Page 9 of Avy

“What’s going on?” I demanded.

Mum squealed and I mean literally squealed and did a little dance where she was standing by the trolley. “You’re getting married today, baby.”

I was shocked speechless. What were they talking about? Pushing Noni from my legs, I swung them off the bed, “Explain!”

Mum and Noni exchanged a look, so I knew they were in on whatever was going on. I mean, how did they even know what I wanted and if it was going to be a quick registry office wedding, I wasn’t going to be happy.

Placatingly, Mum held up her hands, took a deep breath and started explaining, “A few weeks ago Hawk came to us with a plan, that man wants to marry you and marry you as soon as possible.”

“But he knew with all your responsibilities that you didn’t have the time to plan anything, and he wanted you to have the day of your dreams with no stress. He had most of it all organised except for flowers, colours and dresses which is why he came to us.”

“We knew what you would like, so we helped him with all of the stuff he wasn’t sure of. But honestly, the man didn’t need much help. He’s bound and determined to make you his in all ways.”

“And there was no way we weren’t going to give him all the help he needed to make you his because,” Mum paused as she looked at me her face serious, “because, baby girl, you don’t let a man like him go when he’s proved that you will always be his priority. All I’ve ever wanted for you and Kane was for you both to be happy.”

“Kane, I had no worries about once he met Abby but you, I worried about. Because you work so hard all the time, always putting the club and the family before your own happiness.”

“Then Hawk came along and started to take some of that responsibility from you and I watched for months as all the drama unfolded within the MC and he was there every step of the way, and I knew when he slipped that ring on your finger that finally you’d found your one and your dad and I couldn’t have been happier.”

“Not just because we liked him and then came to love him but also because we knew that he’d work every day to make sure you are happy. And that’s all we’ve ever wanted for you was to be loved and happy."

At the end of her speech, I was blinking back tears. I’d not realised that my parents had ever worried about me. Getting up off the bed, I hurried to my mum and wrapped my arms around her in a hug.

“Love you, Mum,” I whispered.

“Love you too, baby girl. Can’t believe you’re getting married today.”

I laughed softly, “Me either.”

Stepping back, I wiped at my eyes, “So, are you going to show me my wedding dress?”

Noni wrapped her arms around me from behind and rocked me back and forth, “Nope, not yet, but I promise you will love it. Breakfast first, shower, hair, make-up, and your nails are already done, so we’re good there, then we’ll show you your dress.”

Mum did another little jig making us laugh. I don’t think I’d ever seen her so excited. “I promise, baby girl, you’ll love your dress.”

And she was right, I did, when they finally let me see it. It was perfect and fit like a dream.

My dress had long beautifully embroidered champagne coloured lace sleeves with tiny pearls sewn into the flowers, it had a deep plunging neckline that was outlined in tiny diamantes and pearls, a draped skirt that stopped just on my ankle, so it didn’t trail on the floor. There was no train I was relieved to see.

The hairdresser had put my hair up in intricate braids with pearls, thin ribbons, and diamantes woven through the braids. I don’t know how she did it, but it was beautiful. My make-up was light with a light pink lipstick to match my nails. On my feet were a pair of butter soft cream boots with a slight heel. They matched the colour of my dress almost exactly.

Standing in front of the full-length mirror in the hotel bedroom and stared at myself, hardly believing it was me. Mum and Noni walked up behind me both looking gorgeous.

Mum had on a lilac-coloured suit, her hair and make-up had also been done as had Noni’s. Noni’s long hair was up the 1950s hairstyle that she favoured with Victory Rolls and a low bun at the back. She had purple flowers and diamantes woven through her hair. She was dressed in a deep purple gown that fit her curves to perfection and showcased her red hair and green eyes. It also had long sleeves and a plunging neckline and stopped just above her ankle. It was plain with no adornments. Where my dress had a wide skirt, hers was fitted. In her ears, she wore the pearl earrings her dad had bought her for her eighteenth birthday and that was it. Dropping my eyes to her feet, I saw she too was wearing new boots and hers were purple to match her dress.

“So, what do you think?” Noni asked, a little apprehensively.

Smiling wide at them both, I told them, “I love my dress. You picked well.” At my assurance, both their shoulders relaxed in relief. “And you both look beautiful.”

“Oh, baby girl, so do you,” Mum said emotionally as she came and stood beside me.

Turning around so I could see them, I asked, “So what’s next on the agenda?”

I’d no sooner finished my sentence and there was a knock on the bedroom door. Noni opened it to the photographer who had arrived while I’d been in the shower and who had spent most of the morning taking photos of us all getting ready until I’d shooed him out so that I could get dressed.

“Ah just in time,” Mum beamed. “A few more photos, then down to the limousine to take us back to the manor where you’ll be married.”

“What about your car?” I asked.

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