Hailey smiled through her tears. “I was really freaking out before—”
“No, really?” Mad said with a smile.
Hailey laughed. “I was so caught up in the details. The flowers, the gown, the food, blah, blah, blah. You ladies reminded me the most important thing is love.” Her voice choked. “And I have an abundance of that from all of you and from Josh. I can’t wait to marry him.”
“We know!” the women chorused.
Everyone laughed.
“Let’s get this pregnant bride ready,” Mad said.
“Yes,” Hailey said, proud to own her pregnancy. She was thrilled about it and so was Josh. Soon they’d be married, and she couldn’t wait to see what Josh had planned for the honeymoon. It was the one thing she’d asked him to do.
Chapter Eight
Josh waited by the altar with his best man, Jake, and his groomsmen, his brothers, and let out a breath he felt like he’d been holding all day. It was finally here. And this wedding was not cursed because there was no such thing. There was only him getting mission wedding done. Bam. Jake had confirmed the furries were out of the ballroom and the preparations for his and Hailey’s reception were moving forward efficiently. The rings were securely zipped into a pocket of Max’s blue velvet cape. And the word from Mad was that Hailey was doing great.
The chapel was magnificent with its soaring ceiling and an abundance of gold trim and hand-painted stucco. A truly awe-inspiring space for their wedding. The chapel had once been closed to commoners and now they’d be married there. Unbelievable! The sides of the chapel held multiple apostle figures and various royal markings. Hand-carved pews, a long aisle for his beautiful bride, and three elaborate gold-trimmed organs with long silver pipes too. Fit for a princess like Hailey and, by God, he would be her prince as best he could.
He smiled to himself in anticipation of Hailey’s surprise over the flowers. Mission flowers accomplished too. Gone were the leftover, wilting flower arrangements the florist had tried to pass off on them. Early this morning, he’d had Mad find some willing volunteers to scour the island for wildflowers and anything that looked beautiful and in bloom. The resulting vibrant bouquets worked in a cheerful contrast to all the white and gold trim of the chapel.
While Mad was busy rounding up the flowers, Josh had recruited a crew to join him in the kitchen to prepare the reception food. They had all the ingredients; they’d just needed extra hands. Of course, he’d only done that for their wedding. The furries could fend for themselves.
The majestic pipe organ began the processional march. Hailey’s bridesmaids were his brothers’ wives. It was easier to match them all that way to keep the bridal party even. One by one, his sisters-in-law walked slowly down the aisle, but his eyes kept to the very end of the aisle, waiting for the moment when Hailey finally emerged.
He straightened, the blood rushing through his veins in anticipation as Mad took her trip down the aisle, holding Max and Rose on a leash. That meant Hailey was next. The dogs wore matching blue velvet capes and appeared to be smiling, if dogs could smile. Rose had a white sprig attached on top of her cape, more of a symbolic flower girl. She’d probably eat flower petals given the chance.
Mad reached the end of the aisle, passed off Rose to Sabrina, scooped up Max, and took the rings from his cape. She handed them to Jake and stood in place on the bridal side with Max at her feet. Max barked to go see Rose, and Mad let go of his leash. Max ran straight to Rose, where Sabrina quickly scooped him up.
The music changed to the traditional wedding march, and he finally saw her. His eyes unexpectedly stung, overwhelmed with the love he had for her, his heart thumping hard. She’d chosen to walk down the aisle alone. Her dad had passed long ago and she didn’t want or need a substitute. She’d always been very independent, his warrior princess.
He swallowed over the lump in his throat. Her veil didn’t cover her face. Her pale blue eyes fixed on his, smiling just for him, glowing with happiness. Yes. This was what he’d wanted for her. Her veil hung in a long trail down her back. The gown was white satin, sleeveless, snug to her body above the waist and then tapering to a soft bell shape. A long train trailed behind her. His beautiful bride.
She reached him, finally, and he couldn’t help but touch her, cupping her cheek. “Hailey, love.”
