by L. C White
“I’ll get Chloe to come back in and fix your face. Maybe you should eat.” She picks up the box of birthday chocolates my Aunt Carol left on my messy bedspread. “Sugar… you need sugar.” She stuffs a chocolate truffle into my mouth. “Better?” she fusses.
I chew. “Yes Cate… go away now,” I muffle, swallowing the truffle down.
I sit alone in my white bathrobe. My hair is picture-perfect; the best Cate has ever done with it. It’s all loosely pinned just behind my left ear, with the comb Adrien gave me in position on the right side. I opted for no veil. They seem to blow around a lot, and I don’t want my features pressed up against netting, that’s stuck to my face. I want everything to be as natural as possible.
Mum flusters through the door, holding mine and Cate’s bouquets. A simple tightly grouped bunch of white roses. She pops them onto the dressing table right in front of me. I lift them to my nose and inhale the sweet scent with a sigh.
Mum is now lingering at my back, with an emotional ray displayed on her pink glossy lips. She looks great, very sophisticated for her. A light gold skirt with matching jacket. Her hair is straight with volume at the roots. And she has a white rose pinned to her lapel.
“Mum, please don’t,” I exhale.
“It’s nearly time.” She squeezes my shoulder and sniffs as Sara enters with a bottle of champagne. “Twenty-two years to the day, I gave birth, and now… now I’m losing you.”
“Mum,” I groan. “You’re not going to make it through the ceremony if you carry on like this.”
Her lips quake. “I know, but I’m so happy.”
Sara’s pupils rise at my mum’s hypersensitivity. “Compliments of the groom,” she says, popping out the cork.
I’m not going to be sick; I’m not going to pass-out, are the words I have to keep drilling into my head.
Sara stands by the bed in her beige dress, pouring the fizzy champagne into a flute.
“Here,” she places it before me.
I glance down at it, unsure if I really want it or not. God, these nerves are playing havoc with everything: my head, my ability to breathe, and my digestive system.
“Is everything okay down there Sara?” I ask.
“Yes, everything is right on track.”
“Adrien?” I squint.
“He’s fine Elizabeth.” Her pupils loop. “He’s talking to the Minister now.”
Of course he’s fine. He’s Mr Smooth, used to standing up before people, making speeches and organising events. God above, I pray not to mess this day up. I can foresee all the disastrous scenarios playing out in my mind. Tripping over my own feet. Becoming lost for words. Or collapsing and face planting the aisle.
“And the guests?” I fretfully utter.
She pours herself a glass, and she looks as though she needs it. I bet Adrien has had her running around all day. I know when she does something, she does it right. So I’m guessing right now she’s holding in all her frustration, because Adrien has sent her here to calm me down.
“Trickling in,” she says between drinks. “Like trying to herd a bunch of rabid cows,” she grumbles.
I have no idea what is going on downstairs: the setup or anything. Although, I have tried to look. Twice I’ve attempted to slip by Mum and Cate, sneaking down the hall on a covert mission in my white slippers. But each time, I’ve been frogmarched back. I’ve been kept in the dark, a prisoner in this room, and it’s driving me nuts.
Cate comes back into the room, wearing her maid of honour dress. A one shoulder number: gathered satin, dark taupe, knee-length dress, with a black waistband. The only outfit, apart from my wedding underwear, I’ve actually chosen for today. And I have to say it was clearly the right decision. She looks so pretty with her long blonde hair flowing over her bare shoulder.
“Come on missy,” Cate orders. “Time to get you into your dress,” she sings in a high tone.
Oh crap, this is it, all the worries I have been holding in have just erupted throughout my body. I drink the champagne fast and stand up, as Sara hands me another.
“Right sweetheart.” Mum hugs me with teary eyes. “I’m going to let you get ready,” she weeps. “You’ll be absolutely fine.” She dashes out of the door before she sets me off.
I made Cate wait outside the bathroom while I got dressed into my lingerie, but required her help with the fiddly suspender belt. I’ve never in my life wore one before, and was confused on which way was front and back. Then there was the whole clip issue, which had me in an irate sweat. Making sure each elastic strap was the same length, in the same adjacent area, and would keep my silk stockings from falling down. Tights would have been easier, but I had to go all out on this. It’s for Adrien, and has to have the wow factor.
