Cousins
Chapter 41
December 29th 1999
Dear Diary,
Now it's just two more days left of this millenuim and we're all working a lot. Ben's got his businesses. And me, Meg and her staff at the Dream Catcher's. Ola's stuck at home with the kids(I don't think he mind though).
On top of the wedding Meg's got 8 more places that she is catering. Not so that she has to attend, but they shall have their food before 1AM. There it's good, Ola's got a licence to drive a truck, so he's allowed to drive with a trailer too. And that will save a lote of time, we just have to go one round.
And as that wasn't enough, I've invited(voluntarily) Paula & Sam, Annie & Harm and Meg &Ben for dinner tomorrow. As the others already have had parties for them , I thought I'd like to do something too. So as soon as Meg's left the children at Bette's(she's looking after them on new Years Eve, before the wedding) we're having dinner and a chance to sit down and realx. Not that it's very long days I've worked(started at 9.30AM and finished around 6PM) but I feel a bit tired, jetlag and stuff. We did get a chance to go dancing at the Deep yesterday, me and Ola.
After New Years, I won't work, this is supposed to be a vacation, but I did really promise Meg to help out before Ola came here last time I was here. Ok, I might mix a drink or two, and sing a bit too at the Deep, but nothing else.
December 30th 1999
Dinner was a success and we had a lot of fun. I think that Annies is more nervous than Paula, although her wedding isn't for yet another week. I treated them on fishsoup(got a great recipe from a friend back home) and homebaked bread. As it's a big day tomorrow we broke the "party" up at 11.30PM. Paula had to go to Gabi and Ricardo's since the bride and groom isn't supposed to see eachother.
I also got to know that despite their past Annie and Paula is going to be in eachother's weddings. That means that Annie and Sam isn't leaving for their honeymoon until Annie and Harm is.
Annie and Harm are very happy, because when they get back his collegues have been transfered from Washington to L.A. I really don't think that Annie would have liked it very much in Washington D.C. OK, for a while, but not for life.
December 31st 1999
So, now we're here. It's a bit of a sad day, the last one of this year, this century and this millenum! But it's a happy day too! It's 1.30PM now and we've been home for about an hour, the catering went quickly, and the wedding isn't until 5PM. So that gives me a few hours to relax, Ola already does, he's asleep in bed. I think I'll join him later for half an hour or so. It's going to be a long night. First the wedding, then the reception and milleniumparty. I just have to see to it so that the clothes are ironed and pressed(OK, Ola's rented this tux, so there should not be any problems). I bought this nice blue dress back home. And then I got a shawl in blue and gold to go with it, just to celebrate the millenium. I'm looking forward to seeing Ola in his tux. I didn't have time to go with him to pick it up, and Ben had had his for drycleaning at this place, so they went together. I've only seen Ola in jeans or working clothes(well....... too, but I was talking about clothes here). I was with him when he reserved it though, because we did that before we left this summer, just to be sure that there were one. If he should have rented it back home and bring it, it would have been really expensive, since he had to have it for over a month. I don't know if he's uying it or not, there's not very many occasions back home to wear a tux. It's up to him.
Any way I have to end this year, so sad...... but I got so much to look forward too, a life with Ola in the 21st century. I got to go lay down now! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!
Oh, I've been talking to them back home, they haven't gotten any snow, but the weatherforcast said that it should be a clear sky. And that is good so that they can watch the fireworks, and those are there a lot of if I know my brother.
Chapter 42
January 1st 2000
Dear Diary,
Wow! What more is there to say? When Sunset Beach parties, it parties well. I think I have to start with the wedding.
The church was full. Family, friends and old collegues of Paula's from SBPD(she used to work as a policeofficer), and of course collegues of Sam's too.
Paula looked beautiful. She had a "simple" dress, in a colour I'd like to say was very, very light sand.(She had told me that she didn't want white due to a kidnappingdrama back when she worked as a cop). She wore a short veil that she took off at the reception and then it showed a great hairdo dedicated to the millenium with gold-and silver coloured flowers in it. it looked great in her dark hair.
I've been to weddings back home, but I never gotten this emotional, but I guess having Ola with me(and him taking my hand when they said their wovs) made all the diference. And the fact that I was a part of the wedding singing: Bryan Adam's "Heaven".
As the milleniumparty was to be at the Deep, Paula and Sam had choosen to have just a smorl reception for the closets ones(they had planned it this way from the beginning) at the Waffleshop. I finally got to a meet an interesting person I've heard so much about: Elaine Stevens-the legendteller and Paula's mother. She's staying in Sunset Beach for at least a month to have a bit of vacation and to run the Waffleshop the two weeks Paula and Sam are on Hawaii and . So I guess there'll be time to talk to her later on.
Talking about talking to someone. Today's a lazy day. I woke up around noon, had some "breakfast"(well, it was the first meal of the day!). Then I went down to the beach. The upper "bit" of the beach is Ben and Meg's private one, and that's good because alomost noone comes to disturb you. Why I wrote almost?! Let's see......
Derek: Hi Tina!
I looked up from the book I was reading.
Me: Hi Derek! Are you here alone?
Derek: Yes, Caroline decided to stay at home with the twins, it got a bit late last night, as you know yourself. And Ola?
Me: I guess he's still asleep, he was when I went down here. He was working until the last day before we left and then I guess looking after the kids has taken the air out of him.
Derek: I don't envy him. Kids can be a handfull. I love mine and wouldn't traid them for anything, although diapers need changing and they wake up at all hours. They're often good and sleep most of the night.
Me: Lucky you then, most of my friends kids have been like that too, not keeping their parents upp all night I mean.
