Andrew and I set a wedding date and it was only six months away. As happy as I was, I was also sad. Sad that Charlie wouldn’t be there to walk me down the aisle. When I was a little girl, we would practice. He would hook my small arm around his and we’d walk as if he was walking me down the aisle. He used to say, “One day, Rosebud, we’re going to be doing this for real, and when that day comes, Daddy is going to have a hard time letting you go.” Tears filled my eyes just thinking about it and Andrew knew how much it bothered me.

“Addison, I need to talk to you about something,” he spoke as I was getting ready for bed.

“Okay. What is it?”

“How would you like to get married this weekend?” he asked.

I let out a light laugh. “As nice as that would be, I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to move up our wedding date. We’ve already put down the deposits, Emma hasn’t finished my dress, and we already have everything else booked.”

“What I’m proposing is that we get married this weekend in Florida, so Charlie can be there and walk you down the aisle.”

“What?” I gasped.

“Listen, Angel. We can get married this weekend and not tell anyone. It’ll be our little secret. Then, we’ll get married in six months like we planned. Nobody will ever know except Charlie. It bothers me just as much as it does you that he can’t be there. He’s my friend and like a father to me and I want nothing more than to see him walk you down the aisle.”

“You’re serious, aren’t you?” I smiled.

“Very serious.”

“Oh my God, Andrew. Yes! I will marry you this weekend.” I jumped on the bed and threw my arms around him. “But how?”

“Don’t worry about that. I knew you’d say yes and everything is already arranged. In fact, I have a little surprise for you.” He grinned.

He took my hand and helped me from the bed and led me to the spare bedroom. When he opened the door, I inhaled a deep breath when I saw a standing rack with multiple white dresses hanging from it.

“Pick one you like. If you don’t like any of them, I can have more sent over tomorrow.”

“Andrew.” I lightly shook my head as tears filled my eyes.

“Go have a look. I don’t want to know which one you pick. I want to be surprised. And by the way, we’re getting married on the beach.” He winked as he walked out of the room.

****

I slipped into my white strapless, tulle mermaid-style wedding dress and smiled as I stared at myself in the mirror. My hair was in an elegant up-do laced with fresh white flowers.

“You look beautiful, Addison,” Missy, Charlie’s lady friend spoke.

“Thank you for agreeing to be my maid of honor. Andrew and I just want to keep this wedding hush-hush from the rest of the family.”

“Oh, I totally understand, sweetheart. Family drama with weddings can be a bitch.” She smiled. “Your Uncle Bobby is thrilled you asked him to walk you down the aisle. I’m going to step out and see if the groom is ready to marry his bride.”

I gave her a small smile. As soon as she walked out, Charlie walked in and inhaled a sharp breath.

“My God, Rosebud. You look so beautiful,” he spoke as tears filled his eyes.

“Thanks, Dad.”

“I can’t believe this is actually happening. I never thought I’d get to see this day. Are you ready?” He held out his arm to me. Your groom is waiting for you and he looks nervous as hell.” He grinned.

Andrew and I were married, on the beach, by a reverend, with Charlie and Missy by our sides. The day was beyond perfect and I felt as if I was living a fairytale. Andrew had surprised me by renting a yacht for the weekend, and after the ceremony, we all went there for a private dinner. When dinner was over and we both said goodbye to Missy and Charlie, we set sail on the open water.

“Hello, Mrs. London.” Andrew grinned as he took my hand and we began to dance.

“Hello, Mr. London.” I smiled. “I can’t believe we’re married. So, you know what that means, right?”

“What does it mean?” he asked.

“We’ll have two anniversaries to celebrate, and you better never forget either one of them.” I grinned.

“Oh, Angel, you don’t have to worry about that. This wedding day and the next will always be on my mind.” His lips brushed against mine. “I think it’s time to officially start our wedding night. What do you think?”

“I was just thinking the same thing.” I smiled as he swept me into his arms and carried me to the bedroom.

Keeping this secret from our families was going to be interesting over the next few months, and Andrew and I would have to be very careful not to slip up somehow. When we got back to New York, I took off my wedding band, as did Andrew, and we put them away in the safe until wedding day number two.

****

Six Months Later

“What’s wrong with you?” Emma asked as she fixed my veil.

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t seem nervous. Brides are always a nervous wreck on their wedding day.”

Shit.

“I’m a little nervous,” I softly spoke.

“Well, you’re doing a good job hiding it.”

Suddenly, the door opened, and Madeline stuck her head in.

