novelraw Chapter 107: A Beginning
Chapter 107: A Beginning
Chapter 107: A BeginningSarah
I slip into the wedding dress, amazed that he remembered to get it sized over my baby bump. Matthew had thought of everything.
At precisely four o’clock, I make my way down to the beach, my bare feet sinking into the warm sand. In the distance, I see a white gazebo that’s decorated with flowers and flowing white fabric.
As I get closer, I see Matthew waiting, handsome in a white linen suit, his face lighting up when he spots me. But he’s not alone. Standing with him are Matthew’s family and Marishka. Even Josh and Rebecca is here.
"Oh my God," I breathe, tears threatening to ruin my perfect makeup.
Matthew steps forward to meet me, taking my hands in his.
"What is all this?" I whisper.
"A second chance," he says simply. "A new beginning for us. I wanted to see if you would marry me again so I can give you a proper wedding night this time. Sarah. Will you?"
I stare at him, tears flowing freely now. "You want to marry me again?"
"Yes," Matthew says, his voice husky with emotion. "I want to erase that first night. I want to start fresh with you, Sarah. I want a renewal of our vows, but this time with love, with truth between us."
I can hardly breathe through the tightness in my chest. All his secretive behavior suddenly makes perfect sense.
"Is this why you’ve been acting so strange?" I ask, laughing through my tears.
He nods, a sheepish smile crossing his face. "I’m terrible at surprises. I was so afraid I’d give it away."
I glance at our gathered family. Marishka is openly weeping, her hands clasped together in joy. Josh gives me a thumbs up and a wink.
Matthew’s mother steps forward, taking my hands in hers. "We wanted to be here for this moment," she says warmly.
I look back at Matthew, overwhelmed. "When did you plan all this?"
"I’ve been working on it since... well, since everything came out in the open," he admits. "I realized I never gave us a proper start. I was so angry, so hurt when we first married. I didn’t let myself love you the way I should have."
He takes a deep breath. "But I do love you, Sarah. I’ve loved you for longer than I was willing to admit to myself."
The words I’ve been longing to hear. The declaration I wasn’t sure would ever come.
"I love you too," I whisper, squeezing his hands.
Matthew glances at the officiant standing in the gazebo. "So, what do you say? Will you marry me again?"
I nod, unable to form words around the lump in my throat.
He leads me toward the gazebo, where white chairs have been set up facing the ocean.
This time, as I stand before Matthew and repeat my vows, there are no secrets between us. No lies. Just the truth of who we are and the love we’ve fought to build.
"I, Sarah, take you, Matthew, to be my husband once more," I say, my voice steady despite my tears. "With honesty and openness, I promise to love you through whatever life brings us."
Matthew’s eyes never leave mine as he speaks his vows. "I, Matthew, take you, Sarah, to be my wife again. This time with my whole heart, my complete trust, and all the love I have to give."
When the officiant pronounces us husband and wife, Matthew cups my face with both hands and kisses me tenderly. The small gathering of our loved ones erupts in applause, but I barely hear them.
In this moment, there is only Matthew and me.
"I can’t believe you did all this," I say, still in awe after several hours at the dance floor. "How did you manage to get everyone here without me knowing?"
He grins, spinning me gently. "Josh helped coordinate everything."
My eyes turn wide. "You let Josh help you? Are you serious? You can’t stand him!"
Matthew frowns. "Well, Rebecca and my parents helped too. Yeah, I still don’t like him, but he isn’t all that bad."
I grin. "Oh no? You don’t think he is trying to steal me away from you anymore?"
Matthew chuckles, pulling me closer as we sway to the music on the beach. The sun is setting, casting golden light across the water. Our small reception is intimate and perfect.
"No," he admits, his lips brushing my ear. "He can’t even if he tries. You chose me. You’re carrying my child. And he..." Matthew glances over at Josh, who’s laughing with Rebecca near the bar, "he’s actually been a good friend to both of us."
I lean back to study his face,