CHAPTER 363: END OF THE AISLE (1)

Nick’s POV

I stood under the arch, trying to look calm, composed, dignified, like a groom who absolutely had his shit together.

Truth was, my heart was beating so loud I was pretty sure half the guests could hear it.

I glanced at the sea and saw that the sunset light washed everything in gold, the breeze carried the scent of sea salt and flowers, and the musicians were already playing the soft instrumental version of a song Georgia loved. It should’ve relaxed me.

It didn’t.

"Here," Oliver muttered from behind me, tapping my arm.

I turned, only to find him dangling a white handkerchief dangerously close to my face.

"For you," he said, suppressing a grin. "You’re gonna need this when you bawl like a baby the moment you see her."

I glared at him and pushed it away. "I’m not going to cry."

"I doubt that," Oliver snorted. "I should’ve made a bet with everyone before standing here. I am sure I will win, Captain."

Liam stepped forward, his phone already up and recording.

"I’m setting this to slow motion," he announced. "I want to capture the exact second your soul leaves your body and your tear ducts explode."

"Put that damn phone down," I hissed.

"Nope," he said cheerfully. "This is historical footage."

I rolled my eyes while those two laughed at me, enjoying themselves way too much, and looked back toward the empty end of the aisle. My palms were sweating. My chest felt too tight. But I wasn’t nervous.

I just... wanted to see her.

Oliver leaned closer. "You sure you’re okay? Need water? Oxygen tank? An emotional support dog?"

"Oliver," I said slowly, "the only person crying today will be Georgia. And I’ll be smiling like this—"

I exaggeratedly widened my eyes, lifted my brows, and made the most ridiculous, dramatic grin I could muster, complete with jazz hands.

Liam choked on his own laugh.

"Oh my god," he wheezed, "if you look at her like that, she’ll turn around and run."

"That is haunting," Oliver agreed, patting my shoulder. "Promise me you won’t do that."

I shrugged. "We’ll see."

Truthfully?

I wasn’t scared of crying.

I was terrified of what I would feel when she appeared. Because every memory we’d fought through, every moment we almost lost each other, every second of pain and every breath of relief, they were all tied to this one moment.

But still... my pride wasn’t going down without a fight.

"I’m not crying," I repeated, mostly for myself.

Oliver exchanged a look with Liam as if saying He’s absolutely crying.

Then, the music shifted—slower, softer, fuller.

The kind of melody that makes every spine straighten and every heart pause.

The guests turned.

My heart stopped.

My breath hitched.

Oliver extended the handkerchief again, deadpan. "Last chance."

I swatted his hand away without taking my eyes off the aisle.

Because any second now...

My whole world was about to appear.

I felt Oliver stiffen beside me. Liam lowered his phone for a split second.

And me?

I forgot how to breathe.

Because there she was.

Georgia stepped into view at the end of the aisle, and the entire world just... disappeared. All the colors, all the sounds, all the people, it all blurred into nothing.

The only thing that existed was her.

She stood there glowing—no, radiating—wearing the most beautiful wedding dress I’d ever seen in my life.

She and her dress were ethereal; it perfectly showed her curves. It has a deep V-neckline, supported by delicate, thin straps. Floral lace accentuates the intricate design of it.

There was a high slit on one side of the skirt, which was made of layers of tulle and lace.

Her veil fluttered with the sea breeze, her hair shining softly beneath it. And her eyes...

Her eyes found mine.

And that was it.

My chest broke. Completely, absolutely, beyond repair.

I pressed a hand over my mouth, but it was too late. My vision blurred, and a hot tear slipped down before I could stop it.

"Here we go..." Oliver muttered behind me, trying and failing not to laugh as he shoved both handkerchief and tissue paper into my hand.

Liam whisper-yelled, "Camera on! SLOW MOTION!" followed by the click of his phone.

I didn’t care.

Because Georgia was walking toward me.

Her steps light, the burlap aisle soft beneath her. Yellow, orange, and white petals scattered like the path of a goddess. The rustic flowers in shades of green and teal swayed gently in the breeze. And everywhere she looked, people cried, her employees, my crew, our family, friends, everyone who had watched us fall apart and fight our way back together.

She saw them all.

But when her gaze returned to me... she smiled.

A small, soft, trembling smile that shattered the last bit of composure I had left.

My tears fell harder.

Not out of sadness.

Out of awe.

Out of relief.

Out of love so strong it felt like my entire soul moved toward her with every step she took.

Oliver patted my back like he was comforting a toddler.

Liam sniffled loudly behind me, traitor.

Someone in the crowd whispered, "Oh my god, look at the groom! He is crying."

I didn’t care.

Because Georgia was coming home to me—again, and again, and again.

She kept walking, Wendy guiding her with such pride it made my throat close tighter. And the closer she got, the more impossible it became to hold myself together.

By the time she reached halfway, I wasn’t just crying.

I was smiling through a breakdown.

The kind of emotional disaster only one woman on earth could ever cause.

My bride.

My wife.

My Georgia.

And as her eyes locked onto mine from the last stretch of the aisle, I knew—

I would cry for her a thousand more times and smile in every single one.

Georgia was just a few steps away when I felt a warm, steady hand land on my shoulder...

*******

Thank you for the Golden Tickets!

Kristen2025

Noni_Byz