Cinderella Man

Cinderella Man Chapter 32

And here it is. The chapter I'm sure you've been waiting for.

So anther chapter or maybe two and we are done here. That makes me incredibly sad!

But I would just like you say that every single one of you is amazing and will forever be grateful for the support you have shown me.

Okay, I need to stop writing before I start crying or something!

Enjoy.

Emily's POV

"I object!"

Shock radiates off the church walls.

People gasp, squeal and gape in disbelief at those two little words.

It is unheard of for anyone to object at a royal wedding.

Especially when it's the bride herself.

I look over to see my mother on the first row. Face red, fists clenched, the vein on her forehead near bursting point, she is the picture of rage. She believed I would go through with it, and for a moment there I believed I would too.

But then I realised how wrong this is.

I realised how long it had been since I spoke up about what I was feeling, and what a better time to do it than when millions of people are watching.

"You... you... object?" The priest stutters out in shock.

"I object," I state calmly.

I look over to James to see how my action has effected him. His face is a mix of two emotions, disbelief, but also relief. He didn't want to go through with this marriage, so here I am, setting him free. We were both in this to make those around us happy, but with that, we sacrificed our own happiness. We both deserve to live our lives with those that make us excited to wake up in the morning, who put a stupid grin on our faces that we cannot control. Here, I am giving James the opportunity to find this.

I turn around to look at the countries finest, whose mouthes are still hanging in shock, and lock eyes with him.

Sitting there eight rows back and wearing the suit he wore to my ball is the man I wish to marry, and I am done hiding it.

I smile at him and he returns the favour, but his is lined with shock and amazement. I guess he wasn't expecting me to do that. Neither was I if I'm being honest.

But just as the priest was talking of love, I imagined what my life would be like if I married James. I would be happy. James makes me laugh and we would have a good time together, but it wouldn't be love. I need a love that consumes me, challenges me, takes every rational thought and throws it out of the window. This is how I feel when I am with Sam. And I am not denying myself the simple privilege happiness.

"She...she doesn't object! It's just a bit of cold feet everybody, the wedding WILL go ahead!" my mother nervously stutters out in a desperate attempt to protect our reputation.

"No mother, I do object," I state calmly. She looks at me outraged before taking her seat once more.

"I object because this isn't what I want," I explain, "because I am not in love with the man that is standing next to me." Once again, the church is filled with the sounds of shock and outrage. "And this man, he isn't in love with me either," I admit to the church, reaching over and squeezing James's hand.

I look over at him and see a smile of relief on his face. He's finally free. "It's true, I love Emily, but like a sister. I'm not in love with her." He then pulls me into a tight hug. "Thank you Emily Smith," he whispers into my ear.

As we pull away, I see James's parents sitting next to mine. James's mother looks like she might have a heart attack with the way she's fanning herself.

Turning back towards the church, I make my confession.

"Truth is, I am in love with another man. He's sweet and caring, and smart and creative. He makes me happy," I smile, tears slowly starting to leak from my eyes. "But he was deemed unacceptable for the country, so I was told I could not marry him." This time, the gasps of shock and outrage are not directed at me.

"I was told I must marry James instead of the man I had fallen so deeply for, purely because his postcode did not deem him worthy of a throne. And I almost went through with someone else's wishes. But then I thought that I deserve happily ever after just as much as anyone else, and I'm not going let anyone control my future again." I look directly at my mother to see no shame, no remorse in her eyes, only anger. Once again, her need for a clean reputation is ruling her.

But she wouldn't be the one having to marry someone she did not love. She wouldn't be the one continuously pining after someone else. She married her prince charming, why can't I?

"Truth is, I am in love with the man that sang me down the aisle today," once again I smile at Sam. Everyone's eyes turn to him. "The man that, even though it had to be killing him, stood up here today to sing me my favourite song to give me comfort on this hard day." Now the tears really are flowing. "The man who showed me what it means to love wholly, even though it terrifies you. The man that got me through the hardest obstacles I have ever had to face. I am completely and utterly in love with Sam Hastings."

I think my mother may faint. I think someone in this church may choke on oxygen if they all keep gasping in that dramatic fashion. I think Sam's lip might split if he smiles any wider.

"Go get him girl," James smiles at me, squeezing my hand one last time for luck. I pull him into tight bear hug before releasing him and looking over to Sam once more.

He's standing now, looking at handsome as ever in his suit. I can't stop my heart from somersaulting in my chest.

I slowly start to make my way over to him, ripping to veil off my head as I do so. I'm no longer a bride today.

Finally, I am before him.

"So, I have to say, you most certainly get the prize for most dramatic wedding," he laughs before wrapping his arms around my waist. They feel right there, especially now that we don't have to hide anymore, the world can see my love for him.

"Well, ceremonies are so boring. I mean it's all love, vows and kissing, someone had to insert some excitement in there some where," I laugh along with him.

Sam's face softens before he leans in and rest his forehead onto mine.

"I love you, Emily Smith," he says, his eyes filled with love and adoration.

"I love you too, Sam Hastings."

And that's when he kissed me.

In front of a church full of politicians and celebrities. In front of my parents. In front of millions of people gathered around their televisions to see how it all plans out.

I finally got my happily ever after.