Fulfillment Golland, M. (best classic literature TXT) 📖

I wrapped myarms around the wonderful man I was privileged to call Dad. “Ipromise this is the last time you’ll have to do it.”

He nodded.“Good! Okay, let’s get this show on the road then, shall we?”

***

My bridalparty huddled into the elevator and made their way down to thelobby, while Charli, my parents, and I, waited for it to return tocollect us.

“Alexis,Sweetheart. Take a breath,” Mum advised.

“Leave heralone, Maryann, she’s allowed to be nervous.”

I clenchedDad’s arm a bit tighter.

“Mum, you’remy favourite princess, even more than Cinderella, and she’s reallybeautiful.”

I ran my handover Charli’s cheek. “And you’re my favourite princess too,Charli-Bear.” I winked at her just as the doors opened.

Mum, Dad, andCharli stepped out before me, and when I stepped out into the lobbyafter them, I was stunned to a halt. There were potted rose busheslining a white velvet carpet rug which stretched as far as I couldsee, wrapping around the corner and out into the entertainmentprecinct. Guests and staff were lined up, waiting for me to walkdown it on my journey to marry the man of my dreams.

“Oh my God!Who organised all these roses and where did all these people comefrom? They look like they are forming a guard of honour, howembarrassing,” I said quietly under my breath.

Lucy spunaround to face me after positioning my bridal party in a singlefile, ready to walk to the Terrace. “Get used to it, Alexis. Youare about to marry the biggest control freak on earth.”

“Don’t I knowit,” I murmured.

Lucy spun backaround and gave her orders. “Okay, okay, ladies and little lady,let’s walk.”

Charli smiledbrightly and gave me the thumbs up.

I smiled backand blew her a kiss. “Take it away, princess,” I called back toher.

She startedwalking slowly along the carpet dropping rose petals from herbasket, each bridesmaid followed shortly after.

Mum gave meone last kiss and hug before wiping her tears and heading quicklyto the Garden Terrace.

I sucked in ahuge breath and blew it out before cracking my neck from side toside. Not the classiest thing to do, Alexis, especially while ina wedding dress in front of many people. But damn, that does helpease tension. I now understood why Bryce did it.

“Let’s walk,Darling.” Dad said, before linking his arm in mine and leading theway.

As I walkeddown the carpet, I smiled brightly at the hotel’s staff. Many ofthem I had become quite friendly with, and many had abandoned theirduties throughout the hotel to pop into the lobby and see me on myway. I also smiled at the hotel’s guests and waved at theirchildren who waved back excitedly as I walked past. I was so caughtup in parading through the hotel, that I had not realised I was nowstanding at the entrance to the Garden Terrace and in a position tosee Bryce standing at the altar. Derek, Will, Matt, Nic, Steve,Jake and Dale were lined up to his right, and my handsome littleman, Nate, stood proudly at his very side.

Mum appearednext to me again, this time handing me my equally handsome little,little man, Brayden.

“Hello,Mummy’s spunky boy. Have you been good for Daddy?”

He nodded.“Dadda ova dere,” Brayden giggled, as he pointed to his dad who wasas still as a statute while watching me hug our son.

“Yes, he is,isn’t he? And he looks very handsome, just like you. Have you got akiss for Mummy?”

My chubbylittle 18-month-old leaned forward and placed a sloppy kiss on mylips.

“Thank you,” Isaid, as I conspicuously wiped the additional slobber—that toddlersseem to be able to produce—away from my lips and chin. “Now, holdon to Nanny’s hand and your special pillow, and walk down to whereDaddy is.”

I placed himon his wobbly feet and watched Mum lead him down the aisle, myheart thumping at the sight of his gorgeous wobbly steps toward hisdad. We had both waited nearly two years to get married, just so wecould see our gorgeous little Brayden walk down the aisle, andalthough the wait was agonising—especially for my Mr.I-can’t-fucking-wait-any-longer Clark—seeing our son’s adorableeager steps toward his father, was definitely worth the wait.Everyone in the room smiled at my blonde haired, blue eyed littleboy who seemed to charm everyone in his vicinity, just like hisdad. He was sweet and playful, and again, just like his dad, stolemy heart the moment I first laid eyes on him.

A tear left myeye as I looked down the aisle at all three of my children, and theman who captured my soul the very moment I met him. The sightbefore me was perfect.

A LiveTrepidation musical piece sounded through the speakers, indicatingI should begin to walk down the aisle. I wiped my tear and smiled,then I squeezed Dad’s arm, prompting him to turn his head in mydirection and pat my hand. I took comfort in his action then beamedat the people around me.

I spottedSanta and Mrs. Gordon first, both of them smiling and nodding theirheads as I walked past. Next was Abigail, Sam, and Charlie, Charliefluttering his hands in front of his face in an attempt to preventhimself from crying. Moving along, I spotted Clarissa and Johanna,and I was glad Jake had been truthful when telling me that he likedher, because obviously he had—she was still very much a part of hislife and his house.

Taking myfinal steps to the altar, I came upon Jessica wiping her eye with atissue, and something told me her tears were a result of happinessand sadness. Sadness that her best friend—Bryce’s mother—could notbe here to witness her son get married. I smiled sympathetically ather, and she thanked me with a brighter smile back.

The last setof guests I laid eyes on before turning to my father were Rick,Claire, and RJ. Rick looked happier than I had ever seen him. Hewas fit and healthy and very much in love with his heavily pregnantfiancé, Claire.

“Okay,Darling. This is where I leave you and hand you over to a man Iknow this time will love and care for you until his dying day.”

I scoffedlovingly at my father. “How do you know that?”

Dad nodded inBryce’s direction. “Just look at him.”

Dad thenleaned