The Inevitable Fanfiction

Chapter 13 – In Honour of Purposeful Accidents
My private jet has never been this crowded and noisy before. Actually it still hasn’t. This is one I rented for the many people who would need to be comfortable on a long flight. I usually would savour the quiet, but seeing as I made Paula very happy, I suppose I can manage. Lorraine, Paula’s mum, is chatting Jimmy and one of Paula’s cousins – Tara, I believe. She is quite sexy, but blonde is not really my type. Sinitta is chatting with some family members of Paula’s I don’t know well but have met them on several occasions. Hunter isn’t here and I’m actually very grateful. He already left yesterday.
Paula is sitting with her father on the other side of the plane, giggling like a child. He pinches her cheek and she kisses his fingers. Who would have guessed she is forty-seven?
“She’s a taken woman, ya know?” Wendy voice mocks me irritatingly as she settles beside me on the sofa.
“Hmm, so I’ve heard. But I believe her sister is available.” I look her up and down, just to annoy her. It is rather wrong to think of Wendy in ‘that’ way, because she is much like an older sister who finds ways to make me momentarily miserable at any given time. But then again, brothers are much alike.
“Ew, Simon.” She slaps my arm while those familiar brown eyes sparkle. I raise my hands up in mock surrender. “It was very gracious of you to let us use your plane,” She says slowly, trying to gauge my reaction for reasons I’m sure no man will ever understand.
“Something about more and merrier comes to mind.” I give her a smile, hoping she’ll drop it.
“Is it the more of us or more of…?” She trails of letting her eyes do the talking. She glances at Paula and Harry, talking quietly now.
“Now, now, I’m a taken man, just the same.” I rest a hand over my heart and point to Sinitta with my other. Wendy’s eyes widen considerably.
“Oh... Oh!” She raises her eyebrows and makes a face I’ve seen many a time on Paula. I chuckle despite myself.
I catch Sinitta’s eye in the middle of her conversation and she winks at me. I grin back, satisfied with my point proven.
“Hi sweetie.” I hear Paula say and kisses her sisters cheek before sitting on the other side of me.
“We were just talking about you,” Wendy says with a smile and Paula turns curious.
“Nice things I hope,” Paula jokes.
“I was just saying now that you’ve been claimed, I might have to try your sister here.” I poke Wendy’s side and she slaps my hand away.
“He’s trying to steal me of my virtue, Paula!” Wendy hits her head dramatically and the three of us giggle.
“Mother of two, what virtue?” Paula sniggers and soon I am holding both sisters by the shoulder, willing them not to eat me alive as they physically attack each other. By attack of course, I mean shoving and tickling much like primary school children. They calm down eventually and Paula asks, “Where are my boys anyway?”
“Sinitta’s kids have taken a liking him to them as you can see,” Wendy points to the far left of the plane. Alex and Austin are on the floor as Zac and Maggie climb over them, grabbing noses, fistfuls of hair and limbs to hold onto as they clamber over two mountains that are teenage boys. Austin sees us looking and blows a kiss at his Aunt Paula, before doubling over as Maggie steps where it hurt the worst. I cringe. Poor guy.
“I think I’m going to save them.” Wendy winks at me and heads to her sons.
“So,” Paula says conversationally. I raise my eyebrows, expectant. “The reception is tomorrow night. Are you and Sinitta coming?” She asks, and I try to find a lilt in her voice. There is none, surprisingly.
“Yeah.” I give her a crooked smile, the one she loves.
“I sent your mom an invitation as well. I hope she comes,” Paula says.
“She will,” I assure her.

***
There are many people at the dinner party, about a hundred maybe. Mostly, people are mingling, but I sit tight at my table, which is with Randy, Ryan, Kara, Terri and their dates. The Idol group flew in this morning and I can only hope their flight was more comfortable than mine. Too many hours in a plane with too many people trying to sleep.
I am in a bad mood, I don’t deny it. As anyone else would be too if they had a stiff back, little sleep the night before and having to attend a reception to celebrate the engagement of two people you don’t want together. I don’t feel like socialising, so while mostly everybody mingles, I sit there and watch.
