The One Adored (The One Trilogy Book 3)

by North, Alexandra

  Behind the tissue paper is a message that I roll out, it reads….

  FOR THE WOMAN THAT IS TRULY UNIQUE AND ALL MINE.

  CAN’T WAIT TO SMELL THIS SCENT BETWEEN YOUR THIGHS.

  S x

  “Wow, that man needs to give Gino some tips.” Suzie lifts the stopper, inhaling deeply, before passing it over to Abs, outstretched fingers. “That is gorgeous and I’m preggers - I usually don’t like scents at the mo.”

  Abby concurs. “Sexy!”

  “We developed it together in Paris. I’d forgotten about it.” I melt inside. Knowing that he’d remembered and named it Mrs. Silver. I love it.

  “He’s good, Lu. A definite keeper.”

  “He is, isn’t he?!” I tip the bottle and press some to my wrists and neck.

  “What does the message say?” Abs winks.

  Oh, nothing.” I grin.

  “Really? Nothing makes you blush big time! Let me see, she grabs the note card and scans it briefly, before quickly using it to fan her face. “Jeez Lulu - no wonder you’re pregnant! If you weren’t, you would be after tonight. He got game!” She adds in her best Brooklyn accent and I snort. She was right, he did have game.

  “You dirty bitch!” Suzie laughs reading it after Abs.

  “Hey you two - privacy not counting then?” I smile at my naughty loved ones.

  “I’m not sure I’d find my thighs right now, if Gino asked me to put perfume between them.”

  “Ah hun.” I wince, feeling so sorry for her. She was still slightly puffy in her face, her ankles reduced dramatically from resting last night, but her back pain was troubling her and I was concerned about her endurance throughout what would be a really long day.

  “Sis, you must take it easy today - sit when you can - rest up, keep disappearing to your room if you want. I’m fine, I promise.”

  “Sod that! I can’t drink and that is bad enough but I can dance and tear it up I will.”

  Abs and I roll our eyes collectively over her head. “You should listen to her, Suze. “ Abby begins to remove her sleep rollers. “After all, she’s the only one with firsthand knowledge here.”

  “What else did ‘Oh gorgeous one get you, come on.’ Open up.”

  I grab the larger parcel of the two and open the lid, on a gasp, inside, is a diamond bracelet, set in platinum, which clasps around the wrists in a spiral fashion, two huge fresh water pearls on each end. I immediately secure it on my arm and open-mouthed move my wrist in the light. It was stunning.

  “OMG! The man has outdone himself. How did he know you’d be wearing pearls, Lu?”

  grin to myself. “Just a lucky guess I suppose.” He’d ordered I wear pearls of course. I still had to put my pearl panties on.

  “Anything else in there? Not like you’ve had much already?” Suzies smirks.

  “I’m not sure, Ooh yes.” I take out another smaller velvet box and snap pen the lid and my mind goes blank.

  “Holy shit! Have you seen the size of those?” Abby croons.

  “Oh, Lu they are gorgeous, quick put one in.”

  I do as I’m told and place one of the large diamond teardrop earrings into a lobe, the stud fastening with a 2 carat diamond, before dropping to a small pearl and then finally swinging to a much larger teardrop diamond that glistened in a antique setting. They were about an inch and half long and would be perfect with my dress and my hairstyle. He must have checked with my mum - no man was that good.

  “Eek!” I suddenly shriek to the girls’ happy faces. “I’m getting married!”

  “Oh that’s what all this fuss is about then.” Abby winks.

  “That’s why I’m sitting her in a dressing gown marked Mrs. Silver’s bitches when I need to go and lie down.”

  “Oh hunny - go! Go have a nana nap and I’ll call you when its time to get ready - as long as you don’t dribble, your make-up is done.”

  “I don’t dribble, but I think I will have a nap. I just don’t want today to be about me. I’m already so huge you can’t miss me! Put a red suit on me and a white beard and they’ll have me delivering Christmas presents to the children!”

  We all burst out laughing at this. “Yes, you are a bit of a Ho Ho Ho!” Abs chuckles loudly at her own joke, sipping her bucks fizz.

