Sienna
I’m putting the finishing touches on my hair.
Makeup artists and stylists roam about the room, but all I can focus on is my image in the mirror.
This is my wedding day.
It’s certainly different than I ever could’ve imagined.
For one thing, I’m getting married at home.
Nate has bought me the most beautiful mansion in LA. He said that being with me erased all of the bad memories this town had brought him.
The mansion is gorgeous and modern and chic. I hired scores of designers and architects to help build the place. It’s brand-new and perfectly acquainted to me and him.
“Darling, you simply have to put these white lilies in your hair,” the stylist is saying.
My hair is long and flowing with perfectly made up curls.
“Okay, if you think so,” I say, trusting his judgment.
I have the best stylists in town. Nathan’s made sure of that. He’s also made sure I have every extravagance and happiness.
Ever since moving to LA, things have been different. Nate seem a little bit less stressed out. He’s successfully overtaken Edison Shaw’s business and made it more streamlined and approachable.
Everything he does is legal. Because he would never want to put himself in harm’s way. He knows that I need him.
And I do need him.
Sure, we’ve been living here for the past few months, but not much has changed between Nathan and me. He makes love to me every night, often several times over. And in the heat of that passion, I find I’m continually changing, becoming stronger.
Being with a man like Nate requires a certain amount of strength.
He’s intense.
And overwhelming.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m his, eternally. And he’s mine.
And today, we’re about to make that official.
I run my fingers over the diamond necklace that my father gave me. I don’t take it off. It’s with me all the time, as a reminder of his constant presence in my life.
And today, I need that reminder more than ever. My Daddy can’t walk me down the aisle. But I have to trust that he’s with me in spirit.
Tears threaten to flow from my eyes and ruin all my makeup.
It happens a lot, every time I think of him.
Even though I passed through the fires of grief, the loss of someone stays with you forever. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over losing him, but I’m certainly happier now than I ever imagined I could be.
I wipe the tears away before the makeup artist gets finicky with me.
Who am I to mess with his creation?
My mom comes in, and she looks gorgeous. She’s wearing the latest designer. And she’s had fun planning the whole affair.
“Don’t you look gorgeous?” she says coming over to me.
“You think so?” I say, smoothing the dress over my hips.
“Absolutely stunning, Sienna. I’m so proud of you,” she says.
“Okay then, are you ready?” I ask her.
The stylists fluff and preen my hair and makeup even as I walk out the door.
I take my mother’s arm, and she leads me down the grand staircase. She’s gonna walk me down the aisle instead of Daddy. But in my heart, both of them are here, giving me away.
We walk towards the backyard, and my heart begins to thud against my chest.
Oh my god. I’m about to marry Nathan Sharp. My dream man.
It’s hard to calm down.
Nerves and happiness course through me from every angle.
I feel as though I’m walking on air.
And yet it’s happening.
This day is real.
“Are you okay, sweetheart? Just calm down,” my mother says.
I try to breathe, try to see straight, but all my emotions are intermixing. I’ve never been so nervous in my entire life.
I take the bouquet of white lilies and roses that have been made up for me. And then, I turn the corner to stand at the end of the aisle, and I look up and see him.
He stares at me intently.
Dark eyes.
Full lips.
I walk to him. I started out as his prisoner, and now I find freedom in him.
Passion.
Want.
Desire.
Need.
We lock eyes, and my nerves immediately settle.
I know I’m in exactly the right place.
I know I’m walking towards my future.
Nate.