Chapter 396

I cried all the way back to the mansion. Amy remained silent, patting my arm occasionally and handing me tissues when I needed them.

She pulled into the driveway and to the front entrance before she spoke.

“It looks like Alex has company,” she said. “Who’s limos are they?”

I punched the seat. “That one is Lana’s, and the one pulling in next to us is Lily James’s. The nerve of that pushy woman. She followed us!”

“But look, Daisy,” Amy pointed toward the front doors. “Victor is here.”

I wiped my eyes and saw Victor coming toward me. He opened the car door and took me into his arms.

“Don’t cry, sweetheart,” he crooned. “Gisele called and told me what happened. So I had Findlay call everyone here for a quick meeting to set them all straight.”

I stopped crying and nodded even though I wasn’t sure it would help.

“This nonsense will stop now,” Victor took my hand and helped me from the car.

We waited for Amy to put the baby in the stroller before going inside.

I looked around the foyer, unable to believe how fast Victor had gotten everyone here.

Lana and Harry were seated on the L- shaped sofa next to Cassidy and Alex. Lily sat with William and Penny on the other couch. Amy sat on the loveseat with Heather, gazing at the baby in the stroller.

Victor put an arm around my shoulders, and we stood in front of them. I felt his strength flowing into me and stood straight as he began to speak.

“I called you here this afternoon because there are things we need to get straight.”

He kissed my temple. “Daisy and I have spoken at length about the details of our wedding and reception. Even though we appreciate your suggestions, we have decided what we want and where we want it.”

I had to stop myself from grinning as he continued. “Please respect our wishes and stop making any plans for us unless you are asked by one of us to do so.”

“I was trying to help,” Lily objected. “A couple of your social stature simply cannot have an outdoor reception.”

“Mother, stop it,” William said. “You are being rude.”

Lily blushed and kept quiet.

“You are the most important people in our lives, and Daisy didn’t want to hurt any of your feelings,” Victor said. “But you must respect our wishes from now on.”

There was a chorus of apologies before Victor signaled Benson, and light refreshments were served.

Victor fixed it. Everyone accepted our decisions and offered to help with anything we needed to create the wedding we wanted.

Cassidy approached me first with Alex. “I’m sorry if I got carried away.” She hugged me before accepting a cup of tea from a maid.

“I’m willing to pay for anything you like, honey,” Alex assured me. “You are my daughter.”

I kissed his cheek. “Thank you. But Victor and I don’t want anything flashy and expensive.”

Lana was next. “I’m sorry, too, Daisy.” She patted my shoulder. “I’d be happy to help with anything you wish.”

“Thanks, Lana,” I said. “Why don’t we get together here tomorrow? We will ask Benson for help.”

“Marvelous,” Lana said. “I’ll be here in the morning. Have the coffee on, Benson.” She laughed as she went out the door with Harry.

I was relieved nobody except William’s mother was mad at us. She still fumed on a sofa while drinking tea and eating a scone.

Penny walked up to me with a sweet smile on her face. “I’m sorry if we pushed the lake idea too hard.”

“I liked the idea of getting married at the lake the best of all the suggestions,” I told her. “Well, for the reception anyhow. Victor and I want a big outdoor reception and welcome anyone who wants to come.”

“What a terrific idea,” Penny said. “Count on William and me being there.” She hugged me briefly and returned to William, who was trying to get his mother to leave.

Lily finally relented, and William gave me a grin and rolled his eyes over her head.

I giggled and moved on to Benson. “I hope you don’t mind helping with the wedding.”

“Not at all, Miss,” he said. “It would be an honor.”

“You are one of the best things to happen to my family, Benson,” I said. “Thank you for everything you do for us.”

“It’s my pleasure, Miss,” he said with a rare smile.

I realized then that I was lucky to have these people who cared about us. Thanks to Victor, my worries were over.

After passionately thanking Victor for his help, I slept well that night. I got out of bed the next morning, excited to begin the wedding plans.

Lana arrived first thing and joined us in the morning room for breakfast. I handed her my tablet so she could see the notes Victor and I made at the beach.

“The ancient chapel at The Association will hold fifty to sixty people,” Lana said. “That’s a perfect number of guests, and we can decorate it with candles and flowers.”

Victor’s phone buzzed, and he checked the screen.

“Daisy, the realtor says we can tour the estate in an hour,” he reported.

“That’s wonderful,” I gushed. “Do you have time?”

“Go ahead,” Alex said. “I’ll handle anything that comes up at the office.”

I hurried to eat breakfast and ran upstairs to get ready. We left early so we could have a look around outside before the realtor arrived.

The estate was located between Alex’s and Lana and Harry’s homes. The fifteen-bedroom mansion sat on twelve acres. It had a swimming pool and a pond with fish living in it.

The brick and wood exterior was in excellent shape, and the green shingles on the roof were new.

The realtor arrived on time and showed us the interior. It was gorgeous! It had polished wood floors and high, decorative plaster ceilings.

“I can see us living here,” I whispered to Victor.

“Me too,” he replied.

After strolling through the primary bedroom suite and marveling at the marble bathroom, I gave Victor a nod. The place was perfect.

Victor nodded back and turned to the realtor. “My fiancée and I would like to make an offer and close as soon as possible.

“I can make that happen this week,” the realtor promised. “Does a Friday closing at one work for you?”

“Friday would be great,” Victor agreed.

After signing some papers, we left. We were both ecstatic about the estate that was to be our new home.

I let out a happy sigh. “We can finalize the plans for the reception and get the invitations out now that I have an address where it will be held.”

“817 Juniper Lane,” Victor said. “Doesn’t it sound terrific?”

“It sounds fantastic!” I replied. “It’s our address. Our home. I can’t wait to move in.”

“Do you want to move in immediately or wait until after the wedding?” Victor asked as he slowly drove around the circular driveway to the road.

“I don’t want to wait.” I looked back at the mansion and sighed again. “I’ll ask Lana and Benson to help me find furniture and staff right away.

“I can ask Findlay to help, too,” Victor offered.

The drive back to Alex's only took a few minutes.

“What are Findlay and Shane doing here?” Victor asked when he saw Shane’s Corvette and Findlay’s Volvo parked near the entrance.

“I hope nothing is wrong at The Association.” I bit my lip, expecting some new disaster that would derail all of our plans.

Victor parked near the Corvette, and we jumped out of the car and hurried inside. Shane and Findlay were waiting in the foyer.

“What’s going on?” Victor asked.

“Word is out about the wedding, and the public has questions,” Shane replied.

“They are wondering what your marriage means for them,” Findlay explained. “How will it change their lives? What are your plans for the future?”

“What are you saying?” Victor asked.

“You need to give another televised speech, both of you,” Shane insisted.

“When do we have to do it?” I asked.

I understood people would be curious or worried about what our marriage may mean for them, but it was another one of those times that I wished Victor and I were ordinary people.

Giving another televised speech was the last thing I wanted to do right now. I had a million things to do, including my vows to write.

“The news crews with cameras are on their way,” Shane replied. “You should get ready.”

I looked at Victor and nodded. “It's the last thing I want to do right now, but it’s our duty.”

“Let’s get ready,” he agreed.