Eddie was the first to clink his wineglass and propose a toast to the newly married couple. “Peik Lin, I want to officially welcome you to the Cheng family, even though you know that you’ve already been welcomed into our hearts. And Alistair, my baby brother, I’ve never been more proud of you than I am today, and I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you and cherish you! I love you, brother!” Eddie said, crushing Alistair into a tight bear hug as he began sobbing into his collar.
Sitting at the family table, Astrid turned to Fiona. “Is Eddie okay?”
Fiona smiled. “He’s fine. After Ah Ma died, I forced him to go see a therapist. I gave him an ultimatum—either he went, or I would leave him. At first he was very resistant, but now it’s completely changed his life. And ours too. He’s given up all his mistresses, he’s become totally devoted to me and the kids, and he’s really learning to process his feelings in a healthier way.”
“Well, it’s been more than a year since I’ve seen him, so it does seem like quite a transformation,” Astrid noted, watching as Eddie continued to soak Alistair’s shoulder with tears.
“You know my Eddie. Whenever he does anything, he goes all out. Anyway, how have you been? I see that island life suits you well—you look amazing!” Fiona remarked, as she admired Astrid’s golden tan, naturally sun-streaked hair, and new style, which seemed like a perfect fusion of laid-back beach chic with imperial splendor. Astrid wore a simple indigo-dyed sarong-wrap dress with an incredible pearl choker that was comprised of crisscrossing vertical ropes of pearls starting from just underneath her chin and cascading down to the middle of her chest.
“Thank you.”
“The choker is just beyond! Is that one of Ah Ma’s pieces?”
“No, it’s from Chantecler Capri—a birthday present from Charlie.”
“I have to ask where you got that dress. It looks so refined, and yet somehow so relaxed!”
Astrid gave an almost bashful smile. “Actually, I made this dress.”
“You’re joking? I thought you w
ere going to say this was Yves Saint Laurent from some obscure resort collection in the eighties.”
“Nope, it’s Astrid Leong Resort Wear 2016. I’ve learned to sew, and I’m also creating my own fabrics. This is actually a bamboo cotton, hand-dyed in ocean water.”
“My God, Astrid, it’s amazing! Can I buy a dress from you?”
Astrid laughed. “Of course, I’ll make you a dress if you like.”
“I guess you aren’t bored in paradise?”
“Not at all. I’m absolutely in love with my life in Palawan, and every day’s an adventure. Charlie and I have also started a school, partnered with this wonderful arts-focused school in Brooklyn called Saint Ann’s. Charlie’s discovered a new passion—teaching! He’s leading all the math and science classes, and Cassian’s one of the students. The boy’s never been happier being in a classroom with no walls and a constant ocean breeze. You really should bring the kids for a visit sometime.”
Charlie came strolling up with two flutes of champagne for the ladies. “Thanks, Charlie. So are tonight’s nuptials inspiring you two?” Fiona teased.
“Haha. A little bit, maybe. But right now I just enjoy living in sin with my gorgeous lover. Plus, it infuriates my parents to no end,” Astrid said, giving Charlie a long, tender kiss just as her mother glanced over in their direction.
—
After the banquet, the bride stood on the top steps of the rose garden with her back to a gaggle of excited women ready to catch her bouquet. Peik Lin threw it up in the air with gusto, and the bouquet of lilies of the valley made an almost perfect arch, landing right in Scheherazade Shang’s hands. The crowd cheered wildly as Scheherazade blushed.
Catching Carlton’s startled expression, Nick said teasingly, “The pressure’s on now!”
“No shit.” Carlton nodded grimly, before breaking into a huge grin.
An ornate outdoor ballroom had been created on the great lawn, complete with marquetry floors and enormous standing baroque mirrors placed strategically around the perimeter so that the dancers could feel as though they were whirling through the ballroom at Peterhof Palace. As the band went into full swing and the guests took to the dance floor, Nick, Rachel, and Kitty stood off to the side admiring Colin and Araminta’s two-month-old son, Auberon.
“He’s sooooo cute!” Kitty cooed at the wriggling infant. “Look, Harvard, you were just like this not too long ago.”
“Was I ever that little?” Kitty’s three-year-old boy asked.
“Of course you were, darling! You were my little pea pod!”
“I think we should probably get Auberon home. He’s getting a bit fussy, and he’ll never go back to sleep with the music,” Araminta said a little anxiously to Colin.
“Okay, okay. Hate to dash off so early, guys, but Mummy calls the shots now.” Colin looked around apologetically. “But hey, this evening marks an auspicious start to our venture, don’t you think? Two of our partners got married in grand style, and everything went off without a hitch! Tyersall Park Hotel and Museum is going to be the premier event space in Singapore!”
“No, it will be the premier event space in all of Asia!” Kitty insisted.