The Publisher

25. Emma

"It's my wedding day."

"I know."

I was sitting in front of the mirror in the bathroom of the church, looking at myself. Elise stood behind me doing the finishing touches on my up-do.

"Am I supposed to feel different or something?"

"Do you want to feel different?" Elise asked carefully.

"I...don't know." Elise rolled her eyes.

"Your dress fits rights?"

"Yes." I said with a sigh. I had lost 5 pounds and needed to have a last minute adjustment last night.

"I gained weight for my wedding and you went and lost 5 pounds."

"You never invited me to your wedding." I said.

"It was in Vegas, we didn't know what we were doing. We still don't but that's what I love about him." I smiled. Elise went and got my dress and helped me into it. It was strapless with a sweetheart neckline and gold detailing on the bottom. The train went almost 3 feet behind me. I had a simple white veil that went almost as far as the train of my dress. Elise smiled once we finished.

"You look beautiful." She told me.

"Thank you. I wish my mom was here." I said suddenly. Elise smiled sympathetically at me.

"Why don't you try calling her again? Then we can come back and I can do your makeup?" I nodded, grabbing my phone and going out into the room. Erica and Eleanor were sitting in their bridesmaid dresses on the couch.

"Thanks for agreeing to be my bridesmaids." I said. "I don't really have a lot of female friends and it'd be awkward to ask Liam to be my bridesmaid."

"It's alright." Eleanor said with a laugh. "I love weddings."

"Me too. You look beautiful Emma." Erica said. I thanked them and the quietly excused myself. I went out into the hall and dialed my mother's number.

"Hello?"

"Hi mom, where are you?"

"Oh Emma, I'm so sorry! Something came up." Her words hit me like a blow.

"W-what?"

"Your father and I were called in today. It was last minute. I'm really sorry Emma that we can't be there."

"What about Amanda?"

"I don't know about Amanda. She does what she wants." She laughed lightly.

"Mom." My voice was desperate but I didn't care. "It's my wedding."

"I know and you know I love you dearly but I have lives to save honey. Do you understand?" I couldn't think. My hands shook with anger.

"I hate you." I spat. "I fucking hate you so much right now. It's my fucking wedding, all I wanted was for you to be here and you can't even fucking do that for me? You are absolutely unbelievable."

"Emma honey. Please." Her voice was still annoyingly calm.

"No. You listen to me. I have put myself out there time and time again and each time you just disappoint me. I'm fucking done. I'm so sick of fucking doing this time and time again." My voice was shaking and hot tears welled in my eyes. A small part of my brain was glad that I hadn't had my makeup done yet.

"I'm sorry Emma." I hung up the phone and threw it on the floor. Hot tears started streaming down my tears and I crumpled to the ground, sobbing.