Chapter thirty-five
Aubrey
Well… that didn’t go as planned.
~ Wedding Day ~
I stand in front of the huge stand-up mirror before me, letting my finger glide over my baby bump and along the material of my dress.
I’m in awe with what Libby has created especially for me.
I had seen similar wedding dresses when I was shopping, but none were made to accommodate my rounded belly.
How Libby managed to do it is beyond me, but I’m in love with it.
My dress is a beautiful white sheath-style gown, made of stretch crepe, with a heart-shaped neckline and lace off-the-shoulder long sleeves.
It hugs my body from the top, all the way to my hips, then falls straight down, with a plunging lace back that contains a row of buttons throughout the skirt and train.
I feel like I’ve been floating on a cloud since my baby shower.
After opening all the gifts, most of the guests left, leaving us with just our close friends and family to end the night.
We then gathered outside with the kids and the pups for a barbeque dinner and a few fun games.
It may not have been the traditional bachelor-bachelorette party, but it was perfect for us.
I did end up having the time to call Octavia and see how her and her mom were doing. She informed me that her mother had wandered off during the middle of the night and fallen into a ditch, breaking her ankle. They only found her the next morning and brought her into the hospital right away.
She felt terrible that she missed my shower and would most likely not be able to attend the wedding either.
But I reassured her that it was completely fine, that she should stay by her mother’s side until she got better.
Well, her ankle, the Alzheimer’s just seems to be getting worse every time I talk to Tavie.
Poor girl, only nineteen years old and having to deal with all of this on her own…
The next day, Shane showered me with love from sunrise to nightfall in every way imaginable. Then yesterday, Shane and I, as well as the bridal and groom’s party arrived at the castle for the rehearsal dinner.
I still have no idea what my wedding will look like.
All the decorations were being set up this morning, and yesterday the wedding coordinator was under strict orders to give us as little information as possible.
She only showed us where we would walk, what cues we would need to wait for, and how the wedding would progress.
The only clue I have up to now is that everyone in the dressing room are in lavender-colored dresses, and my bouquet of flowers is a combination of lavender, deep purple, and white roses.
My hair has been gracefully curled, with the top half held up by pins with flower details.
I’m also wearing makeup, which is not something I usually do, but I told the makeup artist to keep it as simple and natural as possible.
So we went with some golden-light pink eyeshadow, a very thin winged line of eyeliner, mascara, and a nude-soft pink lipstick.
She also applied a very small hint of blush, which I told her was really not necessary with how red I turn constantly.
There was also some much-needed concealer added under my eyes, which is something I really didn’t want because it would hide my freckles, and I know how much Shane loves them.
But after last night, the bags under my eyes were way too noticeable.
Yet somehow, she worked her magic and hid them perfectly, without obscuring my freckles too much.
Now back to last night… It was terrible.
I woke up at one in the morning in horrible pain. These contractions were a lot worse than the previous ones I’ve been having, and nothing seemed to help pass them. Shane was practically freaking out the whole time because he didn’t know how to help and what to do.
The castle is two hours away from where I’m supposed to give birth, so this was not the ideal situation for us.
Finally, Shane called the maternity ward to find out if we should be coming in or not.
They told us to time the contractions and try to take a warm bath and see if it helps pass them.
That if they are real ones and I’m in actual labor, they won’t fade and just get closer and worse.
But the bath did the trick, and they slowly faded out until I was no longer in pain.
All I kept thinking was that if those were, as they call it, ‘fake contractions’, I’ll never make it through the real ones. All that being the reason behind why Shane and I were up for a total of four hours during the night and are now beyond exhausted with bags under our eyes.
It’s okay, though, we’re getting married today. We’ll be able to rest tomorrow.
Cecilia comes up beside me with a loving smile gracing her lips. “You look breathtaking, Aubrey.”
Shane and I each have four people in our wedding party.
Cecilia, Emma, and Morgan were chosen as my bridesmaids, while Ronnie received the title of maid of honor.
Shane chose Julian as his best man, with Jason, Jessie, and Hailey as his groomsmen.