She leaned into his hand. “Josh, my forever love.”
His chest ached. He’d never known he could love like this, so deeply he felt it in his bones. He loved her more every single day.
The minister began the ceremony, the words tumbling around them. Josh’s focus was solely on her. He moved as if in a dream, vowing to love her for all time, the words a formality to him. He’d committed heart and soul the moment she’d agreed to spend her life with him. He slid the plain gold band on her finger and gazed into her eyes. She was crying, but they were happy tears.
Finally it was official. Husband and wife.
She threw her arms around his neck with a happy cry, and he kissed her with all the love he felt, tenderly, reverently, like no one and nothing else mattered more to him than her.
Their friends and family applauded.
Hailey beamed at him. “We did it! I love you, husband.”
He hugged her and spoke near her ear, his voice rough with emotion. “I love you, wife.”
She pulled back to look at him. “Party time. Ready?”
He nodded, took her hand, and they walked back down the aisle together. He couldn’t help his wide smile as he took in all the smiling cheering faces of the friends and family they loved. Time for the next step in their journey. United by love, nothing would stand in their way.
He’d make sure of it.
~ ~ ~
Hailey arrived with Josh in the gorgeous ballroom and merely gaped. The room itself with its glossy inlaid wooden floors, crystal and gold chandeliers, frescoed ceiling paintings, and gold leaf wallpaper was already stunning, but the thing that made her gape were the long buffet tables full of food.
She turned to Josh. “I thought the caterers went on strike and the chef refused to cook.” She lowered her voice. “I really thought we’d just have some cold appetizers.”
Josh smiled proudly, his chest puffing out. “I organized a crew to work the kitchen this morning. Sabrina was a big help. She knows cooking. We had the food; we just needed extra hands.”
“So that’s where you were this morning!” She hugged him and pulled back, smiling and admiring the food again. “Thank you! Let me know who did what, so I can thank them personally.”
“Sure. Mad did the flower crew.”
“Really? I thought maybe Bonnie’s florist came through at the last minute.”
Josh snorted. “Not likely. These flowers were all local and handpicked.”
Realization dawned. “That’s why no one had time to spend with me today! Everyone was working behind the scenes to make this wedding great. Oh, Josh! It means so much more this way, knowing our closest friends and family were involved.” Her voice choked. “It’s like the wedding is filled with everyone’s love.”
“Absolutely.”
She hugged him again, still in shock at the way everything had come together in the end so beautifully. She pulled away. “It sure is quiet. What happened to the musicians?”
He looked around. “I don’t know. I’ll find out.”
“No. Don’t worry about it. Let’s just mingle with everyone. I have so many people to thank!”
They made the rounds, stopping to talk, hug, and thank every single person there. Hailey even hugged and thanked the reporters. Honestly she was so happy, so filled with love, it just poured through her. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so loving in her entire life. And it was all because she had the love of the most wonderful, selfless, generous man in the world.
She’d just sat down to a delicious lobster salad appetizer when the musicians filed in. Her eyes widened. They looked like Vikings from medieval times, wearing protective armor over their shoulders
and chest and leather gauntlets on their forearms. Under the armor, they wore gold tunics and light brown loose trousers that ended below the knee, long wool socks, and leather boots. At least they carried instruments and not shields.
Josh shot out of his seat, and she grabbed his arm, shaking her head. He sat again and turned to her. “Hailey.”
“No. We’re going to enjoy the music. Of course the musicians were delayed due to a Viking reenactment on our wedding day.”
He speared a shrimp on his plate. “Guarantee you this was another of Bonnie’s blunders.”
Phillip strode over to the musicians, speaking to them urgently.
“See?” Hailey said serenely. “Phillip is handling it.”
Phillip gestured for Bonnie to join them, and they had an intense conversation. A few minutes later, a pile of armor appeared to the right of the musicians’ area, quickly taken away by some servants.
Hailey turned to Josh. “It’s nice when you can just enjoy yourself because you know you already have everything you could ever want. I love you. I love that we’re married. And I love that I’m carrying your child.”
