Between Shadow & Ruin (Fangs & Fae Saga Book 2)

ninety-eight.

"Liz, I'm so nervous! Why am I so nervous!?" Aria said, as she paced around my living room. I chuckled, remembering how calm and cool I was on my own wedding day.

"I don't know, but you have no reason to be. Everyone is here to celebrate you and Ray," I said.

"It's okay to be nervous!" Val said, grabbing her arm. "I was a wreck that morning, you remember. Liz was all 'I need a cigarette' and walked around like nothing in her jeans. I screwed up my makeup three times! I damn near called the whole thing off because of it," she said, laughing. "But seriously, Aria. You look beautiful. We're ready ahead of schedule. I was just about to call the guys and see how they're doing." Aria took a deep breath.

"Yeah... yeah... Everything's fine." As Val left the room to call Chris, I took Aria's arms in my hands.

"Aria... deep breath. Look at me. In... Out... In... Out..." She closed her eyes as her breathing calmed. I heard Ella come into my bedroom.

"Mo – I mean, Aria... you look so pretty!" Ella said in amazement.

"I haven't even gotten my dress on yet..."

"Yeah, but I've never seen you with your hair and makeup done like this..." Aria's hair was pulled back and Val added extensions to give her a bun full of curls. Her make up was classy, long eyelashes, and a neutral shadow all accentuated Aria's natural beauty. Aria grabbed Ella's hands.

"Thank you," Aria said with a breath. "And... I heard that. It's okay if you want to call me that..." Aria and Ella embraced tightly. Val came back in the room – her navy dress light and airy, flowing behind her as she turned the corner.

"They're ready! Everyone's waiting for us! Let's get you in your dress, Aria." Val grabbed the bag hanging over the bed and unzipped it. She pulled out the dress – a long sleeved, blush lace dress with a plunging neckline in the back. Aria stepped out of her robe and Val helped her put the dress on, and zipped it up for her. Val fluffed Aria's bun and Aria immediately walked over to Val's vanity to look at herself in the mirror.

"Do you think I went too much not having a white dress? And you guys in navy?" she asked, running her hands down her sides.

"Seriously? Val and I didn't wear white," I said. "If I had my way, I wouldn't have worn a dress at all..." I said, giving Val a side glance.

"We wore champagne dresses. And you wore dark green! You don't have to wear white..."

"I know. I just... when I was little, I always pictured this all-white fairy tale wedding, but Ray and I... we don't fit that ideal."

"You do whatever fits you as a couple," I said. "And you look fucking hot. I'm pretty sure Ray's going to be waiting to rip this off you the second he sees you."

"I hope not! This dress cost a lot of money!"

"You know what I mean... You two have been together forever, but that first time after being married... I don't know. It's different," Val said.

"Ugh, guys!" Ella said. "I'm still here you know!" She laughed.

"Sorry, Ella," we said, laughing.

"I guess it's a good thing Bee and I are staying here..."

"You're only staying here because we're not going to leave you two alone for a week!" Aria said. The four of us headed downstairs where Ava was waiting for us on the couch and Skylar was sleeping in her playpen.

"Auntie Aria! You look like a princess!" Ava said.

"Thanks Ava," Aria said, kissing her forehead. We all got into my car, and I drove all of us to the hall. Val, Ava, and Ella went inside while I waited with Aria in a side room.