Riverside... The Weddings

by Heather Mar-Gerrison

I nodded, “Crucifying.” I agreed, shaking my head. “Remind me again – what possessed me?” I joked.

  He grinned at me, “Because you’ve been in love with her since I was a kid and because we all love her – and because you want to have a million babies with her.”

  I nodded with a big grin on my face, “You’re right.” I agreed. “I really do.”

  He patted my shoulder, “I’m so damned happy for you.” He said, “I know I don’t say it a lot – but I really love you, bro’,”

  I smiled back at him, “I love you, too.” I said, “Come on, then. Let’s go and get checked onto that flight.”

  *

  The attendant on the flight, a delightful young man, called Cristian, showed us to our seats and then, once we’d taken off and the pilot had given us the go ahead to undo our seatbelts, he brought us all a glass of complimentary champagne each. “I love a good romance.” He said, clapping his hands and beaming at us, “There’s not enough real romance in the world.” His face fell slightly before he pasted the big, professional smile back on his face.

  “Reckon he’s had his heart broken?” Maddie muttered to me under her breath.

  I nodded, “Probably.” I agreed, “poor guy.”

  The flight was, thankfully, uneventful and we landed perfectly safely. I’d been unaware of how nervous a passenger I was until I realised that pretty much the entire family was on the same flight. Sam would have been left without a family if anything had happened to us. I swallowed hard. I really had to not think like that – it really couldn’t be healthy…

  Maddie put her hand on my arm, “Are you okay?” she asked, looking at me in concern.

  I nodded, “I’m fine.” I assured her, smiling now that we were back on the ground.

  She smiled back at me and nodded, “Wanna call Sam?” she asked.

  I smiled at her gratefully, “Am I that transparent?” I asked. Of course I was. We’d been together since we were little more than children. She knew me inside and out.

  She chuckled, “Only to me.” She whispered.

  I leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips, “I love you.” I said.

  “I love you too.” She said, “So much.”

  Chapter 5 – Maddie

  I could see how anxious Tate was as we started to descend. I’d always known he wasn’t the biggest fan of flying but with every member of his family on the flight bar one, you could say that this was his worst nightmare.

  As the plane touched down, he visibly started to relax but I knew he’d want to check in with Sam – his adopted brother.

  It seemed to take forever to get through customs but finally we were the other side and he almost immediately got out his phone and made the call.

  “Yeah, we’re all fine – how are things there?”

  The smile on his face told me that things back at Riverside were perfectly fine, thanks very much.

  Tate ended the call and beamed at me, “everything’s fine back home.” He said.

  I smiled. Of course it was. Sam and Luca weren’t about to let the Fletcher family down. They loved us all. “Good.” I said, “Everyone’s already gone to find the taxis we booked.”

  He nodded, “Come on then, beautiful.” He said, “let’s go.”

  Chapter 6 – Trey

  “So, do you think Sam and Luca might...?” Toby trailed off, his eyes darting around to make sure no one else was listening.

  I was confused temporarily. I blinked at his question, “What?”

  He rolled his eyes, as if I was completely clueless, “Get it on while we’re all away.” He said in a conspiratorial whisper, “Haven’t you noticed that things have been brewing between them for ages? Ever since that party.”

  I nodded thoughtfully, “Yeah, you’re right.” I agreed, “But Luca’s going out with Evelyn.”

  “Enid,” Toby corrected, “She’s called Enid.”

  I shrugged, “Whatever.” I had absolutely no interest in the girl. In my opinion, Luca was far better suited to our adopted brother, Sam.

  Toby looked at me, “Do you know something?” he said.

  I shook my head, “What?” I asked.

  “Robyn Reece was in Cannes last week.” He let out a long sigh, “If only Tate and Maddie had chosen the week before...”

  I shook my head, “She’d be surrounded by security, mate.” I said as reasonably as I could, “She’d never be allowed to talk to you.” And honestly, she’s probably got a super-hot celebrity boyfriend, anyway.

