The One Adored (The One Trilogy Book 3) (42 page)

I frown at her adamant statement - not if I had anything to do with it. Gray Devereux in my opinion was perfect for Gigi and whilst I hadn’t had the opportunity to introduce them as yet, he was coming to the wedding tomorrow so I’d make sure to get them together then, despite my special day.

“If its Ok with you Lu, I’m going to take a comfy seat and eat a mince pie.”

“Of course, darling. You rest up. Can I get you drink?”

“Not at all, you go do your thang!” She winks shooing us away. “I’m going to take in all this ambience.”

“Come see your cake - we’ve set it up in the kitchen for now but it will be brought into the ballroom obviously tomorrow.” Gino talks rapidly, her excitement apparent.

Once in the kitchen I’m floored - the five tier ombre cake in varying tones of greys, from white, light grey, to darkest grey, is a work of art. Created like a ruffle, so that each level was almost peonies-like, and covered in pearls and glitter. Simple, yet blingy. I loved it! I glance to the side and see grey macaroons covered in silver glitter with white filling and swoon.
 

“Oh. My. Word - these look to- die-for!” I had over to them dramatically pouting.

“They are - but not if you want to wear that dress tomorrow.” She laughs, tapping my hand. “After - you can gorge, after.”

We wander through hall, our heel clicking on the monochrome checkerboard flooring, past the 30 foot real Christmas tree and into the large conference room, where our reception will be held and I gasp. Staff from Divine Intervention are busy ironing tablecloths, placing bows on the back of 150 seating chairs and generally turning the room into a winter wonderland but boy are they doing a magnificent job. It looked out of this world.

Gone is the feeling of a grand ballroom and in its place a scene straight out of Narnia, with enormous white frosted twig trees aligning the aisle all the way to the alter area and curving over it to form an archway. Each tree was filled with fairy lights and placed in a huge mirrored pot that was topped with fake snow. In the gapped areas in between the trees all the way down the pathways were filled with glass hurricane lamps of varying heights.
 

‘We’ll light these obviously on the day. I’ve taken heed of your requests - lots of candles.” Gigi grins.

“I love it, Gigi.” I hold my hand to my face, in utter awe of the beauty of her creation.

“Well, its not finished yet but we are getting there.” She places an arm around my shoulders. “I don’t mind saying this wedding has been one of my favourites, not just because of the design and the theme but also down to you and Seb - you are a great couple - a real inspiration.”

“Thank you. You and I have become more than just business acquaintances during the oast few weeks. We seem to just get one another.”

“We do don’t we?” She nods.

“Creative people I suppose but definitely kindred spirits.”
 

I return my gaze to the round tables scattered around the left and right hand sides of the wedding aisle. All have crisp white cloths’ which drape on the floor, with a smoky grey glitter runner that falls to mid level and under the chandeliers and fairy lighting the sparkly covers looks fabulous. In their centre tall vases filled with silver lustre baubles and flocked white berries have been placed to secure large glittered silver and white frosted twigs, with pearls which draped and hung from them alongside more silver lustre baubles. Each were placed on a mirrored circle, reflecting every surface and light with silver antique candle sticks and pure white pillar candles.
 

“We’ll put the pine cones out later, for the place card settings - they were a super idea and came out beautifully in the silver glitter.”

“And the ceiling, oh, Gigi - its looks amazing!”
 

We both look up collectively - where large branches have been hung from thin wires, across the length and breadth of the the ceiling, in the same silver glitter and white flocked appearance and then fairy lights had been fed throughout to create warmth.

“It must have taken them hours to create this?”

“It took longer to do the twigs - my creative team have been developing them since the week after we first met but they started putting the installation up a couple of days ago.”

I feel tears begin to form in my eyes and immediately rush to brush them away.

“Hey, don’t cry.” Gigi rubs my upper arm. “Save that for tomorrow. I’m just so happy you and I are on the same wavelength. I knew you’d love this - I’d want this for my wedding. Not that I’ll ever do it but I’m doing it vicariously through you.” She smiles her beautiful white teeth showing like a dental advert.

“Don’t be daft, someone will snap you up - why they haven’t already I don’t know?”
 

