Neptune's Ring

by Ali Spooner

  Roberto laughed. “I am almost used to your conditions, but what would you have me do, Levi?”

  “Would you walk me down the aisle and give me away to Vanessa?” she asked.

  The smile left Roberto’s face when he heard those words. He turned and slowly placed the dress back in the box leaving everyone waiting for his answer. When he turned back to face Levi he smiled and said, “I would love to,” he said and hugged her tightly.

  “I will have the dress cleaned on Monday and if you will come to town tomorrow you can try it on and we will make any alterations needed,” Julia said.

  “I will be there after lunch,” Levi promised.

  “Thank you, Levi,” Julia said.

  “Thanks to you and Roberto, I will make a beautiful bride,” Levi said.

  “We will see you tomorrow then,” Julia said as Roberto took her arm and led her back to the cart.

  “Thank you, Levi,” Carlos said and then joined them on the cart.

  “Be back soon,” Cat said as they rolled away.

  Levi sat down and Vanessa’s arms wrapped around her. “You will look gorgeous in that dress baby.”

  “Yes, she will,” Liz said.

  “Everything is falling into place so smoothly, it almost makes me worried,” Levi said.

  “Don’t worry, my love, I will probably lose the rings or some other disaster before the ceremony is through,” Vanessa teased.

  “You better not,” Levi said as she finished her beer. “If you all don’t mind, I am going to take my lady to the shower and then call it an early night.”

  “Not at all, we will see you both for breakfast in the morning,” Nat said. “Liz is making pancakes.”

  “Goodnight, friends,” Levi said and took Vanessa’s hand and walked inside.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Liz and Levi went across to the mainland the next afternoon as planned and when Levi stepped into the wedding dress it fit perfectly.

  Julia stood in front of Levi and then circled her examining the fit closely. “I wouldn’t change a thing,” she said with a smile.

  “I wouldn’t either,” Liz said. “You look beautiful, Levi.”

  Levi looked in the mirror and she was amazed. She really did look beautiful.

  “I have a quick errand to run, I will be back in five minutes,” Liz said.

  “What about shoes?” she heard Julia say as she went out the door.

  “Is there a place in town I can buy some?” Levi asked.

  “When Liz returns we will track down Cat and get her to take us to Morales,” Julia said. “The selection there is so much better.”

  Liz walked quickly to the small jeweler who had the wedding bands ordered for Vanessa and picked up a small package holding the two rings. When she stepped back onto the street, Cat met her. “You have got to come see Levi,” she said.

  Cat followed her back to Julia’s home and Levi was just about to change out of the dress. “Wow, that looks fantastic on you,” Cat said.

  “Were your ears burning, Cat? Julia asked.

  “No, should they have been?”

  “I was just telling Levi we needed to find you to get you to take us to Morales,” Julia said.

  “I need shoes,” Levi said.

  “I agree, the tennis shoes must go,” Cat said. “Let me go get the car and I will be right back.”

  Levi changed back into her shorts and polo shirt while they waited for Cat. She pulled up in the driveway and honked her horn.

  Vanessa spent the afternoon assisting Nat with keying the electric door keys to the guest rooms, in preparing for the grand opening.

  “Are you nervous?” Nat asked.

  “A little yes,” Vanessa said. “I love Levi deeply, but changing careers is a little terrifying.”

  “You won’t think so after tomorrow,” Nat said.

  “Why, what happens tomorrow?”

  “Your wedding present arrives,” Nat said.

  “Which is?” Vanessa asked.

  “You will have to wait to find out,” Nat teased.

  Nat, Liz, Cat and Cass had gone in together to purchase a private charter fishing boat for Vanessa as a wedding gift. With the boat, she could rent out privately to the resort guests or visitors to the mainland and still spend a great deal of time out on the water.

  “What more do we need to do to prepare for the opening?” Vanessa asked.

  “The staff are being trained this week, the rooms are ready, check in packages are set, the kitchen is ready, the bars are stocked, the transport boat is ready, so I think we have things covered,” Nat said.

