Forevermore

  Olivia alternated between hugging and kissing her father and Ava and screaming to the rafters—along with Toddy jumping and barking excitedly around her—they would be marrying.

  Sydney, Matthias, and Kira were drawn to the living room by the commotion and when Olivia told them Ava and Aleksander would be marrying, they exchanged knowing looks before congratulating them, which made Ava blush.

  “We have to prepare a special dinner to celebrate the engagement.” Olivia tugged at Matthias’s and Kira’s hands. “Can we have champagne, Daddy?”

  “We sure can!” he agreed, intoxicated by the happiness glowing on his daughter’s face.

  And then Olivia looked at Ava. “Can I have a sip?”

  Ava bent and tapped Olivia’s pert nose. “No, Pixie. You can’t.”

  “Aaaaw.” Olivia pouted and put her hands on her hips. “It can’t be worse than the drugs I have to swallow.”

  That made Sydney laugh. “If you think it tastes bad, why do you want to drink it?”

  “Because it’s tradition to toast with champagne. And I want to celebrate too,” she explained with all the infallible reasoning of a child.

  “A sip, then,” said Aleksander.

  Ava began to consider the reality that she was getting married and that meant an actual wedding would be taking place. There will be guests coming. I need a wedding dress. I need to call my family! “I don’t know how to plan a wedding to someone like you.”

  “Someone like me?”

  “You know what I mean. And in just seven days!”

  He chuckled. “My dear, that’s why there are wedding coordinators and planners. They’ll assist in everything.”

  “I will help!” shouted Olivia, as she towed Matthias and Kira to the kitchen. “I will need a new diary, Daddy.”

  “We will buy one tomorrow!” Aleksander replied, smiling. He pulled Ava into his arms, brushed his mouth over hers, and whispered in an emotional voice, “Thank you.”

  I’ve done the right thing. There was so much joy sparkling in the air, Ava’s heart soared. Yet, she was still worried. I’m going to marry Aleksander. I’m going to marry him in seven days. Seven days.

  “I don’t know how to plan a wedding in a week. Most women take months—even years—to map out every detail of their big day.” And she had mere seven days to get everything ready and right.

  He smiled and tightened his arms around her waist. “Ah, but love has no boundaries.”

  She wrinkled her nose at him. “And it seems it knows no timeframe, too.”

  “Don’t worry your pretty head. We are practically repeating the script Markus and Hannah followed about a year and a half ago. If there is anyone who can do it, is Alicia, Blackthorn’s PR, she is a magician.”

  And I am crazy.

  Saturday, November 19, 2015

  10:00 a.m.

  * * *

  Though Ava rarely had time for them, she enjoyed mornings such as this, when the air was cool and sparkling clear.

  Unlike Manhattan, she could breathe here in Lake Tahoe, and if she could afford the luxury she could empty her mind and simply experience.

  She promised herself one hour, sixty solitary, soothing minutes, before she dived into the craziness of preparing a wedding in seven days, all the while keeping Olivia as restful and healthy as she could. Which, she was sure, was going to prove a challenge.

  Much to Sydney’s surprise, the little girl had woken up earlier than usual and headed directly to her father’s bedroom, not finding it a bit strange to discover Aleksander sleeping wrapped around Ava. With all her usual happiness, Olivia—and Toddy—got on the bed. She woke them both up with little kisses and made herself comfortable between them, as Toddy settled on their feet.

  After their usual film session, Olivia told Aleksander he had much to do, starting with inviting Victoria, uncle Mark, and aunt Hannah to lunch. When Aleksander asked what for, she rolled her eyes at him, and explained Aunt Hannah would help them organizing the wedding. And, then, taking him by the hand, she walked toward his office, saying the next step was to order the ring—a very big, very sparkling diamond ring. Pink, of course. Which made Aleksander glance back at Ava over his shoulder, as they reached the connecting door to his office.

  In green and red striped pajamas—with a red flap over his buttocks which said No Peeking—looking lost as Olivia drilled orders and tugged at his hand, he looked so adorable that Ava could only smile and say, “Pink, of course.”

