Chapter 20

"This is my girlfriend, Nova. We attend the same university- where we met- and are majoring in the same thing. Unfortunately, you guys came to see an arranged marriage that will not happen. But hopefully you can see another one."

Ethan turns to me, and my eyebrows furrow at his last sentence.

Is someone else getting married too?

"Hi." He says quietly, pulling me to face him.

"Hi?" I chuckle softly. "What's going on?"

Ethan kisses my forehead before digging in his pocket and dropping to one knee.

"Nova..." Ethan starts, and that's all it takes for me to start crying. He holds out a black velvet box with the prettiest ring inside.

What the hell is he doing? Is he serious right now?

"This is going to sound so cheesy, and I want to keep this short because I want to hear your answer already. But, I really love you. And even though I'm clingy and overly affectionate at times, you put up with me. You have such a kind heart, and you deserve the world. I want to be the one to give it to you." He smiles up at me.

He goes on for a bit longer, and I try my hardest to stop crying so I don't ruin my makeup even more.

"So, with that being said." Ethan concludes, clearing his throat. "Will you marry me? Tonight?"

So this was his plan?

A quiet sob escapes my lips and I put my head in my hands.

Even if I wanted to give him an answer, I couldn't.

A few seconds later I feel myself being pulled to his chest, his arms wrapping around me. He just holds me, letting me get all of my emotions out.

"You don't have to say yes." He whispers in my ear. "It's okay if you say no. I don't want to force you."

At this, I push him away slightly, sniffling as I look up at him.

How can I say no? After he went through so much- even physical and emotional abuse- just so we can end up here?

"You're so mean." I whisper, dabbing at my eyes. "You could have told me. Now my makeup is ruined."

"You look beautiful to me." He smiles. "So, what do you say?" He asks, eagerness filling his tone.

"Yes." I say, though my voice is unsure.

"You don't have to. Okay?"

I chuckle slightly, the last of my tears being wiped.

"Well I would sometime in the future, right? So why not now?" I ask and he smiles. "I'm just scared...and my family isn't here. Ethan, my parents haven't even met you yet. They're going to kill me." I whisper.

Ethan pulls the ring out of the box and grabs my left hand. I look at my palm for a second and there's surprisingly no foundation on them.

Yeah, I need to ask those ladies what products they used.

"We can have another ceremony with your family." He says, slipping the ring onto my finger. "For tonight, let's pretend that it's just us." He grins as I eye the ring.

"But you paid for this one already. I'd feel bad having another one." I frown, looking up at him.

Murmurs are going around amongst the guest, but neither of us care. We've completely shut them out already.

"My mom paid for everything- so it's fine." He reassures me. "Now...I have an assortment of dresses waiting for you in one of the rooms inside. Kaitlyn will take you there. Go pick the one you like the most. They should all fit you."

Ethan nudges my side, encouraging me to go get changed.

Is this seriously happening? I don't believe it. I feel like I'm walking in a daze as I try to make my way over to Kaitlyn.

"Oh, but Nova!" Ethan calls out, making me turn around. "Please hurry. Because I really want to make you my wife already."

The grin that covers his face afterwards makes my cheeks heat up, and Kaitlyn quickly pulls me away.

As soon as we enter the room with all the dresses hung up, I burst into tears again.

"Aw, hun. Are you okay?"

"I don't know what the fuck is going on right now." I reply just before the door bursts open.

In come Callie and Lorena, looking frantic and almost as freaked out as I am.

"YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED IN LIKE TEN MINUTES" Callie yells as if I didn't know.

The two girls rush over to me, hugging me tightly as I cry.

What did I agree to? How did we end up in this situation? Ethan just had his mom put in jail in front of everyone. What is his dad going to say to me? What about the rest of his family members?

What if they disown him because of this?

"You're totally overthinking things in your head right now, aren't you?" Lorena pulls away, holding me at arms length.

"I'm freaking out! Who marries someone when they're 18?!" I exclaim, a total mess.

"Lots of people!" She pulls out a tissue, dabbing under my eyes.

"If Cameron asked me to marry him I'd so do it." Callie laughs, rubbing my back.

"Oh? Is that so?"

The four of us in the room turn to the voice. Cameron and Dylan both smile and wave.

"Shut up! Get out!" Callie stomps over, flustered, putting her hands on her boyfriends chest and starting to push him out the door.

"Wait, I came to talk to Nova." He easily pushes Callie's hands off him.

Me? Why does he need to talk to me?

Callie frowns, nodding and letting him walk up to me.

"I know this may seem totally out of line..." Cameron trails off, biting his lip. "But your parents aren't here, right? S-So I was wondering if you wanted someone to walk you down the aisle to hand you off to Ethan."

I didn't even think about that at all. My shoulders slump and I feel myself want to start crying again but I suppress those emotions.