Derek: So, life's been treating you good?!
Me: Well, yes I have to say so. I got a work in my father's company and the last 6,5 months been great!
Derek: 6,5 months? I thought you've been with Ola for longer than that. you seem to know eachother so well.
Me: I guess we do, and we've known eachother for longer. Ola's a friend of Anna and Svenne's from the beginning. Anna you remember, my oldest younger sister?
Derek: Of course I do, and Svenne's her....?
Me: ....fiancé, but they're getting married this summer.
Derek: So what happened that took you and Ola so long to get together?
Me: Oh, it's a long story. First time I met him I feel instantly, but he had another. Then I met someone too, Michael. I even got engaged to marry him, but then last spring I caught him cheating on me. I broke it off and at my sister's birthdayparty I annouced for the friends there, the family already knew, that I was leaving for Sunset Beach the next day.
Derek: To mend a broken heart?
Me: To mend my broken heart yes, but I guess I broke another that night. We hadn't even finished the coffee when Ola drove off, without a word to anyone. Noone heard from him, and then three weeks later he shows up here in Sunset Beach.
Derek: That's a long way to go for love.
Me: Yes it was. First he hid out at home, telling his parents not to tell anyone where he was and then flying standby for 48 hours. I do admire him for it. And he's lucky too.
Derek: Why's that?
Me: I had been out for a walk on the beach and got invited to Surf Central for coffee when I passed. Then when I was on my way back here just as Ola showed up on the beach.
Derek: Well, true love if I've ever heard of it. I'm glad you found happiness in your life, I guess I wasn't very big help?!
Me: No, but that's in the past, and we're all grown up now; you, me and Ben.
Derek: But I still feel bad for posing as Ben when you needed to talk to him. I know you found comfort in him and I guess I as usal envyed him for getting to be there for yet another one. I can't say that that's an excuse for laughing at you back then, neither can I blame it on being young, I should have known better.
Me: Yes, you should. But as you acted so wild comparing to Ben I guess it was easier to like him. What made you change if I may ask?
Derek: A woman! And it was not Caroline, her I didn't meet until the other year at a party in New York. It was a work thing. I worked at the office in London and was offred to go to New York and did for once take the chance.
Me: So, this other woman?
Derek: Well, she turned out to be exactly like me, constantly hurting people around her. And when I for the millionth time it seemed like got hurt by her I broke it off. I had over those 2 years we were together changed into a nicer person, someone in the "family" had to take the responibility. I don't know how many other guys she had during that time, but when I got home earlier than planned from work one Friday with flowers and groceries for a nice dinner I found her in bed with what I thougth was a friend of mine.
Me: Oh, she sounds worse than Michael, at least I found out about the other woman before I could have a chance to find them in bed.
Derek: Anyway, earlier that week I had gotten the offer to go to the office in New York and had the weekend on me to persued Maria to come with me. I had tried all week, and now I know why she didn't want to leave.
Me: So, you packed you things and left for New York? And now you're here in Sunset Beach. Are you staying here or are you just here on vacation?
Derek: Well, nobody knows yet but it all got clear yesterday afternoon. The company is opening up here in Sunset Beach and both me and Caroline got transfered, so I guess we'll be buying the house from Bette and settle down here.
Me: That's wonderful, I could settle here myself too.
Ola: Well, I guess I could too, but let's keep it for vacation. I like our life back home.
Me: Well, look who's up! God morgon älskling(Good morning darling).
Ola: God morgon på dig också, älskling.(Good morning you too, darling) And by the way you two were talking, Good morning Derek.
Derek: Good morning! Well, I guess it's not that easy to seperate me and Ben?
Me: Yes it is! If you know the trick.
Ola: And that is?
Me: The scar above Derek's left eye.
Derek: Yes, that old thing. I got it from the only time Ben fought me back.
Ola: So he can get mad then. I've thought all along that he was the most patient man in the world. I never heard him raise his voice once when I was here last summer.
Derek: So, did the two of you have a good time last night?
Chapter 43
Ola: Oh, yes we did. He said as he sat down behind me on the sunbed, so that I came to sit between his legs.
Me: It was the best party ever. And so much people. I think Ben filled the Deep to the max.
Derek: Well, he has always been good at throwing parties and stuff. I think he planned most of our birthdays, with a budget and all.
Ola: That sounds like Ben. He stroke my left arm and stopped at my hand, putting his on it.
Derek: Are you married?! as he saw that we both had rings on our left hands.
Me: No, only engaged. This is the usal way back home. Then I don't know if I shall persued him to have two too when we married.
Ola: Oh, let's talk about that when that time comes. So Derek, how did you like the milleniumparty?
Derek: I loved it and so did Caroline. It's the first time we left the twins. And it was all perfect. The decorations in gold,silver and blue.
Me: Well, thank you! I've done my fair share of the decoration.
Derek: And everyone seemed to be there. And they all welcomed me and Caroline.
Me: That's the spirit of Sunset Beach, wait until they get to know that you're staying. I won't be surprised if there's a party of some kind.
Derek: If it's half as good as the one last night, it will be more than enough.
Ola: Yes I guess so too. And those fireworks, it could have been your brother, Tina, that arranged it!
Derek: Little Bengt?
Me: Yes, but he's not that little anymore. He's taler than me and turning 23 this year.
Derek: Did anything special happen after midnight and fireworks. We went home to the twins.
Ola: Well, not more than that the stage was open to anyone that wanted to sing and we sang, everyone sang I guess, even Annie and Harm. The only ones that disappeared despite you were Paula and Sam, but they was excused.
Me: Well, it was after all their weddingday. I would never like my wedding to be on such a day. It will be my day...
