Fateful 2-Fractured

by Cheri Schmidt

  Danielle stared at him. “So this is your plan.”

  “Yes, it’s the best I could come up with.” Ethan leaned closer so Brianna couldn’t hear him. “Unless you’d rather elope, which I don’t think would go over very well, though it certainly is an option.”

  “Elopement sounds much more appealing.”

  “I was jesting before, that’s not really an option. You can do this. I’ll help.”

  “I’m not convinced I can do it, Ethan. What if I fail?”

  “Will you please just try?”

  Brianna was watching this from the bed, and apparently her curiosity got the better of her because she asked, “What in the world is going on?”

  “Uh … well, Ethan’s too impatient. Wanting to get married sooner, he thinks if I can test out, then we can tie the knot now rather than later.”

  Danielle didn’t even want to look at Ethan to see the look on his face after that comment. So she kept her gaze fixed on her cousin, which turned out to almost be worse.

  Because Brianna pulled a face and said, “What?”

  “It can be done,” Ethan said between clenched teeth. “Danielle, listen to me,” he ordered in a soft but stern tone.

  Biting her lip, she let her eyes trail back to him, and found that he did look a bit angry and frustrated with her. “But, I don’t see how I can do this?” Her gaze returned to the pile of books he’d dumped on her desk. “Ethan, how do you expect me to get through eight thick volumes?”

  “Oh, ye of little faith,” Ethan grumbled.

  “But,” Danielle began.

  Ethan ignored her to look at Brianna. “I’m guessing you’re going to be Danielle’s maid of honor?”

  “Yes,” Brianna replied slowly.

  “Good, I suggest you start with the wedding plans. I’ll have the wedding planner call you. Her name is Veronica.”

  Brianna’s eyes popped, then she and Danielle’s jaws dropped simultaneously.

  “You hired a wedding planner?” Danielle asked.

  “Of course. You and Brianna can’t do everything. Especially you, my dear, you have a lot of studying to do.” His fingers gave her knee a squeeze.

  “What? Do you even have a date picked out already too?”

  “No, I knew I needed to discuss that with you. But I was thinking sometime soon after your tests would be best.”

  “What if I flunk?”

  “You’ll do fine.” Ethan patted her knee as he spoke. “You don’t have any plans the end of the month do you? You’re going to Paris to be fitted for your dress.”

  “Paris?”

  Brianna gasped.

  “Yes, the same designer who made your ball gown.”

  “Doesn’t he already know my size?” she asked, remembering how the dress fit perfectly without ever having been fitted for it.

  “Yes, but this is your wedding gown, Danielle. It needs to be perfect, and I thought you’d like to have a say in the design. Your mother will be here too. I’ve arranged for you to have a wonderful day with the ladies in Paris while you all select gowns for the ceremony.”

  “You’re unbelievable…”

  “Are you complaining?”

  “No, of course not. I just … you’re just … unbelievable.” She fell silent then, because she honestly didn’t know what else to say.

  “All right then, artists of the Renaissance,” Ethan turned pages until he got to the beginning of the first chapter. “Take notes, Danielle, there will be a test later.”

  Why did he have to say that? Danielle groaned as she reached for a pen and paper—what else could she do?

  Ethan was diligent in his quest to help her cram for the tests that were scheduled to take place after a couple short weeks. Danielle was overwhelmed with the task and seemed to have an almost constant headache.

  “Danielle, are you all right?” Brianna asked after she’d studied for several grueling hours straight one day.

  No doubt the inquiry came because her brows were pinched together, her lips formed a thin line and she had two fingers pressed on each temple. “Hmm?” she mumbled in reply. This pose just wasn’t helping to soothe the pain throbbing in her skull.

  “I was wondering if you had a minute. I’ve been talking to Veronica, that wedding planner…”

  Her cousin inched her way into Danielle’s bedroom, almost cautiously. It appeared that she thought Danielle was liable to implode at any second. “Um.” She took another step, holding up a binder. “She’s come up with some really nice color combinations. She wants you to go over them.”

