Page 105 of Taking What's Ours

“That was a grand wedding, and you were a beautiful bride walking down the aisle that day, but I had a knot in my stomach the entire time. I knew you were marrying the wrong man. Today, I don’t have any concerns. Dylan loves you completely.”

My eyes start to water. “Stop. You’re going to make me ruin my makeup.”

“Sorry about that. I just had to tell you.” She squeezes my hand. “Today is going to be the best day. I can feel it.”

“Me, too.”

“There. How’s that?” My hairdresser turns me to face the mirror.

She’s done an incredible job with a loose bun at the back and tendrils framing my face. A gold vine of rhinestones in the shape of leaves is woven into my hair.

“Oh, Elaina,” Maggie whispers. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks.”

“It’s time to get in your dress,” Evelyn says. “We’ve got to get going.”

Lola herds her six-year-old daughter, Willow, over to me. “How’s she look?”

“Like the most beautiful flower girl in the whole world.” I give her a big hug.

“Thanks, Elaina. You look real pretty, too.”

“Well, thank you, angel.” I take her hand and stand. “Do you have your flower basket?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Do you know what to do?”

“Drop the petals?”

“Right.”

Maggie ushers me toward the bedroom. “Okay, ladies. We’ll be right out.”

It only takes a couple minutes before I’m standing in front of the mirror in the pretty boho dress I chose. It’s got a voluminous train of sheer fabric with trailing vines embroidered along the back.

“Can you tell I’m pregnant?” I ask Maggie.

“Not at all. You’re barely even showing. You just look radiant.” She hugs me from behind. “Now come on. We don’t want to be late.”

When I walk out of the bedroom door, the girls gasp.

“Oh, Elaina. You’re beautiful,” Isabella says, putting her hands to her mouth.

“Gorgeous,” Kate agrees.

“What do you think?” Lola and Willow ask together, and I see them squatting next to Rosie, who has a big bow tied around her neck.

I laugh. “She looks adorable.” Night Train has agreed to take care of her when we leave on a short honeymoon.

Willow hugs her. “Rosie’s family, too.”

“She is,” I agree, then take in all the ladies. “Thank you so much for helping to make this wedding day for us. I know it’s going to be perfect.”

“Come on,” Evelyn says, motioning us out. “Time to go knock the breath out of your groom.”

We drive over, and Evelyn goes inside to make sure everything is ready, while my bridesmaids and I line up on the porch. The wedding planner passes out the bouquets, and I hear the music start.

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