Chapter 47
Chapter Forty-Seven
Tania
The boutique is filled with soft laughter and the faint rustle of fabric as I step out of the dressing room. My wedding gown flows around me, the intricate lace catching the light and shimmering like something out of a dream. My bridesmaids—Jenna, Claire, and my sister, Beth—sit on the plush couch, their expressions lighting up the moment they see me.
“Tania,” Jenna breathes, her hands clasping together. “You look... perfect.”
Beth nods, her eyes glistening. “You’re going to take Levi’s breath away.”
I turn to the full-length mirror, smoothing my hands over the delicate fabric. The dress is everything I imagined—elegant but simple, a reflection of me. Yet, as I stare at my reflection, a knot of uncertainty tightens in my chest.
The girls chatter behind me, their voices blending into a comforting hum, but my thoughts wander. The wedding is days away, and while I should be brimming with excitement, part of me feels overwhelmed.
“Tania?” Beth’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. She’s standing beside me now, her brow furrowed in concern. “You okay?”
I hesitate, then let out a soft sigh. “I’m just... nervous, I guess.”
Jenna and Claire join us, their expressions shifting to curiosity and concern.
“What are you nervous about?” Jenna asks gently. “You and Levi are perfect together.”
“It’s not about us,” I reply, my voice quiet. “Not exactly. It’s just... this feels so big. And after everything we’ve been through, sometimes I wonder if we’re rushing it. If I’m ready for it.”
Beth places a comforting hand on my arm. “Tania, it’s normal to feel like this. Marriage is huge. But you and Levi? You’ve already been through so much together. You’re ready.”
“Are we?” I ask, my voice trembling. “We’ve worked so hard to rebuild what we had, but what if we lose it again? What if I lose myself in it?”
Claire steps forward, her tone firm but kind. “Tania, you’re one of the strongest people I know. And Levi? That man worships the ground you walk on. He’s not going to let you lose yourself, and neither will we.”
Their words hit me harder than I expect, and I blink back tears. “I love him,” I admit, my voice breaking. “I never stopped. But love wasn’t enough before, and I’m scared it won’t be enough now.”
Jenna kneels beside me, her gaze steady. “Love isn’t just about feelings, Tania. It’s about choice. You and Levi are choosing each other every day. That’s what makes it work.”
Beth nods. “And you don’t have to do it alone. You’ve got him, and you’ve got us.”
Their reassurance washes over me like a balm, soothing the doubts that have been swirling in my mind. I glance back at my reflection, my fingers brushing the lace of the gown.
I see a woman who’s fought for what she wants. A woman who’s learned to trust herself and the man she loves.
“You’re right,” I say softly, meeting their gazes in the mirror. “This is worth fighting for. Levi’s worth fighting for. And I think... I think I’m finally ready to let myself be happy.”
Beth smiles, her eyes glistening. “You deserve it, Tania. You both do.”
Jenna grins, reaching for a tissue to dab at her eyes. “Well, now that we’ve had our emotional breakthrough, can we all agree that this dress is perfect?”
I laugh, the sound light and freeing. “Yes. The dress is perfect.”
“Good,” Claire says, raising her glass of sparkling water. “To Tania and Levi—proof that second chances are worth it.”
“To Tania and Levi,” the others echo, their voices warm and full of love.
Later, as I change out of the gown and prepare to leave the boutique, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror one last time. This time, the nervous knot in my chest feels smaller, replaced by something softer.
Hope.
This isn’t just about the dress or the wedding. It’s about the future Levi and I are building together—a future where love, trust, and partnership are the foundation.