From Rome with love (Book 4)

Seeing him through tears

*Maddie*
"Are my parents here ?" I ask as Dahlia and Emma is fluttering around me, making my dress fall the right way, righting bits and bobs.

We are in a little room beside the romantic old english country church were we are getting married. The morning has been spend getting hair and makeup done.

"They just arrived, they'll be here soon". Emma say, she is wearing an actual earpiece, coordinating everything with my brother who is outside.

Two minutes later the door open and my mum gushes. "Oh Maddie, you look so beautiful sweetie. Oh, I am so going to cry. That is the most amazing dress, so gorgeous, so graceful. You look like you stepped out of a romance".

"Thanks mom". I hug her, careful not to mess anything up. My mom can be a bit over enthusiastic, but she means well.

There is a loud throat clearing from the doorway. And my father steps up to take my hands. "You look like an angel little bean. I am so happy to be the one to give you away".

"Thanks daddy". I hug him. Fighting the tears. I can't have my makeup running.

Emma steps up, smiling at my mom. "It's time everyone.. are we ready ?"

"Give me one more hug before I go". My mom insist. "Careful not to ruin anything".

My mother squeeze me gently around the waist, then turn to walk out. Suddenly she stops in the doorway and turn towards my dad. "Oh goodness I almost forgot. Where is the box ?"

My father rummage through his pocket for a moment and hands a box to my mother. She opens it and holds it out to me. "Something blue".

"And something old too". My father adds. "It was Your grandmother's. We had the old stones replaced with sapphires".

Inside is a beautiful silver hair comb, with intricate flowers at the top, with clusters of sapphires. It is breathtaking. My throat closing up. "Mom, dad.. you shouldn't have".

Dahlia steps up, gently taking the comb, fastening it in my hair, above the braid. "Now you officially look perfect".

My mom kisses my cheek and hurry off. Emma hands me the flowers. And my father takes my arm. Then I hear the music start outside from the church and for some reason I start hyperventilating.

My father looks at me. "You look pale darling, are you okay ?"

Dahlia takes my hands. "Breathe Mads, focus. Tom is waiting for you in there, looking handsome as ever".

I swallow and smile. Tom is waiting for me. What am I nervous for ?

"Are you ready little bean ?" My father ask and I nod.

Outside we stop to let the bridesmaids and groomsmen enter first. Ben comes over to kiss my cheek. "You look beautiful Maddie. Tom is so going to cry".

"Thanks Ben". I say, smiling as he offers Anni his arm, making her look close to fainting, as he walks her inside.

Next up is my brother and Emma, both smiling as they walk inside.

Zac comes over to hug me and kiss my cheek. "You really look stunning. Tom won't know what hit him".

"Thanks Zac". I smile, feeling more and more calm.

I watch Zac take Dahlia's arm, and they whisper and giggle softly together walking in. Probably remembering their own wedding. Finally it's my turn.

"Don't let me trip dad". I whisper, as we start walking through the door.

"Never little bean, I'll always catch you". He whispers back.

One step at a time, you can do it Maddie, I think to myself. I focus on walking slowly, not tripping. Hearing the murmurs and the rustle of the guest. Knowing all eyes are on me makes my cheeks blush.

I lift my gaze, looking for him. For a moment I am distracted by all the white flowers hanging everywhere. Then I see him, standing there waiting for me with the most glorious smile on his lips.

I no longer see the guests, or the others at the altar. All I see is Tom's face. It fills my vision and my mind. His eyes warm and loving, his face so beautiful as he smiles that I almost can't breathe.

Suddenly my father almost have to hold me back, as I walk faster and faster, impatient to get to him. And then at last, I am there. Tom holding out his hand. My father takes my hand, and places it in Tom's. I am home.

The priest start speaking and for each word it is like the everything clicks into place. Like my whole life has lead to this. I look into Tom's eyes, as he dry away a tear. Nothing but him matters right now. Us.. our family.

I don't realise I am crying before it is time to say my vows. "I look at you and l am home. I see nothing worse than to be without you, because with you my soul feels complete. You are the other half of me and I love you. You are my home no matter where that is".

"Thank you". Tom takes my hands in his, and lifts the to press a kiss to each. Then he takes a deep breath. "I love you enough to fight for you, compromise for you, and sacrifice myself for you if need be. Enough to miss you incredibly when we're apart, no matter what length of time it is for and regardless of the distance. Enough to believe in our relationship, to stand by it through the worst of times, to have faith in our strength as a couple, and to never give up on us. Enough to spend the rest of my life with you, be there for you when you need, or want me, and never ever want to leave you, or to live without you. I love you this much and I always will".

I hardly realise that we say 'I do' or that the priest declare us husband and wife. Then Tom reaches to cradle my face as gently as if it was a rare flower. I try to comprehend through the river of tears, that this perfect, amazing man is mine. Then he lowers his head, and I throw my arms, bouquet and all around his neck.

When he kisses me tenderly I once again forget everything but him. In the end he has to end the kiss. I am clinging to him, ignoring the giggles and the throat clearing from the guests. He gently pulls my face away. His smile is amused, almost a smirk, but I see the deep joy in his eyes.

The guest erupt in applause and Anele comes running from the side, wearing a beautiful flower girl dress. Tom lifts her up on one arm. "So ready to throw those flowers now ?"

"Yeah". She nods happily and Tom's free hand takes mine, leading me outside, while Anele throws flower petals into the air.