Chapter 16

• The wedding…Hayley My wedding day is finally here and the braveness I felt these last couple of weeks seems to have deserted me. I am in the bride’s room at the cathedral in a white satin gown that has bride embroidered across the back in black. There is a flurry of activity around me as I sit in silence, the joyous sounds of laughter from my bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done filtering through. I'm scared. Yes this is an awesome opportunity but I’ve been hiding away from relationships and any real living in general for so long that the thought of putting myself out there, like I want to for Xander, is daunting. As I listen to the sounds emanating from the large cathedral that I know is packed to capacity my nerves take a nosedive. Ironically It’s Mindy who senses my nervousness and says, “Everything’s going to be okay, take deep breaths…one, two…yes just like that" as I emulate her deep breathing.“I know just what will make you feel better Miss Dominic” she says as she reaches for my phone placed on the antique dressing table. “May I?” she asks as I nod in reply.She searches for something on my phone then puts it to her ear and walks out the side door leading to the gardens. I am too in my own mind to give her actions much thought. Mindy returns a few minutes later and hands me the phone “There’s a call for you" she says.I place the phone to my ear as if in daze and I hear his voice, “Hey beautiful”.“Xander?” I say looking at Mindy confused.“The one and only. How are you feeling? Mindy says you’re a little nervous”“I am", I reply honestly “You have to admit the circumstances aren’t all that normal and it’s daunting.”“I know sweetheart but you have remember why we’re doing this…and you’re not alone. You will never be alone in this agreement. Today it’s you and me together, okay?”Just his voice alone is a balm to my weary heart right now.“Don’t worry, I’m not going to leave you stranded at the alter…I'll be there.”“The thought hadn’t crossed my mind…but now its there and you’re making me worried" Xander laughs.“Xander….”“Yeah?”“Thank you…I really needed to hear your voice".“Anytime gorgeous. The tailor's calling me to get dressed, will you be okay?”“Yeah go ahead. I should probably change too".“I'll be waiting for you…don’t be late".Mindy has moved away to give Xander and I privacy and I call her back to me.“Thank you Mindy, I really needed that".“No need to thank me Miss Dominic, I'm just glad you’re feeling better” she replies.“You can call me Hayley…I think you’ve earned it and everything about this wedding is perfect…I appreciate all the hard work you’ve put in".“I’m sorry we got of on the wrong foot, I know that was entirely my fault but I’m glad you gave me a chance and we could move past it.”I smile at her "I think I had better change now if I don’t want to walk down the aisle in this!”I change into my wedding dress amidst the “oohs” and “aahs" from the women in the room.I look at myself in the mirror. The dress hugs my figure perfectly in all the right places before flaring out at the hips. The lace and A-line pattern of the sleeveless dress make me feel like royalty. Even my makeup is so professionally done that I don’t recognize myself. My mum tears up looking at me, “Oh baby! You look beautiful.”I smile and gently wipe her tears away with my fingertips.A knock on the door alerts us to the fact that it’s time to go. My brother is waiting for me at the he other side of the door. He too is stunned by my transformation and just smiles as he offers me his arm, too choked up to speak.All of this feels so real and special I think to myself as the wedding march begins on the piano.XanderThe wedding march begins to play as the priest says “All rise" and everyone turns back to look at the bride enter.The cathedral has high ceilings and pews of dark cherry wood on either side of a long aisle leading to the altar. It is both opulent and grandiose but fades into the background as Haley makes her appearance at the cathedral's entrance.She is dressed in ivory lace. A sleeveless dress that plunges slightly in the front exposing just a hint of cleavage and hugging her waist. Her hair is in a loose up style with tendrils escaping to lovingly frame her face. She’s fucking breath taking and I can’t take my eyes of her as she begins her walk down the aisle on her brother’s arm.When they reach me, Ethan places her hand in mine and whispers “I’m trusting you bro" to me and then louder “ I do” to the priests “Who gives this bride away?”I keep her hand in mine drawing light circles on her palm, something I know calms her, as we begin to recite our vows after the priest. We exchange rings and it isn’t long before the priest says “I now pronounce you man and wife…you may kiss your bride.”As I lift her veil, I realize we probably should have had our first kiss away from the prying eyes of five hundred guests, but it’s too late now. I mean to give her a quick peck on the lips but as my lips touch hers she tastes so damn good that I can’t help but draw her closer, my arms touching her almost bare back, separated only by a thin layer of mesh from my fingers. I deepen the kiss just a fraction not wanting to let go, before the cheers and wolf whistles from the crowd cause me to hesitantly pull back.Hayley’s cheeks are a beautiful shade of pink as I grin down at her. I'm never going to get tired of seeing that. I take her hand and lead her down the long pew. As we exit the cathedral we are greeted by well wishers who shower us with rice and rose petals as is tradition. I decided to use the Brabus as our wedding car. After I help Hayley and all her lace into the passenger seat, I hop into the driver’s side and we wave goodbye to everyone knowing we will see them at the reception. When it’s finally just the two of us, “Ready to go home, Mrs Falcone?" I say as I reach for her hand and gently squeeze before starting the engine.