“Nice, and where did you marry the first twice?” Tasha turned to Bobby who was on the other side of her.
“Church first time and a hotel second time,” he replied without missing a beat it seemed.
“So why didn't you get married in a church or a hotel, Abby?” Tasha was sure she heard the penny drop in her friend's head when she figured it.
“Ah.”
“Exactly. I was limited on places if I didn't want to be forever compared to a predecessor or at least their wedding to my husband and that Vegas thing was there from the first day I met Jim. It just seems fitting.”
“But you could have had Caesar's Palace, The Venetian or Donald Trump's place, anything you'd wanted, Jim would have gone with.” Abby still wasn’t quite getting the Elvis thing.
“I neither need nor want any of those places with limos and chocolate covered strawberries in my room. I want to marry Jim, as soon as is reasonably possible and whilst I feel bad for my family and Lizzie and Philip it's for me and Jim, unique to us. Oh, I don't know, it probably doesn't make sense to you, but it does to me, I think.” Grinned Tasha as Bobby spoke.
“I get you, Tasha. It's about you and Jimbo, and you need it to be your wedding, how you want it, with no distractions or dramas and you deserve that. I'm not saying our folks and Lizzie and Phil won’t be disappointed, but they’ll get over it and be happy for you.” He smiled then kissed Tasha’s cheek. “You need to tell him what I told you though,” he whispered discreetly.
Nodding, they were joined by Lexi and Travis, ending their conversation.
****
As they approached the house again, Tasha immediately noticed Lizzie who looked a little less exuberant, but still poolside, as was Jim.
“Hey, Lizzie.” Tasha called softly as she put a hand on the girl's shoulder and leaning into her ear asked, “Are you okay?”
Looking up, Lizzie smiled weakly and shrugged as Tasha wedged herself next to her on the lounger where she lay.
“Daddy was very angry with me for lying to get Rory into the house.”
“Oh dear,” empathised Tasha as she became aware of Jim and Abby watching them.
“He threatened to ground me, for the rest of the summer and he said that if I ever sneak anybody into the house again he will ground me forever, cancel my phone and stop my allowance.” She looked devastated at the thought of it, but totally convinced he’d follow through with all of the threats made, Tasha wasn’t convinced he would, although...
“Oh dear,” repeated Tasha, stifling a small smile.
“He loves you, Tasha.” Lizzie sounded surprised at the realisation making Tasha laugh rather than smile.
“I know,” she acknowledged.
“No, I don't think you do.” Lizzie leaned in closer to explain, “I have always been Daddy's favourite person in the world, well, me and Philip, and his other wives, including Mom always came second to us, but you come first Tasha, above me and Philip.” Her voice carried a mixture of shock and upset.
“I think the thing with my crash and being hurt has sent him into extra crazy where I’m concerned, but the security is for us all Lizzie; me, you and Philip, to keep us all safe,” she said reassuringly as she took Lizzie's hand in hers. “I don't know what it was like with his other wives, but I do know that nothing and no one could ever be more important than you and Philip, ever. The way he loves you two is very different to how he loves me, so maybe he loves us the same amount, but different in the way he actually loves us. Does that make sense?” asked Tasha nervously, as she thought that running off to get married without her and Philip could make Lizzie question her father's feelings for her further.
“Thank you, Tasha. I do love you and I’m sorry for not thinking about bringing Rory here.” She hugged Tasha tightly. “And thank you for not letting Daddy go off while my friends were here.”
“No problem, Lizzie. I love you too, you know, you and Philip and I’m glad that I get to share your dad with you.”
Tasha kissed Lizzie before she walked over to where Jim was talking to Bobby and Abby.
“The sight of you two conspiring chills me to the bone,” said Jim with an arched brow.
“I resent the inference in that sentiment, Mr Maybury.” Tasha pouted as she sat between Jim and Abby.
“I am not convinced, Natasha.” He smirked before asking with concern, “Is Lizzie, okay?”
“Kind of. She seems genuinely sorry for compromising your security here and I really don't think she saw that she was doing any wrong,” explained Tasha to a frowning Abby, a smiling Bobby and a serious looking Jim.
“But that's the biggest issue, honey, she doesn't think, a bit like you,” he added with a smile.
“Yes, well, she also thinks that you love me more than her and Philip.” Sighed Tasha.
