I am going to be uploading several chapters in quick succession over the coming days and weeks, as my aim is to wrap this story up as soon as I can. I'm feeling motivated to finish this story and share with you what I've had planned for quite a while - years even!

I hope you like it!

Much Love,

Chelsea x


With the wedding six weeks away, it was time to wrap up the plans and start finalising the finer details. Top of the list was where the ceremony and reception would be held. Although we had decided on having the wedding at Christian's parents' home, there was still the matter of deciding where exactly in the house to hold everything.

It was a Saturday morning and Christian and I had arrived at Bellevue bright and early. Grace and Mia had put forward their ideas, talking us through what they thought would work.

"I really think the library would be the best place for the ceremony," Mia explained. She stood in front of the French doors, holding out her arms. "Imagine it. The altar could sit here – a tall archway with flowers scaling all the way around, with lights interspersed… Then we can open the doors for you to walk through after you say "I do", and we can use the patio to lead down to the entrance of the tent."

"Are we settled on having a tent then?" Christian checked with me.

I nodded.

"I like the idea of incorporating the outside into the wedding," I explained. "Even though it's going to be cold and probably wet, I kinda like the wintery feel."

"Okay," he smiled. "Just double-checking."

"We can create a path so no one has to walk on the lawn," Mia added. "I was thinking we could line it with candles. It'll be so romantic."

"And a fire hazard," Christian frowned. "Long dresses and open flames…"

"We'll use LED candles," Mia sighed. She rolled her eyes. "Honestly, I'm not stupid. And before you even ask, I have factored space heaters into the plans for the tent. I've found some that are designed to look like flower arrangements. I'll send you the pictures later. Trust me, they're cute."

"Can we have plenty of lights in the library too?" I asked.

"Of course," Mia smiled. "The more the better. I was thinking we could factor them into the bookcases. I mean, what could be more perfect than a wedding in a library, for someone like you? The ultimate bookworm!"

"It does sound pretty perfect," I agreed. "Okay, let's do it. Ceremony in here, reception outside."

Mia grinned and made some notes on her phone.

"So, the next thing we need to sort is the cake," she said.

She turned her phone around and showed us a picture of an enormous three-tiered cake. It was covered in marble effect icing in shades of white, cream and light blue. White roses cascaded down the cake in a spiral, the centre piece on the top an arrangement featuring lilies, lavender and violets.

"That's gorgeous!" I breathed, shaking my head in awe.

"I took the liberty of contacting Chef di'Marco. I studied under him in Paris," she announced proudly.

"For all of five minutes," Christian retorted.

I silenced him with a swot on the arm. Mia stuck her tongue out at him.

"Anyway," she sighed. "He's designed this for you. This was just a prototype – it's made using cake dummies – but this is what he can do for you."

"What will the cake be made of?" Christian checked.

"Rich Belgian chocolate sponge with buttercream filling, and vanilla frosting," she said.

Christian smirked.

My man loves chocolate cake.

"Well, I'm sold," he nodded. "Can you arrange a cake sample to be sent over?"

"Consider it done," Mia nodded. "So, the cake is sorted? I can tick that off the list?"

We nodded.

"Dresses?" she asked.

"Yours and Kate's dresses are sorted," I reminded her. "Sophie and Harriet's dresses are being finished this week, and I have another fitting coming up soon."

"Shoes, hair, makeup?"

"I'm letting you deal with that," I said, holding up my hands. "Mia, you can have free rein over it. You know I'm not into all that stuff. I just ask that I still look like me."

"No problem," she grinned. She checked her phone again. "Christian, what about your suit? And for your groomsmen?"

"Ready to be collected anytime," he confirmed.

"Good," she nodded. She scanned her phone and pursed her lips. "We have a few more things to work through but shall we break for drinks now? Have some tea?"

"Sounds good to me," I nodded, grateful.

As Mia and Grace left the room to fetch something to drink, I slumped back into the couch and hugged my arms around my waist.

"Feeling nauseous?" Christian asked, peeling some hair away from my clammy forehead. I nodded slowly. "I'm sorry, baby."

I had managed to hide the nausea, somehow keeping a lid on the waves that swirled through my stomach and wanted to make an appearance. When they weren't looking, I fanned myself down and took shallow breaths, purposefully hovering near the open windows.

