AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Us too, honey,” Dad replies.
Mom stands from her barstool. “So, can we see the bakery?”
“Yes! I’ll take you to see it now, and I’ll take you to the bar as well so you can see Aiden. We have our dress fittings this afternoon,” I remind Mom. “Did you remember Dad’s suit?”
“I’ve hung it up in the guest bedroom,” Dad replies. I grab my purse, and they follow me out. I take them past the bakery, and show them my shop, introducing them to Liv. Gabby’s grabbing coffee, delighted when she has the opportunity to see my parents.
“We’re so proud of you,” Mom tells me, her eyes bright. “You’ve made a home for yourself here, Luna. With friends who, by the looks of it, adore you.”
Her approval means the world to me. I wanted them to see how happy I am and reaffirm that moving really was the best thing at the time. I take them next door to see the bar and find Aiden chatting to Jason and Devon. He greets my parents before wrapping an arm around my waist and leaning down to kiss me. “How are we feeling today?” He murmurs in my ear. I rub my hand over my stomach, and grin. “We’re feeling good. Will you be okay to entertain Dad while Mom, Liv, Gabby, and I have our dresses fitted today?” I found a boutique in Atlanta that will send someone to us. I explained that we’re planning a rather hasty wedding — but not a shotgun wedding, of course — and they were more than happy to accommodate us.
“Can’t see why it’ll be a problem,” he says with a smile. He’s just as excited about our wedding, and the town is abuzz with the news of our upcoming nuptials. “I’ll be home in time for dinner.”
“Sounds good. Are you sure you don’t want to enjoy your last night of freedom with the boys?”
He shakes his head. “I’d rather we have a chill evening at home with your folks, babe.”
I like that idea, having forgone a traditional bachelorette party when Liv and Gabby suggested it. Nothing about our wedding is traditional, and I find that I’m more than okay with that. I press a kiss to his cheek. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”
Dad takes a seat at the bar, and I press a kiss to his cheek before Mom and I pop back into the bakery to grab Liv and Gabby. Liv’s friend, Kendra, has things under control, and for once, the bakery is quiet enough for Liv to take the time off. The four of us climb into Aiden’s pick-up, and it’s not long after we arrive home that the woman, Ashton, arrives from the bridal boutique. I make the introductions while Ashton’s assistant wheels in a garment rack of gowns for me to try, another rack of bridesmaid dresses in neutral colors, and a rack of outfits designated to the mother of the bride. Our living room is quickly turned into a boutique set-up, complete with a floor-length mirror, and wide circular pedestal. I have Gabby and Liv look through the dresses and choose the one they like. Liv chooses an A-line one-shoulder floor-length Chiffon dress in blush, which does amazing things for her pale, porcelain skin. And it fits like a glove. Gabby looks at a few more gowns and tries on an A-line scoop neck asymmetrical satin gown with ruffles around her legs. She chooses a daring Burgundy color, looking to me for approval. “It’s stunning,” I tell her. Loving the way Liv and Gabby look standing side-by-side.
“Mom’s next,” Ashton says. While she shows Mom her options, I look through the gowns for myself. I know what I don’t want, and that’s a traditional white gown. I’ve done that already. No. When I walk down the aisle, and meet Aiden at the altar, I want to make a statement, and feel good doing it. I turn, and see Mom dressed in an A-line asymmetrical tea-length chiffon and lace dress with an elegant jewel neck with half sleeves and ruched appliques in blush. With her long blonde hair, big blue eyes and long lashes, Mom looks as beautiful as ever.
“Do you like it?” I ask her.
Her gaze is watery, and she laughs, fanning her face. “I do, it’s beautiful.” Only I understand why this would be emotional for my mom. The first time I got married, she was strong-armed into going with what Michelle Montgomery wanted, and because I was too scared to defy Brantley, I never defended her. It’s a guilt that’s never really left me until now. Now I can give her what she wants, even if it’smybig day. I walk over and give her a kiss on the cheek. “Then this is what you’ll wear, Mom.” I squeeze her hands, and we exchange a knowing look.
“Oh gosh,” she giggles. “I’m a mess.” I wipe my face. “You’re not a mess,” I tell her quietly. “You’re beautiful.”
