Alyssa swirled in front of the mirror, the sequins on her beautiful, sky blue, sleeveless dress catching the lights around the room. Nicholas bought it for her to wear to dinner at his granny’s house.
“Beautiful! It looks as if it’s made for you,” said Nicholas, standing behind her and appreciating her through the glass.
“Who else will be there tonight?”
“No one. Only you and I with mom and granny. I specifically asked them not to go overboard.”
“Yes, I need a quiet moment with them.” After a few minutes, they drove over to his house and, as always, aunt Claudia welcomed her in with open arms.
“It’s been so long since you’ve been here, my dear,” she said, hugging her close. Alyssa too hugged her back, feeling guilty for not visiting them often as she had promised. Granny too came forward to give her a hug.
“Sorry, aunt Claudia. I was so busy job hunting that it escaped my mind,” said Alyssa apologetically.
“So, have you found your dream job yet?” asked his granny.
“No, she’s taking over from her dad. She doesn’t need a job,” informed Nicholas.
“That’s wonderful news. Make your dad proud, dear. I’m sure you’ll do better than him,” said granny while Alyssa flashed a warm and confident smile at her. The topic didn’t annoy her at all like it used to. She was confident that after training under Nicholas and with her dad’s expert guidance, she could handle the business well. She knew where she gained that confidence from. It was from Nicholas’s love and trust!
“I’m sure she will. So what have you made, granny? I can smell your meatloaf from right here,” said Nicholas, rushing to the kitchen and pulling Alyssa along as well.
“Yes, I’ve made meatloaf but let’s see you guessing the rest of the menu by its aroma,” chuckled granny, and even his mom joined in. Nicholas took it up as a challenge while Alyssa and his mom enjoyed the game. Nicholas guessed every dish correctly, except the appetizers that granny prepared beforehand.
Granny served the appetizers, bite-sized balls of mac and cheese, and bacon-wrapped shrimp she had made. They all tucked into the delicious food hungrily. “When you return from your honeymoon, I want to hear some good news,” said granny while Alyssa sputtered with disbelief.
“We aren’t ready to have children yet, granny. We need at least a year to settle down. Alyssa has to take over her dad’s business, and he needs to recover from his illness as well.”
“These things will continue all your life. Don’t postpone starting your family for long,” advised his mom.
“Just a year will hardly make a difference, mom.”
“What if I don’t live long enough to see your kids?” granny tried again to convince them in another way.
“Oh, you’ll live longer,” said Nicholas, not giving in.
“Don’t worry, granny. I’ll give you good news soon,” said Alyssa, at last, to pacify her. That satisfied both granny and aunt Claudia, and they eventually dropped the topic, concentrating on their wedding day preparations instead. At last, they took their leave after an enjoyable time together.
“Just a few more hours to go and we would be each other’s for life,” said Nicholas. “I still can’t believe that I’ll be a married man tomorrow.”
“You still have the time to rethink your decision,” teased Alyssa with a chuckle as he drove them home.
“My decision is unchangeable. I would always choose to marry you.”
“Me too,” she whispered. Nicholas smiled at his fiancee, his heart filling up with more love for her. She was his life partner in the true sense of the term! They reached home and lay in each other’s embrace and planned their future together till they dozed off to sleep, dreaming of the most important day of their lives, their wedding day!
With the wedding happening at noon, Alyssa and Nicholas had the time to enjoy a relaxing breakfast at home before heading over to her parents’ house to get ready. The moment she reached, her entire gang of bridesmaids whisked her away with them, scolding her for arriving late.
“Who arrives so late on her wedding day?” asked Sienna.
“What were you up to early in the morning?” glared Skylar, but her impish grin gave her away.
“We just had a relaxing breakfast, okay? You all really have to change your mindset.” She rolled her eyes at them.
“Breakfast? What did you eat? Food or each other?” giggled Hayley.
“Each other. Happy?” said Alyssa, giving up. They rolled with laughter, pulling her with them to her old childhood bedroom where they had so many memories together of their childhood.
“Why did you shower already? We had planned to dip you in aromatic oils to drive Nicholas crazy all day,” said Sienna, and they all groaned at seeing their plans go down the drain.
“I don’t need that, please. Just fix my hair and makeup already,” said Alyssa.
They fought amongst themselves over who would do what, forgetting all their initial planning, and Alyssa rolled her eyes, missing Eva all the more. Still, she didn’t mention her even once. It was useless to hope for her! She would never set foot here knowing how much her parents hated her! Sienna started working on her hair when her mom walked into the room to check up on their progress.
Skylar worked on her makeup while Hayley helped her with the wedding dress afterward. Alyssa clipped on the priceless platinum and diamond jewelry that her mom gifted her. As she stared at her reflection, her eyes widened at seeing the glowing woman looking confident, yet ethereal and angelic, staring back at her. She felt astounded by the transformation in her! True love could do wonders for one’s personality!
The sheer illusion neckline embellished with handmade floral lace motifs accentuated the fitting bodice covered with tiny crystals, reflecting the lights all around. The A-line chapel train, lace, and tulle skirt with lace motifs gave the dress a romantic look. Sienna had curled her golden locks and fixed them at one side with a jeweled comb, leaving the rest cascading down her back.
“Exquisite, beautiful like a queen. I’m so proud of you, Alyssa!” said her mom, coming up to stand beside her. Her appreciation touched her deeply, as it was something she craved all her life.
“Thank you, mom. Your appreciation means the world to me,” she whispered.
“I’m sorry for everything that happened to your dad. I wish I could change everything. If only he was alive to see you today.”
“He can see me from wherever he is. What happened to him was his fate! It wasn’t in your hands. You both fell apart! I’ve accepted it and moved on and so should you, mom.”
“Yes. I hope he is happy wherever he is,” said her mom with tears in her eyes.
“I’m sure he is,” said Alyssa, wiping her mom’s eyes and smiling at her encouragingly. It was the first time they talked normally about her dad, without accusing one another. They had come a long way and eventually had forgiven each other. A huge weight lifted off both their chests, and they embraced one another. It was heartfelt and very much necessary! It was a sort of closure that was pending for a long time!
“The officiant is here, Alyssa. Hurry,” said aunt Claudia, coming into the room.
Her mom fixed her veil, and she was ready to go. They escorted her out of the room to where her dad was, on the shady porch. Her eyes went towards Nicholas, Maxwell, Lucas, Christian, and Ashton waiting at the aisle along with the other guests.
When she turned towards her dad, Alyssa froze in her tracks, seeing her dad talking to Alexander. Where did he come from? “When did he arrive? Where’s Eva?” whispered Skylar in her ear, but Alyssa couldn’t hear a thing as her eyes were glued to her brother. Would he spoil her wedding? Why was he here at the last minute? Her glance fell upon Nicholas again, who was happily laughing with the others. It didn’t look like he had seen Alexander at all!
Seeing her, Alexander looked in her direction, watching her with his jaws dropped to the floor. Her dad, too, got up from his chair and looked around helplessly at her mom. No one knew what Alexander would do. He looked at Nicholas and then back at his sister.
“Were you planning to walk down the aisle without me?” he asked softly. There was a pin-dropped silence all around as they tried to grasp what he meant. Her dad smiled and walked towards her, offering her his arm.
“Alexander wants to walk you down the aisle with me, dear,” he said, and Alyssa smiled with relief.
“Oh,” she gasped. “But where’s Eva?” she asked instead, looking around for her best friend.
“She’s waiting outside to meet you. Can you come out for a minute, Lisa?” pleaded Alexander for the first time, looking vulnerable as he eyed his parents.