It was late in the afternoon by the time the plane touched down in New York and, stiff and tired, Sylva and Logan gathered their belongings together, heading out into the arrivals lounge in search of a taxi. As they did so, however, someone called Sylva's name and they turned, seeing Mary waiting for them. She cast her elder daughter a grin, greeting her with a hug.
"Well, you made it off the plane in one piece." She said warmly. "Anna wanted me to come pick you up - you know how she is about planes, and she's been far too swamped else she'd have liked to have done it herself. But I was at a loose end and didn't mind, so here I am. Good trip?"
"It was all right." Sylva returned the hug. "You know planes. Food sucked, but it could've been worse."
"We just missed an electrical storm over Cleveland." Logan added in good-humouredly. "We could see the lightning from the plane."
"It's been raining like mad here, too." Mary admitted. "Though today it seems better."
She cast Logan an interested look. "Hello, Logan. Anna didn't mention I'd be meeting you as well."
"Didn't she?" Logan glanced at Sylva, then shrugged. "Then I guess I'll be the surprise act."
"It was all kinda rushed." Sylva looked uncomfortable. "I did tell Anna I was bringing someone and that he had his hotel reservations sorted out - I sent her an email two days ago. But if she's been busy, she probably forgot to mention it."
"I don't think she's been near her email since I got here." Mary rolled her eyes. "She's trying to finish off a project for work at the same time as organise a wedding...and she doesn't like to delegate."
She cast a glance across the airport. "Did Sammi catch this flight, Sylvie? Annie thought that she was planning to, and I said I might as well pick the both of you up while I was here."
"I don't know." Sylva bit her lip, turning to scour the lounge. "I don't see her."
"I thought you spoke to her at LAX?" Logan looked confused. Sylva hesitated for a moment, then shrugged.
"I did." She agreed slowly. "But she seemed majorly ticked at the idea of catching a flight with me. She said she wouldn't spend eight hours on a plane with me by choice, so I...I guess maybe she decided to take a later one out. I don't see her here now."
"Well, nor do I." Mary frowned. "But I thought Sammi was pretty reliable on these kinds of things."
"Mom, you know Sam and I haven't been getting along." Sylva responded. "And she's been more prickly since she took up friends with that Jesta girl. Who knows what she's thinking? She mightn't be on the alcohol any more but I swear she's not quite normal."
"There's to be no catfighting at this wedding, my girl. You understand me?" Mary raised an eyebrow and Sylva sighed.
"I already got told that by Logan here." She said wearily. "I am a grown up, Mom, and you're embarrassing me in front of my..."
She faltered, casting Logan a sidelong glance. Logan winked at her.
"Date?" He offered innocently. Mary pursed her lips.
"Date, huh?" She asked. Sylva blushed furiously, digging an elbow into Logan's ribs.
"Stop it." She hissed. "You said you'd behave!"
"What?" Logan pretended not to understand. "You told me..."
"Oh, just shut up." Sylva rolled her eyes. Mary watched the exchange with interest. Then,
"You know, Sylvie, Anna won't think any the less of you for being single at her wedding." She said mildly.
It was impossible for Sylva to go any redder, but Logan laughed.
"It's all right, Mrs Martescu. I think it's kinda fun to play around for a bit." He said. "And it's not really for Anna's benefit. Syl just didn't want to come alone, and well, I agreed to come for the ride."
"I see." Mary's blue eyes became thoughtful.
"Mom, you won't blow it for me, will you?" Sylva asked beseechingly. "I mean, you're the only one at the wedding who's already met Logan and, you know, knows he and I aren't really dating. You won't embarrass me, will you? I know it's dumb but it's important to me!"
"Sylvie, when have I ever embarrassed you?" Mary laughed. "Noone will hear anything about it from me. You're a grown up and you make your own choices. I just don't think it's necessary, that's all."
She smiled at Logan.
"Well, since Sammi doesn't seem to be here, I guess we should go." She observed. "Logan, which hotel are you at? I'll drop you off before I take Sylvie to Anna's."
