Chapter sixty three

Aria's pov

Steven and I watched Mandy leave but she didn't only leave, she left a memory with me, memory of sacrifice and growth.

"I think we should head back home" Steven said. " Uhmm" I nodded. We got back to the car and Steven say behind the wheels. The silence was getting awkward as we drove back home, but our hands were interwined giving us a sense of fulfilment and completeness.

I used my other hand and put on the radio, but the music playing instantly made me blush.

' I wanna take your name, and I know you want the same.....'

Embarrassed I reached my hand out again to change it but Steven caught my hand mid air.

" Don't change it, it perfectly matches the moment now, I want to give you my last name Aria and now am sure you also want the same, so let the song play" he said.

I blushed but didn't object, we listened to many more love songs on the way but I refused to say a word.

What would I say, how will I start, huh. As we were parking the car back at home I saw Kendall's call. She was probably calling to ask me if I had said goodbye to Steven, but it's longer a goodbye, but the beginning of a forever.

" Hey kends" I answered as soon as the phone connected. " Aria, why are your eyes red, did you cry, what happened, were you able to say goodbye to Steven?" She asked me a series of questions at once.

" Relax, yes I cried, but no I didn't say goodbye to Steven" I answered leaving the suspense.

A confuse look on her face and her moving mouth says she is going to erupt in a series of lectures

" I didn't say goodbye to Steven because now he would be apart of my life forever, we ended up confessing to eachother at the airport, and Mandy confessed she had known all along and played that move to bring us closer, and now she has left, left by sacrificing her love for us" I explained as briefly to her as I could.

" Oh my God, I honestly didn't expect a girl like Mandy to make such a sacrifice, even thou you all said she had changed and she did prove it. But sacrificing ones love is a different kind of sacrifice, I hope she gets her happy ending as well" Kendall said.

" Me too, she has left a mark on my heart forever and I would always remember and be indebted to her" I replied.

" So where is Steven now?" Kendall asked. " Right next to her" Steven shouted from the side.

" Hey don't be so excited, you have to pass my test before I give you my cousin" Kendall joked.

" Oh I know you wouldn't, I know you would give her away to me right here right now if need be, you knew it longer than anyone else after all" Joseph joked back.

They went on with their banter for another five minutes before Kendall excuses herself and ended the call.

" So soon to be Mrs Grayson, shall we go in or do you plan on staying in the car longer" Steven asked.

" Ofcourse am going in, am really tired as it is" I said stretching my body.

"Okay then, sit here and don't move, give me a minute" he said as he unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the car, he came to my side of the door and opened it for me, before I could step out he scooped me into his arm bridal style and carried me in the house.

This was not something Thomas had ever done for me when we were together and I couldn't help the blush that was deepening on my cheeks.

When he dropped me on the floor, I noticed 7 packages placed on the center table. Curious I moved to see what it was. On the top of the packages there was an envelope and I opened to read it.

' Hey dear Aria, I wrote this and prepared all this some days back, now that you received it, it's because you and Steven have confessed to eachother and am out of the picture, this is my wedding gift to you. I have personally designed all these clothes. At first I designed the wedding dress for myself, but now I have made adjustments for it to fit you, and have made outfits for all of your family members, I hope you love it. Love Mandy'.

My eyes teared up again, how can I ever repair Mandy's sacrifice and goodness. I handed a curious Steven the letter, after reading his eyes were also guilt filled.

We started unwrapping the packages. The first one had a card, ' for the cute little baby, Matteo'.

There was a tiny white onesie with a subtle pattern, a small matching pale blue hat with a delicate brim, a pair of tiny blue baby shoes with a soft flexible sole and a small white blanket with a delicate trim there was also a small silver baby bracelet that had a tiny gemstone on it.

The second package was for Selena. A small knee-length ivory dress with a simple sweet design with a gull skirt and fitted bodice. A tiny delicate pale blue sash around her waist. A small hair clip of beautiful glue gemstones and a pair of comfortable ivory-colored ballet flats. To finish the look was a tiny flower crown featuring delicate blooms in pale blue and white.

The next package was for dad. There was a charcoal gray suit with a slim lapel and fitted trousers. A crisp white dress shirt with a subtle texture. A pale blue tie with grids, a dark brown leather dress shoe with a sleek polished finish. A simple leather belt with a subtle platinum buckle and a small white handkerchief with a delicate lace trim.

The fourth package was for Joseph. It contained a matching charcoal gray suit like dad's, but instead of the handkerchief there was a silver watch with a simple face.

The fifth was for Kendall. A floor length dress in a soft pale blue shade, a classic fitted bodice with a subtle embroidery detail. A flowing A-line skirt with a slight train in the back. A silver necklace that had a blue aquamarine in the middle and a pair of comfortable pale blue heels. And lastly a soft pale blue shawl with a delicate lace trim.

The sixth package was for Steven, A tailored ivory tuxedo jacket with a slim lapel matched with trousers that has a slight sheen. A pale blue dress shirt with a slim collar and french cuffs. A delicate platinum tie pin and cufflinks that had pale blue gemstones. Black leather shoes with a sleek polished detail, a simple elegant watch and a pale blue pocket square with a subtle pattern.

And the last package was for me. It was a 4-in-1 piece. It was a beautiful ivory-colored floor-length, mermaid silhouette with a strapless design with a sweetheart neckline, intricate lace throughout the bodice and a small delicate pale blue sash.

There was also attachable pale blue sheer sleeves with a slight bell shape which could be fastened with small discreet buttons.

A shorter knee-length dress in ivory hidden underneath the main dress creating a layered effect which can be revealed by removing the detachable skirt.

As for the overskirt, it was a flowing sheer train overskirt in ivory which can be attached at the waist and has a dramatic ethereal touch to the overall design, it was designed with delicate shimmering pendants in a mix of crystal pearl and pale blue gemstones.

There was also a pair of diamond set, and a silver pair of high heels.

There was a letter at the end.

" Dear Aria, am sure you can get a much more better design than this, but this is my heartfelt gift to you and I wish you would all wear it for the wedding, thank you".