Page 88 of Alexander's Heart

Lottie helps me into my wedding ivory lace underwear, and before she squeezes me into my dress, she lifts my left leg and slides a blue lace garter belt onto my thigh. The dress is on and fits perfectly, such a design allowed for my belly growth.

“We have the old, and blue, now Alexander has a wedding gift for you and Alexa which is your something new,” Lottie pulls out to little black boxes and hands them to us Alexa and I open them at the same time and gasp. He has brooches made in our initials, and they are absolutely stunning.

“Oui, may I, mon amours?” Frédéric asks and we nod.

He pins them in the center of our dresses in the middle where the lace meets the satin and they are perfect.

“parfait, mon amours,” as he steps back and kisses each side of our cheeks.

“We just need something borrowed,” Lottie announces.

“I’m here, I’m here, I’m so sorry the traffic was backed up and... I’m sorry Lily,” Renée breathes out.

“Hi Mrs. Harrington,” I say smiling wide.

“None of that, I told you to call me Mom, please, and today my dear child, you are marrying my eldest son and will become Mrs. Harrington. I couldn’t prouder of the woman he chose to marry and to be Alexa’s Mommy.”

“Thank you, Mom,” I whisper.

“I have a necklace for you to wear as your something borrowed, normally I would pass on my pearls today but I want you to wear something that was Anne’s it is a diamond heart pendant that Andrew bought for her on their first wedding anniversary which she wore every day after. I think she would be honored if you wore this, on the day you legally become her precious Alexa’s Mommy. I say it’s borrowed because this is to be gifted to Alexa on her eighteenth birthday. Anne would have adored you sweet girl and we’d be honored if you would wear this.” And all I can do is nod with a quiet smile.

There’s not a dry eye in the room as she helps Alexa clasp her mother’s necklace in place.

“I loves you Mommy and Gwandma’s wight, Mommy would have loved you to pieces, just like me,” my little lovebug assures me with a wide happy smile.

I hold Alexa tight as we allow ourselves to just... feel.

As the white horse-drawn carriage arrives, adorned with delicate flowers and ribbons, Alexa and I are overcome with awe and wonder. The sight of the majestic carriage waiting to whisk us away to the wedding venue fills us with excitement and giggles. Hand in hand, we step inside, Alexander has really made us feel like princesses today and we smile brightly with our hearts full. As the carriage sets off, gliding gracefully through the bustling streets of the New York city, Alexa and I are enveloped in a cocoon of serenity and joy. The rhythmic clip-clop of the horse’s hooves creates a soothing soundtrack to our journey, while the soft sway of the carriage lulls us into a state of peaceful anticipation.

As we approach Angel Arch at Bethesda Terrace, the grandeur of the venue takes our breath away. The late afternoon sun casts a warm golden glow over the surroundings, bathing everything in a soft, ethereal light. With each passing moment, the anticipation builds, our hearts filled with love and excitement for the ceremony.

As the carriage comes to a stop, Alexa and I are greeted by Dad’s smiling proud face dressed in his white dress uniform and he is so very dashing, he helps us step out onto the cobblestone path.

“Pa, you look so handsome,” Alexa gushes.

“And you look like a fairytale princess, Darlin’ heart” he says and bends to kiss her cheek. Go get into position alongside Eve and we’ll get Mommy married.

“On it, Pa,” Alexa starts to leave then turns back to me, “Mommy this so exciting, I loves you, smile and have fun, Oh, and kiss Daddy.” She kisses me on the hand then runs off to get into her all important position.

“You look like the angel you are, sweet girl. Alexander will be blown away, you have made this old frog and extremely proud man for allowing me to be your dad, with the most honorable role to date of walking you down the aisle. And I want you to know your father is looking down on you today a very proud man for how far you’ve come, smiling and sending you all his love.”

A tear escapes and quiet sob, “Thank you, Dad, I’m honored you are with me and know Daddy would be proud I have such a stron–” My belly tightens and I have to stop.

“Not yet baby girl. Oh, hell to, the, no!”

“No, no, no, no. Bugs please just wait a little bit longer,” I breathe.

“DOC!!!!!!!!” Dad bellows.

Next minute I’m lifted off my feet and put back into the carriage and water tilted to my lips.

“Lily, please tell me that is your first contraction today?” Doc asks seriously.

I nod, “Yes, Doc, what do we do?”

Doc laughs, “We get you married and now! The boys are literally holding Alexander back down there, so we’re going to hurry this along, you tell me if another hits by tapping your thigh okay.”

“Okay, let’s go,” I smile and get out of the carriage.

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