A Couple of Forevers (This Time Forever Book 2) (5 page)

After they finally talked themselves out, they said their
good-nights and went to bed.

~~~~

Chapter
4

The rest of the week went by very smoothly.  Kim was
completing Renee’s and Elliott’s wedding plans and Liza was beside herself with
excitement in anticipation of their Vegas trip. 

“Okay, Liza,” Renee said, “Amy said that we are to come to
the bridal salon for a final fitting when we get back and she said that she
would be available the day of the wedding to assist with the dress.  Kayla is
going to meet us in a bit for our makeup consultations.  After that, I think
we’re all done.”

Liza was putting things into her suitcase.  She said, “I
can’t wait to get there.  So much to do and see, so little time.  How’s Elliott
holding up?  Is he still pouting about your being away for a few days?”

Renee smiled and replied, “Well, he isn’t jumping over the
moon happy about it, but he’s resigned himself to it.  I told him he would be
so busy that he probably wouldn’t have too much time to miss me.”

Teasingly, Liza said, “Well, I’m sure you two will make up
for lost time on your honeymoon.  Speaking of which, where are you lovebirds
going?”

Renee said, “You know, he won’t tell me.  Just said that we
will have a really good time.  That’s all he will say, though.  Did he say
anything to you?”

“No,” Liza replied.  “E knows, but he won’t tell me. 
Doesn’t want to risk me telling you.  Oh, well, I’m sure it is going to be
fantastic, wherever it is.  Have you finished packing yet?”

“Almost,” Renee said.  “I just have a few toiletry items to
pack, but I’m done for the most part.”  She glanced at her cell phone to check
the time.  “We’d better get over to our makeup consultation.  It’s not far at
all, but you never know what traffic is going to be.”

Liza got her purse and slipped on a pair of high-heeled
pumps and they headed out the door.

When they got to the consultation, Kayla was already there,
looking through some brochures. 

Once introductions had been made, the makeup consultant, Kara,
took the three ladies to the consultation suite.

Renee said, “We’re having a garden wedding.  I want our
makeup to be very fresh and natural.  Nothing heavy at all.”

Kara did a quick assessment and started with Liza and Kayla
first.  Once she had finished both ladies, they went into the room where Renee
had been asked to wait.  When Renee saw Kayla and Liza she was thrilled, to say
the very least.  “They look beautiful.  Doesn’t even look as if they are
wearing makeup, but they look so flawless.  Now, do you think you can make me
look as gorgeous as these two?”

Kara laughed and said, “Renee, it will be no work at all. 
You’re already beautiful.  I’m just going to tweak what you already have and I
think you’ll really like it.”

After Kara finished with Renee’s makeup, she turned the
chair around so that Renee could see herself in the mirror.  “Oh, Kara, it’s
exactly the way I want to look.  I do have one question, however.  Will you be
available next Saturday to do our makeup?  I really want us all to look this
good that day.”

Kara left the room briefly and when she returned she said,
“I just needed to check the schedule for next Saturday.  I was able to trade
days with someone, so I can absolutely do this for you.”

Renee thanked Kara and gave her the wedding location. 
“Thanks again, and we’ll see you next Saturday.”

On their drive over to the bridal salon for the final dress
fittings, Renee had a thought.  “Wow.  I’m probably running up quite a tab with
the gown, the venue, the makeup, the food.  Maybe I should call Kara and just
do our makeup ourselves.  I mean, it’s not like we haven’t made up our own
faces before, right?”

Kayla just looked at her mother and shook her head.

Liza, on the other hand wasn’t so silent.  She said, “Um,
Renee?  I mean have you  taken a look at where you live and how you live?”  She
then took Renee’s phone, found Elliott on speed dial and called him.  “Elliott,
its Liza.  Got a quick question.  Are you and Renee strapped for cash?  Yeah,
that’s what I thought.  Okay, here she is.”

Renee glared at Liza as she took her phone from her. 
Elliott was telling her that she could have whatever she wants, money was not
an issue.  Renee said, “Okay, okay, I just felt like I was going a little
overboard.  We’re going to meet your mom at the bridal salon and then we’ll be
home after that.  Okay.  Love you, too.”

When Renee ended the call, she glared at Liza again and then
they all burst out laughing.  Renee said, “Liza, why did you do that?”

“Because you need to realize how much Elliott loves you and
wants you to have whatever you want, because you really can have whatever you
want.  I knew at some point you would bring up money.

Renee said, “You know me, Liza.  I’ve never been one of
those women who spends money just for the sake of spending money.”

Liza said, “I know and I’m not saying you should start doing
that, but what I am saying is that you have someone now that wants to provide
you and his children with the best life.  He wants to do it and he can do it.”

When Renee and Liza got out of the car at the bridal salon,
