"Henry Charles David, wilt thou have this woman to ty wedded wife, to lie together acording to God's law in the holy-"
"Please, turn it off." Bella said sighing and her mother quickly turned off the car stereo. She bit her bottom lip looking out her window. It still hurt, of course. The thought of Harry marrying someone else hurts her still even though it is the reality of life. We don't always get what we want but we do get what we need. She thought leaning her head on her window.
"Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour her and keep her, in sickness and in health? And, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?" The archbishop asked Harry.
This is it. Two words. Just two words and everything is set for him. But, those words seem to be stuck in his mouth. The tranquil silence of Westminster Abbey became tense and yet Harry couldn't seem to speak. Seconds pass and still he stared at the archbishop.
"Harry?" he heard Meghan whisper beside him and he looked at her.
He couldn't imagine her as Bella. No. He couldn't live like that. He couldn't wake up everyday pretending that she's Isabella Clarke. He couldn't live everyday thinking that it would be Bella he would come home to or be with or share a life with. He couldn't pretend. He couldn't imagine waking up everyday feeling empty- dead. He couldn't imagine not seeing a glimpse of Bella anymore or even think about the possibility of being with her. And as much as he would love to be the pride of his family for once, he couldn't push the two words out of his mouth.
"Sir?" The archbishop then asked taking Harry's eyes away from Meghan and to him.
It's now or never for him. If he marry Meghan now, he wouldn't be able to be with Bella ever. He cannot treat Bella the way his daddy had been with Camilla. No. He couldn't do that to Bella and he also couldn't marry Meghan under false pretenses.
"I'm sorry." He suddenly said towards the archbishop and gasps are heard throughout the Abbey but he couldn't care less. He had made a lot of mistakes the past few months but he realized that making another one is not going to ever change it. And so, he turned towards Meghan who had an astounded look on her face; her mouth open in shock and it seemed that she hadn't processed what's happening yet.
Quite sure of his decisions, he held Meghan's hand. "I'm sorry but you deserve someone better; someone who can love you fully; as he is body and soul." He said and he can see tears filling her eyes. He didn't want to hurt her but doing that would mean sacrificing himself forever. "I truly apologize but we both deserve happiness in this world."
Harry can hear everyone whispering as he let go of Meghan's hand and started walking down the staircase. He saw William smiling at him and he smiled back before his walk turned into a sprint. "Harry!" He heard his father call and he looked at him- he's still the king, he couldn't disrespect him and, for a moment, he's scared that he will tell Harry to go back up there and marry Meghan but the king smiled.
"Thank you." He mouthed and continued his run out of the abbey.
Crowds screaming and cheering welcomed him when he got out and he quickly went over to one of the PPO's sedans waiting by Meghan and his car. "I need the car." He told the PPO who only gave him a confused look. "Give me the keys." He said and the PPO gave Harry the keys.
"Ah, the irony." Bella mumbled watching the rain fall hard outside the car as they parked in Heathrow Airport. She took the umbrellas at the back of the car and handed two towards her parents.
"So.." Her father said handing Bella her small carry on as they stood by the airport doors. "We'll see you there tomorrow.."
"Tomorrow evening, San Diego time."
Gerard smiled before pulling his daughter to kiss her on the forehead. As determined as he is for her to live, he knew of the possibility of her not being able to survive. And so, he knew the importance of this kiss to her daughter- this might be the last time she steps in England alive. He had to be realistic just like how his daughter is and he pulled away and gave her an encouraging smile. "We'll see you in a bit, poppet."
"I love you mom, dad."
And both parents watched their daughter walk through the gates but turned and smiled and waved before it closed. It was like something was stabbed on Georgia's heart; the sight of her daughter walking away made something in her heart clench and she gave out a shaky breath feeling like her bones turned into jell-o.
"Shh. She'll be alright." Gerard said pulling his wife closer to him. "I promise you, she's going to be fine." He whispered soothingly pulling his wife along to go back to their car.
Harry drove as fast as he could trying to dodge the paparazzi. He knew where he's going- he knew where to find her; all he had to do is be there on time before she leaves. Quickly, he stepped on his breaks when he got stuck on the traffic just on the car entrance of Heathrow Airport. "Fuck!" he yelled his hand flying to the horn and pressing it hard but when the cars in front of him didn't move, he slammed his hand on the steering wheel and looked out.