Josh smashed his lips together, his eyes watering.
She dropped her fork with a clatter. “I made you cry? I’ve never seen you cry.”
He jerked his chin. “Not crying.”
She hugged him. He totally was, his eyes watery and red. Her sweet loving husband.
The food was divine, the company outstanding, and the music sounded great too. She danced, she laughed, and she cried a little too at the best man and matron of honor speeches.
The photographers hovered near the head table as it was announced the cutting of the wedding cake was next. Bonnie wheeled the wedding cake over in front of the head table. It had a large silver dome over it. How royal!
Hailey kissed Josh’s clean-shaven cheek. “Come on. Time for me to smash wedding cake in your face.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “I already know I’m not allowed to get cake on your dress. I’ll have to get my payback later.”
She laughed and led him to where the cake was arranged on a wheeled table with a white tablecloth. Bonnie handed her the cake knife with a smile.
“Thanks,” she said brightly, turned, and froze as Bonnie lifted the dome off the cake with a flourish.
The cake was not the round multilayered confection she’d specially ordered. It was a long rectangular sheet cake and it read Happy Birthday Hailey.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Josh roared.
The room hushed in shocked silence. Bonnie took a step back, her way instantly blocked by the prince. Only this time it wasn’t Phillip, it was the seriously pissed off Crown Prince Gabriel.
Gabriel glared at the cake and then turned to Bonnie. “You’re fired. Pack your things. I want you out on the next ferry tomorrow morning.” And then he raised his voice so everyone could hear his pronouncement. “You are banned from Villroy forever.”
“You can’t ban me!” Bonnie screeched. “I have royal blood! My great-grandmother was a maid here and the king got her pregnant! She was sent away to have the royal bastard and we’ve been living in poverty ever since. We will not be cast off! I’m here to claim my rightful place!”
“You have no claim,” Gabriel said coolly. He gestured to the guards, and they quickly escorted Bonnie out.
Bonnie kept hollering. “I hope this place suffers like my family suffered!”
Holy crap. Hailey wasn’t cursed. This wedding wasn’t cursed. The wedding planner was insane. Bonnie had deliberately sabotaged the entire thing.
The photographers captured it all. So did the reporters.
She turned to Josh and whispered, “That was a much juicier story than the pregnant bride.”
He laughed and pulled her into his arms. “I knew that woman was nuts. How anyone could screw up as much as she did…it was absurd.” He pulled back and smiled at her. “Should we cut the cake?”
“Yes.” She cut out a long rectangle in the middle, taking the Birth from Birthday. “I figure I should eat this since I’m pregnant.” She tilted her head toward the cake. “Look, now it says Happy Day Hailey.”
Josh looked and that was how she smashed the cake in his face, catching him by surprise. He took it well, eating some, wiping the rest, and grinning. “Watch your pretty behind, sweetheart.”
She kissed him and laughed, licking the icing from her lips. “That’s your job.”
Epilogue
Hailey woke the next morning, a married woman, feeling satisfied. She threw an arm and a leg over Josh. “You awake yet?” They’d been at the reception late, and then Josh had gone all out to make their wedding night special with glowing candles and rose petals. He’d even arranged for Rose and Max to stay with Jake and Claire so they could have uninterrupted couple time. The dogs would fly home with Jake and Claire, where they’d stay while she and Josh enjoyed their honeymoon. Prince Phillip had paid for their airfare and hotel to Paris before the wedding as a gift, so this honeymoon would be Josh’s special touch. She couldn’t wait to find out what he’d planned.
She ran her fingers through his rumpled hair. “Josh?”
He jerked awake, his hand clamping around her wrist, his eyes flying open. “What?”
“Time to wake up.”
He released her wrist and slowly smiled, relaxing again. “You horny?”
She trailed her fingers over his bare chest. They were both still naked from last night. “Yes. But I’m also excited about the honeymoon. Where are we going? The suspense is killing me.”
