Page 90 of A Grecian Getaway

“Are you kidding? Noelle’s lunches were the best trades! She may not have wanted that food, but Claire and I loved it!”

“Caroline!” Claire slapped Caroline’s arm.

Noelle giggled. “It’s fine. I loved the lunches, mom. I was just being weird. Thanks though. You’re the best! But I’m only one person. How many fataya and cookies do you think I can eat? There’s a lot here.”

Her mom held up her hands. “What? You have to eat. They will last. Now let’s go make some wedding plans, sweetheart. I’m so excited I could bust.”

***

The next morning, the women visited a couple of different wedding boutiques. After lunch, they stopped at a third shop. Noelle picked out a few more dresses to try on and disappeared behind the changing curtain.

As she was walking out of the room with the latest dress, she held out her arms. “I think this is the one.”

Her mom placed her hands on her cheeks and sighed in agreement, and then she hugged her daughter.

Claire squealed and said, “Oh my gosh, it’s perfect!”

Caroline wiped fake tears from her eyes and said, “I love it!”

They spent a few minutes oohing and ahhing over the dress before she changed into her regular clothes. Up next, the bridesmaid dresses. Noelle’s mom planned to look for her dress back home.

She let the girls choose the style. She wasn’t too picky, but she and Demetri agreed on the shade of blue. They tried on various dresses until they found one they all agreed would be perfect. It was a one shoulder, knee length dress with a Grecian goddess style look to it. It looked lovely on both girls. When they went to change out of the dresses, Noelle heard Claire scream. They all ran to her fitting room to check to see if she was okay.

“I got the job! I can’t believe it! I have a full-time job! With a salary! With benefits! I’m so happy!” squealed Claire. They all congratulated Claire and then Caroline yelled at her for scaring them half to death with her scream.

The ladies left feeling very satisfied with the day’s accomplishments. Noelle was checking things off her to-do list. They celebrated Claire’s new job that evening filled with delicious food and wine, and they surprised Claire with a cake.

***

The next few months passed by quickly. The move to Greece went flawlessly, and work was going well. Demetri introduced her to a couple of businesses that were interested in being clients. She and her boss hoped they would gain more and more Greek customers once word got around and Noelle was local to the area. The wedding plans fell into place. They had figured out just about everything with the help of Sophia and Noelle’s mom. Her family and friends arrived in Greece for the big day. They were all going to go to Sophia and Stavros’ home and have dinner and get to know each other. While there, everyone was going to go over last-minute wedding details and wrap the koufeta for the wedding reception. Koufeta was a tradition at Greek weddings, and Noelle had helped wrap them for a few weddings for family members back home. Everyone loaded into Demetri and Yannis’ cars and they made their way to a big enough boat shuttle that took them all to Demetri’s sister’s home.

When they arrived at the docks, Sophia and Stavros met them and drove them to their home in their cars. There were lots of hugs and kisses shared by everyone. Sophia had a beautiful spread with tons of food prepared, and everyone enjoyed some dinner before they got started on wedding preparations.

“Sophia, everything is so delicious. Thank you so much for hosting all of us.” Noelle’s mom smiled.

“It is my pleasure. We are all so excited Demetri finally came to his senses!” Sophia winked at her brother.

“Ah, it begins. I knew it would not be long before you started pestering me.” Demetri laughed.

“I am just saying you are very stubborn. But now, with Noelle, everything is wonderful. You can still be a buffo but not as bad.” She gave her brother a big kiss on the cheek.

“Thank you. You have such a way with words, my dearest sister.” Demetri smiled and took a drink of his wine.

“I am sorry, Demetri. I tried to have a talk with her, but you know how she is. If she does not give you a hard time, she does not know what to do with herself.” Stavros kissed his wife.

Once they finished dinner and cleared the dishes, Sophia set out all the supplies.

The group sat around the large dining room table and got to work while laughing and sharing stories about when Demetri and Noelle were young. Sophia had everything needed to wrap the koufeta. She had pre-cut circles of tulle, blue ribbons, and the white candy coated Jordan almonds all ready to go. Everyone helped place the almonds in the center of the tulle. Then they pulled the tulle up around the almonds, and tied on a blue ribbon to secure the pouch. Noelle and Demetri went through the events of the rehearsal dinner and wedding as they finished wrapping the last few candies.

As the evening progressed, the families had a wonderful time getting to know one another. When it was time for everyone to leave, they said their goodbyes, and Sophia and Stavros drove them back to the docks to meet the boat.

***

The next morning, those who stayed in the hotel met for breakfast in the restaurant. Noelle, Caroline, and Claire sat at a table, visiting. “Are you nervous?” asked Claire.

“Not really. I’m so excited!” replied Noelle.

“Do you need me to give you the birds and the bees talk?” Caroline winked.

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