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A big thank you to TheLittleSubmissive for editing the chapter!:)
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October
I clutch to Dimitri for one last kiss which he happily gives me, but when he tries to pull away from me, I wrap my arms around his shoulders and press my cheek against his chest. Dimitri chuckles and runs his fingers through my hair while his other hand travels down to my hip.
"Roza, if you don't go, Lissa is going to drag you out of here by your hair."
I snort and rub my face against the cotton of his shirt. He's not wrong though. Lissa has been pestering me all week about 'keeping tradition' and not spending the night before our wedding with Dimitri. I pull back enough and cup his cheeks softly. "I'm going to go check on the kids one more time," I say as I pull away. Dimitri winds his arms around my waist and pulls me back to him.
"You checked on them five minutes ago. You are stalling," Dimitri says into my hair and I roll my eyes. Dimitri swats my bottom playfully and moves both of us to the door. "Alright. Time to go," Dimitri says and presses a kiss to my temple before opening the door. I turn to find Lissa standing behind the door with an impatient look on her face, her Guardians standing behind her.
Lissa huffs and throws her hands in the air. "Finally! I thought I would have to barge in." I roll my eyes at her and Dimitri as Dimitri hands Lissa my overnight bag and she practically yanks me from my room in guest housing. I shake my head and look back at Dimitri who has a grin on his face.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Roza," he says with humour and I stick my tongue out at him. I pull my arm out of Lissa's grip and take my bag from her, slinging it over my shoulder as we walk to the room that she is staying in while we are at the Academy. We step in to find the room full of people. Well I wouldn't say full as it is just my bridal party, Sydney, Mia, my mother, Olena and Yeva along with a few members from the salon back at court.
"What is going on here?" I ask as I set my bag down on the table and Vika jumps up from her spot and pulls me further into the room.
"Your bachelorette party!" I look around the room, slightly stunned. I insisted that I didn't want to go out and have a bachelorette party and Lissa, Mia, Sydney, Karo, Sonya and Vika had gone out for dinner earlier this week instead.
I sigh as I am dragged across the room and Vika pushes me to sit on the couch between our mothers. I look at my mother who simply gives me a smirk and hands me a solo cup that smells strongly like coconuts. I sip it tentatively before spitting it back into the cup. "MOM! What is in this? It's disgusting," I exclaim and set it down on the table in front of me.
Mom snickers behind her own cup and points to the liquor cart that I hadn't noticed when I came in. I squint at the cart to see a large white bottle of rum and gag. I set the cup down on the table in front of me and swipe Mom's cup and gingerly sniff it. "Well this doesn't smell disgusting," I say, taking a sip.
Ambrose pops up in front of us with a large smile and extends his hand to me. "Come on Mrs. Belikova-to-be, let's get you pampered," he says and guides me into the other room where an area has been set up for pedicures and manicures. Ambrose hands me a robe and walks out of the room while I change. I chuckle at the bedazzled "Bride" on the back of the white satin and strip, tugging my robe on and tying the belt.
Lissa knocks on the door a moment later and she and Ambrose come back in, sitting down in front of me on the stool and lifting a tray of nail polish up to me.
"What colour would you prefer?" Ambrose asks, and I point to a colour that matches the colour of the bridesmaid's dresses. Lissa sits down in the chair next to me and another esthetician comes up, sitting down in front of Lissa. Lissa points to a second bottle of nail polish that matches mine and we get started.
I glance down at my phone and bite my lip anxiously. I'm glad I'm getting a moment to relax and be pampered, but I can only think about all the things that still need to be done before the ceremony tomorrow. Lissa must have asked me something because a moment later, my phone is gone from my hand and she is snapping her fingers in front of me.
"Take a deep breath, Rose," Lissa sighs and I slump further against the chair. I watch Lissa out of the corner of my eye as she beckons one of her Guardians towards her and speaks quietly into his ear. I feel bad that I can't remember his name, but he has only been a part of the Royal Guard for a week or so.
Lissa turns back to me and finds my gaze on the retreating Guardian, my eyes squinted as I ponder his name. I know it starts with an S, but the rest is escaping me.