Mum places her hand on mine, bringing me out of my train of thought.
“Lighten up, sour puss,” She says. “What’s the matter with you?” I open my mouth to reply but Paula walking towards us, eats my words.
She is always making small talk with everyone, and even if this wasn’t her party, she’d still be the life of it. Paula sits on the other side of Sinitta, who is beside me.
“Oh, I see.” Mum smiles to herself.
“Is everyone enjoying the dinner?” Paula bounces in her seat.
Everyone replies in something to the effect of ‘yes’. Other than me of course.
“Simon, I see you took the trouble to dress up,” She says. Her tone is sarcastic but with a teasing lilt to it. I am wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and dark pants. Nothing fancy, but nothing too casual either. Everyone laughs and I crack a smile. Paula stands and reaches for my hands. “Will you dance with me?” She asks, hopeful as ever.
“Paula…” I start, my tone warning. She slumps her shoulders.
“It was worth a shot,” She answers, coming back up with a smile.
Jeremy walks up to us then, placing his hands on Paula’s shoulders possessively. We greet him, me with artificial enthusiasm naturally.
“Darling, I was thinking,” He starts, angling her to him just slightly. “We still haven’t picked the wedding song. What do you think our wedding song should be ‘First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’? You like it, right?” He glances over her head at me for a split second before looking back at her. Paula bites her lip.
Heat builds up in my chest. How dare he? How dare he pick that song for them? It’s not theirs. It’s mine and hers and so help me God, if she agrees –
“I don’t know, Jer. I like it, but I think we should find a song that specifically describes us, don’t you?” He ponders over this for a moment and she takes it to meet my eyes.
“I suppose you’re right,” He agrees finally.
Hunter holds her chin and kisses her lips softly. All the women within a five foot radius gush. I hear phrases such as ‘Isn’t he sweet?’ and ‘He is the perfect guy’, making all their men stare at them, waiting to be reassured. Sinitta just smiles and takes my hand under the table.
“Would you care to dance, my lady?” Hunter asks, sickeningly sweet and bows. He kisses her hand and Paula flusters.
“I’d love to,” She giggles and plays along. “…Sir.”
Soon, they are in the middle of the otherwise empty dance floor and music begins to play as if it were perfectly timed. Perfectly planned out by Hunter of course. The song is ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ by Michael Bublé. It would be nice if all eyes in the room weren’t transfixed on the couple before us. I feel Sinitta watching me as I gaze at the couple, perhaps enviously.
They do not complement each other in the ideal sort of way what with his bronze hair and dark blue eyes, her black hair and dark chestnut eyes and the way she was a head shorter than him, even in her heals. And yet, he looks down at her tenderly and she smiles back up at him. She looks happy. They sway and spin, appearing to forget everything else. Why didn’t I just say yes when she asked? Damn it. That could have been me holding her close.
I don’t love to dance, that is definite, but if it means someone else holds her to his chest and touches her half bare back because I didn’t, bloody hell, I would have. Other couples join them eventually and I am dragged into a mindless conversation with people I only know superficially. I don’t even remember their names.
After a long while of meaningless discussion I finally, I have a chance to sit down with the group again. The crowd is thinning out and only close friends and family stay behind. I am talking with Randy, Erika and my brother, Nicholas. Sinitta beside me is getting better acquainted with Kara.
Before too long though Harrison, my nephew, rockets passed me; ice-cream in a glass bowl dripping at the corners. My sister-in-law, Katie is not far behind, chasing him, trying to calm him down.
“Harry, no,” Nick says, smacking his forehead as his wife chases the toddler down. I am so glad Zac isn’t like that. Lord. Sinitta gives me a look and I know she is thinking the exact thing.
He is not attracting too much attention which I am thankful for. But Paula doesn’t notice him coming, in a conversation with her friends, as Harrison smashes into her legs and sends her toppling over, ice-cream and all. Whoever was close to that corner of the room cringes and Hunter rushes to her side. Harrison plops on the floor, opposite Paula as she stands up, soaked in pudding, watching with big eyes.
