The Forgotten Heiress

Chapter Twelve: The Aisle

Lily’s POV

I am currently walking down the aisle with my step father beside me, my left hand in the crook of his arm while holding the bouquet with my right.

I told Xavier I wanted to have an intimate wedding. He didn’t have a problem with it, almost like he also wanted an intimate wedding too but whatever I chose would be what he’d go with.

I remember him saying something along the line of, “I might as well surprise my fans with wedding pictures, a hard launch, and undoubtedly break hearts,” The drama queen that he is.

I didn’t have it in me to look around the hall to see the magic that was done, yet. Even though I trust the event planners and decorators mummy hired, I am genuinely looking forward to seeing the hall. I know mummy to be one that goes all out, even when you are not her favourite.

My gaze is on the floor so all I can see are hydrangeas petals, and of course it had to be in my favourite colour, blue. There are blue and white roses too and another flower that I am not sure what it is, it looks like a chrysanthemum though.

I am having mixed emotions right now. I just wish my parents were here with me on this big day. But what does it even matter? Why am I bothering myself thinking about humans who don’t care about me, humans who never did?

“It doesn’t matter. The people who absolutely loved me since I was a baby and took really good care of me are here to celebrate with me. That is all that matters.” I tell myself. I can’t help but wonder if Aaron is here too. I mean, he loves and cares about me too.

A walk that seemed like it lasted an eternity finally came to an end. I am standing face to face with the absolute love of my life, Xavier.

He looks so handsome beaming with smiles, and he is radiating from so much happiness. I can’t believe it.

I mean, I always knew Xavier is handsome, the very first second I laid my eyes on him, but today? I have never seen a groom look this dashing in a sky blue suit. Yes, you heard that right.

Growing up as a kid, I always pictured my wedding to be different and unique. I never liked the tradition of a bride wearing a white gown and her groom, a black suit.

I wanted something different, was never quite sure was it was I wanted till I had the conversation with Xavier. He embraced it almost immediately, I remember him saying, ‘why don’t we play around with the different shades of blue?’

I was blown away because I don’t remember ever telling him that my favourite colour is blue. He found out somehow, little did I know that his favourite colour is blue too.

So here I am, in an ice blue wedding gown; a shade that could easily be mistaken for a sky blue, smiling at my husband, husband-to-be.

I get lost in his eyes that I for a moment forget where I am at. It isn’t until the wedding officiator clears his throat that I drop my gaze before slowly turning around to see the crowd; more like checking around to see if Aaron, my support system is here.

On the first row by the left are my step parents and Aaron’s parents. Behind them are Brie, Samantha and Aaron; who looks like he is forced to be here by the way. By my right on the first row are my in laws. Then friends and family, some of which I recognize and the rest that I don’t, I am guessing they are Xavier’s.

“I do,” Xavier says loud and clear with certainty, and so much confidence. Immediately after, the crowd erupts with cheers and claps.

It is now my turn to say the vows, and I begin to panic. I feel my palms get sweaty and the hair on my back rising. I am getting anxious. Do I really want to go through with this? Do I love Xavier to the extent of becoming his wife, for a lifetime?

My gaze travels to Aaron, we make eye contact. He looks like he is trying so hard to communicate to me with his eyes but I am unable to understand what he is saying. I try to convey a message too, I am not sure he gets it though because he doesn’t give me an answer.

I hate to admit this, but I want to be stopped. I want to be given a reason to not go through with it. Or someone, Aaron to be precise, should shout “I object! This wedding can’t go on.”

I am having a gut feeling that this wedding and the whole marriage is a big mistake, a disaster that shouldn’t be done. Why am I having this feeling when it is crystal clear that Xavier loves me? His love is the gentle type of love, a slow type of love that envelopes you. You don’t realise you are falling for him till you are deeply in love with him.

Xavier gets my attention back at him by placing his hands on mine that is tightly holding the bouquet like my life depends on it. He moves really close to me and whisper, “Are you okay brown?”

I can’t form a coherent sentence. I in fact don’t have an answer to his question. Giving one last glance to Aaron, I look at my husband and muster the biggest smile in me, “I do.” I try to say with so much confidence and surety, hoping I am able to convince everyone, myself first that I really do.

Overwhelmed with happiness, Xavier doesn’t even wait for the traditional ‘you may kiss the bride.’ He just picks me up and twirls with me making the crowd get on their feet and cheer for us, throwing congratulations around.

He puts me down gently, grabs my left hand and places it on his chest, leans in to steal a kiss, but before then he says, “You are the beat to my heart brown, I love you.”

Maybe, I am just over thinking.