Chapter 421

Olivia

“Let’s get you into your dress, bride-to-be.”

Angela didn’t need to tell me twice. With my cheeks flushed slightly pink, I took off my warm winter clothes and began to get into my dress. The silk felt cool against my skin, sending a shudder down my spine, but it was worth it for the beauty of the dress.

The excitement in the room was palpable as Layla and Angela carefully buttoned up my wedding dress, making sure every detail was perfect. We took our time, quietly chatting about our excitement as we worked.

“I hope the boys can be trusted,” Angela said with a smirk as she rolled her eyes. “You know how it can be when men try to organize things like this.”

Her words made me chuckle. “I’m sure it’ll be fine,” I said. “And besides, like you guys said, it doesn’t matter—so long as Nathan and I can finally get married.”

When they were finished buttoning up the back of the dress, Layla and Angela exchanged excited looks and a nod. “Time for the big reveal,” Angela said softly, placing her hands on my shoulders. “Close your eyes.”

I did as Angela instructed, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. Slowly, Angela and Layla turned me to face the mirror. It felt like an eternity before they told me to open my eyes; in reality, it was only a few minutes, but my tightly wound nerves made it feel like much longer.

“Alright,” Layla said. “Open.”

Slowly, I opened my eyes. A small gasp escaped my lips as I looked at myself, and it took all of the willpower I had not to clap my hand over my mouth so as not to ruin my makeup.

The dress fit like a dream, hugging my figure in all the right places and cascading elegantly to the floor. The bodice accentuated all of my curves; I had made a good choice by choosing to do this before the pregnancy progressed any further. The neckline showed just a peek of cleavage, and there was a tasteful air about it.

As I gawked at myself, Angela laid my white fur stole around my shoulders to finish the look. I had picked it out to fit the winter wedding theme, and I was glad I did. It was stunning—if only there was snow on the ground.

But I wouldn’t let that hold me back.

“Now for the veil,” Layla said, carefully lifting the intricate veil out of the elaborate box it was stored in. I took another deep breath and turned back to face the mirror.

Layla slowly lowered the veil over my head, carefully inserting the comb into my updo. The veil cascaded down my back, so delicate it almost looked like a gentle dusting of snow as it trailed down to the floor.

“There,” Layla said softly, taking a step back to admire their work.

I couldn’t help but feel a rush of emotions as I looked at myself in the mirror. This was it; I was a bride. The day had finally come, after what had felt like an eternity of waiting. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I felt like no matter what happened after this, nothing could go wrong tonight.

I turned around to face Layla and Angela, my voice filled with gratitude as I spoke. “Thank you both so much,” I said, my words catching in my throat. “I can’t believe how beautiful this dress is, and I can’t believe this is really happening.”

Layla gave me a warm smile as she adjusted the veil on my head once more. “You look absolutely stunning, Liv,” she said. "Nathan is going to be blown away when he sees you.”

Angela nodded in agreement, her eyes shimmering with excitement. “You’re going to have the most magical wedding,” she said. “I’m so happy for you.”

As I took in their words and the reflection in the mirror, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude for having such incredible friends by my side. They had turned this impromptu wedding into a dream come true. Soon, it would be their turn to have their dream weddings, and I knew that I would be by their sides throughout all of it.

But just as I was savoring the moment, there was a knock on the door. Layla, Angela and I exchanged glances before I heard a familiar voice coming through.

“Olivia? It’s me.”

It was Clint. “Come in,” I called out. A moment later, the door swung open to reveal Clint standing in the doorway.

“Olivia, I wanted to ask you—” he began, but then his eyes went wide as he took in the sight of me in my wedding dress.

“Wow, Olivia,” he said softly. “I’m sorry for interrupting. But you look beautiful.”

“Thank you, Clint,” I managed, although my voice was slightly choked from the tears that were threatening to spill.

Clint stepped further into the room, his eyes still locked on me. He looked around a bit, obviously curious. He had been using a cane lately—his arthritis had been on a nonstop downward spiral since the Redclaw attack—but he looked so excited now that he hardly leaned on it at all.

“What’s going on?” he asked, a knowing look in his gaze. “You’re not…”

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding with excitement. “Nathan and I decided to get married tonight. At the festival,” I explained, my voice trembling with emotion.

Clint’s eyes widened. “Really?”

I nodded. “Yes,” I whispered. “Really. It’s all happening so fast, but it just feels right.”

Almost immediately, Clint’s eyes lit up with joy, and he crossed the room with the vigor of a young man again. He pulled me into a warm hug, his strong arms wrapping around me. He smelled like cedar and wood stove smoke, just like always.

“Oh, Olivia, I’m so happy for you both,” he said softly. “You two remind me so much of me and my wife. And… If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.”

I pulled away from the hug, tears glistening in my eyes. “Actually, Clint,” I began, “there is something I wanted to ask you.”

Clint looked at me with curiosity and nodded. “Anything, Olivia. You know I’ll do whatever I can.”

I took a deep breath, my voice trembling with the weight of the request. “Clint, you’ve been like a father to me,” I said, my tears nearly spilling now. “You’ve been there for me through everything, and you’re the grandfather of my children regardless of blood.”

Clint’s eyes softened, and he took a step back, his gaze shifting between the three of us as recognition dawned on my face. “Olivia, are you saying…”

“I’m saying, Clint,” I said, reaching out to take his hand, “I want you to give me away at the wedding. My father is gone, but you’ve been here through everything, and I can’t imagine anyone else doing it.”

Tears welled up in Clint’s eyes, and he pulled me into another tight hug. “Oh, my little Olivia,” he said, his voice choked with emotion, “it would be my honor.”

As we finally pulled apart, Clint nodded with a tearful smile. “Of course I’ll give you away,” he said. “You’re the daughter I never got to have.”

We all looked at each other in that moment, the weight of the decision and the love in the room palpable. Now I knew, more than ever, that this impromptu wedding was going to be more meaningful than anything I had ever imagined.

I took a deep breath, my voice filled with determination. “Let’s do this.”