21 The Wedding Day 1

Freya brought her son, Daniel, who would be the page boy, earlier and returned to her house.

“Mom and Olivia, we will meet at the registry. Daniel, see you later.”

“All right, Auntie Freya. Later,” Olivia declared.

“Thank you, Freya, for bringing Daniel earlier. I hope to see you and your husband later.”

“Yes Mom. He is getting ready. Daniel, bye.”

“Bye mom.”

The affable Daniel became withdrawn that day when he saw many strange faces at his grandmother's place. He became clingy and would not leave his grandmother's side. When Olivia noticed that, he called his attention.

“Daniel, meet my niece and my cousin.”

He looked at her questioningly and ignored her. He felt that she was sharing her love between him and her niece, who was the same age as he was. Olivia, who could not get up from her seat because the hair stylist was working on her head, had to persuade him.

“Daniel, my Page Boy, come and give me a hug quickly, so we can join Uncle Denise at the registry. He will be cross with us if we keep him waiting.”

Daniel, who became scared because he would not want anything that would make his uncle annoyed with him, shyly walked to Olivia, leaned on her thighs and asked in a low tone while everyone looked on.

“What will I do so that Uncle Denise will not be cross with me?”

Now, Olivia was moved by his innocence. She touched his nose and drew his cheek before he reassured him.

“He will not be cross with you. Just say hello to my cousin, Sandra and little niece, Ivy”

“Hi”

He greeted, looking at the two new faces. Sandra, whose hair was also been styled, called out his name.

“Hi, Daniel, the Page Boy.”

Daniel smiled and felt at home. He looked at the little niece who was looking at him with a smile and asked.

“Are you the Page Girl?”

Everyone laughed. Daniel laughed too and stopped vacillating. He became friendly with everyone, especially Ivy, the Little Bride, while they continued with the dressing.

The makeup team gave Daniel a beautiful haircut which made his chubby round face to pop out. Now, the makeup team also did a good job on Nichole, which made her looked five years younger than her age.

At Arthur's Apartment.

The makeup team which Julie Bailey Winston engaged gave her a good hairstyle and a beautiful makeup that caught her father's attention.

“I hope you don't look more beautiful than the bride, Julie.”

Her father teased. Then, Julie turned, looked at him and reassured.

“No, father. I won't steal the day from my school daughter.”

“You better don't.”

“But you look good, too, father.”

“Oh! Am I? Thank you, my daughter.”

However, At 11 am, everybody was set to leave for the registry and Denise sent a congratulatory message to Olivia.

(Congratulations to you, my Angel. You will be my lawfully wedded wife today. I can't wait. Love from Denise.)

Olivia got the message while she was seated on the couch waiting for the cars to be decorated. She read through and almost teared up. She fought back the tears lest the tears ruin her makeup and replied at once.

(Congratulations as I become the wife of the man who loved me unconditionally. I can't wait to be in your arms. Much love. From Olivia.)

Denise got the message and smiled. Just like Louis had advised, nothing should ruin his day.

Soon, the car decorators were through, and it was time to leave. Nichole announced.

“Let us go, everyone. We should not be late.”

“All right, mom.”

As they were about leaving the house, Nichole got a message which ruined her day.

At the Heathrow Airport.

It was 10 am, when Louis arrived at the London airport after five hours of departure from Cairo. Then, he checked the time, and he was happy that there was no hitch of any kind. Then, he sent a message to his family platform at once.

(I arrived in London safely. I will be at Dover in the next few hours. Thank you.)

When Denise saw the message, he checked his time, and it was 10 am.

'A few minutes late won't be bad.'

He thought to himself as he continued with his dressing.

Now, Louis chartered a cab from Heathrow Airport to Dover, hoping to save some time. He got to Dover by 11:45 am, and he did not bother to shower nor wait for the makeup. He dressed up and left for the registry with Denise's car. At least, he was sure that he would get to the registry before 12:10.

At The Bailey Native Home.

The distraught Nichole tried to cover up her deranged emotions with smiles, but it was obvious. Olivia looked at her and asked.

“Mom, I hope there is no problem?”

Nichole felt bad when she noticed that she could not control her emotions. She quickly apologized.

“Angel, never mind. It is your day. Cheer up, please.”

“All right, mom…”

She responded, but her attention was still on Nichole as they walked to the cars. They got to the Registry thirty minutes before the slated time, and Denise was already there. Her parents were there too. Freya Bailey Anderson and her charming husband Phil were there two.

Nichole was not surprised that Arthur and Freya had not arrived. They must have realized very late that she had left the Native Home.

Arthur had sent a message to Nichole after his discussion with Julie when they were dressing up. His message was simple, but Nichole was not seeing it that way.

(Nichole dear. May I have the privilege of driving you to the registry? Arthur.)

She became upset after reading the message because she had lobbied for his love since she lost her husband seven years ago. Arthur had no eye for another woman except his late wife, who died thirteen years ago. At that time, Julie was thirteen years old while Louis was fourteen, about the same ages with her children Denise and Freya. With the support of her late husband, she became a mother to Julie and Louis, and she ensured that they did not lack motherly attention. When Julie was in the High School as a boarder in Sevenoaks, she visited on every visiting day and also did the same for Louis, whom they agreed should school in the same High School with Denise in London to reduce the stress of the school run on her.

After her husband's death, she expected that Arthur would officially ask her to marry him, but he did not, even when she made some flirtatious moves to attract him, but her moves proved abortive. For that, she hated him in her heart, but was cautious lest the children would find out and become disoriented.