Renee pulled her friend into a hug.

When they walked into the salon, they found that Lena was
already there.  She said, “You three look so beautiful.  I know it sounds
strange, but that makeup makes you all look like you’re not wearing makeup. “Renee,
won’t you please try on that last gown we didn’t get to see?  I bet it’s
stunning on you.”

“That gown just didn’t do it for me.  Besides, it cost twice
as much as the dress that we all fell in love with.”

Kayla scoffed and said, “Here we go talking about money
again.”  Kayla recounted to her grandmother the earlier event of Liza calling
Elliott about money.

Lena said, “Your dad has made plenty of money and is still
making it.  Renee’s skin care and hair care lines are extremely successful. 
Money is no issue for these people.”

By this time, Renee and Amy were coming out of the dressing
room to give the ladies one more inspection of the dress before the wedding. 
They all agreed that the gown was indeed beautiful and that Renee had made the
right decision in choosing that dress, even though they still wanted to see the
last dress.

After they left the bridal salon, Lena went to meet some
friends for an early dinner, as Ben was working late at the hospital that
night, and Liza and Renee took Kayla back to the makeup studio so that she
could retrieve her car and go home.  Kayla made them promise to come over to
her house later that evening for dinner because Joe and Liza had not yet seen
it.

Liza said, “Yes, we’ll be over in a bit.  Just need to
finish up a couple of things first.”

On their drive back to Elliott’s and Renee home, Liza said,
“Well, are you ready for Vegas?  I can hardly wait until we get there.  There
are so many things to see and do at the Bellagio.”

As she was parking the car in the garage, Renee said, “I
really want to see Celine Dion while we are there.  Do you think we can see her
show?”

“We can do anything your little heart desires.  This trip is
all about rest and relaxation.  I know Elliott is not at all looking forward to
your being away, even for just a few days, but when you get back you’ll be all
rested up for the wedding . . . and the wedding night.” 

As they walked from the garage into the kitchen, they were greeted
by Elliott and Joe.  Elliott kissed Renee and said, “Did you ladies finish
everything today?  E and I were hoping that if you finished up today, we could
go out for dinner tomorrow night.  You know, before you two leave.” 

“That sounds great.  Tonight though, Kayla wants us to come
over so that she can show Joe and Liza their new place,” Renee said.  “I just
need to freshen up a bit and then I’ll be ready.” 

“Okay, I’ll be right in,” Elliott said before finishing the
glass of orange juice that he was drinking.

Liza said, “Joe, we may as well go find something on
television to watch.  Every time they go in that bedroom and say they’ll be
right out, it’s never true.  I guess people who are about to be married have a
different definition of what ‘be right back’ means.”

Joe nodded his head in agreement and said, “Mmhm, that’s
right.  Remember how we were, though?  Always telling people we would be
somewhere at a certain time and then showing up an hour later?” 

Renee walked up the hallway, shaking her head, saying, “Ten
minutes.  I’ll be out in ten minutes.”  Elliott was not far behind.

While Renee was sitting on the bed changing shoes, Elliott
sat next to her.  She said to him, “So, did Kim talk to you and Joe about the
fitting for your suits?  I think you’re scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.”

He pulled her close to him and gave her a deep, seductive
kiss and said, “Yes, it’s all taken care of.”  He continued to trail kisses
down to her neck and chest.

Renee sighed and said, “Elliott, let’s not start something
we can’t finish right now.  You know Liza is out there timing us.  The sooner
we get over to Kayla’s and Mik’s, the sooner we can get back.  I’m really beat
from today.”

Elliott pulled her up with him and said, “Okay.  Let’s get
moving.  Do you have anything you need to do tomorrow?  Any last minute details
or anything I can do for you?” 

Renee replied, “No, everything is pretty much under
control.  Kim is taking care of things at this point and if she needs anything
she can call us or she can contact you.”

He said, “Good.  Then you can sleep in tomorrow and take
things slow.  I’m going to go into the office for a bit.  Everyone is really
happy for us, baby.  Is it okay with you if some people from work come for the
wedding?  I already asked Kim and she said it should be okay, but I need to let
her know something by tomorrow so that she has a head count for dinner.”

“As long as it’s okay with Kim and won’t be a hassle for
catering, I’m fine with it.  Genie and Maya, and a few people from New York are
coming, too.  Wow, I knew this would turn into a production once Liza was given
the green light.”

Renee and Elliott were laughing as they were walking back
into the living room.  Liza said, “Well, would you look at that.  They actually
made it out in nine minutes.  This has to be a first.”

Renee shook her head as the foursome headed out the door.