Ola: Hrm.....
Me: ..ok our day, and no one elses.
Derek: So, have you any plans on when to tie the knot?
Ola: Not this year, I don't have the time, too much work already.
Me: Well, I wouldn't do it this year anyway.
Derek: Why not?
Me: I've dreamt about that day all my life and know exactly how I like it to be, so I want time to plan it properly.
I leant back to rest in Ola's arms.
Me: And I hope that you like my ideas too.
Ola: Well those you've mentioned anyway, I guess there's more....
Derek: I bet you there is, women are like that. Caroline had it all planned, and it was perfect. I didn't have many request anyway.
-Tina! Ola! uncle Derek?! Hello!!!!!!!
It was the children.
Ashely: Tina can't you come up to the pool and swim with us?
Trevor: We're not allowed to be there on our own.
Me: Of course I can,(I turned to Derek and Ola) will the two of you excuse me, the duty as houseguest calls.
Ola: Go on darling, I've done my fair share of it already the past week.(laughing dearly)
Derek: I think I have to go home anyway. Children say hi to your parents, will you?
Dallas: Whatever, come on Tina!
---
What happened at the party?
Well, there was a great buffé and a lot to drink. Everyone was on their best partymood. It was a lot of fun, with performance and dancing. And of course the countdown before we went out to see the most spectacular fireworks I've ever seen.
And the fact that I had someone I really, really love to share it all with made it perfect. I did miss my family, but I don't think that I ever again will be a part of something this great.
I guess the happiest person there after midnight was Sue(the girl who took over after me when I went back last summer). When everyone had come back inside and gotten champange, and Ben and Meg had toasted everyone from the stage Mark went up. He took the microphone and called Sue up on stage. And after being pushed up by the crowed(she didn't want to at first) Mark went down on his knee and proposed to her.Chapter 44
Januray 3rd 2000
Dear Diary,
The new countdown has begun. All preperations for Annie and Harm's wedding is on top. We went to the curch for "practicing" this morning(Ola was stand in for Harm's cousin that will arrive Friday) and then Annie and Harm had us over for lunch. Annie told us that she finally got a hold of her old friend Caitlin Richards-Deschanel. She's been abroad for many years, but had settled down in New York in the end of last year, and now she's flying out to the wedding. And of course to see her mother and brothers.
Her mother is Olivia, and her brothers are Sean(I've not met him yet) and little Trey.
Me and Ola had a lovely afternoon. We took the car and drove to the mountains for a walk. The weather was just great for it. It was too hot back at the beach, so the shadows in the forest were welcome.
It's nice to get to spend time together just the two of us. I'm really glad we were able to make this trip. Just being together and walking around holding hands, that wouldn't have been the same back home, it's winter there. And there's even a bit of snow now, Ola talked to his mother this morning, that's why we know.
When we got back to Sunset Beach and the apartment there was a lot of noices from the neighbour's(Bette and Ashe's). As we went over we found that Meg and the kids were there too.
Bette: No, children don't chase it!!!
Me: What happens here?
Meg: Ashe bought a puppy. And it's just adorable, and the children loves to chase it around the garden.
Ola: Wow, wow(as he got twisted around by the children) kids, you might have to slow down a bit.
The puppy was adorable.
Ola: It looks like the one Anna and Svenne has.
Tina: Well, I guess this is a Golden Retriver, and the one they got is a mix of that and something else.
Ashe:(exhausted) Yes it is.
Ola: No wonder the kids run around when the "master" does it too.
Bette: He's my oldest child!(laughing teasingly)
Ashe: Oh, wait until tonight and I'll show you who's a child.
Meg: Children! It's time to get home to start dinner, daddy will soon be home.(she turned to us) Will you two join us for dinner tonight?
Me: I haven't planned anything, so if it's OK with Ola(I turned to face him and he'd disappeared).
As I looked at where the children(including Ashe) and the puppy were I found Ola.
Me: I guess we do, me and my "child"!
Meg and Bette laughed.
Meg: I know that if Ben was home he'd been there playing around too. Ashely, Trevor, Dallas! Don't make me use you full names! It's time to get home. Daddy will soon be home and wonder where we are.
Ben: Daddy's home already! What's the noice around here? Oh, a puppy! It's adorable!
Meg: And there I lost my biggest child! Tina, let's get home and start dinner and come and get the children later. Bette will you join us too?
Bette: I guess so, let me get some groceries and we'll through something together as dinner.
We left, and I don't know if anyone noticed because when I came back to get them they were all laying on the lawn exhausted from chasing the dog around.
Me: It's time for dinner. Everyone over to Meg and Ben's and to clean up before you even think of entering the kitchen!
Ola: Oh, why's that, we're not dirty, are we?!( he tried to catch me and get me down on the lawn with them)
Me: Don't make me answer that. You got exactly 5 minutes!!
Ben: Well, that sounded as something Meg would say so I guess we need to get going.
Ashe: Let me just put Alyson in her kennel and we'll be off.
As the men and children came in, washed up and sat down we had
dinner.
Ola: This was great! I bet it's Tina that's done the casserole.
Ben: It certainly taste like her cooking.
Ashe: Not that there's anything wrong with your cooking( he turned to Bette) and apperently not Meg's either. I see you jogging on the beach every morning.
Me: I must say that I did it, but I had good help in preparing.
Me, Bette and Meg laughed(we had had such a good time in the
kitchen)
Ben: As for my morningrun, I must say that old habits die hard, you ought to come with me one day. It's so peaceful before the beach gets crowded. Talking about crowded places, weren't the two of you going to L.A this time?(he turned to me and Ola)
Me: Yes, we're leaving at 9 tomorrow and hopefully we're back Thursday evening.
