Toria helped Reyona change just in time before the jet landed on the helipad.
She even helped her remake her makeup and make her hair into a fancy updo, all while saying nothing in return to Reyona's questions.
"I don't see what the fuss is about," Reyona said in a disgruntled tone as Toria said it was time to go show off her brilliant handwork.
Toria rolled her eyes before coming to the aisle to make a grand announcement that they should all give it up to the most important person of the day.
Reyona forgot her mock annoyed expression as she saw Maxwell's consuming eyes taking her in from the tip of her toes-peeking, half-covered low heels to the top of her coiffed hair.
She could feel heat chase the trail of his eyes over her body as he took in the snug green, sequined dress that showcased her stomach just enough without being too tight.
Reyona's heart sighed as their eyes met and lingered.
Every time, it felt like coming home.
Every time, the feeling got stronger.
He covered the distance between them and bent to take her hands.
Then he gave her a lingering kiss on the back of her hand while looking into her eyes.
"I am the luckiest man alive."
"Yes, you are." She said with a saucy smile.
He drew her closer and said, "Have I told you how beautiful you look today?"
She put her arms around his neck as she said "I think you have, but then I don't mind hearing it again."
"You put the most beautiful fairy to shame, Mrs. Rohan. A goddess has nothing on your beauty. I love you."
"Awwn, I love you too," Reyona said right before they heard the pilot ask them all to buckle up because they would be landing soon.
"Come, let's get you tucked in." He said.
"Erm, erm." Toria cleared her throat loudly. "I get no credit at all?"
Maxwell slid right into character as he said "Oh wow, look at how beautiful you make my wife! Only an expert could do this. Toria, you are the best."
"You bet I am," she said with sass before swaggering towards her seat, after thumping the snickering Allysyn's forehead with her finger.
Everyone buckled in and soon enough, they were disembarking.
"Where are we?" Reyona asked as a vague memory teased her brain as they entered the limo waiting for them as they came out of the jet.
"Patience, babe," Maxwell said while sharing a conspiratorial look with Toria.
Knowing that there was no point in asking what was going on again, Reyona just leaned back and enjoyed the ride.
Soon enough, they were pulling up in front of a hotel.
Reyona immediately knew why everything had looked familiar.
It was… "How did you…?" The realisation hit her, and she turned to the probable culprit. "Toria?" She called in a mix of question and wonder.
As the bellhop came to collect the suitcase Toria had with her, the latter shrugged and pointed to Maxwell as she said "It was his idea." To Allysyn and Junior, she said, "Come on, kids."
They followed the bellhop as Reyona turned to Maxwell.
"I think I am going to ruin my makeup again. How did you even…?"
Maxwell stepped towards her as he said, "I understand what a big part she was… is in your life. I know she is not here anymore, but we can at least make her a part of our new beginning this way. I thought you might want to go to her resting place later."
Reyona shook her head unconsciously as she said "Of course, I want to." She placed her hands on his face and caressed his face gently. "You are just so full of… What am I going to do with you?" she completed in a voice laden with emotions.
"Just love me," he said in an earnest tone that never failed to take her by surprise.
She never would have thought that a man like him could ever be so… open with his emotions.
He made her want to give so much more. He made her want to give all of herself.
"Just remember you asked for it." She said with a soulful gaze as she laid her forehead against his. "Don't regret it later."
"Never." He pledged before they shared a kiss.
Silently and hand in hand, they both entered Boowag's most prestigious hotel, Innkeeper's Crescent.
Boowag was the small town where Grams came from. Her parents had died when she was young and left her alone with no relatives.
The townspeople had come together to discuss how they would take care of the orphaned girl so she wouldn't be taken away by the government.
They all agreed to give her to a childless woman to take care of.
Then, to help the woman, it was agreed that Grams's parent's home should be sold to cater for the girl.
Grams was seventeen when the woman also died, and she fended for herself with the help of the townspeople.
It was soon discovered that the woman had many debts from the disease she was battling before she finally died.
Grams did not wait for the woman's house to be confiscated while she was still there.
She simply carried her small bag with her belongings and left the town one day.
She stayed in many places and did many jobs before she finally settled in Kayooma.
She had never gone back to Boowag since then, yet she made it clear that she wanted her ashes to be spread at the place where she had found peace most of the time while she was in Boowag.
The King's Creek.
When Reyona told Maxwell the story her Grams had told her many times when she was a child, she had never expected him to use it in this context.
It meant so much more to her that he cherished her enough to think of things like that.
Toria was right. He was the one.
The hostess met them at the entrance and led them into the hotel Reyona and her family had stayed when they came to perform Grams' last rites.
She heard Junior's squeal even before they entered the hall which the hostess led them to.
Nostalgia hit her as she saw her dad carrying the squealing Junior above his head.
It was almost like the way they had been together in Boowag that day years ago.
Only that, back then, they had been there for a sorrowful reason.
And today?
Some of the hotel's staff came in with a roll-up banner that had Reyona and Maxwell's beaming pictures on it.
Beneath it was Reyona and Maxwell's engagement party written in stylish, bold letters.
Back then they had been somber and heavy-hearted.
Today, Carlisle was threatening to turn Junior into a ceiling fan while Gladys laughed at their antics.
Allysyn was pretending not to be interested in horsing around as well.
Toria was grinning as she said with a mock exasperated tone and eye-rolling, "Boys."
They all looked gorgeous and handsome in their getups and Reyona couldn't have asked for a better party than the intimate one Toria had organised.
She could almost picture Grandms at the head of the table tsk-tsking while swapping gossip with Gladys.
What more? She had the most amazing man behind her with his assuring hand on her back like he never wanted to let go.
Gladys was the first to notice them as they entered the hall.
"My baby!" She crooned as she came forward.