"Only in your hand," James laughed and walked away. I groaned at his stupid attempt at being funny.
I got up quickly and dragged my ass to the coffee machine before getting ready for the wedding.
~
Lilli
Luckily I was able to convince everyone that I needed some sleep, so they didn't pressure me into staying up and talking all night. However, Phoebe woke me earlier than I wanted. Since she brought food, I let her live.
"It's your day!" Phoebe bounced and clapped. "I brought coffee and croissants."
Groggily, I sat up and thanked her.
"Eat, get in the shower and come downstairs for the full breakfast. Then we get started! I’m so excited!"
I groaned.
"Fine." Honestly, I just wanted this day to be over.
I stayed in the shower for as long as I could. Phoebe had me on some damn time line. She knocked about fifteen minutes into my shower to get me moving. Wrapping up in a robe, I headed downstairs.
"Good morning, babe!" My mother pulled me into a large hug.
"Mom, I really need to talk to you." She looked at me confused. "I don't think it's fair for you to think that this," I motioned to everything, "is real." She furrowed her brow. I sighed, sat her down and started from the beginning.
Cracking my knuckles, I waited while she processed what I just said.
"Well...you’re a grown woman and make your own decisions. Besides, I can see the way you two feel about each other. Even if you both don't see it yet." She shrugged and stood, walking toward the kitchen.
"W-what?" I quickly followed after her.
"Oh Lilli, you are so blind sometimes. He wants you and you want him. It's just a matter of time." She wrapped her arm around my shoulder.
"Mom –"
"You see it too!" Viola said cheerfully.
"Of course, Aidan looks like he wants to eat her." My mother laughed joined by Viola, Celia and Phoebe.
"What did I miss?" Maggie appeared in the kitchen.
"Nothing," I groaned.
"How Aidan and Lilli are going to be perfect together and they don't even realize it yet." Celia giggled.
"Oh that," Maggie shrugged.
"Not you, too?" I scowled.
"Jesus Lilli, the first day in the club his eyes were all over you and the smile on his face when you would talk to him was insane. It’s the same way Dixon looks at me." Celia laughed out. "Then that day he attacked that groper at the bar," she broke into laughter.
"Aidan attacked someone?" Viola looked startled.
"No...It's not like that –"
Celia cut me off by going into the whole story. Groaning, I started shoving eggs and toast into my mouth.
"Someone hand me a fucking mimosa." I growled. They all laughed at my pouting.
Viola and Phoebe had two make-up artists and two hair stylist brought in to work on all of us.
Lance was working on my hair, pulling it all up into intricate twists and curls. I sat there for over two hours sipping water and nibbling on toast, cheese and crackers. My ass had started to go numb.
Once he was finished, Kammie started on my make up with strict instructions from Phoebe. My eyes, smoky but neutral with a slight hint of green. My cheeks naturally blushed and my lips were tinted red. It wasn't overpowering or heavy, so I was content.
Slipping into the dress, my mother helped to zip and button me up. I could see the tears already starting in her eyes.
"Mom, don't start crying, please. You'll smudge our makeup because I’ll cry with you."
"I'm trying not to." She sniffed. Phoebe handed her a tissue.
"Lilli, you look amazing!" She bounced with excitement.
"You look lovely, dear." Viola smiled wide.
"Uh, Lilli, if you’re trying to keep Aidan from putting his hands all over you, that's not going to help."
"Maggie!" Viola slapped her playfully. "Stop it!"
Turning, I looked into the mirror. This was it, my wedding day. I was the bride, bought and paid for. Sighing heavily, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and looked at myself again. I did look nice. The stylists and makeup artists did a great job and it all pulled together perfectly.
"Okay, now for the important stuff." Phoebe smiled largely.
"Something borrowed." Phoebe held up her mother's ankle bracelet. "I want this back." She eyed me playfully.
"Phoebe I can't...that's –" Phoebe smiled and crouched down to the floor to put it on my ankle. Phoebe's mother had died when she was in college and it was the last thing her mother had given to her.
"Something blue," Maggie walked over with a navy blue garter belt and a large grin. "Hike that dress up, baby!" She laughed and then added, "Just like you’ll be doing later."
I burst into laughter.
"Margaret!" Viola yelled at her teenage daughter, trying to stifle her laughter.
"Something old." Viola stepped forward and held out small silver trinity earrings. "These were Grandma Isobel's."
"Viola, I can't...those should be used for –" Viola shook her head.