  “I will have to leave Wednesday to take the Sappho back, but I will fly back Friday morning,” Vanessa said.

  “Good. Liz and I are making arrangements for one of us to come over in a month when you return so you and Levi can take a honeymoon.”

  “I guess I had better get busy planning,” Vanessa said with a soft laugh.

  “I have things in hand here, so why don’t you go back up to the house and get on the computer up there to see what options you have,” Nat said.

  “Will you be up soon?” Vanessa asked.

  “I won’t be much longer, I hear a plate of leftovers calling my name,” Nat said.

  Monday and Tuesday was so busy the time flew by. After a tearful goodbye to Vanessa Wednesday, Levi settled in to focus on the grand opening. The beautiful gift her friends had given Vanessa reminded Levi that she had not thought of a gift for her love.

  Carlos came over later that day and Levi asked to speak to him. They walked into her office and sat down on the loveseat.

  “Carlos, can you draw house plans?” she asked.

  “I am not architect, but I know construction, Levi, what do you need?” he asked.

  Levi had already asked Nat, Liz and Cat about she and Vanessa building a smaller home just for the two of them and they all agreed that Levi would have first choice of building spots on the island.

  “I want you to design a home for me to give to Vanessa as a wedding present,” she said. “I know a home can’t be built quickly, but I would like to have a blueprint to show her with a promise to build it in the early spring.”

  “Tell me the basics of what you have in mind and show me where you want it built,” Carlos said.

  He took a notepad from Levi and jotted some notes as she described the rooms she wanted and then they walked through the garden to find the path that led to the spot that took her heart when she first saw it. The house would be built on the east side of the island where Levi found the conch shell.

  “This will be the perfect spot,” Carlos said. “I have a friend in Morales who can draft out a blueprint for us and I think we can get it done by Saturday,” he said. “If not, I have a solution,” he said with a chuckle. “If we can’t finish the blueprint in time we will buy the lock set for the front door and give her the key, with a promise to build the house to go with it.”

  “I really like that idea,” Levi said. “I even think we should go with that and not try to rush a blueprint,” she added. “Will you bring over some catalogs and help me pick out a lock?”

  “I will bring them over first thing in the morning, if that’s good for you.”

  “That’s perfect and thanks for the great idea,” Levi said.

  “You are most welcome,” Carlos said.

  Friday morning Roberto and Julia came to the island to deliver the dress. Levi placed it in her office closet where she would get dressed before the ceremony.

  “You will look beautiful,” Julia said as she kissed Levi’s cheek.

  “We will be here early, in case you need help with anything before the wedding,” Roberto said.

  “Thank you both,” Levi said.

  “We will see you tomorrow,” Robert said and they left the office.

  Levi was getting nervous and paced until Vanessa and Killian arrived on the island.

  Levi rushed to her and kissed her passionately.

  “Were
you worried I wouldn’t return?” Vanessa teased.

  “No baby, I am just glad to have you back,” Levi said.

  “You look great,” Vanessa said.

  The first of the guests would begin arriving at three that afternoon and Levi had changed into a pair of black slacks and a white blouse. The staff would be wearing tan shorts or slacks with a variety of colored tops for their uniforms, but as the General Manager, Levi would dress more professionally.

  “Thank you, baby,” Levi said. “I am so excited.”

  “I have a few things I need to do up at the house and then I will shower and come back to help you welcome the guests if you would like,” Vanessa said.

  “I would love that,” Levi said.

  “I will be back shortly then,” Vanessa said and after kissing Levi left the room.

  The first night at the resort went well. The guests were treated to a gourmet meal and then spent the evening lounging out by the pool. Celeste’s Garden would not open until the following evening when it served as a reception spot for Levi and Vanessa, but the night was so beautiful no one missed the music and dancing.

  Business the next morning would be handled by Liz, Nat and Cass as Levi and Vanessa were told to try to relax and enjoy the morning. Killian and Vanessa took out the boat to distract Vanessa while Levi and NeNe spent the morning talking in the garden.

