Playing with fire

Dinner with friends

They had decided upon an intimate wedding in Tuscany. They had hired a large converted barn that had self contained apartments scattered across the site. Connie and Jacob were too spend the evening before their wedding having a dinner with their guests and would then fly out to Monaco the day after the wedding.

There were 30 guests in total, including Jacobs family, some friends from the ED, and friends of both Jacob and Connie.

"You most definitely cannot stay in the same room tonight," Rita told Jacob as they watched Connie as she sat at the side of the pool with his two sisters and Robyn.

Jacob rolled his eyes, "but..."

Rita laughed, "it's bad luck, and against tradition..."

"Come on, let's get a drink and join them."

Connie grinned across at him as he sat beside his sister. It had been a while since they'd been away together and she knew exactly how hard it would be for him to stay away from her tonight.

They sat around the large, outside table. A chef had cooked up a large meal and Jacob slipped his arms around her shoulders as they watched everyone eating and laughing.

Charlie had stood up to say a few words and Connie smiled widely at the man was going to give her away.

"I can't believe that tomorrow has almost arrived," he smiled, "but I want to say how good it is to see you both so happy. And from all of us here, I want to thank you for inviting us to join in your celebrations, let's all raise a toast to Connie and Jacob,"

As they all cheered, Connie smiled at Charlie and mouthed thank you.

"I need to go to bed," she told him as they lay by the pool, mesmerised by the way the moon shone across the water.

He held out his hand, "I'll walk you to your room,"

They stopped outside of Rita's room and she smiled, "this is the last night I'll fall asleep as a Chase,"

"Too right it is," he grinned, his lips capturing hers before she pulled away.

"Don't start something we can't finish tonight," she smiled, kissing him once more, "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

He nodded, "I love you,"

She placed her hands gently on his chest, "I love you."

Rita, Connie, Connie's best friend Louise and Jacobs two sisters stood in Rita's apartment dressed in silk robes. Connie's hair was curled and falling either side of her face whilst Louise finished her make up.

"Right, go and put your dress on and you'll be ready," Louise smiled,

"Will you give me a hand Rita?" Connie asked the blonde who nodded.

"Wow," Rita smiled, as she did the small buttons up at the back of Connie's neck,

"You look so amazing,"

Connie smiled and took Rita's hand, "thank you, for everything you did before I was with Jacob, you know, when I was with Michael,"

Rita shook her head, "you're welcome, I could see how happy he made you even then."

Connie exhaled and Rita nodded, "come on you have fifteen minutes,"