Here Comes The Bride

by Sadie Grubor

  Once I pulled up to the Tux shop and entered, Geoffrey greeted me. Geoffrey ran the shop and was very familiar with my family.

  "Aidan, it's a pleasure as always," he greeted me with a firm handshake. "Your uncles and friends have already arrived."

  I was trying to be cordial, but the whole Lilli practically running away from me was still bothering me.

  "Thank you, Geoffrey."

  "Oh, congratulations on your marriage," he smiled wide and gestured for me to follow him.

  Entering the back dressing area, I could hear them all before I joined them.

  "Congratulations!" I heard Liam stating in happy tone.

  "Yes, if only Aidan would be providing us with such news." Uncle Henry's tone, as usual, was annoyed.

  "What news should I be providing, Uncle?" I stood with my arms across my chest.

  "Aidan, let's just get fitted—"

  "James and Elora are having a child." Uncle Henry cut Liam off. "Elora is already three months along."

  "Ah...we are back at this again." I ran my hand through my hair and sighed, turning to James. "Congratulations! I am so happy for you and Elora." I smiled to him, genuinely happy for them.

  "Thanks man," James looked slightly ashamed. "Um...let's start with—"

  "So, I don't suppose that you have any news to share with us?" Uncle Henry was really crossing a boundary line, he knew better.

  "No, uncle, no news from me, yet," I narrowed my eyes at him. "I told you that it is being taken care of."

  "You've been saying that, but when will it be taken care of?" Henry was almost shouting.

  "Henry, another time," Liam replied in warning.

  "It is taken care of!" I snapped back at my Uncle Henry, walking passed the shocked faces of Oscar and James. Then, I caught Dixon's face, part shock and part anger.

  Before I sat down, Dixon made his concerns known.

  "I don't know what you mean by that, but, if you do anything stupid to Lilli, I will beat the shit out of you." He glared and then stalked off to a changing room.

  I sighed and put my head in my hands.

  "It will all work out fine." I felt Liam pat my back as he sat next to me. I sighed again and sat back.

  "Well, let's get on with this," I announced and Geoffrey appeared with multiple garments hanging on a rolling rack.

  "Okay, Viola called and gave me the information and guidelines for each of you."

  "Wait, Viola chose our tuxes?" Dixon reappeared behind Geoffrey.

  "Oh no. She simply provided me the descriptions of each dress so that I could coordinate you with your wives and girlfriends." Geoffrey smiled, eying up Dixon.

  Dixon shifted uncomfortably under his stare.

  "Umm…what?" he rubbed the back of his head.

  "It's just that I may need to go and get a size larger for you. I wasn't fully aware of your build." Geoffrey looked Dixon over again and disappeared from the room.

  James burst out laughing. Dixon scowled at him.

  "What?"

  "You totally thought he was checking you out!" James' hysterics caused the rest of us to start laughing.

  "Shut up," Dixon chuckled out. "I was just a little uncomfortable. I didn't know what the hell he was doing." He shrugged. "Who could help but check this out?" Dixon started giving some poses and we laughed harder.

  Geoffrey came back with a few more garment bags and hung them up. He also had two more men with him, apparently assistants.

  "Let's start with Liam," Geoffrey turned to him. "Viola was very specific for you and she has excellent taste."

  "Of course she does, she chose me didn't she?" Liam winked at Dixon who, in turn, gave Liam a high five.

  "A man after my own heart," Dixon chuckled.

  Aunt Viola had selected a very traditional Armani suite for Liam; black suite, white shirt with black buttons, black satin collar and bow tie. He was classic and handsome.

  Bravo Viola.

  "She really knows your body, Liam. Her measurements were exact." Geoffrey stated as he measured and checked the fit.

  "Oh, she knows his body alright," Dixon blurted out in a chuckle.

  Liam, James and Oscar chuckled. I scowled.

  "Don't start," I pointed at him. He put his hands up in surrender.

  James was asked to follow one of the assistants into a changing room to begin getting ready. Once done, he emerged.

  "Look at pimp daddy James!" Dixon laughed loudly.

  "Don't hate the player, hate the game," James strutted past Dixon laughing.

