Kade was already at the table with everyone else, and when he saw me, his bright eyes lit up. He looked unbelievably sexy this morning. His face was glowing, and I could see the definition of muscles under his simple white T-shirt.
He stood and walked over to me, wrapping me up in his embrace. I closed my eyes and inhaled, letting his scent fill me.
“Hey, beautiful,” he whispered gently, kissing my cheek.
“Get a room,” Dom teased.
“Don’t worry. We will,” Kade answered, then turned to me with a wink.
My heart thrummed and my stomach twisted. Today was the day I was going to marry him. Immortals never had a wedding or celebration. But Kade was doing this for me, and for Alaine. He knew I wanted a wedding, and he wanted Alaine and Samuel to be a part of it. That made me love him even more… if that were even possible.
“There are children here,” Dom sang.
“I’m not a child,” Courtney huffed.
“I didn’t say you were.”
“You were implying it.”
“Oh, she’s using big words now. I’m sorry…there are teens in our midst,” he corrected.
“Yeah, get it right,” Courtney playfully snapped back.
“Feisty this morning,” Dom chuckled.
“Oh, she’s tame compared to that one,” Jeremy said, thumbing to Lia.
After breakfast, I knew it was the last time I’d see Kade before the ceremony, so I hugged him extra tight.
“I’ll see you in a few hours?” he said softly.
“I can’t wait to begin my life with you,” I breathed.
“I’ll be waiting at the altar,” he grinned, then brushed his hand across my cheek. He leaned in and kissed me quick. “See you soon.”
“See ya,” I said, breathless.
Lia took me by the arm and dragged me out. “Come on Cinderella. Time to get you ready for the ball.”
A few hours before the ceremony, the make-up artist and hairstylist were working on me at the same time. I refused to look in the mirror until I was fully put together. When they were done, they all stood around me, gawking and gasping. I assumed they had nailed their jobs.
Alaine, Lia, and Courtney were in the room. All of our make-up had been applied, but Lia was still in a tank top and jeans. Her hair was all down and straightened, with just the ends curled. They put false eyelashes on her and liner around her eyes to give them depth. Her cheeks were rosy and her lips were a dark shade of red. She looked like a porcelain China doll.
Courtney was wearing a delightful light-pink gown with sparkles all over it. Her hair was half-up, with ringlets flowing down her shoulders. Her make-up was natural with a slash of pink gloss over her lips. She looked like a princess.
Butterflies began to stir in my stomach as Alaine headed toward me carrying my gown in her arms. She carefully zipped the garment bag open, and I found myself shaking, taking in deep breaths and exhaling slowly.
“Oh my goodness, Emma. It’s gorgeous,” Lia gasped, holding her hands to her mouth.
“Wow! It’s so lovely,” Courtney added.
Alaine helped me slip into it, and as soon as she zipped it up, I could feel the weight of the fabric. It was strapless, and the back dipped down a little lower than usual, for one very specific reason… just in case.
The bodice was fitted down my waist, and was adorned with the most exquisite beading. The bottom was silk, flowing around me in layers. Alaine insisted on a train, but I didn’t want anything too long, so we agreed on one which extended about seven feet behind the dress. I was glad she talked me into it because it really was beautiful. Along the border of the train was a very lightweight lace with intricate embroidery, intertwined with delicate designs of feathers, combined with some beading.
The top part of my hair was pulled back into some kind of fancy updo, so the hairdresser could attached a jewel-studded crown and a veil which hung behind me. The rest of my hair hung down in big silky curls.
Alaine stood in front of me after she spread out my train. Courtney and Lia came and stood next to her with unreadable expressions on their faces.
“What?” I asked.
Alaine’s eyes began to water. “You are beyond gorgeous,” she breathed.
“I agree,” Courtney said. “You look like you should be on the cover of a magazine.”
“They’re right, Emma. You look like royalty,” Lia exhaled, her eyes starting to tear.
“Don’t do it,” I said, fighting back tears while laughing. “If you guys start crying, I’ll start crying, and then all this painted stuff on our faces will start running. It will ruin all of our pictures.”
“Okay. Okay,” Alaine said, fanning her eyes. “We all have a little something for you.”