𝖎𝖓𝖖𝖚𝖎𝖘𝖎𝖙𝖎𝖛𝖊.

038.

☽

HERE SHE WAS, STANDING in front of a mirror admiring the dress created from her expectations. A very close friend that her father mentioned to her created the whimsical pearl white sparkly gown. She had the pleasure of meeting her and took Estella's details into mind before creating the most magnificent dress she had ever seen. The dress was handmade, a creation crafted from organza fabric, appliqués embellishments, and French lace. Long-sleeved, a non-corset garment with a beaded headpiece and full veil that trailed behind her as if it was the tail. A voluminous skirt that sparkled with every turn she made, shimmering like the stars at night. It was breathtaking.

"I think I might cry," Eli announces, taking a handkerchief from his pocket before gently dabbing the cloth around his eyes. Estella laughed at him, hands on her stomach as she closed her eyes and took deep breaths, trying as best as she could to keep the panic away.

"God, you look magnificent, honey." Her mother holds a hand over her heart, trying to maintain her tears so she wouldn't ruin her makeup. Estella pouted, opening her arms wide before embracing her mother in a warm hug, her stomach slightly separating them. "I can't believe you're getting married-again."

"I know," she sighed. "I can't believe it either."

"I'm so proud of you, Star. You've come so far in life and I can't even imagine what more could come. You're such a strong woman and I love you with everything in my heart." Evelyn fixes her daughter's veil, twisting a curl of her hair around her fingers before letting it bounce back in its place.

"Thank you, Mama. That means so much to me. I love you too, always." Estella kissed her cheek, exhaling before admiring herself in the mirror once again.

"So Harry's limo just arrived and Alex is on his way up to walk you out," Raye announced.

"Do you want anything to drink?" Eli asks, getting up from his seat and fetching some water before she got the chance to answer.

There was a knock at her door, Raye shouting out that she was getting it. Estella flapped her hands around her, doing a meditation routine to keep herself at a normal state. "I can't believe I'm this nervous. I mean, I've done this before. So why am I freaking out like it's my first time?"

"Are you having second thoughts?" Her mother asked her and she shook her head, knowing that couldn't be it. She knew that for sure.

"No, God no. I would never second guess this. It's just-am I sure I can put all of my heart and soul into one man's life for the rest of mine? Back then I was young and fearless, I had no idea how major marriage was. Now it feels a dozen times scarier."

"Honey, you can," Evelyn stood up. Estella turned around, her mother taking her hands in hers before rubbing circles into her knuckles. "Look, before I married your father I was going batshit in my room. Grandma Rosé had to calm me down before I walked out. She pulled me aside and told me, 'baby, you don't have to be afraid if you know that the man you're marrying will always be there to catch you when you fall. If you are here today and ready to marry him, then you were ready from the start when you told him yes and he slipped that ring on your finger.' and I believed her."

"So if I was brave enough to say yes to him in the beginning-" she trailed off.

"Then you're ready to tell him 'I do' in the end."