  “Abigail! Easy on the happy juice, Mrs.” I raise my brows at her on a smile - her eyes were already glassy and I could see her being shit-faced before Seb and I had even said “I do!”.

  “I know! But I need dutch courage to get through today, opposite the other scrumptious Silver brother.” She pouts, looking beautiful with her professionally make-up.

  “Oh for fucks sake, just grab him and hold on to him - then have some fun!” Suzie moans, placing her palm in her back as she winces. “You two need your heads banging together - I wish I could go and just get jiggy with it - I’d be panting and out of breath and not in a good way - poor Gino is gagging for it!”

  “I thought you weren’t up for it?”

  “I wasn’t - but suddenly I’m really horny!”

  “Well, go for it.”

  “I think I bloody might - at least I can’t worry about getting pregnant!”

  “Speaking of that…” Abs shoves her head in the direction of my stomach and my shoulders slump. I hadn’t even mentioned it to Suzie yet.

  “What?” She shrieks immediately “Lu - are you…”

  “I don’t know. I might be.”

  “I got her a test last night.”

  “And?” Suzie asks excitedly

  “And I haven’t done it yet. I’ll do it after the wedding, when I’m not stressed and I can take it in.”

  “Oh come on - if you’re pregnant you need to know - so you don’t get hammered!”

  Suzie attests.

  She had a point, annoying as it was. I hadn’t thought of that. “Do it, Do it Do it!” The chants begin and I shake my head. “Alright, give me minute and I’ll go pee on the stick. But what if I’m not…”

  “Hunny, this is exciting for you. If you are, it’s wonderful news. You know that after everything you went through you and Seb beat that horrible evil man who took away your chances before. If you are not pregnant, you sup up, enjoy today, marry the man of your dreams and have the fairytale wedding. Then try again on your wedding night - if that’s what you want.”

  I flicker glances between both of these women who I adore with a passion and smile. I needed to do this, no matter the outcome. I couldn’t be scared of a result I hadn’t already received.

  I leave them getting ready and disappear to repeat what I had done all those weeks before in Dubai. My fingers shake as I open the packaging. I had a Mirena Coil in me so this was all probably just a false alarm. I’d never had a coil before and they apparently messed a little with your cycle as your body adapted to them. I’m sure it’s just that. Yes, definitely, just that - I convince myself as I wait, impatiently wafting the stick around like I’m drying nail polish.

  Ten minutes later I’m back in the room with them, their face expectant, brushes mid-pose and open mouthed. “Well?” they say at exactly the same time - expectant faces poised.

  “It’s positive. I’m about 5-6 weeks.”

  *******

  “Oh, Lu…”

  I turn at the sound of Nina Myer’s sharp gasp and smile as I see tears glistening in her shining lime green eyes. Her hand was covering her mouth and I can feel the emotion welling in spades. “Please don’t cry, Mum - you’ll set me off… again!”

  “I’m sorry, darling, you just look so… beautiful. Absolutely perfect. Sebastian is going to combust when he sees you.”

  “They’ll be lucky if they make it through the ceremony.” Abs mutters under her breath from her perch on the end of the bed and we all chuckle.

  I return my focus to the long silver mirror in the bridal suite at The Ashton, brushing the exquisite fabric over my hips, removing creases that don’t exist nervously. I hope so. I hope that he
’ll take one look at me and see how much I love him.

  “You haven’t got long, sweetheart. Ten minutes now, that’s all.”

  “I know. I just want to see Finn.”

  “Your dad, is about to bring him in - don’t worry.”

  We all look up as the door opens to an explosion of declarations from Suzie, now cradling her straining belly and panting out of breath. “Wow, this place has lot of steps for a pregnant lady! OMG you look bloody gorgeous. Oh… Lu. Oh my feet, in these shoes.”

  I smile through welling tears, as I watch my waddling sister wade through my Mum and Abby to embrace me, her bump kicking against me in agreement. I giggle at her verbal diarrhoea.

  “Your niece agrees - she thinks you look hot too!”

  “You look beautiful too, baby mama.” I smile, holding her hand out to assess the whole picture. “Talk about glowing!”

