Bless the Broken Road.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Emmett stood at the altar with everyone staring ahead, laughing or chattering. Damon was beside him and patted him on the shoulder. Emmett had never been so nervous. He looked about him and then saw her. Taylor was sat at the front wearing a navy blue satin dress and her hair was swept over one shoulder. He opened his mouth to speak to her when she and everyone stood up. Looking upward he saw the woman he was going to marry. She looked beautiful. As she walked down the aisle, the crowd were sighing with joy and happiness. Emmett's heart was pounding so loudly he was sure some people could hear it. Frances's dress was flowing from her body like a waterfall. Her father held her arm for support. She looked almost as nervous as he did. Mr Peabody looked very tight lipped. She was only halfway down the aisle when, in the corner of his eye, he saw Taylor leave. "Taylor.." He said without thinking. Mr Peabody and Frances stopped on the aisle in shock. Damon coughed. Emmett turned to the vicar and said loudly, "Sorry vicar. I can't do this right now." The whole crowd gasped as Emmett patted Damon on the shoulder as he ran off after Taylor. The murmur in the chapel was deafening. Damon coughed awkwardly and tried to calm everyone down. All the while, Ms Gilbert smiled to herself from the front row.

—•••••—

Taylor was sat on the old tire swing that swayed lazily in the morning breeze. She needed time to think. Even if it did mean missing her childhood best friend's wedding. She sighed sadly and pushed herself and started to swing gently. "Taylor?" a voice said behind her. Gasping and turning her head, she saw Emmett standing there. She turned away quickly. She looked into the distance and started to cry. "What's wrong Taylor?" Emmett whispered as he walked towards her and crouched down. He put a hand under her chin and lifted her face upwards to meet his gaze. Her eyes were filled with tears. He wiped them away and waited for her answer. Instead she just stared at the ground. "I'm- I'm.." Taylor breathed heavily. Looking back at Emmett, she took a deep breath and said, as calmly as she could, "I'm pregnant." Emmett's eyes widened and then remembered the bruise on her thigh that he saw earlier that week. She wasn't just beaten, she'd been raped. Closing his eyes and letting out a short breath, he was livid. Suddenly Taylor wiped her eyes and cleared her throat. "Anyways, you go back in there and get married." She said bravely. Emmett rose to his feet and dithered for a while. He knew he couldn't say anything or do anything so he went back to the chapel but this time with Taylor holding onto his arm. What a scandal he was making for himself and the Peabody family. A scandal indeed.