BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY (42 page)

“I want to be clear Nico, I love you and I will not
be bought.  I married for love once before, if our marriage starts with
how it could end, then I leave as I started.  That’s with nothing, with no
Devanti money,”

It pained him for her to refer to Rob and marrying
for love.  He tore the paper in to tiny pieces.

“Now its
my
time to be clear, I am marrying
you for love Carrie.  We don’t need any pre-nup.  I love you
Carrie.  I refuse to discuss not having you in my life.  We belong
together.”

All her indignation, her hurt at being marginalised
into a commodity in his life began to fade as they kissed.

“I still don’t want a penny from you Nico,” she
whispered.

“Do you have to have the last word?”

“Yes,”

“Well you won’t have to take a penny because I am
never letting you go,”

In the Captains Rest, the place that Carrie felt
home again their parents met with a month to go to the wedding.  It was
almost neutral territory.  Terri was in on their secret.  A great
friend to Carrie from that first day she remained in her confidence.  She
was delighted to hold a small gathering once again in the parlour for Carries
parents to meet with Nico’s parents.  Claire and Ryan had stayed at home,
baby Daniel and Harry not yet ready for this trip.

Carrie’s mother was a force to be reckoned
with.  At one point Carrie felt a little bit sorry for Nico’s mother under
her intense scrutiny.   Carrie’s father quickly bonded with Gino over
their love of golf.  They were even planning a game the following
day. 

“Kate why are you crying?”

“I’m trying to let go Dan, Carrie looked so happy
earlier with Nico.  I know that she is finally letting Rob go. 
That’s why I am sad,” Dan moved closer and place an arm around his wife. 
They were briefly alone having returned to their room prior to the evening’s
festivities.  “I want nothing more than my daughter to be happy and free
of the ghosts of the past,”

A solitary Gino was smoking a cigar outside on the
porch.  It was a rare treat that he indulged in, reserving it for special
occasions.  What more than meeting his future daughter in laws
parents?  He was at loggerheads with Dorothea.  Outwardly he was
projecting an image of the genial host in this gathering whilst his wife was
secretly disproving of this union.  “Thea darling Nico is beaming. 
Why cannot you be happy for him?”

She swatted the smoke away, “Must you Gino!”

“It’s a treat and one I hope to repeat if God
blesses this union with children”

Kate and Dan approached the other couple. 
Their counterparts.  The women using this opportunity to glower at each
other with practised ease. 

“I will join you in that sentiment Gino. 
Grandchildren are a blessing.  Harry and Daniel have brought so much joy
to our family,”

Gino offered a cigar which Dan declined.  “No
Gino, my vice is of the amber variety.  I think it’s time for a wee
dram.  Care to join me?”

The two women remained on the porch as their menfolk
walked away.  The first time that just the two of them had been
alone. 

“Carrie has landed on her feet shall we say?”

Oh, in for the kill it seemed Dorothea was on the
offensive.  Playing her hand in full it appeared.  Kate laughed and
took a sip of champagne from one of the glasses she had picked up en-route to
the party.  Inside she seethed but outwardly?  She may not have
millions or indeed billions but she shared a common trait as her daughter and
that was class.

“Dorothea, now that was uncalled for.  Why are
you so bitter?  Can you not feel happy for your son?”

“My son means everything to me.  All my
children do.  But
this
will fail and Devanti’s do not FAIL”

“Let me tell you this Dorothea, neither do
we
. 
They will make mistakes, yes like we all do but they are in love.  I have
no doubt that you and Gino have your son’s best interests at heart.  But
Carrie is my baby, my youngest child who has had too much heart ache for her
young life.  Nico loves her, that’s why he has our blessing.  If you
are wise, you will keep that in mind”

“Are you threatening me?”

“No but take it as a warning if you like. 
Remember when the children do come, Carrie will want to be close to her
family.  Don’t make enemies where there are none”

Leaving a fuming Dorothea in her wake Kate elegantly
returned to the parlour.  Her position as the Reynolds matriarch very
clear.

A clap of applause sounded.  Startled Dorothea
turned to face her own nemesis of forty years.  Gino’s mother.

