Broken 2:A Second Chance

62

I smile as I gaze upon my reflection in the mirror, adorned in the ethereal embrace of my wedding gown. It clings to my body in a way that takes my breath away. The skilled hands of the makeup artist have artfully concealed my minor blemishes, although they hardly concern me. Yet, a lingering fear dances within me, whispering of the possibility of stumbling down the aisle. The mere thought sends a tremor through my being.

"What if I fall? What if he doesn't show?" I ask Claudine as she helps me with the final touches of my gown.

"Relax,he's already had three kids with you and plus,you know his house and all his bank account codes. If he doesn't show, shopping spree for us." She says in a reassuring manner.

"You're not helping." I tell her and she smiles before running her palms down the sides of my hair.

"What I mean is,he loves you. So much. Trust me when I say that. And I'm not just saying that because I spend a lot of time with Chad now." She says and winks.
I laugh and nod when my father enters the room.

"Um..you have a visitor." He tells me and I can see him fighting a smile. Or a cry. I'm not sure.

"Hey,birdie." Joey says when he enters the room with a box of chocolates in his hand.
I ignore the itches of the gown as I walk towards him for a hug.

"It's been so long." He says when we pull away. I nod and look at my diamond studded heels.
"I heard what happened. You're so strong." He says and hugs me again.

"Thanks." I take a bite out of the chocolate and then I realise I'm wearing white.

"Lemme take that." Claudine says and takes it away from me.
"Um...so,guess what?" He asks with a big smile.

"What?" I ask back.

"Okay,so I met this girl,and we hit it off and one thing led to another and we'll be expecting our first child in a month's time." He smiles.

A pang of pain hits my chest when he says this but this is my best friend and no matter what, I'm happy for him.

"Wow.. congratulations." I says happily.

I know it's not my fault,it's Zoe's. But she's dead now so I just have to take life as it comes.

"Yeah,um..I'm going to head out. Congratulations birdie." He says and closes the door behind him.

"Isn't he your best man?" Claudine asks when he leaves.

"Yes. He is." I smile happily.

"Hurry,we have a marriage to bless." She says when the planner enters the room.

°°
"You're not a half bad groom." Liam tells me and shares a laugh with Dylan.

"At least you always have your woman at home. Mine is always in and out." Chad says and ties his shoelace.

"Bummer." I say.

Chad and Claudine started a relationship a few weeks after my proposal to Claire.
Weird to think that she'd hate him after he blocked her car.

"Well..I have nothing to say." I shrug and try to calm my nerves.

What if she doesn't show?

"Don't worry,she'll be there. And if she doesn't we know her house so we can break those weird flower pots she has." Chad says and I roll my eyes.

"Daddy!" I hear little feet pad through the hallway and into my room.

"We miss you so much. Arkansas is huge." Noah exclaims and hugs me.

"Easy in the suit." Liyah tells him and carries him away from me.

"Hi...Can I..can I call you daddy?" Liam asks without looking at me in the eye.