Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 68~

~Raelyn~

The eyeliner had smudged. Again.

"This is the third time I've fixed this eye," Devyn muttered, leaning in with the kind of surgical precision that made me nervous to even blink. "Do *not* cry until after you say 'I do,' Rae. I swear to God—"

"No promises," I mumbled, trying not to breathe too hard as Kalani tugged one last bobby pin into place behind my ear.

"You look like a literal goddess," Katrina said, standing behind Devyn with her arms crossed and a steaming dress steamer tucked under her arm like it was a rifle. "Like Aphrodite, but with anxiety."

"More like Anxiety in a dress," I muttered, eyes flicking toward the mirror. "Oh God. What if I trip? What if I trip and fall and take out Isa and Aspen like bowling pins?"

"You won't," Isa said as she paced across the room, holding Aspen in one arm and adjusting her dress with the other. "And even if you did, we'd call it performance art."

"I've seen you survive a kidnapping and kill a man," Devyn added. "You can handle a three-minute walk."

The room buzzed—hair dryers still cooling off, the faint hum of the steamer, someone's phone playing a chill playlist in the background. Gigi and Daisy were bouncing around, fully dressed in their little ivory flower girl dresses, blue bows practically glowing, baby's breath tucked into their buns. Gigi had just asked if she could bring Sadie the German Shepherd *down the aisle* and was deeply offended when I said no.

"She's part of the family," she huffed. "And she's better behaved than Daisy."

"*No!*" Daisy yelled.

"Okay," Tara said, flinging open the door with a Starbucks carrier like she was storming Normandy. "One cinnamon dolce, one dirty chai, one oat milk vanilla latte, one caramel cold brew—don't yell at me, it was all they had—and four toasted bagels. I almost tackled a teenager for the last lemon loaf."

"You're a godsend," I said, grabbing mine with shaky hands. "I don't think you understand how much I needed this right now. If I wasn't getting married, I would kiss you on the face."

"Babe, I would let you," Tara said. "But your lipstick is too good to ruin."

Lesa walked over then, her soft pink robe trailing slightly behind her as she held out a tiny, delicate charm between her fingers.

"This was your father's," she said gently. "From the day you were born. Your mom had it turned into this for your bouquet."

I took it slowly, fingers trembling as I examined the tiny silver locket. Inside was a photo of him holding me in the hospital, his eyes so full of awe it made my breath catch.

"Thank you," I whispered. "Both of you."

My mom stepped forward, wrapping me in a warm hug, soft pink silk brushing against my cheek. "He's here with you, sweetheart. Every step."

I nodded, unable to speak, and clipped the charm onto the ribbon around my bouquet. The flowers were still perfect—white Easter lilies, vines curling delicately through them like little green prayers.

And then the knock.

"Five minutes!" someone shouted.

Chaos.

Kalani handed Aspen to Isa, who tucked her snugly on her hip, whispering something that made Aspen giggle. Gigi tripped over the corner of her dress. Tara rescued the veil. Katrina passed me a tissue. I dabbed, sniffled, and somehow didn't fully wreck my makeup.

We headed to the reception hall, which sat just before the stone path that led to the altar. The air had shifted—cooler now, as the sun began to soften. Fairy lights were already twinkling. Candles flickered gently on wooden stumps. And the aisle—God. That stone aisle looked like a fairytale road I was about to float down.