It took Cate ten minutes to fasten up each tiny silk button on the back of my dress. At one point she told me I might have to remove my bra. Maybe I should have opted for a lighter padded cup, instead of something that twerks and lifts to create miracles. But in the end, she managed to get through the tricky mid-back section, and I nearly passed-out holding my breath for her.
“Foot up,” she says, crouched in front of me, holding my ivory satin shoes.
I gather up the skirt in my fingers, and slip my cream silk covered feet into the shoes.
She blows out and stands. “I’ll be two minutes. I forgot to bring my tissues and… and I think I’m going to need them.” She waves her hand in front of her face as she dashes out on to the corridor.
Now it’s just me and my reflection. In a million years, I never thought I’d be looking at myself this way. I turn sideways, loving the way the dress flows like fluid. It’s not over the top. It’s not attention seeking. It’s purely me. I inhale, filling my lungs to full volume, watching the moon rise in the evening sky, through the window behind me.
Cate flurries back into the room like a whirlwind, and hands me my bouquet. She gives my hair the once over, readjusting the stray strands that hang over my shoulder.
“Right, let me have a look at you.” She steps back with her bottom lip curled over. “I can’t believe this is happening,” her voice trembles. “You look so beautiful, Liz.”
“Oh god, Cate, I feel like I’m going to throw up.” I fold my arms around my waist, my heart’s pounding, and I just can’t take in a good breath.
“No you are not,” she orders. “You are the most gorgeous example of a bride, and you know I’ve dealt with a few.”
Sara’s head pops through the door. She looks at me for a second with a light expression of sentiment.
“It’s time.” She swiftly vanishes.
I keel over slightly, wheezing. “Oh god. Oh god.”
“Stop it,” Cate warns. “You are going to walk out of that door with your head high, and do me proud.” She squeezes me. “Now move those feet.” She leads me out to the hallway.
I’m standing at the top of the wide oak stairs before a stain glass window. I look down at my rounded toe cream heels, while Cate arranges the short lace train behind me. I hold my bouquet with sweaty palms, twirling and twirling it. We’ve been told to wait a few minutes, and waiting isn’t helping me at all right now.
I hear whispering behind me. I turn to see Nathan in a grey three piece suit with a cream tie. His eyes soften as he fondly notes me torturing myself.
“Cate, give us a minute,” he says, still staring at me.
“Nathan, your timing is shit! We don’t have a frigging minute,” she panics.
“Cate it’s fine.” I laugh at her animated meltdown. “I have to wait for Geoff, so you can go and get my drawstring bag. I forgot to bring it.”
She blows out, flapping her hands. “Fine.” She stomps up the stairs.
I peer down at the roses. Nathan brushes his fingers lightly over my arm. He’s the only one here who I can be calm around.
“Wow, I never thought I’d see the day,” he smiles. “You’re a sight for sore eyes Liz,” he breathes out.
“Am I? I feel like I’m melti
ng here.”
“You’ll be fine.” He kisses my cheek. “I’m here, how can things not go smoothly,” he giggles.
“Hmm.” I sigh and swallow, my eyes drawn to the floor again.
“Liz, come on girl.” He pushes up my chin. “This is your day and you look amazing, so give me a break or you might just make this vamp cry.”
“Shush,” I hiss, hoping no one heard that.
“I’m going to grab a seat.” He pecks my cheek again, then moves to my ear. “Cool, calm, and collected, okay.” I silently agree before he leaves me.
Cate returns with my bag as Mum appears at the bottom step in hysterics. She’s got me worried. I’ve never seen her so frantic.
“Mum what is it?”
She looks up at me. “Oh my god. Look at you. My baby girl,” she sobs.
“Mum, what’s wrong?” I snap.
“Of all the days,” she pants. “Geoff is sick, Liz. Not just hangover sick, I mean e-coli sick. The doctors with him now.”
