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Before I know it, Aisling and I are at the hotel, riding the elevator to our floor. Butterflies flutter in my stomach. I’m so excited to finally be marrying Viktor.
Upon entering my suite, I’m happy to see everything is exactly how I requested, including a small play area for Aisling. Our dresses are hanging, ready for us to wear. Staring at them makes me happy. Aisling’s dress is similar to mine, but hers is puffy, while mine is fitted. I remember when I put Aisling’s dress on her after my last fitting, she didn’t want to take it off. She kept smiling and glancing down at her dress. My sweet little girl. I can’t imagine my life without her.
About twenty minutes later, a hairstylist enters my suite. I was against this, but Tina and Lisa insisted it was appropriate for my special day. It might sound corny, but it’s like a fairytale—my happily ever after has arrived.
The hairstylist gets to work as I watch Aisling play and think of my boys, who should arrive at the hotel any minute.
“What do you think, Ms. O’Brien?” the hairstylist asks after thirty minutes.
“It’s perfect.” My hair is loosely braided in a romantic updo, accessorized with a comb shaped like a vine with pearl accents. It’s beautiful, simple, and elegant—exactly what I dreamt of.
“I can do your daughter’s hair, too, if you like? I have more than enough time.”
“No, thanks. I want it to be perfect, so I’m leaving her hair until the last minute.” I smile lovingly at Aisling.
“I understand, but I’ll be around if you change your mind.”
She starts packing her things.
“Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, Ms. O’Brien.”
Not long after the hairstylist leaves, Viktor shows up at my suite with Niko in hand. I knew he would have to stop by since I need to feed Niko. It was my excuse to see Viktor before the ceremony—not that I would tell him that. After talking for a minute or so, I take Niko from Viktor and kick him out. I really don’t want him to see the dress. Like in the movies, I want him to see it for the first time as I’m walking to him.
When I sit with Niko to feed him, I’m glad Aisling went with Viktor and Oliver. Sometimes she gets territorial and doesn’t want Niko around. Her personality is strong like Viktor’s, and she’s more like him every day. Everything has to be her way and about what she wants.
After feeding Niko, I take him to Viktor and pick up Aisling. I take advantage of him being on his cell and rush out before he keeps me from leaving his suite. Once I’m back in my suite, I comb Aisling’s hair. Even though the hairstylist offered to do her hair, I wanted to do it. I want Aisling to know how important she is to me. I keep it simple and pull her hair back from her face using a cotton lace hair band with small emerald rhinestones that highlight her beautiful green eyes. Then I move on to her dress.
“What do you think, Aisling? Do you think Daddy will like the dress?” I ask her once she is dressed.
She stares down at her dress and babbles, “Dadda.”
“We’ll see Dadda soon.”
I place Aisling in the playpen and am putting my first earring in when there’s a knock at the door.
“Ms. O’Brien, a housekeeper is here,” one of the men posted outside my door announces when I open it.
“Let her in,” I instruct.
Walking back to the dresser, I ask, “Come in. How can I help you?” I face the housekeeper, frowning when I notice her face is covered.
“Someone asked for fresh towels,” she replies.
“Thanks. You can leave them in the bathroom.”
I return to putting my earrings on when Aisling calls for me. I smile when she holds out her arms for me to lift her out of her playpen. While doing precisely that, I wonder who called for towels because I didn’t.
I’m about to ask when I hear a snarky voice, “You know she isn’t your daughter, right?”
Instantly I recognize the voice—Fiona.
But it can’t be. There’s no way she’d come here. She couldn’t be that stupid. Viktor is down the hall, and there are men everywhere. She must know she won’t make it out of here alive if she tries something, and for God’s sake, Aisling is here. Fiona and I go back and forth, with her repeating how I’ve taken what belongs to her. She even threatens Aisling’s life.
Fiona ignores my pleas to leave and not harm Aisling.
Her ice-cold eyes show she doesn’t care.
