Chapter 553 - Wedding day (S&F) (7)

"What do you think?", JoAnna twirled on her toes to show Jeff how she looks from every angle.

Jeff didn't miss that the long light blue pastel dress is hugging her body just right; there is a slit on right side of the dress that reaches high on her thigh, and her back is exposed with a deep V opening. There are few strings forming overlapping 'X' patterns over her open back, making sure that silky material stays in place.

Jeff pulled her close and whispered in her ear: "No bra?"

JoAnna rolled her eyes seeing his mischievous grin and whispered back. "Out of all this…", she gestured from top to bottom. "…you notice that I don't wear a bra?"

He laughed and answered her original question: "You are enchanting."

"That's better!" JoAnna smirked, happy that he complimented her.

JoAnna saw that Aiden and Sarah are about to kiss. "No, no…", JoAnna tugged Sarah's arm. "No kissing! You will ruin makeup. Keep that for after the ceremony."

They laughed.

"Is brother-in-law out already?", Sarah asked.

They all looked around for Felix. He was with the guys a minute ago, it seems that he left just before girls came into sight.

Felix came from other side of the hallway. They assumed he went to the restroom. He looked nervous.

They all encouraged him.

"You look great!"

"You can do this!"

"It will all be fine!" ...

Felix was touched with their concern and laughed. That eased up the tension.

The wedding coordinator came in and ushered Felix outside.

"It's time!", Sarah and JoAnna exclaimed in unison, and they followed behind Felix in twos: Gustav and Leah, Jeff and JoAnna, and Aiden and Sarah.

…

Felix was standing at the end of the flowery tunnel. By his side was city mayor who will conduct the ceremony. On the left are Gustav, Jeff and Aiden, and on the right Leah, JoAnna and Sarah.

All faces are turned to the door of the villa, waiting for Edward and Sophia to emerge.

Soft music starts playing, and two of them step into sight.

Edward walked proudly with his back straight while holding Sophia's arm. He was doing his best to stay calm as memories came into his mind of baby-Sophia, how she crawled, walked. Memory of her first rash and how they rushed her to the hospital in the middle of the night. How he taught her to ride a bicycle, how he attached a swing to the branch of a tall oak tree and then spent hours every day pushing little-girl-Sophia until she had enough of the swing for the day… And now she is all grown up… getting married. And it's official: another man will take his place as the most important one in Sophia's life. He took a deep breath and looked lovingly at Sophia.

Sophia was dazzling in a body fitting off-the-shoulder white gown with a sweetheart neck which at the same time hid and emphasized her bust area. The lower half of the gown is a floor-sweeping trumpet skirt with a train. Sun revealed detailed embroidery which shimmered in silver.

Her hair was a work of art. Numerous braids, twists and turns formed a bun at the back of her head which was speckled with hundreds of white pearls. Veil was not over Sophia's face. It was attached to her hair and flowed in the back as she walked.

Sophia locked eyes with Felix and she didn't notice any other person present. With every step closer to him, in her mind, images flashed of how they met, how he insisted to have coffee with him, how he ordered duck when she wanted a steak, the silly game they played while seducing each other, how he filled her office and apartment with flowers, and how he still does that. How he made her say that she wants him to touch her, and how he took her rock climbing. And those hands… he knows how to use his hands to make her lose herself. Sophia remembered how more than once he got her fired up and left her hanging, and that culminated with her locking herself with him in the bedroom. She giggled at that thought. Felix meticulously creeped under her skin and integrated himself into her life without her knowledge. And now she knows that she is the luckiest girl alive to have such a man to herself.

Felix watched Sophia with a smile which revealed his dimples. He was in a daze, overwhelmed with happiness that this perfect woman wants to stand by his side. He knows that she is self sufficient and can do everything by herself. But she choose him. She choose to rely on him. And she said that when they have a misunderstanding, they will talk about it. And when they hit an obstacle, they will go over it together. Together. That is all he wants from her.

Everyone's eyes are glued to Sophia who is only few steps away from Felix. Three steps… two steps… one step… Edward took Sophia's arm which was holding onto him and placed it in Felix's. Felix and Edward exchanged nods and Edward walked to sit next to Stella while Sophia took half a step closer to Felix.

Felix leaned closer to Sophia and whispered: "You are beautiful."

Leah, Sarah and JoAnna heard Felix and they exchanged happy glances.

Mayor started his talk about the marriage. It's a standard talk which you didn't hear only if you didn't attend a wedding so far.

Sarah didn't forget about Sylvie. She noticed that Sylvie is fidgeting. '…obviously up to something.' Sarah tapped her earpiece and gave instruction softly: "Eve, if any of them start talking or want to stand up before ceremony is over, shoot." JoAnna heard that and gave an approving nod.

Sarah was happy that Sophia and Felix were focused on mayor and didn't notice her instructing Eve. She does not want them distracted from their moment.

Sylvie was not happy. Not happy at all. How did it reach up to here already? She had plans, she wanted to cause problems… but that scary woman distracted her. And intimidated her. And she lost track of time, and now her son is already there, in the middle of the ceremony. Her mind was spinning with different ideas how to stop this. She does not want to cause a scene in front of everyone, but how can she stop this without one?

Charlotte was looking at Felix and Sophia and she understood why Bridgette told her to wait until the ceremony and see for herself. It's impossible to miss that two of them are in love. Charlotte likes Felix, he is good looking. But does she love him? Sylvie talked so much that she is the perfect partner for Felix and that she is her future daughter-in-law that Charlotte accepted it without thinking about her own feelings. It's obvious that there is no space for her in Felix's life. Later she will talk to him and confirm her suspicion.

Charlotte could see that Sylvie is not happy. But why didn't she do something so far? They were supposed to prevent this from coming to this stage, right? Did Sylvie change her mind? Charlotte was not sure. She took another sip from her glass and focused on the ceremony. If Sylvie wants something, she will let her know. Charlotte has no intention of taking the initiative to make a scene by herself. Even if she does not get Felix by her side, the event is nice, villa is gorgeous, food and beverages are plentiful, and she even got Sylvie to pay for her flight and hotel. It's a free vacation.