  She settled her Yoga mat in a clear area on the veranda floor and began her exercises.

  By the time she had finished, she leaned on the rail and just stayed there, absorbing the peace around her.

  A deer came out of the trees and raise her head to sniff the air. Behind her came a gangly fawn. From above, Ava watched them clear the trees and pick their way delicately toward the the lake.

  That’s freedom. To know your place and to be content with it. Even though the meditation she had done at the end had calmed her, she was still restless. She had made a promise to Aleksander she didn’t know how she could keep. And if something goes wrong?

  Even as she tried to absorb and accept the peace around her she felt the impatience struggling through.

  Sydney was already on her way to the hospital, promising she would do whatever necessary to find what Ava needed.

  I will have to call Dr. Goldenstein and make a decision.

  But, first, a call to her family was in order.

  New York, Manhattan

  Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center

  1:00 p.m.

  * * *

  The other nurses were on their rounds which Sydney knew would take a while, so she took the opportunity sneak in behind the computer and open Olivia’s file to send Ava all the images from Olivia’s previous exams. Even though she came to the hospital solely to do this, she hesitated, knowing the breach in ethics she was about to cross.

  She typed in Ava’s email address and began to attach the files. If it would help Olivia, it was worth the risk.

  “Something tells me you’re not supposed to be doing that,” the all too familiar voice of doctor Brian Duncan chimed from over her shoulder, startling her.

  “Doctor Duncan,” Sydney greeted, quickly pulling up another screen to hide what she was about to send. “Didn’t see you standing there.”

  Brian smiled mischievously and leaned against her desk. “Of course not. Why are you sending those files to Ava?”

  “That’s none of your concern.”

  “Sure it is,” Brian said. “Or it could be Dr. Wang’s concern.”

  Noting the threat, Sydney pressed her lips in a hard line and debated her options. If she refused to tell him, he would probably tell Dr. Wang just to spite her. “Ava might have found a way to help Olivia. You and I both know there isn’t anything this entire ward wouldn’t be willing to do to help that poor child.”

  Brian nodded, though he didn’t agree. The child wasn’t worth his career. Children died everyday and he didn’t know why half the hospital was so obsessed with the girl. Or rather he knew: it was money. Who knew how much the billionaire would give if only they could save his dying child. A new wing? Fat bonuses for all?

  He was still bitter about the trouble Ava had gotten him into with Dr. Wang. He surprisingly hadn’t been fired, but it had certainly made his life hell.

  “And how is Olivia? Is she comfortable there in that cushy lake house?”

  Sydney smiled. “Of course she is. Mr. Maximilian has done everything in his power to make sure it’s absolutely perfect and Ava takes care of her as if she were her own.”

  “And what about Ava? How is she?” Brian asked with a genial smile. The email was already enough information for Dr. Wang to make Ava’s life at the hospital just as miserable as she’d made his, but more details couldn’t hurt. “She sounds like she’s putting in a lot of effort to make sure Olivia has everything she needs.”

  “Of course she is,” Sydney said, not sensi
ng Brian’s intentions. “It’s all so sad really.”

  “Death is always sad.”

  “I know. Even their wedding is going to be a bittersweet occasion.”

  Brian’s eyes widened, but he swallowed his exclamation and asked calmly, “Wedding? Who is getting married?”

  Sydney cursed under her breath realizing she’d said too much. She leaned over, motioning for him to lean closer to whisper. “You’ve got to swear you won’t say a word to anyone!”

  “Scout’s honor,” Brian lied.

  “It sort of…just happened,” Sydney said. “Olivia was so adamant about her father not being alone and lonely…she managed to get them both to agree to a wedding. Ava really tried hard to resist him—resist the idea, I mean—because…you know…but Olivia’s Christmas wish is for Ava and her father to marry. The wedding is this Saturday.”

  “And they are actually going to do it?” Brian asked greedily, sucking in every bit of the gossip. “She seriously fucked up this time.”

  Sydney nodded. “I know it’s a mess, but you can’t tell a soul! Think about the child. She’s been so happy since they got engaged and even Aleksander has been a bit more joyful. Seriously, Doctor Duncan, keep this a secret. For Olivia.”

