| Chapter 35: The Prophecy is Complete 3 Months Later… “Bye you guys!” “Congratulations!” “Have a good trip!” The crowd of people gathered around the area in back of the Tavern on the Green, waving goodbye to the new Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Robbins as they headed in their decorated limousine. Thanks to a call to Laura’s former wedding planner, Colin, the wedding was nothing short of perfection. It was a beautiful outside wedding in Central Park, where the flowers were beginning to change color, and the backdrop of the city skyline gave a modern ambiance to the ceremony. Lauralee was the maid of honor at the ceremony, along with her Aunt Charlene and Jerry’s sister, Michelle, as bridesmaids. Dominic was ring bearer, and Jerry’s nieces were flower girls. Catherine acted as honorary mother of the bride. Sandy was wearing a stunning white gown with long sleeves, straight skirt overlaid in white lace. The bridesmaids were in similar cut dresses in maroon satin. At the reception following at the Tavern on the Green, the crowd was much smaller than Laura and Kevin’s wedding, but was a lot of fun. The guests ate up the spectacular food, and were treated to live music courtesy of Elegance’s band. Jerry’s nieces fawned all over the boys, and they took it in stride. Lauralee had met them a month ago, and despite her former feelings about them, they were adorable. Even the ladies serenaded Jerry and Sandy with a song they had written for the occasion entitled “Timeless.” The guys gave an a cappella version of “I Promise You (With Everything I am).” The newlyweds were heading to Paris for their honeymoon, a wedding gift courtesy of the girls and guys. Sandy and Jerry were heading to the limousine, with Lauralee waiting at the limousine. “Well, Mom,” Lauralee grabbed her hands. “I guess I’ll see you when you get back.” “Count on it,” Sandy smiled. She grabbed Lauralee in a hug. “Thank you Lauralee. I love you.” “I love you too,” Lauralee blubbered through tearful eyes. Sandy hopped in the limousine, as Jerry was next to enter. “Lauralee. I can’t begin to thank you enough.” Lauralee smiled. “Now you take care of my mother, you hear? She’s the only one I got.” “To quote the guys, I promise you with everything I am,” Jerry smiled. He gave Lauralee a hug and kissed her on the cheek. “Bye.” He got into the limousine and closed the door behind him. With a honk of the horn, the limousine slowly pulled away, leaving the waving guests behind them. Lauralee smiled as she waved then turned to Alex and the rest of her friends. She shrugged her shoulders as she approached them. “What a day.” “Damn right,” Alex said as he put his arm around her. “It was a beautiful ceremony,” said Howie, smiling as he held Celia close by. “Yeah, let’s just hope we have more weddings to come,” Celia added. Lauralee smiled at them. For three months, it was nothing but smooth sailing for everyone. Celia and Howie’s relationship was growing by leaps and bounds, each learning more about each other everyday. In fact, Celia was moving in with him upon their return to Orlando. As far as Elegance, their album shot to number one on both the singles and albums charts and stayed there for 8 weeks. Their Victorious Tour was sold out all over the country, and had finished the first leg of the tour a week before the wedding. The next single “Break Away” was currently the number one song in the country. Now the girls were taking a long deserved two-week break. Celia and Howie were heading back to Orlando, along with Bianca and Nick. Elizabeth and Brian were going to Kentucky to visit Brian’s family. Laura and Kevin were going to Los Angeles. Lauralee and Alex were going to stay in New York. “Well, I have to say, it’s nice to have good times once again,” Laura said. “Let’s hope it stays that way,” Bianca added. “And if it doesn’t?” Brian asked. “Then we beat it,” Lauralee said knowingly. “Together.” ~*~ Later that evening, Lauralee was in her mother’s house, walking in from the porch to see what Alex was doing. “Alex? Whatcha doing?” “In here!” Alex called from Lauralee’s bedroom. Lauralee went into the bedroom, shocked at what Alex was doing. He was folding his clothes and placing them into his suitcase. “Uh Alex? What are you doing?” “Packing,” Alex said seriously. “Yeah, I see that. But why are you packing?” “Because I’m leaving.” Lauralee’s heart jumped in her throat. “Le-leaving?” Alex turned slightly to look at her. “Yeah, leaving… with you.” An inquisitive look was upon Lauralee’s face as she spoke. “Where are we going?” Alex took something out of his pocket and gave it to her. “Look.” Lauralee looked at the papers Alex gave her. “Plane tickets… to Aruba!?” Alex smiled. “Remember Tommy Mottola’s wedding gift to Laura and Kevin? Well, they said they wouldn’t be using it, and we didn’t have any set plans, so they let us take them. I called Tommy and he said his jet was freed up, so…” Lauralee shook her head. “I don’t know what to say…” Alex took her in his arms. “Don’t talk, just pack. We got two hours before our flight.” Lauralee ran to her suitcase. ~*~ Lauralee’s stomach was flipping from the excitement as they took the limousine from the airport in Aruba to their next destination. All through the plane ride, Lauralee asked Alex infinite questions as to what was in store for them, however Alex kept silent, smirking as if he was keeping some huge secret. Her persistence didn’t quit in the limousine, as Alex then started to laugh. “All in time Lau, we’ll get there soon.” Alex said as he looked out the window. “In fact,” Alex smiled as the limousine pulled to a stop, “We’re here.” Alex got out first, then stepped in front of the door as Lauralee tried to slide out. “Uh-uh, close your eyes.” Lauralee smiled, sighed, and then obeyed him. She felt her hands enclosed by Alex’s as she was led out of the limo. All she felt was the warm breeze past her face, the smell of the salty ocean, and the sound of waves crashing at a short distance away. She heard Alex come from behind her and whisper in her ear. “OK, open them.” She opened her eyes to a spectacular sight. It was a very large, old-fashioned villa that seemed endless