Nathan’s POVIn true Dante style, the party was already a success, having only just begun. He had hired pole dancers and had two additional poles delivered to the apartment. The dining room table had been moved to accommodate a makeshift dance floor, and there were a lot of scantily clad people bumping and grinding out there. The two extra poles flanked the dance floor. At the same time, the one in the middle of the cement coffee table was also being put to good use.Amelie, right now, is at my side and greeting all the people who come our way. Mostly, people we didn’t know, but she welcomed everyone and was gracious and poised.I wrapped my arm around her waist and hugged her close to my side. She looked up at me and smiled both with her mouth and her eyes. I will never get enough of her looking into my eyes. I can’t believe it's only one week from today that she will be my wife. If I have the choice, she will stay that way for the rest of our lives.When all the people had stopped f
Nathan’s POV“Hey, everyone,” a voice came over the speakers. It was Dante. “I’d like to thank everyone here for coming tonight. Of course, we are here tonight to celebrate one of my best friends, Nathan, and my future 2nd wife, Amelie, tying the knot next week.”A cheer went up from the crowd.“Now we need to see which one of them knows the other better,” Dante smiled. “Let’s get the happy couple over here.”Fuck Dante, what are you up to?Amelie and I headed to the dance floor.The waiter handed both of us a shotglass of clear liquor.“We’re going to ask each of them five questions, and if they match, they get a point. The one with the most points wins. The loser, well, they get to pole dance for the other,” Dante stated.Amelie turned beet red while the crowd went wild.“But first, if everyone can raise their glass in honor of the happy couple,” Dante said. “Nathan, you’re one of my best friends, basically like a brother to me. Amelie, when you finally get sick of the stock market,
Amelie’s POVI led Tiff to one of the bedrooms and shut the door.“What’s going on?” I asked.“What the heck am I doing?” Tiff said, putting her hands over her face.“What do you mean?” I questioned.“I just broke up with Peter, and I’m making out with Samuel,” she cried. “I’ve had a few drinks, but I don’t think I can use that as an excuse.”“Tiff, don’t cry.” I reached over and hugged her. “Shhhh, calm down.”“Samuel is such a nice guy, and honestly, I’m drawn to him,” Tiff explained. “I can’t explain it. It’s like this magnetic draw, but I shouldn’t have jumped into something so soon.”“I totally understand. I had that feeling with Nathan,” I continued. “It was like electricity between us.”“Yes, that’s exactly what it felt like!” Tiff stated. “It’s just I shouldn’t be jumping into anything three days after Peter dumped me.”“That’s really for you to decide. No one can put a timeline on grief and healing,” I hugged her tighter. “I will support you in whatever path you decide.”“I t
Amelie’s POVThe party continued until the early morning hours of Sunday. By that time, everyone was either highly inebriated or very drunk. I was even feeling a little tipsy myself. Nathan was drunk. I had never seen him like this. We were snuggled on the couch, sipping on our cocktails and chatting with a bunch of partygoers.“So Simon,” Nathan said. “You are in our marketing department.”“Yes, Dr. Michaels,” Simon replied. “I’m one of the managers in the department.”“Good on you, Simon,” Nathan continued. “I’m going to be giving you a new hire after Christmas.”I looked at Nathan, puzzled, “Who are you hiring, schmoopie?”“Tiff,” Nathan stated. “I wanted to give her a position to thank her for all that she’s done for you, kitten.”“Really?” I hugged him. “Baby, she’s going to be thrilled!”“You think so?” Nathan smiled.“Absolutely,” I grinned. “Thank you so much for doing this for her.”Samuel walked over from the kitchen, “What did I miss? Why is Amelie smiling like she’s the ca