  “Killian is seriously considering leaving the ship as well,” NeNe said, surprising Levi.

  “After she has worked so hard to finally become a Captain,” Levi said.

  “She says it won’t be any fun without Vanessa,” NeNe said.

  “You sure she doesn’t want to be here with you full time?” Levi asked.

  “I would hope that would have something to do with it, but she does love working with Vanessa.”

  “I am sure Vanessa would take her on as First Mate,” Levi said.

  “Don’t be surprised if they are talking about that very thing right now,” NeNe said with a smile.

  NeNe looked at her watch to check the time. “I think we should head into the house to shower and then go to the resort,” she said. “Are you nervous?”

  “A little,” Levi said. “No, actually a lot,” she admitted.

  “Just try to relax and enjoy the moment,” NeNe said as she draped her arm around Levi’s shoulder.

  An hour later, Levi and NeNe left the house and walked down to the resort. The wedding cake was being delivered and when they saw it, Levi’s stomach began to flutter with nerves. “This is really the day,” she said to NeNe as they walked into her office.

  Vanessa and Killian returned from the water and Vanessa rushed to find Liz. “I know I was teasing Levi before about losing the rings, but I cannot remember what I did with them,” she said on the verge of panic.

  Liz chuckled. “You gave them to me for safekeeping,” Liz said. “Now get up to the house and get dressed,” Liz said. “I have the rings tucked safely away.”

  “I can handle things here if you are ready to go get dressed,” Nat said. “Cat and Cass are already up at the house.”

  “Okay baby, I won’t be long,” Liz said as she walked up with Vanessa and Killian.

  Liz, Cass and NeNe would stand with Levi while Killian, Carlos and Nat would be on Vanessa’s side. Carlos teased Vanessa saying he would stick out like a sore thumb in the wedding party, but Levi poked him in the ribs and told him, “Be thankful you aren’t on my side and have to wear a dress.”

  Carlos roared with laughter when Levi told him that and he felt more comfortable being a part of the wedding party, keeping his masculinity intact.

  Cat would be performing the ceremony, qualified as a Justice of the Peace, so every partner would be involved in the ceremony.

  As the time approached, NeNe and Julia helped Levi get dressed. “You look beautiful,” Julia said as NeNe put a light curl in Levi’s hair. The guests were assembled in the courtyard and Vanessa and the wedding party took their places in front of the crowd.

  NeNe rushed to join in after kissing Levi on her cheek. “You are beautiful.”

  Julia followed NeNe out of the office and took the seat reserved for her, leaving Levi alone for a few minutes. She stood at the patio doors looking out at the water as she tried to control the racing of her heart. She noticed a pair of dolphins frolicking in the water, sending her good luck. She heard a light knocking on her door and walked to find Roberto waiting for her.

  “You are beautiful, Levi,” he said when she opened the door. “Are you ready?”

  Roberto was dressed in a white tuxedo and held out his arm to Levi. “Your love awaits you,” he said.

  Roberto guided her to the entrance of the garden and when the wedding march music began all heads turned to look at Levi and Roberto who threw his shoulders back proudly as he prepared to escort Levi down the aisle. Levi caught movement to her left and nearly fainted when she saw who was waiting just outside the door.

  Simone had rushed and barely made the last boat over to the island. She had not been an invited guest, but she would see Levi one last time before she and Vanessa were wed. She had no intention of causing a scene even though she was convinced Levi should be with her instead. Simone urged the boat driver faster and when they arrived she stepped onto the dock carrying her gift.

  Simone dashed through the lobby and made her way to the garden, but arrived too late to take a seat. She stood to the left of the door, out of sight of the guests and was surprised and yet delighted when she saw Levi walking toward her.

  “Don’t do this,” Simone said as Levi approached with Roberto. “I can make you happy.”

  He felt Levi’s body tense up. Roberto softly whispered to Levi. “Is this a problem?”

  “No, not at all,” Levi whispered back.

