“You’re getting married in Monte Vista on Tuesday?! When did he propose?”
“Last night!” Maia practically shouted to Joy as she twirled
around the dining room that early Monday morning. “I’m so excited I can hardly wait!”
“Seeing as the wedding is tomorrow, you don’t have much time
to wait,” Joy said wryly. “You know, you really haven’t known him for very
long...”
“On the contrary, we’ve known one another for years,” Maia
interrupted. “And before you say it... yes, we might not have been in contact
for most of them, but isn’t getting married what you do when you find your true
love? Now that I have him back in my life, why should we wait to make it
official?”
“Oh, I don’t know... maybe because you said yourself that something
long-term between you and Reid Calder never would’ve worked out?”
“So? I was wrong! I
said that before I knew about the possibility of having a soulmate from a past
life whom I could be with now. But the wishing well fairies brought him to me, so we are
obviously meant to be together! And
anyway, he’s not just the Reid Calder I knew in Isla Paradiso—deep down, he’s also
Samael.”
Joy raised one eyebrow. “Does he know that?”
“Not that he’s said,” Maia admitted. “But the fact that he already proposed is a
good sign that he’s starting to remember the past and who we were to one
another, don’t you think?”
“I suppose it’s possible. But how does he feel about the baby challenge
and you having children with other men?”
“Eh... well, I haven’t exactly mentioned that part yet...”
“Maia!”
“I was only waiting to see if he remembered his life as
Samael first,” Maia said defensively.
“But I will tell him, and I’m
sure he’ll understand! And anyway, I get that you have reservations, but why
are you being so negative about this? Aren't you happy for me?”
"Of course I’m happy for you! It all just seems so sudden. And really, how
many women actually marry their summer flings?”
“Only incredibly lucky women!”
Joy giggled. “Maybe so!
And in that case, I wish you the best... Mrs. Calder.”
“Eeeee!” Maia gleefully hugged her friend. “Mrs. Calder! I
love the sound of that!”
Although she wanted to take the kids along for the wedding
ceremony, Maia had decided they should stay at home with Joy and A.C.E
instead. While a family vacation would’ve
been fun, Maia was very much looking forward to being alone with her new
husband. She had been married once previously but never had a honeymoon, nor
had she even been intimate with Charlie Ray Buckshot during their marriage. The weeklong
stay in Monte Vista was going to be very different, and hopefully much like the
time she had spent with Reid in Isla Paradiso. She definitely didn’t want to
deal with cranky toddlers!
So Maia hugged the children goodbye, and then she and her fiance were headed off on their mid-morning flight to Italy.
As soon as they arrived, Maia and Reid rented a quaint
little cottage apartment for their stay, and then left to sight-see and take
some photos of the countryside.
Monte Vista was gorgeous. The charming villas and ruins were
surrounded by a landscape of rolling hills that overlooked the open sea; the
scenery was a delight to behold.
On Tuesday, Maia and Reid visited the Al Fresco Street Market,
dined at the pizzeria and toured the Museum D’Art.
Even so, no matter where they went, Maia could hardly tear
her gaze from Reid.
Later that afternoon, Maia and Reid went to Heaven’s Chapel
for their wedding ceremony and exchanged vows.
And afterwards, following an evening of cake and
dancing, the newlyweds celebrated their marriage by taking a midnight gondola
ride through the canals of the Villa de Amore.
And as lovely as the views were, the best part was that Maia
was happily certain that she would soon be able to announce to Reid that they
were expecting.
But that didn’t keep her from continuing to enjoy the rest
of her wedding night with her husband—not that rest was something either of
them got very much of!
Maia and Reid spent the following days together at their
rental.
But they did venture out on occasion to take romantic strolls
through the Sunlit Stride Park, watch foreign films at the local theater, and
picnic at the secluded Venice Beach.
They also spent a day at the Tre Fogli Nectary tasting a
variety of nectar vintages, followed by an evening of drinks at the bar, and
then a late meal at the Little Corsican Bistro.
On the final day of their honeymoon, Maia and Reid visited
the Etruscan Park to attend the local festival that was being held among the
ruins.
They enjoyed the festival food and took turns paying for
kisses from one another at the kissing booth.
They tried out the Love Tester Machine to test their
relationship level, and it rated them Hot
Stuff. A second try commented on their burning passion and suggested the
two of them should get a room!
And during the final hours of their honeymoon, Maia and Reid
slow danced until long after the festival had closed for the night.
All too soon, it was time for their flight home. And although
part of Maia wished they could stay in Monte Vista a little longer, she was
also eager to get back to her children. And
this time, unlike her visit to Isla Paradiso, she wouldn’t be returning alone.
A few days after the new couple returned from Italy, it was
time for the twins to age up.
Happy birthday Chasin!
Happy birthday Cruz!
And then it was time for the triplets’ birthdays as well.
Happy birthday Maddox!
Happy birthday Chance!
Happy birthday Felicity!
Shortly after, the teens brought their IFs Gamble, Bluff and
Roulette to life.
Teaching all the teens to drive was so much easier now that
Maia had a partner to help out.
But even more wonderful was the day she got to share with
Reid that he was going to be a father.
And then Reid pulled her out onto the dance floor on the
open balcony.
As they swayed beneath the stars with their unborn baby
snuggled between them, Maia had never felt more blissful. Her dreams had come true.
