Chapter 783 - It’s time…

~ Golden Ocean Resort ~

3:17 PM…

Jeff is the only one from the guys left in the suite.

The whole morning he was a nervous wreck while thinking that it's finally happening. Finally, JoAnna will be his wife. Mrs. Jeffrey White. He will be a married man… They will be married, and share everything, good and bad.

His mind was drifting into the past and images of JoAnna in the hospital, checking his IV came back to him… and her sitting on that fountain… and then sleeping in his hotel room… and that woman who ate his breakfast cheekily will be his wife! If someone told him then, that the woman who is teasing him will be his wife, he would not believe it… and that was only about six months ago! So many things happened since then…

The whole morning Jeff was in a daze, having difficulty focusing on anything around him.

There was that instance when Jasper asked for an advice about getting closer to Ellie, and then Jeff was able to focus on present, but as soon as that topic ended, his mind drifted off again.

And now, only minutes away from the ceremony, his mind is clear. There is not a single trace of uneasiness.

He looked around and noticed that besides tailors and assistants, no one else is in the suite.

Jasper and other groomsmen went downstairs to line up in a temporary 'hallway-tunnel' which is providing them with a privacy from the rest of the guests who are finding their pre-assigned seating at the beach. The less important guests will be watching the ceremony from the garden.

Heather and Julia set up the 'hallway-tunnel' because it's more impactful when the wedding party exits from there. Temporary structure fits well with the surrounding and decoration, but still, it will be removed right after the ceremony.

"Son, are you ready?", Oscar asked Jeff when he entered the suite. He gestured to the tailors and the helpers to give them privacy.

"Yes.", Jeff answered while checking his necktie in the mirror.

"Are you confident that this is what you want to do?"

Jeff paused and turned to face his father. He looked at Oscar silently with a slight frown while trying to understand why is he asking him such a question.

"I am not asking because I doubt your feelings or resolve.", Oscar clarified. "I am asking because I need to confirm that both of you know what you are getting yourselves into. This is much more than a marriage."

Jeff exhaled. He knows that Oscar is asking if they are ready to take over the White family business which is operating under the veil of White foundation.

"I don't have a choice.", Jeff bluntly said. "Anna wants to come on this journey with me, and there is no one other than Anna whom I would accept as my partner."

Oscar nodded. "If you responded that you know what you are getting yourself into, I would tell you that you are wrong. I approve of your attitude. Don't allow yourself to be too confident, that can lead to your demise."

"I will remember your advice. Even if we don't know what we are getting ourselves into, we know that we want to do it together."

Heather knocked on the half-open door and peeked inside. "It's time…"

Oscar extended his arm toward Jeff. "Here…"

Jeff looked at Oscar's open palm and saw two platinum rings with 'W' engraved with them.

Those are symbols of power that official Master and Madam of White family are wearing.

Jeff's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Already? I thought we are getting these when it's official."

"You are ready. It's official." Oscar took Jeff's hand in his and placed the rings in Jeff's palm.

"And there is also this…" Oscar placed a safe deposit key in Jeff's hand. "This is something that belongs to the Master of the White family."

Jeff inspected the safe deposit key carefully for few seconds before asking Oscar: "How many of these are there?"

"What?" Oscar was confused by Jeff's question.

"I already have one key. Just like this one." Jeff explained.

"What? How?"

"James Hill gave it to me when Anna introduced me as her fiancé."

"Oh!", Oscar was not able to hide his surprise. "Good, good!"

"You didn't answer my question. How many keys are there? And what are they for?"

There was a rapid knock on the door again, and Heather said with a high pitched tone: "It's time!"

Oscar assured Heather that they are coming.

"There is no time to explain now. But the two keys should not be with one person, for safety purposes. Consider giving one to someone you trust."

Jeff nodded in understanding, kept the rings and the key in his pocket and walked outside, followed by Oscar.

…

In the temporary design studio for the bride and her party…

JoAnna is looking at herself in the mirror. And she can't get enough of looking at her wedding dress and how well it fits her.

White satin gown is absolutely breathtaking.

Sweetheart neckline is covered with a sheer lace which provides a snug fit with straps. Lace is beaded with numerous diamonds which make her dress look like it's a sophisticated piece of jewelry. It's very well done, and it provides perfect open space on her neck and upper chest for the blue diamond necklace which Jeff gave her for her birthday.

JoAnna turned around to admire the dramatic diamond filled lace keyhole back which looks amazing!

Her waist is accentuated with a white sash which turns light blue depending on the angle of the light. This hint of blue ties up her wedding dress with the blue-diamond necklace and earrings. The bottom of the dress is satin ballgown-style, and it looks very romantic. At the bottom of the ballgown, following the hem, the same light blue color, as the one on the sash, shoots up depending on the angle of the light.

JoAnna is amazed how Ellie managed to add this hint of blue to her dress, considering that she told her about the must-have blue jewelry only few days ago.

She is happy with her simple yet elegant hairstyle also. A braided updo with a veil attached to it, and diamond hair-clip accessories, one on each side, which she borrowed from Sophia. With this, she has all the good-luck charms for a happy marriage: something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. 

JoAnna is still not sure if she wants to put the veil over her face or just keep it flowing at the back. She tried both variations few times, and she likes them both!

"You are beautiful!", Edward's voice came from the door.

"Thanks, dad."

JoAnna smiled seeing that her dad's expression matches his words.

Julia peeked inside. "It's time…"

JoAnna looked at Edward. "Let's go, dad."

"Sweetheart… are you sure that this is what you want? It's still not too late to change your mind."

JoAnna narrowed her eyes at Edward. "Dad, I was never this sure in my life about anything."

"OK. I'm just checking. If he tries to bully you, come back home. Your room will always wait for you."

JoAnna laughed. "Thanks, dad… What do you think? Should I put the veil over my face or not?" She demonstrated both options.

Edward looked at JoAnna and his confusion showed on his face. "I am a wrong person for that question. Why don't you ask one of these stylists?"

JoAnna laughed, took her wedding boquet from the side table, linked her arm with Edward's and walked out... leaving the veil to cover her face.