Page 86 of Alexander's Heart

I see how far Janelle and Caroline have come and how their relationship with Lily keeps growing and wanted to give them a surprise. I made last minute additions, and called Charlotte for help because I knew she knows how to get shit done and fast, which she achieved without even breaking a sweat. She had me meet her at Saks and her and V made all the additions happen. I wanted to include Charlotte, Caroline and Eve into the bridal party. It was originally just to be Lily, Alexa and myself but Lily has her family back in her life and I wanted to include them. I really think Lily would want to have her best friend stand beside her as her maid of honor and her sister be her bridesmaid and niece walk alongside Alexa as another flower girl in the wedding. I asked Alexa if she would mind sharing the walk down the path with Eve and Alexa jumped up and down happily, and she wants to give Eve her beautiful dress, which I decided to make scarlet with an ivory waistband the reverse of Alexa’s, but still keeping to our colors. Alexa’s dress is a replica of Lily’s and very special for her to wear, so Eve’s is a similar style but not identical. Alexa is keeping this one a surprise, I just hope my princess doesn’t slip.

The plan is Alexa is going to pull the special dress for Eve out of her closet and that’s when Lily, Caroline, Eve and Janelle will know the surprise. Eve will hold the basket of flowers and both girls will sprinkle the scarlet peony petals as they walk down the aisle and Alexa has a beautiful cushion to carry our rings on, that she will keep forever as keepsake.

Charlotte chose matching scarlet dresses and heels for herself and Caroline, and we got Janelle and Betty navy blue dresses, after calling my mom in the middle of Sax so all the mothers will have the same color, Betty is like a second mom to Lily, she was there for Lily through her formative years when Janelle wasn’t and is her fierce protector, and we all love Betty like she’s our own, she is one of us quite literally and deserves the respect be shown.

The only thing Lily requested was all us boys dress in their Navy dress suits which we got permission to wear, all us boys wear navy, and Davies is white being that he was a Commander. Cuddy started laughing all of a sudden when we were shootin’ the shit tonight and said, ‘You’re having a real patriot wedding’ he said, and we all looked at him like the whisky had gone to his head and he just laughed even harder, then it clicked. Red, white and blue. Totally not planned but he’s not wrong.

Lily’s bouquet starts with three scarlet peonies representing our family as it stands in our moment, and the rest are white peonies in a cascade. The mothers and my father will wear a boutonnière. Betty is a freakin’ legend, she has been squirrelled away at Charlotte’s making the most stunning three tier vanilla sponge, with homemade strawberry preserve, buttercream frosted wedding cake. It has been adorned with white peonies on all layers, and three scarlet peonies right on the top made out of frosting, I think. Betty also added rose gold stars down the side like a shooting star to represent our loved ones lost.

Frédéric has taken over the beautification of my angel and now wedding party and boy did he drill me like a father would, not that he needed to of course, but I let him have at it. When he saw me smiling, he just said ‘Prends soin de notre fille spéciale’ translated means, ‘look after our special girl’. He’s another in a long line that love Lily and want to see her have her happily ever after and I couldn’t be prouder, she captures hearts wherever she goes.

Mrs. Kim is the absolute best at what she creates and how she decides the perfect pieces, she really is the diamond whisperer. She dropped off our wedding rings and they are made perfectly for us, mine being a black tungsten carbide ring with two pear shaped diamonds imbedded to look like angel wings, to represent my angel and the inscription: ‘My handsome.’ on the inside with the date, 09.14.2024. I think Charlotte had a hand in that because that is a pet name Lily has taken to calling me since she woke up.

Lily’s platinum band has seven diamonds imbedded around it completing a full circle, with the inscription: ‘Angel, mine.’ on the inside with the date, 09.14.2024. And a matching platinum eternity ring with two pear shaped diamonds imbedded to look like angel wings the same as my wedding band, with the inscription: ‘Angel, mine. Forever, more.’ Which was all Mrs. Kim, she instinctively knew what to have inscribed on Lily’s engagement ring and she’s done it again with the wedding and eternity ring. She also surprised me with the most stunning diamond brooch as a wedding gift, ‘EH’ for Lily and Alexa a smaller version, ‘AH’ which Mrs. Kim said was to be their heirloom pieces. As she was leaving, I asked Mrs. Kim why seven diamonds in Lily’s wedding band and she just winked at me, pulled me down and kissed my cheek, then walked straight out the door.

As I lay in bed and everything around me quietens, my thoughts are consumed with my angel, the woman who has captured not only my heart but the heart of Alexa in a way I never imagined possible. Every memory, every laugh, every tender moment floods my mind, painting a portrait of our love that is as vivid and beautiful as the stars above. Lily is the most amazing woman who has faced more than her fair share of adversity, yet somehow, her heart remains pure, her spirit unbroken. Despite the tragedies she has endured, she radiates a warmth and kindness that touches everyone fortunate enough to know her.

I find myself in awe of Lily’s resilience, her unwavering strength in the face of life’s challenges. Her capacity to love, to give so freely of herself, and it is nothing short of remarkable. Each act of kindness, every gentle word, is a testament to the depth of her character and the beauty of her soul. I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the privilege of sharing my life with her. She is not just my partner, but my inspiration, my guiding light in a world that can often feel dark and tumultuous.

Tomorrow, as we stand together and exchange our vows, I will pledge to cherish Lily, to support her, and to love her with every fiber of my being. And as we embark on this journey together, I am filled with hope and optimism for the future, knowing that with Lily by my side, anything is possible. But for now, in this fleeting moment before our wedding day dawns, I find solace in the simple beauty of knowing that Alexa and I are loved by the most amazing woman, and that tomorrow, we will begin our forever journey together heart to heart and hand in hand no matter what life brings us.

