“You’re getting married today,” Derrick squeals, rushing into my room and waking me up. We have been at my family’s home in the Loire Valley for the past couple of days. Frieda has been working like a mad woman making sure everything is perfect. Our long weekend in Paris for our combined bachelor/bachelorette party was so much fun, but now the serious party happens. We had a girly spa day the day after the bachelorette party and high tea at Ladurée, the famous French Patisserie. There was no awkwardness between Stacey and I the next day either, especially as we both spent the night exploring every inch of each other’s bodies, as well as Oscar’s and Axel’s, it’s like our own little secret that nobody else needs to know. My God, it was a fantasy come true and Axel was right, that kind of sex happening inside The Paradise Club is different to the sex outside of it. I mean if I had watched Stacey having sex with my fiancé outside of the club I think it would kill me, but inside that tiny little bubble it all seems natural; all hands, lips, faces melded into one. It didn’t matter who was who, we were all just going with the flow.
“I know, D, I know.” I refuse to open my eyes. Last night’s rehearsal kind of got crazy and I may have had one too many champagnes, plus Axel kept me up all night sexing me because he wouldn’t see me again until I walked down the aisle. That makes my stomach flutter with nervous excitement just thinking about it.
“Come on, princess, it’s the day you marry your prince.” Derrick pulls the covers off me, making me groan.
“We have cake,” Ivy adds, which perks my ears right up.
“For breakfast?”
“Yep, I know that is your favorite thing, so why not have it on your wedding day.” I jump up and out of the bed and head out into the parlor next to my room. It is all set up with a table of French delights; macarons, pastries, cupcakes, fresh fruit and tiny little breakfast canapés.
“Wow, this looks beautiful.”
“Frieda did it all,” my mother tells me, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek as I enter the room.
“You’re getting married,” Stacey calls out from her side of the room. I make my way around the room saying good morning to all my friends and bridesmaids.
“So lucky that my dress is huge so I can indulge on cake for breakfast.” I eye off the beautiful little cupcakes.
“Morning.” Camryn and Kimberly walk in, both of them greeting me. “Everything is under control. We have done a walk through and the flowers have arrived and are being set up in the chapel, the ballroom tables have been set up too and more flowers and decorations have arrived. Charlotte will be down any moment to start taking photos of you and the bridesmaids getting ready. Anything else?” Camryn looks to Kimberly, her business partner.
“Sebastien and his team are busy in the kitchen, which is kind of interesting with Frieda hovering over them. I don’t think she likes them being in her space,” Kimberly giggles. I can just imagine.
“So just sit back and relax, your day is going to be perfect.” Camryn smiles before taking a sip of her mimosa.
***
The day moves along quickly in a cloud of hairspray and makeup brushes and maybe one too many mimosas. We decided on getting married in the late afternoon because the heat of the day in the middle of summer would be a little too much for our guests.
“Olivia, you look beautiful.” My father walks into the dressing room with tears in his eyes. I rush toward him and give him a tight hug, which surprises him; we don’t usually display affection publicly. “This, this is what your wedding day should have been like,” he whispers to me. I take a step back. I can see the guilt on his face from trying to force me to marry Eddie.
“That doesn’t matter anymore, it’s in the past. I am so happy you are here to celebrate today with me.” I kiss his cheek. He looks so handsome dressed in his morning suit, so traditionally English, but he couldn’t be swayed.
“You look like a princess,” Derrick gasps, entering the room. Yvette has done a beautiful job. In the end I embraced my title and decided on being a princess on my wedding day. She designed the perfect modern day princess dress for me. Strapless top with a big, full tulle layered skirt in a creamy, ivory color which matches my milky skin perfectly. The bridesmaids are dressed in a gorgeous blush pink. A V-neck top embroidered with tiny beaded flowers all over that melds into a tulle gown. It is beyond anything I could have ever imagined.
“Axel is going to be in a puddle at the end of the aisle when he sees you,” Derrick states as he smiles at me. “He has asked me to bring this to you,” he continues, handing over the red velvet box with the distinctive gold writing on the front. I open the box and the most stunning diamond necklace and bracelet set appear. There is a card with a note.
Olivia,
There is no one in the world as precious as you are to me.
Love Axel.
I am not supposed to be crying, it will ruin my make-up, but damn him.
