Harold Washington Library Chicago Wedding Novels & Stories

She smiled. "Beautiful." She commented. She roamed around the living room to distract herself whilst waiting for Evan. Thinking he went for a walk. She draws near the painting hanging on the wall. It was a portrait of a couple dressed for their wedding. The groom is hugging the bride from the back as the woman leans her back at him. They are both smiling. "Must have been Cristal's parents." Referring to her friend who suggested the mansion for her to stay in. She imagined herself wearing a wedding gown. She caresses the painting. Her eyes filled with pain.

Alice POV The garden venue by Lake Michigan glowed under the Chicago twilight, fairy lights weaving through the trees like stars pulled to earth. My wedding to Connor O'Brien had been nothing short of magical, a dream spun from white roses, soft music, and the love that surged between us. My heart hadn’t stopped racing since I walked down the aisle, Connor’s awestruck gaze locking with mine as Spencer handed me off.

Quiet receptions where grief moved carefully between silver trays and folded napkins. But this was different. This was not only mourning. This was theater. Every arrangement had meaning. Every arrival would be noticed. Every absence would be interpreted. The death of Lady Helena Ashcroft had given the Vale and Harrington families a reason to postpone the wedding, but it had also created a new stage where every strained relationship would be forced into proximity. Lena stood at the entrance to the drawing room and reviewed the final layout. Guest book near the east wall. Condolence table beneath Lady Helena’s portrait.

Good. Dinner was tense in the way that expensive, quiet rooms always amplified tension. The chef had prepared something with several courses and names I couldn't pronounce. Harold ate without complimenting any of it. He waited until the second course to start. "How did you two meet?" he asked, directing the question at me like Alexander wasn't present. "Through work," I said. "I was the event planner for the Cross Enterprises charity gala." "And the relationship developed from there." "It did." "Quickly," Harold said. "Considering you were married within weeks of that event."

The next morning, I got dressed up and left for work, Jude passed me a cup of coffee and went to opposite sides. "Good morning miss boma?". A feminine voice clamored out the second my feet ambled into my office. "Oh, miss Yulan" I smiled and fall my eyes on Scott seated quietly, he glared at me, while I walked over to them. "What the problem, hope everything is okay". I added to my words. "Yes, on the contrary, we came to talk with you about the wedding hall". ( Yulan says) "What about it?" I inquired " It's not actually to our taste, so, my husband wants you to find another hall for the wedding".

The soft music from a string quartet drifted among the roses as guests sipped champagne and nibbled on hors d'oeuvres while waiting for the reception to start. The wedding of the mayor's daughter to the son of Chicago's most successful accountant was dubbed the biggest social event of the year. Everyone who was anyone was going. I hadn't known that Maddy and I were considered to be anyone until the day the invitation arrived. It felt good to be someone.

Mary’s Cathedral was under heavy security. The century-old Gothic church was a fairytale of white roses and crystal chandeliers. Every person who mattered in Chicago was there. Politicians, business tycoons, and the heads of the major crime families. All waiting for the wedding of the century. But my mind was elsewhere. I stood at the altar, checking my watch again and again. Each time I looked, my frown deepened, the irritation on my face growing more obvious. 2:00 PM. The wedding was supposed to start.

Chapter 266 Cynthia's POV ~ Twenty years ago ~ The church was magnificent. White flowers everywhere—cascading down the aisle, wrapped around every pillar, filling the air with their sweet, almost overwhelming fragrance. Harold Walker had spared no expense. "My son deserves the best," he'd declared when the wedding planner had presented the budget. "And so does his bride." I stood at the back of the church in my wedding dress staring down the long aisle toward the altar where Ethan waited.

"I'm tired of smiling at people. That's why we were assigned here." "You'll get used to it." Cindy turned to the front, looking at Harold in front of the altar. Today is Celine and Harold's wedding day, and also my first time at a wedding service. I wasn't really aware that the job I entered was supposed to be a multi-tasker. "When my boyfriend and I actually get married, I will hire you as the wedding coordinator..." I looked at Cindy when she spoke. "Uhm, you were no longer on the team when that happened. Sorry."

Amber glanced toward Beverly, who was expressionlessly browsing through a catalog provided by a sales attendant. Only after confirming Beverly's lack of reaction did Amber reply, saying, "Millie won't be attending Cindy's wedding. I've asked Theresa to be your partner instead." When Harold realized that he wouldn't get to see Emmeline, he began to throw a tantrum. "Does that mean she won't be there to wish me a happy birthday either?" Amber remained silent, which was as good as a response. Harold buried himself in Beverly's arms sadly and pleaded, "Mom, I want Millie to be the flower girl. I want Millie!"