to her view. It had several balconies, with windows from floor to ceiling. As she looked around, the beach surrounded the villa, with seagulls soaring above the sky. Alex put his arms around her shoulders. “So, what do you think?” “I think it’s breathtaking,” she stammered. “But how did you…” “Riley’s aunt and uncle live here, apparently owned some software company and went public on the stock market. They’re retired now and go to Europe around this time of year. Riley told me about this villa his family owned and after some of the old McLean charm, as well as Riles’, they let us stay here.” “But why here?” Alex smiled again. “You’ll see.” He led her to the door and opened it. With a slight bow, he let Lauralee inside first. As if she couldn’t be surprised anymore, she was at the inside of the house. Candles lit the rooms, with every vase filled with every color rose that existed. The house was beautifully decorated, with antiques and artwork displayed all over the first floor. Lauralee was walking around the living room as the driver and Alex brought the bags inside. “Come on,” Alex said as he took her hand. “Lots more to see.” And there was. The second floor had bedrooms, several bathrooms and all had terraces overlooking the rest of the island and the ocean. “Alex, this house is amazing,” Lauralee smiled. “I figured you needed a nice place to get away with everything that had happened over the last few months.” Alex said. “But there’s more.” “How could there be more?” Alex just responded by leading her to a door in the far corner of the second floor. “This is where I leave you.” “Leave me?” “Just go inside, follow the instructions, and I’ll see you in a little while.” He kissed her then walked away. Liking this little game, Lauralee opened the door and went inside. She went into a bedroom, obviously the master bedroom, with a king-size bed in white sheets with netting surrounding the bed. Again, the room was filled with candlelight, pink and red roses in silver antique vases. She smelled the roses, when she saw a letter tied in red ribbon. Untying the ribbon, she read the note aloud. “Bathroom, door to the right.” She put the letter away and went into the bathroom, where a huge tub was with bubbles and rose petals floating in the water, surrounded by candles. Wondering what elves lurked in the house that would set up a bath for her, she saw another letter on the vanity. “Enjoy the bath, relax for half an hour then come back to the bedroom.” “OK, I’ll still play along,” Lauralee said as she removed her clothing. Half an hour later… Lauralee walked out of the bathroom, tying the bathrobe supplied around her waist, when she saw another letter, this time on the bed with a beautiful white lace sundress next to it. “Get dressed, then meet me downstairs,” Lauralee read. She picked up the dress and went to the mirror, holding the dress next to her. “Alex, what are you doing?” ~*~ Lauralee walked down the stairs and stopped and gasped when she saw Alex. He was in a black suit with a white shirt and black tie. Alex smiled as Lauralee walked down the stairs. “Wow, you look stunning.” “You’re not looking so bad yourself,” Lauralee said as she smoothed down his lapel. Alex offered his arm. “Ready?” “As I’ll ever be,” she said as she took his arm and was led away. Alex led her to the dining room, where a superb dinner was waiting for them. He pulled out a seat for her, kissed her on the cheek, then sat down himself. He poured champagne for the two of them and offered a toast. “To us, this paradise, and tonight,” Alex said as he touched his glass with hers. The dinner was like anything she had tasted, with native dishes: jerk chicken, pastiches – spicy meat pastries, and kesio for dessert – a caramel custard. Lauralee had sat back in her chair. “Wow, that was the most delicious meal I’ve ever had.” “Oh, you mean you don’t like my cooking?” Lauralee laughed. “Now who could forget Alex McLean’s famous peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?” She reached over and lightly kissed him. “Thank you, this has been a wonderful night.” “You think this is it?” Alex asked. “There’s much more to come.” “I don’t think my heart can take much more.” “Oh I think so,” Alex said as he stood up. “Let’s go.” He took her to the main terrace, where a bottle of champagne was chilling in a stand-up silver bucket, with two glasses. “Are you trying to get me drunk?” Lauralee asked as she was handed another glass of champagne. “Nope, just a little tipsy,” Alex winked as they drank the champagne. He put the down the glass and looked at her. “My God, you are beautiful.” “Thank you.” “No, I mean, the way you look in this moonlight, your hair blowing in the breeze with the night sky as the backdrop. I… I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so ravishing.” Lauralee smiled. “Alex…” “But it’s more than that. Look at us. Five years ago, I was this cocky kid, thinking I had it all. Then, a visit to my grandmother changed my life. I don’t think you realize how much you have meant to me. I could lose it all: my fame, my money, but as long as I have you, I’m the luckiest man in the world. You’re the reason God put me on this Earth, Lauralee. And… I think it’s time to make our prophecy come to reality.” Lauralee gasped at what happened next. Slowly, Alex got down on one knee. He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a box. Opening the box, Lauralee saw the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen. Alex cleared his throat, tears falling from his eyes. “Lauralee Deverson, I love you more than anything in this world or beyond. Will you marry me?” Lauralee, crying like a child, hiccuped the next words. “You have my heart forever Alexander James McLean. Yes!” Alex slipped the ring on her left hand, got up and gave her the most intense kiss they ever shared between them. When he let go, he grabbed her hands and held them up to his lips. “I love you baby.” “I love you too,” Lauralee smiled. She embraced him again, never wanting to let go. Her prophecy was now complete. Wherever they went, whatever obstacles they faced, their lives would always be bonded by the greatest force alive: love. |