My Everything | Damie

Chapter 3

Dakota's Pov;

The night before the wedding has finally come. Exactly twenty-four hours from now I will be Mrs.Dornan. Well, sort of. I'll be Mrs. Johnson-Dornan. I'll only have to use the hyphenated version of my new name for work reasons. In every other way humanly possible I will be tied to Jamie for the rest of our lives. I couldn't be happier. In our bed, Jamie is drifting to sleep underneath me. I lay across his body, wide awake but un-moving still, my cheek pressed to his chest, and my arm wrapped around his middle. We've spent the evening playing with some of our pre-wedding gifts we've received. They were mostly very inappropriate but hilarious gifts from our friends. We played a flashcard game in which we had to answer questions about each other. Neither of us missed a single one. It's as if we've had every memory of each other burned into our minds. We've been ready for this moment for a long time now, and it's finally here. It's surreal. To think we were at one point just strangers, then co-stars, then friends, then lovers, and now we will be married. I smile down at the engagement ring on my finger, listening to the steady thump of Jamie's heart beneath my ear. I get to keep him here forever. There's no where else either of us will ever need to be more than together. Whatever the future holds, for worse or better, we're going to go through life together.

At dawn, Jamie is ushered away from me by his best man, his dad. I smile and wave goodbye in the few seconds he's still within view before I get hauled off to get isle ready. Emily, Addison, Grace, Stella, and my mother are all chattering over each other at once as they fuss over me. I tune them out to the best of my abilities and go to my happy place, my future with Jamie. There's nothing but happiness and peace there. No loud women speaking about dresses, makeup, hair, or any other wedding day antics. Just Jamie, Me, Zeppelin, Dulcie, Elva, and a faceless mystery baby. I try to put a face on it in my mind but I can't. It's frustrating, but I keep trying to picture it. Is our baby a boy or a girl? Does it have my light hair or Jamie's dark? Who's eyes does it have? I don't realize how deeply invested I've become until Emily's voice reenters my mind. "Dakota would you please relax your face and open your eyes? We're trying to touch up your makeup it's almost time!" I blink a few times still dazed, and try to bring my face into a more calm expression. I hadn't realized my inner thoughts were reflected on my face. "Sorry." I mutter, looking up into my reflection in the mirror. Damn, they did a phenomenal job while I was busy imagining my future baby with Jamie. Blake stands behind me, fingers in my hair, fully focused on pinning it to the side just right. Emily and my mother stand on my two sides, both with makeup brushes gently whooshing across my cheeks. I watch them work in peace, holding back my excited smile so they can apply lipstick. "Okay. I think you're ready for the dress now." Blake directs my attention to the zipped up garment bag hanging in the doorway.

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Addison, Emily, and Blake, sit in the designated waiting chairs outside the dressing room while I try on dress number five. I could've had one made specifically for me, but I chose to get the full experience and go out dress shopping with my friends. I've now begun to seriously regret that decision. I yank dress number five off without even bothering to consult with my friends. They're too supportive. They'd tell me it looked good, but I know better. Everything looks ugly on me. I was not meant to wear a wedding dress. I crouch on the dressing room floor, trying to find the will to try on other dress. "That's it. I'm not getting married!" I exclaim, handing the rejected dress over to Blake. "Yes you are!" All three friends chime in at the same time. I glare at them, annoyed by the unyielding optimism being thrown my way. First there was Jamie telling me I could show up to the wedding in anything and still be the most beautiful person there, and now these idiots. It seems no one understands how important this choice is. The dress I wear has to be perfect, as perfect as Jamie and I are for each other. It can't be just any wedding dress. It has to be the dress. I sigh as I sink down into one of the remaining guest chairs next to them. I bury my face in my hands as I begin to count to ten. I've got to keep it together. I can't give up. There has to be a dress here that I can wear. We just haven't found it yet. "Dakota, babe...What's wrong? This should be a breeze. You've already done all the hard work with planning for the big day. All you need is a dress and you're like a fashion expert. This should be easy." Addison wraps an arm around me to try to bring me some comfort, but I don't even bother to look at her while she speaks. "It's not easy." I choke out. This is supposed to be a happy time but Jamie and I have been so stressed dealing with the uncertain custody situation with his kids. I told him we should put the wedding on hold until it's all worked out, but he wouldn't let me. We were both so determined to have the perfect wedding despite unperfect circumstances that always seem to follow us. Now I can't even find a dress. "Here, Dakota. Try this one, please. I think you'll really like it." I peek up from my hands and see Blake holding out a gorgeous full length gown in front of my face. My eyes flood with tears at the sight. This is it. The dress.

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My mother unzips the garment bag and the dress is revealed to my eyes once again. Bright pearly white silk, semi sheer bust and short sleeves with embroidered details, and a plunging v-neck line, meet my eyes. It's the dress. The perfect dress. The dress I'm going to marry Jamie Dornan in.