“Well done Dotti”

Irked at the pet name she sighed her
frustration.  “Why am I the
only
one who has reservations about
this marriage?  Are you all trapped under the glow of your almighty tartan
connection?”

“Why Dorothea are you feeling excluded?” 

These two had argued and taken pot shots at each
other in private for almost four decades but they were united in their love for
their family.  Their children.  “This is your chance to embrace the
future Dorothea.  Kate has warned you not to go making enemies. 
Anyone can see Nico is claiming his bride.  And not that silly girl
Lea.  That was never going anywhere.  Despite your matchmaking
attempts.”

“
She
has a past!”

“So does Nico, he’s no angel”

“I told her she has baggage,”

“You did what?  When was this?”

“Last year, when she stayed at the beach house,”

“Oh Dorothea, will you never learn?  I’m
surprised she is still speaking to you”

“Nico wasn’t happy either about it if you want to
know.  She slapped me and left for Scotland.  I thought it would be
the last that I would see of her.  But no, my son chases around the world
to be with her!”

“I would slap you too.  This is my final word
on the matter but you have to accept Carrie or you are looking at a lonely
future.  Without your son or see your grandchildren grow.  Carrie
will want to be near her home and do you know what?  I have a hankering to
go back home too.  Maybe Gino will finally tour those golf courses or
learn his Scottish roots.”

With that stark vision of her future she pinned a
smile to her face and re-joined the group.

“Nico, it’s beautiful.  It will be perfect for
tomorrow.”

Tomorrow, their wedding day and their new beginning
together.  The last six months had been challenging to say the
least.  Nico was heavily involved in negotiating a new chain of hotels in
Europe.  The Esperanza had been a complete success and had surpassed any
expectations.  They even had a celebrity wedding in the renovated
church.  But that glitz and glamour was not what Carrie and Nico
wanted.  Slowly her parents were more accepting of Nico.  Their
romance was heavily shielded from the press.  Lea occasionally popped up
at events that Nico was attending.  The press speculating on
reconciliation for the couple despite the statement from the Devanti PR team
stating otherwise.  Lea continued to fuel these rumours during
interviews.  But Nico was full on workaholic mode to catch days in between
meetings with Carrie.  They spent weekends in London, Paris and Rome
together.  In Rome the discovered a love of the country and decided to
take their vows in Italy.  “Well it is the Devanti families birthplace.”

A small and intimate ceremony they wanted to commit
to each other in front of close family and friends.  Befitting the
billionaire and celebrity side of his life they would have a large party for
their extended family and friends to attend the following month.  This
appeased Nico’s parents who wanted the world to know that their son and heir
were getting married.  Robin had been a godsend during the last month when
things had ramped up in speed and the wedding gained momentum. 

In the Tuscan hills Nico had found the perfect
location for their wedding.  A medici villa dating back to the 15
^th
century.  The original building was a tower house which was added to over
the years and extended.  Each generation adding their own mark to this
beautiful building.  The current owners used it for exclusive hire. 
The outbuildings used when the olive grove and vine yards was a working estate
no longer fully operational.  Currently the harvest was a hobby for the
owners.  They had converted one of the outbuildings as a holiday
let.  A very luxurious one with all the amenities which the families would
use to prepare for the wedding.  A swimming pool and she was sure she saw
a tennis court hidden behind the beautiful cypress and olive trees.  She
strolled through the grounds with Nico holding hands as he pointed out the uses
for various outbuildings and the current restoration work that was being carried
out.  Further down the path another converted farmhouse.  Her parents
and Claire and Ryan would be staying there along with the boys.  Nico’s
family had commandeered another of the converted outbuildings.  Tomorrow
the courtyard would be swathed in white with peonies, gardenias and roses where
they would be married.  In token remembrance of their first night together
and now Carries favourite flowers. 

The legalities had been prepared by Donald’s legal
team along with Devanti Law.  The certificate of no impediment had been
issued for Carrie and the subsequent translations into Italian carried
out.  Everything was in place. 

The grand salon of the old main building was Carries
room.  Tomorrow she would share it with Nico as husband and wife. 
Her dress hung covered in white sheeting to protect it from the gaze of anyone
in the room.  D’von had once again been her knight in shining
armour.  Discretely touring wedding shops with her until they found the
perfect dress.  Then the perfect veil, shoes, underwear.  You get the
picture? 

