F IN N

F IN N
Two months later...

Wedding day.

Gardens of the Müller mansion.

Emma adjusted the strap on her shoulder again; it kept slipping down, and she twisted her lips in disapproval. During the fitting to check details, everything had been perfect. She didn't understand what had happened in a week. Why was the strap loose? Eda entered, dressed in a gold-colored gown with a straight neckline that fell to her feet. Her hair was gathered at the nape of her neck, with one curl falling by the side of her face.

"I brought the needle and thread. Let's fix this," she said, determined to fix the strap.

"Is everything ready?" Emma wanted to know. She was nervous. She hadn't been able to sleep much lately.

"Yes, Emily is already dressed, Max has her. But I'll be the one to carry her during the ceremony. Although Sasha is obsessed with doing it himself, I gave him an ultimatum that I will be the one to carry her." Emma smiled. Sasha had been the man courting Eda for the past month, and now they were newly dating. They would be the most talked-about couple among the guests. Emma had sworn Horacio would try to court her, but everyone had taken their own path. Occasionally, they invited him out for a beer. But lately, he seemed busy now that his father had handed over the family business to him. The door opened, and Elaine appeared, looking a bit shy. Behind her was Jack. Although they had recently made amends and started fresh, the memories of what had happened were still there. It was hard to forgive, but Jack was trying, really trying. But tonight, they had to be a team to give Emma away. "Done," said Eda, picking up the small box and looking at Emma's parents. "I'll come to get you when it's time to appear." Elaine and Jack thanked her, and then her sister-in-law disappeared from Max's old room. Emma looked at her parents in the full-length mirror, took a deep breath, and then slowly turned to face them. She felt a bit tight, but it must have been from eating quite a bit last night due to anxiety.

"So, how do I look?" Emma's heart raced.

"You look perfect," said Jack, approaching her, taking one of her hands, and squeezing it with a nostalgic smile.

"You look beautiful and perfect," said Elaine, wiping the corner of one eye to prevent a tear from falling. "I never imagined being in this moment of your life."

"Neither did I," said Jack, looking at Elaine.

"Don't start, Jack," said Elaine, walking toward them and then stopping at a certain distance. Emma sighed.

"Today is an important day, though I never thought I would have you both living it with me," Emma looked at each of them. "No matter how everything turned out, today is a day when I won't think about anything from the past, I'll just live in the present."

"That's right. I think we've talked enough about our mistakes, and it's time to move forward. We have a second chance to be part of the family."

"Yes, that's right. And even though I'm on the other side of the world," said Elaine, "and Jack traveling for his business," she looked at Emma. "At the end of the day, we will always be your parents."

"Thank you both for making peace and being here." She hugged them both. Elaine cried a little, as did Jack, but Emma had to be strong. She didn't want to ruin her makeup.

A knock on the door interrupted them.

"It's time," announced Eda.

Emma nodded and took a deep breath, then let it out through her teeth. She was anxious; she was finally getting married, and to a good man, one who made her feel loved, cherished, respected, and above all, fulfilled.

Elaine and Jack waited outside the room to give Emma some space, who was on the verge of tears. But she held back. She approached the bed to take the bouquet she would carry and then looked at her reflection in the mirror one last time. There was something in her, a transformation she was still assimilating. Her body had changed, her way of seeing life, and above all, the way she was learning to love the people around her. A smile appeared on her lips, and then she left the room, ready to say "I do" at the altar.
Meanwhile, Max stood under the flower-filled arch that Eda and Emma had made. The entire space was adorned with flowers, looking like a scene from a romantic movie. The string quartet began playing the bride's entrance music. Sasha, who was holding Emily, was a short distance from Max, and Emily was attentively watching everything.

"Here comes Mommy," Max said, looking at Emily and briefly touching her cheek. He then turned his attention to Eda, who was walking down the aisle, smiling and scattering white rose petals everywhere. Emma appeared next, arm in arm with Jack and Elaine. The three of them looked nervous, but when Emma locked eyes with Max, the rest of the world faded away for a moment. Her nerves quickly vanished as they began walking toward him. When they arrived, she emerged from her cloud of happiness to take the hand Jack offered to Max.

"I give you Emma, Max. Take care of her and our granddaughter as you have been doing," Jack said.

"And you're doing a great job," Elaine quickly added, wanting to be part of the moment. "Keep it up, and be very happy."

"Thank you both," Max said, smiling. Her in-laws each took their places, and he helped Emma stand beside him. "You look beautiful," he whispered in her ear before kissing her on the crown of her head.

"And you look very handsome in that suit," Emma whispered back.

"I can wear it on our wedding night," Max joked. Emma smiled playfully and shook her head at his audacity.

"We will begin this union..." the pastor started, who would marry them under the laws of God. Eda was wiping her cheeks, unable to stop crying from the emotion. Finally, her brother was getting married. Adler was equally sentimental, occasionally dabbing the corners of his eyes with an elegant handkerchief. Elaine, sitting next to Stan, held his hand and kissed his knuckles. It seemed that finally, Emma's mother would give a real chance to Stan. Although they had started for money, the daily companionship and what the man did to make her feel loved and welcome in his home, which now belonged to both of them, made Elaine seriously consider building a good life by his side.

The moment for the vows arrived, and Emma became more nervous than she already was.

"Max," Emma took a deep breath, "I promise to love and respect you more than I already do, even when you make me angry," the guests laughed, "make me cry, and when you make me try new foods that, in the end, I know I won't like. I promise to be your accomplice in everything you do, and I promise to support you every step of the way. This is the first time I have loved someone with all my being, and I want you to be the last."

"There will be no doubt about that, my love," Max whispered, his throat tight with emotion. Everyone applauded and then fell silent to hear Max's vows.

"Well, it's my turn," he said, letting out a long sigh, clearly nervous. "Emma, what more can I say when I tell you everything daily? You are the woman who enchanted my heart and soul and made me believe that destiny does exist. I never imagined that the spill that made me knock over your drink and mine at the hotel bar in Hawaii would be the beginning of our story." Emma's lower lip trembled. "Everything we went through to be together was unexpected, but I will always say it: It was worth it. You gave me the miracle of being a father," they both looked at little Emily in Sasha's arms and then back at each other, "and it has been a new path that has undoubtedly marked us for life. Here's to more good days, fewer bad days, and many days filled with happiness by your side. I love you, Emma." They were about to kiss, but the pastor stopped them.

"Wait, we're not done yet," he said, making the guests laugh. "Now, I declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Max gently cupped Emma's face and lifted it toward him, then whispered:

"One love, one heart, one destiny by your side, Mrs. Müller..." He then captured her lips with passion. The background of this scene was the applause and cheers of the guests. Many tears of happiness were shed, promises of a future were made, and, of course, second chances were taken.

"You don't find love; love finds you. It has a little to do with destiny, luck, and what's written in the stars." (Anaïs Nin)