Authors: Sarah Brocious
And she did.
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Chapter 24 Just the Beginning
“Come on sweetie. The flowers are here…for such a small wedding there are a lot of flowers! Nolan has been sent away…he and the men went to breakfast I think to give us time to navigate such things without the chance of you two seeing each other!”
Raina cracked her eyes opened and peered up at her mother. “Mom he’s allowed to see me…just not in my dress.” Raina turned over and reached for Turk.
“He went out and Mae is feeding him now.”
Raina threw the blanket over her head.
Her mother made a tisking sound at her and pulled the blankets away. “Up, let’s go…put on some clothes! The furniture is moved out…the lights are up, thanks to Joseph and that lovely boy Jonathan. He’s good at downplaying that pretty face with that big brain of his isn’t he?”
Raina grinned. She’d never thought about it like that. But yes…Jonathan could get more female attention if he put effort into it.
“Such helpful friends Nolan has! Emily is downstairs and your Melinda. They are anxious to get this in order and get you in your dress!” She smiled.
Raina slid out of the bed and reached for a rubber band to flip her hair up. “I still can’t believe the dress,” she sighed. “It’s fit for a princess!”
“Nolan is going to go weak at the knees.”
Raina smiled and bit her lip. “I sure hope so!” She gave her mom a shy look and shrugged.
Her mom reached for her hands. “In just a few hours and you will be married!” She pulled Raina close. “You have no idea how happy it makes me and your dad to see you happy again Rain!”
Raina squeezed her back. “I really am Mom!”
“I’m not going to cry now…so get some clothes on and…is that Nolan’s shirt?” Her eyebrows rose. “I swear that’s the shirt he had on…”
“Mom,” Raina laughed. “I’m twenty nine…not nineteen! And lose the scowl. I wore the man’s shirt to bed…not the man.” Her cheeks warmed at the thought. She certainly would have swapped! She grinned and went for her jeans. She was going to stay snuggled in Nolan’s shirt. If she couldn’t see him at least she could smell him!
“I’ll be down in a minute Mom,” she spoke up as a thought hit her. She was happy when she did not argue, but left her on her own.
Raina went quickly for her phone and checked for any texts. None. She bit the inside of her cheek and swallowed her pride. She looked over her shoulder as if she would find someone watching her. No one was there so she texted.
Are you still there?
She held her breath and then blew it out when ten seconds later her phone buzzed.
Still alive and breathing beautiful. Happy wedding day.
She wanted to sob with relief. She had believed Jonathan’s words, but the look in Thanatos eyes had told a different story.
I’m glad.
She texted back.
Good for you. I feel like Hell.
She couldn’t help but laugh. He sounded like his old self. This made it easier to smile at the day. She could put her thoughts of him behind her.
She skipped her way down the stairs and was greeted by Turk. She found Melinda and Emily in the large high ceilinged living room. They were pointing here or there to the men carrying large vases of red and white roses.
A large Christmas tree in the corner was decorated red, white, and silver with white twinkle lights. The fireplace was perfection with ivy and red and white trim. There was a slight platform with an archway near the tree. It was all so simple and elegant. And it caused a lump to form in Raina’s throat.
“You don’t need me,” she whispered from the doorway. “It’s just perfect!”
The two girls turned around and rushed her, both clamoring to hug her first.
“Truly, it’s all so perfect,” Raina laughed. She hugged them back and then wiped at her eyes with the back of her hands. She felt overwhelmed.
“I’m so glad it makes you happy,” Emily laughed, doing a little dance.
Raina hugged her neck.
“Arabella is picking up the cake but she won’t be here until the actual ceremony. Donna is coming and Melinda’s Rachel…along with her boyfriend…our boys and that’s about it! Oh, and of course the Pastor! Intimate enough for you?”
Raina laughed. “Yes! Perfect.” She wiped her face again and looked at the expectant florists. “Carry on,” she told Emily. “I have no idea where to put anything! My job here is to look pretty for the groom.” She gave a small smile. “I need coffee. It was along night.”
Melinda eyed Raina’s shirt. “Oh really now? Nice shirt.”
Raina blushed. “You sound like my mother.” She wagged a finger at her friend and moved toward the door. “My man’s virtue in intact…this I swear. I am dragging because Thanatos tried to come a calling last night.” She nearly made it out the door but her friends were in hot pursuit.
“Hold up,” Emily cried. “He came here?”
“I had to go meet him,” Raina sighed. “He was drunk and…”
“Drunk? Immortals don’t just get drunk,” Melinda said softly, mindful of the strangers…still standing there holding flowers. “Not unless they drink…”
“A lot? Oh he had a lot,” Raina rolled her eyes.
“And they have to continue drinking.”
Raina nodded. “He was bad and threatening to show up here. I couldn’t have that. Jonathan drove me there. He said his peace…threatened suicide. It was ugly and very nearly ruined today,” she whispered.
“Does Nolan know?” Emily bit her lip.
Raina nodded. “And he was so good about it all. Jonathan is scared he’s holding too much in. I have to admit I am too. Something has to give. I’m afraid his anger will just keep building until he finally blows.” She shivered at the thought.
Melinda nodded. “He hasn’t been himself has he?”
Raina wrapped her arms around herself and shook her head. “He has been through so much to get to an almost normal place and then that happened and it just threw him. He truly trusted Thanatos to keep his word.”
Emily scowled. “But I thought with the contract he couldn’t touch you like that without punishment? That doesn’t make sense!”
Raina smiled sadly. “I haven’t said much because it has all been very painful but Thanatos technically isn’t my protector.”
