“Oh, stop!” Jennifer said, blowing her nose. “So be it. This is the most exciting day of my life!”
Olivia turned, looking at herself in the mirror. Her flame-red hair was pulled up in sections, held by white rosebuds. The gown was ice-white satin with delicate lace folds. The tight bodice had a beautiful pattern of tiny seed pearls that glinted softly in the light.
“It’s the most exciting day of my life, too,” Olivia said softly. Jennifer sniffed again, reaching for her. Olivia hugged her tight, almost crying herself.
“Don’t you dare ruin your makeup,” Jennifer whispered. “It’s okay for the mother-in-law to go to pieces, but the bride can’t ruin hers!”
“Not until the reception, anyway.” Olivia laughed. Jennifer nodded, grinning. Then she took Olivia’s hand and breathed in a huge, rattling sigh.
“Ready?” she asked.
Olivia wasn’t, but she nodded. They went down the grand staircase of the manor, passing by the kitchens, which were bustling with activity. Jennifer led Olivia to the side doors, where the carpet was laid out between rows upon rows of chairs.
At the end of the carpet, seemingly miles away, stood Henry with the bridal party. His father stood beside him as best man while Evelyn stood on the other side as maid of honor. She gave a tiny wave as she saw Olivia coming out through the patio doors.
Jennifer gave her a kiss on the cheek and then hurried to sit next to Maureen in the front row. Olivia felt very alone, especially once all the guests turned at the same time to look at her. She was so struck by nerves that she couldn’t move for a moment.
She closed her eyes, wishing her father were with her. She could imagine his calm strength, the warm press of his hand on her own. She had never missed him as much as she did at that moment.
She would have loved to have his strength, confidence, and affection accompanying her down the aisle. She knew he would have been overjoyed to see this day, to be able to give her away.
Then, she thought of the roller coaster.
That perfect date.
She opened her eyes, and all she could see was Henry. As she began to take long, slow steps down the carpet, she heard the music begin to play in the background. It seemed very far away.
Her father would have been so excited to see this day. He would not have wanted her to waste a single second in mourning. The last thing he would want would be for her to linger a single instant in grief.
He’d want her to embrace every moment of her new life with joy and love. The only way to honor him was to step forward and never look back.
She reached the front row, and Henry stepped forward, holding out his hand. Olivia took it, stepping up onto the small podium where the officiant waited under the archway covered in white roses.
Nicholas was beaming. Somewhere behind her, Olivia heard Evelyn sniffle.
There goes another perfectly done face of makeup.
“Dearly beloved,” the minister announced. Olivia stared into Henry’s eyes, completely lost to everything except his smile. His hands tightened on hers, and she almost stepped forward to kiss him. He grinned, shaking his head gently.
Olivia held in a giggle. She glanced out across the crowd and saw her mother and Jennifer in the front row, holding hands. Gerri sat next to them, and it looked like she was getting teary-eyed too.
When the moment came to repeat the traditional vows, Olivia felt a hush sweep across the crowd. Her giggles faded as she spoke the words, a sense of awe falling over her.
She’d heard these words before. They were special and reverent promises. Everyone knew that.
But for Olivia, at this moment, they were a revelation. She realized she had never quite understood them until now. The air became still as if not even the breeze would dare disturb the sanctity of this moment.
These vows were eternal. They affirmed what lived in her heart, the power that bound her soul. Once spoken, they could not be taken back. As Henry repeated them to her, Olivia felt a great rush in her blood, a sense of excitement stronger than anything she had ever known.
Fated mates … I think I finally know what that means. Here, on this altar, joined with the love of my life … it’s like a glimpse of eternity.
Olivia could tell by the dark glow of Henry’s eyes that he could feel it too. They slipped the rings onto each other’s fingers, the sense of reverence in the air increasing until it felt solid enough to touch.
Out in the crowd, Olivia could hear low sobs and cries of joy breaking out. She knew over the course of the reception that she would meet all of Henry’s family members, and it wasn’t just him she was joined to … she was now a part of his entire clan.
The mate of the alpha.
The officiant declared them husband and wife in a resonant tone that rang through the meadow. The entire congregation stood, and the cascade of noise that thundered from them as they clapped and cheered felt like it could blow Olivia away.