"The Rooster. And thanks, Mrs Martescu." Logan grinned. "I appreciate it."
"No problem." Mary's eyes twinkled. She shot her daughter a glance, then, "Anything for my girl's boyfriend."
"Mom!" Sylva exclaimed. Mary chuckled.
"Come on with you." She said playfully. "I'm only teasing."
As they made their way towards the big double doors, Sylva cast a glance over her shoulder, seeing her cousin just emerging from baggage claim. She bit her lip, then turned her back, hoping Sammi hadn't seen them.
"Sylvie, are you okay?" As they reached the car, Mary paused, eying her daughter in some concern. "You do know I was only playing with you back there?"
"Huh?" Sylva jerked to attention, then she blushed again. "Oh. Yeah, Mom, I'm sorry. I'm off with the fairies. I think it was the long flight - I know it's only across America but I'm kinda lagged. Must be all the excitement."
"Well, Anna will be glad to see you." Mary unlocked the trunk of her car, and Logan carefully stowed the cases inside. "I think she was hoping you'd fly in with me, but of course with your work and everything you couldn't leave LA till now."
She grinned. "She misses you."
"I miss her too." Sylva's blue eyes softened. "And I'm sorry I couldn't come with you, Mom. I feel like a lousy maid of honour, leaving the bride to do so much of her own organisation."
"I think Annie prefers it that way, even if it means she's taking on too much." Mary looked thoughtful. "I'm trying to decide which of her parents she inherited that from - I think she must have gotten a double dose."
"I guess she did." Sylva grinned. She slipped into the front seat, as Logan climbed into the back, shutting the door behind him. "But that's cool, Mom. I don't think I got any of that gene."
"Your father always used to say you split the family traits down the middle, you two." Mary nodded. She cast Logan a smile in the driver's mirror. "Logan, my girls could not be more different."
"So I understand." Logan grinned back. "Though how that works with identical twins, I don't know."
"We look the same. We don't think it." Sylva dimpled. "As you'll realise the moment you meet Annie. She's the hard worker. The grafter. She puts in the time and the effort and does it that way. Me, I'm the social animal. I like to meet people and go places and do stuff - but I don't like to sit and work at it if there's another way around it. Anna is smart - really smart...but shy. And I've never been shy in my life, but I'm sure no academic. It's like Mom said - we split the genes."
"You were always a lot smarter than the work you put in in school." Mary observed absently, putting the car in gear and pulling out of the car park. Sylva quelled a moment of guilt at abandoning Sammi, shaking her head.
"So you and Dad used to say, but Mom, I had to have a social life. School would've burned without it. And Annie never let me fail a class. We did okay."
Logan laughed.
"Sounds kinda cool, having a twin." He mused. "I'm looking forward to meeting Anna."
He paused, then, "Is your Dad coming to this shindig?"
"Mom?" Sylva cast her mother a questioning look. Mary sighed, then nodded her head.
"Yes, of course he is." She agreed. "What else would you expect, Sylvie? His daughter's wedding is a big deal - just as much as it is to you or I. In fact he's already in New York. He was tying up business and he's stopping here till after the wedding."
"Are you okay with that?" Sylva asked gently. Mary shrugged.
"We're adults." She said simply. "And it was a while ago now. Yes, I'm fine with it, Sylvie. I'd prefer it if he hadn't booked into the same hotel as me...but that was by chance and I can live with it. It's a big hotel and we don't see each other that much, really."
"The same hotel?" Sylva's eyes became big. "No way!"
"Well, it seems we think alike." Mary looked rueful. "Which is a first, in a way. But it's all right. He'll want to see you too, you know. I know you've made up your fight since the divorce, via phone and email, but you've not really spoken to him face to face."
"No, but I'd like to." Sylva admitted. "If there's time. Just, you know, to finally put it all behind us."
She stretched, stifling a yawn. "Man, I'm stiff."
"Well, we're not far now." Mary assured her. "Logan, your hotel is just down this street, and then Sylvie, we'll be at Annie's...and the wedding excitement begins!"