Chapter 189 One hundred & Eighty Nine

Chapter 189 One hundred & Eighty Nine
EMMA POV
The day is finally here.
After months of planning and self-doubt, we are finally getting married.
I couldn't stop shaking.
My hands were trembling so badly that my mom had to redo my lipstick three times.
"Breathe, honey," she kept saying. "Just breathe."
But I couldn't breathe. How was I supposed to breathe when the rest of my life was about to start in twenty minutes?
Don’t get me wrong am super excited. I had looked forward to this day; I just had the nudging fear sitting in my heart.
I was sitting in the bridal suite at the garden venue, staring at myself in the mirror. The dress was perfect. White and elegant and simple, just like I'd always wanted. My hair was curled and pinned with small white flowers threaded through it. My makeup was flawless, even if my hands were shaking so much I could barely retouch my lipstick.
My mom stood behind me, her hands on my shoulders.
"You look beautiful, my love," she whispered.
"I look terrified," I said.
"That too," she laughed. "But mostly beautiful."
There was a knock on the door.
"Ten minutes," someone called out.
My heart stopped.
Ten minutes.
Ten minutes until I walked out there and promised forever to someone, the one who who threaten me into my situationship, to the one who I nearly died several times because of jealous psycho lovers, ten minutes to the love of my life, and I wouldn’t trade places with even if it was Tom Holland. Ten minutes until I became Emma Blackwell. Ten minutes until my life changed completely.
"I can't do this," I said suddenly.
My mom bent down and looked at me in the mirror.
"Why not?" she asked.
"Because what if I mess up the vows?" I said. "What if I trip walking down the aisle? What if I start crying and can't stop? What if—"
"Emma, darling, deep breath, baby," my mom said gently, "what if everything goes perfectly?"
I looked at her.
"What if," she continued, "you walk out there, and you see Ryan, and all the fear disappears? What if you say your vows and they're the most beautiful words he's ever heard? What if this is the best day of your life?"
I felt tears forming.
"Don't cry," she said quickly. "You're ruining your makeup."
"I don't care about the makeup," I said. "I just... I love him so much, and I want this day to be perfect, Mom. What if something goes wrong?"
"Nothing's going to go wrong," she said. "And even if it does, you'll get through it together. That's what marriage is, baby. It's facing life together."
Another knock.
"Five minutes."
My dad appeared in the doorway. He was wearing a navy suit, and he looked so handsome. He looked nervous, too.
"Ready?" he asked.
I stood up on shaky legs.
My mom did one final check of my dress, my hair, and my makeup. She kissed me on the cheek.
"I'm so proud of you," she whispered.
"I love you," I said.
"I love you too, baby."
My dad took my arm, and we walked to the entrance of the garden.
I could hear the orchestra playing. I could hear the soft murmur of the crowd. I could hear my own heartbeat, loud in my ears.
"You okay?" my dad asked.
"No, my nerves are all over the place," I said honestly. "But I’ll be fine."
He squeezed my arm. "That's my girl."
The doors opened.
The music changed. The guests stood up. And there, at the end of the aisle, was Ryan.
He was wearing a navy suit with a white shirt and a tie. His hair was perfectly styled. His face was clean-shaven. And handsome as ever.
And the moment he saw me, his entire face broke open.
It was like he'd been holding his breath and could finally exhale.
His hand went to his chest. His eyes went glassy with tears.
And I knew.
I knew in that moment that I was doing the right thing.
My dad and I started walking down the aisle.
The garden was decorated with white and blush flowers. Lights were strung between the trees. Every seat was filled with people who loved us. People who'd supported us through everything.
But I barely noticed any of it.
I was too focused on Ryan.
On the way, he was looking at me like I was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. On the way, his hands were shaking. On the tears streaming down his face.
When we reached the altar, my dad placed my hand in Ryan's.
"Take care of her," he said quietly, the same words he'd promised when we first got together.
"Always," Ryan said. His voice was shaking. "Always."
My dad kissed my cheek and stepped back.
And then it was just Ryan and me.
The rest of the world faded away.