Page 146 of The Accidental Wife

“Okay, take me to my angel. I’m dying to see her already.” Sara claims. I chuckle and nod. We leave her room, and I show her to Shayla’s room.

* * *

Shayla

“How are you feeling?”

I smile and look at myself in the full-length mirror and look at Aimee and Jo standing on either side of me. “Nervous. My stomach is in knots. But it’s a good nervous, I’m anxious to see him already.” I say, and they smile and lay their heads on my shoulders.

“You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen,” Jo sighs, her eyes watering.

“No!” Aimee exclaims, waving her hands in my face. “No crying… no crying, we don’t have time to do your make up again.”

“Can you try to call my mum again?” I utter, glancing around for my phone.

“I did, like two minutes ago. She didn’t answer, babe. She might be sleeping still—time difference and all.” Aimee tells me, and I sigh, closing my eyes. I hate that she’s not here with me.

“Maybe,” I whisper, looking at myself again. After trying many wedding dresses, I chose a low back, lace, mermaid gown with a sheer train. It was simple and classy, just how I like it. My hair was up in a voluminous updo with a small stem of white flowers flowing through tastefully.

I vaguely hear a knock at the door as Jo gives me a glass of champagne to calm my nerves. “Shayla?” I turn around when I hear Aimee say my name. The glass slips from my fingers, and Jo catches it before it ruins my dress as I stood stunned, staring at my mother standing right in front of me.

“Mum?” I whisper, and she looks me over and holds her chest, tears flowing.

“Oh my baby, you look so beautiful.” She sobs.

“Mum!” I run over and throw myself into her arms. “You’re here.” I cry when she wraps her arms around me tight.

“Of course I’m here, darling.” She cries, pulling back and cupping my face in her hands and looking at me. “I could never miss one of the happiest days of your life.”

“But how?” I ask as she wipes away my tears with her fingers.

“Cole.” She replies, smiling. “He hired a therapist to help me with my anxiety and fear of leaving the house. He knew how upset you were about not having me here with you, so he’s been coming for weeks, standing by me as I tried and failed to leave the house. He picked me up when I broke down again and again tirelessly till I succeeded.” I cover my mouth with my hand and sob uncontrollably.

“Oh, my God.” I wail and hug her again. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“Oh, honey, I wish your father could have been here to see you. He would be so proud of you and the beautiful woman you’ve become.” She says, drawing back and kissing my forehead. “You’ve found yourself a man who loves you deeply, look after him, and love him with not only your heart but your soul.”

I sniffle and nod, “I do,” I whisper smiling. “I always wished for a love just like you and Dad, and I found it with him.” My mother nods and gives me a watery smile.

“Let’s get you married.”

“Makeup!” Aimee shouts, clapping her hands, and the makeup artist comes rushing over to me. “Let’s go, people, let’s go!” I laugh when Aimee ushers everyone out of the room and tells them to go down to the cars waiting outside. I couldn’t stop crying, and the makeup artist kept telling me off for ruining the eyeliner and mascara she kept reapplying. I was still in shock, seeing my mother here. I was so grateful to Cole, so much, that it took everything in me not to run to the chapel in my gown and throw myself into his arms. He couldn’t have given me a more special gift.

Once I finally stopped crying and my makeup was done, Sam, the girls and I all make our way down to the limo waiting to take us to the chapel. “You look beautiful, Sis,” Sam tells me, kissing my hand, and I smile, my eyes welling up. “Ow.” He hisses when Aimee kicks his shin.

“Don’t make her cry again. I swear I will hurt you.” She threatens him, and he scowls at her while rubbing his leg. I chuckle and bite my lip.

“Aimes, I’m probably going to burst into tears the moment I see Cole anyway, so it doesn’t matter,” I assure her with a shrug, and she reapplies her own lip gloss.

“That’s different; we don’t want you showing up to the chapel looking like a panda.” She states, giving Sam a side-glare, and he flips her off and winks at Jo, who flushes and averts her gaze. I look at her, then my brother, and frown. Are they flirting? Sammy and Jo? No. No bloody way.

We finally arrive at the chapel, and my stomach flutters nervously as Jo and Aimee fix my dress. I hook my arm with my brothers and smile up at him as the girls walk down the aisle. My parent's song, ‘Can’t help falling in love,’ plays, and I close my eyes for a second, trying to get my emotions in check before we start walking down the aisle. The doors open, and my eyes meet Coles instantly, and the way he was looking at me made my eyes well up. He watches me and whispers, ‘Oh my God’ before he bites his lip. A tear trails down his cheek while I slowly walk over to him.

Sam kisses my forehead and pats Cole on the back before he steps away. Cole holds out his hand to me. I take it, and we walk to the altar together. “You look stunning.” He tells me, and I smile up at him, my eyes swimming with tears.

“So do you,” I whisper, squeezing his hand. “Thank you for bringing my mum.” I sniffle, and Cole kisses my temple smiling handsomely.

“Of course, baby.” We turn to face Elvis, who looks at us and smiles.

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