9| The Wedding Day

The morning of the wedding dawned with a clear, bright sky. Perfect day for a wedding, Mia had commented when she saw Sophie that morning.

From her bridal suite, Sophie couldn't help but admire the venue. It was exclusive, private, and beautiful—every girl's dream. Maybe even bigger than that.

When she checked into the hotel yesterday, it was bustling with activity. The makeup artist, hair stylist, and seamstress were all there, making last-minute preparations and adjustments.

The entire place buzzed with energy, and now, as Sophie sat in her chair, feeling the gentle brushstrokes of the makeup artist on her skin, the reality of it all finally began to settle in.

She stretched slightly in her seat, trying to calm her nerves, but her mind kept racing. She was freaking out about everything—from the little things like tripping on her dress to the big things like standing in front of 300 people she barely knew.

If she could barely handle being the center of attention for this crowd, how was she supposed to handle that moment—the one where the officiant would say you may kiss the bride?

The kiss. That damn kiss.

She'd had her share of disappointing kisses—the kind that felt more awkward than magical, leaving her wondering if the spark everyone talked about was just a myth. She used to joke she was like Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, except every kiss just led to more frogs, with no prince in sight.

But this kiss? This wouldn't be something she could laugh off later. Not in front of 300 people. And definitely not when it was with him.

Her spiraling thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Amanda, the wedding planner, stepped in with her usual professional but cheerful tone.

"Morning, Sophie! Ready for the big day?" she asked, her bright smile unwavering.

"Hi, Amanda," Sophie greeted, offering a polite smile. "I guess."

Amanda smiled knowingly, sensing the nerves behind Sophie's words. "Now, remember—if you want to jilt, the kitchen is the best escape route."

"You're kidding, right?"

Amanda laughed, giving her a playful wink. "Yeah, I am."

Sophie let out a small chuckle, grateful for the lighthearted distraction.

"Just checking in on you," Amanda continued, her tone softening. "You've still got some time. Your bridesmaids and mom are in glam. I just checked on them—everything's going exactly as planned."

"Thank you, Amanda," Sophie said quietly, turning back to her reflection in the mirror. Everything was becoming so real.

As if on cue, Mia entered the room, her face lighting up the moment she saw Sophie.

"Oh, Sophie, you look like a princess!" Mia gushed, already dressed in her maid of honor attire, her hair and makeup flawless.

"Thanks, Mia. You look gorgeous too," Sophie replied, her smile softening.

"I'll leave you to it," Amanda said with a quick nod before stepping out.

"Thank you," Sophie mouthed quietly, her lips curving into a small, grateful smile as her attention now fully shifted to Mia.

Mia plopped down beside her, leaning in with a conspiratorial whisper. "So, the girls were chattering during breakfast, and guess who I saw just casually strolling around?"

Sophie raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Who?"

"That singer—we went to his concert last summer. I swear it was him. Do you think he's performing?"

"Seriously?" Sophie grinned. "You better get a picture. Actually, forget pictures—get an autograph. Those do great on eBay." She paused, smirking. "Or, you know, maybe snag a strand of his hair."

Mia burst out laughing, nudging her playfully. "Okay, calm down, stalker. You're definitely bordering on criminal behavior now."

Their laughter filled the room, softening the tension that had been lingering in the air. For a brief moment, Sophie forgot about the nerves buzzing in her chest.

Mia's expression turned gentle, her voice dropping to a softer tone. "I'm glad you're doing better than I thought. I'd hate it if you were just pretending to be okay." She reached out, squeezing Sophie's hand, her thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles. "You know how much I love you, right?"

Sophie's heart squeezed. She blinked quickly, trying to keep her emotions in check. "Oh, don't get me all sentimental before the wedding," she teased, her voice thick with affection. "You know I'm a crybaby."

Just then, Lily and their mom entered with the rest of the bridesmaids—friends from college and childhood—all dressed in their gowns, their arrival cutting into the sweet moment.

Their eyes widened the moment they saw her.

"Sophie, you look so beautiful!" they all chimed in unison.

"Thank you, girls. And Mom," Sophie said, her heart swelling. "You all look amazing too."

The room buzzed with energy, and Sophie felt herself relax a little. This was exactly what she needed to pull her out of her head.

"It's time to put on the dress," the seamstress announced gently, her voice cutting through the excitement.

"The famous dress—I can't wait to see it!" one of her bridesmaids squealed.

Sophie slipped into the dress with the help of her bridesmaids, and when she turned to face the group, a collective aww filled the room.

"It's so beautiful. You look beautiful," her mother, Martha, whispered, stepping forward with tears welling in her eyes. She gently reached out to touch Sophie's arm. "I'm so proud of you, Sophie. Your father would have been too."

A lump formed in Sophie's throat. "I wish he were here, Mom."

"He is here," Martha said, squeezing Sophie's hand tightly. "He's watching over you, just like always."

