Bonus Chapter A New Adventure
A heavily pregnant Ella stares at my reflection in the mirror and tears well in her eyes. Legend smoothes the fabric on my shoulder and takes a step back.
"You look...beautiful doesn't justify you." Legend stares at me in awe, his green eyes wide.
My eyes sting with unshed tears as I take in the effect of my dress and make-up.
The dress is simply...stunning. The softest cream fabric, embroidered in beiges and embellished with blue and hazel brown crystals that bring out my eyes. The gown is one shouldered, the tulle allowing the cream of my skin to peek through.
The dress hugs my figure in all the right places, all the way to my knees before flaring in a fishcut tail that makes me look like a mermaid straight out of a fantasy.
I force myself to exhale the breath caught in my throat.
Legend truly outdid himself.
I catch his eye in the mirror. "Thank you," slips out in a whisper. He winks at me before grinning.
Ella's lips tremble as she drapes the veil over my head. The soft net tickles my cheekbones as it flows over my carefully styled hair.
The makeshift vanity is strewn with make-up and other knick-knacks discarded in the past hour as Legend and Ella got me ready.
I stare at my reflection, unable to believe it's really me.
A knock sounds on the door, and it pulls all three of us out of our reverie.
"That's our cue." Ella turns, waddling slowly to the entry to the suite while Legend pulls out a pair of silk stilettos matching my dress exactly.
"Please tell me you're not going to traumatise me by wearing sneakers under your dress."
He holds them out to me, daring me to refuse them, and I laugh. "I'm wearing these heels even if I have to pry them out of your cold, dead hands. No sneakers for me."
I wink at Ella, who rolls her eyes. "Legend, you gotta get over it. I'm wearing those red sneakers even today." She lifts her blue bridesmaid dress, and there they are—red sneakers, the same ones she wore on her wedding day.
Legend gasps like he's in pain. Ella snorts.
"These are lucky shoes. It'll bring Marcus and Celeste good fortune." She finally reaches the door and pulls it open.
Legend opens his mouth to snark at her but a loud gasp surprises us all.
Chris stands at the door, staring at me, mouth agape. His eyes are wide and he's frozen two steps in.
"I—uh—You...Celeste, you..." Warmth creeps up my neck at seeing my usually stoic brother struck so completely speechless.
He rushes in and carefully envelops me in a gentle hug.
He steps away slowly. "I should probably have an ambulance on standby. Marcus's heart is going to stop when he sees you."
I can't help the laughter that bubbles up. "Maybe clear the driveway all the same."
Chris returns my grin and offers his arm. "Ready?"
I take his arm in response and we step outside.
—-------------------
Interspersed with baby's breath and white roses, they create an aisle from the chapel doors and it feels like I'm standing in the middle of some fae woodlands.
I wait under a massive Yew tree, my groomsmen beside me.
I fidget with my lapel, and Keith finally rests his hand on my shoulder to stop me.
"Nervous?" His voice is low, and I'm grateful. I don't want to break the serenity cast upon this space.
I nod. Beside him, Kyle is adjusting his bow-tie. He looks nervous, although I don't see why he should be.
All further thought on the matter is forgotten as the doors swing open and the violin player hired for the occasion starts the wedding march.
Kenneth—our officiant for the ceremony—shifts behind me, but I barely register.
Celeste, my beautiful Celeste, steps out on Chris's arm. My breath catches as I stare at the goddess walking towards me.
My pulse crashes through the roof, the roar of my veins dulling all sounds.
Celeste looks ethereal, her dress bringing out the unearthly beauty of her mismatched eyes until they're all I see.
She stops next to me, taking my hand as Chris steps back. The smile on my lips is sure to split my face. I incline my head to Chris, though I can barely see beyond the film of tears blurring my vision.
I squeeze Celeste's hand, unable to contain the storm of emotions in my chest.
Kenneth clears his throat. "We are gathered here this day, to join Marcus Holden and Celeste Shaw in the bonds of holy matrimony.
