Chapter 84

They did their gift exchange later that evening. Rhys gave his two youngest siblings brand new cars and Oliver and trip to Mexico and spending money. He only gave his parents a greeting style card and they seemed very touched by it. Pearl was curious about the reasoning for not giving them a gift. "He's our child. He paid off our mortgage but after that, we didn't want him to give us gifts. He has helped us when we needed it. We are comfortable." His father said to Pearl, aware of her curiosity.

"I understand." She said. And she did.

"I have a gift for you, Pearl." Marie said and took her by the hand, leading her upstairs. She placed a large white box on the bed and opened it, revealing an obviously very old and very beautiful wedding dress. She held it up and Pearl saw that it was satin, with a sweetheart neckline, lined with small beads, and forming fringes over and hanging down the front of the bodice. The beads continued to the arms and formed short, draped sleeves and trailed down the front, below the waist, in an Art Deco style pattern. A long, maybe 6-8 foot satin train flowed from the back of the gown.

"It's...breathtaking." Pearl sighed.

"It was my grandmother's wedding dress. I never had the chance to wear it, because I only recently found out that it existed. Among other things..." she trailed off. "I want you to wear it. You are marrying my first born, it's as it should be." Even though Marie was obviously a wonderful mother to all of her children, she could tell there was a special bond between her and Rhys.

I don't know what to say. I'm honored. And I would be honored to wear it." Pearl said. "Then it's settled." Marie said, smiling.

They came down stairs to find Rhys and Britney in the kitchen. Britney had her arm around Rhys' shoulder, and she was attempting to grab something from the refrigerator while he was also getting something. She saw them walk in and laughed it off. "Rhys was just telling me about his latest shoot for Knight of Eden. Sounds fascinating." Britney said, looking at Rhys and giggling. "You mean, you were just asking about it" Rhys corrected her.

Pearl shot Britney a glance that let her know she wasn't stupid. Marie broke the tension, "Rhys, how about your father and I buy dinner tonight? We can either order in or go out?"

"Let's go the brewery. Pearl, how does that sound? Can Dylan save us a table?"

"I'm sure. I'll call him."

She set it up. Dylan was holding their largest table closest to the stage for them at 8. There was an acoustic act playing that Pearl and the guys knew well and she was excited to see them again.

"A brewery? How very small town." Britney said after Pearl came back to let them know the reservation was made.

"Don't mind her. She comes from Texas money and has had a very privileged life." Maisie said, making some tea.

"All life is a privilege. Some people just don't act like it." Atticus said, putting his arm around his sister and grabbing a cup for himself.

"Atticus, you are a beautiful soul." Maisie said.

They made it to the brewery and Dylan greeted them with menus and a smile. It was a busy Saturday night and Pearl thanked him for reserving the table. "How's it going?" He whispered. "I'm going to have to cancel the wedding because I'm going to be in prison for murdering his brother's girlfriend." She said, eyeing Britney, who was now at the bar, asking why they didn't have cocktails or wine. "It appears her mind is more plastic than her body." Dylan said. "Plastic Fantastic" Pearl said back and sat down next to Rhys.

Britney came back to the table, complaining about the drinks and the menu and how the bartender was too busy looking at her boobs to listen to her. "I get so sick of being hit on like that" she continued on.

Rhys was getting some looks, but no one approached him. He was wearing the hat Pearl bought him in New York and his glasses. He wasn't as recognizable when he was dressed down.

Their food arrived and everyone, except for Britney, loved the food. And they also loved Dylan. He came and met them all and he told them about the shooting and his recovery. They were all very much in awe of him. Britney decided to hit on him as well and asked to see his scar while rubbing on his stomach. Oliver didn't seem to notice any of it and if he did, he wasn't bothered.

"We have a special guest here tonight." The man singing on stage said. "Not only did our Dylan just get signed with Epic records, but so did our lovely friend Pearl, the band's lead singer! Come up here, Pearl, and sing something with us. Dylan, you too!l and the crowd clapped and cheered. Pearl looked at Dylan and they both went to the stage. She whispered something to him and Dylan nodded, grabbing an acoustic guitar and sitting down on a stool by the microphone. "The first time Dylan and I jammed together at rehearsal, we were strangers and I was very nervous and didn't want to sing. I had been going through an incredibly difficult time, and I wasn't in the best place, emotionally. He broke the ice by asking me what song was helping me the most in my life at that current time. He said, 'I don't want to know your favorite song to sing. I want to know what song has kept you alive on the nights you thought you would lose your soul.' And without hesitation, I started singing this."

She began the song, a cappella..

"When I find myself in times of trouble

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And in my hour of darkness

She is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be." Dylan then began strumming. It was haunting. You could hear a pin drop in the room. She continued and he stopped playing on another stanza.

"And when the night is cloudy

There is still a light that shines on me

Shine on 'til tomorrow, let it be

I wake up to the sound of music

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be

Let it be, yeah, let it be

There will be an answer, let it be..."

When the song finished, there was still silence in the room and few dry eyes. She looked over at Rhys. "I found the answer" she said, looking at him. The crowed clapped and cheered. She hugged Dylan and sat back down. Rhys kissed her and whispered, "that was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen or heard. I love you."

His family told her they were blown away and it made Pearl feel good to share something of herself with them.

Later that night, back at the house, Rhys, Oliver, and Maisie decided to get in the hot tub. Pearl was standing by the fire place outside when Atticus came out and stood next to her.

"That was really something tonight. You are really something. I can't tell you how much happiness we all feel about him meeting you." Atticus said, lighting a joint.

"Thank you. That means a lot." Pearl said.

"Don't leave him. He needs you more than you realize."

"I don't plan on it." She said.

Just then, Britney came out in a tiny bikini, slamming a bottle of wine. She got into the hot tub and was rolling all over Rhys and Oliver. One of her breasts slipped out of the top and she said "whoopsie!" And adjusted it in front of Rhys' face.

The line had been crossed. Pearl had enough and she had tried to not let it get to her, but this was definitely her line. She waited for an opportunity and one presented itself.

"We need more wine. I'll get it!" Britney said, moving her ass all around the tub, bouncing up and down.

Pearl followed her inside.

"Oh hey! Help me carry these!" Britney said to Pearl. Pearl cornered her against the pantry door and left her no options to move around her. She looked her directly into her eyes and came within inches of her face. "I'm only going to tell you this once. I don't care who you are or where you come from. But where I come from, your behavior is attention seeking, desperate and sad. But mostly, disrespectful as fuck." Britney's eyes grew wide and Pearl could see her fear. "I am going to be Mrs. Holden Tomlinson in a few months. You better start acting like it before I decide to do damage to you that plastic surgery won't be able to correct. And you can run to Rhys' family and tell them I scared you and threatened you or whatever you want to say, but that changes nothing about what's going to happen to you if you don't keep your ass, tits and moronic rambling mouth away from the man I love. I will fuck you up. Do you understand?"

Pearl could tell Britney wanted to say something petty and stupid. But she didn't. She knew Pearl wasn't playing around.

"We are good. No worries. I'm sorry. Won't happen again." Britney said. Pearl held her there for a minute longer and let her by.

Rhys walked in as Britney passed him, avoiding eye contact.

"What's going on in here?" He asked

"Just taking out the trash." She said, smiling. Rhys smiled back.