If I Stayed | Christian Yu

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE - SAINT / 1 DAY LEFT

Extra long chapter! ✨

[Aaliyah.] / 1 day before the wedding

The house was buzzing.

Someone had plugged in the playlist she and Kaylani made the night before; some mix of soft R&B, summer throwbacks, and "I'm a chill bride" energy that no one was really vibing to.

It echoed through the living room, bouncing between half-packed overnight bags, wilting bouquets prepped for tomorrow, and trays of snacks nobody was actually eating.

But Aaliyah was upstairs.

The door to her old bedroom was cracked open just enough to hear the music below. She stood barefoot in front of her mirror, robe tied loose at the waist, her makeup half-done because she kept stopping. Just pausing. Breathing.

Her heart wasn't racing. It wasn't aching either. It just felt... distant. Like it wasn't fully in her chest today. Like it hadn't caught up to her yet.

"Tomorrow," she whispered to herself, pressing her fingers into her temples, "I'm gonna be someone's wife."

She said it again, a little quieter this time. Not to convince herself. Just to see how it sounded out loud.

Her eyes dropped to the small gold necklace lying by the sink; a gift from her mom that morning. A tiny heart charm, simple and delicate. She picked it up and clipped it on slowly, fingers shaking just enough to notice.

In the mirror, her reflection looked soft. Familiar. Tired.

Puffy eyes, but not from crying.
No tears today.
Just... overthinking.

There was a knock.

"Babe?" Fabian's voice, muffled through the hallway.

"I'm coming," she called back, smoothing her hair quickly. She reached for her lip gloss but didn't bother applying it.

The door opened anyway. Fabian leaned in, eyes lighting up when he saw her.

"You okay?"

She nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yeah. Just... it's getting real."

He stepped inside, wrapped his arms around her from behind, and rested his chin on her shoulder. "I know. But I've never been more sure of anything."

Aaliyah smiled again, this time a little softer. A little sad around the edges. But she leaned into him anyway. Let herself rest there for a second.

"I'm glad one of us is sleeping like a baby," she murmured.

Fabian chuckled. "You'll feel better once we get through the rehearsal dinner tonight. Promise."

She turned in his arms, looked up at him.

"I hope so," she said, quiet.

He kissed her forehead, lingered there for a second, then pulled back. "I'm gonna go finish the playlist with your dad. Want me to bring you anything?"

She shook her head. "I'm good."

"Alright." He gave her a wink before leaving, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

Aaliyah turned back to the mirror.

Tomorrow, she'd walk down an aisle.
Tomorrow, she'd say "I do."
Tonight, she just had to make it through the rehearsal.
And figure out how to breathe without feeling like she was lying to herself.

Rehearsal Dinner

The restaurant was warm and packed with people who all seemed to be in a good mood. Light jazz played over the speakers, the candles flickered in their little glass holders, and every table had gold accents and white flowers like.