Stripped Love #6 (BBW Alpha Male Romance)

by Taylor, Alycia

Everyone in the room laughed, and I remembered how good it felt to goof off and be silly with my sisters. It had been a long time since we were all in the same room together and it felt good.

  “Well don’t forget it!” Alexis glared. Then her expression softened and she said, “Just in case I haven’t said it already, thank you for getting me that internship with Vera Wang. Seeing you follow your dream of becoming an actress has given me the courage to pursue my dream of being a fashion designer. I never would have had the guts to do it if it weren’t for you.”

  “You’re a terrific dress designer little sis, and I couldn’t be more proud of you. The bridesmaid dresses you helped create look amazing!”

  I hugged her lightly, careful not to crush my gown again, and when we parted I saw her eyes were glistening. I had always looked up to my older sisters and it was cool to realize that my younger ones now looked up to me. There was no higher honor as far as I was concerned.

  With the exception of the two flower girls, all of my sisters were wearing matching dresses designed by Alexis and sewn by a professional tailor. The light blue silk draped their bodies in layers like a cascading waterfall and made each of them look like a princess. It was so much fun listening to their noisy chatter as they helped each other style their hair, apply their makeup, and put on their gowns. It struck me how much I missed them and I vowed that I would stop making excuses not to home anymore.

  When they were all dressed and ready they circled around me. Some of them were laughing and some were crying, and all of them were beautiful. I had prepared a special speech to say at this moment, but surrounded by so much love and emotion, the words left me and all I could say was, “I love you all so much; each and every one of you in your own special way. Thanks for being my sisters.”

  They hugged me as one and I was bombarded by a medley of praise from every direction. “We love you so much! You look so beautiful today! You’re the most gorgeous bride ever! I admire you so much. I hope one day I can be like you! Come home more often, we miss you so much. This is your day; enjoy it! You look like a princess straight from a fairytale!”

  Their words overwhelmed me and I felt myself tearing up again. I’d never welled up so many times in one day in my life and I figured I was in danger of becoming seriously dehydrated. Luckily, my mother saved me.

  “Okay, everybody out! The cars are waiting outside to take you all to the wedding and we don’t want to be late.”

  She broke up the hug-feast and started shepherded everyone out the door with practiced authority. “You too, Angela. You’ve fixed up her makeup fine and she doesn’t need any more touch-ups. Alexis, you too! That dress is as perfect as its going to get; no more fussing over it. Out! Out! Out!”

  When all nine of my sisters were finally out the door, Mom turned to me and smiled. She said, “I wanted just a few minutes with you all to myself.”

  She took my hands in hers and looked at me, slowly taking in my appearance from head to toe and her eyes lit as a gentle smile curled her lips. She said softly, “You really are the most beautiful bride.”

  She caressed my veil and a little whimper issued past her lips. I asked worriedly, “What’s the matter, Mom?”

  “Nothing is the matter. In fact everything is right. I was just thinking back to the day when I wore this veil for my wedding. Back then I never would have imagined that I would be blessed to have ten wonderful daughters and I can’t help but wonder what wonderful surprises life will have in store for you.”

  “So many incredible things have already happened to me.”

  I smiled up at her. “I finally became a successful actress and I met a terrific guy that loves me as much as I love him. I couldn’t ask for a better life. My only regret is that I live so far away from you.”

  Mother caressed my cheek the way she used to do when I was little and said, “I always knew that you wouldn’t stay in Utah like your sisters would. It was never the place for you, even when you were little. Your father and I knew you were a shining star, but you wanted the rest of the world to know it too. We worried when you ran off to Hollywood and we knew how hard you were struggling, but you never gave up and you never quit. You just kept fighting and clawing with that spirit that drove your Daddy crazy when you were a teenager. Eventually, you made all your dreams come true and we couldn’t be more proud of you, sweetie. I want you to know that we’re aware of all the things you had to go through to get here today, and even though we never wanted to see you suffer; we knew you’d be able to accomplish great things through your spirit and determination. We are so proud of the woman you have become.”