Bette: Have you talked to Annie? I really never seen her like this; nervous and almost hysterical.
Me: I have, and I've promised her that we'll have breakfast on Fridaymorning.Chapter 45
January 4th 2000
Dear Diary,
Finally we're in L.A! I've dreamt about coming here all my life. Of course Liberty Corporation(Ben and Ashe's company) has a flat here(well, they have more than one), and Ashe insisted last night that we'll stay in one.....for free(and that's never wrong) We've driven around a lot today and tomorrow we'll get to Hollywood. We will at least visit Hollywood boulevard where the star's stars are, and who knows we might even get to see one(a real person).
January 6th 2000
Dear Diary,
We're "back home". It's kind off late, 1.30AM and I'm meeting Annie for breakfast at 9AM.
L.A was really great, we didn't get to see a "live" star, but who knows one of those who where there looking might get to be a big star one day. Of course we visited Beverly Hills and drove past TV-studios. The time wasn't really enough, but now we at least can say that we've been there.
It's too bad that we only got next week here too, if we had more time we might have gone to San Fransisco too. I'd love to visit and see those hills and streetcars. There are a few cities back home in Sweden that got street cars, but I guess it might take a long time before I visit them too.
I've got to "turn in" there's only about 7 hours before I'm meeting Annie.
January 7th 2000
Breakfast was great and Annie did approve of my dress. "Lucky you're tanned" she said. The dress is really YELLOW! I love it and wouldn't traid it for anything!
I'm soon heading down to the beach to work a bit more on that tan. Ola's out with Harm, I found a note when I got back. Apperently he needed help finding Annie a "morninggift"
At the beach.
Ben: Hi Cous! So you did get back in time?!
Me: Yes, we got back last night. Thanks for letting us use the apartment, it was great. I'm trying to get some rest... I had breakfast with Annie.
Ben:(teasingly) And Ola, did he get tired of spending time with you?
Me: No, he's out "shopping" with Harm. And yourself, don't you work today?
Ben: No, I've worked some extra before this week, and I'm just waiting fot Meg to come home too. The children are with friends all day.
Suddenly we hear someone yelling in a desperat tone.
-Ben! Ben?! Where are you? I know you're home! I saw the car!
It was Annie.
Ben: Calm down Annie, I'm right here.
Annie: Thank God you were home! I've really forgotten one thing!
Me: Oh, what's that? You seemed to have everything on your lists this morning.
Annie: Sorry. Hi to you too Tina. Well yes, I had- besides this. Ben I know it's very last minute, but I really need to ask you a big favour..... could you?
Ben: Annie, I told you to calm down. You need to ask me before I can answer.
Annie: Sorry, the thing is that I don't have anyone to "give me away". Could you do is Ben, PLEASE?!
Ben: Well.....
Annie: Pretty please?!
Ben:...let me OK it with Meg first.
Meg: OK what?
Annie: I want to borrow your husband for a few minutes tomorrow, I had totally forgot that I need someone to give me away.
Meg:(turned to Ben) It's up to you darling, but make your decision now, I got the picnicbasket ready in the car, and I want as much of you......your afternoon as possible.
Ben: Then I'm honoured to give you away, Annie.
Annie: Thank you so much, both of you. Meg- I'm glad we've put our differences behind us.
Meg: Me too(she gave her a hug), now I have to take my "hubby" and go, just so that I don't forget-Good Luck tomorrow Annie. I know that you and Harm will get a great day.
Ben and Meg left. Annie sat down on a sunbed beside me.
Me: You look tired.
Annie: Well, this was the last thing I needed to look into today, so I guess I'm going to try to rest. I've got some problems to relax, I'm really nervous.
Me: Why don't we go up to the apartment and have ourself a cup of coffee. We can sit down and talk about something else than your wedding.
Annie: Sounds good.Chapter 46
Me and Annie went up to the apartment from the beach. As we came inside I smelled the scent of coffee.
Me: Ola's back!
Annie: That mean Harm's too, I just couldn't get a word out of him what he was going to do. I might skip that coffee and get home.
Ola: No need for that, Harm's here. Do the two of you want coffee.
Me:(as I leant forward to kiss him) Of course, that's why we're here in the first place. -Hello Harm! Everything OK?
Harm: Now it is.
Annie: Yes, it is darling, I took care of the last problem.
Harm: Problem? What?? he sounded worried.
Annie: Someone to give me away, I can't see how I could forget such an important thing. But it's fixed, Ben's doing it.
Harm: Well, I've made a minor adjustment myself.
Now it was Annie's turn to get worried.
Harm: My cousin called right after you left this morning and he's stuck in Europe somewhere and won't be able to make it, so I asked Ola to be my bestman instead.
Annie: Oh, that's great, and with Tina as maid of honour.... now we know how to "throw" things tomorrow.
They both looked at us.
Me: There's no need for that, it's already decided.
Annie: It is? When?
Ola: We haven't set a date yet, but before the workingseason starts next year. So in July or August of 2001.
Harm: It's a long wait.
Ola: It is?! The thing is that I don't have the time this year and I know that Tina want to plan it well.
Annie: I had just about 6 months, and now I know it's a bit short of time, but we're here and the big day is tomorrow.
We sat down and talked over the coffee. Annie went over to Bette's with her things, she was staying there over night. And when she came back.
Harm; The time is running, do the two of you have any plans for dinner?
Ola: No, not that I know of.
Harm: Then let us treat you for it at the Grenadines. I've already booke the two of us a table, I don't think there'll be much trouble setting it for two more. I'll just phone them. So at 7 PM we all sat there with our starters.
