A Bouquet of Love

by Janice Thompson

  When things settled down, I approached my father to put his mind at ease about the shop. “Don’t worry, Babbas,” I said. “I’ll be in and out of the store every day. I’m sure Marcella and I can work out some arrangement.” I glanced at my boss and she nodded and smiled.

  “I’ll help too,” Alex said. “I don’t know the first thing about running a cash register, but I’ve watched you whip up the tzatziki sauce so many times I could do it in my sleep. And I’m pretty sure I could make a mean gyro too.”

  He’d never make a mean hero. A terrific one, maybe, but never mean.

  My parents settled back down into their seats, and Bella rose. “Since we’re making announcements, I have one too.” She looked at D.J. and her eyes misted over. “We, um, well, we haven’t really said anything about this publicly yet, but . . .”

  “What is it, Bella?” Rosa asked.

  “D.J. and I wanted to wait until we were far enough along to make any announcements.”

  “Far enough along?” Rosa let out a squeal. So did Imelda Rossi.

  “Wait . . .” I stared at Bella. “You’re . . . you’re having a baby?”

  She nodded and a little tear rolled out of the corner of her eye. “I am. I mean, we are. I’m eight weeks as of today, and things appear to be going great.”

  “Oh, Bella!” Hannah squealed and grabbed her hand. “I’m going to take your pregnancy pictures!”

  Scarlet ran to her side and gave her a hug. “I’m going to bake the baby shower cake.”

  “I’m going to make the cutest baby dress,” Gabi chimed in. “Well, if it’s a girl. If it’s a boy, I’ll make a little suit.”

  What could I contribute to this but the obvious? “And I’m going to do the prettiest centerpiece at your shower. Ooh, maybe even a corsage for you. And, of course, a fabulous arrangement in pink or blue once the baby arrives.”

  A baby! The idea got me tickled.

  The Splendora ladies all ran toward Bella at once and wrapped her in their bosomy embraces. This led to a conversation about the baby’s birth, and before long they were all talking about the Duchess’s delivery. I had to laugh when Twila waved her hand and said, “I still can’t believe she deliberately chose a C-section. She’s too posh to push!”

  This got a laugh from everyone. Babbas lifted his glass of sweet tea and gave a little toast in Greek, welcoming the new little one, to which Laz responded with a hearty “Opa!”

  With all of the attention now firmly fixed on Bella, I found myself free to pay attention to the one person who’d been overlooked in so much of the recent chaos. I turned to Alex, my gorgeous Greek Southern gentleman, and whispered, “I love you.”

  His face lit brighter than the midday sun as he leaned my way. “I love you too.” He gave my hand a squeeze and looked around the table at all of the others. “I don’t know how I landed an invitation to this memorable soiree, to be honest. I’m not exactly a Rossi, now am I? And I’m not a Pappas. I’m just happy to be included.” He kissed me on the cheek. “It’s always fun to be part of the family.”

  Indeed. As I looked around the table, as I listened in on the various conversations, I had to conclude that my family had just doubled in size . . . and I’d never been happier.

  The fun continued until one thirty, when O’Reilly reminded us that the trolley would be back up and running soon. The women all stood and started clearing the tables, but Babbas and Laz remained behind, chatting like old friends with Brock and the Stars Collide producer, as well as the other members of the cast. I grabbed several dirty plates and stacked them in my arms, then headed into Super-Gyros.

  Alex followed behind me, carrying a couple of empty gyro plates. When we reached the kitchen, he looked my way. “I need you to do something for me.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes.” He set the trays down on the counter. “Come with me for a little ride.”

  “On our bikes?” I couldn’t imagine it in this heat. And after such a busy day? “I don’t know, Alex.”

  “Not on our bikes.” He took the stack of dirty plates out of my hands and set them in the sink. “The trolley. It’s been down for repairs, but they’re opening at two o’clock. Remember?”

  “But why?” None of this made sense. “You want to show it to Athena’s friends?”

  “Yes. I think they would like it, don’t you?”

  I shrugged. “I guess.”

  “Okay, well, do me a favor. Go upstairs and get changed.”

  “Huh?”

  “Just go upstairs to your parents’ room. Athena’s there waiting on you.”

  “No she’s not. She’s still outside.” I walked out into the restaurant and looked through the glass to the street. “Hmm.”

  “Told you.” Alex took my hands. “Now, please don’t ask any questions. Just go see her.”