  “Thank you, Mom.”

  I blushed and my heart swelled under her acceptance and praise. One question still burned in the back of my mind and I asked her tentatively. “Do you think Dimitri and I will be able to be as happy as you and Dad are?”

  Mom smiled and said, “Marriage is hard, there’s no doubt about it, but having the right partner makes it easier. I’m so relieved to see that you’ve found a good man who loves you exactly for the woman you are. I can see how much Dimitri cherishes and adores you, and your father and I couldn’t be happier or more proud to see you marry him today. I’m confident you and Dimitri will have a long and happy marriage; just listen to your heart. You always did that anyway, whether we wanted you to or not.”

  “I know I don’t always make the smartest decisions and I’ve made some really awful mistakes. I just hope I haven’t been too much of a disappointment to you and Dad,” I confessed.

  Mom held me close and said, “You’ve really grown into a fine woman and you’re the bravest, most successful of all my daughters. I know the path you’ve been on hasn’t always been easy, but it took a lot of courage for you to strike out on your own and find your own destiny. I don’t think any of the things you’ve done should be considered a mistake and you’re father and I have never been ashamed of you. Just the opposite; we are proud of the perseverance you’ve shown in following your dreams and becoming the shining star we always knew you are.”

  This was the first time my mother and I had shared this type of heart-to-heart talk and her words touched my soul. I started to weep, streaking mascara down my cheeks. “Thank you Mom. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear you say that until this moment. I love you so much; all I’ve ever wanted was to make you proud.”

  “Well you always have. Now if you’re going to cry like this, at least take off this dress before Alexis sees us and we both get in trouble.” We both laughed, and I wrapped my arms around her and we hugged each other tightly as we both cried with joy.

  Afterward, my mother helped me fix my makeup and we exited the house together where a limousine was waiting to take us to the wedding venue. We had rented a ballroom at the same hotel where Dimitri and I had attended the studio party for our first date. We both agreed it was the perfect circle of our love and I couldn’t ask for a more romantic setting. It also happened to be the hotel where Dimitri was staying for the week before the wedding, and I was hoping to get to see him before the ceremony. I had heard all the superstitions that it was bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, but after an entire week of being apart, I was desperate to see him.

  When we got to the hotel, my mother and I found all my sisters already in the ballroom. The elegantly decorated room looked exquisite and I gasped aloud at the splendor of it all. White chairs draped in tulle and covered with flowers made the aisles, with glowing candles in crystal candelabra’s filling the place with a warm glow. Huge bouquets of pale blue peonies, yellow tulips, lavender lilacs, and pink roses were everywhere, filling the room with a heavenly scent. It was the room of my dreams, and I couldn’t believe I was really standing in the middle of it.

  At the front of the ballroom stood a lattice arch covered with flowers, and next to it sat a white grand piano. My older sister Andrea was sitting at the piano practicing Pachelbel’s Canon in D which she planned to play for the ceremony. My sister Amy would b
e accompanying her on the violin and Ariel would be playing her cello.

  The rest of my sisters were busy putting the finishing touches on the flowers on the arch, except for Alexis who was flirting shamelessly with a waiter. As I looked around the room, I drew in my breath when I saw a man in a tuxedo standing in the corner talking to the reverend. I approached them, trying to hold in my excitement at seeing Dimitri, but when I touched his shoulder I realized it wasn’t Dimitri but his best friend and best man, Ethan Roves.

  “Wow! You look gorgeous!”

  Ethan grinned and hugged me gently so as not to wrinkle my dress. As we parted, he grinned and teased me by saying, “My best buddy knows how to pick ‘em.”

  “Where is Dimitri?” I asked, hoping I didn’t look too anxious. I had been calling his cell and leaving him messages all week. He’d usually respond a short time later with a brief text, but I hadn’t actually heard his voice since the day he left the house for the hotel. I knew it was just wedding jitters, but I couldn’t help but feel like something terrible was brewing. I knew it would calm my nerves if I could just see him. There was something about the way he gazed into my eyes that always soothed me when I was stressed and I needed that calming influence today, the biggest day of my life.