Amelie’s POVZander woke up in the ambulance but was totally out of it.“I’m here, Zander,” I said nervously. “Everything is going to be ok.”“I need to know if Zander takes anything else,” the paramedic said. “Anything else?”“What do you mean?” I replied.“Any recreational drugs?” She asked.“Absolutely not,” I exclaimed. “He’s a good kid, plus he gets tested for football.”“It’s ok,” she smiled. “I believe you.”“Does it look like something like that?” I questioned.“He looks like he’s reacting to something,” she said.“Thank you for all that you’re doing for him,” I said with a smile.She reached over and put her hand on mine. “Thank you,” she said. “We don’t get a lot of appreciation at our jobs.”“Well, you deserve all of it,” I declared.The ambulance pulled up to the emergency department, and I hopped out. Zander was taken to the front desk on a stretcher, and the paramedic began checking him in.“Oh, Zander Cavanaugh? Dr. Michaels called to inform us. Follow me,” the receptio
Amelie’s POVOf course, Nathan had to walk in at that exact moment. Think fast, Amelie.“Nathan,” Morgan spoke. “Amelie is worried about security for the wedding.”“Is that what you're concerned about?” Nathan asked.“Ummmm….yeah. I mean, I don’t want anything to spoil the day,” I whispered.“Oh, Amelie,” Nathan reached out and hugged me. “Why didn’t you say something?”“I didn’t want to bother you, Nathan,” I spoke. “You have enough on your plate with work and everything.”“Amelie,” he said as he leaned back and looked into my eyes. “Your safety is the most important thing to me.”Stop saying things like that, Nathan! I thought to myself. It rips my heart out knowing you don’t have feelings for me like I have for you.“Ok, I think I’m just overthinking things because I’m tired,” I sighed.“Well, I’m prepared to tell everyone to fuck off if you need to sleep,” he grinned.“Nathan!” I giggled.Nathan kissed my forehead and then walked off to the living room with a few of the water bott
Amelie’s POVThe next few days flew by in the blink of an eye. Zander was released from the hospital. Nathan had called the pharmacy, which insisted the prescription was filled correctly. Morgan decided to do a bit of investigation on her own. She said she would keep me posted on her findings. I attended my appointments with Dr. Yvonne on Monday and Tuesday.It was now Tuesday late afternoon; Tiff, Zander, and I were in the media room watching a movie when Nathan came home.“Hey, Schmoopie,” I greeted Nathan.He smiled and walked over to me. “Hi, Kitten,” he said, then kissed me on the top of my head. “Remember, we have dinner with Alfred and his wife tonight at 7:00 pm.”“How could I forget?” I grimaced.Nathan chuckled to himself.“Hey, Tiff,” Nathan turned towards her. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”“Really? What about Nathan?” Tiff questioned.Nathan sat down on the arm of the sofa behind me. I instinctively leaned my head against him, and he stroked my hair.“I want to give
Nathan’s POV“I like the fact that Amelie wants to work, actually,” I disclosed. “I like seeing her brilliant mind at work. I’d support her either way.”I glanced at Amelie, and she had a huge smile on her face.“Well, Alfred isn’t a billionaire, but if he were, I wouldn't lift a finger,” Fiona replied.“Fiona, you don’t lift a finger now,” Alfred chuckled.I looked at the dining room door and saw a little tiaraed head peek out.“Eliza, are you coming to visit your princess?” I asked.Amelie looked over at the door. “Queen Eliza, are you there?”Little Eliza tentatively walked into the room.Alfred had a stern look on his face. “Eliza, you know not to interrupt adult meals. Go back to your room.”Amelie stood up and headed over to Eliza. “Oh, Alfred, she’s not interrupting. She’s joining us for dessert.”Amelie scooped Eliza up in her arms and carried her to the table.“Would you like to sit on your throne, Your Majesty, or would you prefer to sit on my lap?” Amelie asked.“Can I sit
Nathan’s POVThe music started up again, and I looked down the aisle, and the sight left me breathless. Amelie, on her brother’s arm, looked like an angel. My love. My everything. My goddess. I wanted to drop to my knees and worship her. She looked like she was on the verge of tears, but not sad tears, happy ones. Could she want this as much as I do? My eyes welled up with tears, and I gently wiped them. Amelie smiled at me, and a mile-wide grin broke out on my face.She slowly glided down the aisle as if she were walking on air. Time stood still as I willed it to speed up so I could touch her and taste her as we sealed our life together with a kiss.I quickly looked over at my mother, and she looked shocked. Like she wasn’t expecting Amelie to be walking down the aisle, I’d have to look into that later. I didn’t want to waste another second of my gaze on her.Amelie and Zander neared me, and I stepped forward to take her hand. The touch was electric. I could tell we both felt it.Zan