“But you have to release him…”
“I’m mortal. He is not bestowed to me. He chose to protect me…he was obeying Nolan because Nolan could not be the one to watch over me. Thanatos went to Jonathan and they drew up contracts…Nolan signed. I technically don’t have a protector now.”
“Yet you have many protectors,” Melinda laughed.
“Raina smiled. “Yes, crazy as it is.”
“So is that why Nolan is so pissed? I know he’s upset about Thanatos kissing you but could he be angry because the immortal who is bestowed to him has run away from him?” Melinda lifted her shoulders.
Raina shook her head. “He is not like that. It’s mostly to do with me, but it also has to do with the long term friendship. Nolan feels like its been severed…that its done. To Nolan, trust is everything. He doesn’t just give it to anyone. He put my life and even his own in his hands. Thanatos came through. He took care of us in a hard time. And then we get into the happy portion of life and he…” Raina looked down at the ground.
“It was just a matter of time,” Emily sighed. “I saw from the very beginning how the green eyed devil felt about you. Nolan had to see it too. He was in denial.”
Raina shrugged. “I don’t want to talk about this on my wedding day,” she half laughed. “I’ve been over this in my mind many times and nothing ever really makes it okay.” She tucked her hands in her pockets. “I really need some coffee…then shower…my hair…my dress…getting married, happy day! Remember?”
Emily smiled. “Right, no, you’re right! Come on Mindy…lets go get those flowers placed!” She gave Raina another apologetic smile.
Raina blew out a breath of relief and hurried for the massive kitchen, Turk at her side. She wasn’t going to settle for a little cup. She needed a giant mug!
Mae smiled at her when she entered.
There were a few other people she had never met scurrying around now.
“Coffee?” Mae’s eyes lit with amusement.
“Lots please,” Raina laughed. She sat down at the long counter and laid her head down for a second, and then thought that rude so sat up. “Mae do you ever sleep or not work?”
The older lady laughed and shook her head. “I take care of things around here the right way. Mr. Gregor appreciates that…it helps me to work harder. Besides, we have more in common than you would think.”
Raina’s head came up and she met her gaze. “You?”
Mae smiled. “You are surprised? Don’t you think he would need someone around here who would not be suspicious?” She tilted her head. “I am not bestowed to him.” She lowered her voice and looked to the other two servants. “I am bestowed to Joseph…like Nolan once was. You know how Joseph loves Nolan…so it was easy for me to agree to serve him.”
Raina smiled and reached over to touch the woman’s hand. “I am glad you have been here to watch over him.”
Mae went for Raina’s coffee and doctored it just as she liked it. She set it down before her. “And now I get to look after you.”
Raina sipped with appreciation. “Why didn’t Nolan tell me about you…being…”
“He is a gentleman!” He must have felt it was my secret to tell!” Mae touched Raina’s arm affectionately. “And besides…does it change anything?”
Raina shook her head and smiled.
Mae gave a nod and turned back to her work.
“Mae I would like you to join us at the ceremony,” Raina said softly.
Mae’s eyes widened. “But I am helping make the lunch for the celebration!”
“There are others who can do that,” Raina argued. “And you should join us for lunch!”
Mae shook her head.
“Please?” Raina’s blues pleaded.
Mae laughed and blew out a breath. “I will witness the ceremony because I want to see you in that beautiful dress with Mr Gregor beside that beautiful altar! But I will serve you lunch. Deal?”
Raina bit her lip, took another sip of coffee and nodded. “Deal.”
“Finish that coffee! The men will be back soon and you need to be out of sight!”
Raina groaned. She wanted to see Nolan before the festivities! It wasn’t fair! She gulped her coffee. Thanked Mae and ran upstairs for her phone. She had another message from Thanatos but she ignored it. She texted her fiancé instead.
I am being held captive.
She held her breath and hit send…knowing he may take it the wrong way. She hoped he knew she was joking. He so did.
Did they use the handcuffs as I requested.
She laughed and flopped down on the bed.
I’m supposed to be taking a shower but I’m thinking of you!
Do both silly girl!
Raina laughed at this.
Where are you?
She typed.
On our way home.
She bit her lip.
I want to see you before.
She waited for his response. She feared he would team up with the others and say no.
Could be tricky.
She sat up and smiled. He wasn’t saying no to her! She bit her lip and pushed on.
Please?
She was not disappointed.
Take your shower like a good girl. I will figure something out.
Raina wanted to do a happy dance. He had as much as said yes!
XOXOXOXO
she hit send.
I intend to collect those kisses and hugs in person Aelan.
She laughed, tossed her phone and went to obey.
“Hair!” Emily cried when Raina came out of the bathroom toweling it dry.
Raina frowned. She hadn’t expected to be jumped so soon after. “Are the men back yet?” She tried to appear innocent.
Emily placed her hands on her hips. “Yes?”
Raina bit her lip. “I just…I was hoping to see Nolan before.”
“Rain! You are about to marry the man! You will see him for many years to come.”
Raina blinked. “Just for a minute?”
Emily sighed.
“The guys are trying to keep him away too. I’m supposed to do my best to keep you away too.” She shrugged.
Raina pouted.
“Don’t give me that look Rain!”
“Please?”
“No!”
“Emily!”
“Time to dry the hair. We are going to get it all shiny and curly and beautiful. Nolan loves your hair, doesn’t he?”
“Quit changing the subject Em,” Raina growled.
“Raina we are not discussing it!”
“Fine!” Raina sighed. She sat down on the bed and pulled her knees to her chest.
“Melinda will be in and we will get your hair set…and then your dress. You will be in front of your man in no time!”