"Just cause I've known you guys for years! And I'm sure we all want to make this day special for yo-" I cut him off, hugging him.

"Please." I sniffle.

Someone else joins in the hug, and then another.

"You guys are so adorable! Cameron you're such a man!" Callie shouts.

"Hey- this will be good practice for when I have to walk our daughter down the aisle." He turns to Callie once everyone breaks from the hug.

"OKAY! ALL YALL NEED TO GET OUT! EMERGENCY WORK IS NEEDING TO BE DONE ON THE BRIDE!" Looking at the entrance I see the women who came and did my makeup, hair, and nails.

My friends all bid me goodbye with hugs and waves, and the three women get to work.

There's nothing wrong with my nails, so the lady who did mine is now following Kaitlyn as they talk about the dresses I can wear.

All of them are over extravagant.

"Why are they all so fancy? Ethan didn't chose anything simple?" I look over at Kaitlyn.

She laughs lightly before shaking her head. She has already changed, and even offered for me to wear her dress.

As if I'd do that. Plus- it wouldn't even fit me. She's so thin.

"Ethan said a queen should look the part on her wedding day. Hence all these big dresses." She notes and I feel my cheeks heat up.

"Which one did he say he liked best?" I ask, and she points to a long sleeved one. "Okay. I'll wear it then."

"You don't want to pick for yourself?" Kaitlyn's eyes widen.

"If he likes it, then I like it." I murmur, closing my eyes so the lady can touch up my eyeshadow.

The fear and uncertainty I was feeling earlier is now replaced with excitement and anticipation.

Looking at myself in the mirror as the women help me into my dress, a big smile comes onto my cheeks.

"Don't tighten it too much. I'm pregnant so I want some space." I say quietly.

"Okay, no probl- wait what?!" The four girls look at me. "You're pregnant? You don't even look pregnant!"

"I'm not super far along..." I chuckle a bit. "But yeah."

That reminds me, I have to talk to Ethan about what date would be good for us to go find out the gender of the baby.

It's still too early now, but I want a date to look forward too.

Around half an hour later, I'm standing behind the same curtain Kaitlyn was emerging from not too long ago.

"You still having doubts?" Cameron asks, handing me a bouquet of flowers and looping his arm through mine.

"No way." I laugh. "Just...tiny regrets. Like not having my parents here. Though I'm really glad at least the people I spent most of my time in high school with are here. And Dylan."

Cameron chuckles softly, nodding.

"Man...I can't believe you're getting married." He exclaims, a grin taking over his face.

The music begins to play and the curtain lifts, Cameron and I walking out together.

As soon as Ethan makes eye contact with me, he throws his head back and I can see his eyes begin to water.

"You know," Cameron says quietly. "Whenever just Ethan and I hung out, he would always somehow find a way to bring you into the conversation. His eyes would light up like a kid whenever he mentioned you. If you were still weary, I don't think you're making a bad decision. People have told me I've acted the same when I talk about Callie, so I know he loves you very much. I'm really happy for you."

Hearing him say this, and watching as Ethan starts praying as he cries makes my heart so full.

I don't have any doubts at all. I know I won't regret this decision. Waiting those 10 days were totally worth it.

The walk down the aisle couldn't have gone slower. When we finally reach Ethan, Cameron hands me off with a last few words of encouragement. Peeking behind him, I see a male I've never met before standing where the best man should. And Cameron along with Dylan are standing a little further away.

When I look back, I see Lorena and Callie are standing where the bridesmaids would be. He even incorporated our friends into the wedding last minute. How cute.

"You are stunning." Ethan whispers, and I reach up to wipe his tears.

"You're really handsome." I say back, causing us both to laugh.

"Wait, I have to do something." Ethan says before turning to the crowd. "I know this question comes a bit later, but I believe it to be crucial to ask it now. Does anyone oppose or object to this wedding?"

I'm a bit shocked at the question, but let Ethan do his thing. Surprisingly, a lot fewer hands raise than I expected.

"Great. You all can leave. Right now." He says, and security immediately go to escort out each person who had their hand up- as if they were trained to do it.

"You're crazy." I whisper, gaining his attention again. "Your family is going to hate me now."

He grabs my hands, grinning like an idiot.

"The only reason they'd oppose is because they're probably racist. So I wouldn't want them at our wedding." He thinks for a moment. "Actually though, most of those people were Kaitlyn's family so they probably rose their hand out of anger. Not because they're racists."

"Are we all set now?" The pastor, our marriage officiant, asks.

"Yes." Ethan nods.

"Friends, we have joined here today to share with Nova and Ethan an important moment in their lives. Through their time together, they have seen their love and understanding of each other grow and blossom and now they have decided to live out the rest of their lives as one..."