Harry

It's the day of our wedding and I'm nervous as hell.

"You look so beautiful Harriette!" Maggie said to me. I blush when she said my name. I haven't heard that name in a long time. Not since my dad died. I've always gone by Harry, my dad was the only one who calls me by my full name.

"Mom!" I hear Emma say.

"I'm sorry Harry, I didn't..."

"It's okay," I smiled at her. "I haven't been called that in such a long time. It feels good."

"It's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. You're parents would have been so proud of you."

"Thank you," I said hugging Maggie.

"Well, I should go out there and make sure everything is ready," Maggie said to me.

I smiled and nodded.

"Har, before I forget, here this is for you," she said, handing me a letter.

I looked at her with question in my eyes.

She smiled at me and said, "it's from your mom. She asked me to give this to you when you get married."

My eyes welled up in tears.

"Aren't you going to read it?" She asked.

"I can't," I whispered brokenly. I can't. This is not a real marriage. This is a marriage of convenience. Besides I don't think I could read this without bawling my eyes out.

"I understand. Read it when you're ready," Em said while engulfing me in a big hug.

"I love you Har, she said.

"I love you too...and thank you for everything."

She smiled and said, "enough of this. You don't want to ruin your make up now do you?"

We both chuckled and wiped our tears.

Then there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it," Em said.

It was Toni, Em's dad. "Harry, you look beautiful," he said making me blush.

"Thank you," I said.

"I was wondering, if it's okay with you, it would bring me great pleasure, if you would allow me to walk you down the aisle." He said bringing tears to my eyes.

"I would love that," I smiled at him.

"Very well then, we shall get you down that aisle. There's a very anxious man, who threatened to tare down this door if I don't get you out there as soon as possible."

I giggle nervously. If you only knew. The only reason Alex is marrying me is because of the baby. I thought sadly.

I hate all these lies, but I also don't want to worry them. Besides I'm doing this for my baby.

I wanted a simple church wedding, and now I'm standing outside the church, nervous and anxious.

This for the baby. This is for the baby, I keep repeating to myself.

Then before I know it, the doors were opening and Toni was giving me an encouraging smile. I stepped forward and looked ahead and my eyes collided with Alex and it him me....I was still madly in love with him.

Alex

The doors finally open and my gaze landed on Harry. Our eyes collided and my gut clenched. She looks absolutely stunning. I'm getting married to the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. This beautiful woman walking towards me is carrying our baby. How did I get so lucky. Then it hit me....I love her. Of course I love her. I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat. How could I not? I've loved her from the first moment I saw her. That's why I kept fighting it. I convinced myself that it was just my libido reacting to a beautiful woman, but it's not. I love her. And now she doesn't love me back. All she feels for me is hate.

She's standing in front of me and my breath hitches. She looks beautiful. "You look beautiful!" I said.

"Thank you," she smiled, but her smile doesn't reach her eyes.

While the priest was performing the ceremony all I could see was Harry. I was looking at her and I all I could see in her eyes were fear and pain. I wince inwardly. Looking at her, I made a vow to myself and to Harry. From this day forward, I will spend my every waking moment making it up to you. Showing you how much I love you. I won't stop until I take away that fear and pain in your eyes; and even then I still won't stop. I will not let a day go by that you doubt me. I love you more than anything in this world and I will spend the rest of my life proving that to you.

......"You may now kiss the bride" said the priest. I gave Harry an encouraging smile before I leaned down and captured her lips. The guests' cheer and claps were muted by the sensation of having Harry in my arms again. At first, she didn't respond to my kiss, but after a second, she opened her mouth for me and I kissed her with passion....

....."Save that for the honeymoon!" I hear Michael yell out, breaking our kiss. I chuckled, while Harry buried her face on my chest, clearly embarrassed.

The ceremony went by quickly. I don't really remember much, aside from the vow I made to myself and kissing her, since I was buried in my own thoughts. However, aside from my thoughts, all I could think about was how beautiful Harry looked and how much I loved her. I wanted to tell her so badly, but I know she wouldn't believe me. Not after how I've treated her. Every time I think about that day, I can't get the look in Harry's eyes out of my head. I hurt her incredibly and I would do anything to go back and change things, but I can't. Now watching her from afar talking to her best friend, she's smiling and laughing at what Her friend Emma is telling her, and I can't help but feel jealous and hurt. I miss her smile. I miss hearing her laugh. She doesn't smile or laugh around me anymore. God, I'd do anything in the world just to have her forgiveness. She doesn't even have to love me back, as long as she forgives me and let's me love her the rest of our lives together.

"Wow I never thought I'd see the day," I hear Michael mutter from behind me.

"Never see what? I asked him, confused as to what he means.

"I never thought I'd see you fall in love and get married," he said to me.

Am I that obvious? I don't even bother denying it. "She doesn't love me back. She hates me."

"What are you talking about? When I first met her I knew you two were in love with each other. I know what happened between you a few months ago, but I thought you've fixed things already," he said, confusion in his eyes.

"Then you damn well know what I said to her that day. How I treated her. How can she forgive me? How can she get past that? Even I have trouble forgiving myself ."

"She married you didn't she?"

