Twin Daddies for my Twin Babies

Chapter 4

The wedding cake was the hues of soft summer roses, everything from champagne to dusky red. Rather than being one cake, it was assembled from many tiny ones that arose in columns with buttercream between. And amid the rose-hued cake were fresh roses from nature's garden. It was romantic... as marriage should be. Just as love is simple, elegant and sweet, so was our wedding cake, thought Kiara as her eyes glistened at the cake. And the design.

It was just the image of what their cake would be but it was so gorgeous that she did not even want to look at the traditional choices of white layered cake with fondants.

“Your wedding cake was one of grandma's specials. She spoke often of how she was planning it and that it was a lot of work... "especially at her age"... but it was the sort of complaining that comes from deep happiness and the need to feel needed,” said the baker, her name was Cara. She continued speaking,” Since you said that your cake should be romantic and also have the autumn hues I thought that red and orange should be the loveliest. And it will taste marvelous with the champagne.”

“I am really happy that I finally decided that you would be the perfect one to understand what I need. Your design is marvelous, Cara. And I know the cake is going to be as beautiful as well,” said Kiara as she dabbed under her eyes with the handkerchief and Pearl clapped for attention.

“Alright…now it is time for the bridesmaid to do that tasting…so we are going to have two kinds of cup-cakes…one will be the traditional one…chocolate with vanilla cream frosting and the other one will be slightly different and also should take your attention in such a way that your business booms overnight,” said Pearl with a wink.

“You are right and that is exactly the reason that I have made a special family recipe with a twist just for you as well. I think you are gonna like it. But beware. I have just brought it out from the oven…it is still warm,” said Cara as Kiara and Pearl nodded at her.

The buttery aroma of the Madeleines wafted tantalisingly under Pearl’s nose, similar to the cartoonish beckoning finger of steam you'd often see on TV. She gratefully plucked a cake from the basket, wincing slightly from the still burning hot surface. Giving it an experimental bite, she was surprised to find how easily the spongy layer gave way to teeth and nearly gasped when her taste buds practically sang under the tangy flavour it was assaulted under as lemon curd oozed into her mouth. Almost immediately it was followed up with a nutty crunch from what she could only guess were thinly sliced almonds. It was unlike anything she had ever tasted before.

“This is heavenly!!” commented Pearl as the baker gasped in delight.

“I am so glad that you like it darlings!!” said another older woman who came from inside the store. That must be the grandmother, thought Pearl but she did not comment anything.

“So I guess that you are inspiration behind all these recipes?” asked Kiara with a warm hearted smile.

“Oh nonsense….I was never a good cook with vision like my Cara’s. Our family has produced great cooks and Cara is the one who has got the sight. You know, not everyone do possess the sight of making something so simple, so terrific and beautiful. I am nothing but the helping hand,” said the older woman good humouredly.

“Nana! You always underestimate yourself…but Kiara, I am really looking forward to making this cake. It will be one of my first theme cake pieces which I am customizing. I am very excited,” said Cara and Kiara said that she was excited to see the cake as well.

After that they went out of the store. It was the time for dresses now.

“You know that I would still be a bridesmaid if I am wearing a jeans and frilly top on your wedding. You already have given me this mammoth task of finding myself a handsome hunk for the wedding as my plus one who cannot be my cousin and now you are going to force me to wear something which is so uncomfortable and called a dress?” asked Pearl and Kiara scowled at her best friend.

“If you do that I am going to make sure that I never see your face again, ever in my life…trust me…ruin anything on this day for me and you would not have seen a worse person,” threatened Kiara and Pearl put up her hands, Even though her friend was excited about the wedding, Pearl could not help feeling that there was something really wrong happening. It did not settle well with her at all.

Although she did not say any of this to Kiara, but her fiancé Dave did not seem to be involved in any of the marriage decisions or choices. Not the dress then at least the cakes and the décor deserved his attention. The guest lists, the music…Kiara was doing it all by herself…everything single handedly and Pearl had a feeling that she was paying for it as well.

“Who is paying for this?” asked Pearl on a sudden whim.

“I am,” said Kiara absent-mindedly and then immediately looked at Pearl who was just staring at her.

“Are you kidding me, Kiara?” she asked in a low voice.

“No…it is just that Dave has been saving for the down payment of our house and everything was in such a rush and I did not want to wait another year to make it official, so I figured that since marriage is about two people why not I take the responsibility?” asked Kiara in a voice which made Pearl feel like this was something which was forced.

“Did that bloody asshole tell you? Did he? Tell me the truth for heaven’s sake Kiara, I promise you I am going to make him rue the day that he was born. What does he think himself to be? That he is lecturing you about responsibility? Have you ever calculated the cost of living that you bear for the sake of that bastard? Huh? Tell me?” asked Pearl. Her eyes were blazing with fury.

“Why are you overreacting in this way, Pearl? Can I not make some choices in my life as well? I mean, I am an adult and I have been making my decisions since long back!!” said Kiara.

They were both standing in the middle of the side-walk and Pearl was screaming at the top of her voice and Kiara was trying to placate her down.

“When it comes to analysis of data and information…your brain is a gold mine Kiara. No doubt about that. Your mathematical skills are the only reason that your Professors were in awe of you at Harvard but how on earth does it make sense that you cannot do this simple calculation? At least for once babe, think with your head and not your heart!!” shouted Pearl again and Kiara sighed.

“I know that you are trying to look out for me but…” she started saying but was interrupted in the middle.

“I am looking out for you because the only reason is that you are a great friend and a great person but when it comes to matters of heart you are always making the bad choices, Kiara. And thus time it is not a boyfriend who has been using you. This man is the one that you are supposed to marry in a fortnight…I mean, he is not paying for the wedding. He is saving for a house that you have never seen. He lives in your apartment and you are the only one who is trying to defend him. Maybe you should give a thought about this one once again before you choose a dress, babe,” said Pearl.

“Why can you not be happy for me, Pearl? Once in your life..once in our life and friendship finally it is not about you any more. It is about me…can you not see that I am trying to be happy finally? Can you be any more jealous? Are you doing this because I found the man I love and you haven’t?” asked Kiara and her voice was breaking.

She was on the verge of crying.

“I cannot believe that you think I am going to be jealous of you babe, just because of that i***t!! I am not jealous…I am just angry that he is fleecing you..” said Pearl.