Chapter 18
The days leading up to the wedding were a whirlwind of activity. My mornings started with endless checklists, and my nights ended with the buzzing excitement of what was to come. It wasn’t just any wedding–it was our wedding. And for the first time in a long time, I was genuinely happy.
Scott had insisted on helping with the planning, even though he claimed he had no idea what he was doing. “I’m just here to carry things and agree with whatever you want,” he’d joke, flashing that charming grin of his.
But in truth, he was more involved than he let on. Whether it was taste–testing the menu, helping me pick the perfect flowers, or giving his opinion on table settings, he was always by my side.
“Scott” I said one afternoon as we sat in the wedding planner’s office, “you don’t have to come to every meeting, you know. I can handle this.”
He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “And miss the chance to watch you stress. over napkin colors? Not a chance.”
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at my lips.
My mom was equally involved–maybe even more so. She had flown back and forth between Sydney and our hometown multiple times, determined to make this wedding perfect.
“Hannah,” she said one day, her hands on her hips as she surveyed the racks of wedding dresses in front of us, “this is your big day. We’re not leaving until we find the dress.”
I laughed nervously, eyeing the sheer number of options. “No pressure, huh?”
She waved me off. “Pressure is good. Now, try this one.”
I spent hours in the fitting room, trying on dress after dress as my mom and the bridal consultant offered their opinions. Scott’s voice echoed in my head from earlier that week when I told him about the dress shopping trip.
“Whatever you pick, you’ll look beautiful,” he’d said simply. “I mean, you could walk down. the aisle in jeans, and I’d still be the luckiest guy in the world.”
His words gave me comfort as I stood in front of the mirror, finally slipping into a gown that took my breath away. It was simple yet elegant, with intricate lace detailing that cascaded down the skirt.
“Oh, Hannah,” my mom whispered, her eyes misting as she clasped her hands together. “That’s the one.”
I turned to the mirror, taking in my reflection. For the first time, I could see it–I could see myself walking down the aisle toward Scott, starting a life together that felt like it had been written in the stars.
The venue was just as magical. Scott and I had chosen a picturesque garden by the water, where the sun would set as we exchanged vows. We spent an entire afternoon touring the
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where the sun would set as we exchanged vows. We spent an entire afternoon touring the
grounds, imagining how it would look with flowers, lights, and our closest friends and family filling the space.
“Do you think this is too much?” I asked, gesturing toward a fountain that would serve as the centerpiece for the reception area.
“Too much?” Scott repeated, shaking his head. “Hannah, this is our wedding. It’s supposed to be a little over the top.”
I laughed, nudging him playfully. “You’ve got a point.”
As the days passed, everything began to fall into place. The flowers were ordered, the cake was chosen, and the guest list was finalized. Even the smallest details, like the ribbon on the party favors, were meticulously planned.
Scott, of course, found a way to make even the stressful moments fun.
“Okay,” he said one evening as we sat on the living room floor, assembling invitations. “What’s the over–under on how many of these I’ll mess up?”
“Hopefully zero,” I said, handing him another envelope.
“I’m just saying, if someone shows up with a smudged invitation, it’s part of the charm,” he joked.
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help but laugh.
On the morning of the rehearsal dinner, my mom arrived at our apartment with a box full of old photo albums.
“I thought these might give us some inspiration for the slideshow,” she said, setting the box. on the coffee table.
Scott and I spent hours flipping through the albums, laughing at the awkward childhood photos and reminiscing about our shared memories.
“Remember this?” Scott asked, holding up a photo of us as kids, covered in mud from head.
to toe.
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “Why did we think that was a good idea?”
“Because we were eight, and it was raining,” he said, grinning. “It’s basically a requirement.”
That evening, as we sat together after everyone had left, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude.
“This is really happening,” I said softly, looking over at Scott.
“It is,” he replied, taking my hand in his. “And I can’t wait.”
The night before the wedding, we decided to stay in and keep things simple. I wanted to soak in the last few hours before everything changed.
Scott was in the shower, humming a song I couldn’t quite make out, while I lounged on the couch, flipping through one of the photo albums my mom had left behind.
I smiled at the pictures of us as kids, marveling at how far we’d come. It felt surreal, knowing that in just a matter of hours. I’d be walking down the aisle to him.
Chapter 18
Wed, 2 Apr
He left me hanging, so I disappear forever
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The night before the wedding, we decided to stay in and keep things simple. I wanted to soak in the last few hours before everything changed.
Scott was in the shower, humming a song I couldn’t quite make out, while I lounged on the couch, flipping through one of the photo albums my mom had left behind
I smiled at the pictures of us as kids, marveling at how far we’d come. It felt surreal, knowing that in just a matter of hours, I’d be walking down the aisle to him.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Scott’s phone buzzing on the coffee table. I
glanced over at it, noticing an unfamiliar number flashing on the screen.
Curious, I reached for the phone and answered it.
“Hello?” I said, my tone polite.
There was a pause on the other end before a woman’s voice spoke. “Hey, babe. Miss me?”
My heart stopped, and my grip on the phone tightened. I felt my stomach chum as the words sank in.
“Who is this?” I asked, my voice sharp.
The line went dead.