“I had better head back. Shall I tell him you liked the gift?” Derrick nudges me.
“Yes, of course I love it. You can even give him a big kiss to show how much I appreciate it as well.” Derrick’s eyes light up.
“You know he will do it, don’t you?” Vanessa adds. “He’s done it to Christian plenty of times.”
“Hush, woman. This is my last chance with Axel.” He gives me a kiss on the cheek, a moment Charlotte captures with a snap of her lens before he disappears out the door with a bounce in his step.
Charlotte graciously offered her services to us for the wedding, of course we said yes. We also know there is no way she would sell our wedding photos to the highest bidder. Charlotte’s been taking photos of us while we have been getting ready, bouncing between us and the groomsmen.
It’s almost time; the hair stylist positions the vintage diamond tiara on top of my head securing the cathedral veil to it. It completes my wedding look. I catch myself in the mirror and cannot believe this is me. That I am about to walk down the aisle to the man of my dreams, never ever did I think this would happen to me.
“I remember the day I married your mother, she was wearing that exact same tiara,” my father reminisces. “Best day of my life.” He leans over and kisses my mother’s cheek, surprising her.
“I can’t believe you got our parents to be affectionate with each other, it’s a miracle,” Penny whispers to me as we watch our parents joke with one another.
“A wedding miracle,” I respond, making us both laugh.
“Okay, it’s time.” Kimberly pops her head in letting us know that we need to move. “The boys are all set, Axel looks like a bundle of nerves. All the guests have arrived; we are just waiting for the bridal party.”
“Let’s get you married,” Ivy squeals.
I slowly make my way down the spiral marble staircase, it is covered in many shades of pink roses and peonies; the smell is divine.
“Are you ready, sweetheart?” my father asks me once we make it down the stairs. I had this nightmare that I would trip and fall down them on my wedding day.
“Yes.” My stomach flutters with nerves as Charlotte takes our photos against the beautiful backdrop of roses along the staircase.
“Okay, this way.” Kimberly guides us toward the chapel once we are finished with the photos. With the chapel being so small we only have our closet family for the ceremony, the rest of our guests we will see at the reception later.
“Oh my God, Ryder, you look adorable in your little suit.” The gorgeous little boy is dressed in a mini version of the boys’ tuxedos. Sienna is holding his hand as he plays with the pillow which has our wedding rings on it. He is our page boy and is going to hopefully walk down the aisle all by himself, he’s only just learnt how to walk so fingers crossed he will be able to make it, he will look so cute waddling down the aisle. It didn’t work out so well during rehearsals last night, he was not interested at all, I think he was pretty tired, poor little monkey. More photos, this time with little Ryder, before we ready ourselves to walk down the aisle. The wooden doors have been closed and I can hear our guests talking, waiting anxiously for me to walk through them. Kimberly arranges us in order; Vanessa will hold Ryder’s hand and go first so he isn’t too scared followed by Camryn, Stacey, Penny and Ivy. The doors will then close and it will be my turn. I seriously need to pee. Do I have time to pee?
The music starts and the girls make their way down the aisle. It is already my turn, that went so quickly, my heart takes off racing. I think I am going to throw up. That would suck especially all over this beautiful dress, imagine what a field day the press would have if I did. I’m babbling to myself again. I’m so nervous I can’t make my hands stop shaking.
“Sweetheart, it’s going to be okay,” my father reassures me.
“I know; I know it will be. I didn’t realize I was going to be so nervous.”
“Once you see Axel at the end of the aisle waiting for you all the nerves will disappear.” I sure hope so.
“It’s go time. Good Luck,” Kimberly whispers as she opens the doors to the chapel and the wedding march starts. I take a deep breath and take a step forward. As soon as I pass the doors my eyes fall on Axel standing at the end of the aisle, he looks as handsome as ever in his tuxedo. He had decided to cut his long hair short for the wedding, much to Derrick’s horror. Whatever makes him happy. I didn’t mind that he had because the man is gorgeous either way, but if I’m honest that man looks even hotter with short hair, if that is even possible.
I have no idea who is here because everything has faded away and all my focus is on Axel and the tears cascading down his cheeks as he watches me walk toward him. Damn him, why is he crying? He’s supposed to be holding it together so he doesn’t start me off. Ugh, I am going to ruin my make-up by the time I get to the end of this aisle.