You Only Live Once

CHAPTER 51

The chaotic hum of wedding preparations had taken over the Black household. What was meant to be a joyous occasion for Regulus and Mira had transformed into a relentless whirlwind of unsolicited opinions and logistical nightmares. Everyone, from the boisterous Potters to the various branches of the Black family tree, wanted to lend a hand. While the intention was rooted in love, the result was a suffocating pressure that made the couple feel like guests at their own wedding.

Originally, they had pushed the date to July of 1982, hoping the extra time would allow the dust to settle. It hadn't. Instead, the guest list grew, the flower arrangements became more elaborate, and the debates over seating charts grew more heated. Two months before the big day, Mira reached her breaking point. She didn't want to talk about lace or lemon cake; she just wanted her fiancé back.

They decided to vanish for twenty-four hours. They didn't go to Grimmauld Place or Potter Manor, as every wizarding residence was currently occupied by someone with a "helpful" suggestion. Instead, they opted for a nondescript Muggle hotel in a quiet corner of London.

The room was simple, smelling faintly of citrus and old carpet, but to them, it was a sanctuary.

"Can you hear that?" Regulus whispered.

Mira paused, straining her ears. "I hear nothing."

"Exactly."

They were tangled together on the bed, the heavy curtains drawn against the afternoon sun. Mira's head rested firmly on Regulus' chest, the steady rhythm of his heart acting as a metronome for her own racing thoughts. He stroked her hair with a slow, rhythmic motion, occasionally pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. The silence was the greatest luxury they had experienced in months.

"I love them all to death, but they have driven me crazy" Mira groaned. she shifted her weight, burying her face into the crook of Regulus' neck. The vibration of her voice against his skin made him let out a soft, melodic laugh. He wrapped his arms more tightly around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

"And there is still so much to do" she continued, her voice muffled. "We have to decide on the best man and the maid of honor, and there are so many decisions that feel like they carry the weight of the world-"

"Mira, love! No wedding talk, remember?" Regulus interrupted softly.

He knew her well. Mira had always carried a certain amount of anxiety beneath her skin, but the wedding had amplified it tenfold. She was a people-pleaser by nature, and the fear of offending a cousin or choosing the wrong shade of white was eating her alive. He had to admit, even to himself, that she had been acting more volatile than usual lately. She was more tired, more sensitive, and prone to sudden shifts in mood.

"I know, I know" Mira said, pulling away slightly. She moved to his side and yanked the heavy duvet up to her neck. She was suddenly shivering, despite the warmth of the room. "But really, Reg. I feel like everything will be a disaster. I don't even know if I have made a single choice for myself yet. I am so afraid that I will hurt someone's feelings. I suddenly understand why it took James and Lily so long to decide things. I judged them so hard back then, and now I feel like a hypocrite."

She pouted, her lower lip trembling. "And don't forget that I will probably not even fit into my dress"

Tears began to well in her eyes. Before he could respond, she pulled the blanket over her head, and the muffled sound of sobbing filled the space between them.

Regulus froze. He was a man who could handle ancient curses and complex potions, but a crying Mira was a puzzle he never quite knew how to solve. Just yesterday, she had been the one telling him they had plenty of time and that he needed to relax. Now, she was convinced the world was ending because of a dress size.