Better In Every Way

“Cheers to the world’s most beautiful bride!” Exclaimed Emma, who is my maid of honour. The room erupted in cheers as everyone raised their champagne flutes.

“Thank you, thank you.” I said, feigning shyness at their attention.

I was so exited, today is my wedding day! I had been meticulously planning this day for the past eight months and dreaming about it for so much longer.

I was marrying the love of my life, surrounded by the people we both love. Life was good.

Me and my bridesmaids were all in one of the church’s prayer rooms that had been converted into a dressing room for us to do our makeup and get ready. The same had been done on the other side of the church for the groomsmen to get ready in.

This cathedral was massive and it sat at the heart of our city. Getting ready here was a better option than doing so off-site and driving here as there was bound to be traffic with all the guests coming in coupled with regular afternoon city centre traffic.

“I still can’t believe this his happening, someone pinch me because I might actually be dreaming.” I said, unable to keep a smile off my face; my cheeks are starting to hurt. I don’t know if it’s the buzz from the champagne that is keeping me on cloud nine, but I never want this feeling to go away.

“Well believe it, girl. You are getting married in just over an hour.” Emma says before she pulls me into a hug, “I’m so happy for you; you and Cam are going to have such a beautiful life together.”

Her words make me smile even wider than I thought was possible. This meant so much coming from her. Emma has been my friend since pre K. She’s seen me though my best and my worst. She’s seen me through every celebration and every heartbreak. She been there through it all. That is why I couldn’t imagine having anyone else by my side as I take this next big step in my life.

“Now, let’s get you dressed. You’re meant to do your first look soon and then we’re supposed to take pictures as the bridal party.” Emma got up and started hustling everyone in a maid of honour way of hers. “Rachel, text George and make sure that the guys are ready. Has anyone seen Liz? I’d be less worried if she was already dressed but her dress is over here.” Emma asked.

“No, now that you’ve mentioned it I don’t think any of us have seen her since she finished with her makeup. She said she was getting something from her car, but she hasn’t been back since.” Rory, my favourite of Camden’s cousins, shrugged in response.

“Hm, okay. Rory do you mind going out to look for her, since you’re the only one of us that is already dressed? Maybe she got held up somewhere?” Emma directed.

“Sure, no problem.” With that Rory got up and left the room in search for the missing bridesmaid.

“I can get dressed last since my dress takes so long to get into.” I said, shooing Emma away so she could get dressed.

I sit in my chair and scroll through my emails in the meantime, making sure that I didn’t have any missed communications from clients. I’m supposed to be off, but you you know what they say: you can take the girl out of the office but you can’t take the office out of the girl.

Just I was beginning to admire Emma as she came out in her dress, Rory burst into the room looking furious.

“What’s wrong? Did you find out what was holding Liz up?” I asked, confused by her turbulent mood.

“Oh, she was ‘getting something’ from her car, alright.” She said, sarcastically.

I was about to ask her what she meant by that when Liz and Camden scurried into the room looking a disheveled mess, and the pieces started to fall into place in my head.