Chapter 37

Layla's eyes shot open. She couldn't believe today was the day—the one she'd been waiting an eternity for. It felt like since first falling in love with Zyair.

"Wake up, baby! Today's the day I'm going to marry your daddy."

The baby gave a kick in response.

She caressed her belly, smiling to herself. She hoped she would still fit in her dress.

She swung her legs out of bed and did a little twirl on the way to the bathroom. Today, she would wear a smile all day long. She was sure of it.

She held her hand out and looked at the promise ring Zyair had given her, the white rubber gasket. He had offered to replace it when he found out the ring was usually made of precious metals, but she wouldn't allow it. This gasket meant more to her than diamonds and gold. This was a true measure of his affection for her.

As soon as they realized she was awake Willow, Gianna, and Scarlett came rushing into her room to help her get ready. She had only met her three sisters-in-law recently, but she loved them all dearly already.

"Oh my goodness, look at the size of your belly," Willow exclaimed. "You must be due so soon!"

"I'm not sure, it could be different because the baby will be part-Lorr," Layla said anxiously. "If it's the usual nine months, I'm due very soon."

"It should be pretty much the same," said Gianna. "I went a little over when I had mine, but Scarlett had hers early."

Willow put her hands on her own flat stomach. "I've got something to tell you," she said.

The three women looked at her and the position of her hands. "No!" squealed Layla in excitement. "Are you pregnant, too?"

Willow nodded. The three women were over the moon for her.

"It's a double celebration today then!" exclaimed Layla.

Willow smiled broadly. "Okay, but this is just us for now. It's early stages, and Trigg and I don't want too many people knowing yet."

Layla was so happy for her since they'd been trying for some time. This day was getting better already, even though when she first woke up, she couldn't imagine being happier.

Once the three women had finished primping and curling Layla's mass of brown hair, she looked like a real-life fairy-tale princess. Her dress glittered and shone in the sunlight, sparkling with rainbow hues and flashes of delicate, tasteful sequinning.

All four of them were escorted in the Royal Silver Flyer to the venue. It was the pride of King Vrondo, appointed with every convenience Layla could imagine. If she wasn't so desperate to get there, she would have liked the journey to be longer so she could explore.

The path from the flier to the venue had been laid with a red carpet. He must have researched Earth customs again, thought Layla.On either side of the carpet stood the royal guards in full regalia.

Layla wished they could have kept the ceremony small and had it at home, but once the king had gotten involved, things had gotten a bit carried away. But even then, it didn't matter. If Zyair was the groom, it was perfect.

Her sisters-in-law were more used to the royal pomp.

"Come on. You'll be fine," whispered Scarlett in her ear. "Chin up, back straight, and just keep looking ahead."

"Come on. We've got your back," said Willow reassuringly from the other side.

Layla mustered all of her resolve and set off down the long red carpet, her three bridesmaids preceding her.

She had always dreamed of her wedding, but this was more than she had ever thought possible. She truly was marrying her prince. A real, live warrior prince to keep her and her little one safe and happy. And she was happy. Ecstatically so.

Her smile grew wider as she walked toward the huge open double doors. She wasn't sure her feet were even touching the ground as she entered the royal venue. Her heart was fluttering like a small bird trapped in her chest.

The hall was packed. Everyone stood as she entered, mouths open in awe. And there at the end of the aisle stood her magnificent Zyair in full dress uniform, tall and proud. His horns were wrapped with fine gold thread and set with precious stones, creating a halo around him.

Just for a second, she halted her steps in awe of the splendor. Her cohort of bridesmaids swept her on through to the waiting Zyair.

Zyair held out his hand to her when she approached, helping her up the wide steps until she stood by his side before the dais of King Vrondo. The moment her hand touched Zyair's, all of her nervousness fell away from her. She lost herself in his mesmerizing, calming violet eyes, and she knew she could face anything as long as her mate was by her side.

"I love you," he said, just audibly enough for her to hear.

"And I love you," she replied, her eyes welling up with tears of joy. She blinked them back rapidly. It wouldn't do to be wedded to the royal prince with a red, tear-stained face.

The king cleared his throat, drawing their attention away from each other. He smiled at them and spoke the words to bind them in their lives together. Two attendants came out bearing a ruby sash, which was wrapped around them and tied ceremoniously between them.

This was it, their moment of perfect union. Zyair leaned down and kissed her. Then he bent awkwardly forward and kissed her big round belly with such tenderness that the tears overflowed.

Scarlett leaned across and surreptitiously handed her a tissue. "Thanks," Layla mouthed, dabbing at her eyes and being careful not to smudge her makeup.

Scarlett just grinned at her and gave her a thumbs up.

The party afterward was magnificent. Layla felt she would burst with pride as all the guests came up to wish them well and congratulate them.

The speeches were lengthy but touching, as royal speeches tended to be. She knew about King Vrondo's bitter responses to his other sons marrying Terran women, including the exile of his eldest.

She was pleased, then, to hear that he genuinely seemed to bear some kind of affection toward her, and that his stance on humans had softened considerably since getting to know his daughters-in-law.

In his speech, the king praised Layla's bravery in helping the Lorr forces retrieve the Desolation Stone, and he celebrated her role in saving the Lorr species from certain doom. There was much cheering when the king finished his speech, and many eyes were turned to her in approval.

She wished fervently that he would rescind his royal decree banishing his firstborn son, Kozien, and his wife, Gianna, from living permanently in the kingdom. But she knew he was a stubborn man, and forgiveness was unlikely to come overnight. She did feel it was a positive step that he had agreed to them attending the wedding. She even noticed the king and Kozien talking during the reception.

There was dancing, singing, and revelry well into the evening and even into the early morning. Bands had been brought in from around the galaxy to play for them.

Finally, as the sun came up and they couldn't bring themselves to celebrate any longer, the remaining guests lined up to form an aisle. As the happy couple walked along it, the guests reached out and touched them on the shoulder or the arm, wishing them well in their life together.

Layla couldn't have been happier.