"Samuel. Alec Samuel," Lissa says as a guess to my internal questioning. I point to the door with a grin.
"Right. He was a Conta Guardian beforehand," I say and Lissa snickers at me. I throw her a look and she holds her hand and wine glass up in a mercy manner.
"Sorry, you have been forgetful all week. It's a little funny to be frank," Lissa says, placing her hand on my shoulder. I shake my head and rest my head back against the chair, trying to relax my tense posture.
I let Ambrose work his magic on my toes and listen as he excitedly talks away about how much he's looking forward to doing my makeup in the morning. I smile when he makes an off-handed comment about how cute my kids are, which brings my spirits up a tenfold.
"Alright, your toes are done!" Ambrose says, lifting my foot up for my inspection. I smile when I see the brilliant shade of red that is there with a white design on top. Ambrose pulls a rolling table over and gets started on my nails, starting an ombre white French tip that the other members of my bridal party have.
"Do you have something special planned to wear under your dress tomorrow?" Ambrose asks, looking up at me through his eyelashes before looking back down at my hand. I giggle and nod my head, explaining how my dress is designed and tell him the type of lingerie I picked out for underneath.
Ambrose raises his eyebrows at me with a smirk before chuckling. "That poor man has no idea what is going to hit him."
I look over at Lissa who has an equally amused look on her face as she finishes the last of her glass of wine, setting it carefully down on the table.
"Just so you know, I have games planned after this," Lissa explains and I groan as my head hits the back of the chair. I had hoped I would be spared the games.
I take a final look at myself in the mirror and rub my lips together, working the light pigment into my lips. Lissa really worked her magic, so to speak. Until last night, I had no idea how I wanted to wear my hair, but she swooped in and found something that was perfect. As much as I would love to have my hair down, it is too warm out today and it would cover the beautiful design on the back of my dress. Lissa found a beautiful updo that looks amazing on me and we went with it. I look down over my dress with a smile.
The first few dresses I tried on were pure white or off-white and I wasn't sold on it. But when I laid eyes on my dress and found out it came in an ivory/champagne combination, I knew that it was my dress. Trumpet style with beaded bodice and scalloped lace tank sleeve with a modest V-neckline. The back of the dress is equally as beautiful as it gives the illusion that my back is bare with white buttons running from my tailbone up to my shoulders.
I have heard so many times about brides getting nervous and the jitters on their wedding day and I honestly hate the sensation I feel.
This is Dimitri. My Dimitri. I have no reason to be nervous.
I look up at the door in my reflection as it opens to find my parents standing there with Lissa standing behind them. I turn around to face the three and give them all a smile, swallowing heavily. Lissa ushers my parents into the room and closes the door, giving the three of us a moment alone.
"So, how do I look?" I ask hesitantly while holding my arms out to the side. Mom gives me a jubilant smile and steps forward, cupping my cheek carefully and nodding her head with a small sniffle. I look up over Mom's head to see Abe who has a small smile on his face, his hands in the pockets of his pants.
"You look stunning," Abe says, coming forward to stand beside Mom, putting his arm around her waist. The two of them have cleaned up well. Mom's hair styled beautifully, tasteful makeup and an elegant jade green dress that compliments her petite frame. Abe has scaled his usual attire down by five notches, dressed in a charcoal suit with a scarf that matches Mom's dress.
Mom pulls her hands away from me when her own tears start to spill over and Abe pulls a monogrammed handkerchief out of his pocket, handing it to her with a smirk. "We have something for you," Mom says, giving Abe a small look.
Abe pulls out a long box from inside his jacket, handing it to Mom. She cracks the lid and there is a thin Celtic bracelet laying on the satin. Mom pulls it out of the box and fastens it around my wrist, running her fingers on the chains. "This is yours to borrow. It was my Moroi grandmother's," Mom says.
I open my mouth to thank Mom, but the door opens and Lissa pops her head in. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but we are cutting it really close," Lissa says with a small smile. I run my hands over the bodice of my dress anxiously as my parents and I head to the door. Abe offers me his arm with an extravagant bow, and I chuckle as I take it, Mom walking ahead with Lissa.
