Page 66 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

“Wow,” I echoed. “That is beautiful.” I was awed by the beautiful dress. “How were you able to find something so beautiful in the span of a half a day?”

She laughed. “This dress had been in the McLaren family for centuries. It had been freshened up and tailored a bit to suit you. Lachlan is head of McLaren family so it was always meant for his wife, and when you have a son, it will be saved for his future wife.”

I took a sharp intake of my breath. When I have a son? Not if?

“When?” I asked with the frown. “What if I don’t have one?”

“Oh, you will,” she answered without even a second thought. “Now come over so we can get you ready.”

She started with my hair and makeup, then put some lotion all over my body. I thought it was ridiculous, although I loved the smell of it. I assumed it was some weird ritual.

“You are wondering why I’m putting this lotion on you?” she asked amused.

“It’s weird, you have to admit,” I replied. “I don’t mind it at all, and it smells nice, but you could have just given it to me and I could have applied it myself.”

“This is our family’s old ritual,” she commented. “You are right, it is a bit weird. Probably superstition.” I took a sip of water as I listened to her explain. “It is believed if applied on the day of the wedding by another woman, it will bring many children to the couple.”

Shocked, I spat the water out and choked on it. Elise tapped me on the back smiling.

“That is scientifically rubbish,” Elise told Ainslee.

Ainslee shrugged her shoulder. “I know, but we still do it. Go figure!”

Elise and I locked eyes, and she burst into laughter.

“What?” I asked her. “Should I be worried?”

“Not at all,” she replied. “It’s kind of cute, I guess.”

I rolled my eyes at her. She smiled back.

“Eve,” she suddenly got serious. “Is this what you want? I worry that it is too fast after… after everything?”

From peripheral, I noticed Ainslee slightly tense but continued as if she didn’t hear Elise’s question.

“Yes, it’s what I want,” I told her firmly, and as I was saying it, I knew it to be true.

Ainslee stood up and looked at both of us. “How about I give you two few minutes to talk? I’ll be right outside.”

“That won’t be necessary,” I answered quickly.

While Elise replied, “Yes, thank you.”

Ainslee left the room and gently shut the door behind her.

As soon as the door clicked, Elise asked, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

I watched my big sister that had always been there for me. I could understand her anxiety with such a rushed decision.

“Yes, I am sure. I know it’s odd, and contradictory to how I ever was… even before everything happened. I come alive around him. I love his directness, his stubbornness, everything. I have never felt like this before.”

“It is so sudden though,” she reasoned and she was right.

“It is,” I agreed. “But in a weird way, I have less doubts today than I did when I married Hunter. I know in my heart, I want this. He feels like my oxygen, my own personal light that I desperately need.”

“Ok,” she claimed, although she still seemed just slightly unconvinced. “I just wanted to make sure you are happy.”

I nodded. “I know, and I love you for it.”

---