"Do you, Marcus Holden, take Celeste Shaw to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
I turn to look at Celeste, her shinning eyes bright beyond the veil.
My heart feels so full I can barely speak. "I do."
"Do you, Celeste Shaw, take Marcus Holden to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
"I do." Her voice rings clearly across the yard.
"Then, by the power vested in me by the State, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
I lift her veil and pull her closer.
"You're mine now, Celeste. Forever. I'm never letting you go."
She grins at me. There is an openness on her face that I never thought I'd get to see.
"Me either."
I lower my head as she rises up, and our lips meet in the middle.
It's like an explosion goes off in me, and I forget everything else except the taste that is Celeste.
Cheers and applause ring across the clearing as our friends and family celebrate with us.
We finally part, although I want nothing more than to drag her home and unwrap her like the present she is.
We turn to the small crowd gathered around us as we raise our hands in celebration.
Keith, Ella, Legend, Kenneth, Kyle, Hazel, Frany and Chris. The people who made this day possible.
The band Kyle hired starts playing music and I pull Celeste towards the small dance floor to begin our first dance as a couple.
I don't think she realizes just how happy I am today.
—--------------------------
I have never seen Marcus's eyes shine with such joy. A joy that I'm sure is mirrored in mine.
We did it. We finally made it to each other, completely and irrevocably.
The sun breaks out from behind the clouds and a shaft of sunlight lands directly on us.
I'm glad we got married here. It feels like our deceased parents are with us. Like they are blessing us.
The blue irises decorate the entire backyard—a surprise from Marcus. An ode to mom and me. I hadn't even known that he noticed.
Well, he's not the only one with a surprise.
As the set closes, I step away from him and signal to the band who send a microphone my way.
The others step back and Marcus stares at me curiously.
"Marcus, six months back, you encouraged me to explore music. You stood by me, and reminded me, that it wasn't too late... that my dream didn't have to die..."
I cue the band, who start strumming the opening of the song from my first album.
Marcus stares at me, eyes wide, as he doesn't quite get what I'm saying.
"I took your words to heart and wrote my first album. It's about you. It's about us. And I would like to dedicate it to you—the love of my life."
Ever since Marcus heard me sing the first time, he's adored my voice. I've often noticed him drop whatever he's doing to listen to me, if I'm ever singing around him.
He has been my greatest support and truest advocate.
"Here's to you my love..."
And I start singing.
—------------------------------
Celeste's voice fills the clearing. The melody is sweet and hopeful. She belts the song with all the emotions she's been unable to express completely, and my heart sings with her.
Everybody listens to her with rapt attention.
By the time Celeste gets to the pre-chorus, Ella is bawling into Keith's jacket. My eyes are so full of tears I can't make out another thing anymore.
By the time she gets to the bridge, I'm sure there isn't a dry eye in the group.
By the time the final strains of the outro fade, I'm halfway to her. I pull her into a hug, my whole body trembling.
I forget about everyone present. I'm glad nobody interrupts us.
"Thank you...Just, thank you." My throat feels raw.
Celeste is grinning like the cat that got the cream. It's beginning to sink into me—she said she made an entire album.
"When did you manage to write a whole album? Why didn't you tell me?!"
"I wanted to surprise you, duh. Did you like the song?"
"I loved it. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album. It's going to be a smash hit. I just know it. When is it releasing?"
Celeste grins, truly delighted. "Next month. After we return from our honeymoon."
The band starts playing in the background and people start joining us on the dance floor.
I pull her into my arms and start swaying. "You never cease to surprise me."
She grins. "Can't let you get too complacent!"
"Oh, is that so?!"
I tickle her sides and she shrieks. She pushes me away as she runs and hides behind our guests and I chase after her.
I'm glad we decided to have a super intimate wedding.
As everyone joins us in the game of tag, the clouds completely break and the sun washes us in its light.
I can't help but laugh in delight as I chase after Kyle, who yelps and tumbles.
A new adventure awaits.