The Royal Contract

Chapter 989: Man and wife

She looked at herself before the mirror, satisfied with the new gown draped around her body. She might not look as alluring as before. But as long as her husband looked at her like his eyes could not have enough of her, she would not mind.

It was his opinion of her that mattered most and nothing else. She could have grown like a fat cow, but she believed her husband would still love her just the same.

“You sure you are up to doing this,” Alex whispered in her ears as he stood behind her, staring at her through their reflections.

She turned around to finally face him, assuring him not with words but her body language that she could handle her body. She was fine and ready to leave. She would not miss this day.

Besides, her doctor had given her a clean bill of health. Nothing was stopping her from going to this occasion. Most importantly, she wanted to be there for her friend.

“Yes!” Dani answered her husband with an excited smile on her lips. She genuinely wished to show her support to her former best friend, who was getting married.

She knew if her father had been alive, he would have attended the ceremony. Maybe even walked her down the aisle. She had always been like a daughter to Ethan and a sister to her.

.....

It was time to bury the past and move forward to the future, at least in their relationship. They might have hit a road bump, but it should not stop them from going in the same direction again.

“Then, shall we? We don’t want to miss the ceremony.” Alex teased her since he kept saying that she moved at a snail’s pace.

She knew he was messing with her. They still have ample time to reach the wedding and a moment to spare. But truthfully, moving around had been difficult as her term came closer. Still, it would not stop her from attending the most important day in her friend’s life.

“Stop teasing me. Otherwise, our baby might race you to the finish line.” She warned him, but she knew it was just for good laughs as he made a zipper sign on his lips. “Better.” She responded, approving his action.

“Maybe if we are early, we can still convince Jacob to reconsider.” Alex jokingly said as he assisted her into a chauffeured driven car.

“You know it was Jacob who was lucky to have her.” She defended her friend, who had made a three hundred sixty turned around.

Her old friend was back. She had seen it in her eyes. Whatever negative influence Nick had on her had vanished when Jacob came into the picture. She finally saw the friend she grew up with and who had been her first best friend.

Although she could never take Jacky’s position anymore, her old best friend would always have a space in her heart. Maybe eventually, they could regain everything they had lost in their relationship.

“Yeah! He is lucky. I am just jesting with you.” Alex understood what Cassie had gone through. He also saw how she had changed and stuck by Jacob through the good and bad times.

The company had taken a tremendous hit when Nick died, but Cassie held the company together for Jacob. She had fought tooth and nail to bring it back to its glory. With that, she had earned his admiration.

“Anyway, have you heard from your parents? They called me yesterday, saying that they were thinking of visiting since we could not go to them.” Dani reminded him about her phone conversation with Katherine.

She remembered how excited her mother was to see her friend. Laura had been fighting her loneliness by doing charity work, but Dani understood her mother’s need to be with the people she loved.

She would have visited her, but her condition had prevented her from too many strenuous activities. She was lucky today that her doctor had approved her to attend this celebration, but with strict instructions not to overdo herself.

“Yes, Mom called early this morning to remind me. They intend to arrive by early next week.” He could not wait. Just like Dani and Laura, he also missed his parents.

Although compared to Dani, he had seen them the last time he had come to visit Lance. But that was still a while ago. They were getting old, and he wanted to spend more time with them if possible.

“Great!” Dani could not be happier. She had always dreamt of a big family. Someday, she would see her family growing as her hands instinctively touched her belly.

Soon, she would have a child in her arms.

And a few more minutes later, they entered the grand hallway where the ceremony would take place. Laura, her mother, stood by the massive double door, waiting for the bride to arrive.

“Hey, Mom,” Dani immediately greeted. “Are you ready?” She asked as she kissed her on both cheeks.

“Ready as can be,” Laura answered with an eager and delighted smile. “The groom is already inside, and the bride is already circling the block.” She informed them excitedly. Her mother had agreed to walk Cassie on the aisle in her father’s stead. Just like her, Laura had always considered Cassie as family.

“I can’t wait to see her.” She opted to wait by the door before joining the rest of the guests inside. She would like to wish her friend the best of luck in her wedding before anything else.

Finally, the bride arrived, marching towards them with a nervous gait. She could understand the feeling. She had been in that same situation before. But she knew once Cassie saw her husband-to-be, all the nerves would disappear, and her concentration would only focus on him.

“Congratulations, Cassie.” She hugged her friend as she stood before her, afraid to hold her because of her condition. “Don’t worry. I won’t pop in your wedding.” She teased her friend, hoping to calm her nerves down.

But she knew it would all soon be over. They had already dealt with the hard part of the relationship. The groom waited patiently inside, while the bride could not wait for the ceremony to start. It was perfect.

At the end of this, all her friend would want was for the ceremony to be over. And then for the priest to declare her as his wife. Dani still remembered how happy she was, hearing the bishop announce them as man and wife.