Untimely Objection
KATY
A few hours from now, Tom and I will be wedded. I had tirelessly and meticulously planned for this day and I couldn't wait to get it over with. Everything had been carefully arranged—every flower, every dish, every little detail—to make this day perfect. I had poured so much of myself into this day, and now, I couldn’t wait to see it all come together. It was my moment, my day with Tom, and nothing could stop this marriage from happening. Nobody. Not even myself.
In my hotel room, the energy was infectious. There was sound of laughter and chattering, and hairdryers hummed in the background, and the smell of hairspray filled the air. My bridesmaids were scattered around, chatting away as they worked on their hair and makeup. I sat in the middle of it all, lost in the whirlwind of emotions. My heart was pounding, but I tried to keep myself composed.
I wanted to savor every second of this day. Still, the nerves refused to let go, twisting in my stomach like knots. My hands, nervously fidgeting with the edges of my gown, betrayed my calm exterior.
“Are you sure about this, Katy?” Julia’s voice came from behind me, sharp and teasing as ever. She peered into the mirror, meeting my gaze. “It’s not too late, you know. We could always run away and skip the whole thing.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Julia, I really want this. I’m sure.”
She gave an exaggerated sigh, clearly mourning the loss of what she thought was a great escape plan, but she returned to fixing her hair. I could see the playful gleam in her eye. She wouldn’t let up, but for now, I didn’t care. I was ready for this.
The conversation shifted to last night’s events as Sam leaned in, curiosity written all over her face. “Mia, any updates with Kelvin? Is he coming today?”
Mia’s smile grew wider as she paused mid-curl. “Not only is he coming, but he also asked if we could have dinner next weekend. Guess this wedding’s bringing me some luck!”
The room erupted in cheers, and Julia groaned dramatically, flinging her hands in the air. “Why am I the only single one left? Maybe I should just marry my independence at this point.”
Laughter filled the room, and for a moment, I let go of the nerves. Surrounded by my friends, I felt nothing but love and joy. This was my day, and they were all here with me. It was everything I had hoped for.
When the final touches of makeup were done, my bridesmaids stepped back. Their faces reflected awe, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude for each of them.
“Katy…” Sam whispered, her voice filled with emotion. “You look…”
“…perfect,” Mia finished for her, blinking back tears as one slipped down her cheek.
I turned to the mirror, my breath catching as I took in the reflection staring back at me. My makeup was simple, elegant, highlighting my features in all the right ways. My hair had been styled into a soft updo, silver pins twinkling in the light. And the dress—oh, the dress. It fit like a dream, hugging my body just right. Lace and silk combined to create something both timeless and beautiful. I had never felt more beautiful in my life. But it wasn’t just the dress or the makeup that made me glow. It was the love I felt for Tom. It radiated from me.
“How did I become this beautiful?” I muttered, almost to myself.
Julia’s voice cut through the moment, soft yet confident. “You’ve always been.”
Before I could reply, there was a knock at the door. Bec stepped in, her gaze sweeping over me. Her expression was unreadable, but she didn’t miss a beat.
“Wow,” Bec said, her voice low. “That’s a lovely dress.”
Her tone was tinged with something I couldn’t quite place, but I simply smiled. Nothing was going to ruin this day.
“The car’s here,” Sonia’s voice came from the doorway. “Time to make an entrance.”
With a deep breath, I gathered my bouquet. My fingers trembled, but I pushed the nerves away. “Let’s do this,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.
***************
Outside the cathedral, I stood between my parents, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. The grandeur of the venue was overwhelming, and the sea of guests was a blur around me. My mother cupped my hands in her own, her eyes soft with love and pride.
“You’re stunning, my darling,” she said, kissing both of my cheeks. “Remember to breathe. This is your moment. And if you can win Miss California, you can handle this.”
My father, ever the steady presence, stood beside me. His arm was offered to me with the same quiet strength I had always relied on.
He gazed at me, his voice calm and sure. “Are you ready, Katy?”
I nodded, a tentative smile tugging at my lips, though deep down, I knew I was. This was it.
The doors of the cathedral swung open, and the swell of classical music filled the air. Guests rose to their feet in unison, and I took my first step down the aisle. Each footfall was both exhilarating and terrifying, but the closer I got to the altar, the more the nerves seemed to fade. All that mattered was Tom, standing at the front, waiting for me.
His eyes locked onto mine, and I saw the same mix of joy and love that I felt in my own heart. Every ounce of stress, every sleepless night—none of it mattered. In this moment, I knew it had all been worth it.
When I reached him, my father kissed my cheek and stepped aside, his eyes full of pride.
“You look stunning,” Tom whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I love the dress.”
I smiled shyly, my heart warming at his words. The tension I hadn’t realized I’d been holding melted away.
The priest began the ceremony, his voice steady as he addressed the congregation. “We gather here today to unite these two people in holy matrimony…”
As the ceremony unfolded, I felt the knots in my stomach slowly untangle. Tom and I exchanged our vows, our hands clasped tightly. There was no doubt in my mind—this was the man I was meant to spend my life with.
The priest’s voice rang out. “If anyone can show just cause why these two should not be joined in marriage, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
A heavy silence fell over the room, the kind that seemed to stretch on forever. And then, as if on cue, a voice rang out.
“I object.”
Gasps echoed through the congregation. I froze, my heart stopping as I turned toward the back of the cathedral. There, stepping forward, was the last person I ever expected to see.
“Dario?” My voice barely escaped, a whisper of disbelief.
Tom’s grip on my hand tightened, his eyes narrowing. “Katy… who is this?”
My past had just crashed into my present, and I was powerless to stop it. Every eye in the room was on me, and my stomach twisted in knots as Dario’s presence sent a ripple of discomfort through the church.
This was supposed to be a perfect day, but it just turned into my worst nightmare.