Chapter Nine
Wedding Bells
I couldn’t go back to sleep if I tried. Instead, I walked into the living area and sat down, watching through the window as the light began to rise in the sky. I smiled softly as I took a deep breath reveling in the peace my parent’s visit had given me. I smiled at the irony of that. Wasn’t a bride supposed to be nervous on her wedding day? I shrugged to myself. I suppose I wasn’t a normal bride.
A knock at the door made me jump and I stood to answer it but Lilly swept past me without even glancing in my direction. She opened the door and grinned, shaking her head at Mirella who was holding a gigantic make-up case.
“You better be glad that she’s staying with me and not Aurora,” she said with a laugh, “She wouldn’t let you in.”
Mirella opened her mouth as if she was insulted, “She would too,” she said with a chuckle, “Besides, Andre would let me in. You’re lucky. I just have a key to your house.”
Lilly laughed, “You may not want to use that,” she said wiggling her brows, “Unless you want to see a side of your brother that would be sure to warp your mind.”
Mirella shrugged, “I’m already warped,” she said, grinning as she stepped forward, “Now move aside, I have to do my duty as a bridesmaid. I have to wake the bride for her wedding day.”
I stepped behind Lilly and peeked over her shoulder, “Sorry to disappoint you,” I said causing Lilly to jump, “I’ve been up for a while. I’m an early riser.”
Mirella groaned and then, shook her head in disappointment, “First, we didn’t get to shop for your shoes or dress and now, you’re awake when it is tradition for me to wake you up. You really are taking all the fun out of your wedding.”
I laughed as both Lilly and I moved to allow Mirella in as I asked, “Who is going to wake up you when you get married?” I raised my brows as Mirella stuck her tongue out at me.
Lilly turned to face me, “Aurora has dibs on that,” Lilly said, “Supposedly, Mirella woke her up when it was still dark on her wedding day. She is planning on doing the same to her but much earlier.”
I patted Mirella’s shoulder, “Well, you can still wake up Aurora today.”
She pouted, “No, I can’t,” she said with a huff, “She changed her locks. I don’t have a key anymore and Andre has already left for the church.”
“Changing the locks…That’s actually a good idea,” Lilly said with a grin, causing Mirella to narrow her eyes at her.
She turned to me and held up a make-up case, “You won’t be cruel to me like they are?” She asked with a grin, “Especially since I have come to do your make-up.”
“I won’t be cruel to you but I can do my own make-up,” I said with a smile but almost as soon as the words were out of my mouth, Mirella’s face fell and I realized that I had said something wrong. So, I added, “I don’t want to be any trouble.”
Mirella grinned as she took my hand, “No trouble at all,” she said, pulling me to a recliner, “I love this part more than all others. Just sit here and feel pampered.”
I glanced at Lilly who gave me a thumbs up and then, I nodded as I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. The click of the clasps reached my ears as Mirella opened the case and I relaxed as she began to rub my face with a sponge. As she did, I found that she was right. I enjoyed the attention as she applied layer after layer of make-up. It was so relaxing, I must have dozed off because another knock at the door woke me. Mirella smiled down at me as I blinked open my eyes to gaze up into her face.
“You’re make-up is done,” she said, softly patting my cheek, “But stay there while I answer the door.”
I nodded as she walked away. A few moments later, I heard Aurora and Sophia’s entry. I sat up and glanced over at them with a shy smile. Aurora’s grin widened as she took in my appearance.
“You’re beautiful,” she said and then, glanced at Sophia, who was nodding her head. I blinked in surprise.
“Where’s Ruby?” I asked, frowning. I couldn’t remember a time when I had seen Aurora without her.
“She’s with Andre so I can help you with your hair,” Aurora said, laughing, “It’s weird to be without her.”
Her love for her daughter was endearing and I couldn’t help but smile. Lilly entered the room from her bedroom, carrying the veil. Aurora took it turning it this way and that before nodding her head, “I think a chignon would be beautiful on you.”
She said as she stepped behind me, before placing her hands on my shoulders, “Relax,” She said, softly, “This won’t take long.”
Aurora brushed, pulled, pinned and curled my hair for the next hour. Only after applying my veil, did she step in front of me with Sophia, Mirella and Lilly. Each had their arms crossed over their chests before giving Aurora a nod of approval.
“It’s time for the dress,” Sophia said, raising her chin proudly, “First, you’ll have to take off your clothes.”
I blinked shocked as my eyes darted around the living room. I stepped forward to dress as I had during the fitting in Lilly’s room but Sophia stopped me. I turned to stare at her as I began to understand, “In here.”
“Oh Lord,” Mirella said with a chuckle, “She’s as bashful as Lilly was.”
“We have the same parts,” Aurora said, chuckling, “Unless there is something you haven’t told us.”
I blushed, “No,” I said, “It’s just that I’ll feel a bit exposed with everyone staring at me.”
Lilly stepped forward and nodded her head in understanding, “We’ll turn our heads while you change into the bra and panties that you’ll be wearing and then, we’ll dress you quickly. It shouldn’t take more than five minutes.”
