Read Online Dear Darling by Elle McKenzie - Free Book Online

forever. It was so long that my bridesmaids, who also wore dresses designed by Mel, would have to help me down the aisle.
    “Stop shaking, I can’t get the underskirt right,” Mel complained below me. I couldn’t help it; the nerves were getting the better of me. I wanted to become Mrs Elias Vale more than anything in the world, but I couldn’t stop my body from twitching.
    “You look beautiful, doesn’t she, Eleanor?” my dad said to my mum as he entered the room. I looked at him through the refection in the mirror in time to see him inconspicuously wipe his eyes.
    “She looks radiant.”
    “Thank you.” I beamed at my weeping father.
    “All done,” Mel announced as she stood. I stepped carefully off the box that I’d been standing on for the last twenty minutes and stretched my aching legs.
    “We have ten minutes, darling. Do you have everything you need?”
    “As long as I have Eli, I have everything I’ll ever need.” My mother placed a hand against her chest, smiling at my father. Mel rolled her eyes at all the emotion, but I could see the truth in her eyes. She wanted what Eli and I had, but not in a jealous catty way.
    “I’ll go and gather the rest of the bridesmaids,” Mel said, coming towards me. She flung her arms around me, pulling me in tightly to her ample chest. “I’ll see you out there,” she whispered into my ear.
    “Thank you so much for everything, Mel. I love you.” I could feel the tears start to build. “Now, go, before you mess up my make-up.” I motioned for her to leave the room.
    “Love ya, chick.” She grinned before heading out of the door.
    “I’ll go and make sure the registrar is ready. The room looks beautiful.” My mother had wanted us to get married at the church, but Eli wasn’t religious and preferred to get married somewhere else. I didn’t care either way, so here we were getting married in a beautiful hotel in Cheshire.
    “Thanks, Mum. I love you,” I said as I gave her one last hug before she left. Pulling away she blew me a kiss before she turned out of the doorway. Then it was my father and me.
    “I’m so proud of you, princess. You look so beautiful. I can’t believe my little girl is a woman.” There was a gleam in his eye, and I had to dab my eyes to avoid having my mascara run.
    “Don’t make me cry, Daddy. You know you’ll always be my favourite man,” I said choking back the sob that threatened. He held out his hand, and I took it so he could pull me into a hug. It was familiar and he smelled like every childhood hug I had ever had. Aftershave and peppermint would always remind me of my father. I took a deep breath and let him go.
    “Let’s go before Eli changes his mind.” I laughed at the joke. There was nowhere on this earth that Eli would rather be today, and he had told me so over and over again last night as we made love. My father, still looking as if he were going to cry, took my hand and walked me out to meet my future husband.
    My bridesmaids, Jodie, my cousin Marian, and my matron of honour, Mel, all gathered around me, messing with the dress. The doors were closed, but I could hear the sound of chattering coming from the room behind it. Taking several deep breaths, I linked my arm into my father’s as the sound of “Glory of Love” by Peter Cetera flooded the room. Mel walked out first, leaving Jodie and Marian to carry my train. As soon as I walked through the thick double doors, I found Eli’s eyes. Everything else disappeared as I stared into those chocolate-brown pools.
    He beamed the most beautiful smile when he saw me, and it took every ounce of restraint I had in me not to sprint down the aisle to him. Aaron stood next to him, and Chris was next to Aaron. When my father and I reached the registrar, my heart pounded furiously with excitement.
    “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” the registrar said, forcing my attention from the man I love.
    “Her mother and I do.” My father’s voice was