The rain is pouring hard and, as he estimates his run towards the main entrance of the airport, he realized that he would be soaking wet before he gets there. It's either you get wet or you don't catch her. He thought and put on his blinkers and went to the side of the road before getting out of the car and leaving it there. He didn't care if the car got towed, he didn't even know if he got the chance to close the door or not but he ran as fast as his feet can take him.
Numerous windows rolled down and he could hear the squealing of the women and cheers of men as he passed by them. His breath became heavy and his heart raced in his chest but he pushed through- only stopping when he saw Bella's parents coming out of the main entrance of the airport holding each other; the couple stopped, both looking at Harry extremely shocked. "Hi. I'm sorry I couldn't talk much but where is she?" he asked out of breath stopping suddenly- almost tripping and hitting the couple. Quickly, he glanced back and saw the paparazzi coming their way towards them.
"She's at Gate H51." Gerard finally answered. "Hurry, they're boarding."
People pointed and stared as he burst in the airport. "Hold off the paparazzi." He told the security who quickly radioed the request to seal off all doors. "Where's H51? Where's the easiest way to H51?" he asked frantically looking around.
"Go through that exit and turn right- there's a small alley. You'll be there in 3 minutes if you run."
Bella sighed turning up the volume of her earphones as she sat on the boarding area. She had listened to the gushes of her co-passengers long enough about the royal wedding and their disappointment on missing it. People started falling in line by the entrance of her gate and she sighed. Well, goodbye England. She thought looking out at the window where rain poured mercilessly. Dreary ole' England. She sat there a bit longer, not minding if she boards the plane last. It couldn't bother her anymore. Now that her fate is almost sealed, she couldn't be excited about leaving her country anymore.. and Harry. He must be married now. Finally, she stood and went towards the very back of the line towing her small bag along.
"Last call for passengers of British Airways flight B456 boarding at Gate H51." The intercom sounded and Harry quickly started running towards the route the guard had told him.
Harry couldn't care less of the people pointing at him or the gasps when they saw him rushing past them. He couldn't care less if he's currently the topic of all tabloids or magazines or media. He doesn't care about what other people will say now- all he wants is to see her; to apologize and tell her that he couldn't live without her.
"Bella!" he yelled when he finally saw her by the gate handing over her boarding pass to the stewardess. "ISABELLA!" he yelled again and this time, the stewardess heard him and looked up from checking Bella's pass with furrowed eyebrows before finally realizing who he is and tapping Bella on the hand and pointing towards where Harry is and she turned; her confused expression quickly turning into shock as he suddenly grabbed her and kiss her- long and hard.
"Harry. What are you doing here?" she asked pulling away and pulling out the earbuds off her ear and looking at Harry who's still out of breath. "Why are you here?! You shouldn't be here!"
And by this, Harry laughed. He caught her just in time. He ran off from a wedding- his wedding, drove like a maniac, ran through the rain, and ran through the airport and here is Bella telling him he shouldn't be here.
"Why are you laughing? This is not funny, Harry. I swear to God-"
"I love you." He said making Bella stop mid-sentence with wide eyes. "I couldn't do it. I couldn't pretend. I couldn't lie. I couldn't wake up everyday and live with maybes- I cannot let you to just always be my maybe."
Bella shook her head absolutely shocked. He ran from his wedding. He ran from his wedding for me. She thought. "Harry.." she trailed off. "I must be dreaming. I must be dead or something." She mumbled.
But Harry shook his head back at her; stopping Bella from saying anything else. They both stared at each other straight in the eyes and, as cliché as it sounds, the world slowed, the volume of their surroundings suddenly on mute and nobody else existed. "I love you." He repeated firmly this time. "I will leave anything and everything for you. I love you and I will tell you this even for a million times until you believe me. I don't care if you tell me that you're dying because I will follow you to the stars and back. I don't care. You're not getting rid of me this time. Don't even try."
And she looked up at him, her eyes searching his and she gave out a breath. It's real. He's real. She thought as her hands reached out and softly caressed his slightly wet beard and she smiled. "You just soaked my clothes." She commented lightheartedly and Harry smiled making her heart skip a beat.
Harry wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer despite her previous comment about her clothes getting soaked. "I love you." He repeated closing his eyes as he leaned his forehead on top of hers before leaning in and kissing her softly on the lips right after she whispered;
"I love you too.. even after my last breath."
AN: This is the end of Part 1! :) I will be starting out the continuation of Harry and Bella's story soon so stay tuned! Thank you all for reading. <3