Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
JESSICA
I sip on my bellini as the finishing touches are done to my hair. I hardly recognise myself.
Jax picked up Lily’s sister Mia from the station this morning.
Lily and Avery told me she wanted to be a professional make-up artist. So, I hired her to help with hair and makeup.
It seemed only fitting seeing as Lily designed my wedding dress, and it would appear they’re both beyond talented.
And if it helps with her portfolio, who am I to deny her the opportunity.
I glance over at my dress hanging from the rail, eager to finally pull it on.
The white lace and delicate tulle create an ethereal elegance, adorned in floral embroidery and subtle beadwork.
The design is the essence of a fairytale, fitting me like a soft embrace, but the fabric allows me to move with grace with every twist and turn.
How Lily managed to design my dress and have it made within three weeks completely blew me away.
They both came wedding dress shopping and no matter how many dresses we looked at I just couldn’t find the one. Eventually Lily started asking me questions and making notes as she pulled out her iPad and pen and began to sketch. And that’s how the idea for the dress was born.
I decided on a simple but elegant bouquet, an avalanche of roses and eucalyptus, this is about new beginnings after all.
“There, all done,” Mia says, holding up a handheld mirror so I can see my hair in the reflection. “What do you think?”
I place my glass on the dresser and stand, checking side to side, loving the low updo.
“It’s perfect.” It’s sophisticated and polished, just what I wanted. “Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure.”
I turn to hug her. Pulling away, I turn back to the mirror, hardly believing it’s me staring back.
I reach for my glass, my eyes catching on my engagement ring now on my right hand until I say I do.
I can’t look at it without smiling. Caleb took me and Noah to the same jewellers so we could pick out our wedding bands.
Mine is a black band that fits perfectly with my wedding ring, and it’s the same with Noah’s, only his is a thinner band, but with his engagement ring it fits perfectly. Caleb got a black band too.
“Oh, that reminds me,” I say, promptly placing my glass back down. “I have a little something for everyone.”
I go over to my wardrobe and pull out the big drawstring bag and then reach inside.
And then I pass out the teal bags to Lily, Avery, and Mia.
“Open them,” I say.
Avery raises an eyebrow. “You know you didn’t have to get us anything.”
I nod. “I know, but I wanted to, and this way you all have something tangible, a keepsake,” I reply.
“Jessica, honestly you shouldn’t have,” Lily says, her cheeks flushing as she pulls on the ribbon.
“You can change them if you want.”
Avery tuts. “We will be doing no such thing.”
“You have the same, but different,” I say nervously.
Lily gasps as she pulls hers out of the bag. It’s a simple Return to Tiffany bracelet, but each of the heart tags are a different colour.
“It’s gorgeous,” Lily says as Avery and Mia pull theirs out too.
“Are you sure, if you’d prefer something else?—”
Avery cuts her eyes to me. “Not going to happen.” She holds it up. “Mia, can you help me put it on, please?”
Mia helps her with the clasp and then raises her wrist. “I want to wear mine too,” she says.
“Can you give me a hand with mine after?” Lily asks.
I’m touched at their genuine reaction. “I can help.”
But she shakes her head. “With that fresh manicure. I think not.”
I contemplate arguing with her, but as I look down at my nails, I know she’s right. If I can make it through the day without chipping them, I’ll be surprised.
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” I say, admiring them. Simple and yet classic. “What about Avery’s nails?”
“Here,” Mia says as shecomes over to clasp Lily’s bracelet.
“Hey, shouldn’t we be the ones giving you a gift on your wedding day?” Avery says as she pulls out a bag from behind her back and passes it over to me. “It’s as though we’re all best friends and share the same brain.”
My cheeks heat as I take the bag. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
Avery raises an eyebrow, and I shake my head. “Yeah, okay, touché.” I peek inside the bag.
“Go on,” Mia says, as she bounces on the balls of her feet, her excitement palpable.
I pull out a small box and open the lid.
“Oh my gosh, it’s beautiful,” I say, picking up the charm. “I love it, thank you so much.” I sniff back tears, refusing to cry before my wedding.
“You like it?” Mia asks, her smile contagious.
I nod. “I really do.” I hold up my wrist. “Can you help me put it on?”
Mia doesn’t hesitate and I smile as she makes quick work of unclasping my bracelet and adding the black rose charm and then fastens it just as quickly.
I shake my wrist, loving how the addition fits perfectly. I don’t think they realise just how much this means to me.
And just like that, I’m crying.
“Shit,” Avery says, snatching a tissue from the box and handing it to me.
I do my best to try and stem my tears.
“Sorry, this means so much, thank you.” I try to wipe under my eyes. “Shit, I’m ruining my makeup,” I say as I glance over to the mirror.
“It’s okay,” Mia says, her hand on my back. “I can touch up your make-up.”
Apart from my slightly blotchy cheeks, my makeup still looks okay.
“I really love you guys,” I say once I control my emotions.
“We love you too,” Lily replies, as do Avery and Mia, and then I’m being pulled into a group hug.
A knock at the door has us breaking apart, and I check the clock on the wall, worried I’m running late but all seems okay.
“I’ll get it,” Mia says as she practically skips over to the door and pulls it open.
“Hi Mason,” she says and pulls him into a hug.
He looks up at me, and then gently pats her back before she pulls away.
Avery grumbles something under her breath as she tightens her robe, and Lily clears her throat.
“Let us give you both a minute,” she says, reaching for Avery’s elbow. “We’ll get our dresses on and then return to help you with yours.”
I nod, and they head out, leaving us alone—Mason’s stare tracking Avery until she’s out of sight.
“You okay there?” I ask when he returns his gaze to mine.
“Yeah, of course. You wanted to see me?” he asks.
I nod and walk over to my wardrobe and pull out a box. “This is for you, it’s from me, Noah, and Caleb.”
He rolls his eyes and takes it from me.
“Just open it.”
He arches a brow, pointing the box to me. “You know you’ve become much bossier since you got with them two.”
I laugh. “Are you complaining?” I ask with a hand on my hip.
“Only when it’s directed at me. Them, you can boss around as much as you want.” He pulls off the wrapping to reveal the Tag Heuer box.
“Jessica?” He opens the lid and smiles. “I love it, but it’s too much.”
I shake my head. “No, Mase, it’s really not.” He made sure I never went without and it’s a small token, a keepsake, and I know how much he loves Formula 1 and he’s a sucker for a decent timepiece.
“Thank you.”
I take the box, remove the pillow, and slip the watch free.
“It’s engraved,” I say as I hand it over.
A brother’s love knows no bounds.
He swallows hard as he reads it and then looks up, his eyes glassy before pulling me into a tight hug.
“I love you, sis,” he says, his voice filled with emotion. “You know that right?”
I nod and pull back and stare up at him. “Of course, I love you too.”
He steps back and stares at the watch again. “I’ll wear this today. I just need to do one last mail drop. I feel like a glorified mailman,” he says. “Then I’ll be back to walk you down the aisle.”
“Thank you,” I reply and smile. Once he’s gone, I take that moment of quiet to reach for the letters he dropped to me earlier.