Chapter Thirty-Five
Carmella woke up early the next morning to her phone vibrating with an incoming video call from Jaxon. Picking it up, she walked out to her balcony to take the call since River was still sleeping.
"Good morning, baby," came Jaxon's husky bedroom voice and his smiling face.
"Good morning Jaxon, did you wake up just now?" She asked him.
"Yes, and I didn't drink last night. Are you happy?" He asked her.
"Yes very happy, thank you," she said, excitedly.
"I can't wait to make you my wife today," he said with a happy note in his voice and a happy grin on his face.
"Yes me neither," she told him.
"What did you do the whole night?" He asked her curiously.
"Nothing much. Mom and dad came for a talk and then we went to sleep early, " she informed him.
"So have you rested enough?" He asked her.
"Yes," she answered.
"Good good, waiting for tonight, " he admitted.
"Eat something before arriving at the church. It's a long day and I don't want you falling sick," he advised her.
"Yes Jaxon, don't worry. You eat something too," she told him.
"Sure, now give me a kiss," he asked her. She obliged with a kiss on the phone.
"See you at the altar, then," he said.
"Yes, see you," she said. Jaxon disconnected the call and went to the en-suite to get freshened up. Then she went down to have her coffee as usual.
Afterwards, she had a luxurious bath with River's help who selected the bath products that she should use for a hypnotic smell to attract Jaxon more towards her.
"I don't want to attract him more towards me. Then I'll never reach the reception party," laughed Carmella and River joined in too. Afterwards, her mom called her to have her breakfast.
"Eat properly, Jaxon has already called twice to ensure that you're eating," informed her mom. Carmella rolled her eyes.
"I'm not a baby," she complained.
"He cares deeply about you, sweetheart, " said her mom and Carmella nodded. Yes, that he did.
Afterwards, the attendants came over to get her as well the bridal party. Her cousins Serenity, Violet and Jacqueline were her bridesmaids while River was her maid of honour. Jacqueline and Raven too came over to get ready with her.
She wore a soft satin, half-sleeved, lace gown with an illusion lace appliqued back with an a-line silhouette and a sweeping train. Her hair was swept halfway up and the rest cascaded down her back in curls giving it all a romantic touch. Her parents had gifted her a Moissanite Solitaire set of earrings in white gold which matched her wedding dress. Jaxon bought her a diamond-encrusted bracelet which he specifically had it designed exclusively for her. She had fallen in love with it at first sight.
River was fixing her veil when her mom came into the room. She gasped as tears of happiness fell from her eyes after seeing Carmella in her wedding finery.
"You look so beautiful, sweetheart. I had bought this set for you to wear on your wedding day, two years back. We had planned for this day for a long time," said her mom.
"Thank you, mom. It's so beautiful, " she said to her mom.
"I wish you all the happiness in the world sweetie, " said her mom, wiping her tears.
There was a soft knock on the door, "Everyone's decent?" Asked her dad and they chorused, "Yes dad."
Her dad came in and smiled at her indulgently. "So, the day's here to hand you over to your chosen life partner, " he said as tears of happiness filled his eyes.
"Oh, dad," she said hugging him.
"C'mon, you'll ruin your makeup, sweetie and Jaxon won't recognize you," He said with a laugh, wiping his tears.
Everyone was ready to go to the church in the neighbourhood where the wedding ceremony was about to take place. The bridesmaids were looking radiant in off-shoulder lavender satin gowns with lace inlay work around the necklines and a-line silhouettes with sweeping trains. River wearing a shade darker looked ethereal too with her hair fixed up in a similar hairstyle as Carmella. She handed her an all-white bouquet of white roses, tulips and hydrangeas mixed with greens.
They reached the church and Carmella gasped at the elaborate wedding decorations in white.
The main entrance was framed with a vibrant archway created with white tulips and hydrangeas and ferns with soft flowing tulle wrapped around the pillars and cascading to the floor. White marble statues alternating with white rose potted plants were placed near the entrance all along the pathway.
The church door had two simple curved branches bearing white hydrangeas. "Look at Jaxon. He's so impatient to just catch a glimpse of you," whispered River. Carmella turned to look at Jaxon waiting impatiently at the altar with Gilbert his best man. He looked so dashing in a charcoal grey tuxedo with a white rosebud and fern boutonnière matching his ivory white dress shirt. He stared at her appreciatively and her insides turned to jelly. She would be his wife today. The feeling made her inhale deeply to contain her excitement. The holy church atmosphere, the decor, her wedding finery, everything felt so surreal as if it was straight out of a fairy tale book.
"Hey little sis, you look all grown up," said Tyler coming forward to give her a side hug.
Carmella smiled at him. Jacqueline, Ralph, Liam, Violet and Lucas waited with her to walk down the aisle. "Let's not wait any longer. It seems that Jaxon will come to get you any minute," said Tyler and they all laughed.
The red velvet aisle runner added a regal touch to the decor with candles on either side of it. The pew ends were decorated with bouquets of wisteria, babies' breath and hydrangea. River walked down the aisle to the music followed by Liam, Jacqueline and Ralph, Serenity with Tyler, Violet and Lucas.
Taking a deep breath, Carmella walked with her mom and dad to a nervous Jaxon who came down the steps to receive her. Her dad placed her hand in his and he intertwined their fingers. "Take good care of her," said her dad, his voice breaking.
"I will forever," promised Jaxon, leading her to the altar. They held hands and the wedding ceremony started. It was the most special moment of their lives for them. The vows and rings were exchanged and the ceremony came to an end.
The marriage officiant declared, "And now by the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, it is my honour and delight to declare you married. Go forth and live each day to the fullest. You may seal this declaration with a kiss."
Jaxon held her by the waist and dipped her a little and planted a firm kiss on her lips, plunging his tongue inside taking advantage of her surprised gasp.
The officiant declared, "I am so pleased to present the newlyweds, Jaxon and Carmella Craddock."
The newlyweds were congratulated and led to the church entrance where the photographers were waiting for them. Later they were taken in a limousine to the Parker Suites where the reception was organized at its extravagant banquet hall. Carmella had a room booked for herself and she quickly changed into a beautiful emerald one-shoulder satin gown with a matching bow on the shoulder strap. The dress accentuated her curves and cascaded down to her ankle. She clipped on Emerald and diamond teardrop earrings and retouched her makeup. Slipping her feet in elegant pearl and jewel-encrusted flat sandals, she was ready.
The banquet hall was full of guests and she looked for Jaxon. "Searching for me, wifey?" Whispered Jaxon into her ear as he pulled her into his arms from the back.
"Yes, I was. How did you know?" She asked him, turning around and facing him, her palms upon his chest.
"You're seducing me with these dresses baby," he groaned.
"Am I? Good then, you memorize your four new poses," She grinned pushing him away and going to get a drink. Jaxon stood transfixed with a shit-eating grin on his face.
"Man, you look like you are dying a slow death," said Liam.
"Yes, bro. Wait till it's your turn. You will know what torture these reception parties are," groaned Jaxon.
Liam laughed but inwardly he knew that the day would never arrive in his life since he would never marry anyone else other than Lisa Lennard and she was already married.
A grinning Lucas approached them, "I know how you're feeling, " he said, patting his shoulder. "When's your flight back?" He asked. They walked over to the bar to get a drink or two.
"Tomorrow morning," informed Jaxon.
The first dance was about to start and Jaxon went hunting for his wife. He was excited to be able to hold her in his arms again. She wouldn't be able to escape now.
