The response of their family overwhelmed Christian and Skylar. Even Erica was over the moon with happiness to know that Skylar was also pregnant.
“I wish you too have twins like me.”
“I wish the same too,” said Skylar unable to tell her she wanted both: a boy and a girl.
“So I’ll have to plan two baby showers later,” said Lillian excitedly.
“You can club it together. It’ll be easier,” suggested Erica.
“Yes, we can plan it in your seventh month. It’ll be Skye’s sixth.”
They all agreed to the idea. They could plan the date and venue later at everyone’s convenience. Vivienne and Blade were the most excited at the prospect of having baby cousins.
After spending three days with their family, they left for Miami Beach, where Hayley and Ashton had planned a beach wedding. Ashton had inherited a beach-facing mansion there from his former mentor and employer, Simon Baylor. In fact, Simon Baylor left the entire Baylor Group to Ashton after his death. They were happy for him since he deserved it.,
It was a beautifully done-up, sprawling property that took their breath away. “Couldn’t you come earlier?” scolded Hayley. Skylar grimaced, realizing she was the last one to arrive.
“I had planned to but Lillian and Caleb came over to spend time with us. It was a surprise visit or else we would have come down earlier.”
“You’ve put on weight, Skye! What’s up?” asked Sienna curiously. Skylar was immediately on high alert knowing well the question that would follow next. She wanted to announce it after Hayley’s wedding!
“Skylar, are you coming over to check out our room?” asked Christian as he pulled their luggage along.
“I’ll be right back,” said Skylar to the girls, eager to escape their interrogation.
“Why don’t you tell them already?” asked Christian once they were out of earshot.
“I will after Hayley’s wedding.”
Afterward, when she went downstairs, they were gearing up for a pre-wedding party near the pool area.
“I’m going out with Lucas,” said Christian, following Lucas out of the house. Skylar joined her friends, but she didn’t get into the pool. The girls discussed their pregnancies while Skylar smiled. She helped Hayley’s mom, Aunt Caroline, and Jodie Van Every, Ashton’s foster mom, with the preparations.
“You’re looking tired, dear. Why don’t you join the girls? We’ll get help from the staff here,” said Aunt Jodie. She was Alyssa and Alexander’s mom and had seen the girls since the age of ten.
“It’s okay, Aunt Jodie. I like to help you,” said Skylar, wanting to avoid the girls and their questions. She was actually apprehensive about their reaction to her announcement. What if she angered them? She didn’t want to do so before Hayley’s special day.
Throughout the time, she caught up with them in between. She could feel their inquisitive looks pinned upon her, but she ignored them.
With the place teeming with Hayley’s relatives, it was easy to stay away. Later Christian returned and they went for a walk on the beach at sunset. It was a sight to behold, although not at all like the one back home.
“So what did you do all morning?” asked Christian as they walked hand-in-hand along the sandy beach.
“Nothing much. I hate pool parties. The food was spicy, and I opted for salads instead.”
“Did you catch up with your friends?” asked Christian worriedly. He had noticed the way she was avoiding them.
“Not yet!”
“It’s no use hiding from them, Skylar.” She released a staggering breath and stopped to face him.
“I fear their reaction, Christian. We’ve never kept things from one another since the age of ten. I don’t want to anger them, especially Hayley. I’m just postponing the announcement until her wedding.”
“I understand what you mean, but if they ask you outright, don’t lie. I can explain why we had a quiet wedding.”
The next day was a roller-coaster ride for all of them. Although the wedding had been planned on the beach two hours before sunset, they didn’t get a moment of respite.
“No first look! The sun will set if we allow you a first look,” scolded Sienna while they all chuckled.
Ashton stole a kiss before they bundled Hayley into the bridal suite to get her ready. The attendants fixed her hair and make-up while the girls fussed over her dress and veil. Finally, she was ready.
“Gosh! You’re looking so beautiful that I could have married you if I were a guy!” gasped Alyssa, who had become as melodramatic as her husband.
“Thank God you’re not. I’m happy marrying Ashton Pierce. After all, he pierced his way into my heart at first sight!” They all chuckled and then eyed the next target, Skylar. With everyone bursting with curiosity, they nudged one another to ask her directly.
“Now with all of us married, I can’t wait for the last wedding of our group,” said Eva, pushing the ball into the court. The others instantly took the hint.
“Yeah, only Skye’s wedding is left,” said Hayley. Skylar was immediately on high alert. She wanted to escape but remembered Christian’s advice.
