Adele POV
I don't think I've ever been this nervous before. On the night of our rehearsal I couldn't sleep so my mother suggested I take a mild sleeping pill just to ensure that I wouldn't be dead on my feet since we would be getting up at five to begin getting ready. Thank God for that magic little pill, it worked wonders. I slept so good that when I woke up I was wide awake.
Last night was tough when I said goodnight to James. I was so emotional because I hated not being to spend the night together. He reassured me that this would be the last time that we would ever be separated, so I felt a little better. My Matron of Honor, Juliet, and I spent the night at James' summer home and it was perfect. We had an amazing time, just the two of us, and it reminded me when we were little girls and would have sleep overs in each other rooms. We stayed up giggling until she declared that it was time for me to go to sleep and we curled up in the giant bed. I'm going to sleep for the last time as Adele Harper.
Marisol and Julianne arrived shortly before five to find me fixing breakfast down in the kitchen.
"Wow we thought we were going to have to drag you out of bed," Julianne says as I hand her a bagel.
"This is my wedding day and I can't wait to marry the man of my dreams."
After a good hearty breakfast my amazing team has three hours to transform me in the future Queen of England. By seven, my mother and grandmother arrive to get ready. Mom is already crying as is my grandma. I have vowed not to break down until I see James.
As for my hair and make-up, I wanted to go classic very reminiscent of the amazing women in James' life. I wore my hair half up with loose curls and went very natural on my make-up except I wanted dramatic eyes just like James' likes. When I looked in the mirror I felt like myself and that's the way I wanted it.
My photographer Makayla is truly an artist. She's been capturing every single moment today while her husband Roman was with James and Charles. In addition to our personal photographers the Royal photography team is on standby at the church for my arrival right at 10.
The moment I have been waiting for has arrived and that's putting on my wedding dress. I'm head over heels in love with my dress. It's been a work in progress since the day we announced our engagement. That is when I began working with prominent British designer Sarah Mills. She was fantastic to work with. She was very attentive to what I wanted my dress to look like for my wedding day. It was simple I wanted to look classic and timeless with lots of lace and a crazy long cathedral train. When I first tried on my dress I knew it was just perfect. I was so happy to have my mom, grandmother and Juliet there for that moment. There wasn't a dry eye in the house and I think I was crying the most. My true inspiration for my dress was James' grandmother's dress but I put my own spin on it. My dress has an ivory satin bodice that fits me like a glove almost like a second skin. I wanted a deep v-neck that was modest but still sexy, then the back was bathed in lace and the train was something all on its own. It measures 13 feet in length and is all lace. Juliet is so nervous about making sure that my train sits just right as I walk down the aisle. She's practiced over and over but I had to remind her just to relax and everything will be fine.
The funniest thing about all the hoopla surrounding today was what was my dress going to look like and who was the designer. The media has called it the best kept secret in Royal history. I just had to laugh when I heard it; it's all kind of ridiculous when you think about it. At 8:45, my flowers arrive and then for an hour I pose for photos in the house and with Juliet, my mother and grandmother before my grandfather and father arrive to escort me to Westminster Abbey where I will marry my best friend and be crowned Queen.
I kiss my mother who tells me that she loves me and that I will make an amazing wife and Queen and her hug is nearly my undoing.
"This is it," My father says before we emerge from the house, where I know there are hundreds of cameras waiting for the first sight of me.
"Just don't let me fall, daddy," I say. He clutches my hand tightly and I take my first step outside to my waiting car. That's when I hear the frantic shutter clicks.
It takes some effort on my father's part but I'm safely inside the car.
"Breathe," My father tells as we pull onto the street and then I hear the roar of the crowd that is waiting for my arrival.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath when I see everyone lining the streets. I can't hide my enthusiasm when people are waving and chanting my name and I try to wave to everyone thanking them for coming out today.
The feeling is so overwhelming knowing how much this event means to them. I knew that this wasn't just about James and me that it was so much more but now it's real.
"Amazing," My dad says nodding to the crowd and I feel his hand hold onto mine a little tighter. My dad is truly handsome today in his tux and I can't help but giggle when I watch his reactions to all of this.
Once we round the corner, we are less than a block from where the wedding will take place. I feel the butterflies in my stomach but I just make sure to keep my breathing even so I do not freak out. I'm so glad that it working.
"Here we are your majesty," Monty, my new personal security, says when he stops the car then he turns to me and smiles. This was the first time someone addressed me like that and I don't know how to react. In less than an hour I'm going to be a married woman and the Queen of England.
I thought the cheering was loud from inside the car but once my father helps me out of the car it's almost deafening. Once I'm safely on two feet, Juliet who has been awaiting my arrival fixes my train before we make our grand entrance.