  “Okay.” I practically ran up the steps to our apartment and then bounded into my parents’ bedroom. Athena stood in the middle of the room, a bright smile on her face.

  “Well, hello there. Thought you’d never get here.”

  “What in the world are we doing?”

  Her eyes widened in false innocence. “We are doing nothing. You are changing into a lovely new dress that has been supplied for you just for this moment.” She opened the closet door. “You wouldn’t believe what I had to go through to get this.” She giggled as she pulled an amazing Victorian gown out of the closet. “Thank God Rex and Lenora were willing to bring it with them.”

  I gasped as I laid eyes on the gorgeous red gown with its sweetheart neckline and puffed short sleeves.

  “Look familiar?” Athena’s eyes twinkled.

  I gave it a closer look. “It does seem like I’ve seen it before . . . but where?”

  “What’s your favorite movie of all time?”

  “Meet Me in St. Louis.” I’d no sooner spoken the words than it hit me. Judy Garland had worn this same gown—well, maybe not this exact same one, but close—in the party scene.

  “Oh, Athena. How in the world . . . ?”

  “Lenora has the most amazing collection of costumes from old Hollywood days. I asked Rex if he would do a bit of digging to come up with this particular gown, and he did. Long story short, this dress—and yes, it’s a copycat—was hanging on the costume rack at the studio. It’s not a hundred percent like Judy’s version, but it’s close. Notice the pinched waistline.”

  “Well, yes. But why . . . ?” I couldn’t formulate words. They’d brought this dress all the way from California?

  “Because Alex asked for it.”

  “He did?”

  “Yep. The same day your father gave you the news that you would be moving back to Santa Cruz. So . . .” She grinned. “You gonna stand there all day, or are you going to let us fix your hair so you can get into this knock-’em-dead dress?”

  “You’re going to fix my hair?”

  “Actually, Bella’s sister Sophia is helping me. She’ll be up in a second. She’s going to fix it just like Judy wore it when she danced across the floor in this dress. Sophia printed up a picture from the internet, so don’t fret. It’ll be perfect.”

  Fret? Who could fret at a time like this? No, my heart felt like singing!

  Sophia showed up with a bagful of hair doodads and got to work. I hummed the whole time she and Athena worked on my hair and makeup, then I eased my way into the magnificent gown with its tiny waist and deep red color.

  Athena walked back to the closet and came out with a hatbox. She removed the most glorious Victorian hat I’d ever seen.

  “Are . . . are you serious?”

  She nodded and handed it to Sophia, who pinned it in place over my Gibson girl hairdo.

  I stood in front of Mama’s full-length mirror and stared at my reflection in awe. With the dress, the hair, the hat, I looked so much like Judy I could hardly believe it.

  A knock sounded at the door, and seconds later, after I gave the okay, my father peeked inside.

  “Cassia? Alex is
wondering if you’re ever going to—” Babbas stopped midsentence as he clapped eyes on me. “Oh my.” The next few words came out in Greek. I didn’t really understand them—well, not all of them—but managed to get the gist of it. He thought I looked lovely.

  I threw my arms around my father’s neck and gave him a huge hug. “Thank you, Babbas. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a trolley ride to take.”

  “Yes, I believe someone is waiting for you downstairs. A very dapper fellow in an interesting-looking suit. He’s been asking for you.”

  I slipped on the heels Athena passed to me, then gave myself one last glimpse in the mirror. My heart was beating so fast I could barely catch my breath. Oh, but who needed to breathe?

  I bounded out of my parents’ room and to the top of the stairs, then slowed my pace to make a graceful entrance.

  The shop below was filled with friends and loved ones—Greek, Italian, Californian, and Splendoran. A collective gasp went up as I eased my way from the bottom step into the shop. Twila rushed to me, followed by all of the other ladies, who gushed over my getup. I smiled and did my best to make conversation, but wanted to see—needed to see—Alex.

  He was dressed in a formal turn-of-the-century suit that took my breath away. “Oh, wow.” We made our way through the crowd, finally reaching each other. His eyes danced with delight as he took in my appearance.

  “Just as I imagined you would look.” He extended his hand. “Would you take a little ride with me, Miss Pappas?”

  “I-I would love to.” He slipped my arm through his and led the way out of the shop to the sidewalk. The street had been cleared of all tables. The cones were gone. And the trolley was parked at the corner.

