Prologue
Gia Campbell paced nervously around the living room of Laura's house. In a little less than two hours, she would become Mrs. Nikolas Cassadine. She had been looking forward to this day for a long time, but now that it was here she was a little scared. Not only was she marrying the man of her dreams, she was also becoming a princess.
Laura was sitting in a chair watching her pace. "Gia would you like to sit down?" she asked. She stood up and offered Gia her seat.
Gia stopped pacing and turned to face her. "Thanks Laura," she said with a smile. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm too nervous to sit down.
Laura nodded and sat back down. "I understand. It's perfectly normal to be nervous on your wedding day."
"That's not what I'm nervous about. I mean, I am nervous about the wedding, but I'm more nervous about becoming a princess."
Laura smiled at her. "Don't worry. You're going to make a perfect princess. I have faith in you."
"Thank you." Gia walked over and sat down next to her. "I know you never wanted Nikolas to marry me, but I really appreciate how kind you've been to me."
"Oh Gia. I never had anything against you. I just didn't think that Nikolas was ready to get married. It had nothing to do with you."
Gia smiled at her. "That means a lot to me. I could have never made it through the wedding preparations without you."
"I didn't do that much. It was Elton that did all the work."
Just as she said his name, Elton walked though the living room heading for the kitchen. He was mumbling something about the caterer.
Gia and Laura looked at each other and started to laugh uncontrollably.
"Maybe I don't have to be nervous. Elton looks nervous enough for both of us," Gia said as she finally got her laughter under control.
This made them both laugh even more. Elton came back in the room.
"What are you two doing down here?" he asked. "You should be upstairs getting dressed. Now scoot!"
Laura and Gia laughed again as they headed upstairs. A half an hour before the ceremony was to begin, Gia came back down the stairs in her satin wedding dress. Soon Laura joined her wearing a light blue dress holding Lesley Lu's hand.
"Do you like my dress?" Lesley Lu asked as she pulled away from Laura. She ran to Gia. Her excitement showed in her eyes.
"You look beautiful," Gia said. "You're going to make a great flower girl."
Lesley Lu gave her a big smile.
"Come on Lulu. We have to leave," Laura said taking her hand again. She turned to Gia. "We'll see you at the church." Laura and Lesley Lu walked out the door.
About five minutes after they left, the door bell rang and Elton ran to answer it. He opened the door and Marcus Taggert stood there. "Come in," Elton said. "Miss Campbell, your brother is here."
Gia walked to the door as he came inside. He was dressed in a tuxedo.
Marcus looked at her and smiled. "You look beautiful," he said. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Gia gave him a look that said don't start this now. Marcus took the hint.
"Your carriage awaits," Marcus told her with a bow.
Gia laughed and walked out the door. She saw that her brother hadn't been kidding. In Laura's driveway sat a beautifully decorated, horse drawn carriage, complete with driver.
"Oh Marcus! Oh, it's beautiful. Thank you," she said with tears in her eyes.
"Yes it is, but your have Nikolas to thank for it. He's the one who sent it."
"It's… it's perfect."
"Are you ready?" he asked smiling at his sister.
Gia nodded. Marcus took her hand and helped her into the carriage. He climbed into the seat next to her. The driver took the reins and they headed for the church.