Chapter 75 – Wedding Pt 1

Ace Rhodes.

The car's engine hummed with a steady rhythm as Noah and I sat side by side in the backseat, our eyes locked on the passing scenery. The air inside the car felt tense, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. We were on our way to the hall where the wedding was supposed to take place, and I couldn't help but notice the unease in Noah's every movement.

Noah shifted in his seat, and I caught a glimpse of the way his fingers clenched the armrest. His jaw was set, and his gaze was fixed on something beyond the window, but it was clear that his mind was miles away. He'd been like this for most of the ride, his silence only broken by the occasional sigh that escaped his lips.

I couldn't ignore it any longer. "Noah," I began softly, trying not to startle him, "are you okay?"

Noah didn't respond at first. He continued to stare out of the window, lost in his chain of thoughts. I could see the worry etched into the lines of his face, the tension radiating from his body.

I cleared my throat and tried again, my voice a little firmer this time. "Noah?" I called his name, hoping to pull him back from whatever dark place he'd retreated to.

He blinked and turned to me, his expression a mix of surprise and confusion as if he'd forgotten I was sitting right next to him. "Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine," he replied hastily, though his eyes still held a hint of turmoil.

I studied him for a moment, uncertain whether to press further. I decided to let it slide, I didn’t want him to feel suffocated.

The car finally came to a stop, and we both stepped out into the warm afternoon sunlight. As we walked toward the entrance of the wedding hall, I couldn't help but be captivated by the stunning decorations that surrounded us. Isabelle and Emily had truly outdone themselves.

The hall was adorned with an array of flowers, elegant drapes, and twinkling fairy lights that created a magical atmosphere.

We made our way to the front, where our seats were located near the stage. The chairs were arranged neatly, and the stage itself was a work of art, with a stunning backdrop of flowers and a soft, ethereal glow emanating from behind it.

But as we took our seats, I noticed that Noah's unease had resurfaced. His hands were trembling slightly as he stared at the stage, his expression fraught with anxiety. Finally, he blurted out, "What if I'm not a good husband?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Noah," I began, "why do you think that?"

He hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. "I just... I want to make her happy, Ace. But what if I'm not enough? What if I can't be the husband she deserves?"

I shook my head gently, rolling my eyes at him. "Noah, you guys have been together for more than six years. You live together, you have children together. You've lived through the worst years. I think you're going to be just fine."

“Yeah, but…” Noah nodded slowly, his eyes still filled with uncertainty. I reached over and patted his back, giving him a reassuring nod.

This was pathetic. What difference would a sign on paper or a bunch of vows could make?

The hall was filling up with guests, the buzz of excitement growing as people took their seats. Just then, William and Alex entered the hall, each holding one of the twins. They spotted us and waved enthusiastically before placing their belongings on the table beside the stage.

As the minutes ticked away, the anticipation continued to build. Noah's nervousness still lingered, but I kept making sure he wouldn’t pass out because Emily would kill me if he did. Also he had this wedding thing to do.

*****

I stood beside Noah as the bishop, dressed in his ceremonial robes, took his place at the front of the stage. I could sense the anxiety radiating off of Noah, his nervousness palpable. His hands trembled slightly, and his gaze remained fixed on the spot where Emily would soon stand.

“You’re going to be fine,” I leaned forward towards him and whispered in his ear and he just nodded in response.

I knew that Noah's nerves would dissipate the moment he saw Emily walking down the aisle. I glanced down to double-check that Noah's handwritten vows were safely tucked into my pocket. They were there, just about an hour and I would finally get to be with Isabelle, preferably alone.

As I stood there, a soft, melodious song began to fill the hall, and everyone rose to their feet. It was the cue for the entrance of the bride. I could feel Noah's heartbeat quicken, his breaths growing shallower as he waited for that moment.

And then, she appeared.

Emily entered the hall with her mother's arm lovingly looped with hers. The sight of her was nothing short of breathtaking. Her wedding gown flowed gracefully around her, a vision of ivory and lace. Her smile radiated a warmth that could melt the coldest of hearts. She glided down the aisle, her eyes locked onto Noah's, and a deep sigh escaped his lips as he took in the woman he was about to marry.

I couldn't help but feel like an intruder in this intimate moment between them. Emily and Noah's love was evident in the way they looked at each other, in the way their eyes held a promise of forever.

But then, something caught my attention.

Behind Emily, walking down the aisle, was Isabelle. My heart seemed to stop beating for a second as my gaze locked onto her.

She looked painfully beautiful.

It was unexpected, and I couldn't quite understand why her presence had such an impact on me.

Isabelle was perfect. Her lavender dress flowed elegantly around her, and a bouquet of pink flowers adorned her hands. Her hair was styled to one side with delicate beads woven into it, giving her an angel like appearance. She looked radiant, and in that moment, it physically hurt not being able to touch her.

It was as if a switch had been flipped within me, and emotions I hadn't fully recognized came rushing to the surface. I couldn't tear my gaze away from her, even when she stood right opposite me on the stage, just a few feet away.

Isabelle glanced in my direction, and our eyes locked for a brief, intense moment. It was as though the world had faded away, leaving only the two of us in that moment. She playfully winked at me, completely oblivious to the effect she had on me and how my heart was beating out of my chest.

As the bishop began the ceremony, I tried to redirect my focus to the couple, to the words they were exchanging, but it seemed close to impossible. Isabelle's presence had thrown me off balance, awakening emotions I had never expected to feel.

What was this woman doing to me?

But in that moment, in the midst of all the chaos my heart was feeling, I decided something.