Chapter 116

The One Where They Officially Become A Family

A R I E L L E

Wedding dress shopping has been a shit show. Let me tell you, it isn’t easy buying a dress for a wedding occurring in less than six months—never mind the fact that Zara’s stomach is going to grow as she gets further along. We have to find something that can essentially be bought off the rack, but that will also fit the future when her body will change.

It’s been causing a lot of distress for Zara. It started out extremely uncomfortable because the woman helping us at a store seemed a bit like she was judging Zara and had no idea what sort of dress would be suitable for a pregnant woman.

I honestly thought it was discriminatory towards Zara and that the woman should know how to handle any body shape or size, no matter how fluctuating. It wasn’t until I threatened—a bit loudly—to go elsewhere that the owner seemed to catch onto how her employee was treating us.

Even though the owner apologized profusely and offered a discount, Zara didn’t feel comfortable trusting her dress to them after all of that.

Which is why we went to a different store. Although it’s not Zara’s first choice, it’s had much nicer staff and larger selection. Plus, it’s actually closer to home.

I adjust myself on the sofa, sipping on my champagne as Zara spins another time in the mirror. She’s been wearing the same dress for at least twenty minutes now, but she hasn’t dropped the hammer and made the decision.

The first few wedding gowns she’d tried on were tight and form fitting. However, despite looking beautiful in all of them, she felt self-conscious about how big her belly will get. Nadia and I assured her that she’d look gorgeous and glowing, but I think she’s mentally struggling and in a weird space because of her changing hormones.

She’s currently wearing another stunning dress—it has lacy straps of a delicate and ornate pattern, and the bottom is simply layers upon layers of tulle. The employee has also came and put a veil on Zara—one that’s super long, with a decorative lace edge on it.

She really does suit it so fucking well. Like it was made for her. I wish she could see that.

The fact that she refuses to take it off and has been aimlessly spinning and staring at it tells me that deep down she truly loves it. “I think you’ve found your dress, Zara.”

She makes eye contact with me in the mirror. “I don’t know—”

I don’t want to pressure her because it’s ultimately her decision, however, we’re kind of on a deadline. When the employee comes back, I inquire, “How many days would she have to think about it? What would be the deadline so you could alter it and have it ready for December?”

“A week, maybe? It’s a bit of a more complex situation since her body will change as the baby grows.”

“If Chase saw it, would it help convince you?” I question Zara, unsure.

“Isn’t that bad luck?”

“Depends on if you believe in that stuff,” Nadia speaks up and then sips her champagne. “I say fuck it. If that’s what you need to say yes, then do it. Bring him back here in a day or two and get it.”

Zara smooths her hands over the tulle, tightening it and standing to the side to feign as if she has a baby. “Is there any way we can make it look like I’m eight months pregnant? Just so I could see?”

“We could stuff a pillow under there,” the employee offers with a smile. She saunters to another room and comes back with a small, round pillow. Zara gathers the tulle from the base of her dress and lifts it so the employee can put the pillow there. She has Zara hold it and then fixes the hem of the gown back to look as it was.

Even with the massive amount of tulle, you can see the bump and I see tears well up in Zara’s eyes. Immediately, I jump to my feet to hold her and she wipes at the wetness on her cheeks before she chokes out, “Yes. This is it. This is the dress.”

Moving has really made me realize how little I own. To have my entire life packed away in boxes, it makes it all look so fucking small.

However, I feel amazing about this move. When I first moved to Miami, I had the same feeling—I knew it was the right thing to do. There wasn’t a single doubt in my mind and that’s my mindset with this one.

I’m more than excited to finally get some privacy with Nate. To get to wake up with him each morning and fall asleep in his arms. I’m even looking forward to fucking grocery shopping with him. I imagine us doing so before we cook dinner together.

Ever since Chase began to get serious with Zara, I’d been alone in the house a lot so it’ll be nice to have some steady company. Nate also told me that—since the break in—he’s beefed up security in the house, which includes steel doors, long screws in the frames to make it more difficult to kick in, triple pane glass that’s harder to break, and an electronic alarm system.

He wanted to make sure that it didn’t just feel like home to me, but that I felt safe. Even in those moments when he might not be there. Even when there are children in the house sleeping in their tiny beds.

He’s always thinking of me. Always doing whatever he can to make sure I feel loved and safe, above all.

Packing it all up, cleaning out my old house of the shit that was mine, and then having to say goodbye to the house I’ve called a home for many years was exhausting, to say the least. It was a bit emotional, too, but my excitement of getting to live with Nate every day has overshadowed the negative emotions.