Here Comes The Bride

Dedication & Special Thanks:

To my husband, you know how you are the best supplier ever. Thank you for fueling my reading and writing addiction.

To all of my readers, long timers and newbies, without your support I would be lost. You are all so amazing.  Thank You for taking a chance on a little author like me.

* * * * * * * *

This book is dedicated to all the children out there who grow up without parents, role models, or any support from a loving family. Please know that somewhere someone loves you and wishes you the best.  I'm one of those people.

Blurb
 

We are gathered here today…

LILLIAN SNOWE has finally succumbed to Aidan's relentless pursuit. But, before they say 'I do', the surprises begin. Some good and some bad, it becomes clear that while some want them together, there is an outside force trying to tear them apart. Lilly just isn't sure she is cut out for this kind of life.

AIDAN IVERSION III is about to put the worries of his employees, board and family at ease. He is about to secure his wife. Grand gestures and small tokens are his tool for seduction, but it turns out all he needed was better vision. Feeling ready to stake his claim on his inheritance and his wife, a disaster may take away what he needs most.

You are cordially invited to the union and marital bliss of Aidan and Lillian Iverson.

Prologue
Months Earlier

"Are you sure about this?" She asked in a hushed tone.                           

"Of course I am. It needs to be done."
I responded. "You have the correct prescription, right? Lillian Snowe?"

"Yes, it just came over twenty minutes ago. I grabbed it before the pharmacist could and replaced it." Her tone was uneasy.

"Good." I sighed heavily, a small amount of guilt forming in my gut. I quickly shook it off. "Make sure she gets the pills."

"What if someone finds out –?" I cut her off.

"I’m doing what needs to be done for my family! You’re being compensated extremely well, don’t you dare back out on me. I don’t want to have to remind you again about the information I –"

"I never thought of you as a man capable of this
, Mr. Iverson." She was on the verge of tears. "When I met you, you were genuinely wonderful, now… well, now…you are a conniving, selfish, spoiled –"

"Enough, I don’t need a lecture from you," I shouted. 
Getting my temper under control before someone in the office overheard, "Just do what you’re being paid to do. I’ll handle the rest."

"Fine." She snapped. "I cannot believe I let myself think you were a decent –"

"I could care less what you think of me. There needs to be an heir. I’ve made promises that an heir is being conceived, so there will be one. Do your task, Becca!" Hanging up the phone, I put my face in my hands.

My door opened.
I looked up, it was Liam, concern etching his face. “Are you alright?"

I nodded. "What can I do for you?"

"The Regalie’s have arrived to discuss the venture." Liam watched me closely. He would never understand what I was doing.

"Wel
l then," I stood from my desk "let’s meet with them." I collected myself and headed out of my office, Liam flanking me.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"You're sure that it's handled?" I asked for the fifth time, still nervous and worried.

"Don't worry about a thing, Mr. Iverson, it's all been arranged. I can assure you that everything is taken care of." I still didn't feel at ease by his words, but I guess I had to be.

"Doctor?"

"Yes?"

"Are you sure that they are reliable?" He sighed heavily before answering.

"Will you please have a little faith in me? I have been assisting your family for how long?"

"Of course, I apologize. I just, I need this to be kept under extreme wraps
, that includes the rest of my family." I was very firm on the end of my sentence. My family had to remain unaware.

"I understand
, boy, now stop worrying about this. You have a wedding to prepare for." He chuckled and we said our goodbyes.

I sighed and began looking through paperwork. Suddenly
, my phone buzzed.

"Yes
, Amy?"

Chapter One
Here comes the Bride, Bought and Paid for
Aidan

"So,
golden boy, feeling a little frustrated lately?" James cackled. James, Dixon, Oscar and Liam had come over to my place after dinner for drinks.

"What?" Dixon's face twisted in confusion.

"Oh God, Dixon, Aidan clearly isn't getting any and by the way he and Lilli were interacting tonight, it's pretty fucking obvious he’s dying." James and Oscar both started laughing at my expense.

"Shut up, jerks." I chuckled and tossed back my drink.

"Hmmm...do you need a little lesson in the art of seduction, son?" Liam smiled at me.

"I swear to
God, Liam, if you tell me one more thing about you and Aunt Vi, I will throw this glass at your head."

"I second that," James laughed.

Liam put his hands up in surrender.

"Okay, okay..I was just trying to offer
you my extensive knowledge." He shrugged and took a drink from his glass.

"Hmmm...I'm not above hearing about these techniques." Dixon wiggled his eyebrows.

