THE NEW LIFE OF REESE CARLIA (PREVIEW)

Chapter 19

|Wedding Day|

My wedding day is finally here, and I can not contain my happiness. Today is the day that I marry the love of my life, the man that I hope to build a future with and have little ones running around one day. As I look around the room, my bridesmaids, Damali, Rebecca, Adalyn, and my maid of honor Reyna are here with me, helping me get ready for this big day, and their presence fills me with even more joy. I'm practically oozing with excitement and can barely sit still!

Damali playfully chided me for my fidgeting, "Reese, you're like a kid in a candy store. Stop moving around and go take your shower while we get everything ready for you!" Chuckling, I listened to her command and made my way to the bathroom. I quickly undressed and stepped into the warm water, letting the sweet scent of the strawberry body wash fill my senses. I lathered up my hair with the matching shampoo and conditioner and gently scrubbed my body and hair clean. Once finished, I rinsed everything off and stepped out of the shower, wrapping a fluffy black towel around my body. As I walked back into the room with the girls, I felt a thrill of anticipation for the beautiful day ahead.

As I sat down on the bed, I began lotioning my arms, legs, and face. After doing that, I slipped on my undergarments. Adalyn then brought over my dress, and with her help, I stepped into it and let her zip it up in the back before sitting back down. Next, Damali offered to do my hair while Reyna focused on my makeup. When they finished, I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror. The sight of my reflection stirred my emotions, and I couldn't help but tear up. Reyna joked that she was glad that she used waterproof makeup, and we all laughed.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and my dad walked in. The girls left, but not before giving me a kiss on the cheek and Adalyn handing me my bouquet. My dad's gaze was fixed on me, and he spoke in a hushed tone.

"You look so beautiful, Reese."

"Thank you, dad. You clean up nice yourself," I replied, grateful for his warm words.

"You're welcome, Reese, and thank you. Look, I know I apologized already before, but again, I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you like I was supposed to be and that I wasn't the best dad to you," he said, his voice tinged with regret.

"Dad, it's okay. I know that your choice was taken away," I said, extending my forgiveness. "Every time I looked into your eyes, I saw guilt and pain. I know that it hurt you to do that to me, and I knew that you didn't really want to. No matter what happened in our past, you're here now, and that's all that matters. Okay? I love you, dad."

Moved by my words, my dad pulled me into a hug, being careful of my bouquet. "I'm still sorry, and it really did hurt me. When you ran away, I broke down into tears."

I hugged him back tightly. "I accept your apology, dad. I really thought you didn't care about me, but now I know you really do," I said, feeling a sense of peace flow through me.

"I've always cared about you, ever since you were a baby, and you're right, I'm here now, and that's all that matters. I love you too, Reese," he replied, smiling.

As we separated, I suggested that we invite mom down to join in walking me down the aisle, and he agreed. So we called her down and she appeared wearing a beautiful black dress, and my dad and I couldn't help but smile at her beauty. I embraced her, and she hugged me back, complimenting my appearance. My dad then greeted her, and they shared a sweet kiss that filled my heart with joy.

As we talked, Adalyn, my bridesmaid, arrived and reminded us that it was time to get ready for the ceremony. After she left, my parents handed me my bouquet, and then the music started playing.

Third Person

Damali's daughter Imara came in as the little energetic flower that she is, scattering flowers along the aisle before reaching Valentina. Then, the bridesmaids entered one by one. Damali and her mate Nasir were the first, and they stood in their designated places before Nasir moved to stand behind Akeba, leaving room for Marcel. Reyna and her mate Dean were up next, and they joined the bridal party, standing next to each other before separating to their respective places with Reyna standing in front of Damali and Dean going to stand behind Nasir.