Secrets And Sins Part 3: Happy ever after

Chapter 77

***We are nearing the end now guys... 🫣I may be a little late with the next update as it's proving difficult to put together. ***

~Ava~

"Ava, I need you to keep looking up." Camila asked, her tone clipped as she held the mascara wand a little too close for comfort.

Ava complied quickly, she couldn't really blame Camila for her frustration. She had already asked her half a dozen times to concentrate but the closer they got to the ceremony, the more Ava's head was elsewhere. She was absolutely shitting herself with nerves.

What if she forgot her vows? Or tripped over walking up the aisle? Or vomited all over Bea?

"Kid?" Camila finally finished Ava's eye makeup, turning away to rifle through the makeup bag, and Ava met Mary's gaze in the mirror's reflection she was sitting in front of. "Slow breaths, remember?"

It was then that Ava realised she was nearly hyperventilating. She closed her eyes, shutting out Mary's worried stare and did her best to slow her breathing.

It was futile.

"But what if...?" Ava's thoughts spiraled again and her eyes flew open in panic. "What if I tear my dress and everyone sees, like, everything?" She clenched her fingers around the arms of her chair, her knuckles whitening from the pressure, fighting not to be sick. "Oh my God, I don't know if I can do this."

"Hey, hey..." Mary was on her feet in an instant and kneeling beside Ava's chair. "You can Ava, it's just nerves. You've fought evil angels, demons, fuck, you've even faced down Lilith..." She gently pried away Ava's death grip and interlaced their fingers. "When you go out there, just look for her, focus on her, yeah? That's why you're doing this."

Bea.

The thought of her was like a beam of light through the darkness of her doubts. Ava wouldn't be walking into this alone, Bea would be right there waiting at the end of the aisle ready to stand by her. She couldn't let her down.

The knot of anxiety in her chest eased slightly, not quite disappearing, but loosening enough that Ava could at least breathe more freely.

"You're right, you're right. Thank you Mary." Ava's eyes shifted upward to see Camila watching them pale and concerned, and tried to offer her a reassuring smile. "Thank you to both of you."

"It's nothing," Mary smiled, looking relieved that she'd managed to talk Ava down. "Call it payback for that time you escorted drunk, depressed me to bed."

Latching onto the distraction, Ava laughed. "I don't know if this quite equals that... you made me drink far too much of that God awful cinnamon whisky and then nearly broke a priceless vase."

"Glad to know the kiss wasn't the worst part of your night." Mary retorted unashamedly as Ava's cheeks warmed.

"What?!" There was a clatter as Camila fumbled the bag of makeup scattering various bottles of things everywhere. "You guys...?" Her eyes darted between them while her mouth opened and closed. Finally, her gaze settled on Ava, and she let out an exasperated sigh. "Is there anyone you haven't kissed?"

"Lilith for one," Ava grinned teasingly trying to hide how hot her face was getting. "Though I'm pretty sure she'd claw my face off if I tried... and, well, there's you," Camila's eyes looked like they were about to fall out of her head and Ava quickly raised her hands in surrender, "but I know you're married to God."

"Hasn't stopped you before..." Mary snorted.

Camila made a strangled sort of yelp noise and Ava shot a glare in Mary's direction.