"Can you believe this?" My matron of honor asks once she assures that everything is in place before I head inside.
I turn slightly and again wave to the crowd before my dad regains my focus. He kisses my cheek before I take his arm.
"You know you will always be my little girl," He says and I can feel his voice start to tremble.
"Thank you daddy."
Then I hear my cue as my song begins and we start the long march into the Abbey.
James POV
Who would have thought Charles would have been the calm and cool one this morning? He was able to keep me from going mad with everything that's about to happen in a few minutes. I'm so glad that he's my Best Man, because I don't know where I would be without him today.
Now as I stand at the altar waiting for my bride, I look at my mother who looks so elegant in her dress and matching hat. I know she misses dad right now just as much as I do and then there is Elizabeth who can't stop smiling. I don't know if it's because her only sibling is getting married or because she is staring at Tate Harper. I follow her eye line and sure enough that's it. They are staring at each other but I think Tate sees me glaring at him warning him that that's my sister but then I smile because I know he's a good kid. Hell, he's only two years younger than me and I am marrying his sister.
As per my instructions I turn my back and I hear the chimes and the bells signifying the start of the wedding. I do my best to keep my knees from shaking. Out of the corner of my eye I see Juliet take her place on the altar. We make eye contact and then she smiles and winks. If it weren't for Juliet, there is no way I would be standing here right now. I owe her everything.
I know my bride is close when I hear the music swell and I'm just waiting for my cue to turn around. When I hear it I turn as gracefully as possible and I can't believe the vision in front of me. I've waited for what seems like a lifetime and now she's actually here in front of me. I get very emotional and I don't care whose watching or what a King is supposed to do when he sees his bride for the first time. Adele is like an angel. Kellan steps up with Adele, so they are even with me and all I want to do is take her in my arms but I have to be patient.
Finally, it's my turn to take my bride. I hug Kellan and he tells me to take good care of his little girl. I promise him and then he places her hand in mine. I just can't help but to stare at her.
"You look beautiful," I whisper in her ear and she looks at me and smiles. "I love you."
Adele POV
As per tradition all I see is James' back as I walk down the aisle and all I want to see is that beautiful face. When I make it down the aisle I acknowledge Felicity and she smiles. Knowing that I have her approval means the world and then I look to my left and see my family. Mom and grandma are crying and I even think my grandfather is a little misty.
Finally, I see his darling face, although a little obstructed by my dad, and he looks so handsome so much that I want to cry.
I try to concentrate on the words of the Archbishop but I just want James to hold me and tell him that I love him.
As my father hugs James I finally get to see him in all of his glory. He looks so dashing in his black tuxedo.
"You look beautiful," He whispers in my ear. I feel like I'm blushing and then he smiles. "I love you."
"I love you so much," I reply back.
In less than 30 minutes we are declared husband and wife and we exchange rings. James surprises me when Charles hands me a ring. Traditionally the King doesn't wear a wedding band for some unknown reason but here it is. I place it on his finger and as I'm sliding it on I see a few tears stream down his face. Then I know, this was his father's wedding ring.
Our first kiss is something that James and I practiced many times to both of our delights. We wanted to make it special but appropriate so when he takes my face in his hands he kisses me so tenderly and again surprises me by dipping me for another kiss that nearly takes my breath away.
"Now I can kiss you whenever I want to," James says as we turn and face the congregation.
The wedding went on without a hitch but now comes my first test. We went over all the logistics yesterday morning and I've gone over it in my head like a million times but here it is. The crowning ceremony is something both very traditional and ceremonial and quite beautiful. I have to focus on every movement because it's almost like it's choreographed. Finally after the ritual is completed I take my place on the altar next to my husband, the King and he places the crown on my head. I'm surprised by just how heavy it is. I won't wear this crown when I make my public appearances, I will wear a tiara worn by the women I only read about in my history books and now I will be in the history books.
Once the coronation is done, the crown is removed and my tiara is placed over my veil. James takes my hand as we walk down the aisle to the cheers of not only the congregation but the millions of people waiting outside.
"Thank you for agreeing to be my wife," James says kissing my hand as we emerge from the Abbey.
We ride in a beautiful horse drawn carriage back to Buckingham Palace for our Royal photo shoot before we emerge for our first public kiss on the balcony.
Finally we have some alone time once we are shown to the drawing room.
"I love you," I tell James and wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him with a fire that is burning deep in my belly.
Shortly we are interrupted to sign all the important paperwork. We are greeted by our families before the doors to the balcony are opened. James leads me out and there overlooking the massive crowd we kiss. At this moment I feel like I got my happily ever after.
