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  Here Comes The Bride

  (Modern Arrangements Series – book 2)

  by Sadie Grubor

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Copyright 2013 Sadie Grubor

  Cover Art by VST

  This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any existing means without written permission from the publisher. Contact Author at [email protected].

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The characters are products of the author's imagination and used fictitiously.

  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.

  "Well 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 sputtered. "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 eyed 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, a
ssholes, 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. Pictures 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.

  "Nothing, I'm coming." I responded curtly.

  "Only in your hand," James laughed and walked away. I groaned at his stupid attempt at being funny.

  I got up quickly and dragged my ass to the coffee machine before getting ready for the wedding.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Lilli

  Luckily I was able to convince everyone that I needed some sleep, so they didn't pressure me into staying up and talking all night. However, Phoebe woke me earlier than I wanted. Since she brought food, I let her live.

  "It's your day!" Phoebe bounced and clapped. "I brought coffee and croissants."

  Groggily, I sat up and thanked her.

  "Eat, get in the shower and come downstairs for the full breakfast. Then we get started! I’m so excited!"

  I groaned.

  "Fine." Honestly, I just wanted this day to be over.

  I stayed in the shower for as long as I could. Phoebe had me on some damn time line. She knocked about fifteen minutes into my shower to get me moving. Wrapping up in a robe, I headed downstairs.

  "Good morning, babe!" My mother pulled me into a large hug.

  "Mom, I really need to talk to you." She looked at me confused. "I don't think it's fair for you to think that this," I motioned to everything, "is real." She furrowed her brow. I sighed, sat her down and started from the beginning.

  Cracking my knuckles, I waited while she processed what I just said.

  "Well...you’re a grown woman and make your own decisions. Besides, I can see the way you two feel about each other. Even if you both don't see it yet." She shrugged and stood, walking toward the kitchen.

  "W-what?" I quickly followed after her.

  "Oh Lilli, you are so blind sometimes. He wants you and you want him. It's just a matter of time." She wrapped her arm around my shoulder.

  "Mom –"

  "You see it too!" Viola said cheerfully.

  "Of course, Aidan looks like he wants to eat her." My mother laughed joined by Viola, Celia and Phoebe.

  "What did I miss?" Maggie appeared in the kitchen.

  "Nothing," I groaned.

  "How Aidan and Lilli are going to be perfect together and they don't even realize it yet." Celia giggled.

  "Oh that," Maggie shrugged.

  "Not you, too?" I scowled.

  "Jesus Lilli, the first day in the club his eyes were all over you and the smile on his face when you would talk to him was insane. It’s the same way Dixon looks at me." Celia laughed out. "Then that day he attacked that groper at the bar," she broke into laughter.

  "Aidan attacked someone?" Viola looked startled.

  "No...It's not like that –"

  Celia cut me off by going into the whole story. Groaning, I started shoving eggs and toast into my mouth.

  "Someone hand me a fucking mimosa." I growled. They all laughed at my pouting.

  Viola and Phoebe had two make-up artists and two hair stylist brought in to work on all of us.

  Lance was working on my hair, pulling it all up into intricate twists and curls. I sat there for over two hours sipping water and nibbling on toast, cheese and crackers. My ass had started to go numb.

  Once he was finished, Kammie started on my make up with strict instructions from Phoebe. My eyes, smoky but neutral with a slight hint of green. My cheeks naturally blushed and my lips were tinted red. It wasn't overpowering or heavy, so I was content.

  Slipping into the dress, my mother helped to zip and button me up. I could see the tears already starting in her eyes.

  "Mom, don't start crying, please. You'll smudge our makeup because I’ll cry with you."

  "I'm trying not to." She sniffed. Phoebe handed her a tissue.

  "Lilli, you look amazing!" She bounced with excitement.

  "You look lovely, dear." Viola smiled wide.

  "Uh, Lilli, if you’re trying to keep Aidan from putting his hands all over you, that's not going to help."

  "Maggie!" Viola slapped her playfully. "Stop it!"

  Turning, I looked into the mirror. This was it, my wedding day. I was the bride, bought and paid for. Sighing heavily, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and looked at myself again. I did look nice. The stylists and makeup artists did a great job and it all pulled together perfectly.

  "Okay, now for the important stuff." Phoebe smiled largely.

  "Something borrowed." Phoebe held up her mother's ankle bracelet. "I want this back." She eyed me playfully.

  "Phoebe I can't...that's –" Phoebe smiled and crouched down to the floor to put it on my ankle. Phoebe's mother had died when she was in college and it was the last thing her mother had given to her.

  "Something blue," Maggie walked over with a navy blue garter belt and a large grin. "Hike that dress up, baby!" She laughed and then added, "Just like you’ll be doing later."

  I burst into laughter.

  "Margaret!" Viola yelled at her teenage daughter, trying to stifle her laughter.
r />   "Something old." Viola stepped forward and held out small silver trinity earrings. "These were Grandma Isobel's."

  "Viola, I can't...those should be used for –" Viola shook her head.

  "These were put away to pass down. Eliza wore them on her wedding day and it’s only right that you wear them today. It will be Eliza’s way of being here." Swallowing hard, I took the earrings, putting one in each ear.

  "And something new," My mom put the necklace Aidan had made for me around my neck.

  "A sixpence for your shoe," Celia leaned down and slid the coin into my shoe.

  "Thank you. All of you." I felt the twinge of guilt from all of this. These were things that should be happening for Aidan and I, when we marry someone for love, not convenience.

  "Okay, time to head to the lighthouse!" Phoebe grabbed the flowers and passed them out. The limo was waiting for us and we climbed in.

  Arriving to The Lighthouse at Chelsea Pier, we were ushered in by the wedding coordinator that helped Viola. As we stood in a back room, I looked around at the women in my life.

  My mother was talking animatedly with Viola, both of them looking stunning in champagne colored dresses. Viola's dress was classic, while Sarah's dress was freer flowing. Phoebe, Celia, and Maggie were all beautiful in their dresses. Celia's hair was pulled up into large curls, almost Marilyn Monroe like. Phoebe's short black hair had been slicked back in a 1920's type of fashion. Maggie had actually allowed her hair to be curled but I had the hair stylist use a burgundy hair extension and work her hair into almost a pinup look.

  Viola and Sarah left the room to be escorted to their seats. I took a deep breath as a knock resounded on the door. Assuming it was Dixon, since he agreed to walk me down the aisle, I kept my eyes on my reflection in front of me.

  "Lilli?" I spun around.

  "Dad?" Rushing to him, I knelt down next to his wheelchair. "What are you doing here? How...you should be –"

  "Calm down." He chuckled. "Did you think I wouldn't be here?" I smiled and fought my tears. "Of course I was coming. Thanks to Aidan, I got here."