Oh fuck. I am not walking down the aisle alone. I’m going to have to have Mum or Cate with me. Might be slightly unusual, but as long as I can squeeze the hell out of someone’s arm, I don’t really care.
“Ruby… Cate.” Sara calls as she hurries through the reception area.
Oh god, what’s happening now? They’ve all abandoned me and have formed a huddle, discussing options without me. Something else has gone wrong hasn’t it? Oh I swear, I’m going to lock myself in the bridal suite if someone doesn’t tell me what the hell is going on.
Nathan reappears and is dragged into the scrum. Jeez, what are they planning down there?
“Guys,” I yell. “I’m really not coping well here.” My knees bob up and down.
They all turn in sync and stare for what feels like a considerable amount of time, leaving me to stew some more.
Nathan strides up the stairs to me, two at a time.
“Liz, before things get any crazier, would you consider me as a substitute?” he asks.
“For?”
“For giving you away.”
Wow, that’s kind of a good plan. Bizarre, and I can’t understand why on earth he would want to after everything that’s happened; it being my fault he is what he is. That he had to move away because of it. And the torch he held for me that I cruelly blew out. But still, after all that crap that’s gone on between us, I still see him as my best friend.
I frown. “Well… do you think it’s a good idea?”
“Liz, the idea hasn’t come from me,” he says.
“Who?”
“The guy you’re marrying.” His lips purse. “He asked me to do it… for you.”
Jeez, I now want to race down these stairs, find my man, and jump into his arms. I’ve missed him as much as I’d miss a heartbeat. I take a breath as Cate, Mum, and Sara, await my decision.
“Yes,” I smile. “If you want to of course.”
He shakes his head with that wonderful cheeky grin of his. “Liz, nothing could stop me.”
Sara and Mum quickly disappear. Cate watches with glazed eyes as Nathan takes my arm. I inhale and my neck twitches with a thumping rapid pulse. My legs weaken with each step as my elbow folds around Nathan’s arm, tightly. He is a part of the old me, and now he’s my support, leading me to the new.
Cate walks feet out in front as we descend a cream aisle, which leads outside into the night. I see tiny tee flames flickering in the slight warm breeze, amongst an array of white and cream flowers. It’s all been arranged perfectly. It’s elegant yet natural. And the candles down the aisle remind me of the night Adrien proposed, on the balcony at The Shard.
We stop as the guests on each side of the aisle stand up from their dressed chairs. The music starts and I audibly gasp, as a violinist plays an emotional rendition of Justin Timberlake’s, Mirrors. My eyes nervously search for Adrien, skimming by the best man Dom, and usher, Ben. Oh my, he’s waiting like he promised, beneath a candle and floral clad pergola.
Nathan’s cool hand sweeps over mine as we slowly begin the march. I know only a handful of people here, and my side has been topped up by Adrien’s guests.
All eyes are on me, offering a sensitive smile, or dip of the head as I move by. I hear Mum, she’s blubbering already in the front row.
I clutch the cream ribbon that holds the bunched stems of my bouquet. Now my view is exclusively on Adrien, and I begin to understand, this is all meant to be. There is nowhere on earth I’d rather be right now. All that matters is making my way to the one I want to spend all of time with.
My Knight smiles amorously under his brow, standing straight and confident. I shy away briefly and swallow as I arrive by his side. Nathan takes my hand. I peer up and thank him quietly, planting a slight kiss on his cheek. Adrien offers him a courteous nod, and then spirals his smooth fingers affectionately around mine. I gaze into his eyes. He’s so handsome, wearing a light grey three piece suit, cream silk tie, smooth skin, and trimmed hair. Jeez, I’m going to cry any second. He leans to my ear, creating a static tremor with his sweet breath.
“You are the most exquisite thing I have ever laid eyes on, and I’ll never forget this moment Elizabeth.”
I sigh out the emotion, moving away to see those deep hazel eyes soothing me.
The music stops as we continue to focus solely on one another. The Minister, who I’ve not even noticed yet, coughs for our attention. Adrien sniggers as I fumble, handing my bouquet to Cate.