I snorted, "you know exactly why she did, Michael."

He nodded. "Yes, I do. But trust me, she loves you Alex. I can tell. She may be hurting, but she loves you. Give her time. Show her how much you love her. Tell her. Tell her how you feel. Look Alex, you know what I went through with Emma. All I can say is that, all the pain and heartbreak was worth it. If I didn't lose her, I wouldn't appreciate her the way she deserves. I wouldn't have realized what I was missing. I took her for granted, and losing her made me realize how lucky I was to have her love. It makes me work hard everyday in showing her how much I love her. We all make mistakes. What matters is how we make amends and make sure that we don't repeat the same mistake again. A piece of advice, be true to her Alex. Let her in."

I look at him. "That's two," I said with humour, trying to lighten things up.

He chuckled at the look on my face, "It will help her understand you better Alex."

I nodded, "thanks man."

"Anytime," he said squeezing my shoulder. He walked off to his wife. I can't help but feel envy. Looking at them, the way they were looking at each other, that's what I want with Harry.

I look back to where Harry is, she looks up to see me looking at her, I smile at her. She smiles back and continues her conversation with her friends.

Michael is right I have to tell her.

I'll earn your love back Harry. I'll prove to you that I deserve you. I'll show you how much I love you.

Harry

"I guess he's not so bad after all," Em said.

I smiled at my best friend. "I know I can't believe he pulled this off at such a short time. Isn't this fabulous?" I asked, waving my hand to encompass the reception and its elegant guests. I have to admit that I am feeling incredibly happy for a woman who had just entered a marriage of convenience. After freaking out when I realized that I still love him, I can't help but feel happy with how the wedding turned out. It was all Alex's doing. "Can you believe the wedding?"

Emma grinned. "Believe it? I lived it. I was your maid of honour, after all. The horse drawn carriages were a very sweet touch. There were so many red and white tulips and that gorgeous flower arrangement in the church, my god it was gorgeous!"

"I know! He did everything possible to make it special. He kept asking if there was anything else I wanted, making sure my every fantasy of my wedding was fulfilled." I admitted.

"As it should be!" Alex said from behind me. "You only get married once. It should be the wedding of your dreams" he said smiling at me.

If I didn't know better, I'd say he sounded like a man in love. Gee, what am I saying? But even if he wasn't, he had to care about me a lot to have gone to so much trouble to see her happy, right? But I've been here before. I should know better. He doesn't love me.

"I hope you won't mind Emma, but I'd like to dance with my wife," he said.

"Of course not," Emma said. "It took you long enough. I was wondering when you'll get the courage to ask her," she said jokingly.

"Well, I was captivated by her beauty that all I could do was simply gaze at my wife from afar. But now I'm here," he said while looking into my eyes. His gaze made me shiver, more than his words did. I have to give it to him, I almost believed him, but I know better now. I will not be fooled. I will not put my self through more pain, heartbreak, and humiliation. Once was enough.

"May I have this dance Ry?" he asked, calling me by his nickname for me. This is all for show I remind myself. I put on my best smile and put my hand in his. "Of course," I said, and he led me to the ballroom.

Alex's dancing was divine and I lost myself in the pleasure of being in his arms and our bodies' movement to the music.

Other couples began to join us on the dance floor. I have to admit, I don't know most of our guests, but Alex told me that most of them are business acquaintances and some are clients. Dylan and Em, Maggie and Toni, Roger and Jane, and Michael and Emma also took the dance floor. They looked so happy and in love. The thought brought a pang of jealousy, but I quickly dismissed it. This also reminded me of our dance during the gala, where I thought...

"You seem lost in thought," Alex said interrupting my thoughts. I turned my head and looked at him.

It's that look! The look he's giving me right now. The thought and feeling brought tears to my eyes. Alex brought his hand to my face and used his thumb to wipe away the tears in my eyes.

"Don't cry sweetheart. I know that I forced you into this, but I can make you happy. I promise that I will do anything to make you happy," he promised me, while looking at me with tenderness in his eyes.

I was too stunned to say something. I tilted my head to look into his eyes. "Thank you."

"For dancing with you?" he asked, a smile flirting with the edges of his lips.

"For all of this. The wedding. Everything was beautiful. Not necessary, but nonetheless, beautiful. I didn't think you could pull off a wedding at such a short time, yet you accomplished all this in just a few days. I'm stunned."

"You deserve the wedding of your dreams. Like I said, I want you to be happy."

I didn't know what to say to that, so I simply gave him a curt nod. Every time I would allow myself to warm up to him, or even open up to him a little, I can't help but remember how much he hurt me. Every time I allow myself to feel how much I love him, I feel my heart breaking all over again. I don't like feeling this way. I excuse myself before I burst into tears. "I'm sorry Alex, but if you'll excuse me," I turned to leave the dance floor and left him stunned.

On my way to the ladies room, I hear Roger and Jane talking.

"You have to tell him Roger, you can't keep putting it off," Jane said.

"I know, and I will. I want my son's forgiveness Jane. I want Alex to know what really happened. I want him to know the truth." Roger said and I gasp. Loud enough for them to hear and turn to my direction.