I've been there once before with Ben and the family. That was before Ola came here. It's such a nice restaurant, a bit expensive but in the same time not, because everything is always on top.
January 8th 2000
Today it's the wedding! As I'm maid of honour I started the day with going to the hairdresser. Me and Annie went there at the same time. Well, I had breakfast with Ola first, but then we wouldn't see eachother before the wedding. He went over to Harm's at the same time I left.
After the hairdresser, we went to the mission to get our clothes and accessories there(they took a lot of space in the car, and we laughed as we tried to put it in there without folding anything)
The other bridesmaids(Caitlin and Paula) would come to the church directly. I still haven't met Caitlin, and they didn't show up as we got dressed either, but Annie told me that they also should have yellow dresses but in different shades.
The time does travel fast and it's just half an hour left before the cermony. I'm ready and we've soon buttoned all the buttons in Annie's dress(aunt Bette's been here too). And all those buttons reminds me of having a concealed zipper in mine.
As we've finished.
Annie: Tina, would you mind leaving me and aunt Bette alone for a few minutes?
Me: Of course, I'll see you infront of the doors then?! And Annie, you do look great!
Annie: Thank you, and thank you for doing this for me.
I peeped out the door to see that Harm wasn't standing there to look inside. All I could see was a man and woman standing there talking. The woman had to be Caitlin, she was turned to me and wearing a yellow dress. The man was twisting around uncomfortable. Not until I heard him speak, I realized that it was Ola(he looked really handsome from behind in the tux.) I had to get to the rescue.
Caitlin: So, Ola(they've introduced before I came) you're not from here? Where do you come from?
Ola: Sweden.
Caitlin: You're the bestman, Harm's cousin if I'm not misstaken?(she was very flirty)
Ola: Well, you are. I'm just a friend of theirs, Harm's cousin got stuck in Europe, so he asked me to step in.(he still twisted around and the tone of his voice.....he was starting to get irrated.)
I slipped up next to him and took his hand. He turned to me.
Me: Hej älskling!(Hi darling!)
Ola: Hej själv...oh...wow, du ser helt underbar ut!(Hi you too...oh...wow, you look absolutley fabulous!)
He looked me straight in the eyes as he said it, leant over and gave me a light kiss on the cheek.
Me:Tack(thank you) I turned to "Caitlin"- and you must be Caitlin?
Caitlin:(stared at me, you know "if looks could kill") Yes, how did you know?
Me: Annie told me that the other bridesmaids also should wear yellow and you're not Paula, so......
Antonio came. Although he's not working as a priest anymore he performs weddings and christenings-
Antonio: Wow, if it wasn't for the yellow dress, I'd thought I'd had to marry you and Ola instead. You look great Tina.
Ola: She does, doesn't she?(I could hear pride in his voice.)
Antonio: Caitlin- good to see you, you look great too. Sorry to hear about you and Cole splitting up.
Caitlin: Well, it was unavoidable. He couldn't keep of other women, so I left. The divorce isn't final yet, but soon.Chapter 47
January 9th 2000
Dear Diary,
Otherwise than Caitlin tried to flirt with "my man" again, the wedding went smoothly. All of Sunset Beach seemed to be there, at least those who's important, but there's always new acquaintances to make at a wedding. Some friends and relatives of Harm's had come. His mother Julia and sister Hannah and the collegues that had gotten transferd to the new Judge Advocate General in L.A just as Harm. It was A.J Chegwidden, Sarah MacKenzie, Bud Roberts and his wife Harriet.
Back to Caitlin. The impression I've got of her by people talking about her was that she's always been a "good girl", always behaved, never got drunk(not in public anyway) or made a fool out of herself. Well, she spoiled all that in just a few hours. I don't know if it can be blamed on her crashed marriage, anyway getting that drunk at what was supposed to be her best friend's wedding.
She shall be very lucky I'm always willing to give people a second chance. Why she needs a new chance? In her attempt to "move in" on Ola she even tried to break us up in a slow dance. Annie noticed it, took her out of the room, got her a taxi and sent her off to the hotel.
I've talked to Annie today and she kept apologising all the time. We're invited to them for leftovers today, Caitlin will be there too. Annie said that Caitlin was devastated by what she did.
Then tomorrow Annie and Harm is leaving for the United Arab Emirates on their honeymoon. Three weeks! Which reminds me of that we saw Paula and Sam of today, they went on their honeymoon, two weeks in Hawaii. And then on Saturday we're going back home, to the cold and snowy Sweden.
It's more sad to leave this time, because I know it will be longer before we get back next time. It looks like Meg, Ben and the children are coming to Sweden though this summer. Ben talked about trying to take 6 weeks off. Two in Venice, two in Sweden or three, depending on how long they then want to stay in England, visiting his aunt and uncle.
At Annie and Harm's:
Annie: Hi, come on in. Thanks for being there for us yesterday.
Me: Thank you yourself. It was a great, shall I call it "party".
Annie: Party, or whatever, I'm still sorry for the way Cait behaved.
Caitlin: Not as sorry as I am. Tina, please accept my apologise, and you too Ola (She said as she came up behind Annie) I don't know what came into me, I've always stopped if I got to know that the guy/man was taken. This is no excuse, but you can't blame me Tina, it's a real cutie you got.
Ola: I am, aren't I? he said as he help me take the jacket off. (The evening had turned a bit cold)
Harm came out of the kitchen.
Hi! Welcome! Let's get into the diningroom, dinner's almost ready.
