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Madden stands from his seat with a hesitant expression. “I don’t want to be rude, but since the wedding is in two hours… do you mind if we skip breakfast and get some sleep instead?”
Odette yawns. “Yes, please.”
Sophie grimaces, probably since the child in her arms won’t stop crying. “That’s probably not a bad idea.”
David gives her an endearing glance. “Of course. Your rooms are already reserved and ready for you.” He pulls a packet of key cards out of his pants pocket and hands them to their designated families.
The group disperses toward the stairs. “Meet back here at eleven,” David calls after them and they grunt in response.
Once they’re all gone, I wrap my arms around my fiancé’s waist and look up at his ridiculously handsome face. “You think they’ll be in better moods after their naps?”
He chuckles. “Hopefully. Jet lag is the worst.”
Two hours pass quickly when your fiancé sends you to the spa for a mani-pedi to relax while he stays in the lobby making sure the priest and photographer arrive on time. When my nails are buffed and shined to perfection, I have just enough time to run up to the suite to touch up my makeup and slip my dress on.
The silky fabric flows over my body like it was made for me, even though I purchased it straight off the rack without any alterations. The nude colored slip dress dips down in front making a deep V shape, and the back is…. Well, backless. The nude silk has a cream colored overlay with a few lace details attached around the bodice and the hem of the skirt. It’s sexy and simple.
I hear a knock and rush from the bathroom to the hotel door. I look through the peephole to make sure it’s not David, I don’t want him to see my dress until I’m walking down the aisle.
My sisters' faces come into view and I unlatch the door and open it quickly. They step inside the room, both wearing lovely dresses—courtesy of Dominique.
They gasp in unison as they take in my wedding dress. Rosa steps forward and kisses my cheek then hands me the bouquet of wildflowers the florist delivered to the lobby earlier. “You look beautiful, and more importantly… you look happy.”
Lily kisses me next. “You’re gorgeous.”
“We practically had to wrestle the bouquet away from David… he wanted to come see you so badly. It was kind of adorable,” Rosa says, shaking her head but smiling.
I laugh and ask them to help me with my hair. It’s down and curled, but I swept the sides back in two braids, pulling on them until they looked loose and messy. “I just need these flowers pinned in.” I point to the side table where half a dozen colorful, miniature roses sit in a vase.
“I can do that,” Lily volunteers. I sit on the bed so she can reach the top of my head better. Before she starts with the flowers, she pulls a slip of paper out of the bodice of her dress and places it in my lap. I instantly recognize Mama’s stationary. “Mama wanted me to give you this.”
I read the note while Lily carefully places the flowers in my hair. Rosa sits next to me, her hand on my arm as I read.
Bella,
I’m sorry I’m not there to celebrate with you. I felt someone needed to stay back and take care of things at Abuela’s. I know things between us aren’t perfect, but please know that I love you, and I hope David knows how lucky he is to be yours.
-Mama
I choke back the tears that threaten to ruin my perfect makeup and grab my phone off the bed to text Mama.
Isabella: Thank you for the note, Mama. Wish you were here. I love you.
Lily finishes with my hair and gives me a final spritz of hairspray. “Perfect,” she says when she’s all done.
Rosa’s phone pings with a text and she picks it up and smiles. “It’s David. He says everything’s ready for your grand entrance.”
I inhale a deep breath and exhale it slowly before a wide grin takes over my face. I follow my sisters out of the room and down the stairs where my father is waiting to walk me down the aisle.
Chapter thirty-two
David
I’m standing in front of the stone railing on the trellis, my family already seated and smiling now that they’ve had a nice long nap. Even the kids are in good spirits. Dante and Dominique Vergara are here as well; Dante kindly volunteered to translate for the priest.
I’m wearing my new Italian suit. It’s an indigo blue color with a white, collared shirt underneath and a pale pink tie and matching pocket square. The suit pants are a modern cut, tapering at the ankles, which compliments the brown leather oxfords nicely.
I look pretty damn good. But I know there’s no way I look better than my bride probably does. Even though this suit probably cost twice as much as her dress. Isa can wow me in a little pink bikini, in a baggy t-shirt, in athletic gear… I've seen it all and I’ve liked it all.