"Do you have all your things?" Abe asks and I raise my brow at him. We come to a stop at the door of the chapel and I can hear voices through the door. "You know, the old, borrowed, new and blue."
"Oh! Yes, I have everything. Mom gave me the final pieces," I say with a sigh. I have my dress which is new, blue pins in my hair and the bracelet that is old and borrowed. Abe smiles and squeezes my hand while we wait for the girls to meet us, and I watch Lissa slip back through the doors.
"I thought we were all meeting back here?" I say and Lissa stops short. Lissa shoots a panicked look to Abe and then back to me and clears her throat.
"We are. Just a little hiccup but I fixed it. Now let's get your flowers," Lissa says and rushes over to the table behind all of us. I look over at Karolina who has slipped in the door behind me and she gives me a big smile. Sonya and Viktoria join us a few moments later and I take a deep breath. Only a few more minutes.
Lissa beckons Abe over to put a boutonniere on his suit and Karolina takes his place beside me. She wraps her arm around my shoulder and rests her head gently against mine. "I know I told you this earlier, but you look beautiful," Karo says.
"Also, if I didn't know any better, I would think that my brother was excited."
I furrow my brows at her, and she starts to laugh. "I went to go check on him, make sure he was ok but he was bouncing on the balls of his feet with excitement. I have never seen him happier. Well, besides the photos of when the twins were born," Karo explains and I chuckle a little. The idea that Dimitri is excited makes me feel a little less jittery.
We all situate ourselves to go down the aisle and I grip Abe's arm tightly. Dimitri's sisters start to go down and Abe tilts his head down. "Still want to do this? I mean I can go get my car and we can be on the next flight out to Istanbul," Abe whispers and I turn to look at him.
"No, no cold feet. I'm ready," I say and Abe nods. We stop at the door as everyone stands, but my eyes zero in on Dimitri at the end of the aisle. Standing beside Christian, Adrian, Eddie, Damir, and Paul with his hands clasped in front of him. I give Dimitri a smile and watch a match graces his lips too. I let my eyes drift away to see the people sitting in the pews and find a few members of the St. Vladimir's staff smiling back at me. Abe and I get to the front of the room and I see Sydney and Mia sitting in the pew with my mom, the two former holding the twins while they sit quietly.
Abe and I come to a stop as we reach Dimitri. Abe gives me over to Dimitri and kisses my cheek. I smile and step up to the dais with Dimitri and look up at him to find his eyes watery. "Are you crying?" I whisper in a laugh, making Dimitri chuckle as well.
"No. You look beautiful," he whispers back. I chuckle because I know he is lying about getting emotional, but I'll let it slide for today. Both Dimitri and I turn our attention to Father Andrews who has a happy smile on his face.
"Please be seated," Father Andrews says, opening his arms and gesturing to everyone in the hall. Our friends and family sit down and I watch the Guardians in the room sit as well, at our request. I look back to Dimitri and squeeze his hands in mine, the smile on my face getting wider and wider.
Father Andrews starts the ceremony and I listen along, but I start to fidget as I gaze at Dimitri. I turn to Father Andrews when Dimitri squeezes my hand a little tighter and I look up at him. "Sorry, what?" I ask and the room erupts in light laughter.
Dimitri is shaking his head at me as he chuckles, and I feel myself blush. I bite my lip and shake my head at myself before tuning back to what Father Andrews is saying to me. "Rose, do you take Dimitri to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
I nod my head. "I do."
"Dimitri, do you take Rose to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do," Dimitri says, rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand. We go through our vows, choosing to go with the more traditional one before exchanging our rings. I stand here before Dimitri and our friends and family with my heart so full that I can barely contain it, and I shed a few tears with a smile.
I rest my head against Dimitri's chest as we sway to the music, my smile still on my face as I watch our friends dance around us. I spy Lissa and Christian a few feet away from us with their heads bent together as Christian speaks to Lissa, her cheeks flushing as she smiles at him.
