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Derek said he and Orion stayed up half the night with him,‘ Leah sald spreading cream cheese on her own bagel. Apparently he kept Pacing and checking his phone and asking if it was time yet.”
I smiled at that mental image, Sounds about right.”
The next few hours passed in a whirlwind of activity. The hair and makeup team arrived exactly on time–Monica had recommended them,
and they were absolute professionals. They set up in Sarah’s master bedroom, transforming it into a temporary salon.
I sat in the chair, eating strawberries and trying not to fidget as they worked their magic. The makeup artist was doing something with highlighter that made my skin glow, while the hairstylist carefully curled and pinned my hair into an elaborate updo that looked effortlessly
romantic.
Sarah, Leah, and Kiara were getting ready too, their bridesmaid dresses hanging on the closet door, a beautiful sage green that
complemented my wedding colors perfectly,
‘I still can’t believe you’re getting married,” Leah said, watching the stylist work on my hair. “I mean, I know you’re already married, and
mated, but still. You’re getting married,”
“I know,‘ I said, my stomach fluttering with butterflies that had nothing to do with the baby. “It doesn’t feel real.
“It’s real,” Sarah assured me. “And it’s going to be beautiful.”
When they were finally done with my hair and makeup, I stood and looked in the mirror.
And immediately started crying.
“Oh no, honey, don’t cry!” the makeup artist said in alarm. “You’ll ruin your makeup!”
‘I can’t help it!” I wailed, staring at my reflection. “I look…”
“Beautiful,” Leah finished, coming to stand beside me. “You look absolutely beautiful, Athena.”
She was right. The woman in the mirror looked like something out of a fairy tale. My hair was swept up in a romantic style with small white flowers woven throughout, real flowers that matched the ones I’d worn at the mating ceremony.
Soft tendrils framed my face, and the hairstyle showed off my neck and shoulders perfectly. My makeup was flawless but natural, making my gray eyes stand out and my skin glow. They’d even done something to make me look like I was lit from within.
“Tristan is going to lose his mind,” Kiara said, grinning. “Like, actually lose it. Derek’s going to have to hold him up.”
“Stop, you’re making me cry more,” I said, trying to fan my eyes like the makeup artist had instructed.
“Okay, no more crying until after the ceremony, Sarah declared. “We need to get you in your dress.”
The dress was hanging in the guest room, carefully covered and waiting. I’d known the moment I saw it that this was the one.
Sarah and Leah carefully helped me step into it, then slowly zipped it up the back. The fabric settled around me like a dream, and I turned to look at myself in the full–length mirror.
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111 This Feb Na
Charter 306
And burst into tears again.
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Athewall three women said at onc
“I know, I know.‘ I subbed, “Hut look at me!
The dress was everything I’d ever wanted and more. It was ivory rather than pure white, with delicate lace sleeves that came to elegant
points over my hands.
The bodice was fitted, with intricate lace detailing that drew the eye without being too busy. The neckline was a sweetheart cut that
showed off my collarbones.
But the most beautiful part was how the dress accommodated my growing belly. The empire waist flowed gracefully over my rounded stomach before falling to the floor in soft, romantic folds.
Instead of trying to hide my pregnancy, the dress celebrated it, making me look like some kind of ethereal goddess.
“You look like a princess, Kiara breathed, her own eyes suspiciously wet. An actual, real–life princess.”
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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.