  James was in a completely white tux; white jacket, white shirt, white pants, complete with white buttons and tie. He looked like a large bottle of white out. It worked for him.

  Oscar was next to be pulled back. While he was changing, one of the assistants passed out drinks. I got bourbon, of course. As I sipped my drink, I was fully aware of the looks Uncle Henry was giving me.

  Oscar was almost the opposite of James. He was in solid black except for the white shirt only visible at the collar and cuffs. The jacket did not have a collar or buttons. His suited him as well.

  Uncle Henry came from the back and was in a full traditional suit; black and white. However, it was as sharp as Liam's tux. Still, he looked very handsome.

  I told Dixon to go next so I could finish my much needed drink.

  Dixon's tux was matte black with a silver collar and buttons. He wore a white dress shirt and silver tie. The suit was perfect for Dixon's build.

  "Ah, see, now that is much better than what I had originally pulled for you." Geoffrey walked around Dixon taking measurements and making adjustments, just as he had with everyone else.

  "Mr. Iverson?" I looked up to see an assistant gesturing for me to follow him. I finished off my drink and followed him to my changing area.

  I changed into the tux. It was all black with very thin white pinstripes. I had a white shirt and tie with a red handkerchief in the breast pocket, which I found a little odd.

  Entering the room, I could hear the group laughing. When I saw Geoffrey's hand at Dixon's crotch, I understood why. Dixon's face was different this time. Instead of uncomfortable it was smug.

  "He's had to measure Dixon twice" James chuckled.

  "Hey, it's hard to get accurate measurements when you have a package such as mine." Dixon boasted. Geoffrey blushed.

  "Please, Dixon, we all know that big steroid users have small dicks," James chuckled.

  "See, that's steroid users." Dixon looked at James seriously. "I am all natural baby!" Dixon flexed. The sound of ripping material quieted the room.

  "Oh my!" Geoffrey ran up quickly and started to look over the ripped seam in back of his jacket.

  James and I were almost on the floor in hysterics. It took us twenty minutes to calm down.

  I paced impatiently at the bottom of the stairs waiting for Lilli to be ready. She'd been repeatedly groaning and arguing with the make-up artist and hair stylist Phoebe arranged for her. I kind of felt sorry for the two women. But, hearing Lilli’s reactions, I couldn’t help but laugh.

  "You want to pull the hair out by the root?" was one shout I heard from her and then, "Isn’t that the color hookers typically wear?" Ah, yes, that last one had me in tears. My Lilli was feisty and I loved her for it.

  Speaking of love, I'd been playing it over it my head over and over. I needed to tell her, wanted to tell her. I was going to tell her, tonight. I was nervous, anxious, worried and plain terrified of her reaction, but I needed to honest with her.

  In the middle of my internal pep-talk I heard movement on the stairs. I looked up and saw Lilli coming down the stairs. I took a quick intake of breath at the sight of her. I couldn't speak. The tight dress was perfectly crafted to her body, the red high heels that I pictured being the only thing on her in the middle of our bed. Then, there was her hair. The top had been pulled back, away from her face, and gathered at the crown of head. The rest flowed down her back in large curls. She was breathtaking.

  S
he finally met me at the bottom of the stairs.

  "You look beautiful," I almost whispered as I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her red tinted lips to mine.

  Her lips parted from mine too quickly and I groaned.

  "Watch the make-up, Iverson," she laughed, "there is no way I’m going back into that beautification hell." She gave a stern nod and then headed toward the door.

  We wrapped up in our coats and headed to the waiting car. My willpower was fully tested when she sat down, the slit in her dress parted, revealing her thigh.

  I wonder if there are any empty rooms at the Grand Prospect.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Lilli

  Reaching the top step, I noticed Aiden. He looked completely deep in his own thoughts, but that wasn't what made me pause. He made me pause. The tux that Aidan was wearing was unbelievable. It made his broad shoulders look like they were chiseled by Angels and his hair, Jesus. His hair was in its normal state of messy disarray, though it looked as if he had tried to tame it for the evening.

  I took in a few deep breaths to calm myself, as well as preventing myself from flying down the steps and wrapping my legs around him. I began my descent down the stairs. Halfway down, he looked up and his body glided to the bottom of the staircase, his eyes never leaving me. I began to feel self-conscious.

