On the morning of the biggest day of my life, I woke up in the arms of the man I had fallen completely in love with, who was still sound asleep. That was until there was a knock at my door that startled both of us.

I sat up, looked at the hotel clock on the bedside table, and saw that it was barely past six in the morning. Ryan stared at me with sleepy, but still piercingly beautiful eyes. The knock came again. He rolled over to grab his boxers from the ground, while I threw the covers back, and replaced them with my bathrobe that was still pooled at the foot of the bed. It had a slight damp feel to it, which made me regret that I didn't hang it up the night before.

I shivered a little as I secured the robe to my body and went to the door. I looked through the peephole and saw that it was my mother. She looked like she had been crying all night. I glanced back at Ryan to make sure he was decent before I answered the door. Though, I only opened it enough so she'd see just my face.

"Good morning, Mom." I smiled a tight-lipped, sleepy grin.

At seeing me, she started crying—a trait we clearly shared. I stepped out a little so the door wouldn't completely lock us out and gave her a tight hug. She hugged me back with the same strength. I forgot how much I loved my mom's hugs. They always made me feel loved and protected—almost more than my dad's.

When she finally pulled back, she quickly wiped her tears away and attempted to smile. "I am so sorry for what you've been going through."

"Thank you," I responded, turning my eyes down and mindlessly stared at the patterned hallway carpet. "I'm sorry I didn't come to you and dad sooner. I was just trying to protect you."

She sighed. "My darling, Vicky. You haven't changed. Always trying to do everything on your own. While I've always loved that about you, you need to know that it is also okay to ask for help. Especially when you are dealing with something as critical as your happiness." 

I nodded, returning my eyes to meet hers. "I know. I realize that now."

I shivered again as a sudden gust of cold air hit the back of my neck.

My mom saw my reaction. "Let's get you changed and go down to breakfast before we head to your appointment at the salon."

I shook my head a little too adamantly. "You can't come in right now. How about I meet you downstairs?"

My mother raised an eyebrow at me. "Is he in there?"

I nodded with a sheepish smile.

My mother's smile matched mine. "Well, I look forward to getting to know my soon to be son-in-law. But I guess it'll have to wait until after the wedding." She winked.

I blushed. I loved how supportive my mom and my dad were about all this. "I'd love that. Has dad figured out what he's going to do about Eric and his mom?"

"Oh, you know your father. He never tells me what he's got hidden up his sleeves. But I know that he isn't concerned in the slightest. Which means you have nothing to worry about either."

With that, my mother gave me another hug and left to head down to breakfast.

As I walked back in, Ryan startled me as he was literally only a few feet from the door. He was fully dressed, which made me pout a little. He gave a half chuckle at my reaction and quickly pulled me into a hug.

"Are you leaving?" I asked, with my head resting against his chest.

"I have to." His soothing voice vibrated against my ear, making me feel at ease. "After all, we have a wedding to get ready for."

I pulled back and beamed at him. "Yes, we do!"

******

The stylist added the final touches before turning me around in the chair so I could see my new look. I knew it was already going to be stunning from the practice run we had a few weeks ago. Still, seeing it now, with my mom and my bridesmaids and their reactions made me love it that much more.

My hair had been loosely braided. Weaved into the braid was a string of big and small pearls. The braid ended at the base of my neck, where my hair was wrapped around itself to create its own hair-tie. The rest of my hair continued down to the middle of my shoulder-blades and curled into a wispy ponytail. The pearl string was then wrapped around it and secured at the tip of my hair strands. It looked elegant and felt comfortable, which was exactly how I wanted it.

"Vicky, you look breath-taking!" Tracey gasped as she got out of her chair. "Eric isn't going to be able to take his eyes off of you when he sees you."

I exchanged quick glances with my mom and Sasha before smiling at Tracey. "Thank you, Trace. I love your do too. I know Chad won't be able to take his eyes off you either."

She smiled as she brushed the side of her hair lightly. It was styled in a half-French twist and bumped up in the back to give her medium-length hair more body.

"I don't think it'll be just his hands that she needs to worry about!" Sasha winked at Tracey from her salon chair as her hairstylist was using fancy pearled bobby-pins to pin her hair back.

We all laughed as Tracey blushed.

I thanked my stylist again and moved over to the waiting area with Tracey and Ginny where we waited for my mom and Sasha's hair to be done.

"So, how are you feeling, Vic?" Ginny asked, resting a hand gently on my knee.

I looked between Ginny and my cousin. It was killing me that I couldn't tell them the truth, but my dad told me to be discreet and act like nothing was different. "I'm nervous, but excited."

They both nodded with understanding expressions.

"Can I give you some advice?" Tracey asked.

I sat forward a little on the chair, knowing that whatever Tracey had to say would be worth remembering. "Yes, please."

"Just enjoy yourself and forget the stresses. Because no matter what happens, at the end of the day you'll be married to the person you love."

I started giggling, and my eyes wanted to well up with happy tears, but I instantly forced myself to stop. After all, I didn't want to ruin the makeup that was just applied beautifully. Tracey didn't realize how meaningful her words were to me at that moment. Her advice was like the sword and shield I needed to arm myself and survive against Eric and his mother.

*******

We arrived at the church long before everyone else. Reverend Daniels met us at the steps in front of the building and led us around to the side entrance of the cathedral. We all followed him down the corridors, hauling our bagged dresses over our shoulders.

