“You’re what?!?” She yells so loudly I have to hold the phone away from my ear. Noelle gives me a what the hell face.
“Mom, I love him. I know you’re probably so disappointed in me, but I know what I want. I want to be with him.”
“Where are you?”
“Las Vegas.”
“Liri, please don’t do this. Not like this. Get on the next flight to Chicago. Bring Killian if you must. Let’s talk about this. You don’t have to get married. I told you Cooper and I will help with the baby.”
“Okay, Mom.” I agree only to appease her. If I go to Chicago, it’ll be with my husband. I’m going to marry that boy. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. I’m not giving in. I know what it will be if I postpone. Killian and I will fight. He’ll think I don’t want to marry him, and I’ll end up in Chicago alone. That’s not what I want even if it means we stay in Crestwood.
“If you marry him, you’re on your own.”
I suck in a deep breath, and I hang up on her.
My mom tries to dial me back, but Hayley takes my phone and turns it off. “Screw her. You’re not alone. You have a great support system. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
“That’s right,” Noelle adds on. “You have us. My mom and Conrad. Dillan and Diane. We’re all here for you and excited about this baby and this day. Don’t let her expectations of the life she wants you to live take away from what makes you happy and the life you want to live.”
I’m not alone. I have good friends and a man who loves me like no other.
As long as I have Killian and our baby, I’ll never be alone.
The limousine comes to a stop outside of the white chapel. I wasn’t nervous but now that we’re here my stomach is swimming. How did we get here so fast—Killian and me. Months ago, I was basically some girl walking past him in my rainbow leggings, and now I’m becoming his wife and having his baby. It all seems surreal.
I never dreamed that when he took me for a ride in his car that we’d be here. After all the fighting and making up we’re making a huge commitment. One I don’t take lightly. My stomach churns and my mother’s voice warns in the back of my head that we’re doomed to fail. I could have told him no and gotten on the plane to Chicago, but as one of my favorite books once said…whatever souls are made of, we’re the same. I know that’s not the exact quote, and it wasn’t written to be considered romantic but for me it is.
If I would have gone to Chicago without him knowing the truth, I would have been the one struggling with regret. Walking away from Killian would be my biggest mistake. I know that whatever lies ahead that it won’t all be sunshine and unicorns, but we’ll get through it together.
The driver opens the door for us to exit, and Woodrow is waiting for Hayley. She accepts his hand, and I wonder what the future holds for her? Will she get her happily ever after?
I exit the car next followed by Noelle. Walking into the chapel this isn’t what I pictured my wedding day would be, but it’s not about the place or who is in attendance. Killian and Dillan are waiting for us in the entryway.
This is it…The start of our forever.
The wedding march plays. My heart leaps to my throat and my stomach clenches.
“You okay?” Killian wraps his hand around mine. I’m clammy and sweaty. I keep telling myself it’s just nerves. It’s that stupid phone call from my mom that is weighing on me.
“I’m fine.” I smile but it’s forced.
Killian holds me back when it’s our turn to walk down the aisle and join his brother and Noelle. “If you don’t want to go through with this, I won’t force you. I’ll try to understand.”
“Babe, after all we’ve been through nothing can stop me. I’m nervous. Aren’t you scared?”
“No. I know we belong together. You’re it for me.” He nods to the woman at the door and she opens it for us.
We take three steps when I see Conrad, Susie, Diane, and the girls smiling at us.
“What are they doing here?” I whisper to Killian.
“I called them. It’s not every day both of their sons gets married.”
Guilt eats at me that I didn’t invite my mother, but if she came it would only be to try and stop us from going through with the ceremony. She doesn’t want us together. She thinks I’m repeating her past mistakes, but even if it is a mistake, it’s mine to make.
I shake off the negative thoughts and stand by my man. There will always be people who want to see us fail, but we’re stronger together. I stare deeply into his dark eyes, and I know it’s the two of us against the world. Well not the entire world. His family is happy for us and our friends.
Dillan and Noelle said their vows and now it’s our turn.