  "You look beautiful," his voice was almost a whisper, the undertone of his words almost felt like he was saying something else. Then his lips were on mine. I had to warn him about my make-up before we finally were in the car.

  The drive was quiet and, when I looked to Aidan, I realized his eyes were fixated on my leg, my very exposed thigh to be exact.

  "Ah-hem," I cleared my throat and raised my eyebrow at him with a playful smirk on my face.

  "What?" He played innocent and then smiled crookedly.

  "You know what," I bumped his shoulder with my shoulder.

  "Um...how high is that slit anyway?" I shrugged. "Well, remind me stay on your left side for the night."

  I laughed.

  "Hey," he looked at me without humor, "I am dead serious. No one needs to be looking at all of that." He waved his hand around my thigh.

  "Oh God, it's because I'm sitting down in the car, Aidan. It's not that high when I‘m standing." I rolled my eyes.

  "Okay, then don't sit for the rest of the night either," he smiled playfully and took my hand.

  I smiled easily at the hand holding.

  Now, let me explain to you that falling for Aidan was not my intention and I was doing my best to fight it, but I was losing. Still, I knew that I had to keep my emotions in check. This was just an arrangement, regardless of how much we 'enjoyed' each other’s company.

  Pulling up to the Grand Prospect, we were greeted by three trumpet players dressed in black and white tuxes, even the woman. Viola was right. It was a very nice touch. Arriving at the first landing of the stairs, we could hear the small string quartet was playing softly. Once we were on the second floor you could hear the orchestra music flowing from out of the grand ballroom. The doors of every room were open, the lights brightly lit.

  "Lilli, Aidan," Viola moved to us quickly, placing hugs and kisses on both of us. "I'm glad that you have arrived." She turned to me. "I need your help with Pierre." She took my hand and we began to walk away, but Aidan still had my other hand.

  A jerk of my arm had Viola and I both looking at him.

  "Just give me fifteen minutes of her time and I promise to bring her back," Viola pleaded with Aidan.

  "Who is this Pierre?" Aidan raised his eyebrow, still holding my hand.

  "Oh my, calm down, Aidan. He would much rather date you," Viola giggled and then finally pulled me from his grip. I shook my head and walked away.

  "They will be back soon." Liam patted Aidan on the back.

  "So, what is the problem?"

  "Pierre is asking about some details about with the menu," Viola was looking around, clearly trying to find Pierre.

  "I assure you that we were supposed to have the scallops," I overheard Anne and followed her voice until I came to a frantic Pierre.

  "Oh lord, what is that woman up to now?" Viola pulled us toward them.

  "Mrs. Iverson, I assure you that this was discussed and it was—"

  "What's the matter?" Viola butted directly into their conversation.

  Pierre was about to speak, but he caught sight of me and relief washed over him.

  "Oh, thank Gucci, Mrs. Iverson." Pierre sighed out.

  I briefly caught Anne giving me a look of annoyance and disgust.

  "Yes, Pierre?"

  "The menu...." he handed the menu over to me, "we went over this thoroughly. However, Mrs. Iverson," he motioned to Anne, "is insisting that..." I cut him off.

  "The menu is accurate, Pierre." I smiled, reassuring him.

  He exhaled a large breath.

  "Thank you," he said quickly and brushed past Anne as he continued on his way.

  Viola smiled at me, grabbed my arm, and led us from the kitchen out into the ballroom. The walls were draped with the white fabric and the table settings were done phenomenally.

  "Oh, Viola, it turned out even better than I had anticipated," I squeezed her arm.

  "You helped, my dear. It is spectacular." I could hear the pride in her voice.

  "Lilli!" Maggie shouted as she hurried over with Jason.

  "Hey you," I hugged her. "You look fantastic."

  "And you look stunning as always," she smiled back to me. "Are you heading to the table?"

  "Oh no," Viola shook her head. "We have mingling to do." Viola informed and I sighed. "Hang on tight, sweetie, we have some rounds to make."

  I groaned, but put on my best pageant smile. Viola giggled and led the way.

