The Day Has Come (Counting on Hockey #4)

Chapter 28: I Can't Do This

Wedding day, June

*

Today is my wedding day. After waiting almost ten years, I get to marry the love of my life. From the moment I met Cole John Anderson, I knew there was something about him, something I can't describe, that I absolutely love. I've never found anybody that could compare to Cole, not a single person. And today, I get to say those few words that will forever connect us together.

Being back in Chicago is one of the greatest feelings right now. I get to be near my Mom, who's still taking Dad's death extremely hard. Don't get me wrong, it's still hard for me too, but she doesn't have anyone near to comfort her, like Cara or I. I get to be with Aiden and Addison, a few more of our friends from high school were able to be at the wedding, a few of the Blackhawks, most of Cole's team, along with a few of the Bruins, and Coach Gendron had subtly asked if he could come, and I had said absolutely.

Now, I'm sitting in front of a mirror that's covered with a robe, Cara is doing my hair, Mom and Lucy are playing with Annabelle and Triston, Ella sitting on the floor watching with excitement. I'm not allowed to look at myself until my hair, makeup, and dress are finished and I look complete.

Aiden and Addison are downstairs, making sure everything looks perfect. They told me not to worry, and I'm not, but I don't feel right. Something about today doesn't feel right. Like, I'm forgetting something important, or someone whose said to be here, isn't. I don't know.

"Okay", Cara says to me, setting down the curling iron. "Time for your makeup".

Cara spins my chair around, and starts on my makeup. First, the waterproof mascara, then my eye shadow, blush, and a light lipstick. "Time for the dress".

Although they're my mothers, the one that gave birth to me, and the one who raised me as her own, I ask them to leave so I can put my dress on. Cara helps me with the dress, sliding it up my legs and arms, finally situating it on over my shoulders. The dress covers my extremely small baby bump perfectly, since I'm four and a half months pregnant, and I am absolutely in love with the dress. It's simple, yet not, and it's elegant, and everything I wanted in a dress.

"Oh honey", I hear Mom and Lucy say at the same time. "You're beautiful", Mom continues.

"Meredith", Ella gasps quietly. "You look amazing".

"Let's let her look, shall we", Cara says to all of us. "Turn around".

I'm finally able to turn to the mirror, and when I do, tears well in my eyes. I put my hand up to my mouth to hide my gasps. "Oh my god. Everything is perfect".

After Cara wipes my tears away carefully with a tissue, and Addison and Aiden come back to say everything is done downstairs in the ballroom, we make our way downstairs to the entryway of the building. All of the guests are inside, and Cole should be standing at the alter at this moment.

We talk about everything that was done this morning, when the door into the room opens slightly. I turn around to see Noah sliding through the door. He stops in his tracks as the door closes.

"Wow", he gasps. "Meredith Adams. You look breathtaking".

I blush slightly, looking down at my blush pink flower bouquet. "Thanks", I whisper.

"Are you ready to do this?"

I nod slowly.

Mom and Lucy take Annabelle, Ella, and Triston up the aisle as ring bearer and flower girls.

Noah stands next to me, and I wrap my left arm with his right. I stare straight ahead at the door as Aiden and Addison walk through it with their bouquets in hand. Cara walks through with Matt, and then it's just Noah and I left to walk through.

"Noah", I whisper. "I can't do this".

He unwraps his arm from mine. "What do you mean 'you can't do this'?"

"I can't marry him. Not Cole. He's way too perfect for me. He's too perfect for any girl, let alone me", I say, another set of tears forming in my eyes. "I want to marry him, so badly, but I can't, he's not what I'm destined to have as a husband".

"Mere? What the hell are you talking about", Noah looks down at me. "You two are destined for each other. Everyone knew that in high school. If anything, I would say you are too perfect for him. You are going to walk through that door, which we should be walking through right now, and you are going to marry him because he is good for you, and you are good for him. You two are getting married, having a whole bunch of super cute kids, and live happily ever after. I promise you. Now, get that ridiculous thought out of your crazy pregnant mind, and start walking, sister".

"Okay", I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry".

"Don't apologize", Noah says, wrapping our arms together once again. "Just get married. No one will ever know about this".

I take another deep breath as the doors open in front of us. Noah takes the first step towards them, and I follow his lead. My hands shake as we turn the corner in front of us and go down the main aisle.

In front of me, next to the Justice of the Peace, is my husband. His tuxedo looks astounding on him, and just by looking at his face, he looks like he's about to cry.

I'm marrying the only good person for me. I'm so glad I don't have to wait any longer. Just one more moment.