Clara in the Caribbean (Clara Andrews Series - Book 6)
Page 15
Almost unbelievably, Eve still had some of her honeymoon clothes in the villa and the ridiculously expensive swimwear was handmade by one of her designer friends as a wedding gift. In true Eve fashion, she had a matching kaftan which was just to waiting to be worn. The soft, sheer fabric is gathered at the waist in a perfect ribbon, the white silk falling in pleats to the ground. At first I thought Li had lost her mind when she declared that she would be wearing a swimsuit, but once she had teamed it with the angelic floor length kaftan, she looks more perfect than I could ever imagine.
Adjusting her veil so that it frames her face perfectly, I hand her the bouquet as the music starts to play.
‘I love you.’ Squeezing her tightly, I plant a kiss on her cheek and wipe off any remnants of lipstick.
Right on cue, Gina appears through the palm trees with Madison and Melrose.
‘They’re ready for you!’ Smiling brightly, she squeezes Lianna’s hand as she lets out a squeal. ‘You look stunning, Lianna. Doesn’t she look like a princess, Madison?’
Madison looks Lianna up and down for a moment before shaking her head. ‘No.’ She mumbles, fiddling with her dress.
My jaw drops open as Gina looks down at Madison in horror. ‘Madison!’
Throwing herself at Lianna’s legs, she wraps her little arms around her and squeezes as hard as she can. ‘She doesn’t look like a princess! She looks like a mermaid. Like the prettiest mermaid in the world.’
Eve and Lianna simultaneously awwh as the music comes to a stop.
‘This is it.’ I breathe, as the processional music kicks in. ‘Are you sure you want to walk down the aisle by yourself? I can get Marc for you?’
‘I want to do this on my own.’ Shaking her head adamantly, she motions for us to go.
With a final squeeze, I follow Eve and Gina through The Hangout and pause by the hammocks. Around twenty chairs have been decked out in classic white ribbons on either side of the wicker archway that has been positioned in front of the ocean. The sun is starting to set overhead, creating beautiful flashes of red and orange across the sky. Picture perfect, I couldn’t have planned it better myself.
As per Lianna’s instructions Madison goes first, remembering to twirl as she goes before coming to a stop and jumping onto Marc’s knee. Shuffling forward, I smile at Gina as she takes to the red carpet. With Melrose on her hip, she manages to get to the front without so much as a whimper from the baby. Catching her eye, I flash her the thumbs up as she takes her seat. Eve gives me a nudge before stepping onto the carpet and I watch her strut down the aisle like a pro.
Looking over my shoulder at Lianna, I smile as I notice that she is watching Vernon intently from behind her flowers. With my focus being on the other bridesmaids, I hadn’t even looked at Vernon. Standing tall and proud to the right of the archway, smiling like a child on Christmas morning, he looks so happy that I can’t help but smile myself. So transfixed by Vernon’s smile, I almost miss my cue. Taking a deep breath, I tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear and step forward, the sea breeze is warm on my skin as I make my way along the carpet, taking in the dozens of smiling faces as I go. Vernon flashes me a wink as I take my seat on the front row and I feel myself on the verge of tears once again.
Reaching over for Oliver’s hand, I entwine my fingers with his as the entire wedding party spins around in their seats. The music turns down a notch, the only additional sound coming from the waves as the crash gently against the sand. A few gasps escape people’s lips as Lianna makes her way down the aisle. Before I can stop it from happening, tears spill down my cheeks. Big, watery, happy tears fall into my lap and I try desperately to wipe them away.
Pausing halfway down the aisle, Lianna’s face breaks into a sparkling smile as she throws down her flowers and takes a running jump into Vernon’s arms. The crowd erupts into cheers as Vernon plants a kiss on Lianna’s head and squeezes her tightly. Prising them apart, the magistrate laughs loudly and flushes pink.
‘Normally the kiss comes after the vows…’
Laughter rings around the secluded beach for the second time before falling into silence. An excited buzz hangs in the air as twenty pairs of eyes stare at the happy couple.
‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…’
As the magistrate talks animatedly about the amazing commitment of which we are about to witness, I find myself transfixed on the chemistry between Li and Vernon. Not taking their eyes of one another for a second, they seem totally oblivious to the fact that two dozen people are watching their every move. Locking eyes with Oliver, I smile brightly and rest my head on his shoulder as Noah crawls onto my lap.
It’s hard to believe that after all of Lianna’s dating disasters, after all of the times that she has had her heart broken into a million pieces, her knight in shining armour was waiting for her here all along.
‘Love is the dawn of marriage and marriage is the sunset of love…’
Kissing the top of Noah’s head, I swallow the lump in my throat as Vernon starts to say his vows. My mother once told me that beginnings are usually scary and endings, well, endings are usually pretty sad, but it’s everything in between that makes life worth living. I might not have a crystal ball and I certainly don’t know what the future holds for Lianna, but if life has taught me anything, it’s that if you love someone you have to set them free.
