THE MORTON QUADRUPLETS

CHAPTER 25

RACHEL

The small plane makes its way to the furthest island the eye can see from the coast of Sicily. As the plane draws near a tiny air strip comes into view from the sky. The plane makes its way to the airstrip and makes a landing.

The flight to the small island was very uncomfortable even though the plane itself was spacious and luxurious. We get off the plane to find Greyson waiting for us. I wanted to get Ryan alone to talk to him.

I barely arrived in the city when Ryan called me and told me we need to leave in two days for the wedding. He told me he would send a vehicle to pick me up. I wanted to go to his office and demand that he clears his diary so he can talk to me. I am sure the conversation would take all day. I couldn't do that since I quickly had to get a new dress and things that I could bring on this trip. When the vehicle came to pick me up Ryan was not in it. The disappointment almost smothered me.

Now, seeing Greyson welcoming us alone on the island seems to waken the constant disappointment I have been feeling all along. The fact that he is alone tells me that we are going to split into two groups and see each other at the wedding again.

Greyson hugs his brothers and slaps Adrien on the back. I take it that slap must be congratulatory since he and Ava was practically glued together the entire flight. Ten years can conjure up a lot of longing. I know because I can feel it whenever I look at Ryan.

A lady called Lorna asks the ladies to follow her to the main house on the island. The men will go to the cottage where Ellie and Greyson have been staying all along.

* * * * * *

BAILEY

Brandon told me to take the following day off to get a dress to wear to the wedding. He stuck a card in my hand and asked me to get a wedding present as well. He insisted on paying for my dress also. I got the most beautiful skin tight champagne coloured dress that costs way more than I could ever afford on my salary. I had more trouble buying a decent wedding present for the couple that could really buy themselves anything.

I finally decided to get them both matching Tag Heuer watches and had it engraved with their wedding date. Brandon didn't pay much notice to the gifts but asked to see my dress. I refused, of course.

During the flight I saw Brandon look at Adrien and Ava a few times. They seemed happy. As if the last ten years did not happen. Brandon would then look at me and then avoid looking at me.

I guess he also thinks of me as broken goods. I used to have a lot more confidence than I have now. I use to love swimming in bikinis. I haven't even put on a swim suit in the last ten years. The scars on my stomach and upper legs are impossible to hide. The scar on my chest is barely hidden by a V-neck top. I can only wear items of clothing with rounded necklines or anything with higher necklines.

We follow Lorna into the main house. Ellie is sitting in front of a mirror in one of the bedrooms, having her hair done. She looks beautiful and beaming.

Lorna comes into the room with a tray with glasses of champagne. The woman finishes with Ellie's hair and she gets up to hug each of us. She takes a glass of champagne and holds it out in front of her.

"To the first of four weddings" she toasts to herself.

Ava chimes in immediately "I will drink to that"

Rachel hesitates but then puts a brave smile on her face and toasts with them. I mimic Rachel. She has always been good at handling situations. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or confused, I would watch Rachel and follow her lead.

"We need to get dressed" Ellie announces and puts her glass down. She goes to a walk-in closet and retrieves a wedding dress. The dress is timeless and sleek. There is not a lot of detail to it. It is white satin with fine pearl detail on the neckline.