Cinderella Man

Cinderella Man Chapter 33

And there we are.

I am practically sobbing right now. Well that's a lie, I'm sitting on a bus on my way to work so that would be highly embarrassing, but on the inside I'm heartbroken.

It's finally finished.

After 4 years of a crappy upload record, of writers block and long nights of writing, I've finally finished a book I have become so emotionally attached to. It's going to be hard to let this one go.

I want to thank each and everyone of you that has stuck by me until the end. After promises uploads and failing to deliver and the periods of time that I wouldn't upload for months. You guys are amazing people, and I am eternally thankful to each and everyone of you.

Well this is goodbye to Emily and Sam... I'm really going to miss them.

So, for the last time in this book, enjoy!

Sam's POV

I crack my knuckles for the fifth time in the last three minutes, a habit I have when I'm nervous. Numerous times I've had to rerecord singles because you can hear the tell tell sign of me clicking my fingers. Emily hates this habit of mine.

"You okay buddy?" Derek asks me while slapping me on the back.

"Yeah, I'm fine. She's coming isn't she, she hasn't changed her mind?" I ask for what has to be the millionth time today. Derek sighs in annoyance at having to answer me again.

"Sam, I promise you, she's coming," he soothes me. I sigh in relief.

I look around the church to see friends, family and a few people that I've never met but have been told are highly important and simply must be here.

I would have preferred something a little more low key. But then again, this is what I am marrying into.

After Emily became the runaway bride, a headline splashed across every newspaper across the country, I proposed to her. I was done being scared of failing when it came to standing by her side as she ran the country. With us two together, how could we fail?

"Sam honey, look at you, oh I'm so proud," my mother gushes as she approaches me at the alter. My father isn't far behind her.

After I was reunited with my mother, it took awhile for me to see my father again. He said he was so riddled with guilt for kicking me out that he couldn't face me. Finally, I convinced him to see me again, and it's like we were never apart. Me and my father were always close before the whole expulsion happened, and I'm so happy we can be like that again. I've missed my family.

"Son, you ready for this, marriage is massive step," my father jokes, nudging my mother playfully. They're so in love with each other, I can't help but aspire for me and Emily to be just like them.

"More ready than I've ever been for anything," I admit, a smile stretching across my face just imaging Emily walking towards me in her wedding dress. She told me that this time, her mother let her pick a dress much more her style, I can't wait to see her in it.

My mother kisses me on the cheek, smiling gently at me. My father reaches over and gives me a hug, it feels good to be hugged by my father, it's been so long since I have.

"I'm so proud of you son," he whispers in my ear. It almost brings tears to my eyes.

"Thank you dad." He smiles at me before taking my mothers hand and going to sit on the front row.

I crack my fingers again.

"Please be standing for the entrance of the bride," the priest announces to the church.

She's here.

I crack my knuckles again.

Why am I so nervous? This is Emily, this is the love of my life. I need to calm down.

I look to the back of the church, eagerly awaiting for Emily to emerge.

Here we go.

The organ starts the play the wedding march, the back doors open, and there she is.

My breathe catches in my throat.

She looks stunning.

Emily is wearing a gown that hugs every line and curve of her body, her body that I know know like a roadmap. Made entirely of lace, it clings to her chest, her waist, before flaring out just below her knees to create a dramatic train.

I'm in awe of her.

Her hair is pulled up in a simple bun, a few pieces left loose to frame her face. Her veil falls down her back and to the floor, joining the train of her dress as it trails across the floor.

No image I have dreamt up can compare to her. She looks beautiful.

Without warning or intention, I feel tears pool in the corner of my eyes. I blink them back before anyone can notice, but Emily smiles at me as if she knows.

I see tears in her eyes too.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, she's in front of me.

"Hi," I sigh.

"Hi," she giggles back.

I look towards her father, who's smiling at her with pride.

"I'm so happy you got what you wanted Emily, you should never have to settle, especially when it comes to something like this," he smiles, leaning forward and kissing her on the cheek, before taking her hand off his arm and placing it on mine.

"Take good care of her okay," he smiles gently, tears filling his eyes too.

"I will, I promise."

Finally, we turn to the vicar.

I can't believe we're actually here. After everything we've been through, today I get to stand by Emily's side and become her husband.

"We are gathered here today to join Emily Ann Smith and Samuel Leighton Hastening in holy matrimony. Today is a celebration of love and happiness as these two before me start their new life together."

I squeeze Emily's hand, still not believing that we are actually here, that we are finally getting married.

"Now, if anyone present here today knows any lawful reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold their peace."

I can't help but to get flashbacks to the last time we were here. When Emily stood in front of her friends, family and the country to object to a marriage she never wanted to enter into.

I hold my breathe as the silence stretches on.

"And breathe," the vicars jokingly says to us, as if he can tell that I have not let the breathe I've been holding for the last minute go.

The ceremony continues.

"I, Emily Ann Smith, take thee, Samuel Leighton Hastening to be my lawful husband. In sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, no matter what troubles may befall us, til death do us part," Emily smiles at me, love shining from her eyes as she places the simple gold band onto my ring finger.

I repeat the same.

And finally, after a meeting in the park, a luxurious ball, a fake wedding, a rising musical career and the words 'I object' from the most unlikely source, me and Emily are finally married.

"You may now kiss the bride."

I've never been more eager to do anything in my life.

I pull her to me, enjoying our first kiss as husband and wife.

As we pull apart, the smile spreading across my face is lip splitting.

Emily, my wife, shares the same smile.

"Finally," she sighs.

"Finally."