CHAPTER 358: SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW (2)

Georgia’s POV

All eyes turned to Melanie as she presented a long, thin rectangular box like it was the Holy Grail.

Inside was a sleek gold pen.

"Ta-da!" she said proudly. "This is your something borrowed. It’s real gold—a gift I got on my wedding day. It symbolizes luck, wealth, and a husband who signs all the bills without complaining. Use it to sign your marriage certificate tomorrow."

I laughed so hard I nearly dropped it. "Thank you, Mel. This is extra special—especially since Ella doctored my signature on the first one!"

"Hey! It did save you in the end," Ella squealed, nearly spilling her champagne as everyone roared with laughter.

Then Jenny and Bella exchanged a suspicious glance—one that made my gut twist in both curiosity and mild fear.

"We have something too," Jenny said, grinning like a mischievous fairy godmother. She placed a big glossy box in front of me.

"But before you open it," Bella warned, holding up a finger, "you have to promise to keep an open mind."

"Open mind?" I repeated, laughing nervously. "That sounds dangerous."

"Just... promise," Bella said seriously. "I even asked my husband what men really like before Jenny and I bought this."

I raised a brow. "Now I’m terrified."

"Good," Jenny said, smirking. "You have to use this tomorrow during your wedding ceremony and celebration, alright?"

I nodded hesitantly, biting back a laugh. "Fine, fine, I promise."

But just as I reached for the lid, Bella snatched it back.

"Say it properly, Georgia! Promise us!"

"Okay, okay!" I said, hands raised in surrender, grinning like an idiot. "I promise I’ll use whatever’s inside tomorrow!"

The girls leaned in with anticipation as I started to open the box—

and that’s when I knew this was either going to be really thoughtful...

or absolutely scandalous.

I opened the box and gasped. Nestled inside, on a bed of tissue paper, was a delicate piece of white lace fabric. "Wow, this is cute," I said, holding it up to get a better look, and then my jaw dropped.

"What the fuck?!" I shrieked, and the entire room exploded into laughter.

It wasn’t just lingerie, it was battle armor for seduction. The one-piece lace thing barely qualified as clothing. The top was see-through, covered in dainty floral patterns that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. The front dipped into a deep V that connected to a string-thin lace panty with—wait—an opening in the crotch area.

"Oh my god!" I yelled, waving it around like it was a crime scene exhibit. "This is basically air with straps! Who designs these things?!"

The girls were laughing so hard that Bella fell backward onto the bed, clutching her stomach. Jenny had tears streaming down her face. Even Melanie, who usually kept her composure, was snorting into her champagne glass.

"Oh, wait, wait!" I said, noticing a tiny strap dangling off the side. "What’s this thing? Did they attach a secret pocket? For lip gloss?"

"Oh no," Bella said, gasping for air. "That’s not a pocket, darling. That’s your bridal garter. Nick has to tear it off from the lingerie to remove it."

The room went silent for half a second before erupting again.

Jenny wheezed between giggles. "So basically, the man’s going to see what’s underneath before you even make it to the honeymoon suite. He might just steal you from your own wedding."

"Are you serious?!" I said, throwing my head back, laughing so hard I could barely breathe. "You girls are the worst!"

"Correction," Vicky said, raising her glass, "we’re the best friends a soon-to-be bride could ever have!"

Everyone cheered, clinking glasses as the sound of the waves outside mixed with our laughter.

I sat there, the ridiculous lace still dangling from my fingers, my heart overflowing. I looked around the room—at these wild, loyal, infuriating, wonderful women who had stuck with me through every storm in my life.

Just as we were still laughing about the "air-with-straps" lingerie, a soft knock echoed from the door.

"Who’s expecting someone?" Vicky asked, squinting suspiciously.

Before anyone could answer, Ella opened the door and in came four resort staff members, all smiling politely and carrying trays. "Good evening, Miss Lewis," one of them said. "Mr. Knight requested that we deliver something special for you."

The girls immediately turned into gossiping seagulls. "Ooooh, Nick sent something!" Bella squealed. "Please tell me it’s not another piece of lingerie."

"Or worse," Melanie whispered dramatically, "a private video message."

I groaned, covering my face. "Can you not jinx it?"

Two of the staff rolled in a projector and a portable screen, while the other two began laying out charcuterie boards on the coffee table—grapes, cheese, crackers, and chocolate-covered strawberries arranged like edible art. The smell of truffle honey drifted through the room.

"Wow," Ella said, her eyes widening. "This man is out here trying to win husband of the year before the ceremony even happens."

"I second that," Melanie said, already eyeing the prosciutto. "If Nick ever gets tired of you, Georgia, I volunteer as tribute."

I threw a pillow at her, and everyone burst out laughing again.

Then the lights dimmed. The projector flickered on, and soft piano music filled the room.

On-screen, a video began—photos of me and Nick from the island, moments I didn’t even remember taking. Then clips appeared of everyone we knew—Ella, Vicky, even Wendy—speaking to the camera, smiling, crying, laughing.

My heart clenched as the missing pieces of my life began to fall back into place. Every memory I thought was gone forever now played in front of me—pain, love, laughter, everything.

My vision blurred with tears as Nick’s voice came through at the end of the video. "No matter what happens, no matter how much you forget... I’ll always remind you of who you are—and who we are."

The room was silent except for sniffles and soft laughter between tears.

I pressed my hands over my heart, whispering, "He brought me back." Doesn’t matter if I can’t remember the rest. Nick’s memory of us is enough for the two of us.

*******

Thanks for the Golden Tickets!

Joyce_Ackom_Dwomoh

Kelly_Cornetto

Noni_Byz