Rafael

Epilogue

"Did you see the scar on that guy, Rocco, or whatever his name was? I'm not so sure I'm still on board with you getting married to Rafael," My father said, his voice shaky with panic.

Were we really going to do this again?

"It's Lucca, and it's a little too late for that, dad," I laughed as Mel fussed with my floor-length veil, trying to make it look just right, "plus, isn't it supposed to be the bride who has the wedding jitters?"

"He's jittery enough for all of us," My mother cried, getting emotional about the fact that her only daughter was about to walk down the aisle.

"Adeline just texted, she's waiting on me inside. I'll see you in a few when you walk down the aisle. I love you, honey. I still can't believe you're getting married!" My mom smiled before hugging me tightly and then leaving the room to get a seat beside her favorite person in the world.

Adeline Bett.

Rafael's mom and mine had become fast friends.

Ever since they met, they had been inseparable.

They were a big help in the wedding planning too.

As I examined myself in the full-length mirror, I couldn't help but grin.

Everybody had done a good job at making me look like a vision in white.

My white, lace, sweetheart-neckline, corset ballgown fell in billows around me.

I looked like a princess.

If only I wasn't so damned timorous, then everything would have been perfect. 

I wanted to hide in a corner instead of doing this whole wedding thing but I wasn't about to let something as stupid as my heart beating a mile a minute stop me from marrying the man of my dreams.

"It's time," Mel, my maid of honor, grinned, the pain in her eyes hard to miss.

I knew it was torture being here, having to be happy for your best friend who was getting married, after her marriage had fallen apart as soon as it started. 

Through it all, Mel had been widely supportive of Rafael and me and words couldn't begin to explain how much I appreciated her for it.

Having a friend like Mel was priceless.

"I'll see you out there," Mel said, giving me a light hug before leaving the room to take her position in the Rainbow Room full of guests that were waiting for me.

Oh, God.

"I guess I have to walk you down the aisle now, huh," My dad said with a reluctant sigh, bringing me out of my reverie.

He didn't like it very much that his daughter was about to get married because, in his eyes, I was still just his little girl.

I loved my dad so much because he had always been there when I needed him.

This was probably the moment I needed him the most.

"Yes, I guess you do. Just, make sure I don't fall and embarrass myself in front of everyone, okay dad?" I asked, feeling the heavy trepidation of having a thousand eyes trained on me while I walked down the aisle.

My stomach felt like a million butterflies were flapping around like crazy in there.

"I won't let you fall," He smiled, looping our hands together.

That was good enough for me.

My nervousness intensified tenfold when I heard the start of the bridal chorus.