Chapter 27

Dalia

I t's the day of the wedding, and my nerves are practically dancing with anticipation. The room is alive with the buzz of excitement and activity, hair and makeup artists swirling around me, each brush stroke and hairpin transforming me into a breathtaking bride.

After Lev proposed, things moved very quickly as he didn’t want to put off the marriage any longer.

I'm sitting in the middle of this beautiful chaos, trying to calm my jittery heart with deep breaths, feeling both elation and a hint of nervous anticipation.

Maura and Elena, looking absolutely stunning in their bridesmaid dresses, are providing much-needed laughter and lightheartedness. They're chatting away, their stories drifting over to where I'm sitting, making me smile.

A sudden wave of nausea sweeps through me, and despite my best efforts to hide it, it must show on my face because Elena and Maura are instantly at my side. Elena places a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

Maura, who’s always had a knack for reading me like an open book, chimes in with a half-teasing, half-serious tone, "Is it just nerves or the baby stirring up trouble? Or maybe a little bit of both?"

“Hard to say,” I reply. “The morning sickness has been killer this last week.”

Their attention and care make me smile, easing the discomfort slightly as the hair and makeup team announce they’re finished.

"Why don't you take a look?" one of them suggests, gesturing toward the full-length mirror.

I stand on shaky legs and make my way to the mirror. The reflection that greets me is almost unrecognizable. My dress is a stunning creation of soft lace and flowing fabric, the bodice intricately detailed with floral embroidery that cascades down into a full, graceful skirt.

My hair is swept up in an elegant updo, loose curls framing my face to soften the sophisticated style. The makeup is perfection—subtle smokey eyes that enhance my features and a soft, rosy hue on my cheeks giving me a radiant glow.

Maura, catching sight of the sparkle in my ears, compliments, "Those diamond earrings are just dazzling, Dalia!"

Elena, her eyes sparkling with mischief, laughs. "You'll have to tell Maura the story behind those someday. It’s quite the tale.”

Maura perks up, intrigued. "Is that right?"

I can't help but grin, feeling even more woven into the fabric of this family. As I turn to admire the different angles in the mirror, I catch sight of my tiny baby bump, a sweet reminder of the new life joining today's celebration.

Maura leans in slightly. "So, are you going to find out the gender, or are you going to wait and be surprised?"

I pause, my hand instinctively resting on my bump. "I’d like to wait until the birth, but Lev, as you know, likes to have all the information as soon as possible. So we'll see."

Elena and Maura step back to take a full look at me, their expressions both of awe. "You look absolutely stunning, Dal," Maura says.

Elena, who's usually the tough, composed one, has tears glistening in her eyes as she steps forward to give me a hug. "You're really part of the family now.”

Their words and warmth wrap around me like a blanket, fortifying me against the nerves and filling me with gratitude.

As laughter and chatter fill the room, a twinge of sadness sneaks up on me. My face must give away my feelings because Maura suddenly comes close, her voice soft. "Hey, what's wrong?"

I let out a little sigh, caught between happiness and heartache. "It's all amazing, really, and I’m over the moon about joining the Ivanov family. I just wish my parents could be here, too."

Elena's eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Why aren't they?"

My heart tightens a bit as I explain. "My family's pretty old-school, especially my dad. He really pushed for me to let him pick my husband. I told him I wanted to find love myself. I thought he’d let it go, but when I called to tell him and my mom that I was getting married, he blew up and I haven’t heard from either of them since.”

I recall the shocking conversation I had with my parents a few weeks before. Even though my dad has always been old-fashioned, I never expected him to shut me out. Or for my mother to go along with it. I’ve been gutted about it ever since.

Elena squeezes my hand, her presence comforting. "Look, there’s always time for making up later," she says. "Today is about you and what you’ve got right here."

Her words, filled with warmth, help lift my spirits.

Just as we're soaking up the last bit of girl time, someone peeks their head through the door. It's Grigori, looking sharp and slightly amused by the buzz of activity in the bridal suite.His eyes sweep quickly over Elena before he speaks.

"Ladies, it's showtime," he announces with a grin, signaling that the ceremony is about to start.

Maura and Elena instantly wrap me in big, warm hugs, filling the room with even more love, if that's possible. "Go get 'em, beautiful," Maura whispers, giving me an encouraging squeeze.

Elena gives me a quick, strong hug and a bright smile. "You've got this."

Then they're off, leaving me in a moment of solitude. I wander over to the window, pulling back the curtain to take in the view. The day is gorgeous—sunny, with just a few fluffy clouds scattered across a brilliant blue sky. It's not exactly the wedding I daydreamed about when I was a little girl, but honestly, it's pretty darn close.

I’m about to marry an incredible man, I’m carrying our child, and I’m enveloped by a new family that's shown me what unconditional support looks like. What more could I possibly ask for?

With my heart brimming with joy, I take a deep breath, ready to step into this new chapter. I turn from the window, my dress swirling softly around me, and head toward the door.