"Are you ready?"

I smiled at Tammy, nodding. Everyone thought I was nervous. They kept making jokes about 'wedding day jitters.'

They had no idea.

No one had any idea how eager I was for this to be over. I had been waiting over a week to have Cade's naked body at my disposal, and tonight was the night.

Tonight I was taking charge.

Cade wouldn't know what hit him.

For over a week now he'd been toying with me. Taking his own pleasure but making sure I stayed pent up and unsatisfied. I had plenty of fun, just without the big finish. I was starting to get cranky.

Really, really cranky.

I smiled innocently and stood up. The girls hovered around me, making sure my dress was draping correctly. It was a simple silk dress up top, but the bottom was ornate, with graceful raw edged tiers that almost looked like leaves that fluttered around me as I walked.

On my neck was one of my mother's favorite pieces, a thick diamond choker with a single teardrop in the center. My hair was halfway up, twisted into graceful curls, the rest falling down my back.

Tammy had asked for her hair done just the same. Then Lucy had. Then Jenny. I smiled at them in the mirror as they preened.

We looked like we were family already.

Family.

I accepted my bouquet from the florist and the girls accepted their little baskets of flowers. Even Uzuri had a wreath attached to her collar, along with a tiny box that held the rings. The girls petted her, already in love with the lanky feline. She was surprisingly patient with them too.

Almost like she knew they were family now.

Tammy took hold of her leash, ready to go first. Uzuri had graciously allowed herself to be tethered. She might be the first cat to be a ring bearer in the history of weddings. But it didn't seem right to leave her out of today.

Thankfully, she was the rare cat that seemed to thrive on attention. Noises didn't scare her. I once caught her sitting on the sidewalk outside the townhouse early in the morning. She'd been out prowling all night. I was more careful with locking my windows after that. I wanted her to be safe, but I was also afraid she might accidentally eat one of the society ladys' poodles.

We were silent as we walked to the entry of the venue, where the wedding party would make our entrances from. After the cat of course. She led the way, regally ignoring the stares of the staff. As usual, I knew Uzuri would steal the show. Sadie was here too, waiting to whisk the feline home once the ceremony was over.

My father was there, smiling proudly at me.

"You are a vision my dear."

He took my arm, laying his hand on mine.

"Your mother would be so proud."

I felt tears welling up. My mother… I had tried so hard not to think of her as a child. I'd missed her so much that it was easier to just pretend she hadn't ever existed. As a teenager I'd resented her for leaving me. Now, I was just sad that she wasn't here.

That I didn't have a chance to know her.

But hearing my father say that… well, it made me feel something else. I was proud to be my mother's daughter. She'd been an amazing woman. If he thought she would be pleased, that made me happy.

That would have to be enough.

My father squeezed my hand and smiled at me. He always told me that I reminded him of my mother. She hadn't grown up wealthy like I had, but she'd always had class in spades.

I heard the music and my father asked me if I was ready.

"Yes daddy."

We walked through the archway, following my soon-to-be sisters as they scattered white rose petals everywhere. Almost immediately, my eyes found Cade. He looked so handsome it nearly made me lose my footing.

This man had taken my whole world by storm. He'd challenged my very idea of who and what I was in the world. Behind closed doors, he'd introduced me to things I'd never imagined.

He hadn't changed me.

He'd exposed me for what I truly was.

And I loved him for it.

I stepped forward, my heart bursting with love. I was ready to say the vows that would make me his.

And make him mine!

Permanently.

He was my everything now. He was staring at me with equal intensity. I seemed to float down the aisle. I placed my hand in his.

I raised my eyes to the Judge and waited.

This was real. It was happening.

I was getting married.