I SAID, YES!

Chapter One.

A NIGH PERFECT DAY.

Abby's POV.

“What's taking you so long?” I muttered the words under my breath as I turned back, and glanced at the door.

I'd lost count of the number of times I'd turned back, expecting Claude to walk in. He should have arrived about half an hour ago, but I couldn't tell what was keeping him. The priest who'd been standing for that long, had decided to take a seat.

The hall that was dead quiet had begun to accommodate some murmurings from the people seated. This was exactly what I was trying to avoid when I asked him to come with me.

However, he mentioned that he had a few things settle before coming. But then, he gave his words that he wouldn't be late. I mean, it's our big day, what could have been so important to him than this?

I glanced at the clock, my heart thumping with each tick. If anything, I could feel the gazes of those behind boring into my skin, and I could almost guess what they were talking about. I sighed, dropped my head, and tightened my grip on my gown.

Suddenly, the lock clicked, and the door was opened. I turned back and found Claude standing outside.

“Thank goodness.” I clutched my heart with a hand and heaved a sigh of relief.

It would have been worse if he didn't show up at the time he did. With a smile, he walked towards me, and then stopped as he got to where I stood. He turned to face me.

“What took you so long?” I asked, looking at him through the veil covering my face. “I was so worried.”

“I am so sorry for taking this long and getting you worried, shall we?” he said, holding out a hand towards me.

“Of course.” a faint flush stung my cheeks as I took his hand.

He walked me down the aisle, and then stopped as we got to the front of the altar. Having noticed our presence, the priest dabbed his face with a handkerchief, righted himself from the chair, and walked to the altar. He stood behind it, and opened a book.

“Now that the bridegroom is here, we can take the vows now.” the priest said, opening the book on the altar. “You both should face each other, please.”

I turned to Claude, and he did the same too. Nothing mattered to me at that point, not even the voices from the people seated in the hall. If anything, I just wanted the priest to read the vows, so that we could get it over with. I just couldn't wait to go home with him. I smiled, and he smiled back at me.

“Do you Abby Walton take Claude Thompson to be your husband from this day forward, in health, and wealth until death do you part?” the priest read from the book, lifting his face to me.

I hesitated for a moment. In that brief moment, I turned to my parents who were both sitting in front of the hall. My mom cued for me to go on with a subtle nod of her head.

My dad? Well, he wasn't one to speak a lot. He just smiled, knowing this was what I've always wanted.

With the assurance that I'd their full support and blessing, I turned my attention to Claude and smiled.

“Yes, I do.” I said, still smiling. “I will be your wife from this day forward, in health and wealth until death do us part.”

“Now, to you Claude,” the priest said, turning to face him as he read from the book again. “Do you take Abby Walton to be your wife from this day forward, in health and wealth, until death do you part?”

“Yes, I do.” he said, his voice firm. “I agree to take her as my wife; I'll love and cherish her all the days of my life.”

I covered my mouth with a hand to hide my smile as his words fell upon my ears.

“Good. Now you may exchange your rings.” the priest said, closing the book on the altar.

With his permission, I opened my palm, and he did the same too. With a smile, I dropped the ring I was holding on his palm which he opened to me, and then he dropped the ring he was holding on my palm which I opened to him.

“Now, the final thing before you both become one.” the priest said, darting his gaze back and forth as he glanced at me, then to him. “You may put the ring on her finger.”

That was the part I'd been waiting for the entire time. To do that, Claude went on his knee as I gave him my left hand. I covered my mouth with a hand, trying so hard to hide my smile. Carefully, he slid the ring into my ring finger, and then got on his feet.

“Abby, over to you.” the priest said.

Well, he didn't need to say those words. I knew what to do. Claude offered me his left hand, and I slid the ring into his ring finger too.

“Now, is there anyone who would like to object to this union before I announce them husband and wife?” the priest asked, looking at those seated in the hall. “If there is, then speak now, but if not, remain silent.”

The hall went silent for a moment. The people kept turning their heads back, and to the side to see if anyone would actually object to the marriage, but after a few minutes, no one said a thing.

“In the absence of none,” the priest said, standing right next to the altar. “I announce you both husband and wife.”

Everyone present got on their feet, and offered a rain of applause. I turned back, and looked at my mom, the smile on her face was everything and more I could have asked for on a day like that.

“Abby?” Claude's voice broke in on my thought.

“What?”

As I turned to face him, he dropped a kiss on my lips. Right there, I wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed him. Our tongues rolled over each other. It went on that way until a call interrupted the moment.

“Just give me a minute, please I need to answer this.” he said, retrieving the phone from his pocket. “I won't be long, I promise.”

He kissed me on the forehead, and made for the exit which was by the side. On the other hand, I watched him until he was out of sight.

“I am so happy for you, Abby.” Maya walked up to me. “You have no idea how happy I am right now. You're just so lucky to have gotten married to a good man.”

“Thank you so much.” I said, rubbing her arm. “I am sure you'll also get someone like him.”

“Abby?”

I turned as I heard my name. Standing at a distance by the side was my mom.

“Just a minute, please.” I said, and walked over to meet my mom.

As I got close to her, she opened her arms and embraced me.

“Thank you so much mom.” I said, blinking back tears as I wrapped my arms around her. “I don't know how to thank you right now.”

“For what?” she asked, in a soft voice.

“For your support, for everything.” I said, my voice shook with tears. “This wouldn't have been possible without you.”

“Come on, Abby. You're my daughter.” she said, trying to steady her voice as she stroked my hair gently. “I would do much more for you anytime, and any day.”

I pulled myself away from her, and swept my eyes all over the place.

“Is there something wrong?” she asked.

“No, there's nothing.” I said, with a smile. “Claude should have returned by now, I have no idea what's keeping him.”

“Perhaps, you should go check on him.” She said, returning to the smile.

“Alright mom.” I gripped my gown, and walked towards the exit which I saw him leave through.

As I got outside the hall, I swept my eyes all over the place, but there was no sign of him. I turned to the side, and found a spiral staircase which I figured he must have used.

Although, I had no idea where it led to, but it was my best shot at finding him. Meanwhile, I'd heard some voices coming from the top, and I figured that it was him.

“Abby?” I heard my name as I was about to climb the stairs.

I turned back, and found Maya standing at a distance.

“Is there a problem?” I asked, a hand on the railing of the stairs, and a foot on the staircase.

“No, not really.” she said, shaking her head. “Can you spare a moment to take a picture?”

“Sure.” I said, taking my hand off the railing, and my foot off the stairs.

I'd barely taken a step from where I was standing when I noticed a man drop a bag close to the entrance of the hall. I squinted my eyes to know what it was.

“Is there something wrong?” Maya asked, noticing the look on my face.

I kept quiet, trying to figure out what it was. But then, my heart sank as I finally realized what it was. Unfortunately, it was too late. The timer had gotten to zero. My eyes widened in horror as the hall exploded.

“Maya!”