After getting her hair done, my mother had left us to go back to the hotel to get ready there. She wanted to give me and my bridesmaids time alone.

The dressing room was very spacious. It had wood flooring throughout, with beige rugs strategically placed around the area. The wall had vivid white panels that really brightened the room. Along the far side of the wall were two tall cathedral windows that looked out to the side entrance we had come through. In the center of the room were several large overstuffed couches and armchairs that sat in a U-shape. They were facing an antique-styled vanity table and a large standing floor length mirror.

As we got settled in, I could hear the organ playing. We were far enough removed from the main hall where the organ was, that the music sounded quiet and rather soothing. It even sent me into a trance-like state as I hung up my dress on a rolling rack that was placed along the wall by the windows for just the occasion.

The early afternoon light that shined through the windows made the ivory in my dress look like it was glowing. I smoothed the draped sleeve caps and adjusted the train, so it fanned out on the floor. Then I went over to the suitcase Sasha rolled in, I wheeled it to the open space by the door, unzipped it, and pulled out my shoes. I placed them in front of my dress and stood back, admiring the whole outfit as one.

The shoes were perfect for me. Since I was tall enough without heels, I selected a pair of white flats that pointed at the toes and didn't have a back. Instead, a T-strap was strung with pearls and crystal rings, which matched the string of pearls in my hair. The strap transitioned to an oversized silk ribbon that would be tied around my ankle.

Sasha, Ginny, and Tracey hung their dresses on the rack beside my gown and placed their shoes next to mine. Just then the photographer called stating that she was in the central part of the church and that she was lost.

Ginny volunteered to go find her and lead her back to us.

While we waited, I went back to the suitcase and pulled out the four-pack of travel-sized white wine bottles. Sasha and Tracey cheered as seeing the alcohol. I laughed at their excitement and placed them on a side table beside one of the couches. I emptied each bottle into a plastic cup and handed them out. Leaving one on the table for Ginny. I took my drink and sat on one of the overstuffed armchairs.

"Cheers, ladies!" I raised my glass up.

"Cheers!" They both responded in unison.

We all sipped at our wine lightly to avoid ruining our lipstick too much.

It wasn't long after that Ginny returned to the room with my photographer and her assistant in tow. We all squealed with excitement as they entered, and I quickly gave Ginny her drink and hugged Wendy, the photographer.

"I love your hair, Vicky!" Wendy smiled lightly as she instantly picked up her camera and started snapping pictures.

I blushed, knowing I wasn't ready for it, but she did warn me she would be taking countless candid pictures. Which was one of the main reasons I hired her. She made even the natural photos look amazing. I offered her and her assistant some wine or water, which they both graciously refused.

I returned to the armchair, and we all cheered again, now that Ginny was with us too. Wendy insisted we pretend she wasn't there as she took pictures of us chatting and laughing. Then she excused herself to take photos of the dresses and shoes, while her assistant hovered around us, snapping away.

Ginny glanced at her watch. "I can't believe we're going to be walking down the aisle in less than two hours!"

Hearing how little time was left until my fate was sealed, made my blood run hot through my veins. I prayed my makeup was covering me enough to hide any blushing.

"Your whole life is going to change then, Vicky!" Sasha gave a subtle wink and sipped at her wine, trying to hide her knowing smile from the other two.

Luckily her comment didn't mean the same thing to Tracey and Ginny as it did to Sasha and me.

I stood up and held out my glass towards the three women. "I want to take this moment to really thank you three for agreeing to stand by me today. Ginny, you have been my closest friend since we were in diapers. We went through it all together, which made our bond that much stronger. I know my life would not have been the same without you."

Ginny blushed. "Right back at you, dear friend."

"Tracey," I continued. "You may be my cousin, but you're also my friend. Even though you're six years older than me-"

"Don't rub it in!" Tracey interrupted, making us all laugh.

"Even though you're only slightly older than me," I corrected my statement and winked at her. "And we didn't hang out as much as I would have liked as a kid. You were there for me when I needed you the most. You always gave me the greatest advice on boys, friends, and school. Without you, my life wouldn't have been the same, either."

"Thank you." She smiled sweetly.

"Then there's you, Sasha." I teared up, just uttering her name.

"Keep it together, Ashcroft!" Sasha demanded as she tried to keep a straight face. "We don't have time to run back to the salon and fix your makeup if you start crying!"

We all chuckled again.

"Sasha, meeting you at the end of my freshman year at N.Y.U was the best thing that ever happened to me. Your charisma, strength, and confidence rubbed off on me when I needed it the most."

"Yeah, it did!" She cheered, making us laugh again.

"You always know how to make light of even the toughest situations," I continued after our laughter simmered. "And without the love and support you have given me through this whole process, today would probably be a very different day. So thank you for always having my back and standing by my side 'til the end."

Sasha smiled and stood to meet my gaze. She extended her plastic cup and tapped it against mine. "Til the end!"

The other two stood as well, and met their cups to ours too and echoed Sasha together. "'Til the end!"

The photographer's assistant snapped more pictures as we sipped our drinks and laughed at the loving energy we could all feel in that moment.

As we continued to enjoy our drinks and chat, my mind couldn't help but wander too. I kept wondering how the rest of the day would go. How would my dad handle Eric and his mother? When would Ryan arrive? What would everyone think when they see me marrying Ryan instead of Eric? So many unpredictable obstacles and endings could occur in the next few hours. I just prayed that I would finally get the ending I wanted. Or more like, the beginning.