  Danielle held her hand out to take the binder, sighing. “It’s okay, Bri, I’m fine. I just have a headache. Too much studying…you know…”

  “Well, while you look at these, I’ll go get you some pain medication and water.” She left in a rush, as if Danielle might not survive if she didn’t hurry.

  “Thanks,” Danielle muttered after her.

  Almost mindlessly, she began flipping through pages in the binder, thinking any distraction was extremely welcome at this point. Professional layouts of fabric swatches, floor plans, and detailed menu descriptions filled the book. There were even pictures of wedding cakes, flower arrangements and backdrops. Every detail had been considered. This Vivian or Vanessa, or whatever it was, was quite thorough about her work.

  Gratitude filled her over-studied brain. As well as that romance-novel honeymoon, she would have the dream wedding most girls only fantasize about, but could never afford. Her parents did pretty well for themselves, but this was clearly beyond their budget. She knew they were helping with the finances, but also knew Ethan was covering the majority of wedding expenses.

  Ethan, who said he’d never considered getting married for over one hundred and fifty years, wanted to go all out with everything. And Danielle wasn’t going to stop him.

  All of the designs the wedding planner had come up with were wonderful, and perfect in every way, but one conception caught her eye—the theme of white: varying shades of white swatches, white roses with only a hint of the palest pink, even the cake was white with white fondant roses, rosebuds, and Lilly of the valley blooms. It was exquisite, it was her, and she knew Ethan would love it too.

  Her already tender emotions were seized with the reality of it all, and tears streaked down her cheeks. She could hardly believe it. Ethan was a dream come true. The custom designer dress was a dream come true. And this … this fantasy wedding in white, was yet another dream brought to reality. She didn’t care to pick the menu. She’d let Brianna choose that, or maybe Ethan, since his newfound interest in food was obviously important to him.

  This gave Danielle new motivation to work harder studying for these tests. Now she wanted it more than eloping, she wanted the dream wedding and the sooner the better. Before, this had seemed somewhat distant, something just out of reach, something she was striving for, but wasn’t able to reach just yet. Now it felt more tangible, more real.

  Brianna returned with drugs and water to wash them down. She looked upset when she realized Danielle was crying. “Is it that horrible? I thought some of her ideas were pretty nice.”

  Danielle began tapping her finger on the page with the white designs. “This one—this is the one.” She hiccupped.

  Brianna laughed. “Oh, those are happy tears. Sheesh, Cousin, stop scaring me like that.”

  Turning back to the books, she swallowed and thought, Great, now I can’t concentrate. Or see….

  Chapter 8

  Party in Paris

  It was a sunny day in Paris….

  “Ooo, I like that one, Danielle,” cooed Nadia, pointing to one of Jean Claude’s sketches of dresses for Danielle. The designer who’d made Danielle’s ball gown had drawn up several wedding gowns for them to choose from.

  Moving one design back to the top of the pile, Brianna disagreed, “I don’t think so. This one says ‘Dannie’ to me. It’s practically calling out her name.”

  “I still favor the first one,” said Sophia,
sifting for the one that was now on the bottom.

  “I’m just not sure,” mumbled Danielle’s mother, who’d flown in just for this. Her words made Jean Claude’s face turn a deep shade of pink.

  “Ladies, I know what would look best on our darling Miss Darcey. Please be reasonable,” said Jean Claude, and then turned to her. “Danielle, what do you like?”

  Finally someone was asking for her opinion.

  Rubbing the tension from her neck, Danielle tried not to let it show on her face. Having her mother, Sophia, Nadia and Brianna all trying to help her choose a wedding dress from the many sketches was getting frustrating, and a bit daunting. “Jean, would it be too much trouble for you to do something with this bodice and”—she lifted a second design up—“a skirt like this one?”

  “Lovely idea, mon chér! Yes, I can do that.” He then snatched Danielle by the shoulders and stuffed her into a dressing room. “I have a few dresses with a similar cut that you may try on to make certain you like it on you.” He left and returned with three gowns for her to change into.

