Epilogue
Maisy smoothed her white, lacy dress for what felt like the hundredth time. Behind her, Lily gave an excited squeak.
“Maise, you look gorgeous!”
“I’m not sure.” Maisy ran her fingers along the lacy hem. “Do I even fit into this dress?”
Lily came to stand beside her. Maisy’s dress hugged her curves perfectly, including a new one — the soft curve of her pregnant belly. Maisy was four months along and just starting to show. This wedding would double as the announcement of their impending arrival — a little prince or princess.
“You look gorgeous,” Lily repeated, more firmly this time. “Xander is going to love your dress. I mean, he’d love you in a brown paper bag, but he’ll especially love you in this dress.”
“I hope so.” Maisy looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. It had been almost a year since she and Xander had become a real couple. The Aenicean people had been surprised at first by the knowledge that their future king wasn’t marrying Maisy, but an Aenicean commoner. And they’d been even more surprised by the fact that Maisy was already married to Xander. But they’d gotten used to it. Now, both Agnes and Maisy were beloved princesses of Aenicea. The fact that Xander and Maisy had become chief advisors to the royal couple had helped.
Almost nine months ago, Agnes and Niko had tied the knot in a big, beautiful ceremony to rival any other. Now, Maisy and Xander had decided to renew their vows in a small, personal ceremony that was just their style. The only invitees were their close friends and family, along with a few reporters that Queen Karina had insisted on. Even though they’d been married all along, it was nice to have the chance to celebrate their love when they were both acting as themselves.
“Okay.” Maisy took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”
Lily linked her arm through her sister’s and they exited the dressing room. Maisy had no bridesmaids this time — just Lily. It was a much more intimate ceremony, and all the more beautiful for it.
In the hallway, they met their father, who was waiting to walk with Maisy. He looked down at her and smiled.
“My dear, you look so happy.” He held out his arm. “This is exactly how a bride should look.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Maisy took his arm.
Moments later, the music began to play. Maisy and her father stepped out through the double doors, arm in arm, into the palace gardens. It was sunset and the grounds were lit with tiny fairy lights strung between the trees. The fresh scents of jasmine and cherry blossoms filled the air. The aisle was lined with more fairy lights and tiny lanterns. Maisy had eyes for none of it, though.
She only saw Xander. He was standing at the end of the aisle, waiting for her, looking more handsome than ever in a dashing black suit. All of Maisy’s nerves about her dress faded. None of that mattered in comparison with how she felt right now, with the love of her life waiting for her. The grin on Xander’s face showed that he felt the same way.
It was hard to walk slowly down the aisle, but Maisy managed. When she reached Xander, he took her hands in his.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thanks. I think I had a nicer dress on our first wedding day, though.”
“No way.” Xander brushed one hand against Maisy’s stomach. “You could never look more beautiful than you do right now, with our child.”
Maisy’s smile was so wide she was worried her cheeks would start to ache.
“Are you ready to begin?” the officiant asked. Maisy and Xander nodded.
For Maisy, the rest of the day was a blur. She and Xander exchanged vows; they danced beneath the stars as they had on their first night together; they talked and laughed and ate cake. Throughout, the only constant was Xander, always there, always with Maisy’s hand in his, or his arm around her shoulders.
When they retreated to their room later that night, Maisy had never felt happier. She knew that this was her future: a good man who loved her and who she loved, children, and a position as an advisor where she could help people without being in the public eye.
“I love you, Xander,” she said as they approached the doorway. Xander swooped her into his arms and carried her across the threshold.
“I love you too, my beautiful bride.” And he kissed her, and everything melted away. Right here, right now, was all that mattered — this, and the bright future they would share.
The End