“You did this?” I asked and Lilly nodded.
“Unfortunately,” she said with a shrug, “It’s not as bad as you think it will be.”
“Okay,” I said as she handed me my undergarments.
Even with their backs turned, I felt exposed. It only became worse when I was done dressing in my panties and bra and they turned around. Mirella tossed something at me and I caught it only to realize that it was a light purple garter.
“Slide that to your thigh,” she said with a grin, “Luc can get it later.”
“Mirella!” Sophia said, exasperated as the color rose in my face.
Mirella shrugged, “Well, it’s true.”
“That doesn’t mean it should be spoken,” Sophia said as I slid the garter up to my thigh. My cheeks were burning with embarrassment.
Lilly stepped forward with the dress and pulled it off of the hanger, “Let’s dress you before Mirella is able to speak again and give you something else to worry about,” she said, pooling it at my feet and helping me to step in the middle.
“What I said wasn’t that bad,” Mirella said, rolling her eyes as Lilly pulled the dress up and zipped the small zipper before buttoning the three buttons up the back. I took a deep breath relieved to be covered again.
Aurora set my shoes in front of me and I stepped into them. Sophia smiled widely as tears filled her eyes, “You are beautiful,” she said with her hand to her chest, “Your mother would be so proud.”
I smiled thinking of her visit and then, nodded as Lilly and Aurora stepped into the bedroom. They emerged a few moments later carrying a full length mirror. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as they set it carefully in front of me.
Slowly, I opened my eyes, taking in the ivory high heels which peeked out from my dress. My gaze moved upward taking in the full skirt and loosely flowing bodice before my eyes found the emperor waist line of the bodice which filled my chest out in a way that made me seem more volumptuous before raising my eyes to my face and hair. I gasped as I stared at my reflection. They hadn’t exaggerated. I was beautiful. Slowly, I reached out and touched the mirror, surprised to find that the woman in the reflection was me.
Tears sprang to my eyes but Mirella stepped beside me, “Don’t cry,” she said, proudly, “It will ruin your make-up and we’ll have to
do it again.”
“We don’t have time for that,” Sophia said in a reverent voice, “We’ll be late and you don’t want Luc thinking that you left him at the altar, do you?”
I shook my head as I straightened, “No, I don’t want that,” I whispered, breaking my gaze with the mirror.
Aurora smiled, “Then, let’s go to the church,” she said as she met my eyes, “That is if you are ready.”
I took a deep breath and nodded, “I’m ready,” I whispered, stepping away from the mirror and leaving behind the little girl I once was.
**********
I was amazed how quickly the calm faded as I stood in the lobby of the church waiting for my turn to walk down the aisle. I clutched Gavriel’s arm as I stared at the doors, trembling as the music began. I was forcing myself to breathe but each breath was coming in short and too quick breaths. Slowly, the doors opened and I clutched Gavriel’s arm so hard that he stiffened.
“It’s alright, Mary Jane,” Gavriel said, patting my hand, “This is a wonderful thing…Not something to be afraid of.”
I gave him a sidelong look, “But you were afraid of your vows,” I said with a tight smile, “Sophia said that you were forced into marriage and you both hated each other.”
He laughed, “Hate is a strong word but we didn’t like each other very much. Thankfully that changed,” he said and then, shrugged, “But regardless, you don’t hate Luc, do you?”
I glanced up at him as Aurora and Andre entered the chapel and walked down the aisle, “No,” I whispered, “I don’t hate Luc. I like him.”
Gavriel’s smile widened, “Then, you have something more to build on than I did and look where I ended up. I am absolutely smitten with my wife and I’m pretty sure she loves me too.”
I nodded as Lilly and Marco walked down the aisle next, “She does love you very much,” I said and then, sighed finally relaxing before blinking up at him from beneath my veil, “You have done a good job calming me. I think you’ve done this before.”
“I have,” he said, straightening, “I gave Aurora away and she was nearly as nervous as you were. Lilly was given away by Ion. So, you are the second daughter-in-law I have walked down the aisle.”
“Thank you for doing it,” I said and he patted my hand again.
“Of course,” he said, as we took a step toward the doors.
Mirella and Tamas stepped forward and then, entered the chapel. The doors shut behind them. My heart began to pick up tempo once again.
“This is the worse part,” he said, leaning toward me, “Don’t worry. I won’t let you trip.”
I exhaled, relieved, “Thank you,” I said as the wedding march began to play. The doors opened and I was able to take a long moment to study the chapel as everyone stared at me. Mahogany framed the chapel making the stained glass of the arched windows even more beautiful than they already were. The pews were set in two rows which were full of the people from the motor home park. A long red rug stretched down the aisle. Directly in front of us was a raised stage where a podium of the same mahogany sat. The preacher stood behind it smiling. To the left of the podium, my bridesmaids stood one per step. To the right, stood the groomsman in the same manner. Lastly, my gaze landed on Luc.
