The days that followed felt like the whole town was wrapped in a blanket of joy. Both the Norwood and Jefferson homes were packed with visitors, everyone bringing gifts and blessings, eager to be a part of the excitement leading up to the wedding.
Lydia couldn’t see the smiles or the decorations, but when Connor handed her the wedding planner’s booklet, she ran her fingers over the textured paper and breathed in the scent of fresh ink. Every little detail seemed to hold a piece of his love.
The Jefferson family mansion had stood for over a century, a true symbol of their family’s history. Still, Grandpa Samuel thought it could be better. He oversaw the renovations himself, making sure the hallway railings were a little wider, adding raised brass strips along every stair so Lydia could feel them with her feet, and even having a new, smooth path installed beside the cobblestone walkway in the courtyard.
But the most impressive touch was “Lydia’s Garden,” a project Connor set in motion overnight. The estate was huge. The main house kept its original style, but inside, every corner was designed with Lydia in mind. All the furniture had smooth, rounded edges, and there was a smart voice system that answered every request Lydia made. The big windows in the living room were fitted with special glass that would never shatter dangerously, no matter what happened. Every bit of it was meant to make things easier for her.
Lydia ran her hand over the raised mural on the bedroom wall, her fingertips finding the delicate lines of two swans with their necks entwined. “You really didn’t have to do all this,” she whispered, awed.
Connor pulled her close, resting his chin on her hair. “Why not? You deserve nothing but the best.”
Her sight wouldn’t return for another three years, but Connor was determined. Whether it was one year or three, he would never let her feel left out or less than anyone else.
Meanwhile, the Norwood family was buzzing with their own preparations. Lydia’s four brothers each had a job. Blake took care of the guest list. Arthur used his connections to make sure the security at the wedding was flawless. Garrett hired a world-class wedding planning team. Elliot secretly found a craftsman to make Lydia a one-of-a-kind crown.
Kylie and Cameron, her parents, were busy too. They poured everything into preparing a huge wedding gift. They knew they hadn’t been there for Lydia when she was growing up, hadn’t given her the love she deserved. When she was finally home, she was the one supporting and helping this family. So they wanted to make it up to her, even if she didn’t need it. They needed to do this for her. The gift was their way of giving Lydia confidence and support in her new family.
People were always saying their daughter was marrying up, that being with the Jeffersons was a stretch. But Kylie and Cameron was determined to show everyone just how wrong they were.


VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Ready to Rule: The Real Heiress Strikes Back