Chapter 8: Untimely Objection
Finally, the day had arrived for Tom and Katy to be joined in holy matrimony. The long months of meticulous planning, the hundreds of details large and small—everything had been prepared to perfection. From the intricate floral arrangements that adorned every corner of the venue, to the carefully selected menu that catered to every guest’s preference, nothing had been left to chance. Katy had poured every ounce of her energy into making sure that every aspect of this day reflected the love and joy she felt for Tom, and she could not wait to see it all come to life.
In her hotel room, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Katy sat at the center of it all, surrounded by her closest friends. The room was filled with laughter, the hum of hairdryers, and the smell of hairspray. Her bridesmaids, who had become like sisters over the years, chattered away as they worked on their hair and makeup. Katy sat motionless, the sound of everything around her blurring into a soft melody of anticipation. She had hired a professional stylist and makeup artist for the occasion, someone she trusted to make her feel like the best version of herself. Despite the stunning work being done on her hair and face, a knot of nerves tightened in her stomach. Her hands, resting on her lap, fidgeted with the edges of her gown, betraying the calm exterior she was trying so hard to maintain.
Julia, always the one with the sharpest wit, leaned over the vanity, meeting Katy’s gaze in the mirror. With a mischievous smile, she said, “You know, it’s not too late to change your mind. We could still escape this whole thing and—”
“Julia,” Katy interrupted, her wide grin sending a silent but clear message to her friend to stop. “I want to do this. Really.”
Julia gave a dramatic sigh, as though mourning the loss of a good escape plan, but she returned to her work, fixing a stray curl. There was a gleam in her eye, though, that hinted at more teasing to come.
The conversation shifted away from wedding-day jitters as the girls began to talk about the events of the previous night.
“Mia,” Sam said, her head tilting in curiosity, “what’s the update with Kelvin? Is he coming today?”
Mia, whose romantic escapades were a frequent topic of conversation among the group, smirked as she paused mid-curl. “Not only is he coming, but he asked if we could have dinner next weekend. Guess this wedding might be my lucky charm.”
The room erupted into cheers, the sound of excitement filling the space. Julia groaned dramatically, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “Why am I the only single one left? Maybe I should just marry my independence at this point.”
Their laughter was infectious, and for a brief moment, Katy felt her nerves lighten. The joy and carefree chatter of her friends surrounded her, bringing her back to the moment. This was her day, and she could feel the love of everyone around her.
As the makeup artist applied the finishing touches to her face, Katy glanced at her bridesmaids, her heart swelling with appreciation for their presence in her life. Sam, Mia, Julia, and Bec—each of them had been there for her through thick and thin, and now they were here, supporting her as she married the man of her dreams.
Once the final touches were done, her bridesmaids stepped back, their expressions shifting from admiration to awe.
“Katy…” Sam whispered, her voice full of emotion, her eyes wide. “You look…”
“…perfect,” Mia finished for her, a tear slipping down her cheek as she blinked rapidly.
Katy turned towards the full-length mirror, her breath catching in her throat as she took in her reflection. The makeup was understated yet elegant, highlighting her natural beauty. Her hair had been swept into a polished updo, with delicate silver pins that caught the light just right, adding a touch of sophistication. Her dress—a stunning creation of lace and silk—fit her like a dream, hugging her figure in all the right places. She had never felt more beautiful, and yet, as she stood there, it was the overwhelming sense of love that she felt for Tom that truly made her glow.
“How did I become this beautiful?” Katy murmured, almost as if speaking to herself.
Julia’s voice was soft but firm, cutting through the moment with warmth. “You’ve always been.”
Before Katy could respond, a knock sounded at the door. Bec, a cousin and bridesmaid, stepped into the room. Her gaze swept over Katy, lingering just a second longer than necessary, her expression unreadable.
“Wow,” Bec said, her voice low but measured. “That’s a lovely dress.”
Though her tone bordered on condescension, Katy simply smiled, unwilling to let her cousin’s comment dampen her spirits.
“The car’s here,” Sonia, her sister, added from the doorway. “Time to make an entrance.”
With that, Katy gathered her bouquet, her fingers trembling slightly, but she didn’t let her nerves get the best of her. “Let’s do this,” she said, her voice stronger than she felt.
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Outside the cathedral, Katy stood with her parents, the weight of the moment almost too much to bear. The grandeur of the venue, the sea of people who had come to witness this union—it was all overwhelming. Her mother, Lucy, cupped Katy’s hands in her own, gazing at her with a mixture of pride and love.
“You’re stunning, my darling,” Lucy said softly, planting a kiss on both of Katy’s cheeks. “Just remember to breathe. This is your moment. And if you can win Miss California, you can definitely handle this.”
Katy’s father, James, stood beside her, offering his arm with the kind of steady confidence that only a father could give. He looked at her with admiration, his voice calm. “Katy, are you ready?”
Katy nodded, her smile tentative but filled with determination. This was it. She was ready.
As the grand doors of the cathedral opened, the swell of classical music filled the air, rich and timeless. Guests rose to their feet in unison, their eyes turning toward Katy as she began her procession down the rose-petal-strewn aisle. Her heart pounded in her chest, but with each step, the nerves seemed to ease just a little. The world outside the cathedral seemed to fade as she focused on the man waiting for her at the altar.
At the front of the aisle, Tom stood waiting for her, his eyes lighting up as he saw her approach. In that moment, all of the preparations, all of the stress, the sleepless nights—it all seemed worth it. When she finally reached him, her father kissed her cheek and stepped aside, his expression filled with quiet pride.
“You look stunning,” Tom whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I love the dress.”
She ducked her head shyly, a smile creeping across her face. His words, so simple but so heartfelt, melted the tension in her chest.
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 progressed, Katy felt the knots in her stomach ease. She smiled at Tom, their hands joined as they repeated their vows. There was no question in her mind—this was the man she was meant to spend her life with.
“If anyone can show just cause why these two should not be joined in marriage,” the priest continued, “let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
A heavy silence fell over the cathedral, the kind that seemed to stretch on forever. Then, as if on cue, a voice rang out, cutting through the stillness.
“I object.”
Gasps rippled through the congregation as heads turned, searching for the source of the interruption. Katy’s heart stopped in her chest as she recognized the man stepping forward from the back of the cathedral. Tall, confident, and dressed in a sleek black suit, he commanded attention with every step.
“Dario?” Katy whispered, her voice barely audible.
Tom’s grip on her hand tightened, his expression darkening. “Katy… who is this?”
Katy’s heart raced as the man approached. Her past had come crashing into her present, and every eye in the room was now on her. The tension in the cathedral was palpable, the weight of Dario’s sudden appearance enough to send a ripple of discomfort through everyone present.
She had hoped this day would be perfect, that nothing would ruin it, but fate, it seemed, had other plans.