  “Oh, Alex!” I almost lost my breath at the sight of the trolley car covered in multiple garlands of roses. Yellows, pinks, whites, and hundreds of reds. “How in the world did you . . . ?”

  “I have my ways.” He smiled, then ushered me on board.

  The whole place smelled heavenly. I closed my eyes and breathed in the scent, then opened them again, noticing our friends and family in the distance.

  “Are they coming with?” I asked.

  “Not just yet.” Alex reached down to the front seat of the trolley and picked up the most beautiful bouquet of Cassia roses in a bright shade of yellow, then handed them to me. “We’ll come back for them in a few minutes. I need a little time with you . . . alone.” He waggled his brows in playful fashion and gave me a little kiss on the forehead.

  My heart went crazy at this point. Alex led the way down the platform to the back. The trolley took off, and everyone on the street followed along behind us, waving. We waved back, but I was shaking so hard I lost my grip and almost went tumbling off the back of the car, nearly losing the bouquet in the process. Alex wrapped me in his arms and held me close. The trolley rounded the corner and we headed off on our way.

  “Where are we going?” I asked, struggling to hold on to the bouquet.

  “Where would you like to go?” He gazed at me with such tenderness that I felt my heart melt.

  If he had asked me this question a month ago, I would’ve said, “Home to Santa Cruz.” Never in a million years would I have said the words now tripping to the end of my tongue. “It doesn’t matter, as long as we’re together.”

  He planted several kisses along my hairline, sending tingles down my spine, then our lips met for a kiss so sweet even Mama’s baklava couldn’t compete.

  Oh, how my heart wanted to sing! My toes wanted to tap! I could dance from the back of this trolley car to the front and then back again, if it meant doing so with this amazing man in my arms.

  After a couple of dreamy moments, Alex looked at me and grinned. “Um, Cassia?”

  “Yes?” I gazed into those gorgeous brown eyes, the same ones I’d taken note of that first day I saw him on the trolley.

  “You’re doing it again.” His whispered words tickled my ear.

  “Hmm? Doing what?”

  “Humming.”

  I was indeed. The words to “The Trolley Song” danced their way from my heart to my lips. I simply couldn’t help myself.

  Then, as the man of my dreams slipped down to one knee, as he pulled out a tiny box and opened it to reveal a diamond ring that even Judy Garland would’ve swooned over, I realized that my heart would probably go on singing . . . for the rest of my life.

  SPECIAL FEATURE

  “GALVESTON TOURISM COMMERCIAL”

  “WELCOME TO PARADISE”

  WRITTEN BY

  Athena Pappas Cosse, Stephen Cosse, Niko Pappas, Cassia Pappas

  “WELCOME TO PARADISE” JINGLE BY

  Cassia Pappas and the Splendora Sisters

  “WELCOME TO PARADISE” JINGLE plays over WIDE SHOT of GALVESTON STRAND midday. Shops open for business on both sides of street, filled with happy customers spilling over onto sidewalks. WIDE SHOT of TROLLEY clang-clang-clanging by. TOURISTS seated on every row of TROLLEY snap photographs of sights as they whiz by. Close-up of PASSENGER near front of TROLLEY. ZOOM IN on BROCK’S face. JINGLE (INSTRUMENTAL ONLY) continues in background.

  BROCK

  (shakes hands with man on TROLLEY, looks into camera)

  Looking for the perfect place to vacation this summer? Why not take a little ride to sunny Galveston Island? The scenery will take your breath away.

  Shot WIDENS and camera flies over GALVESTON ISLAND, taking in breathtaking SCENERY along the COAST, where we see suspiciously WHITE SAND and CARIBBEAN-BLUE WATER. WAVES wash in and out. TIGHT SHOT on NIKO and HELENA riding bikes along SEAWALL. CUT TO WIDE SHOT of MOODY GARDENS, flowers in abundance. CASSIA and ALEX are having their pictures taken in FLOWERS by HANNAH.

  BROCK

  (back platform of TROLLEY, looking at SCENERY)

  Whether you’re looking to rest, work, or play, Galveston’s got it all. Great beaches, five-star hotels, amazing entertainment, and the best food on the planet.

  WIDE SHOT of STRAND, minus TROLLEY. CUSTOMERS flood into various RESTAURANTS. TIGHT SHOT of SCARLET walking out of LET THEM EAT CAKE BAKERY, holding a WEDDING CAKE. She nearly drops it as she attempts to wave at OFFICER O’REILLY, who catches it and smiles.

