A Merry Vested Wedding - Melanie Moreland Page 0,15

was, and the way he looked at me made me feel special and beautiful in his eyes, and that was enough. My dad called me lovely all the time and my mom insisted I was as well, but I always thought it was because they, like Brayden, looked at me with love. I was just me. Nothing special.

But today, in this dress, I felt beautiful.

My mom stepped behind the divider, her hand flying to her mouth. Tears filled her eyes. “Addi,” she breathed out. “Oh, your father is going to lose it when he sees you.”

“You as well, Mom. You look gorgeous.”

She smiled and stepped close, laying her head along mine. Her golden hair was interwoven with silver, highlighting the color. She refused to have it dyed, and my father loved it. It was gathered in an elegant braid that hung down her back, laced with sparkles and ribbon. Her dress, a rich green, suited her coloring. It was long-sleeved, cinched tight at the waist, the sweetheart neckline showing off her throat and the redesigned necklace she wore. She was elegant and beautiful.

She kissed my cheek. “We’ll both wow him.”

Chloe slipped in, grinning. Her dress shimmered in the lights, the soft gold creation perfect on her. “Dad is going to blubber like a baby when he sees us. He’s already emotional.”

My mom smiled. “Your dad is having a hard time that his baby is getting married and her sister probably not far behind.”

Chloe rolled her eyes. “I’m too busy for a man. I plan on staying at home until I’m fifty. Rent is cheap. My laundry is done, and the food is good.” She winked. “And dad has a driver for me, and he lets me shop. Why do I need another man?”

We all laughed. Chloe loved all the benefits of living at home, including the car and driver Dad had at her disposal. He always worried with the hours she kept that she would fall asleep at the wheel, or worse yet, get mugged on a subway or bus. She had resisted at first, then decided she liked it. As for the rest—I couldn’t argue. She did, on occasion, do her own laundry, and I knew my dad gave her a budget for her “shopping,” although I was certain it was generous. Otherwise, she had it nailed. Our parents had been the same with all of us, including paying for our education. They insisted they wanted us to concentrate on studying, not having to juggle jobs and school. My mother had done it on her own, and my father didn’t want us having to go through what she had, struggling to keep up.

“Not my children,” he vowed. “I worked hard to make your life easier, so indulge me.”

And we did.

I was grateful—we all were—we knew how lucky we were to have Bentley Ridge as our father.

Mom smiled. “He will be very proud.”

She hugged us, and we stepped out from behind the screen. I gasped in delight at the girls. All in varying tones from cream and ivory to soft gold and their dresses styled to suit them, they were beautiful. The bouquets matched my headpiece, and each had a little piece of festiveness in her hair—a spray of holly, some ivy, the glitter of sparkles—some tiny sprig of the theme. They brought tears to my eyes.

They all loved my dress, oohing and aahing at Cami’s creation. Jen came forward, clucking as he fixed the hem, fussed with my headpiece, and tamed a stray lock of hair back into place.

“A masterpiece of loveliness.” He glanced over my shoulder. “Cami, you have done yourself proud. The entire wedding party is perfect.”

She hummed her thanks, smiling widely.

I leaned close. “Is he here? Has Brayden arrived?”

Jen smiled, his eyes soft. “Your groom is waiting anxiously downstairs for you.” He looked at Chloe. “You have the ring?”

She nodded, sliding her fingers into the hidden pocket added just for that reason. “Yep.”

He turned to the group. “Remember. Slow and graceful. I don’t want anyone charging down the aisle.” He threw me a wink. “Even you. Once you get an eyeful of your man, you might want to, but don’t. Enjoy the walk. Take in the splendor the room has become. The ambiance is—” he paused and brought his fingers to his lips in a kiss “—pure romance.”

I nodded, my nerves easing a bit now I knew Brayden was here. Not that there had been any doubts, but somehow, I relaxed more knowing he was in