Chapter 188

Chapter 188
Renée's POV

I almost couldn't believe it.
I was finally getting married.
Just two nights left and somehow, it felt like two minutes.
Dear goddess.

Was I getting cold feet? Maybe?
I mean, I had known for quite a while that I was getting married, but somehow, it felt like it just really hit me.
To think it was something I never imagined would happen. Like ever.
My feet bounced repeatedly and I clenched and unclenched my fists a million times in a bid to calm my nerves. Safe to say it didn't work.

Emma and Lily were engaged in a serious conversation over what games we should play, oblivious to my mini panic attack.
We were having a bachelorette party. My bachelorette party.

I should be screaming and laughing with undiluted joy, because I am happy!
But I literally couldn't.
My feet were frozen in place and my hands were shaking and I was trying not to hyperventilate.

Just trying to focus on everything but my rapidly rising breathing.
It was a miracle they didn't notice it.

As if on cue, they both turned to me at the same time.

“Woah, woah, Renée, what's wrong?” Lily said as they both hurried to my side.

That should have calmed me down but it only got worse, because I couldn't make a word out. I was fully having a panic attack at this point.

Emma, being the nurse she is, figured it out quickly.

“She’s having a panic attack,” she said.

Her voice was calm but firm, the kind that immediately grounded you even when your own mind was spinning out of control.

“Okay, hey, Renée, look at me,” she said, crouching in front of me, her eyes leveled with mine.
“You’re fine. You’re okay. Just breathe with me, alright? In… and out.”

Lily hovered anxiously beside her. I couldn't see her but I knew she was anxious.
I tried to follow Emma’s instructions but my breaths were all shallow, and my chest felt like someone had stuffed cotton inside it. My heart was still thundering in my ears.

“Good, that’s good,” she said softly, her tone patient but steady.
“You’re doing great. Just keep breathing, honey. There’s nothing dangerous happening right now, okay? You’re safe. You’re just overwhelmed.”

Lily knelt beside her and grabbed my hand, squeezing it gently.
“You don’t have to think about anything else right now. Not the wedding, not the guests, not the dress that almost didn’t fit this morning-”

Emma shot her a warning look.

“What? I’m trying to help!” Lily protested, her voice breaking into a nervous laugh.

Somehow, that laugh pulled a tiny sound from me, a half-snort, half-sob that came out before I could stop it.

Emma smiled. “There we go. That’s it. You’re okay.”

I nodded slowly, forcing my breaths to match hers until the trembling in my hands eased a little. My head still felt fuzzy, but at least I could breathe again without feeling like the world was shrinking.

Lily exhaled dramatically, collapsing onto the bed.
“Don’t do that again, please. I nearly passed out myself.”

“Sorry,” I rasped, my voice hoarse but returning.
“I guess I just… freaked out a little.”

Emma brushed a loose strand of hair from my face.
“You didn’t freak out. You just had a moment. It happens to everyone. Especially brides.” she said, with a knowing smile.

“I just can't believe it. I'm getting married…” I trailed off.
“Everything just hit me at once”

“That’s completely normal. Big things like this can be overwhelming. You’ve got a lot going on in your head, and it’s okay to have a moment.” Emma said.

Lily nodded quickly.
“Exactly. You’re not some calm wedding goddess…”

“Oh wait, you kind of are…” she trailed off, the screws in her head clearly turning.

That made me laugh again, properly this time.

“I love this new Lily,” Hera said softly.
You and I both.
She was so giddy.

Emma grinned. “See? Laughter helps. Now, I vote we take a break from the games and switch to something chill. Music, snacks, and maybe a bad movie?”

Lily perked up. “Ooh, or karaoke! That fixes everything.”

I groaned, half amused. “Only if you’re singing first.”

They exchanged a look that made it clear they had no intention of letting me off that easily.

But the panic was gone, replaced by something lighter.
The happiness flooded in like a waterfall and I let it.

I was getting married and it was a joyous occasion.

And this was my bachelorette party. I was going to have as much fun as possible.

So, for the rest of the night, we did karaoke, with Lily almost bursting out eardrums, watching movies, played several games, which Emma was somehow stupidly good at, had a lot to drink and eat, had a mini spa session and we even had a baking competition, which I won.
I used my mom's recipe and they absolutely loved it.

It was a very fun night and we eventually retired to bed a few minutes to dawn.
I went to bed thinking about how lucky I was to have these girls in my life and how happy they made me.

I thought about Alex and how much I missed him.
By tradition, the groom and bride weren't supposed to see each other for a week before the wedding. So, for the entire week, I hadn't seen him. Not once and goddess, it was like torture.

The only solace I had was the fact that I knew I now had a day left before seeing him and knowing the fact that I would never have to be apart from him anymore was enough to keep me calm.

I stared at the girls who were already fast asleep beside me. Lily had her legs thrown over Emma's. I giggled at the sight.
They had somehow grown really close over the past few weeks and it was so relieving to see.

A sigh of contentment escaped my lips as I huddled closer to them. A yawn escaped my lips and my eyes fluttered shut as I allowed myself to fall asleep.