Back at the Castle all the ladies except Lexi and Karmen set in the spa together while a couple of stylists and makeup artist done their hair and Makeup.After each one of the ladies changed into their elegant wedding attire ,Julie came to escort them to a luxurious sitting room to join Mother Sophia, her sister Charlotte and Charlotte's daughter Brooklyn. Where an assortment of beautiful cookies and pastries were setting around for them to enjoy while waiting for Lexi and Karmen to finish getting ready.
In the meantime Lexi set upstairs with two other makeup artist and two stylist one for her and one for Karmen. The makeup artist who had been assigned to her had already started applying her makeup. While the other one set idle waiting on Karmen.
Worried that something might have happened to Jackson and Karmen she picked up her phone to checked the time. Praying that they didn't get into heavy traffic or mobbed by the crowd that was gathered uptown and around the castle.
After checking the time she held her phone in her lap for a few minutes. Hoping to get a call or a text from Karmen telling her she was on her way. However after a few more minutes the waiting just became to much for her to take. She brought her phone up in front of her asking the makeup artist to excuse her for a minute, so that she could call Karmen.
Just when her fingers moved to call Karmen's number the door few open and Karmen walked inside. Lexi let out a big sigh of relief placing her hand on her chest, she breathed " Thank god you're here I was just going to call you. I was getting worried that you and Jackson had been mobbed by the crowd outside."
"I'm sorry we're late we did run into some heavy traffic ," she apologized, taking a seat in the chair next to Lexi to have her makeup done. " Lexi you should see the crowd down town in front of the public records office. I don't see how your even going to get inside the building to get your marriage license."
"I'm not worried about that, Alex told me that Commander Richard will have the entrance to the public records building roped off before we get there .And the roads will be cleared of all the traffic, people will just be able to stand on the side of the road and wave as we go by." She explained.
" I'm glad I filed for my marriage license on line, Jackson knows the lady that works in the public records office, she's his maid's sister. Jackson ask her to send them in the mail we got them in last week."
"I wish me and Alex could have done that, but you know how it is."She shrugged "We have to make a big public display for the whole country to watch."
"I'm going to have mother video it on her phone. I would do it but Jackson said we have to stand beside you and Alex for the News reporters. Sounds kinda crazy to me but that's what Jackson told me we had to do." She babbled on ,Suddenly tapping Lexi's arm." Oh I'm so glad that you and Alex are only going to stay at Schaumburg for a couple of days then join me and Jackson at Rock Island." She grinned mischievous making Lexi wonder what she was up too.
" Alright Karmen what are you up to?" Lexi asked suspiciously
" Nothing, Can't I just be happy to spend time with you and Alex on that beautiful Island." She said ,sounding as if they never spend time together ,which is far from the truth.
Lexi narrowed her eyes at Karmen suspecting she had something up her sleeve. However she didn't comment anything about . She smiled " That is a beautiful beach and I can't wait to see all the updates Jackson has done to that old mansion. I'm sure we will have a great time together with out any fear of cameras being all around us like on a public beach."
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Meanwhile down stairs in the luxurious setting room where the tea was being served. The whole family gathered wearing their finest outfits.All the ladies in beautiful dresses accessorized with diamonds and other richly colored jewels. While all the men looked dashing and utterly handsome all decked out in black tuxedos and white shirt with gold and diamond cuff links. Everyone except Alex and Jackson,but of course everyone knows there's nobody better looking than a handsome young man in a full dress military uniform.
King Charles and Queen Victoria both proudly wore an ancestral diamond and sapphire broach in the shape of the Whitley coat of arms similar to the ones Alex , Jackson ,and Mother Sophia had on except their's was fashioned from diamonds and blood ruby's .
In the center of the room Brooklyn set quietly sipping her tea and listening to the conversation of the older woman. When the handsome man in the corner talking to Ethan and Jackson caught her
attention .Making up an excuse to talk to her cousin ,she stood up excusing her self.
She checked her appearance straightening her flowing champagne colored dress. And gracefully sashayed over to where the three men were talking ,tapping on Jackson's shoulder to have him turn in her direction.
" Hay, Brooklyn how are you. " Jackson politely greeted his cousin giving her a brief hug.
"Oh, I can't complain," She said " I just wanted to ask who your photographer is for your wedding?" You see, I haven't had a chance to have new family pictures taken for the photo album since my divorce" she sighed ,glancing over at King Evander coyly "I was looking for someone talented,maybe someone that could come to the mansion."
" His name is Robert Voss, he has a studio up town in the art district,right across from the old museum and I guess he will go anywhere. He didn't have a problem with coming to the island" Jackson replied Gladly give her the information, not missing the hidden message she so coyly tried to convey to King Evander.
"Thank you so much, and congratulations,I wish you and your wife a life time of happiness. Hopefully yours and Alexander marriage will last a forever unlike mine."She shook her head, as she subtly sends out another message.