Chapter Forty-Four
Bobbi
“You’re so beautiful!”
“You look like a Sugar Plum Fairy!”
I smile at the chirpy voices of the little ones as they surround me in the enormous bedroom I’m using as my dressing room. They’re pretty, too, in their pink and ivory dresses with little sparkly sequins and ruffles. Monique has a tiara from Sebastian resting on her head, and Lilian and Katherine are wearing stunning butterfly and flower pins made with amethysts and sapphires. Noah and I are getting married on the beach by his Malibu home. The cloudless SoCal sky is so blue it barely looks real, and waves lap the sand gently.
“You really are stunning.” Ivy’s admiring eyes roam over my white silk tulle dress with a sweetheart neckline and Watteau train. She hugs me. “I’m so happy for you!”
“I always knew it.” Yuna embraces me—and Ivy as well, probably unable to wait until the latter moves away. Yuna isn’t known for her patience. “The manifestation ring was so inspired.”
“I can’t believe it. It’s just so incredible.” Josie fans herself. Unshed tears shine in her eyes. She always gets emotional at big family events.
The door opens, and my soon-to-be sisters-in-law walk in, dressed as colorfully as their warm personalities. Lucie gasps. “Oh my God! Yuna?”
Yuna spins around and stares. “Lucie! I didn’t know you knew Bobbi.”
“She’s going to be my sister-in-law. You?”
“Oh, we’ve been friends forever.” Yuna grins.
While Yuna and Lucie gush about how small the world is, Aspen and Sierra hug me. “Welcome to the family!”
“How are you feeling? Hopefully not too nervous?” Amy asks.
“I’m fine. Ready to take my vows.”
“Speaking of ready…” Josie hands me a pretty silver bracelet. “Something old.” She smiles. “It’s from Grandma.”
“Thanks.” I watch as she loops it around my wrist, my chest starting to swell with anticipation and hope. This is it. I’m going to become Mrs. Noah Lasker in a few minutes.
“Something new.” Lucie pulls a diamond pin from the small box she’s holding and pushes it into my updo. The stone sparkles like all the blessings in my life.
“Something borrowed.” Molly puts a tiny heart-shaped silver charm on the bracelet from Josie, then gives me a shy hug.
“And something blue.” Yuna wraps a vivid blue satin ribbon around my bouquet and ties it into a gorgeous bow.
“Sixpence in your shoe.” Grinning, Sierra pulls out a bright penny. “They don’t make sixpence coins anymore, so we’re substituting. This was minted the year you were born.” She puts it on my palm and folds my fingers over the warm coin. “I’m so happy we’re getting another sister.”
“Thank you so much, everyone.” I smile.
The door bursts open, and the boys barge in, dressed in tuxedos. “Look! Se?or Mittens is ready!”
I put a hand over my mouth. Noah told me the cat should be part of the ceremony. After all, he is our Cupid and guardian angel. But I never imagined this was what he had in mind.
A pair of wings made with actual feathers. A long white cloth wraps around him like a Roman toga, and a bow is attached to his back with an arrow tipped with a red heart. Se?or Mittens glares at me like it’s my fault he’s been stripped of his feline dignity.
“Oh wow…” I breathe out.
“Isn’t he cool?” Liam shouts.
Se?or Mittens’s narrowed eyes say I better answer wisely or else.
“Um… Yes?”
He lets out a growl. Guess that wasn’t the correct response.
“Wow. So Joey actually did it,” Aspen says in half in awe, half horrified.
“What?” Joey?
“Grant said that Noah ordered Joey to make them. I mean, he’d know who to ask to get the best costume, right?”
“Did he wrangle an invitation for Ted?” Amy asks, scandalized.
Aspen shakes her head. “Not a chance.”
Amy lets out a relieved sigh. “Thank God. Grandfather or not, I’m not letting that man near Monique.”
Yuna’s phone buzzes. She glances at the screen, then chortles softly.
“What’s so funny?” I ask as I check my reflection for the last time. The makeup artist did an amazing job. And she made sure that I still look like myself, not someone who has a thousand layers of plaster on her.
“Mom says congrats, and she wants to know if you can send her some of your marriage luck because she’s having the hardest time getting Jin to marry a proper heiress. So I told her to cut off his allowance.”
The suggestion has me gasping with shock. “He gets an allowance?”
“Of course not.” Yuna laughs gleefully. “But they cut me off when I said no to an arranged marriage. I just felt like being bratty.”
“Arranged marriages aren’t that terrible.” Josie’s voice takes on a serious-therapist tone. “Provided the couple shares similar values. Love may not last, but values are forever.”
“Oh, we don’t pick our spouses for values,” Yuna says lightly, like she’s discussing the beautiful weather outside. “This is a merger marriage. Billions are riding on it.”
I shake my head at the wild pressure that type of union would bring. On the other hand, who am I to think about pressure on others? I’m marrying a man who pre-emptively assassinates terrorists and other bad actors who threaten our national security.
Molly checks her watch. “It’s time.”
We step out together, and the ladies disperse toward the beach. TJ stands outside the door in a tux that fits his huge frame surprisingly well. A tear glints in his eye as he offers his arm. “Ah, Bobbi. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks, TJ.”
“If that fucker does you wrong, you lemme know. I’ve always got your back.”
Instead of placing my hand on his arm, I hug him. “Thanks, TJ. I have yours, too. We’re family.”
He nods, offers his arm again and we stroll out to the beach in a stately manner.
The briny breeze ruffles my dress, and the train billows from my shoulders. The sun is a bright white coin in the sky, and I look at the love of my life standing at the other end of the silk-covered aisle.
Noah is absolutely stunning in his black and white tuxedo. The wind runs its fingers through his hair, tousling it. A brilliant grin splits his face, and his eyes shine with love. He looks at me like I’m all he could ever want in life. Emotions surge, my heart in my throat as thousands of butterflies flutter in my belly.
As Ivy plays “Here Comes the Bride,” I take the first step toward my new future with the love of my life.