Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

Bastian smoothed the stray strand of hair away from my face. His eyes were soft and full of love just for me. Everyone else in the room melted away. “You're perfect,” he whispered. “I'm so glad you're here.”

“Me too.” I beamed up at him. He smiled back and kissed me, soft and sweet, but full of promise. For a moment I wondered if one of the upstairs rooms were empty...

“Bastian!” A masculine voice called out and Bastian released me from his kiss. “Great party.”

Bastian looked over at the voice and smiled before turning back to me. “Now, I'd like you to come meet Jack and Emma.”

“For real?” I asked. I had been sure the offer had been just meant as one more parting blow to Chad. “I get to meet Jack and Emma Saunders?”

“Yes,” Bastian answered. He shook his head like I was asking if we were having wine later. He had every intention of introducing me to his billionaire friends.

“Just one more question,” I said, pulling on his sleeve. Bastian stopped and waited. “How late is this party supposed to go tonight?”

He grinned, joy bubbling in his eyes. “Until after sunrise, my love.”

Sunrise Kisses: Epilogue

It's dark outside. The stars twinkle and the gray promise of dawn has started. The sun will rise in exactly 9 minutes. I know this because I have had the hour and minute circled on my calendar for the past six months.

“Your mother would be so proud of you,” Dad whispers. He's said it at least fifty times already today, and a thousand more yesterday, but I still smile. I wish she could have been here for this. There is an ache in my heart for her, but I know that she's here in spirit. She wouldn't have missed today for the world.

“Five minute warning,” Charlotte announces, stepping into the small room where I've been getting ready. “Sunrise in seven, but we have to get you down there.”

Butterflies alight in my stomach. I press my palms against the smooth satin of my dress, trying to tell the butterflies to settle once again.

Dad clears his throat. He stands in front of me and takes my hands in his. Tears make his eyes glisten and I can tell that he's holding his emotion back. I hug him, pulling him close. He wraps his arms around me, holding his breath. I feel like a little girl for a moment, cradled and safe with my father.

“Your mother asked me to give this to you on your wedding day,” Dad says, slowly releasing me. A tear trickles down his cheek and I know I'm about to start bawling at any moment. He reaches into his suit jacket pocket and pulls out an envelope. “She made me promise.”

My hands tremble and it's taking everything I have not to cry. Charlotte hands me a tissue.

“It's okay,” she whispers. “There's a reason they make waterproof mascara.”

The envelope is wrinkled and there's a small tear in the corner, but my name is on the front in my mother's hand. I trace the letters, imagining her writing it and smiling. I open it.

Dearest Ava,

I wish I could be there today to cry at your wedding. Instead, I will be watching you from above and loving you with all my heart. I love you so much and I'm so incredibly proud to have called you mine.

Love you more than words

-Mom

I dab at my eyes and I don't dare look over at Dad because I know I'll lose it. There's something else in the envelope. I shake out a thin silver chain with several petite charms dangling from it. There's a replica of the Eiffel Tower, a paintbrush, a heart, and tiny angel.

I smile and turn to Dad. His cheeks shine in the pale light as he helps attach the delicate bracelet to my wrist. It's perfect.

“It's time,” Charlotte says quietly. She hands me another tissue and takes my used one. “It's a good thing I stocked up on these.”

I chuckle. I was right to pick her as my maid of honor. She certainly has become my best friend in the past year. Though, Bastian and I did have a small squabble over which one of us got her, I had won the argument since he had Gabe and Leo.

Charlotte and my best friend from high school walk out the door. Dad offers me his arm and I thread mine into his. He smiles and guides me out the door and out onto the sand.

The sky is alight with pink clouds and golden promise of the coming dawn, but I don't see it. I don't see the ocean's beauty reflecting the colors of the sky or the people I love standing on the beach. There are three men waiting, but I just see Bastian.

He's wearing a light gray suit that matches his eyes. His face splits into the biggest grin I have ever seen as I approach. I'm not nervous anymore. I'm not scared. I'm excited and incredibly happy. I don't care about the rest.

“Who gives this woman to be with this man?” The minister asks.