~~~~

Liza exclaimed, “Kayla, your home is beautiful!  Have you
had the chance to call Mariah to tell her about it?”

Kayla thanked Liza and said, “I did finally get a chance to
call her a couple of days ago.  We’ve just been so bogged down with getting
ourselves situated.  Mariah did say that she has a few vacation days coming up
and that she is going to come out here for a visit.”

Renee said, “I really like the way you rearranged some of
the furniture.  It’s so nice and relaxing here.”

“I know,” Kayla replied.  “It’s great to come home in the
evening to peace and quiet.  It’s busy and noisy on campus.  This will give us
a chance to sit back and relax.

Joe and Elliott were out on the patio.  Joe asked, “So, you
ready for the big day?  Looks like everything is all done.  You ready for Renee
to leave for Vegas tomorrow?”

Elliott said, “Yes, I am definitely ready for next Saturday,
but as far as Renee going to Vegas right now, it’s a no to that.  But it sounds
like she and Liza have some fun things planned for them to do.  But no, I’m not
looking forward to her being gone for a whole week.”

While everyone was carrying on their respective conversations,
Mik came walking through the door.  After saying hello to everyone, he said to
Joe and Liza, “We’re so glad you could come over tonight.  Kayla has been so
excited for you to see our home.”

Liza said, “I can certainly see why she’s so happy about it,
Mik.  This place is beautiful.  You two certainly did a great job of finding
something so nice.”

Mik said, “Well, I can’t really take any credit for that. 
Kayla really did all the leg work.”  By this time, Kayla was walking over to
Mik.  He slipped his arms around her slender waist and kissed her softly on her
full lips, eliciting a soft moan that only he heard from her. 

Elliott cleared his throat and said, “Kayla said you’ve
started seeing patients already and that your boards are coming up soon.”

Mik said, “Yes, I’m seeing hospital patients as well as
private patients.  Once I pass the board exam, I will be able to take on more
patients at the hospital as well as at the office.  I will be able to better
divide my time between both places.”

Elliott, still slowly getting used to the idea of Kayla and
Mik living together, smiled and directed his attention to Kayla.  “If you need
anything, just let us know.”  The room went momentarily silent and Mik stole a
quick glance from Kayla.”

Renee quickly said, “Kay, honey, what smells so good?  Did
you make stuffed shells?  I sure hope so, because I have a craving for them.”

Kayla, somewhat miffed and hurt that Elliott would insinuate
that she and Mik might not be able to make it on their own, quickly brightened. 
“I sure did, Mom.  I even used organic pasta.  I just need to toss the salad
and then we can eat.” 

While the ladies were in the kitchen helping Kayla to put
the finishing touches on dinner, the doorbell rang.  It was Matt and Sonya. 

Renee ran to the front door and both of them.  “We thought
you weren’t getting here until Sunday.”

Matt said, “Well, when we found out that you and Dad are
getting married and having a baby, we decided to get back as soon as we could.” 

Sonya said, “Yeah, we left a day early and drove straight
through.  Congratulations, to you and Mr. James.”

Kayla hugged Matt and Sonya and said, “I’m so glad you were
able to make it back tonight.  Did Mom tell you she and Aunt Liza are leaving
for Vegas tomorrow?”