  As she donned the sample dresses and modeled them for her quartet, both Sophia and her mom started crying. Danielle messed up her face right along with them. Even though these dresses weren’t exactly like hers, they were close enough to get the idea. She felt beautiful, like a real princess getting to marry her prince. It made it all feel that much more real.

  “Merci, ladies!” Jean Claude called as they left.

  In a chorus they returned the sentiment, and then as they cleared the front door Brianna said, “Guess what.”

  Danielle’s lips curled up at the corners from the sight of her cousin bouncing happily along next to her, completely oblivious to the many vampire guards following. They attempted to blend in, of course, but while Brianna hadn’t noticed, Danielle had.

  She observed the ones dressed like locals, the ones dressed as tourist, and the ones disguised as business men. The only things common amongst all of them were their warrior stealth and the little wires in their ears for their undercover listening and communication.

  Cedric winked when her gaze slid in his direction and she quickly snatched it away, then caught the inside of her cheek between her teeth to prevent the smirk attempting to show itself.

  “What?” she replied to Brianna.

  “We’re having your bridal shower right now. And guess what else.”

  “What, Bri?”

  “Your friends from Colorado are here.”

  This caught her attention. “Mandy and Lindsey?”

  “Yup.”

  “But they both said they couldn’t afford the ticket, and they wouldn’t let my parents pay for it. So, then who—?”

  “Who else?”

  “Ethan.” Of course. “Oh, the man needs to be kissed, a lot.”

  Nadia and Brianna giggled at that, Sophia smirked, her mom smiled, and Danielle fantasized about it. He’d graciously made certain that any of her friends or family could be there, just as he’d done with her parents when they got engaged.

  “Where’s this shower?” Danielle asked, thinking about seeing her friends again. The last time had been in March, before she’d left for London. Just over a year ago.

  “Restaurant Le Meurice,” Nadia replied. “Mandy and Lindsey should already be there waiting for us, and then we’re staying in the hotel for the bachelorette party. We all get spa treatments at the spa.”

  “Manicures?”

  “And pedicures.”

  “And facials, if you want.”

  “Did Ethan plan this too?” Danielle wondered aloud.

  “No way! Nadia and I did,” huffed Brianna.

  Falling silent with a smile, Danielle took in the pretty surroundings as they walked. Shimmering sunshine blanketed the Paris cityscape. It was warm, but a nice breeze cooled her as they went. Scents from bistros and bakeries drifted to her nose as they passed by each one. The lilt of French conversation, mingled with English, littered the sounds around them as well.

  This place is beautiful, she thought upon walking through the front doors of the hotel and was greeted with rich décor and French elegance. The walls were embellished with white and gold moldings, the polished floor made her think she might slip and slide across it out of control, and the artwork, and furnishings, and fresh flowers finished the look of this five star hotel. It felt as though she’d entered a real Persian palace.

  Danielle sighed at the sight of a dining room lavishly decorated in white and silver with detailed French accents. Her girlfriends noticed them enter and jumped from their seats, wove their way around the tables and sandwiched Danielle in a hug between them.

  “Dannie!”

  Danielle beamed at Lindsey and Mandy as they released her. It felt like forever since she’d seen them. So much had happened, so much had changed…. She’d changed. “I’m so glad you guys could make it.”

  “Are you kidding, D’? This is incredible. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Well, and your husband-to-be was rather compelling. I hope you thank him for this.” Lindsey reached a hand into her black hair and adjusted her earring while she spoke.

  “Oh, I plan to.”

  “Dannie, you are so spoiled. Do you know how expensive this hotel is? I need a foreign fiancé with a load of cash too. Could you please point me in the right direction?” Mandy said, shoving her wild brown curls over her shoulder.

  Danielle laughed.

  “Let’s begin, ladies.” Nadia led them to a table for six at the back of the dining room.

  The afternoon was filled with giggles, delicious French cuisine, and girlish chitchat.

