Chapter 33
APOV
The wedding planning is going fine and we're in the final leg. I convinced Mia that I wanted a small and understated wedding and she is doing a beautiful job. She should be a wedding planner.
I pick a light pink color for the bridesmaid's dresses. I think the color would flatter them both. Kate is my Maid of Honor and Mia is a bridesmaid. Elliot is Christian's Best Man and the only one in the party on his side. At first, Mia didn't like the idea of it but when I told her I want Elliot to walk down the aisle with both of them she was on board. I wanted to make the whole dress thing easier so I told Kate and Mia to get whatever style dress they want as long as it is light pink. Kate picked a long, sexy dress that shows off her curves and Mia picked a tea-length dress with a halter top. They both look beautiful. Kate's mom is making my dress and I am so excited for Christian to see it. I wouldn't let him have a peek since it's supposed to be bad luck. It's off-white silk and lace. It's sleeveless and is fitted but still modest.
My mom came up for a weekend and she and Grace went together to pick out their dresses. They wanted to coordinate with each other. I honestly didn't care that much about it but as long as they are happy then so am I.
We decide to have a band for the reception but then after a certain time there will be a DJ with dance music for the guests.
The worst part of this whole process was everyone asking me if we registered anywhere. We don't need anything nor do we want anything. I've had our families tell guests if they want to give something they could donate to a charity close to their hearts.
They still ended up throwing us an engagement party instead of the bridal shower or bachelor party. I think Elliot was a little bummed about that but Kate wouldn't hear of it. It was a cocktail party at Christian's club everyone seemed to have a nice time. It was good to have our families get to know each other better.
Mia, Kate, Grace and I went to the florist. I decided to keep it simple with white and pink peonies. I'll carry a bouquet of pink peonies and Kate and Mia will have white peonies. The table centerpieces will be a mixture of pink and white peonies. Mia should be a party planner. This is her calling.
Since we're having the wedding outside in these huge tents, she is also going to have lights strung in the tents to make them seem softer and more intimate. Mia said seating arrangements are outdated and it would be easier to allow guests to sit wherever they want. That's fine with me; it's less work.
All that is left is for Christian and I to finalize the menu and cake. That should be easy, right?
CPOV
I can't believe in just a week Ana and I will be getting married. I am picking out the honeymoon and the song for our first dance. Both of them are closely guarded secrets. Ana has never been to Europe so I am planning on us to go to London, Paris, and the Cote d'Azur. I wish I could take her more places but we will already be gone for three weeks.
I got a call from a realtor to let me know that a house on the sound is up for sale. I've always wanted to live there so when we began planning the wedding I decided to put out some feelers. I want this to be the house where we raise our children.
Taylor and I go to see the house. The property it's on is perfect, the house needs some renovations and updating but I'm sure Elliot can handle that without a problem. As soon as I see the view, I know it is the one. Ana will love it. I get the paperwork started and since it's a cash sale, the process is a lot faster. I'm going to give it to her as a wedding present when we return from our honeymoon.
I go with Ana to pick out the menu. I don't care what we have but she said I need to be part of the decision. We taste test a bunch of different entrees but decide on Chilean sea bass and filet mignon. Next up is the cake and it's another easy decision. We alternate chocolate and white cake with butter cream icing instead of the traditional yellow cake.
It's now just a few days until the wedding and everything is in place but Ana is still nervous. She doesn't normally like being the center of attention.
APOV
I can't believe that when I wake up it will be my wedding day. We had a great time with the rehearsal tonight. It was here at Bellevue and Grace and Carrick organized a barbecue for us. I wanted something casual and fun and I think we got it.
Christian was unhappy when Grace and my mom told him I was staying here tonight. Even though they told him it was tradition, he was still pouting and told me he wouldn't be able to sleep without me. Our moms had this all planned out. All the girls are going to stay the night at Bellevue and the guys are going back to Escala with Christian.
We all stayed up late talking about anything and everything. I know I am going to have trouble sleeping because I am so excited. Luckily there will be someone here to do my makeup in the morning. I think I will need it.
CPOV
Here I am, the night before my wedding and instead of being with my fiancée, I'm sitting here with Elliot.
"Seriously, Christian. I am very happy for you. I worried about you for a long time, that you would end up alone."
"Should I be thanking you for that, Lelliot?" I like to give him a hard time. "But honestly, I never thought I would be getting married. I assumed I would be alone forever."
"So what changed you? It was like that movie the Body Snatchers."
"Ana. Plain and simple. From the moment she fell into my office I was drawn to her. I knew she was different but I didn't know how much she would affect me or how quickly."
"I'm glad you found her, bro."
"I bet you are. If I hadn't met Ana, you would have never met Kate." Kate isn't always my favorite person but my brother and Ana love her. "Are you next?"
"I don't know. I love Kate but I like how we are right now. I don't want to change that."
"I hear you."
"Do you and Ana want kids?"
"She wants to wait but if I had it my way she'd be pregnant now."
"Really, why the rush?"
"I always thought I would never have kids because I would be a shitty father but when I saw how Ana took care of Lucy I never wanted anything more. I would give Ana the world if that is what she wanted."
"Lucky for you, she doesn't want the world."
"I know. I have to fight with her to take what she does spend. She's so headstrong."
"Yeah, that's the pot calling the kettle black." He laughs at his own joke. "Well, we better hit the hay. You're going to need a lot of beauty sleep."
"Very funny. See you in the morning."
"Night Christian."
