Back to You (A Married at first sight story)

Chapter 9- The Count Down

"I feel like running away."

"But you're not. Keep walking, baby."

"I feel like I'm going to faint."

"Keep holding on to me. Everything is going to be alright." A 'on the outside' calm Marcus was trying to console his now 'on the verge of tears' step-daughter, May, as they were walking closer towards the door that would lead May to the alter, where she was going to be married to a man didn't even know existed for her.

She had already tripped on her dress not once but twice when they left the hotel room to get on the elevator. If Marcus hadn't been holding her, each one would've ended badly.

"These are signs, Marcus. I know they are!" Her voice was shaking with every minute.

"No, they're not. Trust me." They were behind everyone else as the staff was giving everyone instructions on how to move.

"Okay, everyone, so right when the music starts, we'll open the doors to let the bridesmaids out first and let them file in the stand behind the spot where," he gestures to May, "the lovely bride will be." Everyone nods understanding, and he continues. "After they are in their spots, we like to wait a minute or so to let the bride go out, you know, just build the atmosphere because we want your presentation to wow the groom and his family more." He smiles at May now, and it gave her some reassurance.

"See, everything will be fine," Marcus said.

And then the music starts. On cue, the double brown doors open. May's melody was very traditional and soothing; she let it consume her to calm her nerves.

This was happening.

Her friends filed as instructed, and she listened in to hear any reaction; there were, of course, a few small gasps and murmurs she picked up, confused at who did it. Maybe on his side.

"Marcus." She said hastily as her last friend filed in, and they closed the door.

The count down had begun.

She slowly walked towards it with Marcus holding her as she grabbed his arm. She gripped the Bouquet in her other hand. "What if he's not what I want? What if the scientists failed me?-"

"May you put so much trust into this experiment and those people." They waited at the door. "Give them a chance." She nods, and at that moment, she looks at him like a child afraid of the dark.

"What if he doesn't like me?" Marcus looks at her, shocked. "What if I'm not what he wants?" She was going to cry now but kept it in as her eye glossed.

The fear of rejection.

"Daddy, I'm scared." Her step-father, a person she always thought of as her birth father, after she owned death and still called him by his name. He looked her in the eyes and smiled, slowly he kissed her forehead and pulled away.

"You know I never thought I'd live to see the day you called me that." It made her involuntary chuckle rolling her eyes. "May, I have known you for almost your entire life. You turned out to be everything me, your mother, your friends, and your family needed. You're everything a person would want."

30 seconds.

"If this man doesn't seem to see that at all." Marcus came very seriously, straightening his posture more with pride. "He's a damn fool." With those words from his mouth, May felt a new way of confidence. She straightens her back more, too, standing tall and confident, with a sense of pride.

"You're right." She smiles. "He would be a damn fool." They laughed a bit.

10 seconds

"That's my girl." Marcus nods. He gives her hand a soft squeeze and puts the veil over her face. "Now, let's get you married."