Page 112 of When Forever Falls Apart

“Elliot is…he’s the other part of me,” I whisper, but this time, I take a deep breath to hold back the tears fighting to escape.

Mom takes my hand and gently squeezes it. “And that’s exactly how it should be, sweetheart.”

She leans in to kiss me softly, then exits to join the others outside.

The curtains flutter softly in the breeze as Aston rushes in. It was Eva’s idea to set up a makeshift marquee just outside where the ceremony is being held. Aside from the mirror, the small space was all I needed to get ready before walking down the aisle.

“Poop diaper sorted, I’m here!” Aston announces, a look of relief washing over his face.

“Oh no, what type of poop? Solid or runny?” Eva groans, her voice a mix of maternal concern and exasperation. “Did it have chunks again?”

“A mixture of both. I’m beginning to think peas were a questionable choice,” he replies, shaking his head.

Laughter bursts from me, the randomness of their conversation making this moment hilarious. Their bewildered expressions prompt me to hold on to my stomach, willing the laughter to stop.

“What’s so funny?” Eva asks, brow furrowed.

“The two of you discussing poop while I stand here in my wedding dress, ready to marry the love of my life. The last time I wore a wedding dress, I was having the biggest panicattack of my life, our parents’ marriage broke down, and you learned our father was not in fact your father.”

Aston chuckles softly, but Eva shoots him a glare.

“I don’t know if that’s funny,” she retorts, though the corners of her mouth twitch.

I laugh harder, clutching my stomach again. “You seriously asked if there were chunks in your son’s poop! This is literally the most unconventional romantic moment ever!”

Eva’s shoulders begin to shake and, like countless times before, we fall into this abyss of laughter and struggle to pull ourselves out of it.

“Makes it even more perfect, right?” Eva muses.

Aston leans in and kisses her softly. “I couldn’t have asked for a better life.”

“Okay, I need to go.” Eva gently pushes him away, her excitement palpable. “I have a wedding to attend!”

After she leaves, Aston lingers beside me, his eyes pooling with a hint of nostalgia while he takes in my appearance. “You look beautiful, sis.”

“Yeah, I know,” I respond, a grin spreading across my face.

“Are you ready?”

As I raise my head to nod, a voice interrupts us.

“No, she’s not ready.”

We both turn as my father appears, flawlessly dressed in a tailored suit. Aston stiffens next to me, but I find comfort in my father’s gaze, a flicker of warmth shining through despite our complicated and stormy relationship.

He extends his arm, then says softly, “May I have the honor of walking my daughter down the aisle?”

Inside the confinement of the small marquee, two men stand before me. Both of them spent their lives trying to protect me, driven by unconditional love that ties us together because we are Beaumonts.

And as quickly as it all fell apart, I know that becoming Mrs. Madelina Woods and leaving Madelina Beaumont behind is a new chapter of my story.

Aston waits for me to respond, his grip tightening on my arm as if he is my human shield, trying to protect me from the big evil monster.

But all Harvey is to me ismy father.

A man who suffered his own heartache when he lost his brother, only to spend his life punishing himself by pushing his family away.

But not this time.