  “You make a scene Simone and I will kill you,” Levi said, surprising Roberto.

  Vanessa shifted nervously as she saw Levi speaking to someone out of view, but when the music began and Levi and Roberto approached, Vanessa saw no one but Levi. Roberto led Levi down the aisle and then offered her hand to Vanessa and kissed Levi’s cheek, before joining the rest of the wedding party.

  Everyone watched Levi as she approached, but Nat caught movement in the back of the courtyard and saw Simone slip inside.

  The ceremony began and after a prayer by Cat, Levi and Vanessa exchanged their vows. Vanessa hesitated when Cat asked for the rings and turned to Killian. Killian smiled and handed her best friend the rings she had purchased. Levi’s heart raced from the look Vanessa gave her as she slipped the wedding band on her left hand. The intense passion in Vanessa’s eyes melted Levi as she listened to Vanessa’s sweet words.

  When Cat asked if there was anyone who thinks the two should not be wed, Nat’s vicious stare kept Simone pinned to her seat.

  “You may kiss the bride,” Cat said.

  Vanessa leaned down and kissed Levi sweetly.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Vanessa and Levi,” Cat said to end the ceremony.

  Levi and Vanessa lead the procession down to the night club, where the reception would be held. Levi felt Vanessa grow tense as they walked by Simone while leaving the courtyard.

  Liz had also seen Simone for the first time and squeezed Nat’s hand. “I know, I saw her come in,” she quietly whispered.

  Vanessa and Levi greeted their guests as they entered the club. Nat grabbed Simone by the arm as she and Liz took her to the side.

  “What are you doing here?” Nat asked.

  “I was attending a wedding,” Simone said coyly.

  “As an uninvited guest, I might add,” Liz said.

  “I just assumed my invitation was lost in the mail somewhere,” Simone said. “I am not going to cause a scene, Liz,” Simone said.

  “If you ruin this day for Levi, I swear I will take you out and drown you myself,” Liz warned.

  “I will only stay long enough for a piece of cake and to congratulate the two lovebirds,” Simone said. “I also brought
them a gift,” Simone said, lifting the box for Liz to see.

  “You can place that on the table over there,” Liz said as she pointed out a gift table.

  Vanessa and Levi watched Simone approach as the final guest to enter the club, followed closely by Nat and Liz.

  “Hello, Simone,” Vanessa said.

  “Congratulations you two,” Simone said with the sweetest of smiles. “Levi you look beautiful,” she said.

  “Thank you, Simone,” Levi said.

  “I guess there is no point in saying that you made the wrong choice, but I wish you both the best,” Simone said with a smile to Vanessa.

  “I made the perfect choice, Simone,” Levi said. “You were never an option,” Levi said and Vanessa’s frown turned to a smirk. “Now if you will excuse us, we have guests to attend to.”

  Cake and champagne were shared by all and several toasts were made to the happy couple. When the music started, Vanessa took Levi and led her to the dance floor for the couples dance. After several minutes, they were joined by other members of the wedding party and then by other guests.

  Simone kept her promise and after watching Levi and Vanessa dancing happily on the dance floor, she quietly left the building. “This is not done between us,” she whispered as she walked out of the night club and headed to the dock.

  Nat watched Simone leave the club and breathed a sigh of relief. She stepped outside the club and watched as Simone stepped onto the boat and it pulled away from the dock. Satisfied, she stepped back inside the club and took Liz by the hand and danced her onto the dance floor.

  Vanessa and Levi danced closely and when the song came to an end, Vanessa kissed Levi passionately. “I love you,” she said.

  “I love you too, Vanessa.”

  They left the dance floor and Levi asked NeNe, “Will you go help me change?”

  “Of course I will,” NeNe said and they walked back up to Levi’s office.

  Levi stepped from the wedding gown and NeNe hung it back up in Levi’s closet as Levi slipped into slacks and a blouse.

  “That was a beautiful ceremony,” NeNe said. “Everything went so perfectly.”

  “Even Simone’s appearance could not ruin something so perfect,” Levi said.