I look up at Dimitri and stretch up to kiss him. If I have had a smile on my face all day, Dimitri's face is about to split apart with happiness. Dimitri gazes down at me and presses another slow kiss to my lips, his hand sliding to my lower back and pulling me flush against him.
"Happy Mrs. Belikova?" he asks and I snicker at the sound of my new last name. I nod and nub my nose against his and rest my head against his shoulder. Abe approaches us and taps on Dimitri's shoulder.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Janine and I are going to head back to the suite. The kids are almost asleep," he says to Dimitri and me. I nod and we follow Abe back to the side of the room. I pick up a half-asleep Nadia from her spot on the chaise and snuggle her for a moment, running my fingers through her hair. I press a kiss to her cheek and frown when I spot a red stain on the white collar of her dress.
I turn around to look at Mom with a frown. "What happened here?" I ask, pointing to the spot. Mom exchanges a glance with Abe and I raise my brows at them.
"Roza, it's a stain," Dimitri says.
"I know it's a stain. I want to know why there is blood on her dress."
Dimitri frowns and adjusts Artyom in his arms and looks down at Nadia's dress, his brows knitting together before looking back at my parents. Abe scratches the back of his neck before shrugging slightly.
"Nadia slipped and bashed her lip against the pew," Mom says hesitantly. I shift Nadia to look at her lip, even pulling it down to see if her teeth pierced her lip, but not a scratch on her.
"Lissa came out right as it happened and healed her. We didn't want to worry either of you. We were going to tell you in the morning," Abe says, but I can tell by the look he was giving Mom that he wasn't on board with that idea.
I shake my head and take a deep breath. I know that if I get into this now, it won't be pretty. I kiss Nadia's head again and swap with Dimitri to give my goodnight to Artyom, not breaking eye contact with my mother. She has the grace to look ashamed for not telling either of us. I hand Artyom to Abe and kiss his cheek, thanking him for being here and helping make today as perfect as possible. I turn to Mom and hug her as well, saying we will talk in the morning but also thanking her.
I step back and stand in Dimitri's arms, watching my parents head out. I watch from the corner of my eyes as Alberta and Alto approach us and I turn to speak with them. "I'm a little surprised you came, Alto," I say kindly while hugging Alberta.
Alto shakes Dimitri's hand before stepping forward and giving me an awkward hug. "No, when Alberta told me that you two were getting married here, I knew I wouldn't miss it if you'd have me." I return the hug with a laugh and pull away.
"Were you two just heading out?" Dimitri asks, placing his hand on my back.
Alberta nods. "Yes, we both have early mornings." I look at Dimitri and then back to the two. "You might want to wait ten minutes or you're going to miss something big."
Alberta looks at me with a frown before I head off towards the main table and pick up my bouquet of flowers, heading towards the main area for the flower toss. I catch Christian's eye and give him a subtle nod before flicking my eyes to Lissa.
Adrian walks over to the DJ and takes the mic, thwapping it with his fingers to grab everyone's attention. "All right! Now I need all you beautiful, unwedded ladies to make your way to the floor. Rose is going to do the most monumental flower toss in the existence of the world," Adrian says into the mic, laughing at himself near the end. I watch as Dimitri and Alto nudge Alberta towards the center of the room, and the Guardians who are working chuckle at her expense. Although I do notice that Sydney has slipped away from the group and is standing with Adrian while he gets his phone ready.
I wink at my bridal party who are standing near the front of the group. I look up to Dimitri and Christian who are standing close by, but behind the group of women playfully nudging each other as they wait for me to start. I turn around and get ready to toss it back, lifting my hands over my head before spinning around with the flowers still in my hands. I step quickly towards Lissa and hand the bundle to her, smiling at her confused expression.
I grab her shoulders and spin her around just as Christian reaches us and gets down on one knee. Lissa whips her head around to face me and I simply light up at the deer in the headlights look she has. Lissa turns back around and laughs as she brings her hands up to her mouth. Over the sound of the music and Lissa's squeals, I can't hear what Christian is saying, but she throws herself into his arms and I gather that she says yes.