  BROCK

  (voice-over)

  Looking for a cultural experience? Whether your heart dreams of going back to Italy, Greece, or a thousand other places around the globe, you will feel right at home here.

  WIDE SHOT of RESTAURANTS. ZOOM IN on PARMA JOHN’S. LAZ stands outside, welcoming tourists, holding a PIZZA. Camera swings across street. TIGHT SHOT of NIKO dressed in SUPER-GYROS costume, positioned to fly off into skies above. YIA YIA and OTHER PAPPAS FAMILY MEMBERS hand out SANDWICHES and BAKLAVA to TOURISTS walking down sidewalk. THREE NUNS grab SANDWICHES, converse with SPLENDORA TRIO, and they all walk into SUPER-GYROS together.

  BROCK

  (voice-over)

  Good food, awesome surroundings, amazing friendships. You’ll find all of these and more on Galveston Island.

  LONG SHOT of picnic tables set up down the center of STRAND. PARTY GUESTS (ENTIRE CAST AND CREW) share a meal together.

  ALL PARTY GUESTS

  (raise glasses of sweet tea)

  Opa!

  BROCK

  (voice-over)

  Whether you’re ready to shop till you drop or start your own business, there’s no friendlier place on the planet.

  WIDE SHOT of FLORIST SHOP. Camera ZOOMS in on SIGN with SHOP’S name: A ROSE IS A ROSE. CASSIA and ALEX stand outside, passing off a BRIDAL BOUQUET OF COLORFUL ROSES to GABI.

  BROCK

  (voice-over)

  Preparing for a big event? You’ll find some great places to get you geared up for the big day.

  TIGHT SHOT of GABI in SEWING ROOM, stitching VICTORIAN WEDDING GOWN. CUT TO WIDE SHOT of SASSY SHEARS HAIR SALON. TIGHT SHOT of NIKO having his unibrow waxed in the middle by SOPHIA. He overexaggerates, crying out in pain. YIA YIA and HELENA look on, cheering at his clean-cut results.

  BROCK

/>   (voice-over)

  And speaking of the big day, when you’re looking to tie the knot, you won’t find a more luxurious place to say “I do” than here on sunny Galveston Island.

  CUT TO WIDE SHOT of Broadway Street. ZOOM IN on CLUB WED. GUESTS (ALL CAST MEMBERS) are gathered on VERANDA, throwing birdseed as GROOM JORDAN and BRIDE GABI (wearing VICTORIAN GOWN and carrying BOUQUET OF ROSES) run out front door and toward lawn. TIGHT SHOT of HANNAH taking photos. GABI pauses at edge of VERANDA and throws her wedding bouquet of YELLOW ROSES to crowd of ladies standing on STRAND. LILY and JASMINE both catch it and fight over it.

  BROCK

  (voice-over)

  Yes, there’s no finer place to ride off into the sunset with the one you love than right here. So why not experience your happily ever after in paradise?

  CUT TO TIGHT SHOT of TROLLEY (BACK PLATFORM), where ALEX and CASSIA stand, kissing. TROLLEY begins to move and they grab railing. ZOOM out to reveal TROLLEY (INSIDE) filled with ROSSI CLAN and PAPPAS CLAN, all toasting with sweet tea. CUT TO TIGHT SHOT of NIKO (with a Band-Aid between his brows) laughing and talking with LAZ. ZOOM to back of TROLLEY, where CASSIA and ALEX kiss once more. TROLLEY fades from view in the SUNSET.

  BROCK

  So what’s keeping you? The experience of a lifetime awaits you on Galveston Island!

  FULL CAST SINGS “WELCOME TO PARADISE” JINGLE

  FADE TO BLACK

  Small circle in center of black screen WIDENS to reveal NIKO flying across the sky in his SUPER-GYROS costume, GYRO SANDWICH in hand. From below, SPLENDORA TRIO tries to snatch SANDWICH out of his hand, but he’s too fast for them. They FADE FROM VIEW. NIKO flies over GALVESTON BEACH with WHITE SAND and CARIBBEAN-BLUE WATER, JINGLE playing merrily in background.

  FADE TO BLACK

  Author’s Note

  Writing a book is tough work ordinarily. Factor in several health issues and two personal crises (the death of a best friend and the early delivery of a granddaughter), and writing a book becomes more than tough; it can seem impossible. This was the scenario I faced when I sat down to write Cassia’s story.