"What do you mean my dress isn't here?"

I stared at Lanie with wide panicky eyes as I waited for an answer. We arrived at the hotel two hours ago and the wedding started in half that time. Danielle and Karma were getting into their bridesmaids dresses and Cherise and Gwen were in the other room changing little Nate's diaper. It was just Lanie and me in the suite we rented for the wedding. 

"Answer me, Lanie. Where the hell is my dress?" I stood in front of my maid of honor in my strapless bra and panties. There was also the very upset expression I was wearing, too. 

When Lanie opened her mouth to speak, the door to my room opened and in came Karma. And my missing dress. 

"Here's the dress!"

I rushed to Karma and took the dress from her. "Where was it?" 

Karma frowned when she answered. "It was in the closet. Lanie hung it up there when we got here. 

My eyes shifted to my best friend. "You knew where it was this whole time, didn't you?" 

Lanie shrugged and pushed her hair off of her shoulder. "What? You've been all bridezilla since we got here. You needed to be taken down a peg or two." 

I put my hand to my forehead and tried to keep my cool. My first instinct was to fight fire with fire and tell her that I acted like nothing but an angel since we got here. But it wasn't true. I had kind of been acting like bridezilla. I've been trying to remind myself that this was the best day of my life and I had nothing to stress out about. Then those heart-shattering reminders whispered through my mind. Like the fact that Nate was walking me down the aisle instead of my dad. There wasn't going to be a father-daughter dance. You know...those things. 

"You're right," I admitted to Lanie. "I'm sorry that I've been bitchy." 

"I said bridezilla."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine! I'm sorry I was acting like bridezilla." 

Lanie smiled wide with satisfaction. "You're welcome! It's like I always say, Lanie knows best."

"I thought it was 'Lanie knows all'," Karma quipped before she sat on the beige ottoman. 

Lanie waved her snarky comment away. "Same diff. It all means the same thing: I'm the best. At everything." 

I lifted the protective covering from over the dress and laid it on the bed. "Lanie, if you do anything like this again, you are going to be my un-maid of honor. So, I would be careful if I were you."

"Please," Lanie scoffed. "Like anyone else could ever replace me." 

"I could," Karma said evilly. 

The sound of the hotel room door opening again drew my attention. Danielle entered the room wearing her dark red strapless bridesmaid's dress. Her small baby bump was becoming more visible with each passing day. She was absolutely glowing. 

"Hey," Danielle said in greeting. "Need help with your dress?" 

I motioned to the separate bedroom. "Yes, please. Let's go in here." 

We walked into the bedroom and she helped me get my dress on. The dress I picked was a full lace design. It had long sleeves and the shoulders connected behind my neck. By back was mostly bare and the train pooled around my feet. 

"Wow," Danielle breathed. "You are the most beautiful bride I've ever seen."

"Thank you, but you were stunning at your wedding, too, D." I looked at my reflection. "Trust me it's the dress." 

"Holy shit! You look sensational!" 

I saw Lanie come up behind me in the mirror. Next was...all the girls. They crowded around me and showered me with compliments about my dress and how great I looked. To be honest, I was starting to feel nauseous. 

"By the way," Karma interjected, "this is for you."

I looked down at what she offered me and frowned. "Karma, isn't that—"

"My mother's bracelet," she finished in a low voice. "You needed something borrowed. And since it'll match your dress." 

"I can't take that." 

Karma smiled and fastened it around my wrist anyway. "Yes you will. Besides, you're only borrowing it. She would want you to wear it tonight." 

I fingered the row of diamonds on my wrist and tried to keep control of my emotions. I missed Karma's mom so much. 

I pulled her into a hug. "Thank you, Karma." 

"My turn!" Cherise chimed in. "This is your something old. Besides me," she said with a wink. 

I chuckled and shook my head. "You aren't old, Cherise." 

"I know, I know. I'm just teasing." She pulled out a jeweled hair comb. One that I've only seen a few times at Jamie's house. "You know what this is, Harper. It's been passed down to the women of my family for generations to wear at their weddings." She glanced at Jamie with a smile. "One day it will be Jamie's. But I would really love it if you would wear it tonight." 

Too emotional to speak, I nodded my head and turned around. I felt her slip the comb into my hair just above my veil. She gave me a hug that lasted longer than the one with Harper. The closest thing I had to a mom here today was this woman. 

"I love you, Cherise. Thank you." 

"I love you, too, sweetie." 

Next was Lanie. "So, as your un-maid of honor, I have a special gift for you." 

I looked around at the others warily. "Oh, no. Do I actually want this?" 

"Yes," Karma answered. "It's a necessity." 

Lanie handed me a small gift bag. "It's something new and blue." 

"How efficient," I joked before removing the tissue paper. I pulled out what was in side with a smile. "A garter?" 

"Yep. Put it on now and Jackson can pull it off with his teeth later," Lanie instructed. 