“No, weddings are my business but not my future. I haven’t found the man that looks at me like Sebastian does you.”

I grow warm inside at her words. I know how fortunate I am. He is an amazing man. “You will though. There are some wonderful men out there and you are stunning.”

She laughs off my compliment, something I get the feeling she does often. I like that she is humble, with model looks like her, it would be easy to be a bitch. “Men bore me easily - I’m very career driven, very stubborn and I’ve been hurt before. Men always let me down.”

Like the first time I met her, I sense there is so much more to know but I’m pleased she’s invited me in, even if it’s only a tiny bit. “You’ll know. He’ll come out of nowhere and it’ll hit you in the gut with a force you’ve never known.”
 

“You reckon do you?”

“Oh I do. I’ll help you sort your wedding.”

“Well, if I ever do get married and I sincerely doubt that that will ever happen - you’re on.”

“Deal!” I shake her hands, laughing and we move deeper into the room, moving for staff to roll the white heavily ensconced in plastic carpet down the central aisle. “So, this is where I’ll do the deed?”

“It is. You like? It is long, as you’ll have to walk from the path down in the hallway, at the tree, through the doors, which will be open and then down the aisle but boy will you make a statement.”

I take a deep breath. “I think by that point Seb will be a gibbering wreck!”

That white smile glows brightly again. “He’ll be watching his beautiful bride walks towards him and wondering how he got to lucky.”

I pause and assess the rows of clear Philippe Starck Ghost chairs that have set out down the outside of the aisle and along every row end hangs a Silver bell with a white glitter bow. All the little touches are here and have been so thoughtful. “I can’t believe you’ve achieved this in the time scales.”

“That’s what you pay us for and I have an outstanding team - in fact I have to say I’m willing to trade you something, anything for Colin. I love him!”

I shake my head emphatically. “Not on your nellie. Col is mine!”

“I thought you might say that. He’s got a good eye and great style.”

“He has. I love that guy and now that him and James are a couple, becoming co-owner of this place has given him the confidence to believe in his abilities.”

“Well, he’s been a Godsend.”

“I’ll make sure I thank him. Shall, we go finish doing the glittered calla lilies for the vases and then we can begin to start getting ready for tonight’s meal - you are joining us aren’t you - please Sen and I want you there.”

“Oh, I’ll be working tonight, Lu. A certain girl won’t get to her decorated ball if I don’t.”

I pull a childish pout. “Well, maybe pop in for pre-dinner drinks, at least? Just before at least to toast my last night of singledom.”

She grins at this. “Ok, I will. I’ll be there.”

On that note we make our way away from the stunning ballroom towards the hall, the scent of Christmas hitting our noses as we enter and hustle and bustle of busy people getting ready for the wedding of the year. I can hear men laughing in the library and I leave Gigi for a moment to nosy and locate Seb, Nathan, Gino, Bob and my Dad lounging in purple velvet sofas by the fire, eating cheese and crackers and mince pies and drinking scotch, and not their first by the looks of my dads ruddy complexion.
 

“So, this is where you men have snuck off to?”

I slip my arm behind Seb’s back, snuggling into him and he instantly kisses my upturned nose. “No sneaking we are just leaving you ladies to enjoy all the
 

I roll my eyes at them. “Where’s Finn?”

“He’s with Suzie, they’ve both gone down for a nap.” I nod.
 

“She did look tired.”

“She’s struggling now.” Gino screws his nose up. “Goose is getting fat, bless her.”

“Gino! Don’t let Suzie hear you saying that!” I reprimand him with a smile. “Make sure she takes it easy tonight, even if she has room service - I’m worried about her blood pressure - her ankle are really swollen.”

“I will, Lu - I promise.” He smiles at me affectionately.

Seb rubs my waist and I shudder at his touch, wishing that we could just have a minute alone to share a long overdue kiss - it seemed like hours since we’d woken in one another’s arms. “Have you seen the reception room yet?”

“I have - it’s a winter wonderland. Absolutely incredible. Are you happy?”

“Very!” I snuggle into him. “I better get off though, go help my mum, Gigi and Abby do these extra little bits before we go dress for dinner. I fancy a lovely soak in a hot bubble bath.”

