The day of the royal wedding had finally arrived. Elena allowed herself the morning to sleep in as much as she desired. The ceremony wasn't until the afternoon so she had plenty of time. She woke up peacefully and rolled onto her back, stretching her arms and legs out across her bed. Before she even fully opened her eyes, she laid there for a moment in bed and smiled. Today was going to be one of the greatest days of her life and she was prepared to breath in every second of it. She sat up and hugged her knees close to her and looked around her room. It was the last time she would be waking up alone. She wouldn't miss it though. The thought of waking up to Gabe every morning was invigorating. She could hardly wait for it. She glanced over at her wedding gown that was hanging up across the room and that's when the real excitement set in. With a toothy grin and squinted eyes, she let out a gleeful squeal. She then jumped out of bed and ran to her balcony doors, swung them open, stepped outside and threw her arms into the air. She looked up towards the clear blue sky and closed her eyes, letting the warm sun blush her cheeks. She spun around in circles like a child and then ran over to the balcony's edge. She leaned her elbows on the rail as she looked out into the garden and could see the staff hard at work, preparing the grounds and the rest of the palace for the party that was to be had later in the evening. She clapped her hands together and then ran back inside to get herself dressed and head down for breakfast.
Naomi had arrived at the palace just as the family was finishing their morning meal and she, Elena, Isa and Luisa headed up to Elena's room to begin getting themselves ready. They would meet Francisco and Esteban at the church later on.
"ooo! What should we do first?! Hair? Makeup? Gifts?!" Isa exclaimed, nearly jumping up and down with excitement.
"Whoa!" Naomi laughed "Slow down there Isabel! I'm not sure who's more excited, you or Elena!"
"Of course I'm excited! I'm finally getting a brother!" Isabel declared. "I mean, having a sister is the best but having a big brother is going to be a!mazing!"
Elena giggled as she watched her sister rejoice. It warmed her heart to see Isa so welcoming of the idea that Gabe would be joining the family. "Gabe's pretty excited to have a little sister too you know?" Elena told Isa. "You two have always been pretty close anyways. But now, it's official I guess! Anyways... did you say that you had gifts?!"
"Of course we do!" Luisa said, stepping up first. "So, your mother's ring is already your something old. This is your something new" She said, handing Elena a medium sized shoe box"
Elena opened it up and pulled out a pair of satin white heels adorned with silver gem stones that formed a floral pattern.
"These are beautiful! Almost too beautiful to even wear!" Elena exclaimed as she stared at them in aw.
"Well you only get married once Elena! It's a special day! I thought these would be perfect" Luisa explained.
"They are Abuela. Thank you so much" Elena told her and hugged her tightly.
Next, Naomi stepped up and handed Elena a tiny gift bag. Elena opened it up and pulled out a pair of draping earrings with diamond accents. She gasped at the sight of them.
"Naomi! Aren't these your mother's?!" Elena exclaimed.
"Yes! She wore them on her wedding day and she wants me to wear them when I get married... So I WANT them back!" Naomi warned in jest.
"My something borrowed?" Elena asked with a giggle while she smiled sweetly with gratitude. Naomi nodded, returning the look of love that the two best friends shared. Next, Elena looked to Isa with anticipation. "And let me guess..." She started, "You have my 'something blue'?"
Isa's already overwhelming smile grew impossibly larger as she nodded that she did indeed have the last of Elena's traditional bridal gifts. From behind her back, Isabel revealed a silver locket with tiny blue sapphires on the front. It was strung upon a blue ribbon. She handed it over to Elena as she could feel her emotions start to take over. Elena took the gift from her sister's hand and opened up the locket. Her jaw dropped open at the touching photo that was inside and she let her hand sweep over it before finding it's place over her heart which was simply melting at that moment.
"It's Mami and Papi. I know that they're here with you in spirit but this way you can actually carry them around with you" Isabel explained and tears welled up in her eyes. Elena's were doing the same and the sisters embraced as tightly as their arms would allow. Luisa and Naomi each took the hand of the other as they watched the beautiful moment that the Avaloran princesses were sharing.
"This is amazing Isabel. I'm going to tie it right around my bouquet that way they'll be with me every step of the way down the aisle. Thank you so much!" Elena then wiped away Isa's tears and then her own before letting out a laugh "phew! Glad we didn't do our make-up first!" She joked before her joyous grin returned as she was eager to get on with their preparations. "OO! Let's go get our hair done next!"
When the girls were finished with hair and makeup they all got their gowns on with the exception of Elena. Naomi and Isabel wore matching powder blue strapless ball gowns with a long sleeved white lace overlay on the bodice and top of the skirt. Luisa's dress complimented the girls with a lavender color but had a more modest ruffled neckline and longer sleeves and also a full skirt. Elena had given them each a single pink rose to wear in their hair, flowers that matched her bouquet and were of particular meaning between her and Gabe as it was the flower he would often gift her on special occasions or for no reason at all other than to simply let her know he was thinking of her. Elena smiled as she looked at the three women who were more important to her than any other in the world. She was thankful for their friendship, support and mostly their love. She then took her dress and went with her Grandmother into her dressing room.
Luisa helped with the thirty tiny buttons that closed the satin bodice of Elena's dress. The top was completely fitted to Elena's body and had an off the shoulders neckline and long sleeves made of lace. The skirt was full and elegant and flowed into an enormously regal train. All too fitting for a Queen. When the gown was set, Elena stood tall and proud, gripping her bouquet as Luisa lifted the train into the air, spreading it out and allowing it to flow and fall naturally. Luisa then placed Elena's Tiara on top of her head and clipped a Simple shoulder length veil into Elena's braided french twist .
"So... How do I look?" Elena asked with a shy shrug. Luisa just stared at Elena as visions of her daughter Lucia flooded her memories.
"Abuela?" Elena asked again.
"You look just like your mother..." Luisa finally answered, choking back tears as she became overcome with her Granddaughter's beauty. "Our Elenita... You are SO beautiful mija... in every way"
"Abuela... You're going to make me cry again" Elena sniffed, dabbing the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand.
"OK OK!" Luisa said, getting her emotions under control and bringing a humored smile back to Elena's face. "Let's get this show on the road then!"