Someone knocked just before the door swung open and her best friend stalked into the room in her stunning peach-colored bridesmaid dress. The silky fabric wafted around her graceful figure, gently caressing her voluptuous curves, but only hinting, leaving the rest to the imagination. Countless pearls shimmered on the sweeping skirt and around the heart-shaped neckline of the décolleté. Nelli's red hair fell in gentle curls over her naked shoulders. White pearls were woven into her hair. She looked like an elf, but there was a businesslike expression on her face. "Here's your present!"
Nelli pushed an elegant box into Lily's hand which was draped with fine lace. Looking at the pink box in her hands, Lily lifted her head again and gazed at her friend with a raised eyebrow. "What is this?"
"Your wedding present! Don't ask stupid questions."
"Thank you."The girl valued her gift. She felt a tingling in her fingers and had the urge to open the ribbon immediately. She paused, however, when Nelli abruptly put her flat hand on the box. Lily frowned, gazing sullenly at her friend's face. "Seriously?"
Her friend's eyes sparkled with outrageous cheerfulness. "There, there, my dear! You can't open that until later."
The girl got a bad feeling given the expression in Lionelle's eyes. Still flabbergasted, she asked, "Why? And what do you mean by later?"
"Don't worry, my dear. You'll have fun with it! You'll see tonight." Nelli smiled in this mysterious way that only she could smile. Lily swallowed hard. "I suppose I should thank you and your good intentions. "But, um... I can't shake this feeling that I'll regret it later."
"Don't worry." Her friend laughed and placed a hand on Lily's shoulder. "I don't want to tell you too much - but I'll tell you right away that you have to unpack this immediately when you go to your honeymoon suite! Don't you dare forget it. You must unpack it immediately there." Her smile grew deeper, gained a daring intensity, shockingly seductive.
"This is so frustrating!" The bride complained. "I really don't feel good about this little gift of yours. Since the moment you refused to let me open it, to make these cryptic little suggestions..."
"What's frustrating about that?"
"Yes! What's frustrating about that!" Lily pulled a face and set the little surprise aside. She hated surprises! Especially surprises from Nelli. Next to the box were piles of exclusive cosmetics, creams and fragrances. All just for this one day. She blinked helplessly and couldn't think straight.
Lily let herself sink back onto her stool and helplessly watched her friend's deeply satisfied expression. Obviously her little surprise was giving her more fun than a child could have when it was allowed to spend the night in a toy store. In some ways, Lily felt a little betrayed.
"So this is really it." Nelli gently grasped Lily around her waist and lightly hugged her friend. "My baby, is getting married today. You'll be fine, and if something happens, I have a car and chauffeur at my service. We can still run away together."
"I count on you." Lily wrapped her arms tightly around Nelli's body and inhaled the familiar smell of orange blossom. Lionelle was like a sister to her, the girls had known each other for most of their lives. She knew she could always rely on Nelli.
"So where have you hidden my second baby?"
"He's with Alec. He wanted to take care of Adrian until the wedding. The last few days have been a little hectic for Addy, especially yesterday when I had to leave early to prepare. He still doesn't understand the situation and keeps expecting to be left alone. After the assassination attempt on Alec he is especially clingy and always follows us closely on our heels. With his short legs, he always staggered right behind me." Adrian was a very sensitive child, the upbringing of him was still exhausting, especially for Lily, who always compared herself to Elodie and wondered what her friend would do. Taking care of a child was like walking naked through the jungle, hoping to come out alive. She never knew what to look for, if she was even doing right. Lily could only try to do her best.
"Dealing with his parents' death will take time. But you're not doing a bad job either. Have more confidence in your abilities. Elodie and Fabien didn't choose you for nothing. You've always been the most sensitive and caring of us. When you do something, you put your heart and soul into it. You make a good helicopter mom." She gave Lily a sarcastic look.