Well, dinner was great, and afterwards Ola and Harm took care of the dishes, we "girls" went out to the terrace to wait for the coffee. The coffee and guys came and we sat there talking all evening. They got infra-red heat so we could have been there all night if it wasn't for the fact that Annie and Harm was leaving in the morning. I got the feeling that Ola was a bit uncofortable with Caitlin, I don't blame him. He sat as close to me as possible when we had dinner and then when we had the coffee he put his left arm around my shoulders(as he sat on my right side).
Caitlin: OH!
Annie: What?
Caitlin:(turned to me and Ola) Are you two married as well? (she had spotted Ola's engagementring)
Me: Well, not yet. Why?
Caitlin: Ola's ring?!
Ola: Oh, we're engaged, it's the way it goes in Sweden, and now Tina's thinking of persuading me to have one wedding ring too. We haven't really discussed that part yet, but since the wedding is at least 1,5 years away it's no hurry.
Harm: You said that you don't have the time before then the other day, didn't you?
Ola: Yes, as this season coming already is planned, we decided not to rush things, and wait another year. Then we even can plan one or two weeks honeymoon.
Annie: Of course you shall have a long honeymoon.
Me: Oh, that all depends on the time left. Well, I guess we have to leave now. You guys are getting up early in the morning, aren't you?
Ola: I hope you get a good trip, and thank you soo much for everything. You know that if you ever get "the ways past" Sweden you are welcome.
Harm: Thank you! And you're always welcome here too.
Me: It's been nice getting to know you a bit better too Caitlin, maybe we'll run into eachother, we're here until Saturday.
Caitlin: Maybe we do, and again, I'm so, so sorry!Chapter 48
"When the moon rises early just as the Santa Ana winds kick up out of nowhere and the sun is just dropping out of sight, whoever you meet at the far side of the pier is who you're destined to be with."
- Elaine Stevens, January 6, 1997, The Waffle Shoppe.
January 11th 2000
Dear diary,
We went to the Waffle Shop today to visit Elaine, but there were so many people so we said to her that we'll cathc up later in the week, but as we came through the door this happened:
Elaine was just finishing telling the Legend of Sunset Beach.
Elaine:..... destined to be with. Applause's were all around.
Customer: Wow and that happend all those years ago?
Elaine: Yes, and again about 13 years ago and last year too if I'm not mistaken. She smiled at us.
Me: Well we did need a bit help from the Legend. I frimly believes in it.
Ola: Me too, and Ben and Meg are a true sign of it.
Customer: Ben and Meg as in Meg Cummings Evans?
Me: Yes.
Customer: Do you know her?
Me: I do, she's married to my cousin Ben.
Customer: Let me introduce myself, I'm Felicity...
Me: Felicity, as in the co-star to Meg at Ludlow High's show "Dreams of Malibu"?
Felicity: Quilty as charged, so Meg's told you about that.
Elaine: Are you here to visit Meg?
Felicity: Well, me and my husband Noel(she introduced the man next to her) are on our honeymoon. We did go to school with Meg, Tim, Sara, Sam....... in different classes of course.
Ola: Have you told her you're coming.
Noel: No, we are driving around Califorina on our honeymoon and just happend to pass a sign saying Sunset Beach and came to think of Meg.
Me: I know she's home today. Dallas, her youngest, was a bit feverish this morning so she didn't want to leave her at daycare.
Felicity: Maybe it's not so good to visit then.
Ola: I don't know about that. When we left Dallas was up and running as usal. My guess is that she was "sick" because mommy's been working so much lately.
Me: You can come with us if you like, we're on our way back home. I jsut want a bottle of water "no sparks" please Elaine. It's a hot day today. I just hope I don't catch a cold or something when we get back home since the weather has been changing around so much these weeks.
Elaine:(as she brought the water) Yes it has, we'll have to catch up before you two leave. It was on Saturday, wasn't it?
Ola: Yes, see you!
We walked alont the beach, since Noel and Felicity had parked their car at the hotel and we hadn't brought our's either. Sunset Beach is a lovely town to walk around in. When we came into the garden Felicity just stopped.
Felicity: What a beautiful house! Are the two of you staying here too?
Me: Well we stay in the garageapartment.
Noel: But you get to use the whole house and garden?
Ola: Yes, and the only thing we pay is looking after the kids...
Me: You do that and they love you, I've helped Meg out at her cateringbusiness "the Dreamcatchers", and when I stayed here last summer I helped Ben out at the Java Web and the Deep.
Noel: And they are?
Me: An internetcafé and a night club.
Noel: They are a productive family, aren't they?
I spotted Meg at the terrace.
Me: Have you gotten Dallas to sleep now?
Meg: Finally I did. The fever seems to have disappered, I guess she wasn't very sick after all, but I put her to bed just in case. I see that you brought guests, don't let me disturb you.
Felicity: The perfect lady all the way out in the fingertips just like always.
Meg: Felicity???!!!
Noel: Yes and me!
Meg: Noel?? What are you guys doing here? she said as she hugged them both as we came up on the terrace.
Felicity: We're driving around California on our honeymoon.
Meg: Honeymoon...you've married....I knew it. When?
Felicity: New Year's Eve.
Meg: They same day as Sam and Paula.
Noel: Your brother...married??? I always thought he'd be the last of our class to settle down.
Meg: We never thought he'd either. We didn't hear from him in years when he travelled around, and then suddenly he's here in Sunset Beach and have settled down.
Felicity: Here? Then you're all gathered again, the whole family.
Meg: Yes we are. Sam's wife Paula is the one that runs the Waffle shop nowdays.
Felicity: But...I thought that was Elaine? she turned to me.
