~ WEDDING DAY ~

It amazed me how quickly everyone scrambled to accommodate the wedding, even with the interruption of Christmas. Nearly every person we invited could attend, along with plenty of nosy paparazzi who hung around outside to get candid shots. Rather than the Waldorf hosting the nuptials, Bates and his partner Gerald insisted on having the ceremony and reception at the small theater Vincent supported, and the dressing room became the official changing room, with every female in the wedding party doting on me.

"I'm so glad Deidra didn't damage your dress," Wren said as she surveyed my gown from top to bottom. "I expect she didn't have the heart to do it since she is personal friends with the designer. It would have been terribly poor form."

"So, she does have some principles," I said.

Sylvie stepped forward and held out the Jaipur bracelet Vincent had given me in Verona. "Your jewels, my lady," she said with a bow. "And I also have the earrings Colin bought me so you can wear those if you'd like." She attached the bracelet to my wrist then held up the earrings, giving me a questioning shrug.

"Thank you, Sylvie. I will consider them as something borrowed, like that ancient wedding tradition."

"You have never been traditional, chica, and you better not start now."

"Heavens no."

We grinned at each other while everyone bustled around us, and for a moment my world didn't include murderous relatives and supernatural queens. It felt normal... almost. I was reminded where I was when a knock came at the dressing room door and Charleton's voice echoed from the other side.

"Reese, if you're ready, your father and I are here to escort you to your mate."

"Okay," I answered weakly.

The thing was, I didn't feel quite ready. My stomach had been off all morning, and I had a dizzy spell inside the Escalade on the way over, which I hid from Vincent. Of course, I wanted to be with him more than anything in the world, but I had never committed myself to anyone. Now, here I was getting married after knowing my future husband for a measly ten weeks. Ten weeks! It was damn scary. What if he became too controlling? He had the tendencies. And our gollum lifestyle was sure to have me waiting anxiously during those late nights when Vincent fought the bad guys.

I didn't have much time to ponder my future before Mom slipped her arm inside mine and offered me her cure-all smile. "You look absolutely radiant, Reese," she said as she kissed my cheek gently. "Your father and I are so proud of you. You've made a wonderful choice with Vincent."

"I know, Mom. He's amazing."

"You're nervous, aren't you?" she asked as she fiddled with a curl coiled next to my face. "That's completely normal. Just remember, we all love you and we're here to support you."

"Thanks."

I held tightly to her arm as we walked out of the room, and everyone proceeded to the stage, which had been set up with the same props used for the theater's production of A Midsummer's Night Dream. Thousands of lavender and pale blue flower petals had been strewn across the floor, surrounding a white gazebo. From the topmost point, streamers in pastel colors swagged to the edges of the stage, making it look like a maypole. Even the air had been scented with the perfume of lilacs, a favorite of mine.

Vincent stood waiting inside the gazebo, dressed smartly in a black tuxedo accented with a baby blue tie. He looked distinguished and all-powerful, like a king or a god. Jonathan and Colin stood next to him, both looking equally dashing, but it was my mate I couldn't take my eyes off despite my faltering steps. Only when I reached the platform and Vincent held out his hand, did I glance down to make sure I made it up without incident.

"Reese, I'm speechless," Vincent said as he stared at me through soft, gray eyes.

"I would say that's a first, but I'd be lying."

We smiled at each other like smitten school kids, and the ceremony went off without a hitch. Sam Martin acted as justice-of-the-peace, something he claimed he did to be invited to more parties, while a pair of photographers captured the event, one near the gazebo and one in the audience. When we finished our vows, Vincent's kiss had people sighing, and I caught Colin looking away, although something else might have distracted him.

The theater soon took on the vibe of a festival, with a monstrous spread of food luring all the guests backstage. This was where Bates and Gerald really let their creative juices flow, with more pastel colors, strands of fairy lights, and a big screen TV where guests could upload wedding photos as the party progressed.

With my legs still wobbling like jelly, I had Vincent escort me to the buffet table for nourishment, and he helped me fill a plate. He knew nothing about my annoying nerves, and he wasn't going to find out if I could help it. As I was sizing up a heavily frosted eclair, William and Adele joined us, along with her six month pregnant belly, which, for a gollum, meant she was nearly there.

"Reese, that dress is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," Adele gushed. "I would get married again just to borrow it."

"Did you and William get married?" I asked.

"Not technically, but we had a ceremony."

