Chapter 71

My heart aches in a bittersweet way as I look into the mirror, taking in my wedding gown. Raven altered it for me, making it strapless, with a much longer, removable train that attaches at the waist. Wearing it feels different this time. It’s mostly the same dress, but today, I really feel like a bride. I just wish my grandmother and parents had been here today to see me marry the love of my life.

“You look stunning,” Raven says as she walks in. “It was beautiful before, but the alterations just look so… romantic.”

I grin at her. “I owe it all to you,” I tell her earnestly. “Thank you for creating the dress of my dreams, Rave. Twice.”

She smiles at me and gently brushes my hair out of my face. I had it up the first time, but today it’s loose and wavy. “It’s a true honor. Besides, thanks to Xavier’s antics with the billboards, my waiting list is now three years long.” I laugh as I remember what he’d done, a thrill running down my spine.

Raven looks down for a moment, and I follow her gaze, realizing that she’s holding an envelope. “This was delivered just now — by Grandma’s attorney.”

I raise a brow as I take it from her curiously, my eyes widening when I recognize Grandma’s handwriting. I’m trembling as I open the envelope and find a letter from Grandma, addressed to me.

Dear Sierra,

If you’re reading this letter, you’ll have followed in your siblings’ footsteps, and you’re about to marry Xavier Kingston once again — by choice, this time. I have no doubt that you look incredibly beautiful, and just like last time, Xavier won’t be able to take his eyes off you for even a single second.

I never told you this, but your match was determined long before Raven and Ares got married. I knew it’d be Xavier when he first began to meddle in your career, quietly taking an interest in projects that were far too small to warrant his attention. He spent more time than he reasonably should have guiding you, protecting you, without you ever even realizing it.

I knew then — this was the man that would eventually marry my precious granddaughter; someone who never asked for anything in return for everything he did for you, not even recognition. He was always just happy to see you thriving, and he never grew impatient with you, never demanded more than your attention.

I’d just scheduled a meeting with Xavier’s parents when he walked into my home, your five brothers in tow, all but begging me to marry you. He’d cloaked his request for your hand in a merger, but even then, there was clear love and commitment written all over his face. That love never wavered — not even when you both desperately pretended you weren’t struggling, going through great lengths to put up an act for me. I knew, even then, as I witnessed pain in both of your eyes, that you would find your way back to each other. I knew, then, that he loves you almost as much as I do.

Please be happy together, Sierra. Live a life filled with wonder, devoid of regrets, and overflowing with love. You deserve nothing less, my sweet child.

All my love, always, Grandma

I pull the letter to my chest and draw a steadying breath, something akin to comfort washing over me. For so long, the mere thought of Grandma made me cry, but today it brings a bittersweet smile to my face. “You were right, Grams,” I whisper, certain that somewhere, somehow, she can hear me. All of a sudden, I’m sure I can smell her perfume, and I sigh happily.

I look up at the sound of knocking, and my father-in-law walks in, only to freeze at the sight of me. My brothers all fought viciously about who would get to walk me down the aisle, but instead of choosing one of them and upsetting the rest, I chose the man I’ve come to consider my own father, the man that’ll be my dad for the rest of my life.

It just felt right to be walked down the aisle by the man that sat in my car with me when his son upset me, the man that walked into my kitchen to make me fresh pasta while he left his own son standing outside. He treated me like his own daughter even after I’d asked for a divorce, and I just know that’ll never change, no matter what the future brings.

“You look beautiful, sweetie,” he says, smiling at me so proudly as he offers me his arm. “Are you ready?”

“What would you do if I say no?”

“Why, I’d get the jet ready, of course. Mom always has an exit plan ready.” I burst out laughing, and he narrows his eyes at me. “You’d better not tell Xavier I said that. He’s gotten a little testy lately, claiming we’re playing favorites and that we like you more than we like him. Mom has sternly advised me not to admit that it’s true.”

“My lips are sealed, I promise,” I tell him, feeling so incredibly loved. I’ve always wondered what my parents would’ve been like, and I have a feeling they’d treat me the same way. My in-laws filled a void I thought I’d always have to live with, and I’m so incredibly grateful to have them.

My heart overflows with happiness as Dad guides me toward the aisle Celeste created for me on our private island, where we’ve flown all our loved ones to for our wedding. She transformed the beach into something from a fairytale, turning the stone book on the beach into the backdrop for the ceremony, paperbacks that she saved from being destroyed used as decoration everywhere. It’s everything I ever could’ve dreamed of, and more. I’ve never felt more loved, or like I’ve truly found my place in life.

Faye begins to play the piano, and I take a deep breath as we reach the start of the aisle, and I can’t help but smile when I see Xavier standing at the end of it. He looks at me awestruck, and my smile becomes a little shaky when his expression crumples, and tears gather in his eyes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him cry before, and I can’t help the tears in my own eyes.

He draws a shaky breath as I walk toward him, composing himself, and we both ignore our brothers’ snickers, cash being exchanged everywhere, as though they betted on whether or not my sweet husband would cry at the sight of me. They’ll pay dearly for that — they just don’t know it yet.

“Wow,” he whispers when his father places my hand in his. “I can’t believe I get to marry you twice. You look… wow.”

“I love you,” I whisper, my heart racing.

“I love you more,” he replies instantly, squeezing my hand, our eyes locked. I wonder if he knows that the lucky one here isn’t him. It’s me. Xavier smiles as Zach starts the ceremony, and as I stand here with him, surrounded by our loved ones, I realize that this is where our happily ever after begins.