“Please be seated.” The minister’s eyes hover across the guests.
I regain my poise, listening as slight whispers turn to silence, keeping a tight hold of Adrien’s hand. I turn as the Minister begins.
The ceremony is going well; everything is so perfect. It’s a little hard to understand the Minister’s broad Scottish accent, but I haven’t messed up a single thing. The reason: I want to remember this. I want to say every vow clearly to the man I love. Up here, even before this crowd, it is just the two of us.
Adrien slips the cold platinum band up to my knuckle, brushing his index finger beneath my palm. We stand facing, fingers entwined. Now it is my turn. I take Adrien’s wedding band from the silk cushion Dom holds out, and say word for word delicately, repeating after the Minister. I slide the ring over his skin, and exhale relief, admiring his loving, sexy, smile.
“It gives me an immense amount of pleasure, to now pronounce you husband and wife,” the Minister announces. “You now may kiss your bride.”
I press my lips as he stoops to me.
“I love you,” he whispers.
I breathe out, “I love you.”
He kisses my lips tenderly, trailing his hand over my cheek. The crowd cheer and we turn as the violinist plays a classical track. Cate clutches Dom’s arm, and Ben howls out like he’s watching a football game. Mum, as to be expected, is a complete mess. And Nathan, well, he’s trying to stop her from jumping out to get to me.
Arm in arm, Adrien leads me down the aisle, through the falling confetti being cast over our heads. His smile is so warm and contented, as we make our way toward the hotel doors.
Chapter 10: Celebration
Liz
The vast restaurant area has been transformed. Eight gold gilded chairs surround twenty tables, which have been dressed with silver and white centre pieces. And an area has been cleared for a big band, that’s playing smooth background jazz in the corner.
My fingers knead Adrien’s arm for reassurance. I can’t believe we have just got married, and I need to make sure he’s real. He parades me by our wedding cake: a three tier cream and silver design. Very simple, but classy.
“Let’s go and take five?” He opens a door that leads into a small warm waiting area.
My dress swishes as I move inside, studying the countryside oil paintings on the neutral striped walls. I turn to him on the red carpet. We’ve not been alone together in days, and I begin to feel all weepy.
He slowly approaches me, taking my cheeks into his hands to lift my fac
e to his. He smell so divine. So sweet and manly.
“How are you feeling?”
“So glad to finally be with you.” I nuzzle against his hand contently.
“That’s not the reason you married me is it; to get me alone?”
“Absolutely not,” I giggle.
“Good.”
“Thanks for allowing Nathan, to well, you know. It meant a lot to me.”
“There was no other suitable to take Geoff’s place,” he admits. “Besides, it’s the most polite I’ve known him to be.”
I grin then rise on my toes to kiss his fragranced lips. Soft, cool, wet, and now, all mine.
Suddenly there’s and unwanted knock on the door. I draw back as he stares down at me with lust and drive.
“One moment,” he yells.
He kisses me with appetite and I delve right in with need. For days I’ve not been touched like this, and I need it. He shunts me back against the wall by the door, while caressing my neck impatiently, his lips heating my insides. My eyes are narrow as my chest swells, ready to burst out of my dress. Jeez, I want him. Hell, I need him. Would it be wrong to consummate our nuptials in here, with a room full of guests on the other side of that door?
“Adrien… Adrien,” I gasp, pushing against his shoulders. “We should stop.”
He moves a little from my neck, his breath cooling the saliva he’s left on me. He’s being forceful, and my weak human body and desires, don’t stand a chance against my vampire lover.
“Why?” he near growls in my ear, then returns to devouring the skin below my earlobe.
“Adrien,” I purr.
He pulls back with his arms propped high on the wall above my shoulders. It’s our day, and now we both have to go out there and entertain, when all we want to do is be coiled up naked with each other.
He rests his head on mine, biting his bottom lip. He’s regretting throwing this swanky evening party. I can see the moody frustration in his eyes.
“You’re right,” he sighs, kissing my nose. “We have all night.”
“Anyway, it would be a time consuming messy affair, finding me under this dress.”