  He nodded dolefully, “I know.” He said, “But we get on so well when we chat online.”

  I couldn’t deny that it was amazing that she’d made friends with him online. I didn’t know of anyone else that was friends with a celebrity, in secret, online. Still, it didn’t stop her from dating high-profile celebrities, either. I still thought Toby was going to end up broken-hearted... Voicing my fears was never an option, though. He was absolutely deaf and blind when it came to finding fault with Robyn Reece.

  We both looked up as we heard someone coming. It was Tate. “Hey, guys.” He grinned, “Obviously we can’t do a stag night to the epic proportions we’ve done before – but how do you two fancy coming into town for a drink and bite to eat with the rest of us boys tonight? And then the girls can do their own thing tomorrow night while we babysit?”

  I brightened. Who knew who we might see in the town…? Robyn Reece might have stayed a few nights longer for all we knew. I could live in hope for my brother…

  Chapter 7 – Toby

  Tate and Maddie couldn’t have picked us a better hotel. It was absolutely beautiful and right on the beach.

  I was sharing a room with Trey, which was just fine with us – and at the prices being charged, was probably just as well.

  “What’s happening tonight, then?” Trey asked as he opened his case and shook out a really smart looking shirt.

  I smiled, “It’s us stags tonight.” I said, “And the hens are partying tomorrow night while we look after the kids.”

  He nodded, “Sounds like a plan.” He grinned back at me.

  It wasn’t going to be anything like the last two stag nights we’d been on. Tatum wasn’t one for a lot of fuss and we all respected that. But there was no harm in having a few drinks and a nice meal in a fancy restaurant and I, for one, was hoping against hope that we might see some celebrities. Well, only one really, Robyn Reece…

  It was stupid of me to hope to see her. She was bound to be back home by now.

  *

  We headed out later on in the evening. We were a huge family and were still quite a crowd when it was just us guys.

  Will and Tom were walking together, hand-in-hand, behind them was Trey and I and behind us was Tate and Sawyer. We were heading for some fancy eatery called ‘Chez Marlene’ that had been recommended to us. “Here it is.” I called out.

  Sawyer, who could speak about a million different languages went to the front and spoke to the Maître D.

  Within a couple of minutes, we were all seated at a lovely table with a view of the street and a drink in our hand.

  “To Tate and Maddie,” Will said, a big beaming smile on his face.

  We all chorused back to him, “To Tate and Maddie.”

  Chapter 8 – Tom

  Will was being distant with me. I was sure of it. To begin with, I thought I was imagining it, but by the end of the night, he was staggering all over the place, hanging onto Sawyer like his life depended on it and was totally ignoring my existence.

  And Sawyer wasn’t any better. He was totally lapping up Will’s attention. What the fuck was that all about? Sawyer was supposed to be straight – and married to my fucking sister.

  I was fuming – and, if I’m honest, a little drunk that was probably contributing greatly to my current state of annoyance. Being drunk and annoyed wasn’t the best combination for me – and in true Tomas fashion, I lost it completely....

  “What the fuck is going on?” I snarled, pushing Sawyer up against
the nearest window I could find on the way back from the restaurant (where we’d had fine food and far too much to drink).

  He blinked blearily at me, “Uh?”

  Resisting the temptation to just punch his lights out, I repeated my words, as menacingly as I could.

  “Nothing, man.” Sawyer said, frowning at me now. “Why?”

  Will had carried on walking (Or rather, zigzagging dangerously close to the road) completely oblivious. “Because he,” I nodded towards my wayward husband, “Has been all over you like a fucking rash all fucking night and has hardly spoken a word to me.”

  Sawyer frowned, “He really hasn’t.” he said, “We were just having a laugh. You have to get control of your jealousy, Tomas. Will loves you. Anyone with half a brain can see that.”

  I bristled at his words. Half a brain? Was that directed at me? Bastard. And what was all that about me having to get control of my jealousy? Rude. I wasn’t jealous… Fuck. I so was. “I’m going back to the hotel.” I muttered and stomped off in the opposite direction.

