Page 94 of Lilly
Congratulations on your weddingday.
I’m so sorry I can’t be there with you but you are in mythoughts.
All mylove
Nicole
Xxx
More tears fill my eyes as I think about her up there dealing with everything still. When I spoke to her the other day, things were still the same, and she sounded more defeated thanever.
Thankfully, I’m distracted from my thoughts when the hair and make-up team do show their faces. They set up camp in the formal dining room where the light is the best and set towork.
“Do I get to see my dress?” I ask Mum when the others havedisappeared.
“When you’re ready you can seeit.”
“Have you seenit?”
“Of course. I helped pickit.”
“Really? You went shopping with Lucas forit?”
“Yes. Did you really think I’d let him do something that importantalone?”
I never thought Lucas would have asked for any help with all this, so I’m a littlesurprised.
A couple of hours later, I’m stood in front of a full-length mirror that has a sheet over it. I haven’t seen myself at allyet.
“Ready?” Mumasks.
I take a deep breath and nod. She pulls the fabric away and I stare at myself. My hair is down with the ends curled and a diamante slide, holding one side away from my face. My make-up is so soft it’s almost like I’m not wearing any. The only way I can really tell is that the bags under my eyes from lack of sleep are magically gone. I run my eyes down my dress. It’s simple and stunning, a satin sleeveless gown with a cowl neck that skims over my belly and pools on the floor. It has a diamante sash around the middle that catches the light as I turn to the side to look at theback.
It may not have been what I would have chosen if I wasn’t pregnant, but it’s utterly perfect. I look up at Mum, who has a huge smile on her face and tears in hereyes.
“You look stunning,Lilly.”
“Thank you. Can we leave now?” I ask, gettingimpatient.
“The cars will be here anyminute.”
In no time at all, I’m stood outside the small function room at the hotel with my dad by my side. I was kind of expecting to be going to the registry office. I don’t know why I didn’t think he’d use thehotel.
Every surface of reception is covered is flowers that match my bouquet—simple cream flowers with just a few sparkles thrown in to catch thelight.
I caught a fleeting glimpse of Catherine as I walked into reception, but one look at me had her marching out with a scowl on herface.
“Are you ready, baby?” Dad asks when the musicstarts.
“As ready as I’ll everbe.”
Two members of staff open the double doors for us. I keep my eyes down for a few seconds, trying to prepare myself for what will be ahead ofme.
I take a deep breath and raise my eyes. The first and only thing I see is Lucas. He’s stood at the opposite end of the room to me in a grey suit with a cream tie. He isn’t rocking his usual slick look though, because his hair isn’t pulled back. It’s falling over his face, exactly as I like it. It’s a little hint of the bad boy beneath the expensivesuit.
I feel a tug on my arm as Dad starts to move and my legs must start to work without any instruction from my brain, because in no time at all I’m stood in front ofLucas.
“Hey,beautiful.”