He leans in and whispers. “If I remember rightly that bath is big enough for two.”

“It is but you are not coming anywhere near me today, tonight, at all Mr. Silver” I smart a little too loudly.

“Whoa, you’ve been told, mate. I had the same orders by Suze, the night before our wedding.” Gino affirms.

“And me - by your mother.” Bob Silver nods. “There’ll be plenty of time for that, after you’re married.”

“Dad! Seriously!” Seb brows reach his hairline in horror. “If I want to be with my woman tonight I will.”

“No you won’t Sebastian Gabriel Silver.” Ooh his full name was out, he was in trouble, I smile as Nina walks in. “You’ll do as you’re told and leave the poor girl alone for one night and allow her to get some rest. Honestly, you Silver men.” She wags her finger at Bob.

“Hey, how did I get dragged into this?” He grins jovially.

“You know exactly what I mean. Telling him to leave him alone - you were just the same as him - trying to get into my room at midnight, and my bed!”

I snigger at this and flick my eyes between Seb and his dad, so alike, bar their black and silver hair colouring. It obviously went as deep as their temperament too.
 

“I’m off to go get another drink, anyone joining me? Nathan hollers into the room. “Not sure I can take more of the mum and dad sex-talk.”

“Seb laughs slapping Na on the back. “Come on bro, let’s head to the bar, before you’re scarred for life.”

I blow him a kiss as we leave and Nina and I make our way to the other women, who are busily working on the decorations that will be placed within the ladies toilets, the children’s room, when an outside creche company will come in and entertain the kids during the wedding reception and for the top table. I notice Abby is not there so I send her a quick text.

You OK Abs? Just decorating rooms - no rush just checking you’re fine x

*

I’m having my nails done in the beauty rooms, ones chipped :/

Hope you don’t mind. Trying to avoid N.

Will come by your room b4 we go downstairs 2nite.

OMG the wedding room looks A…MAZ…ZING!

xxx

*

No Probs hun. Take ur time.

See you in a bit. Today is for chilling. U’ve done your bit.
 

Stop worrying about Nathan and f’in sort it out.

X

I don’t receive another reply and am happy to just get on with things. My mum is a master with flower arranging and it turns out so is Bitzi, and between the three of us, we continue the theme and make fast work of dipping calla lilies and chrysanthemums in silver and white glitter, and placing them in heavy square vases that are then filled with white flocked moss and more twigs. Feathered wreaths are places around the hall and in the bar area and we decorate a Christmas tree that has been left for us to work our magic in the main lounge in the same style. The time together is a lovely bonding experience, spent talking about my parents wedding and Bitzi wedding to Bob, both of which are scarily similar, why I’m surprised I don’t know - and I love that these two women who will be such fixtures in Finn’s life and any future grandchildren, get along so famously. We’ve all known each other as families for years but it is so different when families come together in marriage - and so much simpler for the couple in love if their parents enjoy one another’s company.

After an hour we are finished and I can say my goodbyes, kissing both of them on their cheeks before heading upstairs to check on Finn. I locate him by the sounds of little boy’s giggles echoing of the marbled pillars in the floyer, as he slides down the curved bannister, with Seb at the bottom, ready to catch him. The photographer, who has been booked for the entire weekend, as now arrived and is ensuring he gets plenty of pictures, already. They would be lovely ones, as I watch Finn’s gleeful face so free of worry beaming at me.

“Did you have a good sleep Finnster?” He certainly looked full of energy again.

“Yes, Auntie Suzie is still snoring.”

I laugh at my little cherub, who currently looked like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone, sliding down to greet me. “Can anyone have a go at this?”

He nods excitedly.

“Hey you.” Seb leans in to kiss me and I do, before planting one on Finn’s blonde head. “How’s things going?” He adds.

“All done. Well our bit. Poor Gigi, is just starting on the table settings.”

“She’s a trooper that woman but its her business - she makes it look easy.”

“She does. I’m shattered - I’m off for that bubble bath. Fancy joining me?”

“Changed your mind. I’ll be there in a breath.” His eyes turn dark instantly.