I sat staring at myself in the mirror. My friend, Lou, had just fitted the veil over my head and now she was standing back, admiring me. My wedding dress spread around me on the floor, with its long train and the pearl trims. The dress was more beautiful than any dress I had imagined myself in.

“Oh, I’m so happy for you, Jess!” Lou pounced on me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. I patted her hand and smiled.

“I always knew it. Right back from when we were in college. The two of you were meant to be together!”

Lou and all our other friends from college were in attendance at our wedding. We still stuck to the same story, that we’d registered our marriage several months ago…and now we wanted to celebrate with a formal wedding surrounded by our friends and family.

There was a knock on the door, and in the mirror, I saw it was Leo’s uncle, John. He was going to be Leo’s best man and was dressed appropriately.

“I’ll give you some space.” Lou said, scurrying away so that it was only John and me in the dressing room now.

“Hello, Jessie.” he said, and I turned to him with a smile.

I had met him only once before, at a party that Leo had thrown some weeks ago to introduce me to his family.

“Hi, John.”

“You look beautiful. My nephew is a lucky man.” John said, walking closer to me. I blushed and smiled in response, just like a young bride was supposed to do.

“When Leo told me he was going to marry you, for real this time, I wasn’t so sure if he was making the right decision. He’s always been like a son to me. Since his own parents passed away, I looked after him to the best of my abilities.”

I wasn’t sure where this was going. Had he come here to talk me out of this wedding?

“But then I met you, and I couldn’t believe he hadn’t married you sooner! I’m glad it’s all worked out in the end, Jessie. I wish you both the best of luck and joy.” he said.

I stood up from the chair, filled with emotion. I knew what his uncle’s approval would mean to him.

“Thank you, John. I will always be grateful to you for looking out for him.” I said.

He came over to give me a hug, and when he pulled away, he was still smiling.

“The truth is, Jessie, marrying you is a bigger achievement than being handed a company that was always going to go to him.” John said.

“You mean you weren’t going to give it to Marcus?” I asked, slightly confused. John winked and didn’t reply and then turned and left the room.

I didn’t get a definitive answer from him, but whatever it was, I was glad it had happened. This was the only way the Universe was able to bring Leo and me together.

I walked down the aisle on my proud father’s arm. Leo stood under the arching flowery trellis. We had chosen a beautiful outdoor spot on a beach in Hawaii for the wedding. The sound of lapping waves was like music to my ears.

Leo had his uncle and two friends of ours from college by his side, and everyone stood up as I stepped closer and closer towards him.

Leo looked stunned as he saw me approaching. It was like he couldn’t believe it himself. A happy glow spread over his handsome face, and my heart ached with happiness.

Ten years ago, I’d met this charismatic, ambitious boy in college, and I felt lucky that he even considered me to be his friend. Now, we were going to be married. This was the most beautiful day of my life.

He had my attention, my full attention…keeping a firm hold on my eyes. He mouthed the words I love you, as I drew nearer and my father kissed my cheek and then gave me away.

I stood beside Leo, feeling his strength and overwhelming power over me. It still hadn’t sunk in, that this was all real. It was actually happening.

The priest started to speak, and the rest of the world zoned out. I felt Leo reach for my hand and he pressed it. I looked over at him, and he was smiling.

“You okay, Jess?” he whispered and I nodded, my eyes filling with tears. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was.

“I’m the luckiest man in the world.” he whispered like he’d read my mind.

After the ceremony, we kissed and ran down the aisle under the shower of flowers and confetti. At the end of the aisle, Leo lifted me up in his arms and spun me around while the cameras clicked away. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry while I clung to him.

“I’m so happy, Leo.” I said to him, kissing his cheek and his neck.

“Ditto!” he exclaimed and finally put me down.

I threw the bouquet over my shoulder, and Lou caught it, and all our friends squealed with excitement. Then Leo dragged me away for a private moment in the dressing rooms.

“I’m sorry it took me ten years to ask you to marry me.” he said in my ears while we swayed to the music playing outside.

“It doesn’t matter now, Leo. We’ve always been together.” I replied.

“I should have married you the day I met you.” he added, and I laughed.

“I would have said no!”

He smiled and kissed my forehead.

“So then I should have kept asking you, every year, till you said yes. Now, I finally feel at peace. I’m where I should be.” he continued, and I sighed, full to the brim with happiness.

“Me too, Leo. I don’t think I’ll want anything else.”