  “I don’t know where he is. He was on his way out of the hotel when I got here, but he told me to give you this.” Ethan reached into his pocket and handed me an envelope with Dimitri’s distinctive handwriting on the front that said “To Avery”.

  “What do you mean he was leaving the hotel?” I cried out. Suddenly my chest felt tight and my stomach was churning. “Where was he going?”

  “I don’t know. He said he had to take care of something and I should give you that envelope. That’s all I know,” Ethan said casually. Then his gaze turned across the room and he said, “Hey, look! It’s Mrs. Morrison. I didn’t expect that cold bitch to be here today. The way Dimitri talked about her, I figured it would be a cold day in hell before she came to your wedding unless she burned the place down and wanted to dance on the ashes.”

  I turned to see Ethan was right, Marianne Morrison herself was standing in the back of the ballroom, quietly watching the bustling activity with a stoic expression. She was wearing a stunning floor length gown of pale pink and her ebony hair fell in luscious curls down her back, making her look every bit the Hollywood royalty that she was.

  With my heart in my throat I crossed the room to greet her. “Mrs. Morrison. It’s so nice that you could come. How are you?”

  I hoped my smile seemed pleasant and inviting, but I hated the way I was unable to keep the tremor from my voice. Even after two years of dating her son, the woman still intimidated me. Probably because I hadn’t seen her or spoke to her since that day she stormed from my house demanding Dimitri break up with me.

  “I’m as good as can be expected,” Marianne said in a voice that was eerily calm. “Today is something I wouldn’t want to miss.”

  She strode confidentially down the aisle and sat down on the groom’s side in the center of the front row while I chased after her like a pathetic puppy.

  “Does Dimitri know you’re here?” I asked, hoping to glean my fiancé’s location from her, as well as learn whether or not he was aware she had come. She ignored my question, however, and acted like she hadn’t heard me.

  “You’re guests will be arriving any minute and you don’t want them to see you before the big event. Besides, I see you have a letter to read.”

  Marianne’s tone was dismissive, and her words sent a chill down my spine. Did she know what Dimitri had written to me? Did she know why he wasn’t here or where he had gone? My skin grew clammy and cold and something deep in my heart warned me not to trust her. Clutching the letter, I ran from the ballroom more desperate to find Dimitri than ever before.

  Chapter Five

  Clutching the envelope to my chest I hurried from the ballroom into the waiting chamber designated for the bride, hoping he had gone there to find me. The room was packed with all my sisters, but Dimitri was nowhere to be seen.

  “Is everything alright, sweetie?” My mother put a hand on my shoulder, with a worried frown on her face.

  “Yes. I mean no. I mean, has anyone seen Dimitri today?” I stumbled and stammered over my own tongue and my sisters encircled me. My heart was palpitating so fast, I worried I would have a panic attack. My stomach was churning like a roiling sea and I desperately hoped I wouldn't vomit all over my gorgeous Vera Wang gown.

  “No, I haven’t seen him.”

  My Mother turned to all my sisters for support. Each one shook her head in turn, and my heart dropped into my stomach.

  “What's this all about?” Abigail asked. “You used to be glowing and now you look like shit.”

  “I don't know what’s wrong,” I said, “I just get the feeling something is wrong and I haven’t actually spoken to Dimitri in a week. His best friend told me he left the hotel and then he gave me this envelope from Dimitri and told me to read it right away.”

  “So, what does it say?” Abby and the others all leaned in with curiosity.

  “I don’t know. I’m too scared to read it,” I confessed, trembling uncontrollably.

  My mother gently wrapped her arms around my shoulders and said softly, “Just open up the envelope sweetie and see what it says. Even if it says something you don’t want to read, the act of knowing is always better than the horrible fears your imagination will put through in not knowing.”

  I knew that she was right, but I still couldn’t bring myself to open it.

