Page 121 of The Blackmail of Denise Randall

THE WEDDING

One year later…

Islowly zip up the white satin and lace dress. Alice’s golden hair is down but pulled to the side to showcase the low cut, elegant sheer and lace back. She slowly turns around to face me.

“Oh my gosh,” I gasp. Tears start to gather in my eyes. I wave my hands at my face, a lame attempt to try to stop them before my makeup gets messed up.

“Alice,” Rachel sounds on the verge of tears as well, “you look like an angel with your gold hair and white dress. Plus you’re glowing!”

Alice giggles. Her blue green eyes glisten, so I wave my hands in front of her face. “I’m so happy. We’re finally doing this. We’re really getting married.”

Noah’s mother Andrea hands Alice a delicate pearl bracelet. “I asked your mother if I could contribute to your something old. If you don’t want to wear this, don’t feel obligated. This was my mother’s…and Cindy’s mother’s. There’s no doubt she’d want you to have it too.”

My heart stops at the mention of Alice’s kidnapper, the woman who she thought was her actual mother for seventeen years. Alice smiles and nods while holding up her wrist. “I’d love to wear this. I’d be honored.”

Andrea clasps the delicate chain around Alice’s wrist. “Noah is not going to know what to do when he sees you.” She releases a nervous chuckle. “He’ll probably faint on the spot. Thinking an angel has appeared right there in the church.” She then kneels down to fluff the bottom of the dress. “You look absolutely gorgeous. This dress is stunning, Denise.”

Alice loved my design for her reception dress so much and had already pushed her date back a year to be safe since we didn’t know how the trials would go, so she asked me to design and make her wedding dress. Her original dress she gave to one of her former high school students.

The photographer clicks away as we finish getting her ready. Mom places the veil on Alice’s head. As she adjusts it, Alice reaches up and takes her by the hands. “You’re quiet,” she whispers.

“I’m speechless. You take my breath away, Sweetheart. It’s surreal to be standing here and dressing you for your wedding. I hope he knows how lucky he is.”

Alice presses her forehead against Mom’s. “My last name will change to Wallace, but I’ll always be a Randall.”

A smile slowly stretches wide across her face. “Damn right you will.”

They both giggle and then hug. Rachel gasps. “Don’t you dare mess up your makeup. Either one of you!” She examines Mom’s makeup and then looks at Alice. Tears spring in her eyes as she fights them off. “Dammit!” Alice laughs as Rachel tries to not ruin her own. “Why do you have to look so freaking gorgeous right now?”

Gabriella and Caleb come in dressed up as the flower girl and ring bearer. Rachel gives them a pointed look. “Don’t mess up your clothes, you two. I mean it. What did Mommy say? No fighting and don’t touch your hair.”

Mom rushes over to fuss over them. They do look pretty freaking cute. Tara rushes in, in her bridesmaid dress. “Alice, it’s almost time.”

Rachel walks over with Gabriella and Caleb. Since Gabriella is older, she’s in charge. I laugh as Ella rolls her eyes at her mom. There’s a knock at the door. “We’re decent,” Mom calls out.

Daddy walks in looking strikingly handsome in his tux. We all whistle and then laugh as his whole face turns red. His hands shake as he reaches for Alice. “I hope he knows he’s a lucky man.”

Andrea chuckles. “He knows he’s the luckiest man in the world.”

My dad shakes his head, not taking his eyes off Alice, and with a voice full of love and pride, he says “I’m the luckiest man in the world. I’ve been blessed to father four incredible individuals. I couldn’t be prouder to walk you down the aisle.”

He walks over to me and hugs me tightly. “My princess.”

Mom grabs a tissue and then smacks her husband. “We’re never going to get through this. I keep getting choked up.”

Alice laughs. “You’ve already gone through this with Trent. It’s not the first wedding.”

Daddy grumbles, “I didn’t have to walk him down the aisle or give him away.”

Rachel is still tending to the kids and says, “They were glad to get rid of him.”

“We were just happy someone would take him,” Dad agrees.

“Because we didn’t give him away. We gained a daughter.” Mom smiles at Rachel.

Andrea squeezes Alice’s hand and whispers, “I’m so happy you’ll officially be part of the family.”

Alice places her hand over Andrea’s. “I’ve always felt I was.”

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