  Brian straightened and a deceivingly kind smile lit his face. “Of course. For Olivia’s sake.”

  As soon as the doctor turned his back, Sydney pressed the send button, grabbed her bag, and rushed out of the hospital as if the devil was chasing her.

  Nevada, Lake Tahoe

  The Cottage

  11:11 a.m.

  * * *

  Her brother, Karl, was full of questions: how was his little sister, a medical intern from Norway, suddenly engaged to one of the wealthiest men in the country? How did they meet? Where has she been living? Why hasn’t she taken him to meet them? What was Aleksander like? Why were they marrying so fast? Was she pregnant? Wasn’t he much older than her? Did she love him?

  Ava did her best to answer but clearly Karl wasn’t convinced.

  And he told her it was very inconsiderate of her fiancée not to give them more time to prepare and come for the wedding. As the CFO of Trondhjems Værksted, he couldn’t very well drop everything and move across the globe to a hasty wedding, especially since the end of the year, as Ava knew very well, was the busiest time for them with the delivery of all the new ships. But he promised he would try to be there for her.

  Her mind spun and her heart fluttered wildly in her chest as she opened her laptop and dialed her grandmother.

  Hildegard answered on the third chime and it was obvious she was getting ready to go out. Her white long hair was in rolls and her blue-green eyes, so much like Ava’s, were painted in a mysterious way that highlighted them.

  She smiled brightly. “Ava! I’ve missed you.”

  “Hi, Mormor,” Ava said as she fiddled with her wedding finger. “Is it a bad time?”

  “Oh, no. You know how Eirik likes to be punctual, but a woman must keep a man waiting sometimes.” Hildegard winked and smiled at her granddaughter. “What’s the matter?”

  Ava smiled back. “What makes you think something’s the matter?”

  Hildegard made a clicking sound with her tongue and shook her head. “You can’t fool me, Elskede. Did something happen between you and your Maximilian?”

  Ava squeezed her eyes shut and thought of how to explain it, but when nothing came to mind, she simply blurted, “We’re getting married.”

  “Married?” Eirik said from somewhere off screen. He leaned into the camera, looking dashing in a tuxedo, and smiled. “Hello, Ava. Who’s getting married?”

  “I am, Morfar.”

  Eirik and Hildegard both stared at Ava in a gaping silence.

  “When?” Eirik said, recovering before Hildegard did.

  Ava lowered her eyelids for a moment. She had expected their disapproval. She had expected a myriad of questions. What she hadn’t expected was the mix of fear and excitement that rolled tumultuously in her belly.

  “In seven days, next Saturday,” she said.

  “Ava,” Hildegard said in her gentle, nurturing tone. “You haven’t even known him long. Are you sure?”

  It’s what I wanted from the moment he kissed me. “Yes.” She had only met Aleksander a little more than ten days ago, but it felt like years in her mind. And she had cared for Olivia for so long it only felt natural for them to be a family. Ava blinked rapidly to keep tears from spilling over her cheeks. “It’s what I want. I haven’t felt this way about anyone since Otto. No. Even Otto didn’t feel this...right. And even if Olivia hadn’t made it her final wish, I’m sure Alek and I would’ve arrived at the same conclusion sooner or later. I love him, Mormor. I want to be here for him and Olivia. And if I’m going to lose another child I want to make sure Olivia gets her every wish.”

  “Olivia’s last wish?”

  There was an awkward moment of silence before Ava told her grandparents everything that had transpired since their last call.

  “I still don’t know, Ava. It’s just so sudden. A child can’t possibly know how great a wish it is to ask two people to marry. You don’t have to marry a man to be happy.” She patted Eirik’s leg who had taken a seat beside her on the bed. “Take a look at Eirik and me. We’ve been happily together for decades and we’re not married.”

  “Hilde’s right, Ava,” Eirik said. “Are you sure you want to go through with this? You don’t have to feel pressured.”

