Chapter 89
FREYA
1 flattened a hand on my dress while looking at the mirror, my reflection both familiar and foreign. It was my wedding day, yet the person staring back at me looked like someone caught between two worlds–between who she had been and who she was trying to become. My nerves were bundled so tight they felt like a knot that would never loosen.
The dress was supposed to be perfect, but now it felt wrong, suffocating.
I chose the wrong dress. This doesn’t look right,” I whispered, my voice hardly above the buzzing in my ears.
“It definitely does. You look beautiful,” Bianca mumbled, seated on the edge of the chaise in the corner, her phone balanced precariously in her hand
“No. It’s too much fabric here,” I said, tugging at the skirt, the lace and satin suddenly overwhelming.
“It’s literally perfect, Reyna said, her tone firm, as though sheer willpower could fix my growing doubts.
“Do you want me to get Aiden? He can tell you how you’re the most gorgeous woman in the world and all that shit?” Erica asked, smiling.
“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. The mere thought of seeing him before the ceremony sent a jolt through me. “Seeing him before the wedding will be bad luck. I don’t want any more bad luck. I have it all on my own.
“You’re spiraling. Reyna said, stepping closer.
“Yeah, I agreed, a humorless laugh escaping my lips.
“Calm down. Just breathe,” she said, taking my arms gently but firmly in her grasp. Her touch was grounding, her voice steady. “Everything’s going to be okay. You’ll walk down that aisle. You’ll get married. You’ll get your happy ending.
Her words pulled me back from the edge, if only slightly. I nodded, though my reflection still looked unsure. “Okay. Yeah. I needed that
Reyna’s grip relaxed, and her comforting smile eased something within me, if only for the moment.
I look down at my hands, then my gaze
ze drifts over to the bouquet on the vanity. My fingers quiver and I command them to still. Today isn’t about the vows or the guests or even that perfectly timed string quartet. Today is about Weston, Aiden, the life we are building into after beginning so untraditionally.
When I had first discovered that I was pregnant, I had imagined everything except this–a room full of my closest friends helping me into a wedding gown, the promise of forever waiting on the other side of those chapel doors. For months, I’d wondered if we deserved it. If we deserved
Erica’s voice cut through the silence. “Come on. It’s time. She extended the bouquet toward me, her smile smoothing into something almost genuine.
I looped my fingers over the stems, the heaviness of it anchoring me once more. I crossed my own gaze with itself in the mirror, pleading for the strength to pull this off
“You do, Bianca said from her feet, looking much warmer t
than usual.
Take one last deep breath for good measure. The rest of my nerves were now replaced by something new determination, Weston and Aiden deserved this. Possibly, just possibly, even I did.
“Let’s go.” I said, lifting my chin.
The chapel doors groaned open, pouring gold afternoon light down the aisle. For a ligartbeat, I couldn’t move. The view of the room–the rows of smiling faces, the flowers draped like ribbons around the pews, the sun’s flash off the stained glass–was going to crush me.
Then my eyes locked onto him.
Aiden stood at the end of the aisle, his dark suit tailored perfectly to his broad shoulders. His blue eyes, steady as always, met mine, and his lips curled into the faintest smile, the kind that had always made my heart flutter, Connor and Cillian stood beside him, Cillian smirking slightly as if he was enjoying this more than he’d admit. Gia, our seven–year–old daughter and the most radiant flower girl anyone could imagine, was just finishing her walk down the aisle. She tossed a final handful of petals and turned around to wave at me.
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Chapter 89
“Go, Mom!” she whispered loudly, drawing a soft ripple of laughter from the guests,
Reyna brushed my arm lightly, reminding me of my presence. She smoothed the train of my dress with a practiced gentleness, then winked at me before taking position as my maid of honor. Erica and Bianca stood beside her, dresses that were perfectly elegant simplicity.
I clutched my bouquet tightly and breathed deeply to still the tempest raging inside me. I took my walk down the aisle step by step. The music rose, filling the air with a soft, romantic melody, and the guests stood iri unison, their eyes following my every move.
Each step brought me closer to Aiden. His hand rested at his side, but his fingers twitched as if he were counting off the seconds until he could reach out to me. By the time I stood in front of him. I couldn’t tell whether my heart was racing with nerves or pure happiness.
Aiden stretched out his hand, and I placed mine in his. His grip was firm yet gentle, grounding me instantly
“You’re stunning,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
The officiant cleared his throat, a warm smile inviting calm. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Freya and Aiden in holy matrimony. Today, they join their lives as husband and wife, as partners and parents, surrounded by the love of family and friends.”
Today is a truly unforgettable celebration of Freya and Aiden’s uniqueness – with twists, turns, and moments of utterly unmistakable joy. There have been the building life they’ve created together and in so many ways a partnership between two wonderful people: children, and it now feels like the true choosing to deepen what unites them in a beautiful bond of this profound commitment, concluded the officiator.
Gia giggled sitting at the front as Bianca bounced Weston on her lap.
The officiant smiled, gesturing to Aiden. “Aiden, you’ve prepared your own vows. Please share them with Freya.”
Aiden’s eyes softened as he turned fully toward me, still holding my hand.
Freya,” he started, his voice even but charged with emotion, “from the moment I met you. I knew you were someone who could change my world. You were fierce, smart, and way too good at calling me out when I needed it. The six years I spent pining after you? Definitely worth it…
You have taught me how to be a better man, a better father, and someone who can fold a fitted sheet–not very well, but I’m getting there. You’re my best friend, my partner, and the person I want to wake up next to, even if you hog the blankets.”
I laughed through my tears, shaking my head at him
“I vow to love you, to laugh with you, and to stand by your side through everything life throws our way. You’re my heart, Freya, and today. I choose you all over again.”
The room blurred for a moment as I blinked back tears.
our turn!
The officiant turned to me. “Freya, it’s your
I took a steadying breath, squeezing Aiden’s hand
“Aiden,” I started, my voice shaking a little, “when I met you, I thought you were too cocky for your own good. But then, slowly but surely, you proved me wrong. You weren’t just cocky–you were kind, supportive, and completely incapable of being humble.”
The room laughed, and Cillian whispered something to Connor that earned a quiet snort
“You were there for me at my most vulnerable. You were the anchor that could always be counted on no matter how crazy things got..
“I promise to love you, even when you leave your socks in the middle of the floor or insist we rewatch Die Hard for the hundredth time. I promise to grow with you, to laugh with you, and to always, always choose you.”
Aiden smiled, his thumb gently rubbing over the back of my hand
The officiant motioned to Cillian, who came forward with the rings still sporting his coguish grin.
“Freya, take this ring and put it on Aiden’s finger,” He said.
I took the ring and slid it onto Aiden’s hand. My lingers were a little shaky. “With this ring, I promise to honor, cherish, and love you for all the days of my life.
my fingers. “I promise that with this ring to honour, cherish,
With Aiden, whose hands, I noticed did not shudder, proceeded to slid the ring across my fing and love you for all the days of my life”
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Chapter 89
He continued. The officiant beamed into his statement. “Through the powers vested in me, now I pronounce that you and your wife have become husbands and wives, Aiden, kiss the bride.”
Aiden didn’t hesitate, pulling me closer with a grin before pressing his lips to mine. The room erupted in cheers, Gia’s delighted laughter echoing above the applause.
As we pulled apart, he whispered against my lips, “You’re stuck with me now”
“Good,” I whispered back, my smile stretching wide.
next page of our lives, filled with love,
We turned towards our friends and family, our hands clasped together in tight grip, prepared to enter the n laughter, and the beautiful chaos of our family.