Tonight they would share a meal and everyone would
gather to relax together before the revelries of the wedding.

It wasn’t a rehearsal just a get together for the few
people who would be there but the ones who meant the most.   She wore
her hair down and flowing.  The Donna Karan coral dress a perfect
accompaniment to her golden skin.  The halter neck chiffon with a
contrasting silk organza belt and a low back.  Strappy gold sandals and a
small gold clutch bag finished the outfit.  She walked down the large
stair case which dominated the interior of the hallway in the former
tower.  Nico was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs.

“You look incredible; I can’t wait until tomorrow
when you are my wife,” They kissed until a loud ‘cough’ interrupted them. 

“Hello Robin,”

“Hi boss,”

Last month Carrie had approached Robin about working
with her.  She had discussed it with Nico first and he was in agreement
that she would need an assistant.  A helping hand to show her the
ropes.  They were out having coffee when Carrie asked her, “I know you
enjoy working with Nico and honestly no hard feelings if this isn’t for
you.  But I like you, we get on well and I trust you to keep me right.”

Robin whooped out loud drawing a few grazes their
direction and hugged Carrie.

“I take it that’s a yes!”

“Yes!”

They laughed and Carrie called the waiter
over.  “Please change that order to champagne!”

Clinking glasses Carrie continued, “I will be honest
with you I don’t know where we will be based and the first six months it will
be a bit hectic.  You will probably know more than I do about Nico’s
whereabouts but I think it will be great.”

“I can hardly wait,”

“If you don’t like it, as I said no hard feelings,
honest. You can go back to your old job,”

“Thank you Carrie, let’s get started!”

“Fantastic, Nico said legal will speak with you in a
few days.  Its just a new contract but I asked Nico to increase your
salary,”

“What?  Thanks but why?”

“Well, you will have a lot more travel and
responsibility.  I think your salary should reflect this,” 

So now Robin joked and called her boss.  “Your
guests are waiting in the main reception room.  The caterers have set out
drinks and some canapés.  As requested no band, just some music playing
from your ipod,”

“Thanks Robin, come and join us,”

They walked along the small corridor until they
reached the main reception room.  The walls were decorated in colourful
frescoes and a large stone carved fireplace dominated the feature wall. 
The high ceiling with exposed wooden beams and white washed walls.  Low
sofas and high winged back chairs with occasional tables.  Despite the
size of the room there was warmth around it.  She could imagine sitting on
the winged back chair, reading a book or cosying up on the sofa with Nico with
the fire burning.  Her imagination also added a sleeping Beau at her
feet.  

Terri, Tansie and Monique her friends from the cape
rushed towards her.  Enveloped in the arms of Monique, “Oh my girl, I am
so so happy for you.  Those sad eyes have gone”

“I’m so glad you could all make it.  Who’s
running the Captains?”

“Carrie, we wouldn’t have missed this for the
world.  Charlie and the rest of the gang have all pitched in.  They
think we are over visiting you.”

“I’m sorry it was so cloak and dagger but we want to
try and keep it private for as long as possible”

“We understand, this place is awesome.  I
brought you a little gift,” Tansie handed over a jar of her blondies.  “I
thought you might be missing them plus I’m trying out some new recipes for the
store,”   Tansie was taking her fantastic bakery skills and combined
with vivacity of Monique they were opening up a bakery and coffee shop. 
The empty store near Shamiqua’s boutique a perfect location.  Carrie was
also supporting them with a business loan as was Terri.  They had a
business plan and contract all in place.   Although Monique was a
full time Mom she had also gained her Masters in Management and was more than
capable of taking on the challenge of the business.  When the fire had
occurred it had happened at a time in her life when she was completely
unprepared.  Although it was misfortune that brought Nico and Carrie into
her life they were all firm friends.  “Oh thank you!  I will need to
hide these from Nico!”

A few hours spent chatting relaxed some of the
nerves that were gathering in her stomach.  Nico was holding her in his
arms as they danced on one of the terraces.

“This time tomorrow, you will be my wife”

“And this time tomorrow, you will be my
husband.  No regrets?”

“None, I love you Carrie,”

“I love you too Nico, so your last night of freedom
and you don’t want to make a run for it?”