He cupped the back of her neck and kissed her. “It’s this exotic place called Clover Park, Connecticut.” That was home.
She shook her head. “Try again.”
“Damn, I can’t even rile you up anymore.”
“I’m pregnant married Zen. What can I say? I have everything I ever dreamed of.” She kissed him and beamed. “The happiest of endings.”
“I guess we should just skip the trip to Italy, then.”
“Aaah!”
He waved a hand lazily. “Florence, Venice, Rome, who needs them?”
She climbed on top of him. “Josh!”
He wrapped his arms around her. “Surprise.”
She’d been a little worried if he’d come through on the planning stuff since that was normally her territory. She should’ve known he’d do it up right. He never let her down. Her steady stable husband. Her rock who rocked her world.
She peppered kisses all over his gorgeous face and felt his smile.
He rolled her under him and gazed into her eyes. “I love you, pregnant wife, my warrior princess.”
“I love you, pregnant husband, my warrior beast.”
He laughed low in his throat and nuzzled into her neck. She sighed, running her hands over the hard planes of his back. The heat and weight of him was glorious.
He settled between her legs, taking her in a slow thrust, his movements unhurried. His gaze was dark, intense, fierce on hers. She was lost in the raw desire in his eyes. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, their gazes locked, their breaths mingling. He accelerated the pace, and she rose to meet him, the intensity building, igniting between them. There was only heat and fire and so much love.
The buildup was so slow her release slammed into her unexpectedly, bringing him with her. He stayed buried deep inside her, his lips trailing reverent kisses along her throat and jaw before settling on her mouth.
“You’re mine,” he growled.
He was so good with the romantic words. She was fluent in Josh speak now. “I own you,” she informed him.
He smiled widely, his face lighting up. “Hailey.”
She hugged him tight and sighed the happiest of sighs.
~ ~ ~
Josh headed out with Hailey and a royal escort toward the palace entrance later that morning. Phillip was all apologies for the way things had gone down with the wedding blunders. Hailey, classy as ever, was gracious and reassuring. “P
hillip, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. We both did. Please don’t worry. My only concern is how this is going to affect your future business.”
Just then Crown Prince Gabriel, wearing his tux as if he’d never went to bed last night, and the guards stalked through, marching Bonnie out. She was subdued; her shoulders drooped. Gabriel was stiff and still looked furious. The guards escorted Bonnie outside, probably all the way to the ferry too.
The moment the palace doors closed behind her, Gabriel announced to them, Phillip, and the assorted footmen handling their luggage, “The palace is now closed to outsiders for good!”
“Gabriel, it was only one—” Phillip started.
Gabriel whirled on his brother and slashed a hand through the air. “No more weddings. No outsiders period.”
The doors creaked open, and they all turned to see who it was. Josh thought Bonnie might’ve come back for some last minute dig, but it was a woman with a mass of brown curls and huge white-framed sunglasses, wearing a tight sleeveless dress with giant pineapples on it.
She left her wheeled suitcase by the door and hurried over to Gabriel in her leopard-print heels. “I love this already!” Her voice was clearly American. She stood next to the dour-faced, tight-jawed Gabriel and whipped out her cell phone, snapping a selfie with him.
“The palace is closed!” Gabriel barked. “And hasn’t anyone ever told you it’s rude to take one’s photo without permission?”
The woman startled and then muttered, “You’re the rude one yelling at a guest. Geez, I flew ten hours from Tampa for this?”
A muscle ticked in Gabriel’s jaw. “Do not speak to me of feminine products. Now get out.”
Josh stifled a laugh. Hailey giggled.
“Feminine?” the woman asked. “Oh! Ha-ha, not tampon, Tam-pa.” She enunciated the word slowly and clearly. “That’s where I just flew in from. It’s a beautiful place.” Her brows furrowed. “I’m not sure anyone would dare call tampons beautiful.”
A Happy Endings Wedding (Happy Endings Book Club, Book 11) Page 8