  “I don’t feel pressured, Morfar,” Ava said. “I feel happy. So happy it scares me, and I’m also sad because of the circumstances that brought us to this point. But I’ve made up my mind that for once I’m going to do something for me. Something that will make me happy. Something that will make Alek and Olivia happy, too.”

  “Elskede,” Hildegard said. “If you’ve made up your mind then I’ll give you my blessing. I love you and I just want to know that you’re happy.”

  “I am happy, Mormor,” she said truthfully. “Happier than I’ve been in a long time.”

  Hildegard smiled. “Then we wish you the best in your marriage.”

  A tear spilled over Ava’s cheek. “Thank you. Will you come?”

  Hildegard looked at Eirik, who answered, “Of course we will be there.”

  “Take care, Ava. We love you,” Hildegard said. Ava waved, unable to speak without bursting with emotion.

  She ended the call then she allowed the nervous, happy tears to spill freely.

  Before she closed her laptop, Sydney’s incoming message blinked. She opened the email, downloaded the files, and opened them alongside the newest ones she had.

  For a long time, she studied them carefully, taking notes on her notebook of what she thought was important.

  Then she went to the bathroom, washed her face, and staring at image, she stated, “Now, Dr. Goldenstein.”

  Chapter 33

  3:00 p.m.

  * * *

  “Mr. Maximilian, Ms. Michael has arrived,” Matthias announced in the library where Aleksander and Ava had gathered after the lunch with their guests, Markus and Hannah Blackthorn.

  A thirtyish woman dressed elegantly in a red-and-black suit that screamed designer-made walked in with a warm smile.

  “Good afternoon.” Alicia smiled at them. “Mr. Maximilian, congratulations!”

  “Alicia.” Aleksander took Ava’s hand in his. “This is my fiancée, Ava.”

  “A pleasure to meet you, Doctor Larsen, and congratulations on your engagement.”

  Alicia Michael was Blackthorn Corporation’s PR and had been summoned to Lake Tahoe to take care of the organization of their wedding.

  During lunch, Hannah had assured Ava if there was anyone who could plan and execute a wedding in less than fifteen days—and with Thanksgiving intruding in between—it was Alicia. She assured Ava there was nothing to worry about.

  Alicia exchanged pleasantries with Markus and Hannah, and all business, she sat in an armchair, took her notebook an
d a pencil from her suitcase and asked, “What can I do to help?”

  “Ava and I want to get married on November twenty-eight.” He smiled at Ava and entwined their fingers. “We know it’s a bit of a rush—”

  “I’m used to rushed weddings, Mr. Maximilian,” she said, winking at Hannah, who smiled back.

  Satisfied with her answer, Aleksander looked back at Ava. “It will be something very small. A lunch wedding. Around…fifty guests, basically family. Ava’s grandparents are coming from Norway and will stay here with us, but we’ll need to accommodate the rest of the guests in nearby hotels and have transportation to and fro.”

  Alicia didn’t even blink, she just took notes which led Ava to think she was accustomed to meeting impossible demands. “Right. And the wedding will take place here?”

  “Sure,” answered Aleksander. “We can have the ceremony here and—”

  “No.”

  They all looked at Ava.

  “Outside. On the patio. Something informal and intimate…and romantic.” She had thought about it during the night, well ensconced in Aleksander’s arms. “We can cover it with a transparent sunblind and use the heaters. And if it’s too cold, maybe we can put a thicker rug to help block the cold?”

  “Excellent idea,” approved Alicia.

  “Well, I will leave you alone to discuss the details,” said Aleksander, motioning for Markus to follow him.

  Before he closed the double doors, Ava reminded him, “Tell Olivia we are going to start.”

  “Creating a list is key, because if you’re like me, you’re going to panic and forget everything,” said Hannah.

  “I’ll have a list of the best wedding services which are available by Monday,” Alicia said, as she wrote in her notebook.

  “I can help with the lists!” Olivia exclaimed, as she burst through the double doors followed by Markus’s daughter, Victoria, who went to sit near her stepmother.

  Olivia perched herself over Ava’s legs and opened her diary and starting writing. “Groom? Check. Bride? Check. What else?”