Gwen chuckled. "I don't think the teeth part is required, but that's the gist." 

Lanie arched a brow. "It's the Greek God for crying out loud. This wedding dress will probably be ribbons by the end of the night." 

I stayed silent as I watched my family continue to joke about how Jackson was going to rip my dress off of me later. Jackson was right at the rehearsal dinner. These people were my family. 

"Thank you, guys." 

The room got quiet and someone sniffled. If we weren't careful, our emotions were going to get the best of us. 

"Okay, everyone," Gwen announced. "Let's give her a little privacy." 

They all shuffled out of the room to wait in the hall. I didn't realize until I was by myself how much I really did need a few minutes. I stared at my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror. This is it. My wedding day. I couldn't believe it was finally here. 

After about five minutes, the bedroom door opened and Nate popped his head inside. "Harper? You ready?" 

I turned and chuckled. The man had his eyes closed. "You can come in, Nate. And you don't have to close your eyes." 

He straightened and stepped into the room. He was wearing a custom-made tux that fit him perfectly. When his gaze fell on me, it took him a few seconds to find his words. "Harper...holy shit." 

I looked down at my dress and back to him. "Good? Or bad?" 

"Are you kidding me? You look amazing!" 

I just realized how fast my heart was pounding. This was all very, very real. "Really? Because I'm kind of freaking out." 

Okay, that was an understatement. I was losing my mind. My wedding day was finally here and I didn't know what to make of it. Everyone who knew me knew that I wasn't the marrying kind. Jackson and I didn't have the most normal relationship, either—and the same went for my wedding. Take Nate, for example. He was walking me down the aisle instead of my father. I've been trying to ignore how much that hurt and it wasn't working.

Nate came to stand in front of me and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Harper, how long have I known you?"

"Basically my whole life." 

"Exactly. I know you, Harp. I get why you're scared. To be honest, I think anyone who isn't a little scared on the day of their wedding is crazy." He moved his right hand to cup my cheek. "In your case, this is a huge step for you. I know that's what has you all freaked out. But you need to stop thinking about the actual leap of faith and start thinking about who you are leaping for. Jackson is the one for you. I couldn't think of someone better. You two are meant to be together. And guess what?" 

"What?" My voice was more steady now than before. 

"He's waiting for you out there." 

I could feel my eyes start to tear up and I fought like hell not to let them escape and ruin my makeup. "Yeah, he is, isn't he? Is he...okay?" 

God, please let him be okay. 

"He's great. He is so happy, Harper." Nate dropped his voice low before he said, "Don't tell him I told you this, because he'll kick my ass, but he got teary-eyed, too." 

I laughed at that and the anxiety eased out of me. "He's okay," I breathed. "I'm okay." 

"You both are okay." He offered me his arm. "Now, let's go get you married, little sister." 

I slipped my arm into Nate's and he led me out of the room. Cherise and Gwen were waiting outside to carry my train. We made our way downstairs to the back of the hotel. My one request to Lanie for this wedding was that I wanted it to be outdoors—and I got my wish. 

We stopped in front of the double doors where Lanie and the girls and their dates were waiting. Cherise and Gwen gave me a hug before they went out and took their seats. Nate and I stepped in line behind Lanie and Ryan.

Everyone was in line in the order of how they would stand at the alter. Jamie and Karma were walking alone first. Then Danielle and Ayden. Then Lanie and Ryan since she was the maid of honor and he was the best man. 

Those large double doors opened and I squeezed Nate's arm. 

"Breathe, Harp," he whispered and patted my hand reassuringly. 

Breathe. He made it sound do easy. 

The music started and Jamie stepped through the double doors. 

I waited. 

Karma stepped out through the double doors. 

Breathe, Harp. 

Danielle and Ayden were next. 

Oh, God. 

When Lanie and Ryan passed through those doors, my eyes immediately found Jackson's at the end of the alter.

The smile on his face and the love in his eyes stole my breathe to the point that I swayed a little on my feet. 

"I'm Jackson Reese. And you are?"

I couldn't hold back my smile as I took his outstretched hand. "Harper Lewis."

The short memory of when we met floated through my mind. It was followed by another...

"Princess, I love you. So much it hurts and it scares the bloody hell out of me. But I do, I love you. I want to wake up next to you every day and go to sleep next to you every night. I only want to kiss you and take pleasure from your body. No one else. Only you."

"Are you ready?" Nate asked quietly. 

My eyes never left Jackson's. Undeniable love and happiness spread though me. Nate was right. Jackson Reese was the one for me. 

"Yes," I answered with a smile. "I'm ready." 

On cue, we stepped outside through the double doors...

***

Hey guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I LOVED writing it. Jackson and Harper are honestly my favorites. They are the reason this series exists and I wanted their big day to be special. 

Speaking of, there will be another chapter or two of their wedding. Below is a picture of the wedding dress I envisioned Harper wearing. What do you think? 

Thanks for reading xoxo