"And you looked like a princess in your dress," William said as he touched a kiss to her temple. His doting gesture was enough to make me cry. "Congratulations, Reese. I hope you and Vincent will be very happy and continue the illustrious Valentino legacy," he said. "Now, with your permission, I would like to borrow your husband. The guys want to give him a personal toast."

I grinned at William and all his formality. He totally reminded me of Prince William. "Of course. Vincent's leash has a good fifty yard radius."

They enjoyed my joke, and Vincent swooped in for a kiss. "I am only a whistle away, Mrs. Valentino." He left me with a grin that had Adele laughing into her hand.

"Oh, brother. He is so gone," she said. "I have never seen Vincent this happy."

"I'm pretty damn happy myself," I said as I watched Vincent and William meet up with Rafael and Adam. Rafael was holding a full bottle of Cognac.

Sylvie slipped up next to me and offered Adele a wave. "Hi, Adele. Are you giving Reese pointers on how to achieve your stage of roundness?"

Adele patted her belly affectionately. "I never thought being a beach ball could be so rewarding. Despite the inevitable stretch marks, I wouldn't trade this experience for the world." She glanced at the table and her eyes rounded. "Ooh, eclairs."

I quickly reached out and snagged the eclair I had been eyeballing. "This one is mine, but help yourself to any of the others."

With the eclair already in my hand and so close to my mouth, I went ahead and took a bite. The burst of chocolate and cream sent my tongue into a screaming orgasm, but that only intensified the weak-kneed feeling I'd been battling all day, and before I knew it, I was sinking to the floor, spilling the contents of my plate all over my designer wedding dress. Sylvie ended up behind me with her hands under my armpits, and she was the only person I recognized for the next few seconds as I was carried to a chair.

"It's okay, Reese. We got you." Sylvie's reassurances continued until I had been propped upright and someone handed me a glass of water.

"Thank you," I mumbled as I took several gulps.

"You know, they should make a fainting chair for weddings," I heard Sylvie say over my head. "I've read about brides passing out at the altar."

"I didn't pass out." I lolled my head backward so I could look at her. "Unless this is a dream and you're in it."

"It's not dream. The next time you wake up, you'll still be married."

"Reese!" Vincent's voice carried across the room, and I barely registered the flashing of cameras as he appeared in my line of vision. His face held less color than my dress. "What happened, baby?"

"Low blood sugar?" I offered lamely. "It's been known to happen."

"I'll vouch for that. You were diagnosed with hypoglycemia as a child." I heard Dad's voice among the bodies, and I sought him out, smiling when I found him. Then I smiled at Vincent, tying to dispel his worries.

"There you have it. Straight from good authority."

"Where's all the food we just put on your plate?" Vincent asked.

"I believe it's on my dress."

"Someone get Reese a plate of food, please." As soon as Vincent shouted his request, several blurs moved away from my peripherals, and I recognized one of them as my dad. Vincent remained kneeling by my side until the first person arrived with a plate. Griffin had put everything chocolate on it, and I immediately went for the eclair.

"Thanks, Griffin. You knew just what I was craving."

"See. I already know you so well." She grinned at me and Vincent ruffled her hair playfully. The exchange had me tearing up for some reason, but I fought the urge to cry so Vincent wouldn't worry.

Once I had three full plates of food in front of me, and I'd polished off my second eclair, faces started coming back into focus. Vincent stood, and that's when I noticed his gollum brethren standing by. Rafael still held the bottle of Cognac, and it was still full.

"The color's coming back to your cheeks," Mom said as she handed me a cracker.

I took a bite, glancing at the photographers across the table and wishing they would find someone else to stalk. Of course, my little spell was going to be the highlight of the entire event. "I definitely feel better."

"Are you sure?" Vincent said as he pressed his palm over my forehead. "Your skin is clammy."

"It's warm in here. And I am wearing a long-sleeved wedding dress. Go have your toast. I can see the Cognac hasn't been opened yet."

I gestured to the bottle in Rafael's hand as he held it up for display.

"Don't move from this spot," Vincent said. "Promise me."

Sylvie clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "What if she needs to use the bathroom."

Vincent caught Sylvie in his CEO gaze. "Come get me and I will escort her." He leaned into my ear, first kissing it then whispering into it. "I can't wait to get you home, wife."

I nearly swooned again at the seductive undertone of his comment. Good thing I was sitting down, and I stared after him dreamily as he walked away with Rafael. Adele lowered into the chair next to me, handing over another cracker as she eyed me suspiciously.