Amelie’s POV“Amelie!” Tiff declared. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”“Mon Ami,” Simone breathed out. “I was ready to claw her eyes out.”“Me too!” Philipe uttered.“Sorry, everyone,” I stated. “I needed all of your reactions to be realistic.”Sergio spoke, “Bella, we must hurry. Time to get the real masterpiece on you.”Morgan was already behind me, unlacing and unclasping like a woman possessed.I held my arm over my bare chest as they dropped the prototype to the floor, and I stepped out of it. Immediately, I stepped into the actual dress, and Morgan was clasping and lacing me back up.“Oh my gosh, Morgan, did you do something to the dress?” I smiled at her.“I might have done a bit of extra embroidery on the corset,” she said sheepishly, “and I did this.”Morgan pointed to the small train at the back.I gasped. Morgan had embroidered the A & N scrolled writing elegantly on the hem. Followed by today's date.“Oh, Morgan,” I cried.“Don’t hug me!” Morgan warned. “No one touches
Amelie’s POVMy style team, along with a few extra stylists, is working on everyone’s hair and makeup right now. The photographer has been snapping pictures of everything, and the champagne is flowing. I have nursed on a single glass for the past two hours. I want to be able to remember every single detail of this day. Every moment. I want to remember walking down the aisle towards Nathan. I’m fairly certain I’m going to start crying at some point. My vows, which I have chosen, tell Nathan exactly how I feel. Whether he believes that or not, I’m expressing them. At least it will be a good show for everyone in attendance.Carrington made everything perfect for us in the room. We all have matching robes and slippers that have our roles embroidered on them. He also has necklaces and earrings laid out for my ladies.The photographer advised me she had the wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses out in the flower conservatory for pictures this morning. She stated there was so much security sh
Amelie’s POVJust as I was going to leave the dining room, Carrington walked in.“Amelie, my beautiful granddaughter-to-be!” Carrington said as he walked towards me and embraced me in a hug.“Carrington,” I hugged him back. “Thank you for everything that you are doing for us today.”“Amelie, you and Nathaniel are my family. You remind me so much of my beloved Jo-Jo. You are literally the best thing that has ever happened to Nathaniel.”“He is the best thing that has ever happened to me, Carrington,” I replied.Carrington leaned into my ear, “I know you love him, Amelie.”I pulled back and nodded.“Tell him, Amelie,” Carrington exclaimed.“I am tonight,” I advised and smiled.“Good,” Carrington grinned. “Now, you and all your gorgeous ladies need to start getting ready. Your style team, photographer, and Desiree are all waiting for you. One of the spare rooms on the main floor, just beside the grand staircase, had been decorated and set up for you to get ready for the wedding.”“Thank
Amelie’s POVBeep beep beep….ugh, stupid alarm clock. Five more minutes. I didn’t sleep that well. The bed at Carrington’s mansion was comfortable enough, but the lack of Nathan’s arms around me was very noticeable.Suddenly, my eyes open in shock at the realization that today is the wedding.I’m as nervous as hell. In four hours, I will become Mrs. Amelie Michaels, but the thing that makes me more nervous is the fact that I’ve already decided to tell Nathan that I’m in love with him when we get back to the Honeymoon suite. I don’t know how he’s going to react, but I need to do it. I can’t hold back the truth anymore. I’m in love with Dr. Nathaniel Carrington Michaels. I hope the feeling is reciprocated, although it doesn’t matter either way. I can’t live 3 years of my life pining in secret.I talked to Dr. Yvonne about expressing my emotions at our last session. I didn’t tell her it was a contract marriage, however. I told her that I had a hard time telling Nathan my emotions. She ha
