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“A toast to Jada!” Raven says as the bubbly gets passed around.
We all laugh and clink glasses, enjoying a morning of pampering and giggling and excitement. As the hour of the ceremony draws closer though, Raven pulls me aside.
“I’m really excited for you,” she says, but I can see concern in her eyes. “But I just want to check in – are you sure you want to go through with this?”
I can tell she’s thinking back to the phone call where I first told her about the idea of a fake wedding. A lot has changed since then though, and I do my best to reassure her.
“Thanks Raven, but I’m sure. Carter’s a good guy. It’ll all be fine.”
She nods, even if she doesn’t look entirely convinced, and pulls me into a hug.
“As long as you’re happy that’s all that matters,” she says and I squeeze her back, grateful to have such a good friend.
Surprisingly, I’m feeling more sure about the wedding than ever, and when the girls help me into my dress, it just confirms how excited I am for today. The mermaid dress hugs my figure in all the right places, with lace detail and tiny white pearls dotted across my décolletage.
I look in the mirror, and I almost cry at what I see. With my braids done up beautifully atop my head, my skin glowing and my makeup perfect, not to mention the stunning dress, I feel like a princess. I don’t let myself cry though – ruining my makeup before the ceremony would be more than a little annoying. Instead, I watch as a broad smile stretches over my face.
I don’t even care if this is a fake wedding, it’s still the fairytale I never allowed myself to ever hope for. Nothing can ruin this day.
“Alright, ready to join the Finch family?” Heidi says, grinning at me.
I nod. “So ready,” I say and we make our way down to the banquet hall Carter booked for the wedding.
It looks amazing – everything I’ve always thought was reserved for other people but not me. With the floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the water, it feels like we’re practically getting married on the beach itself.
My dad is waiting to take me down the aisle and as I loop my hand through his arm, I see how emotional he’s getting at finally seeing me get married. I don’t even feel guilty for the ruse, mostly because I’m also a little emotional myself.
“I’m so happy for you, sweetie,” he says just as we begin our walk toward the altar.
I can see he’s tearing up a little but the moment I see Carter waiting for me at the altar, all I can do is smile. He looks so handsome in his tuxedo and I feel my heartbeat quicken a little at the sight of him.
It doesn’t slow, even as I step up to the altar beside him, and somehow as he says his vows, the excitement and nervousness turns into genuine happiness.
“I promise to always love you, to always support you, to always laugh with you,” Carter says, looking deep into my eyes. “You are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met, and every day I get to spend by your side is the next best day of my life.”
The way he says it, it almost sounds like the words have real meaning and by the time we’re asked to say ‘I do,’ I’ve let myself totally surrender to the moment. It feels like we’re really pledging our lives to each other, and I’m equal parts surprised and ecstatic to find that that’s exactly what I want.
“I do,” I tell the celebrant, but my eyes are fixed on Carter. I mean those words with all my heart.
My promise only becomes more real as the day goes on and by the time our first dance comes around, I’m feeling truly committed to a life with Carter, even if I know in the back of my mind that that’s not what this is. For today though, it doesn’t matter.
A sappy NSYNC song slowly croons through the banquet hall – a little nod to the day his mom convinced us to go through with the wedding. Carter and I make our way to the dance floor.
“I promise you,” I whisper into his ear. “I will always love NSYNC.”
He laughs, and I can feel his warm breath on my neck. Despite my attempt to ease the tension with humor, I still feel like this moment is magical, and I pull away to smile up at him. I want to take in every second of this day and store it in my memory forever. Even the silly choice of music is perfect in my eyes.
Carter looks down at me, his hands holding me by the waist while I drape my arms around his neck. The way he looks at me sets my heart racing all over again.
“You know, you look stunning,” he tells me, his voice low and breathy.
I can’t help but be thrilled at the compliment from my husband, even if he’s only my husband on paper. I’m still gazing at him like he’s the real thing, and the look in his eyes tells me he’s either a really good actor or he’s letting himself feel the same way.
That loving gaze doesn’t change as we cut the cake together, or as we toast with champagne, or as we greet all our guests. And my excitement doesn’t fade as I throw the bouquet into the crowd and joke that since Raven caught it, she’ll be the next to get hitched.
“I just hope mine’s a real wedding,” she quips quietly in my ear as I hug her.
“I don’t know, so far I have nothing but rave reviews about this fake one,” I whisper back with a grin, making sure none of the other guests hear us.
