Chapter 366
Athena
“You’re walking too fast,” Derek repeated. “It’s supposed to be a processional, not a sprint.”
“I’m not sprinting,” Kiara said, her voice tight with annoyance. “I’m walking at a perfectly reasonable pace.”
“A reasonable pace for someone late to a meeting, maybe,” Derek shot back. “Not for a wedding processional.”
Margaret quickly intervened. “Let’s just try it again, a touch slower this time, Kiara.”
Kiara shot Derek a look that could have melted steel, but she walked back to the starting position.
This time she walked even slower than before, almost comically slow, like she was moving through molasses.
“Better,” Derek said, though I could see him fighting a smile.
“Bite me,” Kiara muttered, but she was smiling too.
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I caught Sarah’s eye and we exchanged a knowing look. This was exactly what we’d hoped for when I’d strategically assigned them as
maid of honor and best man. Sarah had been skeptical at first, but even she had to admit the sparks flying between them were
undeniable.
“This is better than reality TV,” she whispered. “They can’t stop looking at each other.”
“Shh,” I said, trying not to laugh. “They’ll hear you.”
“Please, Leah said. “They’re too busy pretending they can’t stand each other to notice anything else.”
Wait! Leah? She’s here. I turned quickly.
‘Ohh my God. You came.”
“Yeah, sorry I’m late. I raised a brow.
“Are you kidding me. I’m greatful you’re here” we hugged before Magaret told us to take our position.
She directed Leah what to do and where to stand.
When it was finally my turn to walk down the aisle with Orion, I felt my emotions rise up.
I’d always wanted my dad to do this, but I’m glad I get to do this Orion.
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Chapter 366
“You okay?” he whispered as we started walking.
“Perfect,” I whispered back, squeezing his arm.
Tristan was watching me approach with such love in his eyes that I felt tears start to form.
Even though this was just the rehearsal, even though we were already married, this moment felt profound.
When we reached the gazebo, Orion placed my hand in Tristan’s, and Tristan pulled me close.
“Can’t wait for the real thing,” he murmured.
“Me neither,” I whispered back.
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Margaret walked us through the ceremony logistics, where everyone would stand, when we’d exchange rings, when we’d say our vows, how long the kiss should be (Tristan joked that he needed at least five minutes, which made everyone laugh), and then the recessional
order.
“Derek and Kiara, you’ll walk out together,” Margaret explained. “As best man and maid of honor, you’ll exit first after the bride and
groom.”
I watched as Derek offered Kiara his arm. She looked at it like it might bite her, but eventually took it with exaggerated reluctance.
“Try not to look like you’re being led to your execution,” Derek said dryly as they practiced walking back down the aisle.
“Try not to look so pleased with yourself,” Kiara retorted.
“I’m not pleased with myself. I’m pleased that we’re finally getting through this rehearsal efficiently.”
‘Only because I’m cooperating with your tyrannical timeline.”
“Tyrannical? I prefer ‘well–organized.“”
“You would,”
They bickered the entire way down the aisle, but there was something almost… playful about it. Like they were enjoying themselves despite the arguing.
Sarah leaned over to whisper to me, adjusting baby Liam in her arms as he dozed contentedly. “Is it just me, or does it feel like
something has started growing between them?”
I’d been wondering the same thing. “There’s definitely… something.”
“They’re going to either kill each other or fall in love,” Sarah predicted. “There’s no in–between with that much tension.”
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Chapter 366
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Leah joined our little huddle, her eyes dancing with mischief. “You know what? We need to make sure they spend more time together.
For the wedding’s sake, of course.”
“Of course,” I said innocently. “Purely for organizational purposes.”
“Exactly,” Sarah agreed, grinning. “Someone needs to make sure the best man and maid of honor are on the same page.”
We ran through the ceremony twice more, making adjustments here and there, until Margaret was satisfied that everyone knew what
they were supposed to do.
“Excellent,” she said, checking her clipboard. “Now, let’s talk about the reception timeline…”
“Oh god,” Kiara muttered. “More timelines.”
Derek shot her a look. “Organization is important, Kiara. Maybe you should try it sometime.”
“Maybe you should try loosening up sometime,” she shot back.
“I am loose.”
“You literally just said ‘organization is important‘ with a straight face. That’s not what loose people say.”
“Some of us value structure and efficiency.”
“And some of us value spontaneity and actually enjoying life.”
Tristan leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Should we intervene?”
“Nah,” I whispered back. “This is too entertaining.”
Margaret went through the reception timeline, cocktail hour, grand entrance, first dance, toasts, dinner, cake cutting, and so on.
Derek took notes on his phone while Kiara made exaggerated yawning gestures behind his back that made Lily giggle.
“The toasts will happen right before dinner,” Margaret explained. “Derek, as best man, you’ll go first. Then Kiara as maid of honor. Keep them to about three to five minutes each.”
“I can do that,” Derek said confidently.
“I’m going to speak from the heart,” Kiara said. “However long that takes.”
“Three to five minutes,” Derek repeated. “It’s not that hard to be concise.”
‘Maybe for robots, Kiara muttered.
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Chapter 366
‘I heard that.”
…
‘Good.”
As Margaret continued, I noticed Sarah whispering to Leah, both of them glancing at Derek and Kiara with conspiratorial smiles. Whatever they were plotting, I wanted in on it.
By the time we finished going over everything, the sun was starting to set, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange.
We all gathered for a group photo, what Margaret called the “rehearsal photo and I looked around at all these people I loved.
Tristan beside me, his hand protective on my lower back. Orion and Sarah with Lily between them and baby Liam in Sarah’s arms,
tiny hand gripping her finger.
Derek looking handsome in his button–down, his expression serious as always. And Kiara, beautiful and vibrant, rolling her eyes at something Derek had just said but unable to hide her smile.
Leah stood on my other side.
This was my family. This mismatched, wonderful, complicated family.
“Okay everyone,” Margaret said. “Rehearsal dinner is in thirty minutes at the restaurant. Don’t be late!”
“See?” Kiara said to Derek as we all started walking toward the parking lot. “She didn’t need to give us a countdown timer or a detailed agenda. Just ‘dinner in thirty minutes.‘ Simple.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
