Chapter 31

Chapter Thirty-One Hope Caleband I sign our marriage license at the courthouse in front of his family. We'retold that we need someone ordained to perform the ceremony and sign the paperand we'll be officially married. When we leave the courthouse in two separatecars, the idea that this is really happening begins to sink in. I wait for thefear to build, but it never comes. The thought of marrying Caleb and becomingpart of this family brings peace. I've made the right choice. Madelineand I get pampered for hours, massages and pedicures, make-up and hair. When we'refinally ready to leave the spa, I feel like a different person. The top of myhair is pulled back and fastened with the beautiful clip from Caleb's brother. Therest of my hair hangs down in long curls. I love it. Madelinemakes a big deal out of making sure the boys don't see me as we make our wayback up to my suite to get ready. She had Nathan and Caleb go down to herfather's room and their tuxes sent there. Our dresses were sent to my room. Thebridal store sent over every undergarment I could possibly need and a beautifulpair of heels to go with the dress. When we pull the dresses from their bags, Ican't help but to gasp at how beautiful they look. Mydress is slightly off white and is made of a very delicate crystal beaded lacethat lies over a silk bodice. The bust is heart-shaped and tapers very tightlyat my waist and fits snug along my hips and thighs before opening out in amermaid style flare to the floor. The beaded lace extends from the heart-shapedneckline to form a halter-top. I opted for no train, but the lace is slightlylonger than the silk lining so it flows behind the dress in a delicate pattern. Thedress fits me like a glove, thanks to the quick alterations. I've never wornanything as beautiful in my life and when I turn around to face Madeline, tearsspring to her eyes. "You are absolutely stunning, Hope." She says beforefanning her face to keep the tears from falling and ruining her make-up. Ifight to hold back my tears as I smooth the delicate lace down and look atmyself in the mirror. Madeline'sdress is a very light purple. It's strapless and the ornate fabric is bunchedin a wave across her bust and the falls fitted to the floor. She looks gorgeousand from looking at us no one would be able to guess we just found the dressestoday. I couldn't have planned a more beautiful bridal gown and Maid of Honordress if I had years to do so. Her hair is also pinned up off her face, butflows in loose curls down her back as well. Itake a moment to blot at my make-up where a few tears have managed to escapeand then Madeline helps me to put on all of the jewelry that was given to me byher family. Just as we finish up putting everything on, Madeline's phone startsto ring and she answer it before it goes to voicemail. I can tell by the voiceit's Caleb and I hope there isn't anything wrong. She agrees to meet him at thedoor to our suite but makes him promise he won't try any funny business to geta peek at me. That little comment makes me laugh as she walks briskly to thedoor and motions for me to stay hidden in the bedroom. Whenshe returns to the room she is carrying a small box and a huge smile. Handingme the box she says, "Glad he remembered the most important part." I open the velvet box and stare down at thebiggest diamond I've ever seen. The diamond is in the shape of a heart and isstanding prominently above a ring of diamonds that are never ending to form theband. Madelinehands me a note written on the hotel stationary and I read his words as I runmy thumb along the band of diamonds now on my finger. DearHope, Youare the sun in my sky, the air that I breathe, the love in my heart and theapple in my pie. This heart is to remind you that for as long as you live youwill always be carrying my heart because I gave it up to have room to carryyours. I can't wait to make you my wife. See you soon but not soon enough. Love, YourPrince of Pies Ifight so hard to not let the tears of joy run down my face. I make a run forthe tissue, but Madeline has beat me to it and she dabs at my tears before theyfall making small little squeaking sounds if any escape from her defensiveposition with the tissue. When I finally pull it together I wrap my arms aroundher and hug her so tightly I worry the beading on my dress with leave marks onher skin. I can't believe that I get to marry Caleb and as an added bonus thisgracious woman in front of me is going to become my sister. Whenwe finally finish getting ready, Madeline calls the boys' room and tells themto leave for the chapel. The event planner, Julie, is making sure thateverything is set up and ready to go so Madeline wants to make sure the boysdon't cross our path on the way to there. When her phone beeps with a text thatconfirms that the boys are waiting in the chapel, she grabs my hand and asks ifI am ready. "Ihave never been more ready for anything in my life." Together we leave my room and the life that Iused to live behind, to walk down the hall and into the elevator that will takeme to beginning of my new life. When we're standing outside of the door to thechapel, Nathan is sent out to meet me. He looks so grown up in his tux as hegrabs my hand and takes Madeline's place by my side. Ialways wondered who would walk me down the isle on the day that I got marriedand as his little warm hand grips mine, I know in my heart that it was alwaysmeant to be him.