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CHAPTERFIVE
Kayla satdown in one of the pretty wooden chairs decorated with white flowers, taking in the gorgeous ceremony venue. Lauren sat down on her left, while Willa sat down on her right. Sebastian was the best man, while Theo and Max were both groomsmen, all standing up at the front with Lucian, who looked dashing in his black tux. Lauren was wearing a stunning yellow dress with white and green flowers on it, her fiery hair twisted into an updo. She was going to be performing a song at the reception, and Kayla wondered if she was nervous, or if this kind of thing was par for the course for her now that she was a semi-famous musician. Willa looked equally beautiful in her black and silver dress with purple beading, her hair curled 20s flapper-style. Kayla had decided on a deep blue dress with a high neckline and an open back, adorned with a silvery feather print and a ruffled skirt.
But as gorgeous as her friends looked, her eyes were locked on the men at the front. One man, specifically. The man whose baby she was pretty sure she was carrying.
She’d finally had the chance that morning to run to the drugstore, and she’d bought a test. She’d shoved it in the bottom of her suitcase, though. She wasn’t ready to take it. As sucky as it was to dwell in uncertainty, she had a feeling that everything would change once she took that test. And right now, she just wanted to enjoy the wedding and try not to obsess.
So far, she was doing a terrible job of that.
“Hi, hi, hi,” said Aerin Prescott-Flores as she wove her way down the row to the empty seat Willa had saved for her. “Jesus, I thought I wasn’t going to make it. We got stuck on the tarmac for over an hour and I ended up doing my makeup on the plane. I’m sure everyone thought I was a total asshole,” she said, dropping into her seat. Her light blond hair was styled in its usual sleek bob, and she was wearing an ice blue dress that hugged her curves and showed off her toned arms and legs.
They all gave her side hugs, trying not to be disruptive, but that went out the window when she waved at Lucian, drawing attention to herself, and he waved back, nodding at her with a smile on his face.
As the two oldest Prescott kids, they’d only had each other for years until Max had come along, and they’d formed an unbreakable bond, forged in the fires of basically raising their three younger siblings as best they could.
The string quartet at the front began playing, and Kayla sighed, her stomach knotting in anticipation. The venue was absolutely stunning—a hidden rooftop garden laden with white and pink roses, looking out onto St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The only thing indicating this was far from a run of the mill wedding ceremony were the huge men guarding every single entrance, eyes trained on neighboring rooftops.
One by one, the bridesmaids began making their way down the aisle, looking beautiful in their shimmering blush pink dresses, white roses dripping from their hair and bouquets. The last one, Olivia’s friend Whitney, pulled a rose covered wagon along behind her, where Cora sat, scrunching up rose petals and occasionally tossing a few on the carpet. When they reached the front, she carefully lifted Cora and handed her to the waiting nanny, then took her place with the others. Once all of the women were at the front, the music changed, and the string quartet started playing a soft, sweet version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Everyone stood, and Olivia appeared at the end of the aisle, her arm looped through her father’s.
“That dress is gorgeous,” whispered Lauren, and Kayla nodded. Olivia looked stunning in an off-white lace sheath dress that hugged her slender frame. The sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves showcased her delicate collarbones and long neck, making her look graceful and elegant, but still sexy. Her hair was down, flowing around her shoulders in loose waves.
Kayla pulled her attention from Olivia to look over at Lucian, whose gaze was locked on his bride, his eyes bright with emotion.
When Olivia and her father reached the front, her father placed her hand in Lucian’s and then hugged him tight, saying something in his ear. Lucian nodded solemnly and then bent and whispered something in Olivia’s ear. She grinned and reached up, wiping at his face.
Tears. Big, scary vigilante Lucian Prescott was shedding tears of happiness. It was something to see, something Kayla knew she’d never forget.
The ceremony began with the officiant welcoming everyone, and Kayla lost herself in her thoughts once again. Thoughts of Sebastian and the maybe-baby. Of their future and if she’d get to have her turn at a day like this. What she’d want her wedding to be like. They all swirled through her mind, a kaleidoscope of possibility and hope. Several minutes later, she was pulled from her thoughts when the vows started.
“We now come to the words Lucian and Olivia want to hear most today. The words that transform them from being engaged to being married. Lucian Gabriel Prescott, do you come here freely and give yourself without reservation to Olivia in marriage?”
Lucian nodded, his voice clear and deep, his tone serious. “I do.”
“Olivia Grace Walsh, do you come here freely and give yourself without hesitation to Lucian in marriage?”
Olivia’s smile was wide as she nodded. “I do.”
“Lucian and Olivia, having heard your intention to be married to each other, I now ask you to declare your marriage vows. Please face each other and join hands.”
They did and the officiant moved closer, dropping his voice to a whisper so that only the vows of the couple could be heard and not his prompts. Lucian’s voice was clear and strong as he spoke.
“I, Lucian Gabriel Prescott, take you, Olivia Grace Walsh, to be my wife. I will share my life with yours, and build our dreams together. I will support you through times of trouble, and celebrate with you in times of happiness. I promise to give you respect, love, and my undying loyalty. I will protect you and cherish you all the days of my life. Until my last breath, everything I am and everything I have is yours.”
Olivia reached into the front of her dress and pulled out a tissue, eliciting a soft round of laughter from the guests. She dabbed at her eyes and then slipped it back in, rejoining hands with Lucian.
“I, Olivia Grace Walsh, take you, Lucian Gabriel Prescott, to be my husband. I will share my life with yours, and build our dreams together. I will support you through times of trouble, and celebrate with you in times of happiness. I promise to give you respect, love, and my undying loyalty. I will honor you and love you all the days of my life but not obey because I think we both know I’m in charge.” More laughter, including from Lucian. “Until my last breath, everything I am and everything I have is yours.” Her voice shook slightly on the last word, betraying the intense emotion she was doing her best to conceal.
They exchanged rings, the hired photographers madly snapping pictures, and then suddenly, the ceremony was coming to a close.
“And so now, by the power vested in me by the state of New York, it is my honor and delight to declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Lucian slid his arms around Olivia’s waist and slowly lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her softly and thoroughly in front of everyone, and a loud cheer went up from the guests. When they broke apart, the officiant spoke into the microphone one last time.
“Let’s have a round of applause for the newlyweds, Lucian and Olivia Prescott!”
Kayla dabbed at her eyes as Lucian and Olivia made their way back down the aisle, followed by the wedding party. They were glowing with happiness. Transcendent. Her heart was so full of hope and love for them that it felt as though it were overflowing, radiating out of her.
