The best man

Chapter 16

The morning starts with soft whispers in the early hours.

"Good morning, Mr. Jenkins," I say, my voice still heavy with sleep as I snuggle closer to him in bed.

"Good morning, Mrs. Jenkins," Ethan replies, equally groggy, his arm pulling me closer.

It's 5 a.m., and we both know today is the day. Our wedding day. A day that feels so monumental yet still surreal. We linger for a few more moments, soaking in the quiet intimacy of this early morning, knowing the rest of the day will be a whirlwind.

Eventually, we get up and take turns in the shower, the warm water helping to shake off the remnants of sleep. My heart pounds a little faster with every minute that passes. I try to steady myself, reminding myself that this is what we've been planning, what we've been dreaming of—our perfect winter wedding.

When Shelly arrives to pick me up, I take one last look at Ethan before we part ways. He grins, a hint of nerves in his eyes, and I blow him a kiss before heading out the door. James is already outside, waiting to take Ethan to get ready, and I smile at how relaxed and happy he looks, even though I can feel the nervousness bubbling under my skin.

At the bridal suite, I sit in front of the large mirror surrounded by Shelly and a small team of stylists. The room hums with quiet excitement, the chatter a soft backdrop as I sit still, taking it all in. The smell of hairspray fills the air as the stylist works on my hair making a slick tight bun. I watch the reflection, barely recognizing the bride looking back at me.

"Look at you," Shelly says, standing behind me with her hands on her hips, her phone in one hand as she snaps a picture. "You look stunning already, and your makeup isn't even finished!"

Her voice is light, but I can hear the emotion behind it. We've been through so much together, and to have her by my side today feels like everything coming full circle. She tries to distract me with random questions, asking me if I'm nervous, but all I can do is smile because this moment feels too big to put into words.

The makeup artist is meticulous, her brush strokes gentle and precise. She adds the final touches of blush, and I stand up, feeling the weight of the moment settle on my chest. I take a deep breath, turning toward Shelly, who is already holding my dress, ready to help me slip into it.

"Are you ready for this?" she asks, her voice steady but her eyes filled with tears she's trying to hold back.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I reply with a soft laugh, feeling a lump form in my throat.

She unzips the gown, and I step into it carefully. The silk fabric feels cool against my skin as she helps pull it up, the soft rustling of the dress filling the room. She zips me up slowly, making sure every detail is perfect. I turn to face her, and when she looks at me, her hands fly to her mouth, her eyes wide and shimmering with tears.

"Oh my God, Lily..." Shelly's voice cracks, and she quickly wipes her eyes, trying not to ruin her own makeup. "You look... you're absolutely breathtaking. I can't believe this is happening. You're getting married!"

I feel my own eyes well up as I take in her words. The reality of the day finally hits me full force, and I realize I'm about to marry the love of my life. I glance down at the dress—it's perfect. Every little detail. I run my hands over the smooth fabric, feeling both grounded and overwhelmed at the same time.

"I can't believe it either," I whisper, feeling the weight of joy and anticipation fill every part of me.

Shelly grabs my hands, squeezing them tightly. "The ceremony's going to start soon," she says, her voice soft but full of excitement. "Everyone's waiting for you. For this."

I take one last deep breath, feeling my heart race in my chest, but it's a good kind of rush. The butterflies are wild now, fluttering madly in my stomach, but I know I'm ready. I think of Ethan waiting for me at the altar, probably just as nervous and excited as I am. Just the thought of him there, looking at me with those warm, adoring eyes, fills me with a love so strong that it nearly brings me to tears.

"I'm ready," I say, my voice soft but steady, knowing that today is the start of the rest of my life with him.

Shelly beams, tears brimming in her eyes again as she grabs my arm, leading me toward the door.