They reached Bellevue Hospital after an hour. Skylar immediately inquired after Eva, but it was strange she had taken a long leave for almost a fortnight. Was it because of her wedding to Alexander?
“She is pregnant and her wedding is coming up!” the nurse informed her. Skylar was shocked to hear the news. She knew about her wedding, but not about her pregnancy. The last time she connected with Alyssa, she only found out about her upcoming wedding. Even Hayley cribbed about her own love life. So who was Eva marrying? How was it she didn’t know? Did Eva find her happiness at last with Alexander Van Every?
“Let’s go to see Erica,” said Christian, leading her away from the neonatal department.
They went to the emergency department and met Sebastian in the lobby.
“I was waiting for you,” said a haggard-looking Sebastian.
“How is she now?” asked Skylar.
“She’s still on drips.”
“How did her health deteriorate so much?” asked Christian worriedly.
“She was exceptionally nauseous. It triggered acute dehydration, and I had to admit her.”
“Can’t we meet her?” asked Skylar and Sebastian nodded, leading the way.
“I was with her for so long. She is responding to the treatment.”
“That’s a good sign,” said Christian, following them inside the room Erica was in.
“Just hope she improves and we can take her home. Erica hates it here.”
Erica smiled at seeing them. “Congratulations, Erica! I came to know about it on the way here,” said Skylar.
“Oh, didn’t Christian tell you? I was so sick for the last few days, I forgot to announce it to everyone. So did Sebastian.”
“That’s okay. You have to take care of your health more,” said Christian.
“Look who’s preaching. He has stopped his therapy altogether in LA,” scolded Skylar. Sebastian too scolded his younger siblings and Christian groaned with agony.
“Please don’t tell Lillian, bro. She’ll come down to scold me.”
“Then promise me you will take care of your health,” said Sebastian.
“Yes, I promise. What about your wife? Extract a promise from her too,” prodded Christian with a chuckle.
“He has made me promise a thousand times already,” said Erica with a chuckle.
“Good! Eat everything they give you here. Gain your strength quickly so that we can take you home,” said Skylar.
“Yes, I’m trying to. Sebastian forces the food down my throat. I have no choice but to eat well and then throw up.”
After catching up a little, Skylar left to meet Sienna and take an update.
“Call me when you go shopping. I’ll meet you at the mall. I haven’t bought a tuxedo yet,” said Christian, seeing her off.
Skylar was excited to meet her friends after so long. She had already called Sienna and informed her when she landed at the airport. She was expecting all of them to be there.
However, to her disappointment, it was only Sienna who welcomed her with open arms. “Hey, girl. You’re glowing! Are you getting hitched next?” asked Sienna, hugging her tightly. Skylar blushed but winked at her instead, leaving her question unanswered. She wanted to tell her, but was afraid of her reaction. She was the only one who hadn’t invited her friends to her wedding!
“Let’s see. So what’s the plan for Eva’s wedding? Why didn’t the others come over to see me?” Sienna led her inside, but Skylar could sense something was wrong.
“We’re planning to object to the wedding!” Skylar gaped at her in disbelief.
“What? Why would we do that?” she said, looking more puzzled than ever before.
“Eva and Alexander had a fight, and she is marrying Nicholas’ friend Maxwell. We tried to drill some sense into her head since Maxwell is Alexander’s sworn enemy. She won’t listen. Alexander has gone crazy! He doesn’t even know she’s expecting his baby! Alyssa wanted all of us to help Alexander crash at the wedding and rescue Eva.”
“Gosh! This is so melodramatic. What do you want me to do?” They sat down to discuss the plan when Hayley and Ashton joined them.
It was decided that Ashton and Alexander would go over to Maxwell’s house where Eva was staying. Sienna and the girls would already be there to support Alexander. They would drill some sense into Eva’s head and get her married to Alexander instead.
“I just hope everything goes smoothly. I’ve called two of our old friends. One of them is a cop,” said Ashton, getting up to leave.
“We don’t want a fight and bloodshed. It will only land you in prison. Explain that to your friend,” said Sienna.
After Ashton left, Skylar too went away and joined Christian at the hospital.
“What happened? Don’t you want to go to the mall?”