  Her soft grey gown falls over her abundant curves elegantly like a Grecian goddess, draping across one silver glittered shoulder and then meeting in a train at the back. Both she and Abby had their hair pinned up to one side, with pearls and diamantes scattered throughout their locks and their skin shimmered with a frosted body cream that only added to the winter theme. Seeing the two of them fully dressed together, I feel myself welling up again.

  “Oh. My. God! No one warned me how much you cry at these things!” I mop at my eyes, praying my eye-makeup that the stylist had worked tirelessly over would not run. She’d assured me everything was waterproof, but at this rate, it would need to be tsunami proof.

  “Here’s the little guy!” Abs looks across to the doorway, where my Dad has entered with my son and I beam at him, his big blue eyes in awe of my dress.

  “Mummy! You look soo pretty!”

  Everyone ahh’s and I rush forward, despite my train and heels to hug him and squeeze him to me. “Thank you, poppet. You look pretty handsome yourself. You liking the suit?”

  “Yeah? S’Ok. I look like Sub so that’s cool and I’m digging the cufflinks.” He wriggles his wrists. So they’d definitely got them, that was good.

  Dressed in a grey morning suit, with pale grey waistcoat and cravat, my dad exactly the same, I smile. They both looked so smart.

  “Well, Gramps is going to stay with mummy now, but you go off with Auntie Suzie, Ninny and Abby and I’ll see you soon - you have an important job carrying the rings - will you be Ok?” I kiss his soft cheek and watch for any signs of worry.

  “Yup. Let’s do this!”

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Mac laughs “See you soon, buddy. Nina - I adore you. You look beautiful, Oh wife of mine.”

  I smile at my parents, who have managed to maintain a happy marriage for over 35 years. Their interaction is evident for all to see, love glowing from my mother’s face. “Go on, you old devil you. Look after our baby.”

  “Will do.”

  The second the door clicks shut my Dad takes a seat and nods. “There are no words, Chucks.”

  “You think I’ll do, Dad?” I take a last glance in the mirror, fussing with my hair, which has been pinned in an up-do to create height, with a side parting and then loose curls left over one shoulder, to ensure my back is still bare - the effect was very old Hollywood glam and looked effortless but in reality had taken hours of planning. Thank goodness my dress now had a built in bra, or I’d have struggled with the backless situation but I felt secure and the pearls swung at my back, a reminder of my gift to my husband.

  I decided against nude lipstick - it wasn’t me and instead had chosen a matt scarlet red for Christmas, with a sealant so it wouldn’t smudge and smoky eyes with subtle hints of frosted glitter. The make-up artist had worked wonders with the last signs that Leo had ever hit me, the yellowing bruises now perfectly covered beneath flawless contouring that would make Kim Kardashian proud.

  My dress looked gorgeous, fitting me perfectly, despite my worries the second I saw the results of my test. It was probably too early for weight-gain, yet but you never knew. My shoes were silver glittery Jimmy Choo’s, which had been specially personalised to have ‘Mrs.’ and ‘Silver’ on each sole.

  I fiddled with my new earrings and bracelet, before slipping off my engagement ring and instantly feeling empty. Not for long, just until you have your wedding ring in its place.

  “Would you pass me my fur wrap, dad?”

  “This one?” he holds up the deep silvery grey faux fur shrug, lined with red velvet that I will cover my shoulders with and I nod, before giving my back to him to place it across my back.

  “You get more beautiful by the second. I feel sorry for Seb.” He laughs.

  “Why?”

  “He’s not to get through the service with you in that dress. Will be fun for us guests though.”

  I slip my pearl clutch in my hand and nod at myself in the mirror. I can do this… I’m ready.

  “Good to go?” my dad enquires gently.

  “Never been more ready.”

  *******

  I check my watch for the umpteenth time and roll my lips.

  “She’ll be here, bro. Stop stressing.” Nathan assures me.

  My feet tap incessantly on the floor in front of me, fingers pull at my collar, it was 1pm. She needed to be here. I couldn’t wait any longer.

  I’d refrained from texting her or trying to knock down her door. I knew this was one day I had to do as she’d asked and give her her space. I’d done that and now it was time.

  “She’s here, mate.” Gino whispers to me and I take a deep breath, my body beginning to release all its earlier tension.

