Chapter 420

Olivia

“So it’s settled then,” Nathan said, his voice carrying across the crowded festival. “A surprise wedding tonight? In front of anyone?”

I nodded excitedly. “I can’t wait,” I said softly with tears in my eyes.

With the decision made to hold the wedding tonight, Levi, Cade, and Nathan quickly stepped into action. Levi grinned at Angela and Layla, excitement dancing in his eyes.

“Alright, ladies,” he said, “Let’s split up. Nathan, Cade and I will inform the festival staff, set up the gazebo, arrange for music and photos, and make the announcement. Sound good?”

Cade clapped Nathan on the shoulder, grinning from ear to ear. “And we’ll get this guy into a suit. We can’t have you wearing a flannel and jeans to your wedding, can we, Nathan?”

Nathan nodded, his cheeks flushing a little red at Cade’s comment. “I’ve got my suit in my office at the Council building,” he said. “Don’t worry, Liv. Tonight will be perfect.”

Without another word, the guys took off on their mission. As they headed off to handle the preparations for the wedding, I exchanged a nervous but excited glance with Layla and Angela. It was a relief to have so many people around me who would help me when I needed it the most.

“Thank you guys,” I murmured. “Really. It means a lot.”

“It’s the least we could do,” Angela said as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “Now, let’s get you back to the villa so we can get your hair and makeup done.”

Layla joined in with a playful grin. “And trust us, we’ll do an even better job than any stylist you could have hired.”

With the twins in tow, we hurried back to the villa, our hearts racing with excitement. The atmosphere was electrifying, and I couldn’t believe this was happening tonight. To think that I was really marrying Nathan on a whim like this…

It felt both crazy and exhilarating at the same time.

Once we were back at the villa, Layla and Angela wasted no time in setting up a makeshift beauty station in front of my vanity.

The twins, oblivious to the activity around them, were still wide awake and buzzing with excitement after the festival. They were playing with the stuffed toys Nathan had won for them; Elliot was already sticking his in his mouth, and Aurora was squeezing hers with so much strength I was certain she would somehow rip it.

Once the station was all set, Angela patted the chair with a flourish. “Alright, Liv, take a seat,” she said excitedly. “It’s time for the magic to begin.”

But as I settled into the chair, I couldn’t help but wonder for a moment if this was too crazy or not. Angela was already starting on my makeup, her hands gentle and skillful.

“Are you guys sure this isn’t… I don’t know, insane?” I blurted out.

Angela frowned, taking a step back to look at me. “Of course it’s insane,” she said. “Who said that’s a bad thing?”

I blushed and shrugged. “I dunno. I just can’t help but wonder if it’ll be a disaster because we’re not giving ourselves enough time.”

“And who cares if it’s a disaster?” Layla asked as she carefully worked at my hair from behind. “What matters is that you’re marrying the love of your life. It could be a complete wreck, and it’ll still mean the world to you.”

My friends were right; it did only matter that Nathan and I finally celebrated our love. Even if nothing went to plan, I knew that I would never forget tonight.

As Angela continued to apply makeup, she glanced at my reflection in the mirror. “You know, Liv, I’ve never seen you wear this much makeup before,” she said with a chuckle. “But you look stunning.”

Layla chuckled as well as she continued styling my hair. “Yeah, Liv, you clean up real nice.”

I blushed, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and flattery. “Gee,” I teased. “Thanks.”

Finally, after what felt like hours of sitting in that chair with my nerves a constant bundle of excitement, the transformation was complete. Layla and Angela put the finishing touches on my makeup and hair, and slowly turned me around for the big reveal.

I couldn’t help but gasp when I finally looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like a different person; my makeup was understated but beautiful, with delicate pink and shimmery golden eyeshadow and soft pink lips. My hair was carefully curled and pulled up into a half-up, half-down style, and I knew that it would be perfect with the veil I had picked out. They had even put a tiny bit of glitter in my air, making it almost look as though my hair had little flecks of ice sparkling in it.

I turned to Layla and Angela, my voice filled with awe. “You two are miracle workers,” I said softly. “I can’t believe how beautiful I look.”

Angela beamed down at me. “You’re beautiful regardless,” she said, “but the makeup really makes a difference, doesn’t it?”

I nodded, and Layla gave me a playful wink. “Nathan won’t know what hit him when he sees you.”

I giggled at her words. I had felt like a bit of a wreck lately between the twins, the pregnancy, the festival preparations and everything else, but I felt truly beautiful now. If only I could have felt like that forever; but the fact that I couldn’t just made tonight all the more special.

Without another word, Angela walked over to the bathroom door where the dress was hanging, concealed in its bag.

“Now,” she said, taking the dress down from the hook and holding the bag up for all of us to see, “it’s time for the dress.”

My heart skipped a beat as I watched Angela unveil my wedding dress. I had seen the dress before, but seeing it now felt so much different. It was as if everything suddenly became concrete as I saw the intricate lace and beadwork gleaming in the soft amber glow of my lamp, and it suddenly hit me.

I really was marrying Nathan tonight, after all this time.

Layla and Angela exchanged knowing glances as they held the dress up for me to see. Angela’s voice was filled with excitement as she looked the dress up and down, turning it this way and that to make the beads shine in the light.

“Oh, Liv, you’re going to look like a fairy tale princess in this,” she said with a giggle.

“More like a snow princess,” Layla added.

I nodded, tears of happiness welling up in my eyes. “I can’t believe this is happening. I’m really going to marry Nathan tonight. Finally.”

Layla stepped closer, hugging me tightly. “You deserve all the happiness in the world, Liv,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. “And we’re here to make sure your wedding is unforgettable.”

I hugged Layla back, and Angela joined in, wrapping her arms around both of us. It was funny, how our friendship had blossomed; Angela had been one of my biggest critics, but was now my closest friend. And Layla had once been the woman who had been engaged to Nathan, who had borne his son, but now I couldn’t imagine my life without her.

“Thank you guys,” I murmured as we pulled away, trying not to cry so as not to ruin my makeup.

Layla and Angela beamed at me for a moment before Angela held up my dress one last time with a smirk on her face.

“Now,” she said, “let’s get you into your dress, bride-to-be.”