Here Comes The Bride (19 page)

For the next three hours we discussed decorations, seating, menus, entertainment and set up times and days
to meet with Pierre. Once we had finished, Viola turned to me with a large sigh and a small smile.

"I’m starving." She wrapped her arm in mine again. "Let’s head out for lunch."

"Sure," we left the Grand Prospect. I was exhausted.

"How do you do this all the time?" I asked Viola as we sat waiting on our salads to arrive to our table.

"Oh, I just keep those kids in my head and my heart." She sipped her water. "They are my drive to do all of this, having you with me on this is such an amazing help as well. I’m thrilled that you decided to help me." She smiled warmly, but must have seen my hesitant smile. "What is it?" She asked.

"Um…I don’t know if I should work with you ‘officially’. I mean, I love helping you, but I’m still not sure that it is a good idea –"

"That’s nonsense! It is a wonderful idea." She smiled.

"But in four years…Viola
, I won’t be… I mean, Aidan could eventually meet someone –"

"Look
, I’m going to be blunt and I don’t want you to be offended, okay?" I nodded and bit my lip. "I love Aidan, but I love you too, my dear. Even in the short time we’ve known each other. Regardless of what happens in four years, I know you’re the person that should be working at the foundation with me. I saw the way you were with those children and I see it every time you are with them." I smiled at just the thought of them.

"See!" she pointed at my face. "That’s what I am talking about." She reached over and grabbed my hand. "Lilli, you are an Iverson now. You’re Aidan’s wife and
, by marriage, you are automatically a very huge part of the foundation, legally."

I raised my eyebrow
, questioning.

She took a drink of her water and then took a deep breath.

"I run the foundation, yes. However, Aidan owns the foundation. It was a part of his inheritance. As his wife, it’s more like your inheritance."

"My…wait…what?" I furrowed my brow.

"The foundation belonged to Aidan Senior’s first wife, Isobel. Aidan Sr. basically did whatever she asked of him, she was his true love." She smiled warmly. "The foundation was then taken over by Olivia, Aidan Senior’s second wife. So, you see, technically, it’s now your foundation to run."

"I would never take that from you. You’ve had it and managed it. Well
, hell, Viola, I could never –"

"Oh Lilli, I run the foundation because I want to, because I love those children and because Aidan Senior asked me to help Olivia before she passed away." She patted my hand. "You should be involved. Olivia would have wanted it and
, from what I know of Isobel, she would want you involved as well."

Before I could talk to her more about this revelation
, our food was brought to the table. Viola changed the subject to table placement, seating, and table arrangement. We talked over lunch for over an hour before heading towards our next destination, an appointment with an event decorator and planner. It was time to discuss decorating options.

After two hours of fabric textures, lighting, flowers, frosted or clear crystal, and many other décor options, we had finally decided on flat matte black table clothes, all white dishes, silver flatware, frosted glasses, tall
, clear, crystal vase centerpieces with long stemmed white calla lilies and a red, satin ribbon wrapped around the neck of the vase. White votive candles would line the tables underneath the flower arrangements. We would have flat white draperies that had intricate black crystal beading lining the walls and the stage. And this was just in the Grand Ballroom.

The Skylight Room would have white couches instead of tables with black pillows and white roses would be the centerpieces for the large
, square, black coffee tables.

The Atrium was already so full of plant life that we decided on simple black chairs and tables
, along with one large bundle of white peonies in the middle. The Night Club would have red accent lighting against the walls with zebra print chairs and furniture cushions.

By the time I got home
, I was beat. I drug myself into the kitchen where a happily busy Rachel was finishing up dinner.

"Oh, Mrs. Iverson, Mr. Iverson called and stated he wouldn’t be home until late, but I should go ahead and prepare dinner." I nodded. Aidan had text
ed me earlier to tell me.

"Rachel, please
, call me Lilli." I smiled at her and then turned to the fridge for a bottle of water.

"Okay…Lilli." Rachel smiled back at me. Since Aidan wasn’t home
, I sat in the kitchen with Rachel and her son, eating dinner with them. Rachel’s son was very smart and loved football.

After dinner I helped clean up, even though Rachel tried to object repeatedly. Then I headed to a long hot bath before collapsing on the couch in the library with a book.

The rest of the week went the same. I spent my days with Viola and Aidan worked late. I only saw him early in the morning, which was very brief, since we were both busily getting ourselves together for the long days ahead of us.

Viola had me so involved with the preparations for the ball, along with other foundation things, that I now carried a leather messenger bag
. My IPhone was loaded up with business contacts, information, as well as my new work email address. I realized, a little too late, that I was in so deep with the foundation in just a matter of days that getting out would almost be too difficult to consider.

I was thankful for today though. We were not making ball arrangements. Instead
, we were visiting two of the children’s homes. I nearly ran to the car when Viola pulled up to the house. We talked about different financials and dinners that would be coming up in the next six months as we drove out to the first home.

On our way to the second children’s home
, I got a call from Phoebe.

"Hey you," I answered with a smile.

"Hey!" She almost shouted. "So, we need to do a shopping trip." Phoebe was stating this firmly.

"Why do we need –?"

"Dresses, Lilli. We need dresses, masks, shoes, etcetera." She said it like I was an idiot.

"Ugh. Can’t you just pick out my dress for me
? You know my size." I begged.

"Oh…Lilli…if you are talking about gowns for the ball
, I have it taken care of." Viola chimed in with a large smile.

"Phoebe, Viola has my dress taken care of, sorry." I got smug a little too quickly.