Me: Paula is Elaine's daughter and Elaine is looking after the place now when Paula and Sam are on their honeymoon.
Meg: And the Waffle shop was Elaine's from the beginning. Now to the two of you. Are you still living in Ludlow?
Noel: Yes....we don't seem to get out of there. We aren't as brave as you Meg.
Meg: Well, let me tell you; I was almost frightend to death when I first flew out here. But how is everything back home? Since mom and dad moved back here I haven't been back....it's been almost 4 years now.
Felicity: It's like it's always been, the same men at the pub and so on. "Old" mrs Henderson have left her shop to her granddaughter and her husband.
Meg: To Sophia??? Didn't she go to Australia?
Noel: Yes she did, but she came back married to Paul. They have two kids now 3 and 2 years old.
Meg: Talking about kids, I need to pick mine up at 3, what's the time now?
Ola: 2 PM.
Me: If you like to we can go pick them up, we have an errand we need to do anyway now.
Meg: That would be great, then I don't have to wake Dallas up either. She turned to Felicity and Noel. -Do you want to stay for dinner?
Felicity: We don't have any plans, so yes, if it's no problem for you.
Me: Do you need anything from the shop when we're out anyway?
Meg: I don't know. Let me look in the fridge. Would you excuse us? And when I get back, I'll show you around the house.
Noel: Maybe Ola can show us the poolhouse in the meantime, I really like it's architeture.
Ola: Of course I can, I find it very amazing too.
In the kitchen.
Meg: Oh, I feel so quilty for not keeping in touch, we were good friends after all.
Me: But it's up to thm to keep in touch too.
Meg: Sure. Let's see what's in here! Well, I need peppers, lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber-the rest I have.
Me: I have all of that in the apartment, we can as well use that. I don't think we'll finish it before Saturday anyway.
Meg: OK, let me go call the school then, so that they know that you're picking the kids up. They do keep a good track on who's doing that at this school, and I for one feel more secure.
Me: That's good nowdays when there's so much kidnappings and other violence "going around".Chapter 49
Still Tuesday January 11th
I bet you want to know what errand we had to run before picking Ben and Meg's childern up. I might as well tell you about it now, it will be here anyway sooner or later.
As I told you before we bought plain golden rings for our engagement and the other day when we walked past(at first) this jewllerystore we saw the most "adorable" weddingrings. We did go inside to look at them and asked if he could put them away for us to think about for a few days. Well we did go back the next day and tried them. He had to change them a bit so that they could fit properly. After all he(the goldsmith who own's the shop) was the one that had made them, and they're one of a kind. So now we had to pick them up, inscribtions we have to get at home, when we finally will set a date, there's about one and a half year still. I haven't persuaded Ola to have two rings as well, but he can always put the first one in the box after we're married and just have the wedding one if that makes him more comfortable. As long as he wears at least one!
The kids were thrilled when we came to pick them up. So was their teacher, she told us she'd been to Sweden about 10 years ago. We talked for a few minutes and came to the conclusion that it was too bad that we hadn't the time to come and talk to the class about our country, but I said that when Ashely and Trevor(and the others) comes to visit us this summer we'll make a video about the surrondings where we live.
In the car:
Ashely: Tina, can't we go for icecream?
Me: No!
Trevor: Why not?
Me: There's guests back home, so it's dinner first and it wouldn't be fair to Dallas.
Ola: But we can go to the store to pick some up to have as dessert.
Me: Oh my, you really spoil these kids.
Ola: Yes! And I love doing it.
Ashely:(who hadn't heard all of what we said) We love you too Ola, you're the best!
Me: We might as well get strawberries too if they have any.
Ashley: YES!! And a lot so that daddy don't eat them all.
We all laughed.
Me: But I promise that we'll go out for icecream on Friday all of us including Dallas. Me and Ola are going back home on Saturday and then we don't get to see eachother until you come to visit us.
Trevor: That sounds good. And we're looking forward to come to Sweden too.
Later the same day at the dinnertable.
Ben: I ran into mr Goldensen this afternoon.
Meg: The goldsmith?
Ben: Yes, and he said that he'd had some foreign customers(Ben looked at us)
Meg:(Didn't see that he looked at us) That wasn't very unusal, he has a lot of customers all over the world. His work is just so great.
You really should visit his shop before you leave.(she turned to Felicity and Noel)
Ben: But this was speical.
Me: You're dying to tell, aren't you "cous"?
Meg: The two of you? But....
Ola: Well, it's still along time but an offer like this don't come again, and then to have original work is great, we couldn't resist it.
Meg: May I see them, I just love his work.
Me: I can go up and get them before coffee.
Ben: Did you get one of those wooden boxes too?
Ola: Oh, yes that was really great work, he said that he did them too. Does he work in any other materials?
Ben: No, just gold, silver and wood. But his work is so great. I thought I heard of someone "high" somewhere who orded a special ornament to have in his Christmas tree, all in gold and a lot of them.
Meg: Well, just on that order he could retire to a good life, but he felt so creative that he didn't want to stop.
Felicity: So is he very expensive?
Ola: No, not really. We had said that we'll spend a certain amount of money on weddingring/s and we did go over just a little. And for that we got original work.
Me: I really think you should visit his shop, there's some great bowls, cups and other stuff.
Noel: It sounds too good to miss. At least for a look. Is there anything else to see this first time, at least I hope we do get back, in Sunset Beach.
Ben: Oh, that depends, have you seen the sunset yet?
Felicity: No, we arrived this morning.
Ben: Then I think you should go out and watch it now. And when you get back we'll have the coffee.
