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Chapter 49
Natalya
“Don’t be nervous,” Aurora says as she tries to fix the one errant curl sticking out of the side of my head. She tries to tame it with a bit of water and some hairspray, but it only makes matters worse.
I anxiously smooth my hands over the front of my dress, inspecting my reflection diligently. My wedding dress fits me like a glove, a gorgeous lace ensemble that accents my bust and cinches my waist. I try to take a deep breath, but no matter what I do, I can’t seem to calm my heart.
“What if I trip?” I blurt out. “What if I’m walking down the aisle and I trip in front of everyone?”
“You’re not going to trip, Nat.”
“What if I’m so nervous at the altar that I forget my vows?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s just a repeat-after-me thing, so I don’t think that’ll happen.”
“What if the flowers give the flower girls an allergic reaction and they can’t stop sneezing through the entire ceremony?”
Aurora’s eyes lock onto mine in the mirror’s reflection. “Charlotte and Sandra don’t have a pollen allergy, Nat. Trust me. Everything’s going to be okay.”
“Then why can’t I shake this feeling?”
“Because you’re excited.” Aurora finally manages to tame the curl with what feels like several hundred tiny bobby pins. “Just relax, Natalya. Nothing bad is going to happen. It’s perfectly natural to feel a little nervous, but just remember you’re marrying the love of your life today. Even if the church burns down or someone ends up knocking over the cake or the DJ plays some God-awful preset playlist at the reception, I’m confident Dimitri is going to love you anyway.”
I glare at her. “Great. Now I’m worried about the church burning down, someone knocking over the cake, and the DJ playing gangster rap for my first dance.”
“I used those examples because they’re ridiculous. The chances of those things happening are slim to none. Well, except something happening to the cake. I can’t tell you how many close calls Mikhail and I had when we got married.”
I grit my teeth. “You’re an amazing bridesmaid.”
Aurora grins mischievously. “I’mkidding. Mostly.”
The door to my private dressing room opens. In steps Catherina, pushing the kids forward in their custom-built five-seater stroller. My children are all dressed for the occasion, my daughters in pretty baby blue dresses while Simon is decked on in a mini tuxedo. They all look incredibly charming and infinitely sweet.
“They’ve all been fed,” Catherina says tersely. Believe it or not, I’ve learned terse Catherina is the closest thing to a happy Catherina. “Their diapers have been changed. With any luck, they’ll fall asleep shortly and be quiet during the ceremony. Are you just about ready?”
I take a deep breath. “I think so.”
“I’ll get the kids seated,” she says before wheeling my children right back out.
“That woman never fails to give me the chills,” Aurora whispers.
“You and me both, sister.”
She grasps me gently by the shoulders and gives me a hug. “I’ll see you out there.”
I nod, a sudden calm washing over me. “See you out there.”
Somewhere else in the church, I hear the swell of the pipe organs. The ceremony is underway. The only thing missing is me. Slowly, I put on my veil and take up my bouquet, studying my reflection one more time.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be getting married. I wonder if my father would be proud of me if he were here today. While I’m obviously a little sad at the thought of not having him walk me down the aisle, I know deep down he’s smiling at me with pride. All the nerves I was suffering from before have now petered out. I’m not scared. If anything, I’m excited and restless. Dimitri is already at the altar, and I don’t want to keep him waiting.
I enter to the sound of the bridal march, in awe of all the fresh flowers and the room full of guests. The way the sunshine streams in through the stained-glass windows is breathtaking. But it’s hard to pay any of it any mind when all I see ishim.
Dimitri stands at the altar with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. His brothers stand just behind him. Mikhail pats him on the back while Pytor whispers something in his ear. I don’t read lips very well, but I’m pretty sure he said something along the lines of, “She’s beautiful.”
With my sole destination in mind, I concentrate on moving one foot in front of the other. While everyone is watching me, I’m only watching him. He’s always looked so good in his suits but seeing him in a fancy traditional tuxedo makes the butterflies in my stomach flip. Just when I thought Dimitri couldn’t get any more handsome, he just had to go and prove me wrong.
I have to admit the rest of the ceremony is a bit of a blur. I’m too elated, too happy to focus on the words being said or the sniffles and the cheers from our guests. Instead, I pay attention to the little things like the way Dimitri’s eyes crinkle up as he smiles or the way his breaths are deep and heavy as he looks at me. He chokes up once or twice while we exchange our vows, but I think it’s the sweetest thing in the world.
