Chapter 34 I Do
I Do
Rose
Ishook like a leaf, standing before a mirror as a dresser finished cinching up the gown bodice.
Foundation garments were built into elaborate dresses, but given my early pregnancy bloat, I felt like I might burst from my stays.
I said nothing to anyone, just smiled and played along.
I wanted this to stay a precious secret for at least a month or so more.
I didn’t look forward to the chaos a royal baby announcement might bring—or the pain it could cause Cecilia and Isak.
“We’ve got one last thing.” Queen Kiersten entered.
Cici followed, decked out in a beautiful blue dress that was magic with her athletic frame.
Kiersten said, “I wanted to show you something. You don’t have to wear it. And you claim you’re okay with no veil since… you know… it got destroyed.”
I fought tears, angry still about the fact that it was taken from me. “It’s okay. The important part is I’m getting married to the man I love.”
“Just give it a minute,” Cici said. “Don’t decide until she shows you.”
“Henrietta!” Kiersten called.
A woman entered holding an ivory lace veil.
“It was mine. We pulled it from the archive,” Kiersten said. “I know it doesn’t match perfectly, but… I figured it was English, and the lace would be a close enough match.”
“You did?” Cici snickered. “No, I did.”
“It’s beautiful,” I said.
“If you want to wear it, I’d be honoured, but you aren’t obligated,” Kiersten said.
“I would like to try,” I said.
The dresser held the comb up to simulate the view of the veil. It was perfect. I nodded through tears which Betty valiantly dried.
“It’s gorgeous,” Ingrid noted.
“Up or down?” Frankie asked. “For the front?”
“Down,” I said as they secured the comb into my updo, minding the sewn-in tiara.
“We will pull it down after your father has a chance to see your face,” Kiersten said. “But I am over-the-moon that it got a second use. People were wondering where my veil went form the display at the opera house.”
“And now they have an answer,” Mum said. “Are you ready for Daddy?”
I nodded. “Yes, I think so.”
“Let’s bring her down. Note where the groom is,” Mum told the planner.
“He’s already on his way to the church,” the planner confirmed.
I travelled through the house with my massive party of women and staff.
I now realized why Frankie thought my dress was so over the top.
It took a lot to move in it. I came down the stairs, spotting my father chatting with Prince Ed, Prince George, and Queen Natalie below.
The Lyons bunch faded, leaving just my family behind.
“That’s my little girl, isn’t it?” Dad said, already a sappy mess.
I hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t cry.”
“You’re so beautiful. There is no way you are old enough to be getting married.”
“She is a gorgeous bride,” Mum agreed. “But I should follow Natalie and Ed out. Mac and the rest are dying to leave, I guess.”
“Understood, yes,” Dad said. “We’ll lag behind. Best of luck everyone.”
The attendants faded out after they’d pulled my veil down. In an act of calm, Dad extended his arm. I held on tight as we approached the doors to the steps that would lead to our waiting car and the thousands of excited Norwegians who had shown up to watch us proceed.
“He is very lucky. And he knows that,” Dad said. “He is a good man. He’ll make a good husband.”
“I know, Dad, I wouldn’t marry him otherwise.”
Dad bristled. “You know, it’s hard to even find space with this dress in the way. What is this made of?”
“So many things,” I laughed. “I have no idea how I will walk back from the church in this. It is going to be rough.”
“You won’t care. If it’s anything like how things were for your mother and I, you will be floating on air, and you won’t give a flying fuck what happens.”
I giggled, “Daddy, we’re about to be in a church.”
“I know. But you know what? It’s true. Just you wait.”
We rode in an open car to the church, waving at well-wishers and smiling. I told myself that all the hours Frankie and I had spent pretending we were Aunt Natalie doing Trooping the Colour paid off. At least I knew the job, I told myself.
At the gothic cathedral, bells rang and the organ played. We took our places listening to a crowd screaming my name as if I could respond. Betty fanned my dress while Frankie and Iona herded children.
Betty came around as we stood in the church doorway, put her hands on my shoulders, and declared, “You look fucking amazing. Don’t trip, okay? Just smile, marry my brother, and then we can celebrate.”
I giggled. “Yes, captain. I’ll manage.”
Finally, with attendants seated, Dad patted my hand. It was time.
We waited before the inner doors of the vestibule and listened to the Wedding March’s first bar. The doors sprung open, unveiling the beautiful scene. A floral aroma hit as Dad and I stepped all-too-slowly to the song’s beat. Lars grinned upon seeing me
“How did you get more beautiful?” He asked once I reached him.
I blushed. “I don’t know.”
Dad pulled my veil back and kissed my cheek, then shook Lars’s hand. “I wish you both the best.”
He stepped aside as the choir and orchestra picked up. We stood here before continuing to the altar. The song gave us a moment to catch our breath and wonder at the whole scene. He looked so handsome in his uniform, and I couldn’t have been happier with how well we ended up matching.
As the director dropped his hands and the choir fell silent, Lars picked up my hand.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“For this or for forever?” I replied.
“Forever.”
“I hope so,” I said. “Let’s do it.”
We stepped into forever, unbothered by the ties we’d faced only days before.
In the end, everyone was right. Lars was the only thing that mattered.
I trusted everything else would fall into place.
While I’d expected to feel confusion at the news of our baby, I didn’t.
I felt peace. I knew I was surrounded by love and that our baby would be, too.
As we left the church, married, we kissed beneath the peeling bell.
Lars looked at me, hand around my waist, “It wasn’t the fairytale we had planned, but I hope it will do.”
I smiled. “It will. It absolutely will.”