I feel Dimitri slip his arms around my waist and rest his chin on my shoulder, resting his hands on my stomach. "I'm glad that went the way the three of us had hoped," Dimitri says as we watch Christian slide the ring onto Lissa's hand.
I turn my head and catch his lips and rest my hands on top of his. "Yeah, it did, didn't it," I say softly.
I try to stifle my laughter as Dimitri and I half-walk, half-run to the outskirts of campus, which is not easy to do wearing heels and a wedding dress. We make it into the tree line and Dimitri scoops me up in his arms, carrying me the rest of the way.
"I thought you were supposed to carry me over the threshold, not to the door," I giggle as we move through the forest. Dimitri chuckles and I wrap my arm around his shoulder, resting my head against his neck. I press my face against the crook of his neck, kissing the skin there. Dimitri shudders slightly and picks up his pace, squeezing my leg as we approach the cabin. I remove one of my arms and turn the handle and push the door open.
Dimitri walks in and sets me down on my feet, placing his hands on my hips and pulling me towards him. I reach up and rest my hands on his chest, tilting my head up to meet his. I smile up at him jubilantly and move my hands up to cup his neck, pulling him down the rest of the way to reach my lips. Dimitri holds me tightly to him, his hands caressing from my hips up to my shoulders, the heat from his hands causing goosebumps in their wake.
"I was starting to worry if you were going to make me scream in the middle of the reception when you went to get the garter," I tease as I pull away. Dimitri laughs while rubbing my shoulders and moves his fingers up to my neck, digging his fingers in.
I'm not kidding though, I thought he was going to become bold while under the skirt of my dress, running his lips over my inner thigh before pulling the garter down my leg with his teeth, his hand ghosting over my legs.
I tilt my head back and bask in the feeling of his skillful fingers working on the tense muscle and skin on my neck. I pull my head back up and pull his hands away from my neck, taking his left hand in mine and kissing the gold band that rests there. I was surprised when he told me last night that he wanted to follow American tradition with our rings, but he simply stated that he is starting his life here and wanted to start with that tradition.
"Did you see what I engraved on your ring?" Dimitri asks me with a tone of adoration. I furrow my brows and pull my hands free from his. I pull my wedding band off and hold it closer to my face, turning it until I find a small engraving.
"You engraved our wedding date on it," I say softly with a smile. Dimitri shrugs his shoulders as he takes the band from me.
"Not completely. There was a reason why I wanted us to get married today. Three years ago, we met for the first time," Dimitri says, slipping the band back on my hand. I bite my lip and blink a few times to keep the tears that are welling in my eyes at the sweet sentiment. I look back up at him and slip my arms around his neck.
"You're perfect, you know that?"
Dimitri smiles and puts his hands back on my waist, pulling me with him as he moves to sit on the bed. Even with him sitting on the bed, we are at the same height. He spins me around and starts to unbutton the back of my dress, his fingers stroking the skin of my back with a feather-light touch before reaching the zipper and tugging it down as well. I bite my lip and shiver when I feel him stand up behind me and press his lips to the now exposed skin of my back. Dimitri slips his fingers under the gaping fabric at my shoulders, slipping the straps down my shoulders and down my torso. I let it slip down to the floor and step out of the dress, turning to face him with flushed cheeks. While I was a little hesitant about wearing adhesive cups instead of a bra, I was surprised when Karo pulled me aside the night of our dinner and gifted me the lingerie set, deeming that it was to be our little secret.
The nude lace cups and pair of white lace panties were much more comfortable than I thought they would be.
His eyes wander over my skin with lust and appreciation and I reach my hands up to loosen his tie and unbutton his shirt. I make quick work of both and push his shirt over his shoulders, placing kisses on his chest and moving my way up. Dimitri pulls away for a moment and picks up our shedded clothes and lays them on the dresser before returning to me, picking me up by my thighs and laying me down on the bed.
"Looks like that dream of yours is coming true," I whisper as he kisses my jaw and cheek. He pulls up and looks down at me, his eyes boring into mine.
"It is. And I couldn't be happier," he says, brushing his fingers over my cheekbone.
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