His eyes met mine beneath my veil and my breath hitched as warmth spread over me. He was handsome in a black suit with a purple tie. His hair was combed back from his face. His full lips stretched into a smile as his eyes darkened.
“Everyone please stand in honor of the bride,” the preacher said, raising his hands upward.
Everyone stood and faced me but I could not break my gaze from Luc. Gavriel must have noticed because he patted my hand, “We’re going to walk now,” he whispered.
I nodded as I stepped with him walking closer and closer to Luc. As we stopped in front of the altar, I released a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding and tried to compose myself.
“Who gives this woman to be his wife?” The preacher asked with a smile.
“I do,” Gavriel said, proudly turning and lifting my veil. He kissed my cheek before helping me up the steps and placing my hand in Luc’s. Gavriel took his seat as I raised my eyes to Luc’s once again.
His eyes were dark as they gazed into mine but they were also gentle with an emotion I couldn’t put my finger on. His smile widened as he reached forward with his free hand and caressed my face gently before moving it away. I raised my chin. The small action made me feel cherished and beautiful.
The preacher began to speak about marriage but I found that it was hard to listen. I could only stare into Luc’s eyes as my stomach flipped nervously. I blinked in shock when I realized that the preacher was speaking to Luc.
“Do you Luc Nicolas Brazil, take Mary Jane Lee as your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health all the days of your life?”
Luc’s smile widened as he nodded, “I do.”
“Do you Mary Jane Lee take Luc Nicolas Brazil as your lawfully wedded husband to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health all the days of your life?”
I gazed up into Luc’s eyes and smiled, “I do.”
“The ring?” The preacher asked.
Luc turned and retrieved the ring but I couldn’t see it. He leaned forward and whispered, “Before you see this, I want you to know that I did this for you,” he said suddenly nervous, “I wanted them to be part of this. I want our marriage to be as good as theirs was.”
Then, he flipped his hand over and I saw my mother’s wedding ring laying in his palm. The gesture was sweet and meant the world to me as tears flooded my eyes, “Thank you,” I said and he smiled, relieved as he began to say his vows.
“I, Luc Nicolas Brazil, take you, Mary Jane Lee, to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the woman you will become, and growing in friendship and love every day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us,” he said as he slipped the ring on my finger.
A tear fell down my cheek as the preacher turned to me, “The ring?” He asked me and I turned to Aurora who handed me my father’s ring.
I turned back to him and placed the ring on his finger as I spoke my vows, “I, Mary Jane Lee, take you, Luc Nicolas Brazil, to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the man you will become, and growing in friendship and love every day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us.”
“What God has joined together, let no one cast asunder,” the preacher said, joyously as he faced Luc, “You may kiss your bride.”
Before I could blink, Luc pulled me to him and kissed me long and deep. When he released me the people in the chapel broke into an applause. We turned to face the crowd as the preacher yelled over the crowd.
“I would like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Brazil!” The sentence echoed around us.
I raised my chin as my husband raised our joined hands in the air and peered out into the crowd of what was now my new family.
Chapter Ten
One More Choice
We were alone in the limo only moments after our wedding. The divider was up giving us more privacy than we had ever had as the car started. I took a deep breath as I realized there was no one who would interrupt us.
I swallowed nervously as I clasped my hands in my lap to keep them from shaking. Luc grinned as he touched my cheek, causing my stomach to flip pleasantly as he leaned closer.
“Did you miss me?” He asked as his nose skimmed my jaw. I bit my lip as I stared forward, trying to seem unaffected by him.
“No,” I said with a smirk and he raised his brow as I finished speaking, “Not at all.
He leaned forward feigning anger, “I’ll just have to make
you wish you hadn’t said that,” he said, pulling away, “That will teach you to say everything I want you to say.”
I laughed as I shook my head, “Not going to happen,” I said wryly as I met his gaze.
His expression softened, “I’m glad,” he said before caressing my cheek with the backs of his fingers.
I blinked surprised and then, tilted my head, “You are?”
“I am,” He said as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, “I don’t want to be married to someone who is a robot. I want you to be who you are and do what makes you happy. I hope one of the sources of your happiness is me but if I ever make you unhappy, I want you to be able to tell me.”
I smiled as I bit my bottom lip. He pulled my chin, causing me to release it and replaced my teeth with his mouth. He was gentle almost reverent as his lips moved gently over mine before becoming more demanding. His tongue traced my lips and then, plunged into my mouth, tangling with my tongue. My breathing quickened as he pushed me into the seat and I reached up to run my hands through his hair. He groaned and then, pulled back with a grin.
“As much as I am enjoying this, I don’t think we should be late to our reception,” He said, kissing the tip of my nose.
I shrugged as the limo stopped, mimicking his indifference at my bridal shower perfectly, “That’s the good thing about the party being thrown for us. They can’t start without us.”
He pulled me so that I was sitting up. He smoothed my dress as he chuckled, “I have been a bad influence on you,” he said before leaning over and whispering in my ear, “I think I look forward to influencing you more in the future.”
Enticed (The Brazil Werewolf Series Book 3) Page 7
