Chapter 15

I made my way to Emma's room.  The house was full of family members and upstairs were rooms full of bridesmaids getting ready.  I knocked on Emma's door.  Mr. Jacobs opened the door.  He looked very handsome in his black tux with a white bow tie.

"Addison what can I do for you dear?" He smiled at me.  This time it was a genuine smile.

"Just here to check on the bride before I get dressed." I politely smiled back.  He moved aside and I saw Emma come into view.  She was standing in a full-length mirror in her wedding dress.  She wore a pale pink strapless gown that fit her every curve,  just below her knees the dress flared out into a sea of ruffles and a long train.  It was gorgeous, her hair was curled and hanging loose she wore a crown of pink roses on her head.

"Emma you are breathtaking.  You make a beautiful bride."  I smiled at her.

"Thanks, Addi.  How are you today?"  She smiled back putting on her earrings that were huge pear-shaped diamonds.

"I'm fine Em don't worry about me today is your day.  Do you need anything before we get started?"

She turned around to face me.  "You really ok?  Because you look like hell Addi.  Did you sleep?"

"Well, not really but I'll be fine.  I promise."  I sighed.

"You and my brother are so damn stubborn.  He didn't sleep either.  Kept waking me up with his pacing and crying."  She huffed.

"Sorry."  I wanted to ask more but I reminded myself today was her wedding day and I needed to get back to work.  "If you don't need anything I need to go change and get everyone lined up."

"I'm great I'm ready to get down that aisle and see my man."  She grinned and Mr. Jacobs laughed.

"We are ready so you can go but when things settle down I'd like a word with you Addison."  Mr. Jacobs motioned me to the door and I nodded.

"Ok, I'll come to see you at the reception, sir.  If you need anything after the ceremony just let me know Em.  I'll see you out there."  I smiled and left the room.  On my way down the stairs, my eyes met a pair of sky blue eyes I knew so well. Kade was coming up the stairs as I was going down. I stood there frozen staring at him. He looked so sexy in his tux. He looked at me for a moment and then continued up the stairs and right by me without a word. My heart twisted all I wanted to do was chase after him, but I knew I couldn't. I ran on down the stairs to the bathroom where Darby and I were changing. I threw the door opened and Dar was fixing her makeup.

"Finally!! Get out of those clothes and put this on!" She shouted at me. She opened the dress bag to reveal a red cocktail dress. The strapless bodice was cut low with sequences on it, the dress came down to my thighs and fit me like a glove.

"Wow, you look hot!" Dar grinned as she pinned my hair back on one side and sprayed it in place.

"Are you sure this isn't a bit too much for a wedding? It's really low cut I'm afraid my boobs are going to pop out any minute!" Darby laughed at me.

"That's the idea girl! Kade won't know what hit him. Now finish your makeup you have to hurry it's almost time."

Darby straightens her gold dress V-neck dress and we exited the bathroom. The wedding party was gathering by the patio doors. I grabbed my book looking at the order and then proceeded to line everyone up. I was halfway done when I realized Kade was the best man and I'd have to tell him where to stand. I looked at Darby who quickly realized and nodded. She walked over and paired Kade with the maid of honor who was Emma's best friend Sara. She was a beautiful brunette with long legs and green eyes. She looked like Kade's type. She batted her eyes at him and a blind man could have seen she was thrilled to be paired with him. My stomach hurt at the sight of them together.  Kade's eyes met mine but I didn't wait to see what he did.  I put the flower girls in their place and went to get Emma.

Five minutes later the processional music began on cue and the wedding party made their way across the patio, to the gardens, and up the aisle.

"We're ready for you Em,"  I told her as she stood back away from the patio doors.  She smiled from ear to ear and Mr. Jacobs grinned at her.

"Just because I'm giving to you Ryan doesn't mean anything you know.  You will always be my little girl."  He told her kissing her cheek.  She looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

"I know daddy.  We are ready Addi."  I nodded and once the wedding party was in place I cued the DJ.  The wedding march began and I sent Emma down the aisle.  Once she was on her way to the garden I quickly took my place in the back to view the ceremony.  Darby, Nora, and Nicole stood there waiting for me.

"You did an amazing job Addi.  This is the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen."  Darby smiled at me.

"Thanks, Dar.  Nora and Nicole thank you both for all of your hard work I couldn't do any of this without you."  I smiled at them.

"We work hard but this is all you Addi.  You design it all and make every detail perfect.  I hope I can do half of what you do one day." Nicole said smiling at me.  Nora nodded.  "Your amazing Addi."

