Bella Hayward
The morning after recruiting the Pilot-Maids, I was hopping into the passenger seat of one of the SUVs. Opal was driving since she knew the wedding planner we were heading to see. I brought with me Rose, my newest step-daughter.
She had been born last night and deflowered this morning, fully matured to eighteen with all of her mother's memories. She was a petite thing, looking so much like Kylie. She smiled as she stared out the window.
"I remember Mom planning for her wedding to grandpa," Rose said. "She was so excited to marry him."
"They always seemed like such a happy couple," I said. I knew Lance's father, of course. I had been his friend since we were kids. I remembered his death. His funeral.
"They were," Rose said. "Like you and Master-Daddy."
I smiled. I was already his Maid-Wife, but he wanted to do it proper, and I was more than happy to do that. I had dreamed of marrying Lance since I was a kid. Now I would. I glanced down at the wedding ring with the yellow diamond in the center.
It was the color of friendship. I was marrying my best friend, and so happy about it. I rubbed my stomach. Our son was growing strong in my belly. The morning sickness had begun, but that was okay. I was more than willing to endure that to have my Master-Husband's heir.
The next Lord of Hayward Manor grew in my womb.
"Dalia Smythe is an amazing wedding planner," Opal said. "She arranged such a beautiful ceremony for Clint and me."
"I remember," I said, glancing at the maid. "No regrets that we stole you from the altar."
"Serving Master Lance is more important than any wedding," she said. "I talked to Clint just yesterday. He's already got his first date coming up. I hope he finds someone else to love."
I smiled at her. She was such great wife material. I should feel guilty, but I just didn't. She was perfect for the green garter. It was her destiny to wear it. Why feel bad about that? She was happy. I was happy.
I was marrying Lance.
I wanted to squeal in delight as we drove away from Hayward Manor. It would take us nearly an hour to get into town. We were out in the countryside. I watched the terrain passing. I shuddered as we drove by St. Theresa's, memories of that disgusting monster swirling in my mind.
But it was soon gone and we were heading into town for our meeting with the wedding planner. Rose was chatting from the back seat. She was an energetic thing like Kylie. She might have all of my mother-in-law's memories, but she didn't have the personality.
"Ooh, ooh, Mom and Dad loved eating at the restaurant," Kylie said. "Once, Mom blew him beneath the table for their anniversary. Isn't that kinky? I bet Master-Daddy and Mommy would have such a great date there."
"Mmm, she would definitely blow him beneath the table," Opal said.
"Right, right!" Rose squealed. "She would. It would be so hot!"
I smiled as we soon were pulling up to a strip mall. There was a UPS Store, a Little Caesar, a nail salon, and Happy Dreams Wedding Planning. A wave of giggles washed through me. I was so giddy for this. I opened the door the moment Opal parked the SUV and hopped out, holding my cedar chest with the last of my garters in it.
Rose jumped out and ran up, grabbing my arm. My step-daughter clung to me. She was such a hyper thing. I was glad I brought her. Opal opened the door for me, smiling. A bell chimed as we headed into a parlor.
There were couches with an end table covered in heavy books. Pictures of weddings were on the walls. A collection of vases with price tags, books of fabric swatches, and a tray full of various papers. It was all so heady.
"Oh, you must be Bella," said Dalia. She rose from a desk at the back. She wore an engagement ring that sparkled on her hand. I spotted a picture of her kissing a man in an army dress uniform. It looked like a shot of the proposal. "How wonderful to meet you. And Opal. I hear you didn't marry Clint."
"I was recruited by the Lord of Hayward Manor," said Opal.
"Of course, of course," said Dalia, completely accepting that explanation thanks to the magic of Hayward manor. It was such an amazing thing. "That's a pretty ring, Bella."
"Thanks," I said, setting my cedar box on the table beside the book of fabric swatches. "Oh, you have a pretty one, too. When's the marriage?"
Dalia's face fell. "Oh, well, he died three years ago before we could wed. Killed in Afghanistan."
My heart lurched. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Dalia." I hugged her. She hugged me back. "He sounds like a great guy."
"Yeah." She tightened her arms around me for a moment longer before breaking it. She cleared her throat. "It's how I got into wedding planning. Why put all that effort into our wedding to waste? I wanted to help others."
I opened the box and pulled out the green garter. "You are just what my husband needs. I would be honored if you served Master Lance as one of his Concubine-Maids."
Tears burst in Dalia's eyes. The brunette pushed up her glasses and nodded. She unbuttoned her lilac blouse, revealing a flat stomach and round breasts held in a lacy, pink bra. She dropped the blouse to the floor and unhooked her bra.
"Ooh, ooh, I just joined the harem, too," Rose said. "That's so awesome!"
"Yes," said Dalia absently, her eyes sparkling with her tears even while she smiled. She needed this. I was certain her army fella would be happy for her.