"You're pregnant," she said when she had my attention.

I looked at her like she was high on pregnancy hormones. "Excuse me?"

"You're exhibiting the classic signs. Lightheadedness, nausea, tearing-up at the slightest thing."

"I haven't teared-up," I lied.

"You haven't cried, but you've been on the verge. I've been noticing it ever since the dressing room."

"Me too," Amelia said, and her sentiments were mimicked by Griffin, who gave me a toothy grin.

"My wedding day is not the time to speculate whether or not I'm pregnant," I argued as I pretended to be interested in the items on my plates.

"When was your last period?" Adele asked. "Just curious," she added when I shot her a narrow-eyed look.

"November tenth." The only reason I remembered the date was because I had been at Vincent's cabin when it happened, and while I nibbled from my mini-buffet, Adele did the math in her head.

"Okay, considering you're regular, you could have conceived between November twenty-first and the twenty-fourth," she said. "Given that you're a gollum, implantation would have occurred two to three days after that, which would make you five weeks pregnant."

I let her finish her speech before bantering back. "I'm not regular. I range anywhere between twenty-four and thirty-two days."

"That's regular for a gollum, which means you could be pregnant," she said with confidence.

Damn.

Adele was right. I'd been ignoring my bodily functions for a while now, but who could blame me. I had shit going on.

"You need to do a pregnancy test, Reese," she admonished. "Do you take a multi-vitamin? Folic acid?"

"No, but I'm conscientious about what I eat." As I said this, I pushed away the plate of chocolate delicacies.

"That's great, but you need more when you're growing a baby. Please, do a test. The ones from the drugstore work on gollum's too. And you can pick up some vitamins. I'll tell you which ones I use."

Adele's lovely face appeared stricken as she pleaded with me. Would she think I was a horrible mother for failing to rush off to the obstetrician on my wedding day? I offered her a reassuring smile and a pat on the arm.

"Okay, but after the reception."

When the excitement of my near-fainting spell wore off, and I had been left with the dregs of my food while Sylvie went to find out about the cake cutting ritual, Vincent returned and sat in the chair next to me.

"Hello, Mrs. Valentino," he said as he planted a kiss on my lips. The Cognac on his breath had enough potency to get me high. "You look impossibly beautiful. How are you feeling?"

"Much better, thanks. I'm sure it was just wedding day jitters. That's not the same as cold feet," I said as a follow up.

Vincent took my hands and folded them inside his. "Any female who is willing to accompany her enemies to search for her lost mate must either be crazy or hopelessly in love. I'm going with the latter."

"Good choice." I hesitated a moment, holding back the words I had planned to add. I wanted him to know what Adele and I talked about, but our wedding reception probably wasn't the best place for it.

"What is it, Reese?" he said as his gray eyes captured me, reeling me in so easily I didn't even try to resist. "There is something you want to tell me, but you're not sure about it. You know I can read you like a book, baby."

I smiled at my lap where our hands were clasped. "I know, and it's damned annoying."

"That's beside the point. Out with it." Vincent released my hand, using a finger to lift my chin, and he held my gaze until I relented.

"Adele is convinced I'm pregnant."

I watched as Vincent's eyes grew to the size of eclairs, then his mouth slowly unhinged, and just when I started to think he had left his body, he spoke. "Are you late?"

"Yes."

"How late?"

"A month or so. Adele thinks that's why I nearly passed out and why I've been extra emotional. Of course, wedding day jitters will do that too."

More silence built between us, and I tried to decipher what he was thinking. Was it the same thing I was thinking? That it was too soon. How was it he could read me so well, while I could only tell when he was grumpy or horny?

"We can find out right now, if you'd like," he said. "I'll have someone run to the drugstore for a test."

"I don't want to know. I don't want it to change us."

Vincent suppressed a frown as he brought his hand up to touch my cheek. "It will not change us, at least not for the worse. I want to share everything with you, including children."

"But, I was looking forward to ropes in the rec room."

"You still want to try that?"

"I told you I did."

Vincent's lips lifted into a smile. The smile I knew he reserved only for me. "Well, wife. There is nothing to stop us now."

~ THE END ~

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks so much for reading to the end. How many of you didn't think gargoyles had feelings? Book three has been removed for a deep revision. I will let everyone know when it's back on the platform.

Stay freaky,

M. Rider