Hey everyone,

Are you ready for THE BIG DAY? It's finally time...

Hope you like it. More coming soon!

Much Love,

Chelsea x


A slither of sunlight crept through the crack in the drapes, casting a golden beam across the floor and all the way to the edge of the bed. I smiled as I brushed my hand through the light, my engagement ring twinkling.

"Happy wedding day," Christian groaned from behind me, his voice throaty and deep. He curled himself around me, his face nuzzling into my neck. "My bride…"

I glanced at the clock on the antique bedside counter. It was 8am on the dot.

"Good morning," I yawned. I shuffled back an inch, settling into his warm embrace. "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too."

Tradition dictates that the bride and groom shouldn't see each other on the day of the wedding, not until they meet at the altar. But Christian and I have never been one for tradition. When everyone suggested Christian stay in one of the guest rooms, both of us were quick to disagree. Neither of us sleep well alone, and neither of us want to go into our wedding day looking – and feeling – like a sack of shit.

Christian's hand splayed across my naked torso, his featherlight touch making me shiver.

"It's your last chance to chicken out," he whispered. He kissed along my neck. "Cold feet?"

"Nice and toasty," I breathed. I wriggled onto my back and studied his face. I traced my finger across his stubble. "How long do we have until we absolutely have to get up?"

"About five minutes," he frowned. "We're on a tight schedule today, baby."

"Noooo…" I groaned. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him closer. "It's early, we can stay here longer…"

"I'm sorry," he hummed. "Today has been planned to perfection… Breakfast, shower, hair and makeup…"

"Whose idea was it to get married at 1pm? Why didn't we opt for an evening wedding?"

He arched a brow at me.

"Don't answer that," I warned. "It was a rhetorical question."

The corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk.

"If we don't get up soon, you know Kate will barge in here and drag me out by my balls," he said. "And I kind of need them for tonight."

"I'm pregnant," I reminded him. "And we legally got married yesterday, so there's no need to consummate anything. Not after last night…"

It was his turn to frown at me.

I broke into a giggle, unable to keep up the façade.

"I'm kidding…"

"I should hope so," he eyed me. He pouted. "I plan on having my wicked way with you all night long, baby."

The way he looked at me caused goosebumps to ripple over my body. The devilish glint in his eye telling me everything I needed to know.

"I guess I'll see you at the altar?" I mumbled, my throat suddenly dry. I reached up and kissed him hard on the lips. "Unless you want to –"

"Later," he smirked against my lips. "I'll be the handsome one in the tux."

"I thought that was gonna be Taylor?"

He frowned at me and I earned a quick pinch on my nipple. Before I could react, he dived out of bed, grabbing his robe from the back of the door. He pulled it on and blew me a kiss, before opening the door and making a quiet exit.

I collapsed back into the tangle of sheets and pillows, grinning up at the ceiling.

It's finally here… my wedding day…


I stood in front of the mirror in Mia's expansive dressing room, struggling to take in my appearance. Of course I had seen myself in the dress, and I had had trial runs of what my hair and makeup would look like, but I hadn't pieced them all together. I hadn't envisioned the entire ensemble, and seeing it now was overwhelming beyond compare.

Ally had worked wonders with the last-minute changes to my dress, namely adjusting the waistline to accommodate the weight I had gained. From the side there was still only the slightest hint of a bump on show, but not enough to draw in any questions. The beautiful lace skimmed my hips and span down to the floor, pooling at just the right length around my feet.

I wasn't originally going to have a veil, deciding to have flowers in my hair, but that changed when Christian's grandmother pulled out her veil. Frances had packed it in her suitcase and offhandedly suggested it as an option. I took one look at it and grinned. It was simple and slightly yellowed with age, but it was perfect. The hem was embroidered with tiny stars, and it sat just below my shoulders. Fixing it into place with the sapphire hair slides Ray had bought me for Christmas, I had firmly ticked off my something old, borrowed and blue.

Although the hair slides were new, Christian had already thought up my something new. He sent Elliot upstairs on a mission while I was getting my hair done. He was carrying a jewellery box. Inside was a platinum bracelet with a heart pendant. It matched the necklace he had given me in New York. The sealed note inside the box read:

For the piece of my heart growing inside you x

Forcing back the tears was hard, but Mia would kill me if I started crying this early in the day.

