19 Chapter 19
After the makeup artist and cosmetologist left, Ari waited to be taken to the church, while Lillian fussed a bit more over her dress, making sure everything was in place. She had dreamed of this day for a long time. and she didn’t want to miss a thing. The antique white lace veil covered her long brown hair, but not her face. It matched her floor-length down to perfection, fitting her like a glove, as if it had been made for her.
But as she waited, Ari couldn’t help but think about the woman... Dima Franz... Grayson’s ex-fiancé. Although she had to have lied, Ari couldn’t help but wonder if what she was saying was true. What if the man she was about to marry was abusive? She couldn’t help but wonder. But Ari pushed the thought from her mind, determined to enjoy her wedding day.
“Are you ready for this?” Lillian asked when they were alone.
Ari nodded, willing the butterflies to stay at bay. “As ready as I’m going to be.”
Lillian placed a hand on the side of her cheek, forcing Ari to look into her eyes. “I can assure you; Prince Grayson is a good man. I’ve known him for quite a while and there’s no one better. He will make a good king one day.”
But will he make a good husband? Ari wondered. But she kept all doubts to herself, knowing she was doing the right thing. She just wished that he had come to see her before they were married, maybe greeted her when she arrived. But then again, it was just as well. The outcome would still have been the same.
“Thank you,” she replied. “I appreciate that.”
Knock, knock, knock!
“Well, this is it!” Ari replied, placing a hand on her stomach, willing the butterflies to settle down. “For better or for worse.”
When Lillian opened the door, a gentleman, approximately in his early forties, stood on the other side. “Piers. It’s good of you to come for Miss Douglas personally.”
One corner of his lips curled into a smile, showing a dimple on the side of his cheek. “Happy to do it.” Then he walked purposefully into the foyer and crossed to Ari. “Good afternoon. I’m Piers Wingfield, head of security for the realm.”
Ari nodded slightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Mr. Wingfield offered her his arm. “Shall we?”
Ari nodded as she took it, then let him lead her down the hallway, as Lillian held up the small train of her dress. When they stepped into the elevator, there was only enough room for her and Piers.
“Here. I’ll take it.” Ari reached out and Lillian laid the train carefully over her arm. At that moment, Ari was glad that she hadn’t been forced to wear a cupcake dress, flouncy with lots of tulle. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have fit into the elevator.
But when the elevator doors opened downstairs on the first floor, Lillian was waiting on the other side.
Ari smiled. “Did you sprout wings and fly down?”
Lillian chuckled. “I’ll never tell.”
“Well, angels do have wings,” Ari replied, giving Lillian’s hand a gentle squeeze.
Lillian smiled, and then helped her out to the waiting limousine. Luckily, Ari made it inside without incident. She was sure that Dima would have tipped off the paparazzi. But then again, if they had been there, Mr. Wingfield would have already shooed them away. He appeared to be a no-nonsense kind of man, which was probably why he had the position.
When they pulled up at the church, the paparazzi were waiting outside. Suddenly, the reality of what she was about to do started to set in. In the matter of an hour, she would be a real princess. But that really didn’t matter to her. What mattered more was the kind of man that Grayson was. Would he be kind to her? Would he be there by her side when she bears his children? Would he be by her side through thick and thin, for better or for worse, throughout the years, come what may?
Only time would tell.
Suddenly, her car door opened and Declan, the publicist, held out his hand. “Welcome, Your Royal Highness Princess of Estrea.”
It had been the first time that she had been called that. “Not yet. There’s the ceremony to get through first.”
Declan shrugged. “Just a matter of formality.” He walked her inside and to a private room to wait, out of view. Lillian was already there, standing to the side along a far wall, until she was needed. But instead of leaving, Declan turned to her. “I know I’m not your father, but I was hoping that you would do me the honor of letting me escort you down the aisle.”
Ari nodded, touched. “I’d be honored. Thank you.”
Declan smiled as he offered her his arm. After she took it, he gave her hand a gentle pat.
Ari nodded. “You don’t have to wait here with me, you know.”
He shrugged. “I know.” But then he leaned in and said in a low voice, “But I know what it’s like to be in a new place, alone, without knowing anyone. And if I can make it any easier....”
“Thank you.” Ari smiled, touched by the gesture, thankful for his and Lillian’s kindness. She wouldn’t know what she would have done without them. Especially Lillian. She had been her rock since she first met her. She just wished that Vickie could have been there with her, along with her mother and sister. Although she knew that her mother and sister couldn’t have been there, she would have given anything if at least Vickie could have been there. But that wasn’t going to happen, either.
As she waited, she wondered why Grayson had decided to buy a wife. Could she really love a man who would do such a thing? But if Dima was any indication of the women he had encountered in his life, there was no wonder why he had come for her.
The wedding march started to play, resonating throughout the whole church.
“Well, that’s our cue.” Declan smiled, looking down at her as he placed his hand over hers. He raised an eyebrow. “Shall we?”
Ari nodded, letting him lead her from the room to the church.
As she stood in the church foyer, her heart pounded against her ears, drowning out the music. When she looked down the aisle, Prince Grayson was standing there. He gave her a small smile when he saw her, taking her breath away. He was dressed in a dark gray suit with an ascot tie, his sun streaked brown hair combed to perfection. He was much more handsome in real life than in his photos, more handsome than on Skype. A slightly shorter man with light brown hair stood at his side, dressed in a similar suit. Otherwise, the church was empty. Ari guessed that Grayson wanted to keep the ceremony small, private.
“Ready?” Declan whisper, leaving Ari to wish that her own father would have been more like him. Maybe he wouldn’t have left.
Ari nodded, but said nothing. Although she technically didn’t know him, she only saw Grayson, locking eyes with him. She was now his. She felt it. Not just physically, but spiritually, as well. It was as if their souls knew each other. Maybe from another life. She didn’t know, but the closer she moved toward him, the more acceptance she felt. In fact, she had never felt as much acceptance before in her life. This was what it was to be married. To become one. At that moment, she knew it was a lifetime commitment.
