* * *
Gaia picked up some unusual energy, then she looked over at Gabriella’s red face and realized she was livid.
“Don’t they realize we have a party planned for them?”
“You’re the one who wanted to surprise them with a big thing.” Antonio just shook his head and laughed. “I think the surprise is on you!”
Gabriella threw her hands in the air.
Antonio put his arm around her. “The boy has always done things his own way, hon. Why should his wedding be any different?”
Gabriella sighed, then faced the attendees and announced, “There’s still a party back at our house, without the bride and groom unfortunately. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a lot of fun with good food, music, and dancing. There’s even a flamenco dancer waiting to teach us some moves!”
Lots of the attendees seemed excited about the party and grabbed each other’s hands, racing off to their various vehicles.
“When is this going to take place?” Gaia asked their hostess.
“Right now,” Gabriella said.
“We’d better get going, or everyone will beat us back there,” Antonio called out. Then he and Gabriella ran for their car too.
Gaia looked toward Aaron. “Is this something you want to attend?”
“I think I should. And I would like to bring you too, if you’re available.”
“But I wasn’t invited.”
Aaron chuckled. “I don’t think anyone received formal invitations. You’re here at the ceremony and heard them invite everyone to their house for a party. I don’t think it’s a very formal, sit-down thing where the number of guests matters.” Then Aaron placed his hands on both her shoulders. “But first, I have a surprise for you. Wait right here. I’ve hidden it in the fort.”
“A surprise, for me?”
Aaron grinned. “I didn’t know if I could pull off a surprise, but I figured I’d try. I’m glad you don’t know everything I’m going to do so I still can surprise you once in a while.”
“Is it a nice surprise?”
“I hope so.” He placed a finger under her chin and looked deep into her eyes. “I hope to have only nice surprises for you.” He leaned over and gave her a gentle peck on her cheek. Because they had an audience, he didn’t follow up with the passion that shone in his eyes.
He stepped away and said, “Okay, I’ll be back in a few minutes. Wait right here.”
As everyone else was getting into their vehicles, he jogged across the street and up the hill until he disappeared into the fort. Gaia sat on the wall and wondered what he could have hidden to surprise her with.
As the guests were driving off toward Antonio and Gabriella’s house, she couldn’t help wondering if she was really welcome or not. She had been so bitchy… She wouldn’t be surprised if most paranormals wanted to avoid her. Humans who knew who she was also feared her. Most of the time they didn’t have a clue so it didn’t matter, but most of these people, except maybe one or two, knew exactly who she was.
Ruth had finished strapping her baby into the car seat in the back of José’s car and was just about to get in when she noticed Gaia still sitting there by herself. She bent down and said something to José and then closed the car door and walked over to Mother Nature.
“Aren’t you coming?”
“I…I don’t know if I’m invited or not. Your father said to wait here. Apparently, he has some kind of surprise, and he hid it in the fort. We might stop by later.”
Ruth grinned. “That is sounlikemy dad. You must be very good for him. I don’t think I’ve seen him this happy in a long time.”
Gaia nodded. “I’m more relaxed too because of him. I guess we’re good for each other.”
Ruth surprised her by leaning over and kissing her on the cheek. “Thank you.”
Gaia leaned back and looked at her with surprise. “What are you thanking me for?”
“For making my father happy. Like I said, I haven’t seen him this happy and relaxed in years. I was too young to remember much about the time when my mom was alive, but I seem to remember he was pretty happy then. For most of my life he’s seemed a little sad and withdrawn. He’s finally acting like his younger self again. I think some men are just lonely without realizing it.”
