abby whimpered through her tears.