Laura
It was finally my wedding day, the morning sunlight filtered softly through the bedroom window as I sat in front of the ornate mirror, the hum of activity buzzing around me. Arlene, and my aunt fluttered about, throwing suggestions at the makeup artist and stylist as they worked their magic.
"Make sure her hair stays pinned tightly," Arlene said. "We don't need it falling apart halfway down the aisle!"
"And don't forget a little shimmer on her collarbones," her mom added.
I smiled nervously, barely able to meet my own reflection. The woman staring back at me looked… different. Radiant. Happy. Like a bride who couldn't wait to walk down the aisle.
"There," the stylist said finally, stepping back to admire her work. "What do you think, Laura?"
Before I could answer, Arlene and my aunt gasped in unison.
"Oh my God, Laura," Arlene said, her voice barely a whisper. "You look… breathtaking."
My aunt clutched her chest. "Jake's going to lose his mind when he sees you."
Before I could say anything, my aunt stepped forward, her eyes misty as she pulled me into a tight hug. "You look just like your mother did on her wedding day," she said, her voice trembling.
That did it. Tears welled up in my eyes as I clung to her, both of us sniffling softly. "I wish they were here," I whispered. "I wish they could see this."
"They are here, sweetheart," she said, placing a hand over my heart. "They're so proud of you. And I'm so proud too."
I wiped at my tears, laughing softly. "I don't know what I would've done without you, aunt. You've been there for me through everything."
She cupped my face, smiling. "And I always will be, Laura. You deserve this happiness, every bit of it."
The makeup artist cleared her throat gently. "Sorry to interrupt this beautiful moment, but I need to touch up her makeup before the ceremony."
I laughed, sitting back down as she dabbed carefully at my face. "How do brides not cry on their wedding day?" I joked.
"They don't," Arlene said. "That's why we hire professionals to fix the mess!"
Just as the artist was finishing, May burst into the room, her sweet little face lighting up the moment she saw me. "Mommy!" she squealed, running over in her flower girl dress.
"Hey, May!" I said, scooping her up into my arms. "Look at you! You're the prettiest flower girl I've ever seen."
She giggled. "Thank you! But I have something to show you in my room. Can you come?"
I glanced at my aunt and Arlene, who nodded encouragingly. "Go on," my aunt said. "We'll be here."
As we stepped into the hallway, May suddenly darted ahead, giggling as she disappeared around a corner. "May, wait!" I called, laughing softly.
Before I could catch up, a hand reached out and pulled me into an alcove. I gasped, spinning around to see Jake standing there, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Jake!" I hissed, glancing down the hall. "You're not supposed to see me before the ceremony!"
"Relax," he said, leaning casually against the wall. "It's just us here. And besides, May helped me with this little plan. Blame her."
I folded my arms, pretending to glare at him. "You're terrible."
He stepped closer, his eyes trailing over me slowly, reverently. "No, Laura. You're… perfect."
My heart fluttered as he took my hands in his. "I had to see you, Laura. I couldn't wait. You look… I can't even find the words. You've always been beautiful, but today… you're glowing."
I felt my cheeks heat up as he pulled me closer, his hands sliding around my waist. "Jake," I whispered, my voice trembling.
"I know this isn't tradition," he said, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "But I couldn't let today go by without telling you how much you mean to me. So I'm going to share my vows now, just for you. No audience, no distractions. Just us."
Tears immediately pricked my eyes as he began, his eyes holding mine with an intensity that made my heart pound. His voice was soft yet firm, the kind that carried every ounce of truth and love behind his words.
"Laura, from the moment you stumbled into my life, everything changed. It wasn't just the way you looked at me, or the way you made me laugh when I least expected it, it was the way you made me feel alive in a way I never thought possible. You turned my world right-side up when I didn't even realize it was upside down. You took all the broken pieces of me and held them like they were precious, and in doing so, you taught me how to love again.
"You've shown me what it means to be vulnerable, to be honest, to be a better man. You've brought light into places I thought would always be dark, and joy into corners of my heart I thought were empty. You've taught me that love isn't just a feeling, it's a choice. A choice to wake up every day and fight for something worth fighting for, no matter how hard it gets.
"And Laura, I promise to fight for us every single day. I promise to cherish you, to respect you, and to honor you in every way I know how. I promise to hold your hand when life feels overwhelming, to laugh with you when it feels light, and to stand beside you through every storm.
"I promise to love you not just for who you are, but for who you inspire me to become. I'll never take for granted the way your smile brightens my day, the way your voice calms my storms, or the way your heart loves so fiercely. You are my anchor when I drift, my compass when I'm lost, and my safe place when the world feels too much.
"You're the best decision I ever made, Laura, and I swear I'll spend the rest of my life proving to you that you made the right decision choosing me. You deserve the world, and I will move mountains to give it to you.
"You're my partner, my best friend, my greatest adventure, and the love of my life. And today, I vow to spend forever making you as happy as you've made me. I love you more than words can ever capture, and I can't wait to call you my wife."
By the time he finished, tears were streaming down my face, and I wasn't even trying to stop them. "Jake," I whispered, my voice trembling. "That was… I don't even know what to say, that was perfect. I love you so much."
He wiped away one of my tears with his thumb and smiled. "Good. Because this is just the beginning, Mrs. Robbins."
And then, right there, he kissed me like I was already his forever while my hands tangled in his hair as I let myself get lost in the moment.
"Hey!" Arlene's voice broke through the haze, and we jumped apart like guilty teenagers.
She stood at the end of the hall, hands on her hips. "Jake Robbins, what are you doing? You're not supposed to see her before the wedding!"
Jake grinned sheepishly. "I couldn't help it."
"Well, you'd better help it," she said, marching over and grabbing his arm. "Come on, back to your room. You've already broken tradition enough."
He winked at me as she dragged him away. "See you at the altar, Mrs. Robbins."
I laughed softly, shaking my head as I watched him go.
The ceremony began shortly after, and I felt a rush of nerves as I stood at the back of the church, my arm looped through my aunt's. The soft strains of the wedding march filled the air, and the guests turned to watch as I made my way down the aisle.
Jake stood at the altar, his eyes locked on mine. He looked so handsome, so sure. My heart swelled as I reached him, and he took my hand in his, squeezing it gently.
The priest began the ceremony, his voice steady and calm as he led us through the vows.
"If anyone here has reason why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace," he said.
The room was silent for a moment, and I held my breath.
Then, from somewhere in the congregation, a voice rang out.
"I do."