Chapter Forty-Five - Michaela
Chapter Forty-Five
MICHAELA
“THIS IS THE NASTIEST combination, who thinks of this?” I grimace as Raeanne crosses the threshold of the suite.
“Davina Villa, that’s who,” Rae laughs. She clings to a bottle of Dom Perignon and two bags of Chick-fil-A trying not to get any grease on her dress. Grease and chiffon don’t mix well.
“Where have you been? She’s about ten seconds from ripping my head off.”
“I had to wait for the food, it’s a Saturday! Do you know how busy CFA is on a Saturday afternoon?”
“If only she had decided to get married on a Sunday.”
Raeanne stifles a giggle as we walk into the living room of the enormous suite. The living room boasts one-eighty-degree views of the Alderidge estate grounds and the surrounding mountains. Vintage-style floral paper covers the top half of the walls, met with warm mahogany wainscoting. A deep navy-colored couch with cream toile pillows sits across a coffee table from two khaki armchairs. A new desk made to look old with a cream chair behind the couch is littered with last-minute Villa Inc. things she had been working on this morning. I swear, the woman never stops working. An oversized oriental rug sits beneath it all covering the deep mahogany floor. A kitchen off the living area features a breakfast bar with navy bar stools — it’s built out of the same wood as the wainscoting, and the wallpaper carries over. Navy drapes have been drawn to allow the October sun to warm the room. A glow surrounds Nina as she stands in the center and thumbs the pendant around her neck. Her long dark hair loosely braided has been pulled back into a bun, with a golden leaf headdress resting on top. She pushes a stray piece of hair from her eyes weaving across the letters on the page in her hands. “Everything okay, Nin?” Raeanne asks when Nina wipes a tear from her cheek.
“Nick wrote her a letter,” Romy says walking out of the bedroom.
“I don’t know how I got this lucky.” Nina folds the note and tucks it in her purse on the breakfast bar. “You have the stuff?”
"What are we, drug dealers?" I joke as Raeanne raises the goods in the air, and a smile spreads across Nina’s burgundy lips. I pop the champagne and let bubbles fill the flutes before handing one to the bride as she shoves a chicken nugget in her mouth. “Seriously, what made you think Chick-fil-A and champagne was a good idea?”
“You’re not pregnant, are you?” Rae asks. She’s joking, but under normal circumstances, I’d probably think the same.
Nina’s body stiffens. You’d hardly notice if you weren’t looking. She recomposes herself. “Alcohol,” Nina says raising the glass of champagne to her lips.
"Nina!" Elizabeth's voice carries down the hall. "Please tell me you're ready. It's 2:45."
“Shit!" Nina downs the rest of the bubbles.
“I’ll go help.” Romy follows her into the bedroom muttering something in French. I was surprised when she walked into dinner on Thursday, not because she was here, but because she was with Enzo. Yes, Enzo Vitali, co-owner of Bacami Estate! Elizabeth said they’ve been seeing each other. They hit it off when we visited back in May. Nick later confirmed that he told me they were in New York a few weeks ago — a fact I must have completely glazed over considering everything that has happened.
I hand Elizabeth a glass of champagne and fall on the couch with a heavy sigh. This weekend has been nonstop, I don’t know how Nina is still standing. From the moment we arrived Thursday afternoon, we’ve had a full schedule — “we,” meaning Nina and the girls. From spa trips, salon trips, vineyard tours, hikes, and multiple meals a day…our schedule has been packed. I’m not sure how Nick and the guys managed to get out of it, but I’m kind of jealous. I shouldn’t complain, it has kept me away from Finn. I haven’t seen or talked to Finn in a little over two weeks, I was sure he was going to jump at the opportunity to talk, but he’s kept his distance. I’m not sure if I’m more disappointed or relieved about that fact.
Relieved.
That’s the right answer. David and I are back together. He was a little disappointed I wouldn’t wear my ring this weekend. He understood why I couldn’t though, I think. I’m not supposed to want Finn to talk to me.
After the rehearsal dinner last night, the bride and groom treated the wedding party to a night out, resulting in only a few hours of sleep before the makeup and hair team arrived this morning. Once again, something the guys didn’t have to worry about. Lucky bastards.
"You okay, MJ?” Elizabeth breaks through the light sleep I’ve been drifting in and out of and I notice Eileen and Lydia have finally joined us.
“Where is she?” Eileen asks. “We have to get going.”
“Getting dressed,” I yawn, “she’s been too busy crying.”
“It hasn’t even started yet,” Lydia laughs and pours champagne for them.
“Nick wrote her a letter,” Raeanne explains trying to stifle her own yawn.
“And if he messes up Sarah’s work she’ll kill him,” Elizabeth grumbles.
The double doors swing open to reveal Romy with a proud smile and twinkle in her eye. “May I introduce Mrs. Villa-Davis.”
When she steps aside, I feel a prick in the corner of my eyes watching Nina glide through the threshold. The chiffon boatneck dress has a short train that trails behind her bare feet. Long flowing sleeves end a few inches above her wrists with ivory lace trimmings that match the outline of the backless design. She looks like a Greek goddess. (Sorry, Italian. Roman? You get the idea).
