Orla
The morning light spilt through the tall windows of the bridal suite pale and golden, cascading against the stone walls, catching on the vases of flowers and ribbons that seemed to have multiplied overnight.
The place looked like a bomb had gone off in a florist’s.
Champagne flutes, half-drunk and lipstick-stained, cluttered the table by the window.
Garment bags hung from every hook. My dress, the dress, waited in pride of place, gleaming amid the chaos.
My stomach twisted so tightly I wasn’t sure if I was going to cry or throw up. Probably both.
Kate gasped from the armchair, a flute of orange juice balanced in one hand, her bump rounding beneath a silk robe. “Gwen, don’t say that! Anyway, they’re already married, she wouldn’t get far. She looks like an angel.”
I laughed, nerves bubbling up like champagne. “An angel about two seconds from vomiting all over her own shoes.”
“Don’t you dare,” Kate warned, eyes wide. “It took me ages to find those.”
Their laughter quelled the feeling in my stomach, just a little. I glanced back at the gown and exhaled slowly. I was finally about to get the moment.
My makeup was finished, soft and glowy, my hair had been swept into a sleek low bun.
Tyler was used to seeing me bare-faced and undone, so it felt right to meet him as a more polished version of me today.
The girls carefully helped me into my dress, the three of us barely breathing until that final button was done up.
“Okay,” Gwen said, too smug to be trusted. “I’ve got something for you.”
I arched a brow. “Should I be worried?”
“Not from us,” she said quickly, grinning. “We were under strict orders to hand this over once you were in your dress.”
From behind her back, she produced a small velvet box and passed it to me with all the reverence of someone handling crown jewels. Inside, nestled against silk, was a pair of pearl-and-emerald drop earrings that stole my breath.
“Oh…” My fingers trembled as I lifted them, light catching on every facet. “They’re stunning.”
“Wait,” Gwen said, sliding a folded note into my hand. “There’s a note.”
I unfolded it carefully, recognising his quick scrawl in an instant.
O,
I can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle today, already my wife, then, now, and always.
I love you. Forever.
T.
My throat tightened. The earrings glinted in my palm like they carried every ounce of him in them.
I placed them in each ear carefully then started fanning at my face, desperate to keep the tears from wrecking my makeup.
God, I hadn’t thought I’d cry this soon.
Across the room, Kate was already blotting at her cheeks.
“For God’s sake,” she sniffed, laughing through her tears. “This is all I’m going to be doing today.”
Her wobbling smile set off my own and I turned back to the mirror. I took one steadying breath, giving myself a final once over. Gwen stepped forward, her touch gentle as she settled the veil against the crown of my head. My breath caught.
God. I looked like a bride.
Butterflies swarmed my stomach, dizzy and unrelenting.
A year ago, I’d met Tyler Reed and spent every ounce of willpower I had trying not to fall for his relentless charm.
And now here I was, in a fairytale castle, veil slipping over my shoulders, about to walk down the aisle and marry him for the second time.
A soft knock broke through the fizz of the room. Gwen went to answer, and when the door swung open, my dad stood there.
His eyes landed on me and for a second, he just froze. His mouth parted like he’d been ready to speak but forgot how. The tears I’d been desperately holding back surged straight to the surface.
“Jesus, Orla…” His voice crackled. He shook his head slowly, eyes shining. “You look just like your mother did on our wedding day.”
Fucking hell. That did it. I covered my mouth, choking on a sob as he crossed the room. He gathered me carefully, mindful of the veil, the dress, the moment, and I clung to him like I was six years old again.
“Dad,” I whispered, voice thick with emotion. “Don’t say things like that or I won’t make it down the aisle.”
He gave a watery laugh, cupping my cheek. “You’re ready,” he said, steadying himself and me. “Come on, love. He’s waiting for you.”
Gwen adjusted the train behind me, Kate dabbed under her eyes one more time, and Dad offered me his arm. I slid my hand through the crook of his elbow, squeezing tight.
The nerves melted away, replaced by something bigger. A calm certainty. A joy I could feel right down to my bones.
With one last deep breath, I let him lead me out the door, down the corridor and towards the room where I was about to get my fairytale ending.