Although I think Hailey being a woman would make her a groomswoman.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my natural blush shining through my makeup.
“I can’t believe how much has changed since we first met. Who knew this is how our lives would play out? That you’d attend my wedding as the new addition to our group, then four and a half years later, I’d get to be a part of yours.”
I take her hand in mine and turn to face her as I start to get emotional. Oh, who am I kidding? I’ve been emotional all morning. “I don’t think I’ve ever repaid you properly for bringing me into your life. You, Emma, and Morgan. I don’t think a ‘thank you’ will ever be enough.”
“You don’t need to repay us in any way, Brey. You’re family. You being in our lives is the greatest gift we could ask for.” She squeezes my hand, then whispers something unexpected, something I didn’t think she remembered. “Do you have any doubts?”
It’s the same question I asked her the night before her wedding, when I was still unsure if marriage was something that I wanted in my life. She had told me that she knew, from the very beginning, that Silas was the one for her, and that if that man ever came along in my life, I would know it too.
My eyes prickle with tears as I look deep into her hazel eyes. “Not a single one,” I breathe out with a sentimental voice.
“All right! No making the bride cry yet, her makeup was just finished,” Em calls out as she comes over with Ronnie, both carrying a tray of champagne flutes, and one that is slightly off in color, which I’m guessing is some type of sparkling juice for me.
“Let’s all have a toast in honor of Aubrey starting a new chapter in her life.” She hands out the darker flute to me, then goes to pass a normal flute to Cecilia, but she blushes and shakes her head.
“Wait.” I grab onto her wrist. “Are you?” I drop my gaze to her flat stomach, then back up.
She nods with watery eyes. “Silas and I found out yesterday, but we didn’t want to take the attention away from you and your big day. We were going to tell you all after the wedding.”
“Oh my God! Dante’s going to be a big brother!” Emma exclaims with joy, setting down the tray and takes Cece into her arms.
“I’m so happy for you, sweetie.” Morgan comes in next as they hug each other.
Ronnie steps up, wrapping her arms around Cecilia. “God, now those two will definitely not leave me alone once they find out you’re pregnant, too,” she says, talking about her men. She looks at me over Cece’s shoulder and winks.
“Better double up if you’re still not ready. I wouldn’t be surprised if they find a way around your implant. Those boys are growing impatient.” Cecilia smirks.
Cecilia turns to me as I open my arms. She smiles warmly and steps into my embrace. “Congratulations. I can only imagine how excited Silas is.”
“Oh, he’s over the moon.” She sighs dreamily and pulls away. “I’m sorry, I know this is your moment.”
I wave her off and rub my belly. “Don’t be. This just makes this day even better,” I reassure her.
At that moment, there’s a soft knock on the door, seconds before it opens and my parents step in. “Oh, my baby girl… Look at you.” My mother rushes over with a sob.
“Mom, please don’t cry because then I’ll cry too.” I let out a wet laugh as she wraps her arms around me.
“Right, right. I’m sorry. It’s just…” She takes a deep breath, letting it out. “You’ve grown up so quickly. And now both my babies are off, creating their own families and starting their new lives.”
“Well, Greyson started his new life a little while back already,” I point out.
“Yes, well, he was long overdue.” She giggles as I join in and steps back.
My father comes strolling in, looking at all my friends. “Woo, is it me or is it getting hot in here,” he jokes and winks at the girls as he stops in front of me, and suddenly, all joking disappears in the blink of an eye as his own mist over.
“Oh, Dad…” I wrap my arms around his neck.
“My sweet, beautiful girl.” He lets out a shaky exhale. “I’m so, so proud of you, sweetie.”
“Thank you, Dad,” I whisper as my eyes flood with tears. I look up quickly, trying to blink them away.
“All right, well, it’s time to go, ladies. The men are already getting into place.” My mother claps her hands just as the coordinator steps into the room to collect us.
My father holds me by the elbows, looking into my eyes. “Let’s get you married.”
“Let’s get me married.”
SHANE
I pull on the sleeves of my suit jacket and straighten my bow tie, then take a deep breath before following my groom’s party out into the hall, where everyone waits for the ceremony to start.