"No, no. I’m having dresses brought to my house, just as I did for the wedding. Tell her and Celia to come over on Saturday and we’ll all go through them. There will also be a seamstress there to make adjustments and changes."

I groaned and repeated it all to Phoebe.

"Oh. My. God. I love her!" Phoebe practically sang. "I’ll call Celia and we will meet you at your house Saturday morning!" She quickly hung up.

"Thanks a lot
, Viola," I playfully scowled at her as she laughed.

"You are so welcome!" She giggled. "It’ll be fun
, Lilli. We can make it a brunch."

As I was about to say something
, we came to a stop in front of the children’s home and were quickly out of the car, heading through the front door.

It was after four o’clock when we said our goodby
es. "Lilli, call Rachel and tell her that you will be coming to my house for dinner."

"Oh, Viola, you don’t have to –"

"Nonsense, I know Aidan is working late again because Liam is. Plus, Maggie is sick of not seeing you." She wrapped her arm in mine and we climbed into the car. I called Rachel during the drive.

We entered Viola’s immaculate home
and were greeted by Maggie and a very large, dark skinned boy. If it wasn’t for the youngness on his face, I would have sworn he was a man. He was huge, at least six feet tall and muscular. He was beautiful.

"Lilli!" Maggie jumped off the couch
, tossing a text book into the boys lap as she hurried to me.

She squeezed me tightly and I hugged her back.

"It’s good to see you too, Maggie" I giggled.

Pulling away with a large smile
, her face seemed to brighten even more.

"I want to introduce you to my boyfriend." Grabbing my hand
, she pulled me toward the boy who was standing as we approached.

Holy shit he had to be over six feet tall! "Lilli
, this is Jason. Jason, this is Lilli," she motioned between us as she introduced.

I put out my hand.

"It’s nice to meet you," I smiled at him and he shook my hand. I swear I could’ve fit both of my hands in his one.

"Thanks, I’ve heard a lot about you from Maggie." He smiled at her lovingly when he said her name. She was smiling up at him, barely coming to his shoulder.

"So, what have you two been up to?" Viola breezed into the room and kissed Maggie on the forehead.

"Just studying," Maggie picked up a text book from the couch and held it up with a cringe on her face.

We stood talking to each other for a while. Maggie started talking about school, then the discussion turned to the dress fitting we would be doing on Saturday. She was beyond thrilled and turned to Jason, telling him that she would take him to get a tux for the event. He smiled at her, but Viola and I both noticed the nervousness on his face.

After dinner
, Viola and I sat discussing seating arrangements over a bottle of wine. When she pulled out the second bottle, I started to get a little weary about the results that could occur. Two glasses into the second bottle and naughty Viola emerged.

"So, how do you set up the family tables?" I asked.

"Well, we typically put the family at one large table together; however, we’re slowly increasing our numbers, so we may have to spread out over two tables." Then she eyed me curiously. "So, how’s the sex coming along?"

I choked and spit half
of my sip of wine into my glass.

"W-what?"

"Oh come on, you have to be fucking. Aidan is in way too good of a mood to not be getting any." She laughed and took another large drink.

"Oh Jesus, Viola, I think it’s time to put away the wine and call it a night." I laughed and tried to grab the bottle out of her way, it didn’t work. She grabbed it first and smirked at me.

"So, tell me about it? I bet he is like his uncle –"

"Okay, do not start telling me about Liam, please! I will never be able to look at him again." I laughed harder than before.

"Oh nonsense, Lilli, Liam is a master in the bedroom. Well, wait, he’s a master in the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining room –"

"Stop," I laughed. "I just ate on this table. I don’t want to hear about what you two do on it." I put my face in my hands.

Viola giggled loudly.

"Hey, we have a healthy sex life. What about yours?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"It’s…it’s fine." I said quickly and, before I got in a chance to change the subject, she continued to pressure.

"Oh, it’s just fine? Well, then maybe he doesn’t have his uncle in him…though
, I do love it when his uncle is in me." She giggled wildly at her own joke. I couldn’t help but burst into more laughter.

Tears were streaming down our cheeks and loud cackles were pouring from our mouths as Liam entered the room.

"What’s so funny?" Both of our heads shot over to Liam, who was leaning against the doorframe with a raised eyebrow. I looked at Viola the same time she looked at me and we burst into more hysterics. "You know what, I don’t think I want to know." Liam chuckled and shook his head as he headed to the kitchen.

Quickly after Liam arrived home I excused myself and said goodnight, though I was still randomly giggling on the drive home.

I walked into the door and was greeted by Jay, who took my coat.

"Good evening
, Jay," a little intoxication laced my words.

He grinned knowingly.

"Good evening, Mrs. Iverson. I take it you had a pleasurable evening with Ms. Viola?" I could see him biting back his laughter.

I slapped his shoulder roughly.

"You could say that," I giggled and headed toward the stairs.

"Mr. Iverson is in his study," Jay shouted after me.

As I climbed the stairs, I shouted back over my shoulder, "Thanks Jay, but I think I need a shower and to go to bed." My unexpected hiccup seemed to accentuate my need to go to bed. I heard Jay chuckling lightly as I continued up the stairs.

After my shower I felt cleaner, but dizzier. Damn Viola and that second bottle of wine!

Stumbling, I exited the bathroom and completely missed seeing Aidan. Wrapped in only a towel, I headed toward my oversized closet.

Bent over my built in dresser
, I looked for a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, trying not to topple over. Two arms wrapped around my waist. I jumped, causing me to grab the dresser with both hands and my towel to loosen and slip from my body.