A Hopeless Pursuit (Forbidden Love Series Book 10)

 

The next day, everyone was excited. The whole group had changed their plans for hosting the Bachelorette party at their banquet hall. Now instead they were all heading to their grand Parker Suites and Spa resort on Lake Las Vegas for a two-day celebration.  Lisa too was excited. She had heard of the Lake Las Vegas but never got down to visit it. The kids were the most excited though. After breakfast, they all packed an overnight bag for themselves and drove off to the resort.

They drove into the huge sprawling resort sitting on the 16-kilometer shoreline of the picturesque artificial lake. After they checked in, most of the women, Sofia and Victoria along with Walter and William headed straight to the swimming beach which offered water sports like SUP, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There were extreme sports like wakeboarding, flyboarding, and water skiing on the lake also to enjoy. Liam's mom and aunt wanted to just relax, so they opted for sunbathing and then went for a swim. Jaxon, Tyler went to check out the large casino there while Alexander and Lucas headed to the two golf courses at the 130-hectare lake. 

River, Laurence, Arianna, Lisa, and Liam accompanied all the children to the Lion Habitat Ranch nearby. It was an awesome place to watch wild animals and interact with them. The lions were all healthy, calm, and definitely seemed content with their homes. They all hand-fed the lions and Ozzie the giraffe and took an extensive tour of the entire ranch. The trainers were very interactive and informative and shared a close bond with the animals. They took lots of photographs and finally left the place to go back to their resort as it was lunchtime already and they were all hungry.

Upon reaching their hotel, Liam caught Lisa's hand pulled her with him towards their room. It was a spacious room offering stunning views of Lake Las Vegas. "Are you enjoying yourself, baby?" He asked her indulgently.

"Immensely, and you?" She asked him.

"I would have enjoyed more had I been that lion we saw. He was free to do what he wanted with his lioness. He was quite shameless, wasn't he?" Asked Liam.

Lisa giggled. "As if you're any less," she said, pushing him away but he again caught her and pulled her for a kiss. There was a knock on their door and Liam groaned.

"Who's got a death wish now?" He growled opening the door. Carmella giggled at him.

"We're already dying of hunger bro. Come down please, we cannot start lunch," said Carmella, winking at Lisa and leaving.

"In fact after all that jumping around the Lion Habitat Ranch, even my stomach's grumbling, " admitted Lisa. Liam smiled.

"Let's go then. The food here is out of the world," he said and Lisa groaned.

"Now I'm all the more hungry, let's hurry," she said, pulling him with her. They reached the dining area overlooking the lake where a sumptuous meal was laid out in front of them. They all tucked into the delicious food, there was something for everyone. The kids too enjoyed the dishes specially prepared for them.

After lunch, they watched an intense 90-minute show featuring some stunning story-telling that told an Asian inspired folklore story through acrobatics, beautiful puppets, pyro techniques, and plenty of special effects. It was followed by a game of scavenger hunt. Everyone enjoyed it thoroughly.

While the others geared up for an amazing magic show, Liam whisked Lisa away. They walked hand in hand along the sandy beachfront of the resort and watched the people excitedly heading for the water sports.

"How many times have you come here, Liam?" She asked him.

"Twice but this time it feels so special because you're there with me, " said Liam.

They spent a little time together and then went back to their room. They watched the beautiful sunset later from there. There was a knock on their door and Serenity came rushing inside.

"Wear something good. We're going for a dinner cruise on a private yacht that dad has just chartered," she informed them, quickly disappearing from their room to get ready.

"What should I wear Liam? I've never been on a yacht before, " she said with a lost look.

"Wear anything that makes you comfortable, " he told her. She chose a simple white crepe long flowing dress that swirled around her legs. Liam wore a white dress shirt with his sleeves rolled up and paired it with black trousers. They went downstairs to find that almost everyone except River and Arianna was ready. Arianna came down apologetically with Aries who had overslept and was grumpy after his nap. Liam took him from her and tried to cheer the little guy up. River too came down with Tyra, her eight-month-old daughter. Ryder who was now a handsome boy of two years came and cooed to his baby sister and they all gasped out 'aww' at them. Ultimately, they all boarded the waiting luxury yacht, la Grandiose, which was an 84’ sophisticated yacht ready to set sail on the private waters of Lake Las Vegas. Luxuriously done up in white, it shone against the backdrop of the setting sun. Lisa had never seen anything like this before. Laurence smiled at her indulgently.

"Enjoying yourself,  Lizzy?" He asked with a satisfied smile on his face. He was glad that his sister was finally happy and settled with a family who loved her and a man who cherished her. He was now finally at peace.

"Yes bro, very much," she grinned.

"Avoid all seafood, okay? It might harm the baby," advised Eugene Parker, coming towards her.

"Yes aunt Eugene, " said Lisa. Liam helped her onto the yacht. After they were all seated they set sail over the shimmering blue waters. There were shows on board, games, and movies for the kids to enjoy. Drinks and delicious hors d'oeuvres were served to welcome them all. There was a dance area with romantic music being churned out by the DJ in charge. Liam's parents and uncle and aunt went forward and danced. Jaxon pulled Carmella for a close tango after the elders were done, everyone cheered them. Alexander and Serenity also performed to a peppy number. They pushed Liam forward towards Lisa. A slow romantic song was played, Ellie Goulding's 'Love me like you do' and they danced to it beautifully.

Afterward, a gala dinner was served. It was late when they returned back to their room in the resort. Lisa was too exhausted and the moment her tired body hit the bed, she dozed off to sleep. Liam stared at her with a loving smile on his face. Only one more day to go and they would be united in holy matrimony never to be parted again. He cuddled her and dozed off at last.

The next morning they went for a helicopter ride to Lake Mead and Hoover dam. While everyone went out to the Lake Las Vegas aqua park after lunch to enjoy, Liam and Lisa opted to spend a quiet time in their room with one another. They sat looking out at the lake, sipping the refreshing mocktails that the hotel provided.

"Do you want a boy or a girl, Liam?" She asked him curiously.

"I want both. What about you?" He asked.

"Even I want both, a little girl as well as a little boy," she admitted.

"Next week I'll take you for a routine checkup as well as your first ultrasound," he said.

Lisa's face brightened up. "We will hear our baby's heartbeat, Liam. Isn't that wonderful?" She asked and Liam nodded placing a kiss on her knuckles.

"Have you thought of a name for our baby?" He asked her.

"No, have you?" She asked him.

"Yes, if it's a girl, we'll call her Lenora and if it's a boy, we'll call him Lucian. What say?" He asked hopefully.

Lisa clapped her hands. "They're amazing names. I love them," she gasped out.

They chatted some more about the best places where they could go for their honeymoon once the baby was born and old enough to travel. "I have always wanted to go to Greece, " she told him.

"Okay done. Our first trip will be to Greece," Liam said with a smile. Lisa squealed and hugged him tightly but he simply picked her up and carried her to the bed. They made love lingeringly and then lay in each other's arms, sated already.

"Get dressed. Someone will come knocking at any time. We'd be leaving for home now," he told her. They got dressed and were almost ready to leave when there was a knock on the door and Sofia came to call them.

"Are you guys planning to stay here? Hurry, we're all ready to leave," she informed. They all went downstairs and checked out of the property. Then they all drove home. Everyone was exhausted and had an early dinner. Laurence left with his family and even uncle Ethan left with his family. Lisa and Liam went off to sleep early too.