“No, Eva is marrying Alexander’s enemy, Maxwell Clyborne, to get even with him. So we’re all planning to stop the wedding!” Christian rolled his eyes at the thought.
“Can I skip this melodrama? Seb is leaving for Milan for two days and I need to be here for Erica.”
“Yes. Aunt Claudia is going with us. So, I’m sure we will manage fine.”
They took turns at the hospital all day. By evening, Erica was discharged and Sebastian felt relieved that he could bring her home before leaving for Milan.
The next day was sheer madness. Claudia Donnelly and the girls went over to Maxwell’s house. Eva was unwell and getting ready, helped by Maxwell’s family. They eagerly waited for Alexander and Ashton’s arrival, but even after twenty minutes, there was no sign of the duo. Sienna called Alexander finally, unable to control herself.
“What did Alexander say? Is he coming over or not?” asked Skylar when she disconnected the call.
“Yes, he and Ashton are coming over to stop the wedding,” said Sienna, and aunt Claudia’s eyes widened with dread.
“I hope Alexander doesn’t create a nuisance here. He has a bad temper and I don’t want history repeating itself.”
“I hope so,” said Sienna with a sigh.
“Eva is too upset today. I’m afraid she will fall sick if this continues,” informed Maxwell’s sister, who bonded well with them. They eyed one another, knowing the cause of Eva’s state.
“I’ll go in and calm her down,” offered Aunt Claudia, getting up to go inside.
“I can’t face her now. I’ll stay here until Alexander comes over,” said Sienna with a sigh.
“Same here. She’ll be more upset if she sees any of us. She’s trying to control her emotions in front of strangers,” said Hayley.
“It’s best that they don’t know what’s going on or they might call the cops on Alexander,” said Skylar.
The doorbell rang just then, and Maxwell’s housekeeper opened the door. Alexander strode in looking furious and ready for war, followed by Ashton and his friends.
There was war and Sienna explained the situation to Maxwell’s family. Soon, the truth came out. Eva was pregnant with Alexander’s baby, while Maxwell was marrying her to take revenge upon Alexander. They cleared the misunderstandings and summoned Eva. She sobbed with joy at seeing Alexander pursue her at last. They patched up and her friends breathed a sigh of relief.
“If you don’t have any objections, can I marry Eva right here? I will bear all the expenses,” said Alexander to Maxwell’s family, who had made all the wedding arrangements.
“Why not? At least our efforts wouldn’t be wasted,” said Maxwell’s dad with relief.
“But you need to clean up well to wed her!” pointed out Maxwell’s sister with a laugh.
“I’m well prepared,” he said with a smile.
“I can’t believe it!” gasped Hayley with a grin.
“Me neither! Eva’s wedding turned out to be the most melodramatic event of the year,” said Skylar.
“Yes, what about Alyssa? She missed all the fun.” They all looked at Alexander warily since they knew Nicholas had abducted Alyssa and taken her to a deserted island to propose to her.
Thankfully, before he could react, the officiant ushered them towards the venue.
The wedding procession started, and Claudia Donnelly escorted Eva down the aisle towards Alexander.
She placed her hand on Alexander’s with a warm smile. “Yours for life now, my boy.” Alexander smiled back and clasped Eva’s hand in his.
“Yes, thank you, Aunt Claudia!” he said softly, leading Eva towards the altar.
“We are gathered here to witness the union of two soulmates, Eva and Alexander, and to help them join in the holy vows of matrimony,” started the officiant.
A car screeched to a halt and within minutes, Alexander’s parents came rushing, escorted by none other than Maxwell. Eva’s face paled at seeing the furious looks on their faces.
“Stop right there. This wedding cannot happen. I strongly object to this,” yelled Daniel Van Every, his dad, glaring at Eva. They all groaned, and a bitter argument ensued. Alexander fought for Eva, not giving in at all. They eventually left and Eva got married to Alexander.
“Gosh! I need a drink!” said Hayley after the newlyweds disappeared after the wedding.
“Me too. I’m exhausted. I’m going home,” said Skylar.
“When are you and Christian getting married? I hope it won’t be this melodramatic?” asked Sienna. Skylar smiled, winked, and rushed out, eager to escape their interrogation.