Today was my wedding day. Those words seemed surreal; in fact, the whole morning felt surreal. I was sat at the dressing table watching in the mirror as the hair stylist tried to pull my long hair into a complicated up-do. I had way too much hair for it to work, but she seemed determined.

“I’d like to wear it down.” I told her and her she sighed in relief.

“I have some beautiful hair slides which will pull your hair back from your face.”

“Perfect.” While she hurried off to get them I studied my reflection. My lips were painted perfectly. The make-up artist had wanted to do a Smokey look to bring out my eye colour, but I’d disagreed with her. I never wear much make-up and I didn’t want my face looking like someone else on my wedding day even if it was a fake wedding. The woman hadn’t been happy, but eventually she’d given up trying to talk me round and agreed on mascara and a red lipstick which I adored. The stylist placed the slides in my hair and stood back to look at her handy work. She gave me a nod and a smile before she packed her things away and said goodbye.

Once she’d gone, I stood and reached for the underwear laid out on the bed. Jon had gone to get coffee, but he’d be back soon so I quickly pulled my underwear on, silk stockings included and stepped into my wedding dress. It was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen and exactly what I would have chosen myself if I’d had the choice. The beading was exquisite and ran along the neckline, and the hem. The off white colour and style was perfect for my figure, and as I pulled it up over my breasts tears fill my eyes. I felt like a princess.

A knock at the door startled me. “Come in,” I called.

“Wow,” Jon exclaimed.

“Can you tie my ribbon please?”

He placed our coffee down before walking over to me. I turned and gave him my back.

“Are you sure about this Callie? We could always run away.”

I giggled. “I’m sure Jon.”

“How can you want to marry him after everything he did?”

“Simple. I love him.”

“He treated you like shit.”

“He had his reasons.”

Jon scoffed. “No one has good enough reasons to treat the person they supposedly love like he did you. He broke you.”

“He didn’t break me.” I denied. Who was I kidding? Jon knew he did, he was there, he saw the state I was in. “Ok, he broke my heart but as you can see I recovered. I got over it but I never got over him, and if I don’t at least try to make a go of our second chance, I’ll never know if we can make a good life together. A life of babies, grandbabies and a happily ever after.”

He’s quiet for a moment, thinking over my words I guess and I hope I’ve convinced him. As I was saying them I realised, I’d meant every word. It would be a hard road trying to convince Alex I was innocent of what he believed, but I was willing to try because I would always regret it if I gave up. We belong together, I’ve always known it, and I thought Alex knew too, but it seemed he needs a reminder.

“As long as you’re happy Callie I’ll support you, but remember I’ll always be here to help you no matter how it turns out.”

“I know and I love you.” My eyes blurred with tears.

“I love you too baby, now, no crying else you’ll smudge your make-up and we’ll be late.”

“Yes, sir,” I said as I blinked quickly to stop my tears sliding down my cheeks.

“Here, these should make you feel better.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. “Alex gave me this earlier.”

I gasped as I opened the box and saw what was inside. “They’re beautiful.”

“They’re perfect for you.”

I picked up the pearl teardrop earrings carefully and placed them in my ears. They were charming in their simplicity and I smiled. Alex knew exactly what I liked.

“Are you ready to marry the man of your dreams?”

Was I? Probably not, it felt all too real now and not the farce it should feel like. I slipped my feet into my white heels, and Jon handed me my bouquet of pale pink roses that I would have chosen for myself as well.

I wish Alex had done it all for me, but he’d already put me straight. It was all for appearance sake only.

As I walked through the door, my emotions were all mixed up. I was happy, I was sad and my nerves were so strong I worried I might pass out. Half of me wanted to rush to the church and the other half wanted to run the other way. Jon put his arm out for me to take and I slipped mine into it, holding him so tightly my fingers hurt. He gave me a surprised look but didn’t speak; covering my fingers with his other hand he gave them a gentle squeeze until my grip loosened. We walked out arm in arm towards a wonderfully decorated white car with flowers, and white and pink ribbon covering nearly every inch. Hope filled me at the sight of it, for Alex to go to these lengths to make our wedding day seem real surely he had some feelings for me rather than the hate and dislike he projected most of the time. I’d expected a registry office service, but instead he’d given me the wedding of my dreams. All I had to do now was win back his love.

As I climbed into the car, flashbulbs went off but I didn’t let it bother me, I didn’t even worry about how the press knew I was getting married today when I’d only found out yesterday. All I could think about was Alex.