Chapter 45
45
F leur stood in front of the full-length mirror in the suite, staring at her reflection, heart thudding and pulse racing. She might be saying it herself but the dress was perfect.
She’d been fairly sure about it, of course, but now, standing in the suite with sunlight filtering through the shutters, the ocean breeze lifting the edges of the white fabric ever-so-slightly, it felt just right.
Wendy, standing a few feet behind her, whistled. ‘Oh my goodness. You are stunning. You look like one of those impossibly effortless, cool-girl brides you see in those fancy Instagram reels. The ones who pretend they just threw something on but actually spent six months curating their entire aesthetic. I can’t believe how lovely the dress is. It fits you like a dream!’
Fleur chuckled. ‘I can assure you there was no six-month curating. More of a panic-search followed by a blind hope for the best.’ She turned and looked over her shoulder. ‘Gosh, it looks so much better with the hair and flowers and everything.’
Cassy, perched on the edge of an armchair, tilted her head. ‘It really is gorgeous.’
Fleur ran her hands over the silky fabric. It was exactly what she’d wanted—floaty, light, effortless and not too over the top. A soft, draped silk that skimmed rather than clung, a gentle dip at the neckline, delicate lace tracing along the edges of the straps. Nothing fussy or heavy. Just simple, timeless, and exactly her. ‘I love it.’
Wendy grinned, hands on hips. ‘Right, do a twirl so we get the full picture.’
Fleur rolled her eyes but turned slowly and made a funny face.
Cassy clutched her heart dramatically. ‘Oh, stop. You’re going to make me cry and I’ve only just got my mascara on.’
‘You are going to be a mess, aren’t you?’
‘A total mess. We’re talking full tears, blotchy face, embarrassing sniffing and I am not sorry about it. I’m so happy for you. This is emotional already and we’ve not even started yet.’
Wendy padded over in bare feet. ‘Patrick is going to absolutely lose his mind when he sees you.’ Her voice caught. ‘Dad would be so proud.’
Fleur’s stomach flipped. The thought of Patrick, standing on that beach, waiting for her, made her heart squeeze. She touched Wendy’s arm at the mention of Bill, their dad. ‘He would be over the moon if he could see the pair of us. You reckon?’
‘Yup, he so would’ Wendy peered in the mirror and frowned. ‘We’re glowing. How did that make-up girl do that? I need to put her in my suitcase and take her to Sydney.’
Fleur squinted at her make-up and turned to the side to examine her updo. It was a perfect soft tumble of curls at the nape of her neck with a few loose strands and fresh frangipani flowers pinned in at the side. She’d instructed that she wanted minimal make-up that was fresh, dewy, nothing too heavy and just glowy. Whatever had been put on her face had followed the brief and exceeded it.
Cassy sighed dreamily. ‘Ugh. This is like a dream. You are going to glide down that beach like a boho goddess and Patrick is going to have to steady himself to avoid passing out on the spot.’
Fleur laughed. ‘You’re getting carried away with yourself. No more bubbles for you.’ She felt a bit the same though; sort of hyper about the fact that she was getting married on a beach to Patrick where she would walk barefoot down a candlelit aisle with the bluest ocean stretching out beyond, with Patrick standing there, looking at her like she was the only person in the world. At least she hoped that was how it was going to go. A knock at the door made them all turn.
‘Who’s that?’ Fleur frowned, glancing at the clock.
Wendy padded over and opened the door ‘Ahh. It’s your daughter, bearing what appears to be a very important delivery.’
Lucy stepped in, a smile on her face, holding a small, white box tied with a ribbon. ‘I have a gift.’
Fleur frowned. ‘What’s that?’
Lucy crossed the room and gave the box to Fleur. ‘It’s from Patrick.’
Cassy let out a full squeal. ‘Oh my. A pre-ceremony gift. The romance.’
Wendy swatted her. ‘You’re hyper.’
Fleur untied the ribbon to reveal a delicate gold bracelet, simple and elegant, with a tiny charm in the shape of a frangipani flower. She swallowed. ‘Ooh.’
Cassy clapped a hand over her mouth. ‘Oh. That’s it, I’m gone. I need tissues. Immediately.’
Fleur turned the bracelet over in her fingers. It was engraved on the back. ‘Forever. P.’
‘Wendy shook her head. ‘I’m not one for being soppy but this is next level. First the ring and now this. Thank goodness you’re marrying him because he’s a keeper, for sure.’
Cassy sniffed dramatically. ‘This is going to be the best day.’
Fleur touched the bracelet and smiled. The day was going to get better.