Every Girl Wants A Moon

Chapter 18: The Wedding

The morning of the wedding arrived with a flurry of nerves. I couldn't calm my thoughts, my mind racing with everything that could go wrong. I sat at the edge of the bed in the hotel suite, my fingers nervously twisting the edge of my dress. It was a soft shade of blush pink, delicate and flowing, and I'd never worn something so elegant in my life.

Chase had stepped into the room earlier to wish me good morning, a brief kiss on my forehead, a whisper of reassurance that everything would be fine. But now, as I stared at myself in the mirror, all I saw was a woman who didn't belong in this world of fancy dresses, sparkling jewelry, and grand expectations. I was out of my element, and the nerves were starting to gnaw at me.

"Chase is going to think I'm completely out of place," I muttered to myself, trying to steady my breathing.

There was a soft knock on the door, followed by the unmistakable sound of Chase's voice.

"You good in there?" he called.

I straightened up, trying to compose myself. "I'm fine, just... nervous," I admitted, my voice betraying my unease.

The door opened, and Chase stepped inside. The moment his eyes landed on me, his expression froze. His gaze swept over me, and for a second, his mouth parted slightly, as if he were at a loss for words. His eyes darkened with something unreadable, a mixture of admiration and something deeper, more intense.

"Wow," he whispered, his voice thick with awe.

I blinked, unsure of how to react, but before I could say anything, his voice softened. "You look incredible, sweet girl. More than I could have imagined."

His words wrapped around me, calming some of the nervous energy that had been building up. He crossed the room in a few long strides, gently taking my hands in his, his touch warm and reassuring.

"You don't have to be nervous, if anything you look to good for me," he said, his voice steady. "They're going to wonder what a beautiful woman like you is doing with a man like me."

I smiled, feeling a rush of relief while shaking my head "No". The nervousness I had felt earlier began to ease, knowing that no matter how out of place I might have felt, Chase was here with me. He always made everything feel a little more manageable.

⸻

The ceremony was beautiful, a quiet moment of joy that filled the air with love. As the vows were exchanged, I couldn't help but notice how Chase kept his eyes on me, even amidst all the people and the ceremony's grandeur. Every glance, every soft smile, made my heart race with a mixture of warmth and nerves. He was so intent on me, his gaze steady, as if I were the only one in the room.

I couldn't help but feel like I was in the spotlight, but not in a bad way. There was something about the way he looked at me that made everything feel like it was just the two of us, even in the middle of the crowded church.

When the ceremony ended, and we moved to the reception, the tension in my chest hadn't fully gone away. The room was alive with laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft hum of conversation. But even amidst all the celebrations, I felt out of place, like a shadow on the edge of something I didn't understand.

Chase had excused himself to grab us drinks, leaving me to stand alone for a moment. I fiddled nervously with the hem of my dress, trying to calm my thoughts. That's when she appeared—Tally. I spotted her across the room, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the crowd before landing on me.

She approached with the same air of superiority she always had, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, well," she said, her smile fake but dangerous. "I didn't expect to find you alone, darling."