  Not even halfway through the crowd, and being introduced as "Mrs. Aidan Iverson", Aidan had caught up with us.

  "There you are," he slid one arm around my waist.

  "Here I am...in mingling hell," I whispered.

  "I know. It doesn't get any better either." He looked apologetic.

  "Think of the children," Viola chimed in on the other side of my head. I took a deep breath and forged through the rest of the crowd.

  We came across a familiar person, Doctor Johnson.

  "Lilli, you know Dr. Johnson, the Iverson family doctor." I nodded and shook his hand.

  "It's good to see the both of you." Doctor Johnson smiled warmly. "This is my daughter, Becca."

  "It's nice to meet you," I shook her hand. "Do I know you from somewhere? You look really familiar." I felt Aidan stiffen and then Becca's face turned white. I was highly confused.

  "No, I don't think that we've met." She smiled warmly.

  "Oh, okay." We moved on to another group.

  This time we came upon a group with members of the board.

  "Lilli, this is Gideon. Gideon, this is—."

  "The new Mrs. Iverson," he bent and kissed my knuckles. "This is my daughter, Loreley," he motioned to the very tiny, light brown haired girl next to him.

  "Hello, nice to meet you." I tried to be genuine. I saw that Gideon and Aidan had gotten into a private conversation.

  "So, I see you just met the Johnson's?" I nodded. "They are a close family friend to the Iverson's. Hell, Aidan Sr. practically put the doctor through college. His daughter, Becca, as well."

  I nodded and tried to keep a normal conversation.

  "What is it that Becca does?"

  Loreley smirked.

  "Oh, she is a pharmacist." She chuckled. "You could say that they have their own doctor and pharmacist on hand. And, of course they would do anything the Iverson's ask of them."

  Before I could ask anything else, Aidan excused us and we moved on to the next group of people. We were just about finished with the mingling when a familiar face appeared in front of me.

  "Lilli," he smiled smoothly and took my hand, raising my knuckles to his lips.

  "Demitri?" I said in a very hushed tone, smiling polite
ly. I heard Aidan growl next to me.

  His lips had barely brushed my knuckles when Aidan's hand appeared on my wrist pulling my hand back to him and away from Demitri.

  "This is my husband, Aidan," I introduced them.

  Demitri stuck out his hand.

  "It's good to meet the man who was able to convince Lilli to marry him."

  Aidan grabbed his hand, it was obvious that they were playing a testosterone driven battle of grips.

  "Okay, boys, can we stop with the ridiculousness?" I rolled my eyes and pulled their hands apart.

  Aidan pulled me tighter to his side and I wanted to smack him in the back of the head for being so possessive.

  "So, Aidan, this is your foundation?" Demitri took a sip of the drink he was holding. I knew that it was a vodka tonic from experience.

  "Technically, it’s Lilli's," he said with a smile and a closer tug to his side.

  Demitri looked at me with surprise.

  "You planned this event?"

  "I helped his aunt organize the event. She is truly the brains behind the operation," I laughed out.

  "Nonsense, Lilli," I turned to see Viola. "Don't let her fool you, she is brilliant and as much a part of this as me, if not more." She smiled at me warmly.

  "I wouldn't doubt Lilli's brilliance for anything," Demitri said with a sly smirk. I swallowed hard. Was he trying to create a more uncomfortable situation?

  Thankfully an announcement was made for everyone to take their seats. I sighed in relief and excused us as Aidan led us to our table.

  "What is he doing here?" Aidan hissed into my ear as he pulled my chair out for me.

  "Apparently he's here for the foundation, Aidan." I hissed back.

  "So, you didn't personally invite him?" I turned to look at him astounded.

  "Just stop."

  He looked angry.

  "So you did?"

  "Damn it, Aidan, do not do this here. I sighed. "If you must know, no, I did not. But so what if I had? Do you think that I would just push him onto a table and fuck him here in front of everyone? Is that what you think of me?" I was beyond irate, my tone was starting to rise so I excused myself.

  "Where are you—?"

  "Away from you," I hissed. "I'll be back," I growled out and headed towards the ladies room.

  Leaning on the sink top in the ladies room, the door opened behind me.