“You look stunning," Eileen smiles.
“If Nick doesn’t cry, I’m suing,” Lydia jokes behind her glass.
“Hush,” Nina laughs and steals another fry. She pulls her shoes from the box on the table — red-bottomed stilettos, ivory-colored mesh houses a simple floral pattern, and the heel wrapped in suede. “You guys, I’m nervous. I know we’ve been married for two years, but… What if I mess up?”
“You’re gonna be fine,” I reassure her holding out my hand so she can step into the second shoe. “You’ve already done it, and besides, we’re all gonna be up there with you.”
“Your brother is waiting,” Eileen looks up from her phone, "impatiently, might I add. You ready?”
Nina lifts a finger and downs the rest of her champagne, taking a deep breath. “Okay, now I’m ready.”
I meet the nervous stare of my cousin at the end of the aisle and give him a reassuring smile as his brother squeezes his shoulder. The groomsmen wear burgundy bow ties and pocket squares to match our dresses. I’m extremely grateful they didn’t pair us to walk down the aisle. My partner would have been Finn and I’d like to avoid any kind of interaction a little longer. A subtle movement near the end of the groomsmen line catches my attention. Even though I tell myself not to, I meet his stare and he offers me a soft smile, the slightest uptick in the corner of his mouth, but I don’t return it. I turn and take my place next to Eileen. Elizabeth follows, giving Nick a thumbs up before taking her place as Matron-of-Honor.
There’s a moment of silence, and I swear I hear Nick’s heart beating before the melody shifts. He straightens and pulls his lips between his teeth as his wife steps into view, when their eyes meet, he visibly relaxes. A wide smile stretches his face matching the one on her own.
God, I want what they have.
Nina tosses her head back laughing at something Kai whispers for only her to hear. “Shut up,” she giggles a few steps from the altar.
“Take care of her,” Kai warns handing his sister over.
“Always,” Nick answers, never taking his eyes off her. She wipes the corner of his eye, and he kisses the back of her hand. “You look beautiful.”
“Looks like you won’t have to sue,” I hear Rae whisper to Lydia earning a giggle from the bridesmaids.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” Nina whispers and they turn to face the priest.
I should be paying attention to the ceremony, but my mind wanders to the man on the other side of the aisle. The countdown is on. I promised Nina I would tell him about David — tell everyone about David —after the wedding, and I have to keep that promise. David is handling everything in New York. I’ve let him take the lead, it’s easier that way. The condo is already on the market as of Thursday, and he says there is an open house today. My personal things have been packed up and shipped to Washington, but he decided to sell the condo furnished since he has everything we need. When I leave here, I’ll be going straight to Washington.
“The couple has prepared their own vows they’d like to share,” the priest interrupts my thoughts.
“If someone had told me when we were younger that we would be here, I would’ve told them they were insane,” Nick starts. “You have helped me grow so much in the last few years. I wish you had asked me to be your fake boyfriend sooner,” Nick says and I can practically see the whole body eye roll from Nina. “I’m so grateful for you and your love. You’ve helped me learn to open myself up to the unknown. You’ve taught me how to love again. Just the thought of you makes me smile. I promise to always love you, even when you’re stubborn and thick-headed.”
“I thought this supposed to be nice,” Nina laughs.
“I’m getting there,” Nick teases. “I know things won’t always be easy, but being able to wake up every morning knowing I have you by my side makes it worth it. I promise to always support you, honor you, and love you unconditionally. I love you so much, Dee.”
Nina wipes under her eyes, laughing. “I was trying to get through this without ruining my makeup. Sarah is going to kill you.”
Nick kisses her cheek.
“We’re not there yet,” the priest whispers, earning a laugh from the audience.
Nina takes a deep breath before she begins, “Nicholas, I’m sorry I have always been stubborn, whether at home or work. I wish I could tell you it will change, but—”
“It won’t.”
“No, it won’t.” She shakes her head. “Asking you to go to Haven was one of the best decisions I ever made, even if I didn’t think so initially. I was scared we wouldn’t be able to pull it off, but I guess we pulled it a little too well.”
“You think?” I mumble earning a look from both bride and groom.
“Sometimes, I wish things had worked out differently, that we had known each other in high school or stayed in touch at Rosecliffe. I wonder what our lives would be like had that been the case. The truth is, I wouldn’t change a thing. We are right where we’re meant to be.”
“I don’t think things would’ve worked out in school if Alex had anything to say about it.”
Alex blushes, “Shut up, dude.”
“You don’t always believe me when I say it, but Nick, you are the most amazing man,” Nina sighs. “You have the biggest heart and the most giving spirit. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, to start a family, and experience the world together. I love your loyalty to me and our relationship. It’s something I’ve never experienced before. I promise to work on my patience, even if it means having to hold my tongue, to always support you, honor, and love you unconditionally.”
Well, that proves it, I’ll never have what they have.