  I heard Will and Sawyer shouting after me but I wasn’t in any mood to listen to reason and I carried on walking.

  Chapter 9 – Sawyer

  Tom still surprised me from time to time with his self-doubt.

  I’m not about to deny that Will and I had been having a really good time at the stag party, chatting and having a good laugh – but he was my wife’s best friend and we all lived together. We were a close family and I genuinely loved everyone. I usually sat with Tate when we went out and as much as I loved his company too, it was nice to catch up with Will.

  Obviously, Tomas hadn’t had his husband all to himself, as he usually did – and as a result, had been feeling left out. With a few drinks inside him, instead of joining in with the conversation, he did his usual trick of withdrawing into himself and allowing his anger to take over his rational thinking.

  Will was staring after his husband in total bewilderment, “What the fuck was that all about?” he asked.

  I shook my head, “He’s just having one of his mini meltdowns, mate.” I said, “He’ll be okay. Come on. Let’s head back and make sure he’s okay.”

  I was quite confident that it was all a storm in a teacup and that it wouldn’t take long for him to see that he was being a baby and they’d have kissed and made up in no time.

  I went to check on Tatum and found him to be in a great mood, “Will and I are heading back – do you want to find somewhere else with Trey and Toby?” I asked, “Or do you want to head back with us to the hotel?”

  He grinned, “I’ve had a really good night and I’m ready to go and find my beautiful bride-to-be.” He said.

  I grinned. I was perfectly happy to do that, too…

  Chapter 10 – Trey

  They were all going back to the hotel already? What the fuck? True to form, Tom had drunk himself into a bad mood and had stomped off an hour ago but the rest of us could surely carry on?

  Toby was laughing at me being so outraged but fuck me. They’d all turned into boring old bastards almost overnight… If this was what falling in love and getting married was all about – then I wanted none of it.

  I was perfectly happy being young, free and very single, thanks very much…

  “Come on,” Toby said, “We can have a couple of drinks in the hotel bar.”

  I brightened. Of course. The hotel had a bar… “Cool.” I said, “Let’s hope there are a few girls in there around our age.”

  Toby nodded but I could tell he wasn’t really interested. Toby truly was only interested in Robyn Reece – an actress that he was likely never to meet in person.

  We got back to the hotel and all piled in, slightly less elegantly than we did when we left.

  True was waiting for us with a face like thunder. “What happened?” she asked.

  Sawyer blinked. I felt a little sorry for him. True was a force to be reckoned with when she thought someone had upset one of her brothers – and between you and me, she’d always been closest to Tomas… “What do you mean, babe?” he asked.

  I sucked in a breath. Wrong move, mate…

  “Don’t ‘babe’ me.” She snarled, “I’ve got Tomas in there – in bits. Saying something about you two leaving him out and flirting with each other.” She eyed Sawyer and Will evilly, wither her arm folded across her chest and her left foot started tapping – always a danger sign but Sawyer just kept on missing the signals.

  His jaw dropped, “I wasn’t flirting with anyone,” he spluttered indignantly, looking around at us all for support. We all nodded, backing up his defence. “I was just talking to Will. It’s not my fault that Tomas is so high-maintenance.” His accent was coming out, making it difficult to for him to pronounce his words properly.

  She softened a little. There was no getting away from it – we all knew that Tomas was high-maintenance. Will bravely stepped forward, “Where is he?” he asked.

  She nodded behind her and Will took a deep breath, clearly steeling himself for a confrontation with our volatile brother.

  “Good luck,” I murmured, earning myself a frown from True, Sawyer, Tate and Will – and a shit-eating grin from Toby.

  Chapter 11 – Will

  My head had cleared a little with the walk back from the restaurant – and I hadn’t had all that much to drink in any case. I hated waking up with a mouth like sandpaper and with us now having Millie to look after, it made sense to feel good in the mornings, not hungover.

