The next day was extremely hectic. They took her dad to the doctor for a second opinion and found out that the treatment going on was indeed the very best available so far. They returned home quite satisfied that he would get better after completing the treatment. After the visit, her dad gained more confidence and also actively took part in her wedding preparations.
“I can also train you, Lisa, after Nicholas does.” Alyssa hugged him at seeing his enthusiasm.
“Yes, dad. I would love that,” she said eagerly.
They were about to leave when her dad’s phone buzzed with an incoming call from Alexander. He looked alarmed and glanced at Alyssa. “Alex is calling me.”
Alyssa and Nicholas stopped in their tracks and stood, waiting to hear what Alexander had to say. Her dad glanced at his wife and accepted the call with a sigh, putting it on speaker mode.
“Yes, son. Have you returned?” asked her dad warily into the phone.
“No, but how could you accept Nicholas into our family, dad?” demanded Alexander.
“You’re misunderstanding Nicholas, son. He loves Lisa and wants to marry her. He convinced her to take over my business and is also willing to train her for it. You won’t believe he took me to a renowned oncologist for a second opinion.”
“It’s all an act to win your trust, dad. Then he will slowly take over the business and all of you will be on the streets,” warned Alexander angrily. Nicholas paled considerably at the low opinion Alexander had of him.
“He doesn’t need to do that. He has a successful business of his own and is helping us just because he loves Lisa. Stop being so cynical for once and be happy that your sister has at last found her happiness with him.”
“It’s only a momentary happiness. She’ll be in for a shock when he betrays her.” Nicholas went forward and took the phone from her dad’s hands.
“No, bro. I’ll never betray her. I love her for life. Please give us your approval. It is very important for us. Alyssa is crying now only because of you when she should have been happy that her dream wedding is finally happening. If not for anyone else, accept it for her sake. Please bro,” he begged him, leaving all his ego, his differences behind just for Alyssa’s sake. He knew he wasn’t wrong, and he was determined to win him over this time.
There was silence on the other side, and then Alexander cleared his throat. “So have you heard everything I said?” he asked gruffly.
“Yes. I know you have read my message too, bro. We both are waiting for your approval.”
“What if I don’t approve? Will you cancel your wedding?” asked Alexander, taunting him. Alyssa took the phone from him.
“Yes, but you have to give me a valid reason. One more thing, Alexander. After canceling the wedding, I wouldn’t have any reason to stay alive. The choice is yours,” she said, disconnecting the call on his face. They all gaped at her wordlessly, shocked by the intensity, the depth of her words. No one uttered a single word and Nicholas and Alyssa left to go to work. Throughout the way, Alyssa couldn’t help the tears from streaming down her cheeks. Seeing her condition, Nicholas couldn’t drop her at work and leave.
“Forget him, Alyssa. We don’t need his approval to be happy. Do you trust me?” Alyssa nodded, wiping her tears away.
“Yes, more than I trust myself.”
“I’ll never betray you or your family. You know that, don’t you?” he entreated. He didn’t care about Alexander’s opinion of him. It was Alyssa and her parents whose opinion mattered the most.
“Yes, Nicholas. I know.” Nicholas too felt a little upset after that conversation with Alexander. He drove straight home with Alyssa looking around with surprise.
“Are we not going to work?”
“I don’t feel like, Alyssa. Let’s cuddle in bed for the day. I really want to be with you today.” Alyssa smiled for the first time since the phone call.
“Yes, even I need cuddles.” They went home and made lunch together and then cuddled on the bed and watched a romantic movie. Later they made passionate love to one another. The whole time they kept their mobile phones switched off, not wanting to be disturbed. By the end of the day, both felt much better just like before. Alyssa never mentioned Alexander’s approval throughout the day and neither did Nicholas. They didn’t need his approval anymore. He could stay with his mental block!
The next day her mom invited her for her bridal shower. It would be a small get-together with her close friends and family. Alyssa was excited and Nicholas took her shopping in the evening. They had dinner at a romantic restaurant and returned home. It was a perfect day although it hadn’t started so well.
Nicholas dropped her off at her parents’ house the next day before going to work. “Enjoy yourself and take lots of pictures. I’ll pick you up in the evening,” he said, planting a kiss on her forehead. Her parents wanted her to spend the day with them and this time Alyssa agreed. She called at the hospital to request them to release her and they accepted, releasing her finally. She was therefore free to spend the day with her loved ones.
“I’ll miss you,” she whispered, standing on her tiptoes and kissing his cheek.
“I’ll make it up to you, baby. I have work today or I would have stayed back,” he said. Alyssa nodded in understanding and threaded her fingers through his.
“I know.” They walked towards his car and she waved as he drove away. Hayley and Skylar rushed out on hearing Nicholas’s car.
“Let’s go. We’ve arranged a spa party today. Everyone’s waiting for you,” said Hayley. They pulled her along with them, giggling at the love bite on her neck that Nicholas gave her last night.
“Everyone? Who all are here? Did Eva come too?” asked Alyssa but sadly they shook their heads.
“No news of her so far. I’m sure she’s having a good time with Alexander,” said Sienna, joining in. “I postponed all my meetings because of your wedding. C’mon let’s party.”
For the next few hours, it was sheer fun as they pampered her with a facial, pedicure and a manicure, followed by a full body massage. Therapists had been called in and they all had a relaxing time. Even aunt Claudia, granny, Alyssa’s mom, her aunts and cousins joined in. Later they tucked into the delicious lunch and sat down to play games. Afterward, they all showered Alyssa with gifts and left.
“Did you enjoy your day, Lisa?” asked her mom as they sat down to pack the gifts into cartons to be loaded into Nicholas’s car when he arrived to pick her up.
“Yes, mom but you shouldn’t have taken so much pains when dad is so unwell,” she scolded her.
“Who said I’m unwell? Didn’t you hear Doctor Thomson? The treatment already started working on me and I’m improving day by day,” said her dad, sitting beside them, looking much more relaxed. Dr. Edward Thomson was the senior oncologist who they consulted the previous day for a second opinion.
“Yes dad, I know but that doesn’t mean you will take it easy. You still have to follow the doctor’s advice stringently,” said Alyssa.
“I will don’t worry.”
The doorbell rang and Alyssa jumped to open it, expecting Nicholas early. She opened it and smiled at Sally Granton who stood at the doorstep. “Hi, are you going out? I need your opinion about the final decor,” she said to Alyssa.
“No, I’m here for a couple of hours. Please come inside.”
They sat down to discuss everything for the last time before the preparations started tomorrow. With only a day left to the wedding, they hardly had any time left. The seamstress too arrived with her wedding dress and accessories.
“I and my team have worked overtime to have it ready at such short notice, ma’am,” said the seamstress. Her dad paid her generously for her efforts while Alyssa and her mom admired the dress. It fitted her perfectly.
“Leave it in your closet since you will get ready there,” said her mom. So before Nicholas arrived, Alyssa went to her room to keep her wedding fineries. Her heart skipped a beat with excitement to see Nicholas laughing with her mom when she returned to the great room.
“When did you come in?” she asked breathlessly. He came over to her and planted a kiss on her forehead.
“I just came in. So how was your day? You must have been very busy since you didn’t get any time to call me,” he complained while Alyssa’s eyes widened.
“Yes, we had a spa party with therapists pampering us.” Nicholas’s eyebrows shot up with jealousy and annoyance.
“Male therapists?” he asked with a scowl. Alyssa pushed him away with disgust. Was he crazy?
“No, female therapists. Why do you have a one-track mindset?” Nicholas looked relieved and flashed her a dazzling grin.
“Can’t help it, baby. I’m obsessed with you.”