Chapter 152 The Wedding Of Our Dreams
The morning of her wedding, Lenora woke before sunrise.
For a few seconds, she lay still in the quiet bridal suite at The Plaza Hotel and stared at the ceiling.
Today.
After everything they had survived, today had finally arrived.
She was going to marry Lenold Davenport.
A nervous laugh escaped her.
Then the tears started.
“Absolutely not.”
Lilibeth’s voice rang through the room as she emerged from the adjoining suite in pink silk pajamas and a face mask.
“You are not ruining your makeup before the makeup artist gets here.”
Lenora laughed and wiped her eyes.
“I can’t help it.”
Pamela, already dressed and somehow fully composed at six in the morning, set down her coffee.
“Your emotional response is understandable.”
Kylen, who had been bribed into delivering breakfast and pretending not to be overwhelmed by all the romance, lifted a bagel.
“She’s marrying the love of her life. Tears are allowed.”
Lenora pressed a hand to her stomach.
At twelve weeks pregnant, she was not showing much yet.
But knowing their baby was there made this day feel even more meaningful.
She smiled softly.
Today, they were becoming a family in every sense of the word.
By late afternoon, Lenora stood in front of the mirror in the bridal suite.
The dress was everything she had dreamed of.
Elegant and timeless.
Soft satin.
A fitted bodice.
Delicate lace sleeves.
The veil shimmered behind her.
Her mother stepped up beside her, eyes already wet.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
Lenora turned to face her.
Her mother cupped her cheeks.
“You look beautiful.”
Lenora’s throat tightened.
“So do you.”
Her mother laughed through tears.
“Your father would be so proud.”
Emotion surged through Lenora.
She nodded, unable to speak.
Her mother pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“And Lenold is going to lose his mind.”
That made Lenora laugh.
“I hope so.”
Across town, Lenold stood in a private room at the ceremony venue, trying and failing to stay calm.
Kylen adjusted his tie.
“You look like you’re about to pass out.”
Lenold exhaled shakily.
“I’m fine.”
Pamela, acting as honorary crisis manager despite being on the bride’s side, raised an eyebrow.
“You have asked what time it is six times in the last three minutes.”
Lenold ran a hand through his hair.
“I’m marrying her.”
Kylen clapped him on the shoulder.
“About time.”
Lenold smiled.
But when he looked down at the folded note tucked inside his jacket pocket, his eyes softened.
Lenora had written it that morning.
I would choose you in every lifetime. See you at the altar. Love, your future wife.
He swallowed hard.
Then his phone buzzed.
A text from Lenora.
Don’t cry before I get there.
He laughed.
And replied.
No promises.
The ceremony was held in the Conservatory Garden in Central Park Conservatory Garden.
White roses lined the aisle.
String musicians played softly.
The spring air was crisp and fragrant.
Friends, family, teammates, and colleagues filled the chairs.
When Lenold took his place at the altar, he looked composed.
Right up until the music changed.
Everyone stood.
Lenora appeared at the end of the aisle.
For a moment, the world disappeared.
Lenold forgot the guests.
The flowers.
The cameras.
All he saw was her.
The woman who had changed his life.
The woman carrying their child.
The woman he loved beyond words.
His eyes filled instantly.
Kylen leaned over and whispered, “And there he goes.”
Lenold laughed through his tears.
Lenora walked toward him with tears shining in her own eyes.
She looked radiant.
But more than that, she looked happy.
Truly, deeply happy.
When she reached him, Lenold took both her hands.
“You’re breathtaking,” he whispered.
Lenora smiled.
“You’re crying.”
He laughed softly.
“You told me not to.”
“I know.”
She brushed away one of his tears.
“I love you.”
His voice trembled.
“I love you more.”
Their vows were simple.
Honest.
Perfect.
Lenold went first.
“Lenora, before you, I thought strength meant handling everything alone.”
He squeezed her hands.
“You taught me that real strength is trusting someone enough to share your life with them.”
His eyes glistened.
“You are my home, my best friend, and the love of my life.”
Lenora cried openly.
He smiled through tears.
“I promise to choose you every day. To support your dreams. To make you laugh. To hold your hand through every challenge.”
His gaze dropped briefly to her stomach.
“And to love both you and our baby with everything I have.”
A collective sigh rippled through the audience.
Lenora’s turn came.
She took a shaky breath.
“Lenold, you are the greatest gift life has ever given me.”
Her voice quivered.
“You loved me when I was afraid. You fought for us when things got hard.”
She smiled.
“And you somehow still look at me like I’m magic.”
Lenold laughed softly.
She touched his face.
“I promise to be your partner, your safe place, and your biggest fan.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“I promise to love you for the rest of my life.”
There was not a dry eye in the garden.
The officiant smiled.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Lenold’s smile was brilliant.
“You may kiss your bride.”
He didn’t hesitate.
His hands framed her face as he kissed her with all the love, gratitude, and devotion he felt.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
When they pulled apart, Lenora laughed through happy tears.
“Hi, husband.”
Lenold rested his forehead against hers.
“Hi, wife.”
The reception at The Plaza Hotel was everything they wanted.
Elegant.
Warm.
Filled with laughter.
Lilibeth gave a speech that made everyone laugh and cry.
Pamela’s speech was surprisingly emotional.
Kylen ended his toast with, “I’ve watched these two survive more drama than any sane couple should. If that doesn’t prove they’re meant to be, nothing will.”
The dance floor stayed packed all night.
When Lenold and Lenora shared their first dance, he held her close and whispered, “You’re really my wife.”
She smiled against his shoulder.
“And you’re really my husband.”
He kissed her temple.
“And in a few months, we’ll meet our baby.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“Our baby.”
They swayed beneath crystal chandeliers while their loved ones watched.
For once, there were no secrets.
No misunderstandings.
No fear.
Just love.
Pure and undeniable.
Later that night, after the guests had gone and the city glittered beyond their hotel suite windows, Lenora stood in front of the mirror and touched her wedding band.
Lenold stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
His hand covered hers over her stomach.
Mrs. Davenport.
The words still felt surreal.
She turned in his arms.
“Today was perfect.”
He kissed her softly.
“No.”
She smiled.
“No?”
He brushed a loose strand of hair from her face.
“You were perfect.”
Lenora laughed.
“You’re biased.”
“Completely.”
He rested his forehead against hers.
“I love you, Mrs. Davenport.”
Her heart overflowed.
“I love you, Mr. Davenport.”
He kissed her again.
Slow.
Tender.
Full of everything they had built together.
And as Lenora melted into the arms of her husband, one truth echoed in her heart.
Their love story had never been perfect.
But it had always been real.
And that was more beautiful than anything she could have imagined.