"Don't fucking encourage him, Dixon!" I laughed out. "Why don't you help me with Lilli?"

"Yeah, you know her better than anyone else in this room –" James added, getting up and going for a refill.

"Dude, I’m not helping you seduce my best friend. That is just...eww, no." Dixon shook his head and cringed.

"You're shit out of luck
, Mister." Oscar chuckled out. "Stock up on lotion." Everyone’s laughter rang throughout the room.

"Hey, wait...she'll have to sleep with you eventually. I mean
, you guys are supposed to have a kid, right?"

I nodded in response to James
’ question.

"Yeah, but she's got that one figured out too
. Invitro."

"She’s smart." Liam blurted and then took in the look on my face. "Sorry." He smiled with a slight shrug. "Honestly
, Aidan, perhaps you should try backing off and just being friends. It may take awhile but at least you won't go four years with...well, with nothing."

I sighed and sat back.

"She offered to let me have a mistress, said she would play the girl off as her friend." I blurted, still in disbelief that I didn't take her up on the offer.

"Seriously?" James sp
uttered. "And you didn't take her up on that shit?" I shook my head. "You're insane." He plopped back down into the chair he had been sitting in.

I sat up and reached for my glass. Out of the corner of my eye I caught Liam looking at me.

"What? You think that I’m crazy too?"

"I’m just honestly surprised that you...that you didn't do it." He eye
d me up a little.

I shrugged.

"I'm not going to risk getting caught and losing everything I’m trying to gain and protect."

"Are you sure that's all it is?" Oscar
gave me a scrutinizing look. "That sounds a little rehearsed."

"Of course I’m sure." I furrowed my brow at him and headed toward the bar for a refill.

"Well, assholes, I need to get home so that I’m looking fan-fucking-tastic tomorrow at the wedding." Dixon stood up, running his hands through his hair like he was James Dean.

"See you tomorrow." I shouted from the bar.

"You know what time to meet us here, right?" Liam yelled after him.

"Sure do. The evil lawn gnome sent a damn itinerary to my phone." He laughed. "I swear to
God, Liam, I don't know how you've handled her and Viola doing all this shit."

"Son, you will soon learn that you will do a lot of things for that special woman. Mine happens to be my wife." He smiled proudly and I felt a twinge of jealousy.

"Or you’ll do a lot for some kick ass pussy! How did that rubber dick come in handy, Liam?" Dixon laughed out loudly.

"Don't answer that!" Shooting Liam the death glare, I stalked around the bar. "Dixon
, I’ll kill you!"

Dixon hurried out the door laughing boisterously.

"I think I’m going to retire as well. In fact, we all should." Liam stood up.

"Yeah." Oz agreed and walked up stairs with him.

James downed his drink and ran upstairs behind them.

"I'll be up in a few." I shouted out.

"Getting cold feet? Do I need to block the doorway?" James yelled from upstairs before slamming the bedroom door shut, obviously not expecting an answer.

Chuckling, I started to walk around the apartment. I noticed one of those hair bands women used to pull their hair up. Picking it up, I put it to my nose and inhale
. It smelled like cherries, like Lilli. Groaning slightly, I silently cursed myself for sniffing a headband like a stalker.

No
, James. There won’t be any need to block the doorway.

After finishing my drink I decided it was time to head to bed.
Reaching the top step, I found myself drawn to her door.  There was an unexplainable pull toward her. Pressing a hand against the door, it opened and I walked in.

Looking around the room
, I saw some books she seemed to read over and over again. It was an unusual collection, anything from Steven King to Jane Austen. Her taste in music taste was eclectic, as well. Hell, she had music ranging from Johnny Cash to Marilyn Manson to 3oh3!.

I found myself drawn to the few pictures she had around. Picture
s of her and her father, her and her mother, her with a group of very large dark skinned men on a beach (I wasn't a big fan of that one) and a picture of Her, Dixon and Phoebe together. This picture caught me off guard. Not that it was bad, it was clearly playful, but the three of them were outside and the leaves around them were brown, orange and red. Dixon was crouched down on the ground with Lilli on his back and Phoebe was on hers, all of them wearing the largest smiles. I longed to know her like that.

~ ~ ~
~ ~

The next morning
I woke to someone shouting my name.

"Aidan! Where the hell are you man?" Rolling over
, I buried my head in the pillows. Cherry. Mmm...it smelled cherry and floral. My eyes shot open and looked around at Lilli's room. I must have passed out on her bed last night. "Here you are. What the hell are you doing?" James looked at me with an evil grin.