  “Where’ve you been?” Tomas asked suspiciously, making me want to laugh at the absurdity of the whole situation. Still, laughing at him wouldn’t make things any better right now.

  “I have no idea why you have this ridiculous notion that I was chatting up Sawyer.” I started.

  He leapt to his feet, tears streaking his beautiful face, “You were.” He insisted, “I was there. I watched you. You ignored me all night.”

  I shook my head, “No, sweetheart.” I said, “I didn’t. I was just talking to him and having a laugh. I didn’t mean to leave you out. I would never intentionally hurt you. Not ever. I thought you knew that.”

  Tom sniffed and nodded, “I do know that…” he whispered.

  I raised an eyebrow, “So, you don’t think I fancy Sawyer.” I pressed.

  He rolled his eyes, “Well, no.” he said a little sheepishly, “I just got scared, that’s all.”

  I couldn’t stop the big, sappy grin from spreading all over my face. He was so damned cute, “Were you jealous, honey?” he asked, “Because you’ve got no need to ever be jealous. I love you.” I held my arms open for him to come to me. I was confident that he would.

  He smiled and darted forward to wrap his arms around me, almost knocking us both back onto the sofa in the process. “I love you right back.” he said, “I’m sorry for being so desperate and needy.”

  He nuzzled into my neck, sending shivers down my spine, “I love that you love me so much.” I murmured, “And I can’t wait to get you back to our room.”

  True, who must have come back into the room at that point, cleared her throat, “Well, you’re not there yet, guys.” She said, “Come on. You can’t do that in here – get back to your own room.”

  Tom chuckled and pulled away from me slightly, “Come on, babe.” he said, “We’re done here for the night – bed time.”

  He hugged True, thanked her for sorting his head out and then, grabbing my hand again, he pulled me along and back to our room.

  Chapter 12 – Toby

  After all the drama with Tom and Will, I was ready for another pint of something long and cool. That would be a coke, then. I was sick of drinking alcohol…

  Trey ordered himself a cider and came to sit with me.

  “That girl over there looks a bit like Robyn Reece.” He said vaguely.

  My heart took off like a rocket, “Where?” I asked, “Where!”

  He nodded to the far corner of the bar area, “Over there, look – the redhead.”

  “B
ut Robyn doesn’t have red hair.” I pointed out.

  He shrugged, “Still looks a bit like her.” He said, “Pretty.”

  I frowned, “Find your own Robyn.” I growled.

  He grinned at me, “Robyn Reece is not my type.” He said, “The red hair could totally do it for me, though.” He murmured.

  Seconds later, the redhead had disappeared and it was just the two of us again. “Well, I’m pooped.” I said, “And we’ve got babysitting duties all day, remember?”

  Trey nodded, “Sure, sure.” He agreed, “Let’s go, then.”

  Chapter 13 – True

  “Are you sure you’ll be okay with all of the children?” I asked.

  Toby and Trey stood in front of me, both rolling their eyes and looking more alike than they’d ever looked before. “Yes.” They said in unison and then looking at each other, they both said, “You said she’d be like this.”

  I burst out laughing, “Oh, boys.” I said fondly, “I do love you.”

  They grinned at me, “We stopped drinking way before the rest of them.” Toby said, “You know we’re not big drinkers, anyway.”

  I nodded. I did know that. They were generally wasted on a couple of pints.

  “Well, the twins will generally let you know when they’re hungry – and I’ve made up their bottles for the day – they’re in the fridge. Just take them out and heat them…”

  “We do know how to do this – we do it at home, you know.” Trey said with a bit of frown.

  I nodded, “I know. I know.” I said, “And Zsófia can pretty much feed herself – you just have to supervise. Millie’s a dream – but I’m sure Tom and Will will be on hand, sooner or later.” I bit my lip. It was very unlikely. Tomas would want to make things up to Will for being a baby about him talking to Sawyer and that would mean a mammoth sex session.