“Quiet yourself! It’s nothing like that,” Isis insisted. “It’s just the underskirt and none of the finishing touches that make it a dress. It will still take another couple of weeks to put it all together.”
Raj and Meena’s ceremony will be quite traditional. We’ll give the guests something else to look forward to by making yours more...American-at least with the food and music. That should be quite entertaining,” Isis clasped her hands together like a mad scientist on the brink of discovery.
“Roman? Do you think your family might be able to get here in time?”
“I uh,” Roman stood then too. “I’ll uh, I’ll see what I can do.”
“Beautiful,” Isis brows drew close when she observed the stricken couple. “Such drab reactions.” She noted, her crunched brows arching suddenly. “Are the two of you certain? Perhaps you’re not quite as ready as you thought?”
“Ice,” the Chief called in a knowing chord.
“It’s okay, Chief,” Roman came to Isis’ defense. “I like the idea, Mrs. Kamande. If it’s alright with Imani.”
Imani stood at last. “I like it,” she said, nodding once firmly.
“Beautiful,” Isis said and then flew from the library in an elegant peach chiffon blur.
Hilar Kamande’s laughter lilted as he followed his wife from the room at a leisurely pace.
Imani returned to her chair, once more tucking her hands tightly in her lap. “Are you sorry you got on that plane?” She asked her fiance.
Roman laughed outright. “Not at all.”
“You think your mother will come?” She asked.
“Not at all,” Roman repeated.
The couples’ laughter warmed the library.
~8~
“Got a minute, Grek?”
“Actually, I don’t.”
Gabriel’s quick reply didn’t stop Vale from entering his brother’s room that afternoon. He whistled sharply when he saw the white tux Gabriel wore.
“What’s the occasion? Hot date with Giselle?” Vale queried.
“Somethin’ like that,” Gabriel favored his younger brother with a wink. “Make this quick.”
“Alright, alright,” Vale grimaced looking as though he were hesitant to approach his real reason for the visit. “This is about Stone.”
Gabriel worked with his bow tie. “What about him?” He asked.
“Well...has he been acting...I don’t know...weird to you?”
“Hmph, you mean weirder than usual?” Gabriel teased.
“It’s just I’ve tried a few times to get him to open up, but...”
“Spill it, man,” Gabriel checked the bow tie once he was done with it. “What?” He insisted when he turned from the mirror.
Vale huffed. “It’s just that something’s up with him, but whenever he’s about to get into it, we’re interrupted by Pitch or Ro or Ari. After that, he just shuts down. I don’t know what to make of it.”
Gabriel rolled his eyes, turned back to the long mirror. “Why don’t you try making nothing out of it?”
“I just keep thinking it’s something serious he needs to get off his chest, but is too caught up in all this...business stuff to talk about anything personal.”
“You’re a good brother, Vay. Don’t worry about Stone. He’ll be back to normal once all this drama is out of the way.” Gabriel sent an appreciative smile to his reflection in the mirror and then crossed the room to kiss Vale’s cheek.
“Trust me, little brother. It’ll all work out,” he patted Vale’s cheek and then he was gone.
Alone, Vale slammed a fist to his palm and winced.
***
“Dad.”
Liam smiled broadly, opening his arms to Gabriel who approached in the courthouse lobby. He hugged his son tightly, but a frown curiously shadowed his face when he drew back. “Isn’t this bad luck?”
Gabriel sent his father a winning smile before turning back to extend a hand Giselle. “No such thing today, Dad.” He tugged his fianceé close and kissed her temple.
Giselle leaned into the gesture. “We’re not doing anything else by the book, so we should be okay.”
“If you say so,” Liam moved in to embrace Giselle yet stilled when she held back. “Che cosa è caro?” What is it dear? He asked even as his features softened into a knowing look. “Is the wedding off?”
“No Dad,” Gabriel reached out to rub his father’s arm.