I looked around at the garden.  It really did look amazing.  Pink and white roses petals covered the aisle, the trees surrounding the area where the ceremony took place had roses in them.  The white chairs had pale pink bows hanging from the back of them.  Three crystal chandeliers hung down the center of the aisle.  Emma met Ryan at the end of the aisle under a beautiful arch adorned with pink and white roses.  Mr. Jacobs kissed his daughter's cheek and gave her to Ryan, the ceremony began.  I stood in the back with the girls watching I glanced over at Kade who was standing behind Ryan.  He wasn't watching the ceremony he was looking back at me.  As I held his glaze my eyes brimmed with tears, a few seconds later he was the one who looked away.  Darby must have seen because she squeezed my hand.  I was lost in thought when the music began,  Emma and Ryan made their way back down the aisle toward me.  Once they were out of sight from the guests I escorted them over to an area where their first pictures would be made.  They were lost in each other for a few minutes.  I finally had to clear my throat to get their attention.  Emma pulled away from Ryan laughing.

"Sorry Addi." She blushed.

"It's ok we just need to get a few pictures of you two and the whole wedding party.  Then you two can continue if you want before we start the reception." I grinned at her.

"That sounds good to me," Ryan smirked looking at his wife.

"I don't think so we can wait until tonight." She giggled.  "Addi you did everything I could have ever dreamed of and more the place is absolutely beautiful.  Thank you so much."

"Your welcome Em, it was my pleasure I wanted everything to be perfect for you."  The photographers showed up and started posing them.  "I'll see you two when your done,"  I called as I left them to take pictures.  The wedding party was waiting nearby to take pictures as the guest gathered on the patio for the cocktail hour. I walked quickly trying to get to the patio to make sure the service ran smoothly. My feet were killing me already in these damn heels Darby had insisted I wear. I was looking down when I ran into something hard.

"Oh, shit are you ok?" I looked up and saw a tall brown-eyed guy looking down at me.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry I ran into you." I smiled.

He looked me up and down grinning. "No problem you can run into me any time gorgeous. I'm Alex." He was skinny and tall with shaggy brown hair looked to be in his early twenties at the most. He was cute.

I laughed. "I'm Addi. Sorry but I have to get to work."

"Work? It's a wedding. Stay here and party with me." He grinned.

"I'm the wedding planner so I can't. See you around Alex." I smiled as I walked past him I saw Kade glaring at me. I ignored him and went to the patio.

An hour later the reception had begun. Emma and Ryan were on the dance floor for their first dance. Everyone was busy watching them as I ran around making sure dinner was ready and the cake table was prepared for the cake cutting. The bartenders were busy restocking from the cocktail hour when I heard one of the bartenders getting loud.

"I'm sorry sir but you're going to have to wait. I'm out of whiskey at the moment. If you'll just hold on!" She yelled as nicely as she could. I rounded the corner and came face to face with Kade.

"Addi..." He froze staring at me. I had been waiting for him to finally acknowledge my presence but now that he had I didn't know what to say to him. I didn't want to make a scene so I reached behind the bar into a box pulling out a bottle of whiskey, I handed it to him. Then I turned and walked away.

Dinner went smoothly everyone ate and enjoyed each other's company. Emma and Ryan looked adorable as they fed each other cake. After the cake, the DJ cranked up the music and the party began. Emma came to me.

"I want to change into my party dress can you come with me?" She smiled.

"Of course. Come on." I helped her up the stairs and out of her dress. Once she was changed she smiled at me. "Addi you gave me my fairytale now let me help you with yours. Kade really loves you he went on and on all night about you. Go talk to him ok?"

"I don't know I don't want a screaming match during your reception Em. I don't even know what to say. I can't force him to be with me."

"Just follow your heart. Don't worry about the rest of the reception you've done enough. Oh, and dad wanted to talk to you remember?"

"Yeah, I'll probably have better luck with your dad than Kade."

She laughed. "Have a drink and relax, enjoy the party everything will work out Addi." We headed back down to the reception.  When we got to the patio Alex was standing there.  "Em, you are the most stunning bride I've ever seen." He smiled at her and kissed her cheek.

"Awww thank you, little cousin.  Where's that girlfriend of yours I was excited to see her again?" Emma smiled at him.

"Actually we broke up last week." He sighed.

"I'm sorry.  I'm sure there are plenty of girls around here for you to hit on." She winked at him.

"Yeah, I've seen a few." He eyed me grinning.  Emma looked from me to him and shook her head.