“So, when are you planning to marry Skye?” asked Sienna while they all waited impatiently for her answer. This time, they wouldn’t let her wink and escape. She flashed them a grin and a wink. Just then, Hayley’s mom walked in to take Hayley to the altar and Skylar slipped away. The girls eyed one another with frustration.
Skylar released the breath she was holding. In just a few minutes, the wedding ceremony would be over and she could admit to her crime. Then she would accept whatever punishment they meted out to her.
Aunt Caroline escorted Hayley out after a few minutes, followed by the bridal party. They walked over to the beach where Ashton was waiting impatiently for his bride.
While they gazed at one another, the girls again grabbed hold of Skylar.
“Are you marrying Christian or not, Skye?” asked Sienna, this time not allowing her to escape without an answer. The others surrounded her, watching the amusement in her eyes.
“I’m already married to him, guys!” she said with a laugh, leaving them gaping after her.
They all eyed one another and then at her with their jaws dropped to the sand.
“Married? Seriously? You’re kidding us, right?” asked Eva with disbelief. Skylar slowly shook her head, waiting for their reaction.
“No. I’m serious. Christian and I already got married in Cleveland right after Sienna’s wedding.”
“Why didn’t you inform us? This isn’t fair, Skye! What you’ve done is unforgivable! I thought we were childhood friends!” said Alyssa, almost in tears.
“Look, I can explain.”
“Let it go, Alyssa. She doesn’t consider us her friends,” said Sienna, grabbing Alyssa’s hand and pulling her away with her.
“I can’t believe you could do this to us, Skye! We’ve never kept secrets from one another! How could you get married and not inform us?” demanded Eva before following Sienna to the altar. The wedding was about to start, and Skylar trudged towards the altar. This was what she had been fearing. She glanced at her friends, who looked mad at her. Now she would have a tough time explaining to them when they weren’t ready to listen to her explanations.
“Please, I can explain,” she whispered as they waited to lead Hayley down the petal-strewn makeshift aisle on the sand.
“After the wedding!” said Sienna.
They walked down the aisle. Hayley followed, escorted by her dad. The sun would set in an hour and the sky had cast a beautiful orange glow all around. Skylar walked down with Christian, who noticed her interaction with her friends.
“Don’t worry. I’ll talk to them after the wedding.”
The wedding went by like a dream. Christian gazed at Skylar all the time, noticing the look of longing on her face. He knew exactly what she was thinking. Maybe she, too, was longing for such a sunset wedding on the beach surrounded by her friends and family.
He released a sigh, remembering their hurried wedding. Should he have waited? At that moment, seeing her forlorn expression, he repented his decision. Now the time had come to rectify it.
The sky brightened up with vivid colors when Hayley and Ashton sealed their future with a smoldering kiss. They congratulated the newlyweds and returned to the mansion just as the sun dipped into the horizon far away.
While they geared up for the photograph session, the girls approached Skylar.
“Explain yourself now!” said Eva, blocking all avenues of escape. Not that Skylar was seeking one.
Skylar sucked in a deep breath and faced them. “My wedding happened in an emergency. It was a hushed-up, and hurried one. Our family was facing death threats from Grandpa Ben’s illegitimate son, Desmond Steele. The man had murdered our parents for money. He abducted Sebastian too, just before his wedding. The FBI and Cleveland Police were after him while he was after us, stalking us, threatening us. Christian married me so that I didn’t stay in New York alone after Sienna’s wedding. Immediately after our wedding, we were on our way to our honeymoon when we had an accident. Christian saved me from the jaws of death.”
They listened to her intently with grave faces. None of them had expected it to be this serious. Skylar told them everything that happened to them, about Grandpa’s death, about Christian’s condition. Tears crept into her eyes at the traumatic memory of what they went through.
Her friends hugged her, realizing how much they had misjudged her.
“It’s okay, Skye. We forgive you. I’m glad it’s all over now. I’m sure good times will soon arrive for the two of you,” said Sienna.
“Yes. Good times have arrived now. I’m pregnant too like the rest of you. As for the wedding, I’ll throw a reception party at my house in Venice Beach, LA. You all have to come down.”
“Please plan it after we pop out our babies. It’s difficult to travel and enjoy while pregnant!” said Eva.
“Fine then, after a year we can renew our vows on Venice Beach. This time all of you have to attend,” said Skylar, cheering up. They all agreed and rushed towards the backdrop for their wedding photos.