Some people have their worst at the beginning, some in the middle, some at the end, and some unfortunately, have it all round. It doesn't matter at one point your hard times will come- whether in marriage or life itself - but it is a period we all expect to face. A period which, even though it shatters our solid foundation, we are forced to gain experience and do one of two things; break down and quit or fight to rebuild.

        For Gina, she hadn't expected that after the horrible start she'd had with Knox, that she'd be happy now. There was no looming secret standing between them and for the first time in a long time she felt free - so incredibly light. After Alexia Lawson's confession, Gina had a better time letting go and moving on. A few things were there to work on but they were minor compared to the major that she overcame in the past.
 
      She couldn't resist a smile as she stared back at the person standing before her in the mirror. So incredibly new to her, yet it was new that she truly loved and was proud of. She had broken down a few walls that the rebellious and carefree Gina had built and allowed space for the new her - a part that had been buried but not lost.

      "Gina, everything ok?" She heard a voice say, pulling her from her thoughts. She turned to find Sally looking at her curiously, her perfectly done brows knitted together in concern.

Gina flashed her a smile. "Yeah, just thinking about all that had happened over the past weeks, y'know," she exclaimed as she approached Sally who was seated around the vanity dresser.

      "Yeah, you experienced in weeks what some people experience in years. Your life is a whole tv drama waiting to happen," she grinned before she refocused her gaze in the mirror she stood before, blowing out a huff, her shoulders gone limp.

     "You ok Sal?" Gina asked after seeing the somber expression on her best friend's face.

     "Yeah, yeah I'm happy...I'm just literally quaking on the inside," she admitted a little shakily, managing a short laugh.

Gina could tell she was nervous so she went behind her and placed her hands on Sally's shoulders, gently massaging the tension away. "Today is your day babe and it is perfect. You are perfect and the guy who loves you most in this world is waiting outside so he can become the happiest man in this world. And I know you will be too once you see him up there and realize why you said yes in the first place," she said, watching Sally's smile reflected in the mirror.

     "Don't cry Sal. You don't want to mess up your makeup," Gina added quickly after seeing her lips slightly shiver.

Sally nodded and inhaled a deep breath, reaching up to pat Gina's hand with her own while she exhaled.

     "You're right and I look good right?" she timidly asked.

Gina briefly used the opportunity to look carefully at Sally whose makeup was beautifully done with subtle eye colors that emphasized her big green eyes. Her lipgloss was a pale peach, a tone brighter than her natural lip color but complemented her makeup beautifully. Her healthy mane of hair was done in a side sweep across her forehead and then wrapped elegantly at the side with hair accessories.

      "You look amazing Sal," Gina complimented, stepping backward as Sally stood with a faint smile and walked to the standing mirror in the middle of the room.

There, she smoothed out her light champagne colored Mermaid dress with its V-neck, beaded spaghetti straps, adorned with Schiffli Lace down to mid-thigh and then a chiffon flair.

        "Ok zip me up. I'm ready for this," she said, licking her lips a little while Gina zipped and pinned her up.

     "Thank You," she said, using her hands to smooth it out once again before she turned to Gina and flung her arms around her, taking Gina a little bit off guard. "Thank you for everything and mostly for being here by my side on the happiest day of my life."

       "That's what best friends are for right?" she smiled before she pulled apart and held eye contact with her best friend.

The door burst open and introduced Stefanie Gray who briskly walked into the room. The urgent look she initially had on her face turned into a beautiful smile, her face beaming with pride.

        "Aww, Sally darling, you look absolutely stunning," she breathed, looking at Sally with pure admiration.

Sally was blushing. "Thank you."  

     "Well we must get the party started. My baby's out there waiting for you," she smiled, while Sally breathed a deep breath.

      "Um, have you seen my dad and my cousins?" she asked.

     "They're in the hallway. Your dad must be speaking to the priest," she informed while Sally braced herself to see the other bridesmaid and then the congregation. She concluded that she'd never been this nervous before in her life but with the knowledge of what would happen soon, she tried to put on a straight composure.

She exited the dressing room and entered the hallway, all eyes turning to look at her with admiration. There were her two cousins - her bridesmaids- dressed in burgundy chiffon dresses, similar to Gina's and her father and the priest further up, having a discussion they put at a halt upon Sally's arrival.

