Beyond These Walls (The Walls Duet #2)(24)

“Perfect,” my mother said. “It fits like a glove.”

They smoothed out the layers and then brought the beaded belt to adorn my waist. With an expert hand, Grace tightly tied it right at the small of my back, and I turned to see myself for the first time.

“Don’t cry,” I chanted. “Don’t cry.”

The dress was exactly as I remembered but so much more. The sweetheart bodice fit snugly, accenting the small curve I’d gained since the surgery. It flared out at the waist, dozens of thin organza layers flowing elegantly to the floor.

“I look like a princess,” I said.

“No,” my mom replied. “You look like an angel.”

I saw her misty eyes in the mirror, and I had to look away to keep from sobbing.

“I think we have a few final touches before we go,” Grace said, her voice rough from obvious tears.

Her fingers touched my neck, and I felt the cool touch of metal wrap around my throat. The locket Jude had given me hung neatly on my chest, barely reaching the top of where my scar began. It was visible in this dress, and I’d considered wearing a gown where it would have been hidden, but I’d spent too much of my life hiding.

This was who I was—a survivor.

And today, I refused to hide.

My heart grew louder, beating a bit faster, as the limo pulled up to the curb of the beautiful Gothic church that stood proud and tall against the New York skyline.

As soon as I’d seen it, I’d known this was where Jude and I would be married. After a defeated day of looking at church after church, only to find nothing that had truly spoken to us, I’d almost given up on my dream of getting married in a historic church.

Jude’s parents had said their vows in the beautiful Trinity Church, and sure, I wouldn’t have minded that either. But that place was gigantic, and to keep Jude’s mother from going completely insane and inviting the entire Eastern seaboard, we had tried to stay clear of large venues.

Tired, achy, and sore from walking around half the city, we’d climbed into a taxi. As I’d slumped into the backseat, listening to Jude’s easy voice assuring me that everything would work out, I had looked up, and there it was. I’d immediately asked the cab driver to pull over. Grabbing Jude’s hand, like a crazy person, I’d dragged him out of the back of the car, and I’d run toward the entrance, not stopping until we’d reached the inside.

We’d put our deposit down that day.

In that moment, it had felt like today would never come.

And now, here I was, in my wedding gown, ready to meet my groom and pledge the rest of my life to him.

It seemed like fairy tales really did come true—even for the little girl who had grown up within the walls of a hospital and never expected anything truly special to ever happen there.

“Are you ready?” my mother asked, taking my hand in hers.

I squeezed it as our eyes met briefly before I looked up toward the top of the limestone steeple.

“Yes,” I croaked out, trying to stifle the tears threatening to break through.

The limo door slowly opened, and there was Marcus, standing proud and tall, waiting to help us into the church.

“There are my girls,” he said. “How about we get you inside?”

I nodded as he took my hand in his and carefully helped me out of the limo, mindful of all the layers of fabric around me. I stood outside, hardly noticing the freezing temperatures of the early evening setting in, and then I saw Marcus’s face.

Moisture rimmed his aged eyes.

“You . . . my God, Lailah. You’re stunning.”

I fell into his embrace, soaking up love and warmth from the only father I’d ever known. He’d been my doctor my entire life. He might be just a stepfather by society’s standards, but to me, he was so much more.

“Thank you,” I said, pulling back to look at him.

“For what?”

“Everything. There’s too many to list, Marcus. You’ve been there for me and Mom every step of the way, and I would have died in that hospital a long time ago if it wasn’t for you.”

He tried to protest, but I knew it was true. Every minute of every day, he’d fought for me.

“My mother might have chosen the wrong Hale brother that night, but she’s been choosing you ever since.”

He gave a wisp of a smile. “I know.” His eyes shifted beyond me to where my mother now stood, his eyes blazing as they found hers.

Her fingers curled around my bare shoulders. “We need to get you inside,” she said as her hands began running up and down my arms in an attempt to warm me. She might have relaxed in her ways, but her driving need to protect me still ran strong and true inside her.

I nodded. “Where is he?” I asked, turning to Marcus.

“In the back, far away from any windows. Don’t worry. He doesn’t want to ruin this moment either.”

A few horns honked as we made our way to the entrance, and I couldn’t help but turn and wave as people honked, rolled down their windows and yelled congratulations. Luckily, no one told me to turn and run or hollered that marriage sucked. That definitely would have put a damper on the celebrity moment I was having.

Marcus pulled open the heavy door to the church, and my mom helped me enter quickly. After we made sure all of my dress was safely inside, I gave the okay to close the door behind us. Grace had already arrived separately, wanting to make sure everything was perfect. I also believed she secretly wanted my mom and me to have a moment alone together. It wasn’t necessary, but I appreciated the gesture. It had been nice to spend the last couple of minutes with my mom while driving down the streets of New York. I didn’t know if I would get another chance to just be with her like this before Jude and I left for our honeymoon. I was guessing Grace had known that. She always seemed to know exactly what to do.