Hey Everybody! Sorry I didn't update the last couple of days. I started the Harry Potter series and I just couldn't pull myself away from the first book last night to finish this chapter. I finished it this morning and got the next two, but I did get this chapter written and will probably write more today and tomorrow. Thanks for being patient with me! Read on!
Chapter Forty-Nine
Lilac Mellark's POV
*Two Months Later*
I wake up with butterflies in my stomach and a smile on my face. I instinctively reach for my fiancé, Ash Hemlock, but he isn't here. I knew this already. He isn't here because today, today is our wedding day! After over a year of hard planning, we're finally going to get married. It's been such a long process and I just can't wait to be Mrs. Ash Hemlock.
Ivy, my sister, Harper, my sister-in-law and Summer, my younger brother's girlfriend, will be coming over around eleven o'clock to pick me up so we can go to our salon appointments with my mom, Ash's mom, and my Aunt Effie. We'll be getting our hair and nails done together before taking a limo to the church that Ash and I picked out for our ceremony. After the ceremony, we will all be going to the ballroom that Ash and I reserved for our reception. It's one of the fanciest places in the Capitol as far as places for wedding receptions. I just . . . can't believe it's all finally happening!
I'll be honest; I was actually worried for a little while that our wedding wasn't going to happen. After Ace was born, things got very hectic. Ash and I barely had any time together once he went back to work. Either he was at work or I was trying to catch up on some sleep. We basically just put planning our wedding on the back burner for a while.
Once Ace was a few months old, he started sleeping more and that gave us both more time together. Most of that time was used to plan our wedding and honeymoon. It took us a while. At first, Ash didn't really care. All he wanted was for me to be happy and to be married to me by the end of the day. It took me a few weeks to get him to help me actually plan our wedding. Once I got him into it, he didn't mind throwing in his opinions anymore.
Now, we are about to experience our dream wedding. I'm so excited about it! But, it's more than just the wedding. I'm excited to finally be Mrs. Lilac Hemlock. Ash, Ace, and I will finally be a proper family. I really can't wait until we're an official family. I know Ash and I have talked about maybe having more kids soon. I know Ash really wants to have a girl so he can have a father-daughter relationship with her.
I get Ace ready as I wait for Ivy, Summer, and Harper to pick me up. Mom, Effie, and Johanna all volunteered to watch the babies for us while we're getting our hair and nails done. Then, when we're done, we'll switch. At eleven on the dot, Ivy, Summer, and Harper appear at my front door. We chat for a few minutes, but then head down to the salon, knowing we have to meet our parents for the appointment.
"I can't believe my baby sister is finally getting married!" Ivy exclaims as we walk down a Capitol street to get to the salon.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I reply, rolling my eyes. I try to hide the ghost of a smile that has crept onto my face. I can't believe it either. In less than five hours, I will no longer be a Mellark; I'll be a Hemlock.
We arrive at the salon and, the minute we do, my mom, Johanna (Ash's mom), and Effie all swarm me. They hug me and mom looks like she's about to start crying already. I get hugs and congratulations and they all start talking about when Ash and I were little. After a few minutes, Ivy and I finally get them all to calm down before handing over the six kids. Then, we all start getting our hair and nails done.
Wow, I've really forgotten what it feels like to let myself be pampered. Ever since Ace was born, there hasn't been a lot of time for me to get away. Honestly, I haven't felt the need to get away. I love to be with my baby boy and I love hanging out with my fiancé at home. But, it does feel great to be pampered and just do something for myself.
Two hours later, Ivy, Harper, Summer, and I are all in the back of the little church on the outskirts of the Capitol. Ivy and Harper had just helped me into my wedding dress, a strapless, ivory gown the flowed down to the floor. My hair was curled and then styled into an up-do. My nails had received a French manicure in the salon.
"You look gorgeous," Ivy tells me, smiling with a glint of tears in her eyes.
"Thanks," I reply. Ivy and I embrace in a hug. I wouldn't want to have anyone else as my maid of honor. Ivy and I are sisters and best friends. She's always had my back. She's my sister; I love her.
Mom and dad pop their heads into the room, presumably to tell us it's almost time for the ceremony to start, but they both get sidetracked when they see me in my wedding gown.
"Oh, sweetie, you look beautiful!" Mom says as she gives me a careful hug.
"Thanks," I reply as our hug ends. Dad is just looking at me, a small smile on his face and tears in his eyes. I know he's having mixed feelings about this day. He loves Ash and I know he'll love having him as a son-in-law, but I know he isn't quite ready to give up his youngest daughter. He was a total wreck at Ivy's wedding and I know he'll be worse during the ceremony today.
"Are you ready?" I ask my dad, a small smile on my face.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Dad replies, his smile growing a bit bigger. I take dad's offered hand and then we move out to the door leading to the altar. Harper will walk down the aisle first, then Summer, and then Ivy. Ash chose Phoenix, Liam, and Finn as his groomsmen. I think that Alex got stuck watching all the babies . . .
The music starts and Harper starts heading down the aisle. My stomach suddenly fills with butterflies. I know this is what I want and that it's right but I can't help but feel a bit anxious. After this ceremony, mine and Ash's relationship will be different forever. We aren't just boyfriend and girlfriend anymore. We aren't even just each other's fiancé. We'll be husband and wife. My heart leaps at the thought of me being Ash's wife. I've wanted it for so long and it's finally happening.
Ivy reaches about half way down the aisle, and then it is my turn. I take a deep breath and then dad and I start walking down the aisle. As we appear, everyone in the pews stands up. We didn't invite too many people. We really only wanted a small wedding. We did invite all of our family, Harper's immediate family, a few friends from college and our studio and a few new friends we met after I had Ace. Everyone is smiling and marveling at my dress, but my eyes are trained on Ash.
Ash is in a black tux, his wavy blonde hair styled with some gel. He looks very nice indeed. My heart skips a beat as our eyes lock. He's smiling, his green eyes shining with a mix of happiness and unshed tears. I can only imagine that his heart is beating as hard as mine is inside his chest. The walk down the aisle is short and, in no time, I am beside Ash Hemlock, my soon to be husband.
"Do you, Lilac Mellark, take Ash Hemlock to be your lawfully wedded husband; in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?" The clergy asks me. I swallow and then smile before responding.
"I do."
"Do you, Ash Hemlock, take Lilac Mellark to be your lawfully wedded wife; in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?" The clergy asks Ash, who's eyes are transfixed on mine.
"I do." Ash says with no hesitation in his voice at all.
"By the power invested in me, I pronounce you man and wife." The clergy says. "You may kiss the bride," He tells Ash. Ash smiles before taking my face in his hands and kissing my lips tenderly.
"I love you, Mrs. Hemlock," He whispers into my ear after our kiss.
They're finally married! Yay! Next up is the reception and the honeymoon! Plus Ace will be staying with Phoenix and Harper and their twin girls! It should be interesting! Thanks for reading and please leave me a review! More to come soon!