For no matter how many miles come between my best friend and I, we will always be under the same sky, looking up at the same stars at night. The most beautiful discovery that true friends can make, is that they can grow separately without growing apart. Maybe in distance but never in heart…
The tans may fade, but the memories will last forever…
If you have enjoyed this book, I would be so grateful if you would leave me an Amazon review.
I really appreciate you taking the time to do it.
It means a lot!
Lacey
xoxo
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Have you read the other books in the Clara series?
Meet Clara Andrews
Book 1
With a love of cocktails and wine, a fantastic job in the fashion industry and the world’s greatest best friends, Clara Andrews thought she had it all.
That is until a chance meeting introduces her to Oliver, a devastatingly handsome American designer. Trying to keep the focus on her work, Clara finds her heart stolen by Michelin starred restaurants and luxury hotels.
As things get flirty, Clara reminds herself that inter-office relationships are against the rules, so when a sudden recollection of a work’s night out leads her to a cheeky, charming and downright gorgeous barman, she decides to see where it goes.
Clara soon finds out that dating two men isn't as easy as it seems...
Will she be able to play the field without getting played herself?
Join Clara as she finds herself landing in and out of trouble, re-affirming friendships, discovering truths and uncovering secrets.
Clara Meets the Parents
Book 2
Almost a year has passed since Clara found love in the arms of delectable American Oliver Morgan and things are starting to heat up.
The nights of tequila shots and bodycon dresses are now a distant memory, but a content Clara couldn't be happier about it.
It’s not just Clara things have changed for. Marc is settling in to his new role as Baby Daddy and Lianna is lost in the arms of the hunky Dan once again.
When Oliver declares it time to meet the Texan in-laws, Clara is ecstatic and even more so when she discovers that the introduction will take place on the sandy beaches of Mexico!
Will Clara be able to win over Oliver’s audacious mother?
What secrets will unfold when she finds an ally in the beautiful and captivating Erica?
Clara is going to need a little more than sun, sand and margaritas to get through this one...
Meets Clara Morgan
Book 3
When Clara, Lianna and Gina all find themselves engaged at the same time, it soon becomes clear that things are going to get a little crazy.
With Lianna and Gina busy planning their own impending nuptials, it’s not long before Oliver enlists the help of Janie, his feisty Texan mother, to help Clara plan the wedding of her dreams.
However, it’s not long before Clara realizes that Janie’s vision of the perfect wedding day is more than a little different to her own.
Will Clara be able to cope with her shameless mother in law Janie?
What will happen when a groom gets cold feet?
And how will Clara handle a blast from the past who makes a reappearance in the most unexpected way possible?
Join Clara and the gang as three very different brides, plan three very different weddings.
With each one looking for the perfect fairy-tale ending, who will get their happily ever after...
Clara at Christmas
Book 4
With snowflakes falling and fairy lights twinkling brightly, it can only mean one thing - Christmas will be very soon upon us.
With just twenty-five days to go until the big day, Clara finds herself dealing with more than just the usual festive stresses.
Plans to host the perfect Christmas Day for her American in laws are ambushed by her BFF’s clichéd meltdown at turning thirty.
With a best friend on the verge of a mid-life crisis, putting Christmas dinner on the table isn’t the only thing Clara has got to worry about this year.
Taking on the role of Best Friend/Therapist, Head Chef and Party Planner is much harder than Clara had anticipated.
With the clock ticking, can Clara pull things together - or will Christmas Day turn out to be the December disaster that she is so desperate to avoid?
Join Clara and the gang in this festive instalment and discover what life changing gifts are waiting for them under the tree this year...
Meet Baby Morgan
Book 5
It’s fair to say that pregnancy hasn’t been the joyous journey that Clara had anticipated. Extreme morning sickness, swollen ankles and crude cravings have plagued her for months and now that she has gone over her due date, she is desperate to get this baby out of her.
With a lovely new home in the leafy, affluent village of Spring Oak, Clara and Oliver are ready to start this new chapter in their lives. The cot has been bought, the nursery has been decorated and a name has been chosen. All that is missing, is the baby himself.
As Lianna is enjoying new found success with her interior design firm, Periwinkle, Clara turns to the women of the village for company. The once inseparable duo find themselves at different points in the lives and for the first time in their friendship, the cracks start to show.
Will motherhood turn out to be everything that Clara ever dreamed of?
Which naughty neighbour has a sizzling secret that she so desperately wants to keep hidden?
Laugh, smile and cry with Clara as she embarks on her journey to motherhood. A journey that has some unexpected bumps along the way. Bumps that she never expected...