I spent today with Mom and Caroline, Lottie was with us for an hour before she got called into an emergency with her Uncle Joe, but I understand she is a pivotal part of his administration, I miss our time sitting and chatting, eating baked goods and popcorn while we watch criminal minds. I miss her dearly and hope to see more of Lottie now that things have settled with Mom and Caroline. Betty is at Lottie’s finishing our wedding cake, and will stay the night there with her, that is the only thing I know about our wedding, that Betty is making our wedding cake, and I know it will taste divine.

Alexander has organized every other detail of our wedding day and I can’t wait to see what he’s come up with, I will be happy with anything as long as we are all together and we can finally say ‘I do’ I can’t wait to take Alexander’s hand and name in marriage. I have mine and Alexa’s dresses hanging in my walk in robe and they are absolutely perfect, and almost identical. The top is a fitted bodice with a wide V neckline and Alexa’s has a sheer panel with diamantés, both long sleeve French ivory lace with the tops of dresses finishing at the sternum accentuating what waist I have left with scarlet ribbon interwoven. Mine having an open deep V backline with sculpted lace edging and Alexa having the same but again the sheer paneling with diamantés.

The bottom of our dresses are a Duchesse ivory satin princess skirt, not big a poofy just enough volume so Alexa and I can be princesses for the day. I have a subtle train and Alexa’s finishes at her ankles because we all know how my lovebug loves to run. Alexa will wear a flower ring crown, Alexander said he has that covered and I have a diamanté ring crown to match. My veil will be attached at the base of my hair and has HH representing ‘Harrington’s Heart’ in scarlet at the bottom center lying over my subtle train.

Alexander surprised me tonight when he said he was leaving us to stay with the boys on the team level, I couldn’t believe he wanted to be traditional and not see each other the night before our wedding, but I absolutely l adore him for suggesting it. Alexa and I are having some much needed Mommy-Daughter time, it’s been a very busy couple of weeks and we and haven’t had much alone time together and we both needed some quality snuggles.

Frédéric sent over a beautiful basket full of goodies, with a note telling us he’d be here at lunchtime tomorrow, we did the fabulous face masks and then we lay back on the sofa relaxing. We indulged on the lightly salted, slightly sweet popcorn we found in the basket, which was so good and watched our favorite movie, Frozen. Alexa kept saying we will look so beautiful tomorrow and is so very excited.

After the movie we moved to the bedroom and created a cozy nest of blankets and pillows on my bed, lit the soft cookie scented candles from the care package which cast a warm ambiance over the room as we snuggled together reading our favorite books, each one filled with cherished memories.

We ended with “Guess How Much I Love You,” Alexa’s beloved tale of unconditional love and boundless affection. As we read, we kept sneaking glances at each other with knowing smiles, our hearts swelling with the simple yet profound message of the story. With each turn of the page, we expressed our love for one another in whispered words and gentle touches, reaffirming the deep bond we share. As we reached the end of the book, we knew that the real adventure awaits us tomorrow, the beginning of a new chapter in our own story, filled with love, laughter, and the promise of a lifetime of happiness together.

Tomorrow, I become Mrs. Alexander James Harrington. And Alexa’s Mommy officially, two of the most important roles that will ever be bestowed upon me.

A dream come true... well beyond my dreams, and I am ever so grateful for the little girl with the hungry tummy who came running into Brew. I will sign my marriage certificate and the adoption papers together so my little love will be officially mine. Alexa has brought me so much love and happiness these past few months, her pure loving soul helped heal every inch of my shattered heart, she will always be my first little love and I will love her... always.

CHAPTER THIRTY

LILY

Iwake to the gentle touch of Alexa’s fingers stroking my freckled heart, her soft caress filled with love and tenderness. The sparkle in Alexa’s green eyes mirrors my own excitement and happiness, a reflection of the joy that fills our hearts on this our special day. Today is not only my wedding day but a momentous occasion for Alexa because I marry her daddy and officially take her as my own. The significance of the day fills me with a sense of belonging and security, knowing that I’m surrounded by the love and commitment of such an amazing family.

As I look into Alexa’s eyes, I feel a rush of gratitude for the profound love I have received from my little love, not just today, but every day since the moment she climbed into my arms and asked me to read her favorite book to her. With a smile that spreads across my face, I know that today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our lives, a chapter filled with endless love, days filled with laughter, and the promise of a bright, happy future together as a family.

“Mommy, I love you so vewy much, and will be the bestest flowaw giwl, I’m so happy you and Daddy awe mawwying today,” a tear escapes her beautiful green eyes, “and so vewy happy I will be yaws faw evaw maw.”

I pull Alexa to my chest, holding to me tightly and kiss her forehead, before pulling her back so I can look into her vibrant green eyes.

“You have given me the greatest love I have ever known Alexa Jane Harrington, so pure and honest and I’m honored you chose me to be your mommy, I love you sweet girl and always will with everything I am.”

We stare into each other eyes just taking a moment to absorb our feelings for one another and slowly start to smile and giggle.

“How about I make us some of our favorite eggs for breakfast and then I’ll have to jump back into bed before the pampering begins, how does that sound?”

Alexa giggles because she knows I’m meant to stay in bed, but I want to do this, it was the first breakfast I ever made her and it feels fitting to recreate our first breakfast to mark the special occasion.

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