23 years later...
"Come on, sis, hurry up. The aunties will be at the airport before we are."
"Ok, I'm coming, I'm coming. Keep your shirt on. Did you even check the airline to see if they were on time? Because I just did, and their plane is about an hour late, so settle down, bro."
"Ok. Thanks for checking. I guess I'm just excited to see them again. And so happy they could all make it for the wedding."
"Jim, you know our aunties -- they wouldn't miss your wedding for anything. With everything that's happened, I'm sure they are salivating over this, just waiting to play aunties."
With everything that's happened, she thought...
After the twins were born, life got hectic. Kate and David kept their teaching positions as well as their jobs at the resort. Jasmine and Pete became the twin's second parents, and the kids became a fixture at both the resort and the school. Growing up, the twins got along wonderfully, always looking out for the other, teaching each other whatever they learned, and grew up as best friends.
Their biggest changes came when they hit puberty. Both had a growth spurt, with Jim topping out at just over 6 feet tall and Leilani only a few inches shorter. Both were involved in school activities, with Jim more interested in Environmental Science and Volcanology and Leilani in Marine Biology. Both graduated from college with honors, and both had jobs as soon as they had their degrees. During college, Jim started dating a girl with the same major as him, and they were soon deeply in love and starting to make wedding plans.
But before that, the family dynamics started to change when the twins were in their teens. Kate's art career started to take off as she started to become more and more well known. Her trips to art galleries for shows became more frequent and longer in length, and she was travelling from the West Coast of the mainland to French Polynesia.
David began to worry about their marriage, as Kate got more famous and less attentive to her family. Everything came to a head during a gallery show in San Francisco. The family couldn't attend, but Jen and Moira decided to surprise Kate on opening night. Moira had spoken to David, and he clued her in about his worries and suspicions. Soon after arriving, Moira knew he was wise to be worried as Kate's agent was draped all over her, holding her tight, squeezing her ass, and kissing her on the lips.
As the night went on, both friends kept a close eye on Kate, watching how she acted with her agent. Kate never left his side, and their PDA became more intense as the night wore on. Jen was seething inside but Moira kept her in check, waiting for the evening to end before they said anything. After a while they realized Kate was not mingling with the guests, and her agent was missing as well. Soon they reappeared, and their worst fears were realized. Kate's hair was messy, her smudged lipstick was being fixed, and she had the look and glow of someone who was freshly fucked.
Not able to stand it anymore, Jen angrily strode across the room, grabbed Kate's arm, and pulled her away from the agent, facing her. Before anyone could react, Jen slapped Kate hard across her face.
"What the hell's the matter with you? How dare you act like this? How dare you treat you family and friends like this. After all David did for you, after all the years of him loving only you, you turn around and do this to him? And what about your kids, the ones who loved you all their lives? You act like this and think it's all going to be all right? I hope schtupping this guy was worth it, because you just lost everything you've worked for in your life -- your husband, your children, your jobs, and your friends. All gone, just because you couldn't keep your panties on. We're done, Kate. Done. Don't call me or try to get in touch with me, because I will not answer. Goodbye, slut."
"Jen, wait. It's not what you think."
"It's not? Then what is it? I've been watching you all night, and agent-boy couldn't keep his hands off of you. And vice versa. And then you disappear and come back looking freshly fucked, and you say it's not what I think? Ok, then what is it?"
"Jen, please listen. Let me explain."
"Explain what? He forced you? That this was the first time and it meant nothing? Spare me the bullshit, Kate. I've known you too long. You really fucked up this time, and there's nothing you can say or do to save it. Goodbye, slut. I hope this is worth you selling lots of pictures."
And then Jen was gone, leaving Kate crying uncontrollably in the middle of the gallery. Her agent came up to hold her, and she broke away.
"Don't! How did I ever let you talk me into fucking you? I knew it was wrong, and now I've lost everything."
Before he could answer, Moira stepped up to Kate.
"I thought I knew you, Kate. I really thought I knew you, but obviously I was wrong. You really screwed the pooch on this one, and I don't know how you can fix it. All I can add to what Jen said is this -- as a friend, lose my number. As your doctor, you can still call me, but I wouldn't advise it, because you're not going to like what I have to say. And I think you better get your ass back home to see if you can possibly save your marriage, if that's what you want. Goodbye, Kate."
When Kate got home the next day, her key wouldn't work in the door. She knocked, but nobody answered, and it was then she saw the note taped to the doorframe. Nervously she started to read.
Kate,
Jen called me last night after she left the gallery. I'll leave our conversation private for now, but I bet you can figure out how it went. Suffice to say, I'm not happy -- at all. I've changed all the locks on the house, as well as the boat. Your clothes have been packed up and are waiting for you at the resort, where you have a room reserved until you can find a place of your own.
To say I'm heartbroken would be an understatement. I just can't understand why you chose to do this to me. To the kids. To all of us. But you did, and you have your reasons. Reasons which, by the way, I really don't want to hear. I wouldn't advise calling the kids, because they're angrier with you than I am. When you're ready, you can come over and empty your studio. I promise we won't touch anything in there. Please don't try to contact me, at least not for a while. If you need something, use Jasmine or Pete as a go-between. If you want to file for divorce, go ahead. If not, I'll do it, the sooner the better.
I'm sorry I disappointed you as a husband and couldn't give you everything you needed. I just wish you would've spoken to me about all this instead of throwing our relationship away.
Good-bye, Kate. I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for.
David
Finishing the note, Kate crumpled to the ground, sobbing. She sat there for a long time crying until she finally shouted to no one,
"What did I do? How could I have been so stupid?"
Kate was shocked when a soft voice answered.
"I don't know, Kate. How could you have been so stupid to throw all of this away?"
Looking up, Kate saw Jasmine standing in front of her, arms open and with tears filling her eyes. Kate jumped up and pulled Jasmine into a soul-crunching hug, crying into the shoulder of her friend.
