Page 53 of Kai
"He loves you." Her mother remarked later while they were having drinks in the living room of Kai's apartment. "It's obvious by the way he looks at you and the fact that he cannot take his eyes off you." She hugged her daughter in a warm embrace. "I recalled how unhappy you were for so long and to see you smiling again, I am more than convinced that this is a really good match. Not to mention he's completely gorgeous and rich as Croesus." She added with a twinkle in her eyes.
She had not said anything to her fiancé, but she was also designing her own wedding dress with the help from an expert at Romano's much to Yvette's shock.
"That's not a thing. You're not supposed to design your own dress. Honey, I know you're exceptionally good at this design deal, but what the hell?"
"I have specifics that only I can envision. Half Japanese, half American." She waved a hand. "I cannot fully explain it. I want to show his family that I have embraced even part of their culture. Kai does not care, but his mother does."
She spent her free time while she was at the store, fine-tuning the design and sending it over to Alecia at Romano's who had gushed over the design.
"Darling, I might just have to steal this style. It's wonderful."
"And one of a kind. I want it to be perfect."
And it was. Staring at herself in the full-length mirror, she could not believe it was her wedding day. Christmas Eve. She was marrying the man she had been in love with for most of her life.
She shifted as her mother, best friend, looking stunning in lime green wool, strolled in, with gasps of amazement.
"My God, darling, you look like a queen." Adelaide rushed over to embrace her daughter, her eyes welling with tears. "I'm officially ruining my makeup. We brought champagne of course." Stepping back, she held her daughter at arms' length. "The dress. It's a knockout."
"Your mother is right. I had my doubts about you doing this, but girl, you nailed it. The reporters are going to have a field day. The fabric--" Yvette handed her a glass brimming with bubbly. "The sheer material at the bosom, hiding just enough flesh to titillate the eyes. And the swirl of material drifting from the waist down. That man of yours is going to be completely bowled over."
"That's the plan."
"And you're using a parasol, the exact shade and fabric of the dress." Her mother exclaimed. She dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a delicate handkerchief as she took a sip of champagne. "And here's your something borrowed and blue." Whipping out an oblong box, she opened it to reveal a stunning sapphire brooch.
"Oh mom! It's absolutely darling." She turned to allow it to be pinned on her bosom.
"Something old and something new." Yvette clasped a twisty copper bracelet around her wrist. "Remember this?"
"Of course," Tears filled her eyes. "The first thing I ever designed."
"And something new. From Akemi. She wanted to give us a moment together. A silk handkerchief she made herself."
"And it's well needed." Taking it, she dabbed at her eyes and turned to take one last look in the mirror.
"I'm ready."
Kai hated to admit that his nerves were tied up in knots. He had spent his last bachelor day with his uncles and his best friendElijah who was standing with him as his best man. And had spent almost the entire night missing the feel of her body against his.
Now he was standing inside the chapel before friends and family waiting for the first glimpse of the woman he had loved since he was seventeen.
"Relax friend." Elijah whispered in an aside. "It's not like she's planning on standing you up."
"Bite your bloody tongue."
His friend's soft chuckle was cut short as the music changed, indicating the arrival of the bride.
He was not aware that his breath was strangling in his throat, until he heard the soft whistle from his friend and the hush from the guests.
"Good God." Elijah whispered reverently. "I cannot believe she's real. You're a hell of a fortunate man."
He did not respond because he was suddenly speechless. She was twirling a parasol, her face glowing. Her hair was loose, with tiny flowers placed strategically at the front.
He saw no one but her. Not the man whose arm she was holding, not the guests staring at him. It was just her. And she took his breath away. He felt his throat clogging, his body heating up and his heart pounding. This woman was walking towards him, intent on vowing to be his until they both die, which (please God! Let it be many years from now). He had wasted ten years already and hated himself for it. He wasn't going to waste a minute more. Moving forward, he nodded to her father and took her hands in his, expression eloquent.
"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." He murmured hoarsely. "And you're mine."
"All yours. Always." She whispered back, her fingers gripping his.