Liv and Gabby have changed out of their dresses, and when I look up, everyone is waiting for me.
“Your turn,” Liv sing-songs, and claps her hands together.
I take the dress that really caught my eye, and have Mom help me change into it upstairs. It’s an ivory and blush full length gown with a sweetheart bodice made from ivory satin and is covered with a beaded floral sheer mesh. The beaded overlay has three-quarter length sleeves, and the skirt is made from ivory bridal satin covered with layers of ivory and blush soft tulle. Mom buttons me up and looks over my shoulder. I exhale a shaky breath, catching Mom’s eye in the mirror. “You know,” she starts, “I thought you looked beautiful the first time you got married, but now, I notice the difference between a happy, iridescent bride, and someone who spent too much time pretending to be happy.”
I fiddle with my fingers, and stare at myself. “It feels different this time,” I tell her. “It feels right in a way it didn’t the first time, you know? Is this what it feels like to have met your soulmate?” My parents’ marriage, with all its perfectionsandflaws, has been my dream since I was a little girl. I dreamed of a man who would love me, adore me, cherish me, the way my dad does my mom, and I was foolish when I married Brantley, thinking he did all those things. Until he didn’t. But Aiden has shown me a love not so different than the love between my parents, and he’s my every wish come true.
“If you wake up every day and feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have him, then yes. If you go to bed at night, so content you don’t know where to put all that happiness, then yes. And if you can’t imagine a life, never mind a future, without him, then yes. This is what it feels like, sweetheart, and I don’t know anyone more deserving than you.” A lump forms in my throat, and I swallow around it to say, “And the constant worry that you’ll wake up and have it all been a dream?”
Mom pats my shoulder. “That feeling, my darling Luna, fades. Because you’ll wake up and he’ll be there, every time. And you know it’s for keeps when you’d rather fight with him than make love with anyone else.” I feel that in my bones. I don’t even want to contemplate a life without Aiden. And hopefully, I won’t have to.
“Are you coming down?” Gabby calls from the bottom of the stairs, making me snicker.
“Let’s not keep them in suspense,” Mom teases, preceding me out of the bedroom, and down the stairs.
Liv sucks in a breath, lifting a trembling hand to her mouth. Gabby’s eyes fill with tears, and her hand rests around her throat. Gabby was at my first wedding, too. My maid of honor, in fact. And she knew how I felt about my gown then. So, her reaction now makes my heart do funny things.
“If ever there was a dress made for you,” she murmurs. “Luna, this isthedress, honey.”
“I agree,” Liv exhales, making me laugh when she exchanges tissues with Gabby. Even our consultant, Ashton, is teary-eyed. Mom steps away and joins Liv and Gabby, appraising me from head-to-toe. My hair needs to be styled, of course, and my make-up will be done, too, but right now, I feel like the most beautiful woman on Earth. The thought of wearingthisdress when I walk towards Aiden tomorrow gives me goosebumps.
“I’m in love with it,” I say, my hands fluttering over the full skirt. “It’s perfect.”
Ashton grins. “Then my job here is done. Ladies, it’s been a pleasure.” While her assistant wheels the remaining garments back outside, and into their van, Mom pays for everything. I tried stopping her, and using Aiden’s credit card instead, but she gave themomlook and well, you never argue with that. So, I allowed Mom, and I suspect Dad too, to pay for the gowns. I never intended for them to pay for it, but I know how much it hurt my parents to be so blatantly disregarded the first time I tied the knot, more than anything, I want them to feel included, no matter how fast we planned this wedding. Gabby grabs a bottle of alcohol-free champagne — read: fizzy grape juice — and pops the cork. She pours four champagne flutes, and hands us each one. “To the bride,” she lifts her glass. “You snagged yourself the most eligible bachelor in Tallulah Falls, and honey, you have damn good taste. But most importantly, you deserve to be treated like the queen you are.”
“I’ll toast to that,” Liv says. We clink our glasses together and fall into easy chatter about the last-minute details for the following day. I watch in delight as my friends laugh with my mother, making jokes here and there. But mostly, I get a first-rate glance at my new life. And it’s hard not to fall in love with it.
Chapter Thirteen: Wedded Bliss & Poor Planning
