Page 83 of Released

And the best bit? It starts as a lilac strip on my right side, moving through pastel rainbow colours all the way round, and when I twirl, I feel like I’m the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. The gold sequin heels probably help with that too.

“You look so beautiful,” Willow tells me, voice soft, and I look up into the mirror to see her elfin face beaming back at me. It took time, but she forgave me for the whole faking my own death and having to attend my pretend funeral thing. “Again.”

We both crack up until I scold her for almost making me cry, and we end up wrapped up in a tight hug.

“You are the best bitch a girl could ever have,” I whisper, my voice a little thick as I fight to hold back happy tears.

“You too, babe.”

“Come on, Lilly Bear,” Lexi calls, striding into the room and looking fucking stunning in a form-fitting, gold dress. “You don’t want to keep them waiting, otherwise they’ll come up here and you’ll never get to the ceremony with you looking so gorgeous.”

We’re in the main bedroom at Ash’s—I guess our—house in the woods. We’ve made it into a home, somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of a town or city. Somewhere peaceful, and full of fresh air for Violet. Plus, the crazy security that the guys have installed means that we all feel safe here.

“You’re right, bloody cavemen,” I answer with a chuckle, picking up my skirts because I always wanted a dress that I had to do that with, and what better day than now? “Is Violet okay?”

“She’s with Ryan and Enzo. I swear those men are wrapped around her little finger,” Lexi chuckles as we make our way downstairs, and I pause when I see who’s waiting for me at the bottom.

“You look beautiful, Lilly,” Tom states, his eyes glistening as he gazes at me in wonder. I’m sure I look back at him with the same expression. I still can’t believe that after all this time, I know who my biological father is, and he’s here to give me away to my soulmates.

“Thank you for today,” I tell him when I reach the bottom step, a lightness suffusing my limbs as I take his hands in both of mine. “It means…a lot.”

“I am honoured to walk my daughter down the aisle,” he answers, his voice thick with emotion and laugh lines etched into his face. “I never thought that I’d experience it.”

I squeeze his hands, once again fighting those damn tears, otherwise, Willow will scold me for ruining my makeup.

“Ready?” I ask him, and he chuckles.

“Isn’t that my line?”

Laughing, we walk out of the front door into the late afternoon sunshine, and the feel of it caressing my skin has me sighing in bliss. Butterflies start flying around in my stomach as we walk down the floral-decorated path to the clearing, and the sound of a piano being played reaches my ears. My breath catches when we arrive and I see Ash sitting at the instrument dressed in a beautiful, light grey linen suit that showcases all his glorious ink.

He looks up, and just like that first night at the cabin, he starts to sing. I recognise the song asInfinityby Jaymes Young, and the world stops spinning as he holds my gaze, telling everyone in the clearing how he feels. My breath catches, and I just watch enraptured as he serenades me with his beautiful, husky voice.

I don’t know how we arrive at the end of the aisle, only blinking when the song comes to a close as I realise that the others are all there too. Loki in a floral shirt covered in lilies, suit trousers, and a waistcoat, the shirt and waistcoat unbuttoned to reveal his delicious, inked chest, his nipple bar twinkling in the sun. Jax is next to him, looking positively delicious in his signature black; black shirtsleeves rolled to the elbow, black trousers, and black boots, laces undone. Kai is on my other side, gorgeous in mustard chinos and a green, chequered shirt with a forest green waistcoat. Ash comes up next to him, his gaze intense as he takes me in. I do the same to them all, drinking them in as if for the first time, my heart thudding in my chest as I realise that this is really happening.

“Take care of her,” Tom tells them, pressing a kiss to my cheek and stepping away.

“Always,” they reply together, and I would giggle if they didn’t look so serious. Kai takes one hand, Loki the other, and we turn to face Oleta, our celebrant, the sounds of the woods tickling our ears.

“Gentlemen, Lilly, shall we begin?” Oleta asks, and my cheeks ache with my wide smile. We all nod. We decided that we’d use my real name, I just couldn't stand the idea of doing this under a false name, and we trust everyone present, they all know who I am after all.

“I’d like to start with a poem by Rev. Daniel L. Harris. It’s one that Asher suggested as it encapsulates what he, Loki, Jax, and Kai feel for Lilly and what this ceremony means to them. It’s called The Blessing of the Hands.

‘These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

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