"Well I have known Elliot for a very long time. Longer than my sister." She said. "Wow." The videographer said nodding. "I can see you have a paper bag in your hand." The videographer said gesturing towards her hands.
"Yes, I do, well it happens to be a gift for the couple. Most likely the groom. The event was organized with them in mind soo I just had to get them something thoughtful." Lila replied. "Okay, last question."
"Any kind words for the couple as the wedding draws closer?" The videographer asks. Lila lets out a breath before she starts, "Yes I do. Hi, Clara and Elliot, I have known you guys for such a long time and you are actually, really great people. I am wishing you nothing but the best in your marriage. I can't wait to be a cool aunt to my precious little nephews and nieces. I want four of them by the way, doesn't matter how many you want. I love you Clara and I love you so much Elliot." She finishes her speech and blows a kiss into the camera. "Perfect." The videographer says. Lila smiles and walks off into the crowd.
Laughter, clinking of glasses and chatter filled the air. Lila stood in one corner of the backyard looking around, she was bored. The sound of a fork hitting glass caught her attention. "Settle down everyone... Settle down, it is time to toast to the couple." Her mother announced.
The waiters and ushers quickly directed everyone to their assigned tables. Everyone was seated, Clara and Elliot stood in the middle of the backyard. Clara was dressed in a dazzling halter, A-line dress, her matching pearl jewelry shining beautifully in the sun.
Elliot matched her with a flowy linen buttoned down shirt and pants. They were a picture perfect couple, Elliot's arm wrapped round Clara's slender waist and Clara's arms resting on the side of his chest. They occasionally stole glances and exchanged kisses.
Beside them, Clara's parents stood with huge smiles plastered on their faces as they stood side by side. "Everyone let us lift our glasses as we toast." Clara's mother announced.
"To my daughter Clara, I and your mother are so excited and we can't wait for you to start this journey. To my son, Elliot, yes I said son not son-in-law because I already view you as family. We are glad to have you as our son and we love the way you have cared for our daughter all through the years. This is to a happy married future, blessed with abundance and beauty." Clara's dad finishes raising his glass to the air.
The crowd follows his lead before clinking their glasses with those around them as a sign of cheers. The people settled down and the waiters move around setting down mouth watering platter in front of the guests.
Everyone digs in to eat, enjoying the meal and the ambience. Clara's mother takes the microphone again.
"I think it is time, for our guests to present their gifts to the couple as well as put in some kind words for the couple." She announced. The crowd applauded her. She handed the microphone over to the first man on the table by her right to start.
The man grabs the microphone and stands up, "I want to say that I am really glad to see such a wonderful couple getting ready to do life together. I and the bride's father have been good friends for over ten years and for that reason I am going to be gifting the married couple the sum of fifty thousand dollars and some shares in my company." He finishes. The crowd erupts into loud applause as the couple show their gratitude by shaking his hand.
The microphone passed round as each person presented their gifts to the couple. From a log cabin to a beach side condo the gifts were truly great and out of their imagination. Clara's parents were called upon to present theirs, a chant following them as they walked sheepishly to the center of the backyard again.
"Well I am so grateful for all the gifts and kind words from everyone. You lot have said it all and there is nothing really to add. We have decided to gift the couple, a family sized villa downtown where they can grow together as a family." Clara's father said.
"Where is my Lila?" Her mum said looking around. Lila slowly walked out of the shadows. Her hands fiddling with the paper bag. She had heard others gifts and her presenting this might send the wrong message but she had no choice. She walked to the center coming face to face with her parents. "Your turn Lila." Her mum told her.
Lila reluctantly took the microphone, her hand trembling with a slight tremor in her voice. "Clara is the best sister anyone could ask for and Elliot is the perfect match for her. I remember back then, I loved him soo much, I just knew he was the one." Gasps were heard all over the backyard. "For my sister of course." She continues, with laughter. A wave of relief washes over the guests as they laugh at Lila's sense of humor.
"I am gifting them this." She says bringing out the blue teddy still encased in it's plastic transparent case. Everyone looks on. "I really can't wait to be an aunty, when I saw it I immediately imagined it in my nephew's or niece's rooms." She said.
The crowd in unison went, "awwwwwn" and Lila drops the microphone and walks back to her position. She watches as Clara and Elliot were called to dance as the sunset. The couple dances in the middle of the backyard for guests to look on in admiration of their love.
Lila's phone vibrates in her hand. She answers the call. Hearing Victor's voice, she groaned as she looked around suspiciously before sneaking back into the house. "What do you want from me now Victor?" Lila asked.
"Sorry I called at such an inappropriate time. I hope you are enjoying the barbecue sit-out." Victor said. Lila sighs her fingers massaging her temples, "What do you want Victor? I already did what you asked me to do." She asks tired. "You already carried out my orders?" Victor said feigning surprise. "Yes I did." Lila said rolling her eyes. "Well I might have left out one slight instruction, Elliot has to take the teddy bear home. It should not be with your sister or in their house to be." Victor added with a sickly sweet voice.