Strong (Book 2 in the No Control series)

It’s the day before the wedding. I’m fairly relaxed. Rosa has promised me that she is working closely with the wedding planner to make sure everything is perfect.
Over breakfast, the subject comes up of where Liam and I will be staying tonight. We both look at each other confused. “The cottage of course.” Liam replies.
“Oh no, you can’t.” Karen insists. Some other voices chime in, insisting that we must spend the night before our wedding apart. To make it more magical.
Liam doesn’t look happy. “I want to stay with Liz.”
“Liam, trust me. It will be better this way. You stay here at the villa. Liz and a couple of the girls can stay at the cottage.”
Liam reluctantly gives in to his mum’s wishes.

Later that afternoon we have our wedding ceremony rehearsal. It all goes surprisingly smooth. Liam and I take a moment to thank Antonio and Rosa for all they have done to help with the wedding. “We are happy to do it. Antonio and I have come to think of you as familia.”
The four of us share a big hug. We tell them we will see them soon at dinner.

When Liam and I arrive out on the veranda for our rehearsal dinner, everyone is already there. I take a moment to admire how beautiful this place is. The veranda at sunset, with hundreds of white twinkle lights on the posts, and candles all over the table. Vases full of fresh cut flowers from right here on the property. I look up at Liam. “It’s all so beautiful.”
He’s looking down at me with a sparkle in his eyes. “It pales in comparison to you, my love.”
I grin. “You are so cheesy, Liam. And I absolutely love it.”
We laugh, share a kiss, then join our guests.

The food is amazing, yet I find myself too excited to eat much. After dessert, going around the table, everyone stands and toasts us. I find myself looking back on my life, wondering how I got to this point. How am I so blessed to be where I am today? I am speechless. No words could describe this happiness.
When it’s time to say goodnight to each other and go our separate ways, Liam is not happy. He holds me tight. “I don’t understand. Because of some stupid, old, outdated tradition, I can’t hold you in my arms tonight.”
“I’m sorry, baby. It seems to be important to your mum.”
Liam sighs. “I love you, Liz. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.”
I touch the side of his face. I quickly wonder if he will shave for tomorrow. I haven’t seen him without his whiskers since he was Prince Charming for me at the castle. “I love you more, Liam. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
We kiss, then reluctantly separate. Caroline and Sara head to the cottage with me.

It’s midnight. I haven’t been able to fall asleep yet. I lie in bed trying. Without Liam beside me in this big bed it’s useless. What is that noise? I listen intently. It sounds like something on the window. Every romance I’ve ever read comes to mind. I smile. It can’t be. I open the curtains. Standing there in the moonlight, throwing pebbles at my window, is my Prince.
I sneak outside and run into his open arms. “I couldn’t sleep without you, Beautiful.”
With my head on his chest I let him know I couldn’t sleep without him either.
He pulls back slightly, I look up into his handsome face. His perfect features highlighted in the moonlight.
“Guess what? It’s our wedding day!” The huge smile on his face as he says this warms my heart.
“Come for a walk with me, Beautiful?”
“I’d go anywhere with you, Handsome.”
As we walk hand in hand, we talk. “I was thinking earlier about how our relationship started, Love. It always makes me smile.”
I giggle. “Me too. It’s our special little secret.”
“You know you stole my heart that night right?” Liam says sweetly. “I mean I wouldn’t admit it to myself then. You definitely did though.”
“I knew what we shared that night was way more than just sex. I let myself open up to you and trust you completely. I mean I let you see all of me, flawed body and all.” I wink.
Liam gives me a serious look. “What flaws? I don’t see any flaws.”
I smile. “And that Liam Payne, is why I fell in love with you.”

Notes