Island Love Songs: Seven Nights in Paradise / The Wedding Dance / Orchids and Bliss

“Can’t you just go to Jamaica?” Melanie had tried to reason with Richelle. “Four hours nonstop from JFK, same time zone as New York, nice and easy to get to.”

“Roy and I want to do something different,” Richelle had explained. “Something that not every couple does. We know Fiji’s far, and expensive, which is why Roy’s going to pay for everyone. And please don’t tell me you can’t make it. If you’re not at my wedding, I’ll be devastated.”

In the end, even though Melanie wasn’t thrilled with the idea of a superlong flight, she knew she couldn’t deny her best friend of fourteen years. Of course she would go to Fiji and be Richelle’s maid of honor. And with Roy, a recently retired multimillionaire NFL quarterback, footing the entire bill for seven nights in paradise? Melanie didn’t have one good reason to say no.

“Oh, my goodness!” Richelle exclaimed, and Melanie flinched reflexively. “I see the resort! Look at all the bungalows over the water! Oh, Roy, we’re really here!”

Melanie opened her eyes to peek through the window. She was sitting on the left side of the plane, and Richelle, who was to her right, was leaning against her as she tried to get a better view of the resort.

There had been room on the plane for everyone to have a window seat, but Melanie hadn’t wanted to sit with one of Richelle’s or Roy’s relatives she didn’t know. Richelle had wanted to sit with Roy, which was why they had crammed in the only row with three small seats.

“Oh, wow,” Melanie said, taking in the sights below. It was extraordinary. Not to mention the stretch of pristine golden beach. Melanie inhaled her first relaxing breath.

But suddenly, the plane’s engine, which had been loud for the entire trip, sounded like it had just conked out and the plane rapidly began to fall.

“Oh, God!” Melanie cried, fear seizing her body. “Did the engine just die?”

“We are beginning our descent, ma’am,” the pilot, a man named Suli, explained.

“But—but the engine,” Melanie protested.

“Relax,” Richelle said. “We’re in paradise.”

“So it’s okay if we die because we’re in paradise?” Melanie countered.

Richelle giggled. “Mel, I swear, sometimes you let your fear stop you from enjoying life. Did you even see the view? All those small islands and the ocean’s different shades of blue?”

“I...I saw some of it,” Melanie admitted sheepishly.

“It was stunning. Priceless. Yet you had your eyes closed.”

“At least I’m on this plane. Give me credit for that.” Rationally, Melanie knew the plane would have to go down, but she was still beyond afraid. This was a new experience for her—one she’d never anticipated doing, or ever cared to do.

“The only reason you agreed to go on this plane was because you feared you might fly off the catamaran if it was going too fast,” Richelle said. “Or that the helicopter would crash. You figured a seaplane was at least equipped to land on the water.”

The seaplane swooped, and Melanie uttered a cry. Then it leveled off, and she was suddenly wishing she’d been sedated for this trip. “I’m starting to second-guess my decision. I’m feeling very Tom Hanks in Cast Away.”

“You see the small island on the right?” Suli said, pointing. “That’s where they filmed Cast Away.”

“Wow,” Richelle said, and Virginia who sat two rows in front of them echoed the sentiment. They had all heard that Monuriki was close to the resort.

Which didn’t exactly impress Melanie right now. “We’ll be landing momentarily,” Suli announced, reading Melanie’s thoughts exactly.

Richelle patted her hand. “I swear, Mel—sometimes it’s not just about the destination. It’s about enjoying the ride.”

As the plane went lower and lower, Melanie closed her eyes and braced herself. Then it crashed against the water, and she let out a small shriek.

Seconds passed. She was breathing frantically, but she was breathing. Water wasn’t flooding the small plane. They were safe.

The other passengers on the plane began to cheer.

“Look at this place!” Richelle said excitedly. “I can’t believe we’re here! Open your eyes, Mel.”

Melanie obeyed. And she finally drew in a calming breath and released her death-grip on the seat. The plane was slowing as it approached a dock near the over-the-water bungalows, and Melanie had to admit, the place looked magical. From the rooms that seemed to float on the water, to the mountains in the background, to the stretch of beach...it was postcard perfect.

“We’re really here.”

Melanie looked to her right to see Richelle slip her arms around her fiancé’s neck and plant a kiss on his lips.

Massaging her fingers to get the cramp out, Melanie glanced at the relatives in the seats around her. They were mostly talking excitedly among themselves around how gorgeous the place was. But Edward, Roy’s cousin, immediately met her gaze and smiled.

Melanie offered him a polite smile, and then turned back to look out the plane’s window. Edward had been making awkward conversation with her for two days now, from the time they’d first gotten to JFK on Tuesday afternoon, but now that they were finally in Fiji, she hoped she could escape him.

As Melanie continued to look outside, she realized that the plane had come to a stop while they were still a ways from the dock.

“Um, excuse me?” Melanie called to the pilot, leaning in the plane’s small aisle. “With all due respect, are we supposed to swim to the shore from here?”

“Miss, don’t worry,” Suli said. “Look.”

She did. And she saw a boat heading toward them. Of course, the adventure wouldn’t end with the seaplane landing on the shore. They had to get on a boat to get to the dock.

Melanie forced a laugh. What else could she do? At least the plane had landed safely and they were all in one piece.

Soon, they were loaded onto a boat too small for Melanie’s comfort and taken to the safety of the dock. Only then did she truly start to relax. Members of the resort were on the wooden walkway with guitars, singing what she believed was the same welcome song they’d been serenaded with at the airport. It was lively and jovial, and in the native tongue, so Melanie couldn’t understand a word of it.

But she did understand the warm, inviting smiles the staff members wore—which immediately helped to lift her spirits.

Melanie did a 360-degree turn once she was standing on the dock. She looked out at the dazzling view of the vast turquoise waters finally able to appreciate its beauty.

She spontaneously smiled. They were in Fiji. And it was truly an island of paradise. From the lush mountains to the stunning shoreline, it was clear that she had left the bustling world of New York City behind.

As the men continued to sing, a woman from the resort approached Melanie. “Bula. Welcome to Likuliku.”

“Bula,” Melanie repeated. Once they’d landed at the airport, she had quickly learned that bula meant “hello.”

The woman then placed a string necklace with a wooden trinket around Melanie’s neck.

“Thank you,” Melanie told her.

The woman moved past her to greet Richelle, and placed a necklace around her neck, as well. Once Richelle stepped past the cheerful woman, she came to stand beside Melanie and took hold of her arm. “Oh, my God, Melanie, look at this place.” Richelle squealed in delight. “It’s even more beautiful than what we saw in the pictures!”

“I know,” Melanie agreed. “It’s incredible.”

“I—I can’t believe it.” Richelle’s voice caught. Melanie met her friend’s gaze. She saw the look of awe on her face that matched the tone in her voice. “It’s perfect, Richelle. The absolute perfect place for your wedding. ” Even if it did take a hundred years to get here.

Richelle squealed again. She then giddily skipped over to Roy. She threw her arms around his waist, and he pulled her into a tight embrace. Then he brought his lips down on hers.

“Get a room,” Roy’s older brother, Lance, teased. But even he was holding his wife’s hand.