     "OK guys, are you ready?" Sally asked, receiving a chorus of enthusiastic answers.

Gina smiled with admiration from behind, her mother beside her who eyed her cautiously.

     She swallowed "Honey I'm sorry we didn't give you the opportunity to have something like this," she whispered.

Gina turned to her, her smile slightly falling before it rose again. "The fact that the marriage happened is all that matters mom," she reassured her mother who stood proud of how much Gina had evolved over the past months.

~**~

The ceremony began and after the bridesmaids did their walk down with their designated partners, Gina began her walk. She would have hoped that it brought back a sense of Deja Vu, but that had not been her wedding and she had not walked down the aisle. Her wedding day had not been the best day in hindsight, but she was now happy it happened.
     As she walked down the aisle she saw some familiar and unfamiliar faces,  Knox's coming into focus. He was watching her with admiration in his eyes, a proud smile on his face. Gina's cheeks warmed with a brush as she continued to walk down the narrow path with thoughts of Knox in her head.

Throughout the entire ceremony, she was envisioning what it would be like if she had gotten something similar. She knew she could have in the beginning but had chosen not to. Knox wasn't her favorite person back then but he was by far the best now and she was looking forward to every moment that they would continue to share together. 

                                 ...

           The wedding was by far one of the sweetest occasions Gina had ever seen. Not only had she been happy for her best friend, but her brother also who was radiating with joy.
   The reception was also a beauty, she had done her speech and now everyone was on the dance floor. Of course, she was dancing with Knox who hadn't wanted to leave her for a minute.

He circled her waist with his hand, their bodies not even a mere inch apart. Gina had her head rested on his chest, enjoying the feel and smell of his strong body. Soft music was playing and almost everyone occupied the dance floor, surrounding Sally and Jamie who had taken the floor earlier.

          "I love you," he whispered, his warm breath fanning against her skin.

Gina smiled against his crisp jacket. "I love you too, babe."

Gina felt his grip slightly tighten. All she wanted to do was savor in the feeling of being there with him. Although they had company, it felt like they were all alone.

      "I appreciate you so much. I haven't been the best person to be around but I promise I'll always strive to be better for you, " he slightly pulled apart to look her in the eyes. "For better or worse– just promise me we'll always work it out – no matter what comes our way."

Gina stretched up and kissed him gently on the lips. "I promise, " she said, her head once again on her chest while she smiled happily, cuddling up against him.

When the reception ended, everyone was busy greeting and waving their goodbyes to the newlyweds. Gina and Knox were walking to the car when Gina came to a sudden halt.

Knox paused, turning to look at her with a worried expression on his face. He quickly held her shoulder and scanned her face.

      "Baby, are you ok?"

Gina swallowed hard and provided a reluctant nod. "Yeah, I just feel a bit nauseous"

     "Come, let's get you to the car, " he said and picked her up in his arms and carried her to the vehicle.

Gina smiled despite herself, arms strapped around his neck. "I can always count on you to sweep me off my feet, " she said softly and Knox grinned but the concern wasn't gone.

He placed her down in the front. "Sweetheart you don't look too well," he acknowledged in concern, feeling her forehead.

Gina licked her lips. "I think its something I ate – the shrimp maybe, " she shrugged.

Knox started the car. "Let's get you home."

.......

Author's note:

Hey guys!!!! 🙈🙈... I'm back and I hope you missed me...or this story at least. There's not much I can say to make up for my absence but I must apologise for the long wait.

Truthfully, it wasn't my intention to leave you hanging for so long but I was at a road block and no matter how I tried to get past it, it was still there. Until now of course.

Stories take time guys and while we hope we can write a book in under a year, the reality is sometimes Writers encounter road blocks called life, and life comes with many challenges some of which affected this book.  I hope you'll forgive me.

I know I've lost some of you...as expected but I'm grateful nonetheless... Thank you for all the support! I'm forever grateful.

I also hope you are staying safe during this trying time... Please protect yourselves!

Until next time, leave a comment and or vote...please 😘😄
Laters babies!
Xoxo.
Juju