"I don't think so.  Kade will kick your ass if you so much as touch her."

"And why would he do that?" Alex asked giving Emma a questioning look.

"Because he is in love with her.  Alex this is Addison Hayes my wedding planner and Kade's girlfriend."

"Hi.  But I'm actually not his girlfriend at the moment it's complicated."

Emma glared at me.  "They will work it out and for your own good keep your hands to yourself, Alex.  You know how Kade gets."

"Yeah I know I always did like to piss him off."  He grinned at me and winked.

"I'm serious Alex don't do anything stupid,"  Emma grumbled at him.

"I won't I wouldn't do that to you on your wedding night Em, go find your husband I'll keep Addison company."

She shook her head and hurried off the patio toward the reception.

"So you and Kade huh?" He smiled at me.

"Yeah."

"He always had good taste in women." He smirked and I laughed.

"Thanks, I guess. I was on my way to the bar. I'm in serious need of a drink."

"Me too. I'll join you." We walked off the patio to the bar beside the dance floor. The music was blaring and the dance floor was full of party guests.

"Looks like you know how to throw one hell of a party." He pointed toward the dance floor after we ordered our drinks.

I smiled. "I've had some practice." The bartender sat my martini down and Alex leaned over to me.

"Don't look but Kade is staring a hole through you. Do you need me to make him jealous?" He grinned mischievously.

I giggled. "Thanks for the offer but no he is already upset enough." I sipped my martini.

"I see that. He looks like he wants me to kill me and I haven't even done anything yet." Alex laughed.

"It was nice meeting you Alex but for your own safety, you should go talk to some of the other girls. Oh I know my assistant is that cute little blonde over there in black, she would love you. Her name is Nora." I smiled at him.

"Thanks, Addison. I'll go talk to her. If you need any help pissing off Kade you come to find me." He winked picking up his drink and walked away.

I sipped my martini as I sat down at one of the tables.

"I see you met my nephew Alex." Tyler Jacobs took a seat next to me.

"Yeah, he is quite the charmer." I smiled.

"Just like his dad was. Alex's is my baby brother's son. My brother passed away two years ago in a car accident. I miss him, Alex reminds me of him." He sighed.

"I'm sorry to hear that sir."

"Please call me Tyler enough with the sir and Mr. Jacobs." I nodded and he smiled. "Addison I admire you. You are a strong young woman. That asshole almost raped you last night and all you were worried about was my son. Kade is a complete dumbass if he lets you go."

"Thanks." I wiped a tear away and smiled at him. "I love your son but I don't know if that will be enough."

"Love is always enough my dear. I loved my wife with all my heart until her very last breath. If I'm being honest I still do. It wasn't always easy but no matter what happened I loved her. I know you have the same love for Kade. I see it in your eyes. My son is stubborn but he isn't stupid. He'll change his mind. You hang in there and if you need anything don't hesitate to ask me." He reached across the table and patted my hand smiling at me.

"Thank you. I will try my best to be patient. That's all I can do." I smiled up at him as he walked away. I finished my drink and wiped my eyes. Tyler Jacobs was a sweet man after all, who would have known. Darby came over with Nicole.

"Everything is done Addi. All we have left is to clean up afterward. I have a clean-up crew on stand-by when Emma decides the night is over. You can go whenever you are ready. I know you must be tired." Nicole smiled.

"Well thank you, Nicole. Where's Nora?"

"Oh, she met some guy and is on the dance floor." Nicole pointed in Nora's direction. Sure enough, she was dancing with Alex.

"Good for her. I think I need another drink."

"I've got you covered!" Darby called as she went to the bar.

"Nicole I'm taking next week off I really need some time to myself so whatever events we have next week you handle them."

"Are you sure? Like, do everything?" She looked at me in shock.

"Yes, I'm sure you'll be great. You can always call me if you need too but I know you can handle it, Nicole. It's just a few parties. A birthday and a baby shower. If any big clients stop by next week you get them started and I'll help when I come back ok?"

She nodded slowly. "Ok, I think I can do it. Thank you for giving me a chance Addi." She grinned.

"Your welcome you deserve it."

Darby came back with our drinks and a round of shots. "I think we need to do a little dancing before we go Addi! This is too good of a party to pass up." She shook her butt and grinned.

"My feet are killing me, Dar. No way in hell can I dance." I downed two shots not caring if I paid for it later.

"Take off your shoes Addi! After a few more shots you won't feel a thing anyway." She laughed. So I took another shot and drank my martini. I pulled off my heels and Darby took my hand pulling me to the dance floor.