  My sister Amanda said lovingly, “Even more importantly, whatever that letter says, just remember that you are not alone. We are all here for you.”

  I looked around at the faces of all my sisters and it gave me the courage I needed. I drew in a deep breath, ripped open the envelope, and removed the sheet of stationary with Dimitri’s unique handwriting scrawled on it.

  As I read the letter, I turned my back on my family to hide my face and give myself sense of privacy. I knew I could ask them all to leave, but I needed the comfort of knowing they were there, and yet I didn’t want them seeing my face as I read the private words my fiancé’ had written to me.

  I started at the top and read the first line, My dearest Avery….

  As I continue to read the letter my eyes swelled with tears making it hard to see, but I kept going. By the time I reached the end of the letter I was sobbing uncontrollably and let it flutter to the ground to fall at my feet. My sisters swarmed around, me wrapping their arms around my trembling shoulders and shielding me like a cocoon.

  “It will be alright; we're all here for you.” “What did it say?” Ariel asked the question they all wanted to know.

  “It’s okay everybody,” I smiled brightly through my tears, beaming with joy.

  “It's a love letter from Dimitri, pouring out his feelings about how happy he is to marry me. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever read; take a look.”

  As my sisters passed the letter around, gushing at the romantic words, Abby came up and punched me angrily on the shoulder as sisters will do, crying out angrily, “You scared the shit out of me! I thought he was jilting you at the altar you big cry-baby!”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m not usually this emotional.” I dabbed at my tears and Angela hurried over with her makeup kit to fix my face yet again.

  “Sounds like you’re hormonal!” Abby teased and everyone laughed. It was just the thing we all needed to relax the tension and feel like ourselves once more.

  Ashley peeked through the doors leading from the waiting room into the ballroom and rocked back and forth on her heels excitedly. “Look! All the guests have arrived! The place is packed!”

  Ariel joined her, looking in out the narrow slit of the cracked open door and cried out “Look! There’s Bradley Harris from Veronica Briefs! Oh my God, he is the cutest!”

  Andrea handed Ariel her cello case and said, “We'd better ge
t out there and start playing. Come on Amy, grab your violin and let’s go.”

  My three siblings left and shortly after the air filled with the beautiful sound of their music as they played. Angela finished fixing my makeup for the millionth and final time while Alexis straightened the layers of my dress, making sure every inch of it was perfect.

  Ashley continued to spy through the crack in door and suddenly cried out, “Dimitri and Ethan are standing under the arch now with the reverend! Oh my God, they both look so dreamy! You really are the luckiest girl in the world!”

  “I know,” I smiled sweetly and shut the door so she would stop peeking.

  A few minutes later a knock came to the door and my father’s voice asked, “Can I come in?”

  Ashley opened the door for him and when he walked through the door and looked at me I saw his whole face light up and his eyes glistened with unshed tears. He took me into his arms and said, “Oh Avery, you really are the most beautiful bride.”

  “Thank you, Daddy.” I smiled. Then I looked at the clock and realized it was time for the ceremony to begin and we all walked into the hall just outside the ballroom. One of the groomsmen, a handsome actor friend of Dimitri’s, offered my mother his arm and chaperoned her down the aisle to her seat in the front row. Once there, she signaled to Andrea, Amy, and Ariel that we were ready and they started playing Pachelbel’s Canon in D.

  As the music swelled, my sisters walked slowly down the aisle looking as poised and lovely as I'd ever seen them. They were each carrying a small bouquet of flowers and had a single pink rosebud pinned back in their hair. I had asked Amanda to be my maid-of-honor since she was the oldest and I had always looked up to her. Once she had taken her place by the arch, little Ashley and Alyssa strolled down the aisle delicately sprinkling flower petals on a path on the floor. They looked so happy and proud to have such an important role in the ceremony, and I couldn't help but giggle.

  Once they had reached the end of the aisle, Andrea and the others started playing Here Comes the Bride and everyone in the audience stood.