The bridal luncheon was supposed to be hosted by Sally and Stephanie, but since the latter was no longer an option, Lena took her place with a smile on her face.
The bridal luncheon was held on deck ten, where the main fairway was located. Restaurants lined the corridor, as did several stores and boutiques.
The room was decorated in blue and white, with balloons everywhere. The gift table was stacked with a variety of presents and bags. When Sasha entered the room, everyone cheered.
Monique watched as her sister blushed. They’d had a long talk after the incident in Stephanie’s room. Monique knew Sasha was in a better place. Those pent-up frustrations that had built up over the years were now gone. Her sister could live her life without caring one way or another about her mother. Two more days, and Monique could get Stephanie’s ass off this ship and out of Sasha’s life. That would be her wedding gift to Sasha.
The sirens from the beginning of Nelly’s song Hot In Herre filled the massive speakers. Four men dressed in black pants with red suspenders came from behind a curtain, pushing a huge chocolate layer cake to center stage.
“This is just for you, Sasha,” Monique said as she and Kaylan walked her to the single chair on the stage. When the music reached the crescendo, there was an explosion, and the top of the cake opened. A hand arched out as if struggling to climb out. The shoulders and back emerged first. Sasha began laughing uncontrollably when Luke’s head popped out. The cake opened, and he stepped out, dancing just for her. Sasha pulled all of her money from her dress pocket and shuffled it in front of him, making it rain at his feet. He straddled her lap and grinned, his body over hers, as the women at the party cheered him on. Then he stood, a light hit his chest, and Sasha froze.
She could not believe what she was seeing. She stood on shaky legs, and when her hands reached out they trembled. The music eased to a low drumming in her ears. Tears rolled down her cheeks as her finger touched his chest. Right over his heart, her name had been tattooed like a leaf attached to a tree branch. She followed the tree branch to his back, to see it was Luke’s branch. She wasn’t there alone. He had connected her to him, extended the tree to include her as a part of his family. She looked up into his eyes. Not only could Sasha see the love he had for her, she could feel it radiating through her body.
Luke placed his hand over hers and said, “All of me loves all of you. Forever and for always.”
He leaned down and gathered her into a kiss that filled her soul. Sasha did not care who was in the room. She was taking this man right now.
Luke picked her up and carried her out of the room with the cheers and catcalls from everyone they were leaving behind.
Monique stood on the stage and moved the chair Sasha had been sitting in. “Let’s get this party started.”
The music hit the speakers again, and this time men dressed in black pants, suspenders and fire hats came out with reinforcements and began dancing the night away.