When Hearts Heal

Epilogue

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room as I rushed around in a frenzy of last-minute preparations. Tomorrow was the big day—our wedding day—and I felt a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and, if I was honest, a bit of panic. The to-do list seemed endless, and even though Dominic and I had been meticulously planning every detail, there were always those last-minute things that seemed to pop up.

I was in the middle of trying to untangle a mess of ribbon for the wedding favors when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I glanced at the screen and saw a reminder for a quick meeting with the wedding coordinator. In my haste, I grabbed my bag and dashed out of the room, barely pausing to pull on my shoes.

As I hurried down the hallway, my mind was already preoccupied with the meeting and everything else that needed to be done. I barely noticed the bathroom door slightly ajar, a sign that Dominic was using it. My focus was on the day ahead, so when I pushed open the door to the bathroom, it wasn’t until I was fully inside that I realized my mistake.

There, in the middle of the shower, was Dominic. The steam from the hot water created a misty curtain around him, but it was clear enough to see that he was very much in the midst of his morning routine. The shock of the moment froze me in place, my eyes wide as I took in the unexpected sight.

Dominic turned at the sound of the door opening, his eyes meeting mine with a look of surprise. His expression quickly shifted to a mix of amusement and a touch of embarrassment as he realized I had walked in on him.

“Oh my goodness!” I exclaimed, my face flushing with heat. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize you were in here.”

I quickly turned on my heel, stumbling over my own feet as I tried to make a hasty retreat. “I’ll just—just wait outside—”

“Adeline, wait!” Dominic’s voice was calm but firm, his laughter barely concealed. “It’s fine. Really.”

I hesitated, my hand still on the door handle as I peeked back inside, unable to help myself. “I didn’t mean to barge in like this. I promised we’d wait until tomorrow to—”

Dominic stepped out of the shower, the water dripping from his body as he reached for a towel. “It’s okay,” he said with a chuckle. “We’re getting married tomorrow. Consider this an early wedding gift.”

I felt a mixture of embarrassment and amusement as I watched him wrap the towel around his waist. His casual demeanor and the glint of humor in his eyes made the situation less awkward than it otherwise might have been.

“I can’t believe I did that,” I said, covering my face with my hands. “I’m so sorry.”

Dominic took a step closer, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Honestly, it’s kind of funny. We’ve been so focused on all the planning and everything that it’s nice to have a moment like this, even if it was accidental.”

I peeked through my fingers and saw him grinning. “I suppose it is a bit funny. But I still can’t believe I walked in on you like that.”

Dominic reached out and gently took my hands from my face, his touch reassuring. “You know, it’s not the end of the world. We’re both a bit frazzled right now, and we’re allowed to have a laugh about it.”

I nodded, still feeling the blush on my cheeks. “I guess you’re right. It’s just a little embarrassing.”

He pulled me into a warm embrace, his laughter turning into a soft, comforting presence. “I promise, I’m not offended. In fact, I’m glad you’re here. It’s moments like these that remind me how much I love you and how excited I am for tomorrow.”

“I love you too,” I said, resting my head against his chest. “And I’m really excited for tomorrow. I just want everything to go perfectly.”

Dominic’s arms tightened around me, his voice soothing. “Everything will be perfect. We’ve worked so hard on this, and no matter what happens, we’re going to have an amazing day.”

“Do you think we’re ready?” I asked, lifting my head to look at him.

He smiled warmly, his eyes filled with love and confidence. “We’re more than ready. We’ve been planning for this moment for so long, and now it’s finally here. We’re going to make incredible memories together.”

I took a deep breath, feeling reassured by his words. “You’re right. I guess I’m just feeling a little overwhelmed.”

“It’s completely normal,” Dominic said, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “We’re both a bit on edge, but it’s all part of the excitement. Let’s just enjoy today and not worry too much about everything.”

I nodded, feeling a sense of calm wash over me. “Thanks for being so understanding. I really appreciate it.”

Dominic leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Always. And don’t worry about a thing. We’ll handle everything together, just like we always do.”

As we stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the tension of the past few weeks seemed to melt away. The bathroom, once a source of embarrassment, now felt like a place of comfort and connection.

“I should probably get going,” I said, glancing at the clock on the wall outside. “I have that meeting with the wedding coordinator, and I’m already running late.”

“Of course,” Dominic said, releasing me reluctantly. “I’ll finish up here and then join you. Maybe we can grab a quick lunch together before we dive back into the preparations?”

“That sounds perfect,” I said with a smile. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

As I turned to leave, Dominic called out to me. “Hey, Adeline?”

I looked back at him, a playful smile on my lips. “Yes?”

“Thanks for the early wedding gift,” he said with a wink.

I laughed, shaking my head as I headed out the door. “You’re welcome. See you soon.”

The rest of the day passed in a flurry of activity, but with Dominic’s reassuring presence and our shared excitement for the wedding, everything felt more manageable. By the time the sun began to set, I found myself reflecting on how much had changed in the past year. From the initial spark of our relationship to the day he proposed, and now to the eve of our wedding, it was clear that we had built something truly special together.

As I prepared for the final touches of the wedding day, I couldn’t help but think about how lucky I was to have Dominic by my side. The little mishaps and unexpected moments only made our journey more memorable, and I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together.

The day before our wedding was filled with a mix of emotions—excitement, nerves, and an overwhelming sense of love. As I lay down to sleep, I thought about the future that awaited us and the life we would build together. Tomorrow was not just the beginning of a new chapter; it was the start of a lifelong adventure with the person I loved most.

With a heart full of joy and anticipation, I drifted off to sleep, ready to embrace the most special day of my life.