Chapter 37
“Y ou don’t have to do this.” Maisie paces the room, where we’re waiting in the chapel, with her palm pressed into her back. I can’t believe she’s hung on for this long, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy she’s here. I need all the support I can get today.
“I really do,” I assure her, straightening out the wedding dress that Wade fucked me in, the day he broke my heart.
“The boys aren’t going to punish your dad for something he did twenty years ago, Wade told you that himself. Actually going through with this is nonsense,” she hisses at me.
“This is what everyone wants,” I tell her as I apply more gloss to my lips and try to block all my feelings out.
“It’s not what you want.”
“I can’t have what I want,” I point out sarcastically, knowing that she’s hiding something from me.
“Please, Leia. Don’t do this,” She begs with her big, blue eyes full of panic.
“Too late now.” I smile back at her as my father opens the door and smiles at me proudly.
“You look beautiful, darling.” He comes to me and offers me the crook of his arm, and I don’t miss the way Maisie scowls at him, as she picks up her flowers.
“Everyone’s waiting for you,” he tells her, gesturing toward the door, and she gives me one last pleading look before she heads out.
“Deep breath, darling.” Dad strokes my face and smiles. “I’m so proud of you,” he kisses my cheek.
I look across the room to where my phone is. I messaged Wade last night and gave him one last chance to make this stop. I told him to come and save me, and he’s still yet to show.
“Caleb will be a good husband to you,” Dad assures me in that soothing tone that always makes things better. Only today, it doesn’t seem to be working.
I say nothing back, just smile up at him and try to contain my tears. I wonder where Wade is and if he knows how much my heart is breaking, as my dad leads me out into the foyer.
The music is already playing. Karina and Maisie are standing at the top of the aisle with Caleb and his brothers, and now, it’s my turn.
My feet feel like lead weights as I take each step, and when I scan each side of the aisle looking for him, all I see are happy people smiling at me.
They whisper to each other, commenting on how lovely I look, and with each step I take, I feel my heart get swallowed a little deeper.
When we run out of aisle, and I’m standing beside Caleb, I look to my father and fake him a smile.
I wonder if he realizes how much I love him.
If this isn’t proof enough, I’ll never know what is.
He kisses me on the cheek again before he passes me to Caleb and, as I look at my future husband, tears sting my eyes.
“Who gives this woman away?” the pastor asks, and I glance toward the back door, willing for it to open.
“I do,” my father says his part before he steps away and joins my mother in the front row. As the pastor recites the words of the service, I pray that Wade will come.
“If anyone here knows of any reasons why this couple may not be joined in holy matrimony, please speak now or forever hold your peace.” I hear those words and look to the door again, closing my eyes and praying for a miracle.
When one doesn't come and the pastor continues, I slowly let those tears release.
“ARHHHH!” I look up when I hear the noise that comes from Maisie, and Leonard quickly slides away from his space beside her, looking at the puddle between her legs in disgust. Garrett’s immediately on his feet and by her side and when she looks up from the mess she’s made of the floor and focuses on me, I can see how shocked she is.
“Sorry.” She smiles awkwardly.