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Thirty Seven

"You okay?" Tara asks as she helps Kayla fluff my dress.

I'm standing in front of two wooden doors. On the other side, my future waits for me.

"Never better." I say in a shaky breath. Why am I nervous? Sebastian and Aurelia are my entire world. I shouldn't feel a bit of nervousness.

"Everyone freaks out on their wedding day." My mom says as she walks my dad down the hallway. He's blind folded and he's about to see me in my dress for the first time.

"Was the blindfold necessary? I feel like you're about to walk me into a wall." My dad grumbles, making us all laugh.

"If you don't stop complaining I'm gonna push you in a hole." Mom sighs rolling her eyes. She may have had a little too much wine.

"It's okay dad. You can take it off now." I laugh.

He grumbles a few more things under his breath as he removes the black blindfold. His grumbling stops when his eyes land on me and suddenly I feel the urge to cry again.

"Oh, Madelaine." Dad says, sounding like the air was just sucked from his lungs as tears prick his eyes. "You look so grown up."

Tears prick my own eyes as Dad walks over and wraps me in a big bear hug.

"Absolutely gorgeous." He whispers to me.

"Thank you, daddy." I smile through my many emotions as mom joins us and hugs me as well. She's already fully crying and Kayla is already handing her a tissue to save her makeup.

"Momma!" Aurelia squeals as Chris rounds the corner with my little maid of honor.

"Hey, baby girl! Ready to go see your dad?" I smile as I bend down to kiss her head, careful not to mess up her flower pins that she insisted on having for today.

"Yeah! Can we go now?" She asks, practically vibrating with excitement. She has barely seen Sebastian today and I think she's having withdrawals.

Poor kid.

"In just a minute. We have to wait for our music." I tell her.

"My God. Aren't you beautiful." Georgeta says as she joins us in the hallway.

"Thank you." I smile as I hug her.

"You're the one my son needs." She says into my ear. "And I'm so glad he finally found you."

I hug her even tighter and nod, knowing if I try to speak I'll burst into tears.

"All right, let's get everyone lined up please." Kayla says and I take my place in the back of the line.

My mom and dad will walk first, followed by Georgeta and her husband. Then, Sebastian will walk.

Shit.

Where the hell is he?

———————

SEBASTIAN

The sound of the wind whipping around me calms my nerves.

What if I'm not good enough for her?

What if she doesn't walk down the aisle?

What if she's already left?

"Man, what the hell are you doing out here?" The sounds of Anthony's voice makes me jump.

"Jesus, Mack." I sigh as I turn around.

"Don't tell me you're thinking of abandoning ship here." Anthony laughs.