Felicity and Noel was taken by the sunset, but who isn't, it's so great here. And our rings made everyone go wow, even Ben. After Meg had put the kids to bed we had coffee and a long chat the six of us. Felicity and Noel are a sweet couple, and we exchanged adresses so that we could keep in touch.Cahpter 50
January 25th 2000
Dear Diary,
The darnest thing happend. On the Thursday before we left my laptop crashed. I did try to get it to work again, but NO! I had to leave it at the repair's. So yesterday I got it back and it was all there, I hadn't lost a thing, it was only electronical.
As we were leaving on Saturday, I didn't feel like it was any use leaving it to the repair's in Sunseet Beach, although I have a worldwide warrant, but then I had to wait for it to be shipped also.
It was the most horrible thing that happend that day. The Thursday started with me waking up by the banging of the door. I had fallen asleep again, and I was supposed to look after Dallas since she'd been a bit sick before that week.
Well a bit of luck happend too, I walked past the car an hour before I was to go pick Ahsley and Trevor up from school; a flat tire but Ola fixed it for me.
The Friday went well too. It was a day off for the kids, so we went for those icecreams after lunch. In the evening we went to the Deep to dance, sing and say goodbye to friends. We laughed and had a lot of fun. I don't think that we slept more than 4 hours that night.
We left the apartment at 8AM after having said our goodbyes to Meg and the kids, Bette and her family and of course Derek and Caroline. Ben was the one taking us to the airport.
Ben and Meg are coming to visit us this summer, and maybe Derek and Caroline too.
Anyway the checking in went well and we said bye to Ben and then it was time to board the plane. Since it was Saturday morning
and a lot of people was going to L.A the plane was full. We had been there early and had gotten "good" seats. We had the window and the middle of a seat of three. I sat by the window and Ola in the other seat when suddenly:
- Is this seat taken?
Me: No, do sit down(as I turned my head). It was Caitlin!
Caitlin: Well, well funny running into you here.
Ola:(sarcasticly) Yes, isn't it?
Caitlin: Are you going to L.A?
Me: Yes at first and then we're going to New York for our trip home.
Caitlin: N.Y- that's where I'm going too. What seats do you have on that flight?
Ola: 26 A&B.
Caitlin: Darn! I've got 40 D. Too bad.
Me:(a bit sarcasticly) Isn't it?
Ola lent over and whispered; Jag tror din tur har vänt älskling(I think your luck have changed darling). Then he kissed me passionately. I think it was to show Caitlin " you don't have anything to get here, I'm spoken for and loving it"
Me:(out loud) I think so too.
Caitlin: What?
Ola: Oh, nothing.
We had the "pleasure" of Caitlin's company at the airport in L.A until they called out that the ones haveing seats 30 and up to board. We said our goodbyes because we were going to the "abroad-hall" and she was staying in New York. She had told us on the flight that she was going to meet with Cole to finish the divorce. Then she was selling the apartment and quitting her job and then move back west. She said that she probably she'll settle down in San Fransisco, she didn't want to move to Sunset Beach because of the memories she had from there with Cole.
I guess you've already figured that we didn't have to say much during the flight.
We visited a lot of stores at the airport. Not to buy, because it's too expensive in those fancy stores. We did shop tax-free though.
The flight went well and since it was early evening when we came to Iceland we went into the town of Rekyjavik. We bought a few souvenirs there, after all this was our first real trip/stop there.
The flight to Denmark went well too, after all most flights do and there's nothing much to say about it. When we arrived at Kastrup(the airport) we called Ola's mother. She was picking us up in Malmö when we came there. Then it was time to find the boat(the luagage was automatically transfered to the boat). Next time we travel this way we can take the bridge, it opens in July.
When we finally arrived home we were dead tired. It was Sunday morning and we had to treat Lena(Ola's mother) for breakfast, or at least a cup of coffee. I did long for a cup myself, although Ben imports the same brand it's not the same kind of water it's brewed on. When I came into the kitchen there was a potted plant on the table with a card welcoming us home. It was from Anna and Svenne, they've looked after the house and picked up our mail.
Lena: How nice of them!
Me: Yes, we usally do that eve if we haven't "killed" any of the old ones.
Ola: And the way I know Anna she hasn't.
Me: No, she's better on keeping plants than I am.
Lena: So. How was the trip, the weddings- all of it?
Me: It was lovely and you should have seen your son in his tux, he looked gorgeous, a real sight for soar eyes.
Ola:(blushed a bit) Stop it! It's my mother you're talkign to. (I smiled at him)
Lena: Well, I've seen you in most everything and nothing so. I really hope you've got photos of the two of you all dressed up.
Me: We've got a lot of photos. We thought that we'll invite both families to dinner and to show photos.
Lena: That sounds good, we have only really meet ones all of us at the same time.
Ola: I guess we'll try not this first weekend, but the next the 29th. We have to get back to work and stuff first.
Lena: Talking about work, I've got a long list of calls for you Ola.
Ola: Why didn't they call the "central"? Well I'll come and get them tomorrow first thing.
Lena: And then there was a girl named Marie who kept calling. Could it have been your ex?
Ola: Sounds like it, was it a code number not from here?
Lena: Yes.
Me: Then it probably was, she's been calling here too. Anna's made a list of the calls on the "show the number".( I had just read that list thru)
Ola: My guess is that she never tried the cellphone. We've both had ours on the whole time.
Lena left and after having put the first bundle of laundry in the washingmachine I joined an already asleep Ola in bed and it didn't take much for me to fall asleep either.
We did both go back to work Monday and it felt so good to be back, and yesterday I had the dayshift off so I could go pickt he laptop up. And now it's up and running like there's never been anything wrong.
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