“Are you kidding?  It’s taken 6 long months to
get to this point; I would have married you months ago if I could,”

“I would have married you earlier too.”

The sun was shining brightly and Carrie stood by the
open window of the bedroom.  Dating back to its time as a fortress the
open window frame was protected by the iron grate covering.  The garden
was in bloom and she could hear voices as the gardens were transformed for the
wedding.  She had already had her bath in the large standalone bath. 
Her hair and make-up due in another hour.  For now she drank her cup of
tea and thought of the day ahead.  There was a knock on the door. 

“Hi Robin,”

“Good Morning, good morning, Mrs Devanti to
be.  Are you excited?  Because I am freaking out exciting”

“Yes, I am.  I’m a bit nervous too,”

“Well we are all here to help you; I do have a gift
for you from Nico,”

She handed Carrie a flat square jewellery box. 
Opening it the diamonds reflected back at her.  The exquisite jewellery
that she wore for the commerce dance.  The necklace, earrings and
bracelet.  She gasped. 

“
Dear Carrie,

My beautiful wife to be.  Theses
jewels were always yours.  I could never let them go after our night
together.  Wear them today for me and they will dazzle as brilliant as
you.

Love

Nico x”

Carrie started to
cry.  “Oh I better have the waterproof mascara on today!”

With the help of D’von the dress she had picked was
rush ordered at the designers.  It was amazing what money could do but
they managed it on time.  It surprised D’von but she picked the dress
after visiting their second bridal appointment.  A mix of elegant and
timeless but sexy too.  She didn’t want to look like a fairy-tale princess
but the mature woman she was.  The dress was ivory venise lace in a floral
scroll and motif design with tulle.  A v-neck sweetheart neckline with
delicately twisted tulle straps. Lots of beaded lace that ruched until the
waistline dropped.  The back was a deep v finished with what seemed like
hundreds of silk covered buttons until it joined yards and yards of tulle in a
train. Not a diamantes in sight.

Her wedding gift jewellery would be a perfect
accompaniment.  Their first night together had been so special to her and
she was touched that he had kept the jewellery.  When she looked in
magazines she had wondered if a celebrity would be wearing them.  Now it
explained why she hadn’t seen anyone with it.  She picked the jewellery
box up and placed it on the side table until she was ready to dress.

The next hour was an excited hub bub of
activity.  Her mum, sister and Belle briefly joined her before leaving to
get ready.  They shared a glass of champagne together.  Belle was
still taking full credit for bringing Carrie and Nico together.  “Oh
Darling, I am so happy for you.  Nico has given me the best gift and that
is seeing you smiling again.  That was all I wanted to see your beautiful
smile again,”

She would have no bridesmaid in attendance
today.  Their witnesses would be Claire and Nico’s best friend from
college Mark who Carrie had met a few times.   Sitting in the chair
she let her thoughts wander when her make-up was applied.  The pop of a
champagne cork startled her.  “Are you okay?” D’von asked.

“Yes, yes, I’m fine.” 

Her hair was sleeked back and smoothed into
bun.  Two crystal combs slid into place and would secure the veil when she
wore it later.

She shooed everyone out to step into the
dress.  Miniscule panties and once more the boning of the dress did not
require any bra.  Sheer thin stockings and a blue garter that Belle gave
her were her something blue.  Something old, the combs in her hair that
were her mothers.  Something new, her new jewellery.  That just left
the six pence for her shoe?

Another tap on the door, it was D’von to help with
the final buttons.

“Oh, oh, oh Carrie.  You are a vision.”

“Thank you D’von for
everything, I will see you at the ceremony, now off you go and make yourself
gorgeous!”

Time for the jewellery.  She picked up the box
and there underneath a shiny penny.  So Rob was with her now.  Giving
her the ‘six pence’ only it was a penny for her shoe.  She wouldn’t cry,
she wouldn’t break down.  For months the pennies had stopped. 
Finding this one was overwhelming.  That was how her father found her a
few minutes later.  Trying to blot the little tears in her eyes.  “A
penny Dad, I found a penny”

“Carrie, I have never seen my daughter look more
beautiful.  Dry your eyes darling.  Rob would be happy for you and
that’s the sign you are looking for.”