  I hear the strains of Elvis’ ‘Can’t help falling in love’ begin and we stand. The guests are silent until the bride begins to make her way into the grand Ballroom. I can hear their gasps, comments of her beauty and I can’t take it another second. I know I’m supposed to wait at the alter and not turn around but fuck this, I’ve never been one to follow convention, I want to watch my woman walk towards me, give herself to me freely and see that sexy walk in all its glory.

  I make a half-turn, feeling Nathan and Gino at my side do the same and I see Suzie and Abs coming down the aisle, looking stunning in silver grey gowns, with white fur capes, smiling brightly, their eyes only on my two best-men. I notice the long hanging pearls from their tightly packed bouquets of white roses and chrysanthemums, covered in glitter and they make me smile - she’d remembered the pearls.

  Finn dances down after them, happily throwing fake snow across the white carpet, his satin cushion balanced precariously in one hand, with the rings tied to it, to the delight of the guests. I pray to God they stay on, as his body wiggles to the music. As he reaches me, he throws himself at my leg and hugs me tightly and I squeeze him back, emotion welling within.

  Wow! This was getting heavy!

  Colin obviously thinks so too as I hear him blubbing, in James’ arms, blowing his nose loudly, whilst declaring that she looked ‘bluddy gorgeous!’his heavy Yorkshire accent. I grin in his direction - he was on the money. She bloody did. Like some magical Snow Queen, gliding towards me regally

  I can see her now, more clearly. Her Dad on her left, she is a vision in an ivory lace fitted gown, which curves in all the right places, tightly across her ample breasts, down over her neat little waist, over her curvaceous hips and then fanning out from the knees, in more layers of lace. A large train follows her and her beautiful face is smiling at me, through the translucency of a long ivory antiqued veil, scalloped with lace. She holds a bouquet of calla lilies in her hands, bound with silver grey diamantes and feathers and the same long, cascading pearls as the bridesmaids, pouring down her body as she walks like a medieval princess.

  I can feel a tear begin to form in my eyes and I bite my lips to prevent them falling. Nathan’s grip of support of my shoulder comforting - he understands the moment. She looks so God damned beautiful and finally, we are here, about to get married.

  Lu & Seb, best friends, lovers, a
family.

  I gulp as I inhale her scent as she nears - ‘Mrs. Silver’ was in the building. I’d have to buy that perfume in by the gallon, she smelled good enough to eat. Just as she reaches me, her Dad about to leave her in my capable hands, her lime-green eyes shining with love and sexy full lips begging to be kissed, I look at the back of her dress and die a little within. Holy fuck!

  Just as before, when she strutted around in the black dress with the pearl back, worn to tease me, at my housewarming all those months before - when she had dared to be ‘bold’. This dress was cut in the same style, its back dropping to rest just above her bottom, two large ropes of pearls hanging from each shoulder strap to dangle temptingly and rest within the curve of her spine.

  You’d ordered her to wear pearls you prick! She’d just done as she was asked. All I want to do is tug them and pull her to me.

  I glance across at my beautiful bride, wondering how long it would take to finish the service and escape with her, via the way she’d just entered, my cock twitches painfully in agreement.

  She places an arm on mine and I still, my heart beating. “Hi.”

  “Hi, yourself.”

  “You look very delicious.”

  “You look breathtaking, literally.”

  Mac pats me on the shoulder and smiles. “Look after her Sebastian.”

  “I will. With every breath I have in my body. You can be assured of that.”

  Lu and I lock eyes, forgetting everyone in the room for a second and instantly my nerves dissipate. Together we worked. She was my yin to her yang and this witty, beautiful woman standing next to me was now about to make me the happiest man alive. If I did not disgrace myself for the next half an hour.

  We both look up at the friendly white haired gentleman in his dapper grey suit at the head of the aisle. At the nod of his head, I see that it is time to proceed and inwardly thank God for that. The words which fall from the stranger’s lips are life-changing and legally binding but become a blur within seconds, if I’m honest. The winter wonderland setting is truly magnificent, with candles glowing around the entire room but I only have eyes for my bride. All I wanted to do was put my ring on her finger and kiss her. Then I’d take her in my arms and never let go.