Chapter 64 – December 1st

I wore a classic simple strapless gown of pale grey embroidered silk with an asymmetrical over panel revealing a less-heavily embroidered skirt. My hair falls down my back smoothly, the curls were foamed luxuriously, and as for my makeup, it was minimal reserved for a sweep of mascara. I licked the bottom of my lips to give it a little shine before applying a matte reddish pink onto my lips.

I looked at my own reflection in the mirror for a last look, and I smiled before grabbing my bag and my phone from the table, and I left my bedroom. I enter the living room and saw my mother's friends wearing their bridesmaids' dresses.

"Oh my god! Hailey Felicity Jones, you look just like your mother. So beautiful," Amanda, my mother's best friend, said as I smiled at her, thanking her for the compliment she gave me.

"You look great, Hailey," Amelia says as I smile at her and hugging her after.

"You don't look bad yourself, "I said as she mockingly sways her hips from side to side as she twirls around and smiles.

 She points the bouquet of pink and white roses at my face as I gave her a questioning look.

"Who did your makeup? Was it your mom's makeup artist? Because if it is, I love the eye makeup," Amelia says as I smile at her and I roll my eyes.

"No, it was me, "I told her, and her jaw drops. She drops the roses on the floor as she touches my face, awestruck by the makeup I did.

"Teach me!"

"Amelia. I just used a pink eyeshadow color and added some champagne eyeshadow color. It's that simple," I told her as I chuckle, and she rolls her eyes at me as she smirks.

My mom's bridesmaid left her room, and we both waited for my mom to leave her own room. And soon enough, she decides to leave the room, and she appears in front of us with a stunning look. Her dress was unique and simple. The elegant white fabric stretches onto the floor with a touch of lace designs at the bottom of the dress. I look at her eyes, and I can see the way it sparkled, she was happy, and I knew that it also made me happy.

The bridesmaids, flower girls, and I stared at my mom, and some of them started clapping their hands. I walked towards my mom and hugged her, "You look beautiful."

"Picture time!" Lorraine shouts as the bridesmaids started gathering towards us, posing for the picture. "Smile, you guys!"

After the first batch of bridesmaids with me and my mom's picture, the second batch of bridesmaids, together with the flower girls, joined in to take a memorable picture with us.

After the last shot, we hear a knock on the door as Amelia looks at the peephole. She opens the hotel room door as the event organizer poked her head inside the room to look at my mom, "You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen," she says.

"Thank you, Ashley, "My mom says as she smiles at her.

"So, are you guys ready?" Ashley, the event organizer, looks at all of us as we nodded our heads. "Are you ready, Ms. Bernadette?" my mom nods her head as we all smiled. "Alright, let's start. Bridesmaids first, then flower girls and of course, the daughter and the bride-to-be."

We all left the hotel room as I waited for my mom outside and for all the bridesmaids and flower girls to leave first. My mom soon walks out as Ashley closes the room. "Ready?" I asked my mom, and she smiles at me. She nods her head, and we start walking towards the elevator.

We enter the elevator, and the elevator music starts playing once again. "Are you excited?" Ashley asks, and I look at my mom, who flashes a big smile on her face.

"Excited since day one, "Mom said. We arrived on the hotel's first floor, where the venue of the wedding is located and where the restaurant is. We waited for the bridesmaids and flower girls to enter the ballroom, and when they all successfully did, they closed the door for a minute.

"Hailey, "My mom says. I looked at her and smiled, "This is it. Are you ready?" She asks me as I roll my eyes while smiling.

"Ready when you are."

Ashley nodded her head at the staff, giving them a heads up to open the doors to the ballroom. All of the guests stood up from their seats and looked at both of us as we start walking down the aisle. I plaster a smile on my face as I see Liam standing next to the altar, smiling as he looks at my mother. I see Will smiling happily while holding a pillow with the two wedding rings on it, and I see no sight of Cayden.

I was sad but, I get it why he didn't show up at his dad's wedding. Because I was there, standing beside my mother. And maybe he didn't want to witness the wedding of my mother and his father, even though it's a special day for the two of them.

We arrived at the altar, and I gave my mom a peck on the cheek as Liam grabs my mom's hand and kisses me on the cheek as he whispers, "Thank you." I stood beside the altar as I witnessed their wedding ceremony.

"We are gathered here today to witness the undying love of Bernadette and Liam and to celebrate it on their wedding day, "The priest says as I look at Liam smile at my mom. I didn't notice that I was also smiling.

"Uh, wait. Before we start, there's something we have to announce, "My mom says as she grabs a microphone, sitting on the table beside the altar. She turns around and looks at the guests as she holds Liam's hand as if she's never going to let it go.

"From the time we first met, we both knew that we were in love and when I got to know Bernadette, I knew that she was the person I'm going to marry, "Liam says as the crowd goes in awe. I chuckle at myself as I listen to their little announcement.

My mom grabs the microphone from Liam and looks at me, "I was somewhat happy when my daughter, Hailey, gave us the blessing. I know that she's not my mother for me to ask for her blessing but, she's my daughter—the best daughter I could've asked for. In fact, she was selfless, and I admire everything she does for me, even though we tend to fight, "The crowd starts chuckling as I smile at my mom while looking at her.

"But, I am sincerely apologizing for the wedding today is off," People started gasping, their faces full of questions. I turn my head towards my mom then she looks at me, smiling oddly.

I keep on remembering Cayden—the memories we both shared. He's not here right now, but I hope he's safe and he'll be able to accept everything I did. That I didn't let go for no reason and that I let go everything for the both of us, for our families—our parents, so that there will be no further damages than there has ever been.

Letting go of Cayden Anderson was one of the hardest things I did, besides letting go of my father and my past to start a new life with my mom and Liam's family. Liam accepted all of my mother's flaws. That's why I honor him, and I respect him for loving my mother truly.

"Hailey, "my mom calls for me. I walked towards her as she continues, "giving up your own happiness is such a selfless thing for you to do. I thought I would be happy, but I realized that your happiness is more important than mine, and you deserve to be happy."

"Be happy. You deserve it," She smiles, "And I realized now that no one can really replace the love I have for your father."

Before stepping down, my mom says, "He's outside the venue. Maybe you can still catch him before he leaves."

I walked down, slowly but surely, at the altar and ran towards the exit doors. To my surprise, there he was, standing in front of me as I can't help but cry and smile at the same time. His eyes widened in disbelief, but he manages to smile softly at the sight of me.

"Hailey," He says.

"Cayden," I smile at the thought of mentioning his name alone. I open my mouth to speak, but I was immediately cut off by Cayden before I could.

"I know it might be too late, but I still want to tell you that you are the only person who changed me and opened up my heart to love and trust again. You are everything to me. We may have gone through the best and worst of times, but I could say that everything we've been through is worth it for me. Everything is worth it enough for me to keep on fighting because I was fighting for you, and I am continuously fighting for you. You just hurt my heart so good," Cayden says as I hugged him.

"It's never too late," I whispered into his ear. He pulls away from me and stares into my eyes, confused. I chuckled as I say, "They canceled—"

Before I could even finish speaking, he immediately pressed his lips onto mine. He captured every inch of me, my heart pounding faster and louder on my chest as if it was enough to give me a heart attack. 

He caresses my cheeks with his thumb as he pressed his forehead against mine. His eyes met mine, and I knew instantly that I was in a safer place. We both chuckled, and it is enough to make my heart bloom once again.

"It's always been you."