They Call It Depression {edited}

Chapter Seventeen

"Are you ready for this?" Nevaeh asks.

It's my wedding day. The ceremony starts in twenty minutes, and I'm both excited and nervous. Maybe that should be formed into one word, like "nexcited" or something, since it seems to be an often-felt emotion. No? Okay.

"I think so," I tell Nevaeh.

She adjusts my veil and we do a breath check. Both of us are fresh, clean, and ready for today's events.

I look in the mirror one last time. My dress is a ballgown with a sweetheart neckline and a diamond-encrusted corset in the back. My strawberry-blonde hair is down in curls, with a few strands held back by diamond clips. White open-toed heels are on my feet. My veil sits atop my head, completing the look.

The makeup stylists gave me light pink lipstick, and a nude-and-pink eyeshadow ensemble. For the first time in my life, I feel like the most beautiful girl in the world. No scars on my arms. Perfect makeup. A beautiful dress. And Jesus in my heart.

I smile at myself in the mirror. "Let's do this."

- - -

After a beautiful ceremony, Nathan and I head to our reception. Our friends and family are already there, waiting for us and the wedding party.

"Introducing...the new Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Dye!" the emcee announces.

The crowd erupts in cheers as we walk into the room, smiling like idiots. This is gonna be one heck of a night!

- - -

When the reception is over and we've danced the night away with our friends, Nathan and I leave in an old-fashioned Volkswagen Bug. It takes us to the hotel where we'll be staying for our wedding night.

On the ride there, I get a text from Nevaeh. Hey, I know you're probably having fun with your new hubby, but I just wanted to let you know that Ben asked me out at the reception tonight!, the message reads.

I can't stop the squeal that escapes my lips.

"What is it?" Nathan asks.

"Here, look at this message I got from Nevaeh just now." I show him my phone and he smiles as he reads the text.

"Attaboy," he says, making me laugh. "And speaking of having fun with your husband..." He winks and pulls me in for a lingering kiss.

Now we've arrived at the hotel. We collect our luggage and check in. The receptionist looks at us while she talks, the smile never leaving her face. "Enjoy your stay!" she calls as we head up to our room.

I'm not going to go into detail about my first night with Nathan, but I will tell you that it felt amazing to finally make love to someone I was truly in love with. And it was the best feeling in the world, knowing that he loved me just as much.