Page 171 of Rags to Royals

“I’ve always wanted a Brian. And this one is amazing.” She grins at Cian through her tears.

And his eyes fill as well.

And now I’m crying.

I look over at Ruby and she’s crying too.

Even Linnea and Abigail are dabbing at their eyes.

I look down at Cian.

He grins at me. “Magic,” he says softly.

Three days later, Declan and Astrid's marriage has been announced, Torin’s coronation is planned, and I am standing at the end of the aisle getting ready to walk down the aisle and say I do.

The smaller formal ballroom on the palace’s first floor has been transformed for our wedding ceremony. The larger formal ballroom—I’m not sure if there’s aninformalballroom somewhere—is where we’ll host our reception.

I am wearing a dress. It’s cream colored, hits me just above the knees, cinches at the waist and flares over my hips. And there’s no train or veil. Still…it’s a dress.

I’m not wearing boots with it, but the shoes are basic and flat because I do not want to risk turning my ankle in heels.

I’m carrying a little bundle of Forget Me Nots. Cian and I thought those were the most appropriate flowers for us. Not only because of the name but because they are a pretty blue, like the stones in Cian’s crown and the tiara I’m wearing on top of my curled and twisted romantic updo. And they remind me of the blue of my prince’s eyes.

My mom turns to me with a smile. “I’m so proud of you,” she says.

I take a deep breath. “Thank you. And thanks for always being there for me, even after everything I’ve put you through.”

She laughs. “That’s what moms do.”

I lean in and hug her. “Thanks for flying in here. And walking me down the aisle.”

She nods and says, “Flying in for the wedding was a no-brainer. And I’m so glad we’ve had a couple of days for me to get to know everyone. But I’m not going to walk you down the aisle, Scarlett.”

I frown. “What?”

She squeezes my hand. “You are going to walk yourself down the aisle and give yourself to that man. You don’t need anyone else to do that for you.”

“But…”

“Scarlett, I’m here to support you the way I have through every big choice you’ve ever made. But you’ve made those choices yourself. And they’ve always worked out. You know what you want. Walk down there and marry that man.”

My eyes fill with tears. But they’re happy tears. I’ve had a lot of those lately. I nod. “Okay.”

She smiles and gives me another hug. “I’m going to go take my seat. I love you.”

“I love you too.” I watch her go to her seat then I face the front, take a deep breath, and start my walk down the aisle. Myself. To meet my husband.

My daughter and sister stand at the end, my maids of honor.

Henry and Torin stand on Cian’s side.

The audience is full of members of Cian’s family, including the Olsens and almost all of the Landrys.

My mom is the only one here for me.

And yet, I feel like I’m in the midst of family and friends. Cian’s given me a community just like he said he wanted to on my back patio.

Cian watches me walk toward him, our gazes locked on one another.

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