Chapter 16 : The Countdown Begins

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only four weeks left until the wedding, everything seemed to be happening in fast forward. Winter and Jimin were deep into the final stages of planning, and while the excitement was growing, so was the pressure. The wedding preparations felt never-ending—dress fittings, cake tastings, flower arrangements, seating plans, and the constant influx of family members offering unsolicited advice.

But even amidst the chaos, there was a quiet sense of anticipation building between them. They were getting married, and soon. The weight of that reality was settling in, and it was both thrilling and terrifying.

---

The Dress Fitting: Reality Hits

Winter stood in front of the mirror in her bridal boutique, the long, flowing white dress cascading down her figure. The dress was beautiful, everything she had ever dreamed of as a little girl, but as she stared at her reflection, her heart pounded with nerves. She was about to become someone’s wife—Jimin’s wife—and the thought made her palms sweat.

Her mother stood behind her, adjusting the veil and smiling proudly. "You look perfect, darling. This is exactly what I envisioned for you."

Winter smiled softly at her reflection, but inside, her thoughts were racing. The dress, the wedding, the future—it was all becoming so real. The dreamlike quality of their engagement was starting to fade, replaced by the weight of actual commitment.

"Are you okay?" her mother asked, noticing Winter’s distant expression.

Winter blinked and nodded. "Yeah, just… it’s a lot, you know?"

Her mother’s smile softened. "I understand. Getting married is a big step. But trust me, once the wedding day comes, all those nerves will disappear."

Winter nodded again, but the butterflies in her stomach refused to settle.

---

Jimin’s Bachelor Night: Words of Wisdom

Across town, Jimin was having a low-key bachelor night with his closest friends. No wild parties, just a small get-together at one of his friend’s houses, playing video games and joking around. But amidst the laughter, there was an unspoken tension. Everyone knew what was coming—Jimin was about to get married.

"So, how are you feeling about all this?" his best friend, Taeyang, asked, handing him a soda. "Nervous?"

Jimin shrugged, trying to play it cool. "A little. But mostly excited."

"Man, you’re about to be someone’s husband," Taeyang said, shaking his head. "That’s crazy. Do you ever think… I don’t know, maybe it’s too soon?"

Jimin paused for a moment, considering the question. It wasn’t the first time someone had asked him that. But this time, instead of brushing it off, he thought about it seriously.

"Yeah, I’ve thought about it," Jimin admitted, setting down his drink. "It’s a huge commitment. But… Winter’s the one. I just know it. We’ve been through so much together, and I don’t see the point in waiting if we both know this is what we want."

Taeyang nodded slowly, respect evident in his eyes. "I get it. And honestly, if anyone can make it work, it’s you two. You guys are solid."

Jimin smiled, feeling a sense of reassurance. He had made the right choice—he was sure of it.

---

Two Weeks to Go: A Growing Tension

As the wedding day approached, the pressure on both Winter and Jimin was mounting. Between their families, friends, and the looming ceremony, the tension started to seep into their relationship.

Winter was feeling the weight of everyone’s expectations. Her mother wanted everything to be perfect, her friends were constantly asking about wedding details, and she felt like she had no time to herself anymore. Meanwhile, Jimin was dealing with his own frustrations, trying to balance his schoolwork, wedding plans, and the opinions of everyone around him.

One evening, after a long day of meetings with the wedding planner, Winter and Jimin sat together at her house, the silence between them heavier than usual.

“I feel like we never get a break,” Winter finally said, her voice tired. “Everything is about the wedding, and I’m starting to feel… overwhelmed.”

Jimin sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know. It’s a lot. I didn’t think planning a wedding would be this intense.”

Winter looked at him, her expression filled with worry. “Do you ever feel like… maybe we’re rushing into this?”

Jimin hesitated, the question catching him off guard. He had been so focused on the logistics of the wedding that he hadn’t stopped to think about what it all meant.

“I don’t know,” Jimin admitted. “I want this, but… yeah, it’s happening fast. And sometimes, it feels like we’re losing ourselves in the process.”

Winter’s heart ached at his words. She had been feeling the same way, but hearing him say it out loud made it all the more real.

“Maybe we need to take a step back,” Winter suggested. “Just for a moment. To remember why we’re doing this in the first place.”

Jimin nodded slowly. “Yeah. I think that’s a good idea.”

---

The Moment of Clarity: A Weekend Away

Deciding they needed to reconnect before the wedding, Winter and Jimin planned a quiet weekend away from all the chaos. They booked a small cabin in the mountains, hoping to escape the constant barrage of wedding details and just focus on each other.

The fresh mountain air and the peaceful surroundings gave them the space they needed. For the first time in weeks, they weren’t thinking about table settings or guest lists—they were just Winter and Jimin, two people in love.

One night, as they sat by the fireplace, wrapped in blankets and sipping hot cocoa, Winter turned to Jimin, her heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks.

“I don’t care about the wedding,” she said softly. “I mean, I care, but… what really matters to me is us. I don’t want to lose sight of that.”

Jimin smiled, reaching out to take her hand. “Me too. The wedding is just one day. But after that, it’s the rest of our lives. And that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Winter leaned her head against his shoulder, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t anxious about the future. With Jimin by her side, she knew they could handle whatever came their way.

---

One Week to Go: Ready for Forever

With their weekend away giving them the clarity they needed, Winter and Jimin returned to the final week of wedding preparations with renewed energy. The stress was still there, but it didn’t feel as overwhelming anymore. They knew that, at the end of it all, they would be together—and that was all that mattered.

The week flew by in a blur of last-minute details and family gatherings, but through it all, Winter and Jimin remained focused on each other, holding tight to the love that had brought them to this moment.

The countdown was over. In just a few days, they would be husband and wife.




















TBC.

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