Either way, I was both curious and a little peeved.
Thea and I made our way slowly upstairs, then turned towards my bedroom and the nursery. Waiting outside the doors, Eloise, Ginny, and Maisie were in violet dresses of similar style; floor-length satin with thick bows around their waists and high necklines. They each carried flowers, with their hair done and nails painted.
The sight of them had tears burning my eyes. “What are you guys doing?” I asked softly, throat tight with emotion.
Thea took my load of laundry from my arms as Eloise stepped forward. “There’s a surprise waiting for you,” she stated, tears shining in her bright blue eyes. “And your mates would like you to get ready for it.”
Ginny rushed to the bedroom door and threw it open, revealing my friends waiting for me. Vanya had a dress in her arms, while Blythe held a bouquet. Even Thea’s mom was there, tears falling from her eyes.
Now I understood why my mates had been so secretive these last couple of months.
Get ready, flower,Orion whispered.And meet us downstairs.
A shiver raced down my spine, but I took Maisie’s hand as I approached the bedroom.Is this what I think it is?I asked.
The response came from Elias.And what do you think this is?
You never technically asked me to marry you,I said, feeling the warmth of all nine bonds rush through me.
Mating isn’t enough, a mhuirnín, Maeve murmured.
Now,Adrian said,we’re making it official.
Again,Damon added.
I wouldn’t fight that logic. I was already pregnant, our lives tied together by our bonds, and we lived together peacefully. A ceremony wouldn’t change it, but I also wouldn’t argue the logic—or the memories it’d create.
It was just the final piece falling into place.
Makeup and hair done,I stepped into the soft, gauzy white gown made for me. The material slid over my skin just like the dress Damon had given me in the Underworld, but instead of silk, it was a soft material that fell from my body like liquid. It didn’t accentuate my pregnancy bump necessarily, but it cascaded over it gently. I could almost get lost in how comfortable it was.
“You look beautiful,” Thea’s mother whispered as she snapped a photo of me. “Goodness. Your mother would be so, so proud. Well, maybe a little shocked about you being withnine?—”
“Okay, Mom, thank you,” Thea muttered, wrapping an arm around her. “You look amazing, Ives.”
If I spoke, I was pretty sure I’d break down. I wasbarelyholding back my tears. My best friend was in a violet dress like the ones the girls wore, her hair curled and neatlypinned back. Thea’s mom also wore a dress, though hers was a deep purple, almost mother of the bride style, which made me want to cry more.
It was hard to wonder what it would be like for my mother to be here. Thea’s mom was right about Kerry. Some part of her might have felt pride, but she also probably would have found it difficult to accept that this was my life. That I loved nine people equally, that they loved me, and we were building a future—a long, happy one—together.
Thea offered me a small smile as Eloise took my hand. “Mom might have been weird about it, but she would think you look really pretty,” she murmured, entwining our fingers. “I think you do.”
“I do!” Maisie announced, jumping up to me. “You look the best.”
I chuckled, holding back the tears. “Thank you, nugget. And you, too, El,” I murmured. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”
She hadn’t spoken about our mom in months. Sometimes, the younger two mentioned her. Mostly in passing, in a reminiscent way. They cried some nights because they missed her, but they still didn’t quite grasp the heaviness and the finality of death. I had to wonder if some part of them thought she was going to come back, no matter how many times we explained it to them.
Eloise, though, was more reserved with how she spoke about Kerry. She kept it to herself or her therapist.
“So,” Vanya said, clearing her throat. “Are you ready to meet your mates?”
A shaky breath fell from my lips as I smiled, taking in everyone around me. My friends, the ones who truly meant so much to me, were here with me on one of the happiest days of my life. Who somehow hid all of this from me. But who cared? Ididn’t. At least my mates knew me well enough to know I’d want them here with me.
Thea’s mom, stepping in for my own, offered a comfort I didn’t know I needed. It hadn’t occurred to me I would miss my mother on a day like today, or feel so conflicted over her. But somehow, this woman who helped nurture and protect me growing up, was exactly who I needed at my side.
And my sisters. My sweet sisters, who had experienced so much loss, were the lights of my life. They were so excited. It was clear they’d known for a little while by the way they talked about it, which made my happiness grow.
It was the perfect start to forever with my mates.
