Closer (Completed) Dark Romance

Chapter 20

Only two days remained before our wedding and something didn't feel right. Every second that passed, the idea of getting married grew more amiss in my mind. The church where my parents married was already booked by another couple. The pastor who directed their wedding was also unavailable. It felt like everything was purposely planned against me.

Unsettling thoughts ran through my head. What if I was being rash? What if this was happening too fast? What if I was making the biggest mistake of my life by marrying a man I only knew so much about?

I assumed this was what they called cold feet.

But the sole reason was because of my brother. I wanted him to be present at my wedding, sitting proudly in the audience and smiling up at me. To see me marry the man of my dreams. To see me truly happy for once. That meant a lot to me. I'd always pictured him there, but I knew that wasn't going to happen.

Instead of sulking around about Chris not being able to attend, I decided to visit him. I wanted Henry to come along with me because to have Chris give us his blessing, it would mean the world to me. I attempted to call him, but with his workload and hectic schedule, he didn't pick up his phone. It went straight to voicemail. Though I was disappointed, I couldn't blame him. Henry and Chris could always meet each other after our wedding.

Through the glass, Chris looked thinner from the last time I saw him and it worried me. It always worried me. I scolded him as usual, telling him to stop being such a picky eater, he needed to keep up his strength.

"Ally, you know, I always tell you that you're my favorite sister," he stated seriously. "But I say it only because it's true. And I know how much I have disappointed you. I'm sorry."

"Chris ..."

"I'm so sorry, Ally," he told me again. "I wish I could be there to support you on your special day, but you know..."

"It's okay," I assured him with a pressed smile. "As long as you support my decision, and you give us your blessing ... That's enough for me."

Chris's brown eyes fell to the floor before speaking quietly into the phone. "Do you love him?"

"Yes, I really, really do," I answered without hesitation. And I realized that this was actually the first time I acknowledged my feelings. "I love him. I do. I love Henry."

"Then you have my blessing," Chris said genuinely. He gave me a smile of approval. The uncomfortable constriction that had been buried deep in my chest this entire week dissipated when he uttered those words.

"Thank you, Chris. I love you."

"I love you too."

When I got back to the apartment, I noticed that Lily had cooked her specialty dish, spaghetti, for lunch and though I hadn't eaten anything since this morning, I wasn't hungry yet. I slumped onto the couch and checked my phone to see a text from Henry. My heart skipped at the sight of his name on the screen. I didn't think I'll ever get used to it.

I couldn't pick up because of a meeting. I'm dying to see you.

I bit my bottom lip to resist a wide split grin reading the last sentence.

That's okay. I went to go see Chris and I just wanted to see if you wanted to join me. I asked for his blessings. I purposely ended my thought there, hoping to keep him suffering in suspense. While I impishly giggled to myself, my text tone rang.

That's great. I have another meeting, so I'll talk to you tomorrow at the rehearsal.

I guessed he had important things to tend to. I can always tell him tomorrow. Maybe after the rehearsal, I could tell him.