Kate's teal dress was figure hugging with capped sleeves, with a boat style necklace that was trimmed with pearls. Her deep coloured gown contrasted perfectly with Mia's lapis dress. She had opted for something more bohemian and floating, the endlessly reem of fabric accentuating her height.

Grace had chosen a duck egg shift dress, keeping with the blue trend. The three of them looked stunning.

"Us?" Kate shrieked. "Ana, you looked spectacular. You're outdoing all of us right now!"

I smiled and ran my palms over my hips.

"It doesn't feel real," I shook my head. "I feel like I need someone to pinch me."

"You look incredible," Kate grinned. "Like a princess."

"You're practically glowing, darling," Grace cooed, taking my hand and giving it a tight squeeze.

"Thank you," I said, looking between the three of them. "You've been amazing, each of you. I honestly don't know how Christian and I could have pulled this off without you helping us. You've made this whole experience so easy."

"I think I can say on behalf of all of us that it's been our pleasure," Grace hummed. She leaned forward and air kissed my cheeks. "Just enjoy the day. Savour every second."

"I'll try," I smiled. I nodded my head and gulped, my eyes nervously looking for a clock. "How's it looking downstairs? Is everything –"

"Everything is in place, exactly how we planned it," Mia interrupted, reassuring me. "There isn't a single thing out of place. And we're on schedule."

"And Christian?"

"In the games room with Cary, Elliot and Taylor," Grace said.

"Is he okay?"

"He's nervous," Mia nodded, smirking. "He's so fidgety. He's been pacing the hallway a lot, watching everyone set up the rooms."

"That sounds about right," I giggled. "My control freak."

The ladies joined in with my laughter, the sound disturbed only by a rattle on the door.

"It's show time," Kate clapped her hands together.

They each took it in turns to squeeze my hands before heading for the door. They flung it open and let Ray into the room, squeezing past and rushing down the hall.

I met Ray's eye and had to blink back some more tears threatening to spill.

He was dressed to the nines in a brand new suit, his shirt still crisp, his shoes sparkling they were so shiny. His tie was a soft shade of violet, matching some of the flowers in my bouquet.

"My god, Annie," he shook his head. "I have never in my life seen a more beautiful woman."

He stepped forward and embraced me, stealing a warm hug. I needed it. I needed a hug from my daddy.

"You ready, baby girl?" he checked. He brushed his hands down my back, the way he used to do when I was a kid. I would rest against him when he was sat in front of the television, and he would lightly rub my back while he dozed. "It's time."

"I'm ready," I nodded.

"You're shaking."

"I'm a little nervous," I sighed. I leaned back and blew out a hard breath. "I don't know why… I want this. I can't wait to marry him, Dad. Why am I –"

"It's natural," he laughed. "Trust me, Annie, this is normal. It's the adrenaline rush. You'll feel better when you see him."

I let his words wash over me. My father had never lied to me. I knew he would be right about this. I just needed to breathe.

"I've already given him a little pep talk," he added.

"Not the whole 'you better look after my daughter' talk?" I frowned. "Because I'm pretty sure you've already done that several times."

"Hey, it's a father's right to warn their child's partner," he said. "It was merely some advice, some of the things I learned from being married to your mother. How to navigate it from a man's perspective. Because I hate to break it to you this late in the game, but marriage is hard work."

"I know," I nodded. "I know it's going to be difficult at times."

"Just keep a clear mind and remember why you're together," he told me. "Even when you're arguing and you want to slam his head against a wall – because believe me, you'll want to – just remember how you feel today. How much you love him. How much he loves you. That will get you through anything, no matter how difficult it is. What you have it stronger than anything you will face."

I settled back into his hold and hugged him hard.

"Thank you," I muttered. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too," he chuckled. "You'll always be my baby girl, even when you're fifty years old."

"Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you promise me something?"

"Anything."

"Don't let go of me until I reach Christian?" I begged. I glanced up at him. "I didn't want to mention anything to Mia but these shoes are killing me. I can't feel my toes!"

Ray laughed, shaking his head at me. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead.

"I'll hold you up," he promised. "Don't you worry, your old man will always be right here for you… Now, let's get you hitched, yeah?"