Lily stepped forward, adjusting Sophie's veil with careful hands. "There," she said softly. "Perfect. You're ready."

Taking a deep breath, Sophie looked at herself in the mirror—makeup done, hair styled, dress perfectly in place. This was it. The day that would change her life forever.

*******

"I still can't believe you're actually getting married," David muttered, swirling the champagne in his glass before taking a sip.

Ethan, standing in front of the mirror as the tailor adjusted his suit, didn't even flinch. "That's the tenth time you've said that today."

David shrugged, grinning. "Yeah, well... it's still true. She seems like such a sweet girl, and you're... not." He trailed off, waving his glass in Ethan's direction with a knowing smirk.

"Am I supposed to be offended that you think I'm not sweet?" Ethan replied dryly, his expression unreadable.

Though he wouldn't admit it out loud, Sophie was the sweetest girl he'd ever known. And maybe that was exactly why he couldn't let himself see her the way he wanted to.

The door creaked open, and Amanda, the ever-efficient wedding planner, poked her head in. "Everything set here?"

"Oh, he's as ready as he'll ever be." David chimed in, flashing a grin.

"Great," Amanda replied briskly. "We'll need you in five." She paused, eyeing David's half-empty glass. "Also, Mr. Carter, maybe hold off on raiding the bar until after the ceremony."

David raised his hands in mock surrender as Amanda disappeared down the hall. "Where did you find her? She's terrifying."

Ethan chuckled, adjusting his cufflinks. "She's efficient."

"Efficiently terrifying," David muttered, draining the rest of his champagne. He clapped Ethan on the back. "Alright, time to get my best friend hitched."

Ethan took his place at the front of the ceremony area. They had kept the wedding small, limiting the guest list to close friends and distant relatives. The press wasn't welcome here, and Ethan preferred it that way. As he scanned the crowd, he realized he was little more than a mere acquaintance to most of the people present.

Ethan had always been the kind of person who went along with whatever his family wanted. Marriage had been inevitable—just another box to check, another responsibility to shoulder.

He had already prepared himself for the type of relationship his parents had modeled for him: distant, transactional, more of a partnership than a marriage. It was a silent understanding between people in his circle.

But Sophie...

Sophie challenged everything he thought he knew.

And just as quickly as those thoughts surfaced, they vanished.

Because the moment he turned his head and saw her, everything else disappeared.

The music began to play, but he didn't hear it.

Sophie was walking down the aisle with her mother, and for the first time in a long time, Ethan felt the world tilt beneath his feet.

She was beautiful—too beautiful.

For a split second, he wanted to turn to his parents and ask if they had made a mistake. The only things they had ever given him were responsibilities, obligations, and expectations. So why... why would they let him marry her?

Ethan had been mentally preparing for this moment, rehearsing the emotional distance he'd maintain.

But when Sophie's eyes locked with his, something inside him shifted.

For the first time, Ethan wondered if he would be able to hold up his end of the bargain.

The bargain he had made with himself.

********

The officiant began the ceremony, his voice calm and steady. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Ethan Sinclair and Sophie Miller. This is a day of joy and new beginnings, a day where two hearts join as one."

Sophie glanced at Ethan, her heart fluttering wildly in her chest. His face was cool, composed—like nothing could faze him. Did he even realize how nervous she was right now? A million thoughts raced through her head while he stood there, looking like it was just another day at the office.

"Ethan and Sophie, today you stand before your family and friends to declare your love and commitment to one another. Marriage is a bond based on trust, respect, and understanding. It is a journey you will take together, hand in hand."

As the officiant continued, Ethan's gaze drifted to hers, and for a brief moment, his expression softened—just enough to send a shiver down her spine. What was that? She didn't want him playing with her heart. Not now.

"Ethan, do you take Sophie to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

His words were firm, steady. No hesitation.

The officiant turned to Sophie, his voice gentle. "Sophie, do you take Ethan to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

It's just an arranged marriage. Just an arrangement, she repeated in her head like a mantra.

"I do."

They exchanged rings, and Sophie hated that her hand trembled slightly as she slid the ring onto Ethan's finger. So much for keeping it together.

"You may now kiss the bride," the officiant announced.

The dreaded moment. She forgot how to breathe.

Ethan leaned in, and Sophie was sure her heart had stopped. His hand gently brushed her cheek, and as his lips met hers, she felt it. The spark.

It wasn't soft or hesitant—it was electric. A shiver ran down her spine, and for a split second, it felt like this was what had been missing all along. The kind of kiss that made everything else fade into the background. She wished it wouldn't end, wished they could stay in that perfect, suspended moment.

But then the guests erupted into applause, snapping them both back to reality. They pulled apart, and the space between them felt heavier now.

The kiss had been the only excuse for closeness, and now even that was gone.

-------

Photo credit: Pinterest

Don't forget to vote and leave a comment

🩷🩷