  Stirring honey into her tea, Danielle could see that Mandy was fretting over something. It was hard to miss with the way her friend was picking at her food. “What’s the matter, Mandy?”

  “Are you sure about this? I mean you’re still so young…”

  “You just said you wished you had a foreign fiancé too.”

  “Yes, but the truth is, neither one of us is old enough to settle down. Look at Ryan and Ambry, they’re already divorced…”

  “They got married much earlier. You know that. I turned twenty a few months ago. It won’t be long after we’re married and I’ll officially be legal.”

  “Still, shouldn’t you finish school first?”

  Mandy had always been the voice of reason amongst them. However, her girlfriend was starting to sound too much like a parent and her eyes landed on Mom seated to her right. Apparently Mom was listening to this conversation quite intently.

  “I have finished school,” said Danielle.

  “I thought you were here for a four year degree.”

  “She was. Ethan had her test out and she passed,” Brianna said, joining the discussion.

  Yeah, she’d passed. Well, she thought so—but couldn’t help but wonder if Beon and the Order had fixed it so she would. She’d never know the truth though. Danielle had already asked that question and only got vague answers in reply. It seemed Ethan didn’t really know if Beon had meddled or not either. She figured maybe that was a good thing. It was their integrity in question and not hers or Ethan’s.

  “Why so early? You only attended Central St. Martins for what, like a year or something?”

  A little less than that, Danielle thought as all of the real reasons marched through her head: She was trapped in the middle of what could turn out to be a bloody vampire civil war. She was constantly being stalked by either cursed bodyguards or cursed souls wanting to be un-cursed with a bite from her, or cursed ones who wanted to remain that way, and were plotting to do her harm. She and Ethan were never forgotten. They had no freedom … no privacy.

  She’d already made a mental note of all of the men with ear wires right here in the restaurant. The truth of her situation never left her. Never. And the easiest way for them to protect her and Ethan was for them to be together. Danielle did agree that she was getting married a bit sooner than she’d originally planned. The only other option she suspected he
r friend might be suggesting was living together. But that arrangement had never been an option she’d considered, would never consider actually. With her love of all things Jane Austen, Danielle wanted the vintage-style commitment as much as Ethan wanted to give it to her.

  “It’s a good time of year to get married,” Danielle supplied lamely, knowing she could never explain such un-cool notions as wanting to legally tie the knot.

  Mandy’s brown eyes rolled; apparently her friend also felt the response was lame.

  “We said she could marry after she graduated. She met the requirement, so we have supported her decision. And we were deeply impressed with Ethan,” Her mom said, unexpectedly coming to the rescue, and Danielle thanked her with a smile.

  “Okay,” Mandy conceded. “When he called to talk me into accepting the plane ticket, I was impressed with him too.”

  “And that engagement picture ... wow,” added Lindsey.

  Attempting to change the topic all together, Danielle said, “Bri, do you have the bridesmaid’s gifts with you?”

  “Of course.” Her cousin began digging around in the bottom of her tote.

  She breathed a sigh of relief as Brianna handed over three satin pouches that had been tied up with pink ribbons. Danielle passed one each to Nadia, Mandy and Lindsey. Brianna was still holding hers and tugging on the ribbon to release the bow. They all gasped as they each lifted a strand of gold pearls from the wrapping. Well, except for Brianna, who’d helped Danielle pick them out, so it wasn’t new to her.

  “They match your dresses,” Danielle said.

  “Really?” Lindsey said as she fastened the necklace around her neck and stroked the pearls with her fingertips. “What a relief. I was hoping we wouldn’t have to spend the evening smothered in hot pink.”

  Danielle laughed.

  “Be glad we’re not sticking to English tradition in that, because if we had, you’d be wearing wedding dresses,” Mom said.

  “What?” Lindsey and Mandy asked together.

  “English bridesmaids used to wear white gowns very much like the bride’s. Your father had mentioned it when we married. I was young and beautiful then, and British men can be so traditional, and—”