“Are you ready, sweetheart?” She smiled. “Everyone has taken their place and your groom is patiently waiting with a smile on his face to see his bride.”

“I’m ready, Mom.”

Andrew and I were having our ceremony and reception at the elegant and sophisticated Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Plaza. I took my place with Edward behind the French glass double doors as my bridesmaids walked down the aisle. As I stood there, I stared at Andrew, who was waiting for me. The bridal music began to play, and Edward escorted me down the aisle. Madeline sat in the front row and tried to dry her teary eyes. Once Edward placed my hand in Andrew’s and took his seat, Andrew smiled and whispered in my ear.

“You look amazing. Are you ready for round two?”

“Yes. Are you?” I smiled.

“Definitely.”

The minister cleared his throat to alert us he was ready. As Andrew slipped the ring on my finger, he began to laugh, which made me laugh as I put the ring on his finger. Light laughter came from our guests. They probably thought we were crazy, but we couldn’t help it. After our ceremony, we took pictures and then headed into the grand room for our reception, where we drank the finest champagne and ate the best gourmet food. It was time for our first dance as husband and wife as the DJ called us out to the dance floor.

“Hello, Mrs. London.” Andrew smiled.

“Hello, Mr. London.”

“It’s going to be nice that you can officially change your name on everything. It’s been hard not introducing you as my wife for the last six months.”

“I know. I had to keep catching myself when talking to people.”

“Thank God, it’s over.” He smirked.

“Praise the Lord.” I laughed.

“I love you so much, Angel.”

“I love you too.” I grinned as our lips found their way to each other.

Once our dance was over, Jasper walked over and held out his hand. Placing mine in his, we began to dance to the next song that played.

“You are simply gorgeous.” He smiled.

“So are you.” I winked at him.

“I’ve got some news,” he spoke.

“Do tell.”

“I’m opening my own restaurant.”

“What?! Oh my God, Jasper.” I hugged him tight. “Congratulations!”

“Thank you, my dear. It wouldn’t have been possible without Andrew’s backing.”

“Really? What do you mean?”

“He’s my business partner.”

“He didn’t mention anything to me about that.” I arched my brow.

“That’s because he wanted me to tell you. He’s more of a silent partner. I’m so stoked, Addy. This has always been my dream.”

“I know it has and I’m so happy for you. Have you thought of what you’re going to call it?”

“Jasper’s,” He grinned. “It’s going to be an upscale restaurant with fine dining and the best cuisine in New York.”

“So original. I love it.” The corners of my mouth curved up into a smile.

When the song ended, I gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Thank you for always being there for me. You do know you’re not only my best friend, but you’re my brother too.”

“I know, sister. I love you too.”

“Addison!” Madeline shouted and waved from across the room as she stood next to Andrew and Edward.

I walked over to them with a smile as she grabbed my hands.

“I want to give you part of your wedding present now,” she spoke with excitement.

“Okay.”

“Edward and I are selling the house and we’re moving to New York!”

“What?” I cocked my head.

“I know, baby, you’re in shock. Now that Edward has sold his business and retired, we’re going to travel, so we figured we’d sell the house and get a wonderful apartment here in New York.”

“But, Mom, you love that house.”

“I know I do, but it’s time for a change. Plus, you’re going to be having babies and I don’t want to be two hours away from my grandchildren. You’re going to need help and I’ll be right here to do that.” The excitement in her voice made me cringe. “In fact, we were possibly looking to see if there was an apartment available in your building. What do you think, Andrew?”

I kicked his foot with mine.

“Actually, at this time, the entire building is full. There aren’t any apartments available,” he spoke.

“Well, no worries. We’ll find one close.” She grinned.

I took in a deep breath as I hugged her.

“That’s wonderful, Mom. I’m so excited,” I lied.

“I knew you would be. We can go to lunch, shop, dinner. You name it and we can do it!”

“That sounds like fun.”

“We knew you’d love the idea, Addison.” Edward smiled.

A song they loved started to play and Edward asked Madeline to dance. As soon as they walked away, Andrew looked at me.

“That hurt, you know.”

“Good. It kept you from saying there were apartments available.”

He laughed as he pulled me into him.

“Come on, Addison, having Madeline here won’t be so bad.”

“Okay, Mr. London. I’m going to remind you of that when she’s all up in your space. And trust me, she will be.” I smiled.

“Why is she talking about babies? Are we having kids?” He smirked.

“I don’t know. You want kids?”

“Yeah. I want kids. How about you?”

“I want kids.” I smiled.

“Then kids we’ll have.” He winked before leaning in and brushing his lips against mine.