10. Ten

It has been so weird not seeing Callan today. I woke up without him. I got coffee and ate breakfast without him. I drove to the venue without him and here I am, five hours later, still without Callan. But it"ll all be worth it, I have to remind myself. Because in just two short hours I will be Mrs. Callan David. His wife.

"Thank you for doing this with me," I turn slightly, having been facing the mirror but look for Dakota who is getting her makeup done in the mirror next to mine.

The makeup artist finishes up swatting the mascara brush at her eyelashes before she responds to me.

"I wouldn"t miss this for the world, Sterls. Remember when I hooked you up with Two-Second-Tom?" She grins stupidly at me before pulling her champaign glass to her lips and I can"t help but laugh and roll my eyes at the same time.

"You thought he had better bed-manners, Kota. I don"t blame you for that." I wink at her.

"Remember when I came home crying one night because I thought Callan was playing me? I acted like such a child back then. I"m thankful you knocked some sense into me," I tell her with an appreciative tone. I was really immature back then. I can't believe that was just a year ago, give or take. I just recall being so lost in my own head that I didn"t know how to handle my situation. But I laugh at myself considering how everything worked out. Who would have thought?

"We all get a little senseless every once in a while," she teases before we both turn back to our mirrors as the makeup artists continue their jobs.

Running down memory lane with her is always fun, though I"m often reminded that Dakota is pretty much the only person that I can run down memory lane with. I"ve done a really good job this far not to think about it, but it doesn"t go unnoticed that I hardly have any family or friends here. Most of the guest list comes from Callan"s side of the family. But I hide my frown if only to remember that I am grateful for those that I do have in my life.

And at that thought, a knock comes at the door.

"Hey. Jaxon said you wanted me?" Hollis announces as she welcomes herself into the room.

I wanted a chance for Dakota and me to get to know her better if only because Jaxon is Callan's Best Man. But mainly because I could always use more girlfriends and from what I know about Hollis so far, I think she'd fit right in.

"Yes!" I practically jump out of my chair in excitement. "I hope you don't mind, I made time for you to get your hair done with us for the wedding if you wanted to." I wave her over, accidentally sloshing some champaign out of my glass. "Oops," I whisper and Hollis just giggles.

"Oh my god, your dress is stunning!" Dakota exclaims from her chair peeking into the mirror to see her reflection.

"Thank you. I thought it was a little much at first, but I wanted to match Jaxon's tie." Hollis glides her hands down her navy-blue dress, a slit up her thigh on one side and a loosely hung neckline hugs the curve of her cleavage.

"Nolan's tie matches my dress too!" Dakota adds, noting that her dress is a dark green.

I thought that green was a good contrast to the reds and golds I themed for our wedding but in the end, I realized the colors kind of looked like Christmas. So, I added the navy-blue hints and wood accents to give the theme a more rustic appeal.

"Well, what do you say?" I ask, waving my hand over to the empty chair.

"Just in time too. I'm all done!" Dakota jumps up from her chair, her golden-red hair bouncy with curls and braids. "Gotta go get my dress on though. Mind helping me with that first?" she asks Hollis, as my hair stylist pins backs some of my waves.

"Not at all. Show me the way."

I can't believe it's time. I hear murmurs just on the other side of the wall as I stand hidden, waiting for my cue to start my walk down the aisle. My wedding planner—a customer of mine at the cafe and now a good friend of mine—sneak peeks behind the curtain every couple of seconds to make sure everyone is in position.

I haven't seen Callan yet, and he hasn't seen me. It's the way we wanted it. No first looks, just the look we get when I walk down the aisle any moment now.

"Everyone is in position, Callan looks really handsome, Sterling. I'm going to cue the DJ to start the music that signals the wedding party down the aisle. Are you ready?" Raechel looks at me with a encouragement and excitement. Her smile is reassuring as I have butterflies currently attacking my stomach.

It's not cold feet, it's the feeling of knowing that after this, I will be married to the man of my dreams.

I give her a slight nod, and with that, she's talking into her fancy walkie talkie to tell the DJ to get that party started.

"I'll be right back to let you know when your music starts. You've got this." She winks at me before dipping behind the curtain to play her part.

I feel nervous now that it's just me. How did I go from drinking in the dressing room with Dakota and Hollis and not a care in the world to a few hours later, dressed in white lace and ready to walk to my almost-husband. Time flew by in those last few hours.

The plan was always for me to walk down the aisle alone. At first, Callan offered Gerald to do it. But that didn't feel right. Instead, Gerald is the ringbearer, which is hilarious and perfect all at the same time. And even though it never bothered me that I'd be walking down alone today, the thought now makes me a little sad only because every girl"s dreams to walk down the aisle with her dad giving her away. In the end, this is how it's meant to be. And I'm okay with that.

I can hear certain parts of the music from behind the curtain and I know that Sara is about to head down the aisle with her flower petals. I lift my shoulders and suck in a big amount of air through my nose, ready to steadily release it when I feel Rachael's hand rest on my shoulder.

"You look beautiful, Sterling." That's not Rachael's voice.

Then another hand gently cups my elbow.

I look over to my left.

"Graham?" His name comes out in a whisper.

But if my big brother is here. Then the woman on my right is…

"Mom?" I look over at my mother. Her curly blonde hair identical to mine. Except hers has highlights of silver throughout. Her blue eyes are watery, and her smile is small but sincere.

"What are you-" I choke out a breath, trying to keep down and sobs that attempt to come up. I can't cry right now. But I want to.

I look over to my brother. Practically as tall as Callan. He's just as handsome as I remember him, even more so now. And he's got a ring on his finger. He's married?

"What are you guys doing here? I-" There's so much to say but really, I have no time because Raechel swings around the corner and gives me the look that tells me it's my time to shine.

"All that matters, is that we're here now." My mom's voice is gentle and warm. She's different.

They'redifferent.

I'm different.

Graham and my mom both hold out their arms for me, asking me to link mine with theirs.

"Mind if we walk you down the aisle, little sis?" Graham's deep voice nearly brings more tears to my eyes. He hasn't called me that since…well, forever.

"Thank you." Is all I think I can say before the curtains open, and I make my way down the aisle with my mom and brother in hand.