𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄

𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞

██ 20% *___*

Sam drove through the streets of California and sighed. She had been to 20 places in under 15 minutes, but there was still no sign of Tara. She was really scared, what if she lost her only family left? Tara was her whole world, she couldn't bear to lose her.

During this drive, she saw a familiar short Latina talking to someone in a café. She slammed on the brakes so fast that she could've flown out of the window. "Tara?"

She then grabbed her phone and dialed Quinn's number.

The phone rings a few times before Quinn's voice answers. "Sam? What's going on?"

"Quinn, it's Tara," Sam says, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I think I just found her, she's in a cafe downtown. Can you come with Amber? Uh, I think she might need to see her too."

Quinn can hear the urgency in Sam's voice, and she doesn't hesitate. "Of course, I'm on my way. Where are you?"

Sam quickly relays the address, her eyes glued to the cafe entrance, praying that Tara doesn't slip away before they can reach her.

"I'm on my way, Sam," Quinn assures her. "Just stay there and keep an eye on her. I'll be there as fast as I can."

Sam sighed before making a U-turn and moving into the parking lot. She quickly ran into the cafe. "Tara, I was worried sick," she said, almost immediately.

Tara was sitting with a guy. He looked much older, in his forties, maybe forty-seven. He also looked somewhat familiar. Tara turned, giving Sam some room to see the guy's face. Yeah, that face was definitely familiar.

"Dad?"

"Samantha?" Billy said. Billy was a man whom Sam and Tara's mother had slept with in high school. However, when she became pregnant, he dumped her to be with his girlfriend, Sidney. They eventually broke up in college, and Billy turned out to be gay and married to Sam's stepfather, Stu.

Sam had met him a couple of times, but she hated his face so much that she cut off contact.

"Hi, Sam," Tara sighed.

Sam's gaze flicks between Tara and Billy, her brow furrowing. "Tara, what's going on here? What are you doing with him?"

Tara sighs heavily, her eyes downcast. "I... reached out to him, Sam. I wanted him at my wedding," Tara fiddles with her fist.

"Why?" Sam asks, confused.

"I don't have a dad, Sam. Well, I do, but you know Dad abandoned us. Me. Mom." Tara sighs, reminiscing about their dad, Cody Carpenter. He left their mother after finding out about her cheating on him with Billy and intentionally getting pregnant with Sam. "Billy is the closest thing I have to a father figure, Sam."

"What do you mean? I thought the wedding was off?"

Tara nods, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I did, but... I still want to get married, Sam. I love her so much, and I can't imagine my life without her. I just..." She falters, her voice trembling.

"I want my family there, Sam. I want a dad to walk me down the aisle, even if it's not my dad and just my sister's. Even if it's just this once." Tara glances over at Billy, her expression a mix of hope and trepidation.

Sam swallows hard, her own emotions a jumbled mess. She can't imagine how painful it must be for Tara, to have grown up without a father's love and support. And now, with the wedding seemingly back on the table, Tara is grasping at the chance to have the one thing she's always longed for.

Reaching out, Sam pulls Tara into a tight embrace, her voice soft and soothing. "If this is what you want, then I'll support you."

Tara nods, a small, grateful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Suddenly, a white truck pulled up, and Tara looked outside to see Amber running out of the truck. Tara quickly stood up and moved out of the café.

Amber walked towards Tara and grabbed her hands. "I am so, so sorry. You are right about everything. And I promise you, this will never happen again." Tara sighed, and Amber quickly pulled out her ring. "If you just give me another chance-"

"Amber," Tara shook her head.

"No, listen, please," Amber pleaded with her. "I know I've hurt you, and I know I've broken your trust too many times. But I love you, Tara. I love you more than anything, and I can't imagine my life without you."

She steps closer, her hands reaching for Tara's. "Please, just give me one more chance. I promise, I'll do whatever it takes to prove to you that I'm serious this time. No more broken promises, no more mistakes. I'll be the partner you deserve."

Tara's eyes search Amber's, her heart warring with her head. She wants so desperately to believe her, to have the fairytale ending she's always dreamed of. But the scars of the past still haunt her.

Sam watches the exchange, her heart aching for her sister. She knows how much Tara wants this, how much she's been through. Stepping forward, she places a hand on Tara's shoulder, offering silent support.

"Tara," Amber continues, her voice soft and pleading. "I can't lose you. You're the love of my life, the one person who's ever truly made me whole. Please, just give me one more chance. I promise, I won't let you down this time."

"I love you," Tara breathes, pulling Amber into a passionate kiss. She wraps her arms around Amber's neck, melting into her embrace.

Amber responds instantly, lifting Tara off her feet as she returns the kiss with equal fervor.

Sam smiled and looked behind the two girls, noticing Quinn staring at her with a smile.

███ 40% *___*

████ 60% *___*

█████ 80% *___*

As Sam and Quinn entered the guest room, a palpable tension filled the air. Quinn's eyes held a fiery intensity as she gently pushed Sam against the door, never breaking their gaze.

Sam's breath caught in her throat, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. Quinn reached up, tenderly caressing Sam's cheek, her touch igniting sparks of electricity.

Slowly, reverently, Quinn leaned in, her lips just barely grazing Sam's. The kiss was tentative at first, a silent question, a plea for permission. Sam melted into the embrace, her hands finding Quinn's waist as she parted her lips, deepening the kiss.

"Good job," Quinn whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Sister of the Bride."

Sam's lips curved into a warm, radiant smile as she pulled Quinn closer, eliminating any remaining distance between them.

██████ 100%*___*

weddin next!