“Harry,” I call. He sees me coming and grins, attempting to hide behind Paula’s dress. “Harry, your mum and dad are not pleased. You had better come with me – I’ll hide you, okay?” I grin, but he holds on tighter to the hostess of the party, knowing somehow I am not on his side.
Paula looks up at me, eyes pleading and cream coloured dress covered in vanilla. Katie is as cross as ever, tapping her foot at her son. Georgia, my niece sits close to her father, giggling. I take hold of his sides and tug him gently into my arms. However, his hands are clinging to Paula’s dress and he gets a view that he shouldn’t have gotten until he was much older. I snatch her dress out of his grasp and put it down for her. She is blushing profusely and Hunter rushes her out of the hall.
I hand the boy back to his mother and before he starts to cry, she rushes him out.
“I suppose I had better apologise to Paula,” Nick says, uncomfortably, walking up to me.
“I think you should. Come on, I’ll take you to her room.”
Georgia takes my hand and the three of us walk to the hotel lobby, to the lifts. We press the button and the lift elevates to the top floor. I don’t get why they are staying at a hotel when Hunter has a house here, but I suppose it is useful, especially to get dressed before a function.
There is only one suite on this floor and that is Paula’s and Jeremy’s. It takes up the whole place and is as big and posh as a wealthy man’s apartment. I ring the bell and Lorraine calls from inside.
“Just a minute,” She says and the sound of footsteps patter on the floor. She opens the door a few seconds later and smiles up at us, amused. “Paula’s in there.”

She points to a half closed door attached to the living area. I kiss her cheek and lead Nicholas there.
“You want to stay here with me, sweetie?” Lorraine asks Georgie and she looks up, a little shy. She gives the toddler an encouraging smile and Georgia takes her hand.
I guide Nick to the room, with a hand on his shoulder. He knocks softly and opens the door a crack.
“I’ve brought my guilty brother to confess,” I introduce.
Paula is sitting on the bed in something resembling pyjamas while Hunter is walking out of the bathroom, his shirt half slipped on. He tugs it down fully and runs his hand through his hair.
“I’m awfully sorry about your dress, Paw-la,” Nick says, shyly. “I’ll get you a new one.” I laugh and make myself comfortable on the seat by the window.
“Aw, Nick. It’s just one less dress to worry about. It’s no problem. Kids will be kids.” She stands up and hugs him tightly.
“This little kid is going to be a load of trouble when we get home though,” He chuckles.
“I think the only problem really was the stickiness,” Says Hunter and sits beside Paula. “She needed a little clean up.” He looks her up and down and winks suggestively. I inwardly growl. He looks at her like she’s something to eat. Paula just turns away and gazes into my eyes. I give her a cold front, hard eyes as if to say ‘I’m not affected’, but it probably doesn’t work anyway.
It’s become almost like an instinct; to be jealous of Hunter. It’s pathetic really. There are just two days until the wedding and I still haven’t moved on. It isn’t at all fair to anyone – not Paula, not me, not Jeremy and certainly not Sinitta and the kids.
“Right. Well I think we’re done here,” I say, standing up. I can’t watch the two for much longer.
“Yeah, we’ll leave you be now. Again, I’m so sorry, Paula,” Says Nick. Paula just shakes her head and kisses his cheeks. He smiles embarrassedly and signals that he will wait outside.
Hunter’s phone begins to ring and he picks it up, walking out also.
“You didn’t have to bring him to apologise you know. It’s so hoity-toity,” She says to me, mimicking a British accent.
“It was his incentive. I just showed him the way,” I reply. She slaps my shoulder lightly.
“Well since you’re here, I might as well invite you now,” Paula starts. “Tonight we’re having just close family and friends for dinner. Jeremy will be with his family and my dad insists we should do the same for ours. It’ll be at the restaurant across the street. Will you and Julie… and Sinitta come?”
I smirk.
“We will, yeah. But I have a Britain’s Got Talent meeting thing, so I might be a little late. Around eight, probably,” I tell her.
She nods, “That’s fine… And I’m counting on a dance, mister.” She points a finger at me and her nose wrinkles.
I give a throaty laugh and pat her head, playfully. “We’ll see.”