Alessia (Casella Cousins #4) - Kathryn Shay Page 0,7
look beautiful, Jules.” Seth’s fiancé had chosen a tea-length taupe dress with a lacy top and long sleeves. Her hair had been curled and fell softly around her face. Her stomach showed no signs of pregnancy.
“You too, Hayley.” Her cousin had picked a deep pink dress, also calf length and lacy. But hers was strapless.
Hayley’s face glowed from her three-month pregnancy. “I hope I can do this without barfing.”
Julianne squeezed Hayley’s hand. “I’m sorry you have morning sickness.”
“No worries. I’m getting very happy about this unexpected little darling I’m carrying.”
They turned to Alessia. Hayley asked, “Who is he?”
“Someone I met at City College.”
“Wait till he sees you in that dress,” Julianne added. “You outshine even us brides.”
For some reason, the chic maroon high-neck halter dress, belted at the waist with chiffon over silk material accented all of Alessia’s assets. Secretly, Alessia was thrilled by how she looked. The dress was lovely, and she’d pulled back her hair with rhinestone clips and the rest curled down her back.
“I’ll never outshine you. Lil looks great, too.”
Liliana, Julianne’s sister, wore a mauve, strapless high-waist dress of the same material as Julianne’s.
And seven-month pregnant Kate glowed in an empire-waist, floor-length chiffon of deep auburn.
Geez, there were three pregnant women in this room.
A knock on the door. Alessia opened it.
Finn, looking the most handsome she’d ever seen in a raven tux, pristine white shirt. “Rafe and I are ready.”
Finn was his sister’s attendant and would walk her down the aisle. Hayley had asked Ronan and he’d refused. If Alessia ever got to talk to him, she was going to give him a piece of her mind.
“Is Gideon ready?” Julianne asked. He would be her escort.
“Yes.”
Finn stepped back, but was replaced by another man. Alessia sucked in a breath—and pushed the door wide open.
Ronan stepped inside. “You look perfect,” he said to his sister.
Who immediately started to cry. “You came?”
“Sorry I caused you some heartbreak. But yeah, I came.”
She hugged him fiercely. Alessia got teary-eyed too.
After the reunion, they all lined up according to wedding party. Finn and Alessia, Hayley’s people, went first. Then Hayley and Ronan. As they walked down the aisle, Alessia heard a few gasps, then some murmurs, probably at Ronan’s presence. He took his place with Paul’s two brothers. All three Covitz men had the same dark hair and startling blue eyes.
When they lined up on one side, where the groom’s attendants stood, Liliana and Kate, proceeded down the aisle, then Julianne began the trek on Gideon’s arm.
When they reached the front, Gideon kissed her cheek and went to stand with Rafe and Kate.
The officiator, a happy-looking young priest, addressed the guest. “Welcome all of you to this glorious day. We’ve come to unite two couples in holy matrimony. The joy they feel permeates the entire church and I’m utterly pleased to marry them.”
He moved to stand in front of Hayley and Paul. Finn took her bouquet and the bride and groom faced the priest. “Hayley, would you recite your vows, please?”
Hayley stood proudly in front of her groom. “Dearest Paul, today I’ll become joined with you forever. As we begin our personal lives together, I promise to love you with all my heart and soul and to accept you for who you are.” She touched her stomach. “I promise to have our babies and work beside you in our firm with joy and enthusiasm. You mean more to me than I can express.”
Then Paul spoke. Or tried to speak. Tears coursed down his cheeks and Hayley wiped them away. Finally, he was able to get out his vows.
The minister asked them to exchange rings, then said, “I now pronounce you wife and husband.”
Chuckles rumbled through the group at the word reversal.
The priest moved to stand on the other side of them, Kate took Julianne’s flowers, and Julianne turned to her groom. “Seth, you’re my soulmate and have been since childhood. We have so many memories to share from our past, and as I think about the future, I promise to love you fully, and respect your individuality. I promise to stand by you always—always—through the good and the bad, and will cherish raising our children together. Know that I’ll always be here for you.”
Seth began, but like Paul, he too couldn’t speak for a moment. Then he made promises to Julianne and they exchanged rings. Again, the priest said, “I pronounce you wife and husband.”
The guests clapped for the couples.
Paul grabbed Hayley and kissed her enthusiastically. Seth took his time, but