Amelie’s POVOf course, Vivian needs to make herself the center of attention by any means.“No worries,” Carrington stated. “I’ll get someone to clean that up. We'd better have dinner before Zander passes out.”I giggled.Soup, salad, and main entrée were served. I noticed the chicken selection was my mother’s Cordon Bleu recipe and smiled. I mouthed thank you to Carrington, and he smiled.“Carrington, you must get your chef to give me the Cordon Bleu recipe,” Vivian spoke. “It is simply divine.” Vivian took another bite and moaned.“Actually, Amelie can give you the recipe,” Carrington advised. “It’s her mother’s recipe.”Vivian started choking.“Mother, are you ok?” Nathan asked.Vivian took a swig of her water. “Yes, just a little too much seasoning on that bite.”“Your mom must have been an amazing cook,” Dutton stated.“She was,” Zander replied. “I don’t remember much about her, but I do remember the family dinners. Mom put so much love into her cooking.”“That’s a special memory
Amelie’s POVWe all made our way to the dining room. I could see that Tiff was kind of hiding from Samuel. So I grabbed her and told the others to go on ahead without us.“Are you ok?” I asked.“It’s just a little awkward,” Tiff replied. “Samuel makes my heart race when I see him, but I still need time.”“I understand,” I said.Nathan came out of the dining room and headed towards us.“Is everything ok?” he questioned.“Tiff is just feeling a little awkward with Samuel,” I stated.“Ah, I see,” Nathan responded. “I thought that might be the reason. I made sure he’s not sitting across from Tiff.”“Really?” I smiled.“Yes, really,” Nathan grinned.I moved towards Nathan and hugged him.“You’re so considerate, my schmoopie,” I squeezed him tight.“Well, the more considerate I am, the more hugs I get,” Nathan teased.“Oh, so that’s how it is. All a ploy to get me to smush you,” I said, raising my eyebrow. “I’m on to you, mister.”“Oh no, I’ve been discovered,” Nathan chuckled.“I’m onto yo
Amelie’s POVI packed up everything I thought I would need for the night at the mansion. It almost felt like I was packing to move. Luckily, Nathan had a bunch of suitcases in the storage room. While in the storage room, I looked through my mom’s jewelry case. I needed something old for the wedding tradition. I found a beautiful ring. I remember my mom wearing it all the time. It had an ice-blue diamond in the middle and white diamonds encircling it. It was just some costume jewelry, I’m sure of it. There is no way my father would have had enough money to buy her the real version. It was perfect, though. It sparkled like crazy. I slipped it on my right hand.After I was done packing, I texted Tiff to let her know we were ready to leave. She said she would meet us down in the parkade.I descended the stairs and saw Zander with his duffel bag and Nathan sitting on the couch.“Are you moving out?” Nathan joked. “I was just up in the bedroom and saw all the suitcases.”“Nah, I kind of lik
Amelie’s POVI woke up this morning cradled in Nathan’s arms. It’s my favorite place to be. I just lay there staring at the ceiling. I can’t believe that tomorrow I will be Mrs. Michaels. I sighed and snuggled into Nathan. I felt him stretch behind me.“Good morning, almost Mrs. Michaels,” Nathan uttered“Good morning, almost Mr. Cavanaugh,” I joked.“Hey, that’s Dr. Cavanaugh, alright?” he teased.“So, what’s on the agenda today, future hubby?” I asked.“Well, I need to go to work, unfortunately, for a couple of hours,” Nathan replied, “but don’t fret. You will be whisked away to the spa with Tiff, Morgan, and Kimmy. Full treatment.” “Man, I have it rough,” I laughed.“I know, right?” Nathan chuckled. “Then we have a rehearsal dinner tonight at Grandfather’s place. You need to pack up because Grandfather insists that the groom does not see the bride, so you’ll all be staying at the mansion tonight.”“So excited!” I clapped my hands together.“But first,” Nathan said.There was a kno