"Want me to check to see if there's any ginger cookies?" he offered.

"I'll be fine," I shook my head. "It comes and goes. It'll pass soon."

He stroked my cheek with the back of his fingers.

"Sorry I'm late!" Carrick apologised, rushing into the room and dropping his briefcase on the nearest armchair. "I had some paperwork to sign. I got here as soon as I could."

"It's fine," I assured him with a bright smile.

"Everything okay?" Christian checked.

"Good news," Carrick smiled. "I can confirm that Grey Griffin Publishing is official. The change of name has been processed and the trademark has come through."

"Really? This soon?" I checked, amazed. Carrick nodded. "Oh god, thank you so much."

"It's my pleasure, darling," he said, brushing it off.

Christian had initially chosen his attorney to help with the legal transition of SIP to GG Publishing, but when Carrick had found out about the takeover he had offered his services instead. I was quick to take him up on his offer, knowing we'd be in safe hands if Carrick was looking over proceedings. Christian didn't mind me shirking off his attorney, agreeing that it would be nice for his father to help me out.

Carrick had been the epitome of professionalism, but he managed to maintain a fatherly protection over me and my interests.

"I wish you'd let me repay you for your help," I told him.

He had flat out refused to take a single penny from me or Mark. He replied saying he was simply doing what a loving father-in-law should do.

"Nonsense," he shook his head, dismissing the idea again. "I'm doing it because I love you and you are family."

He came over and kissed the top of my head, then squeezed Christian's shoulder before sitting down on the adjacent couch. He was in the process of removing his tie when Grace and Mia returned with the drinks.

"Oh I'm glad you're back," Grace said to Carrick. "I need you to check the attic to see if we still have that archway up there. The one we used for the last masquerade ball? Oh and can you call the caterers and check they are free for the wedding? We haven't decided on a menu yet but -"

"Can I have a sit down first, darling?" he quipped, winking.

"There's a lot to sort out still," Grace warned him. She crossed over and sat on his lap. "Don't worry, you haven't missed it all."

"Joy…" he hummed, feigning indifference. Grace pinched his ear and he laughed. "Dear, you know I love planning events with you, and this one is extra special."

Mia smiled as she watched her parents, but quickly drew us back to the matter at hand.

"Are you decided on what flowers you want?" she asked.

"We've chosen white roses, calla lilies, lavender and violets," Christian reeled off. "Although we have blue in our colour scheme, we think the purple will be a nicer contrast."

"I agree," Mia nodded. "Now, who is going to conduct the ceremony? You don't want a reverend?"

"No, we don't," we agreed in unison. I continued, "It's not for us. Neither of us are religious."

"Fair," Grace nodded.

"I quite like the idea of having someone we know marry us," Christian suggested, stroking his hand up my arm. "We could do the formal part the day before, then have someone officiate on the day itself."

"So actually get married on the 30th?"

"Our wedding would be on New Year's Eve," he said. "But the paperwork will be signed on the 30th. A lot of couples do it that way round."

"Okay," I nodded. "We'll do that… but who will officiate?"

We studied each other for a moment, silence circling as we turned over our thoughts.

"I have an idea –" Grace said, raising a hand. "What about Jason?"

"Taylor?" Christian frowned.

"Yes," she nodded. "He's close to you, he's practically family after being in our lives for so many years. Who better than someone you literally trust with your life?"

We let the idea sink in and the longer I pondered it, the more I agreed with Grace. I returned my eyes to Christian and smiled, letting him know my stance on the matter.

"I can ask him," he shrugged. "He might say yes."

"Tell him if he doesn't say yes, he'll have me to answer to," I ordered, pointing my finger. "And I will get Gail and Sophie on my side, then he really will be in trouble."

Christian smirked.

"I will tell him," he chuckled. "One way or another, we'll get him to marry us."

"I'm sure you'll be able to charm him."

"Worked on you," he winked.

"You just wore me down," I retorted.

"Still got the girl," he shrugged.

"You did," I nodded. "Aren't you the lucky one!"

"So fucking lucky."

"Christian!" Grace shrieked. "Language."

He rolled his eyes and threw his head back against the couch. I chuckled under my breath.