Hey Guys,

Glad you liked the wedding dress fitting. How about we find out what the flowergirls dresses are going to look like...

Much Love,

Chelsea x


I left the boutique and headed for lunch with Ray, before going over to the Flynn house with Harriet's dress, ready for her to try on.

Christian and I had agreed that both Harriet and Sophie should be able to choose what they want to wear. We wanted our flower girls – like my maid-of-honour and bridesmaid – to be comfortable and feel special in their outfits. Each of them were able to design what their dress should look like, and Harriet had taken full advantage of this.

I smiled as I pulled my TT to a stop behind Christian's R8. I let myself into the house and shouted for Rhian, announcing my arrival.

"We're in the kitchen," she called back. "Make yourself at home!"

I had only just closed the door behind me when I heard footsteps bounding towards me.

"Auntie Ana!" Harriet shrieked. She rushed forward and launched herself at my legs, hugging me tight. "Did you bring my dress? My wedding dress?"

"I did," I laughed. I bent down to her level and showed her the dress bag I was holding. "I've got it right here."

"Yes!" She jumped on the spot. "Yes, yes, yes! Can I put it on? Please?"

"Of course you can," I nodded. "Do you need a hand?"

"No," she said defiantly. She snatched the bag from me and darted towards the staircase, dragging the bag behind her. "I got my princess dress!"

I watched as she disappeared from view, smiling to myself, and then made my way to the kitchen. The room was full, Rhian hovering over the counter and kneading something in a bowl. The twins were on either side of her, interested in whatever sweet treat she was making. Flynn was leaning against the refrigerator, sipping a coffee, and Christian was sat at the counter.

Christian was cradling Joey in the crook of his arm, pulling silly faces at the babbling boy. The sight melted my heart in an instant.

"Hey, sorry I'm late," I said to everyone. "Traffic was a nightmare."

"It always is on a Saturday afternoon," Rhian laughed. She lifted her gooey fingers from the bowl. "The kids wanted cookies, so I'm making cookies."

"Have you been told lately you're literally the best mom ever?" I chuckled. "Can you just adopt me already?"

"It'd be my pleasure, what's one more to add to this crazy bunch?" she shrugged. "Where's H gone?"

"Upstairs to try on her dress," I replied. "She was too excited to wait a second longer."

I edged closer to Christian and nestled my cheek to his.

"Hey," he muttered. He turned his head my way and pecked a light kiss on my lips. "I was going to call you, tell you I was coming over."

"Seems like you've got your hands full," I smirked. I reached down and stroked my fingers down Joey's plump cheek. "He's getting big."

"They don't stay small for long," Flynn laughed, observing us cooing over his youngest son.

The bean inside me is growing bigger by the second, despite only being a tiny speck right now.

Christian grinned up at me, as if reading my thoughts.

"So, how did the fitting go?" he asked.

"Ray cried," I smiled.

"He crumbled?" he sighed, shaking his head. "Damn it, I'm going to cry too, aren't I? I'm going to bawl like a baby."

"I think you probably will," I hummed. "Ray is a tough nut to crack and he couldn't hold it in."

Christian blew out his cheeks.

"Not to blow my own trumpet, but I looked great in it," I smiled. "It's the most amazing dress I've ever seen."

"I already know you're going to look radiant in it."

I lowered my voice and leaned into his ear.

"Ray knows," I whispered.

His brow furrowed.

"About bean," I explained.

"How?"

"He overheard me asking to have the dress let out," I added. "He put two and two together… I couldn't lie to him."

"Do I need to run?" he asked, giving me an arched look. I snorted. "Do I need to ask Taylor to up my security?"

"He's happy," I shook my head. "He's so happy."

"Not ready to take out a hit on a certain part of my body?"

"No," I promised. I clenched his arm. "He's happy… Sorry, I know we said we wouldn't tell anyone –"

"It's absolutely fine," he shrugged a shoulder, smiling.

"Sure?"

"Positive," he hummed. "We can wait to tell everyone else, like we planned."

"Thank you," I smiled. I kissed him, nuzzling the tip of my nose against his. "Now, quit hogging the baby and let me hold him."

Despite his chuckle, he reluctantly passed Joey over to me. I raised him up to my face and pecked his cheek, getting a happy coo from him.

"It's cuddle time," I sang, lowering him into my arm. He gurgled back at me. "We love cuddle time. And I have been looking forward to this all day, little man."

Christian vacated his stool and guided me onto it.

"Mummy, Daddy, look!"

Harriet rushed into the kitchen, a whirlwind of colour and sparkles.

"Look at my dress!"

I gazed at her and felt a lump form in my throat. In an instant, she no longer looked her four-years. She seemed so much older, grown up, in her princess dress. My heart started melting, even if her dress wasn't the kind Christian would have hoped for one of our flower girls.

Or anyone in the wedding. Participant or guest.

Sophie's dress was demure, understated. She had opted for a light pink gown with an ombre effect at the hemline, the soft peony colour melting into vibrant purple. She asked for a white cardigan with tiny flowers embroidered onto it, to signify her role on the day. When I had explained her choice to Christian, he had smiled, nodded, and said it would be perfect. He would have chosen something similar, by all accounts.

Harriet's dress, however, featured everything Christian despises: sequins, glitters, bright colours.

Harriet wanted a dress with puffy sleeves and fabric that flowed out at her stomach, a true Disney-style gown. Her mesh sleeves were cream, which merged into the soft yellow of the bodice. There was a white stash around her waist, which tied into a giant bow at the back – stitched on for convenience, a detail Ally added when she found out Harriet's age. The skirt was made up of many layers, a rainbow of colours subtly morphing together into a watercolour effect. Every inch of the dress was adorned with diamanté details and glitter. She shimmered with every move.

She paraded around the room, twirling this way and that.

"Wow, look at you," Flynn laughed. He cast a quick look to Christian. "Don't you look a peach!"

"You look beautiful, sweetheart," Rhian grinned.

"Gorgeous," I remarked when she sought my approval.

She turned her head to Christian last, staring up at him expectantly. He narrowed his eyes as he stepped forward, dropping to a kneel in front of her. He gestured for her to spin around again.

"Well, do you like it?" she demanded, putting her tiny fists on her hips.

I giggled at her defiance.

Christian was withholding a smirk, but he managed to just about maintain a straight face.

"I think…" he began. "That this… is the most wonderful dress I have ever seen."

"You do?" Harriet grinned. "Yes!"

She hugged him hard, her arms around his neck.

"Auntie Ana said you would hate it," she added. "But I got to have as much glitter as I want."

"I can see that," Christian snorted. He kissed her cheek, making her laugh. "Your dress is lovely, Harriet."

Harriet's high-pitched laugh startled Joey, making him writhe in my arms. Instinct took over and I lifted him up, pressing him to my chest. I rubbed his back.

"It's okay, Joey," I whispered. "You're okay…"

I rested my cheek against his head and breathed in his sweet smell. Closing my eyes, I was able to imagine I was holding bean in my arms. Feeling their weight resting on me, their own unique smell tickling my nose.

The back of my eyes started to sting.

"I can't wait for you to meet the friend I'm making for you," I muttered to Joey, my voice so low I doubt even he'd be able to hear me. "I'm going to have a baby just like you, little man."

He settled down, rubbing his head into my shoulder.

"Until they come along, can I practice on you?" I asked him. "Is that okay?"

He yawned back at me.

"I'll take that as a yes," I smiled.