FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES

EA'S

blance of peace. But with the impending wedding, I felt nothing but dread. It was supposed to be a

ave to leave the room and face the reality of t

er, who had always been my rock, was gone too - taken by a car accident days after his birthday. The t

was no way he'd show up, he would never come. And if

ey arrived. I could hear the buzz of voices, but it felt a million miles

d up in knots? Was it the knowledge that this wasn't a joyous occasion, but rather a ransom? Was

ished Kathr

of making me feel better, no matter what the situation. I wished she was he

guests arrived and departed. Who would have thought that we'd k

it was waging a war inside of me. I sighed and stood up, walking to the other side of the room where m

efore my mother final

er voice sounding di

ing to hide the an

plied, sounding a b

stark contrast to the noise and bustle t

y?" she asked, her v

to sound convincing. “Just a

ngly. "It's your wedding day, after all. But t

ing heart. "I know, Mum. It's just hard not

no matter what happens, you have me and y

said in frustration

"It'll ruin your appetite for the wedding feast a

just so hungry," I said, my stomach growling in agreement. "Can I

sighed. "Alright, I'll have someon

ping my voice calm an

d quietly. "For never being the mother you deserved. For putting you through

e trailed off, unable

g her off before she could s

y," she s

. "It's okay. Just do

said, her voice

could say anything else. I needed to c

p and hair in her phone camera, making sure everything was in place. She walked towards the entrance area to receive

picked her up gleefully wh

u doing?" she asked,

e little girl replied, her

oy at the sight of her daughter's happiness. "On a scale of one to ten,

dering her answer carefully. "I'm a ten!"

her heart full of love for her daughter. "What are you

that uncle Carter and aunt Maria will take good care of her, and I hope Mr. Adam will treat her well too. They're a perfect match for each other, ev

e her daughter was for her age. It was as if she had a deep understanding of th

pher, aren't you?" she said, her voice filled with pride. "I'm so glad you're able to und

tely. "Okay, Bell," she said. "You go play with your friends, but be care

her mother. She let her

as they arrived, when suddenly she saw some

sa exclaimed, recognizi

said, walking towards her with

nd she opened her arms wide to embrace them. The two wom

Mrs. Melissa gushed as

liss amongst the Sobreranos and the

ssa turned to Mr. André, her smile still b

you, too," he replied, his

ppy as the two families r

elissa said warmly. "I'm so g

n the world!" Henry said, Mrs. Rachel's so

lissa agreed. "I'm just happy

a feeling that this was a place where eve

yn!" she screamed, her voice ringing out through the room. Sh

" Kathryn said, laughing as sh

from London?" Bella asked excitedly,