One More Chance

"...Take me to your heart, show me where to start... Let me play the part of your first love. All the stars are right, every wish is ours tonight my love..."

The wedding song instantly echoed in my ears and all the corners of the church as the double wooden door opened widely.

"...Pity those who wait, trusting love to fate. Finding out too late that they've lost it. Never let 'em go, they will never know the ways of love..."

I couldn't help but smile and shiver at the nervousness and excitement that crept up on me at the same time as I started to take a step onto the red carpet with red, white, pink, and peach petals scattered all the way to the altar. A lush floral arch was beautifully framed in the entrance and a floral backdrop with greenery and white blooms in the altar.

"... Got to believe in magic, tell me how two people find each other in a world that's full of strangers. You got to believe in magic, something's stronger than the moon above 'cause it's magic when two people fall in love..."

Everyone has a smile on their face... my family, my friends, my best friend, and the only man who gave me and made me feel every kind of feeling and emotion from then until now... from pain, bitterness, sadness, joy, and love. The person who tested my ability to forgive yet the only person I dreamed of being with then, now, and forever.

"... I may never know, why I need you so. All I need to know is this feeling. Handle it with care, we were born to share this dream, my love..."

And as I continued to take a step forward, happiness and fear started to boil simultaneously inside my chest and I couldn't ignore the latter. But don't get me wrong, because it's not the same fear I had when I walked down the aisle for the first time and married him. I was then afraid of the consequences of my mistake due to my stubbornness.

But now, the fear I have in me is because I'm slowly feeling and realizing that this is real and not just a dream. That a certain Luke Marcuz Williams is waiting for me at the altar. He was standing next to my brother and looked exceptionally handsome in his three-piece navy blue wedding suit.

"... Got to believe in magic, tell me how two people find each other in a world that's full of strangers. You got to believe in magic, something's stronger than the moon above 'cause it's magic when two people fall in love..."

Yeah, I guess I really have to believe in the lyrics of the song 'Got to Believe in Magic' because of everything that's happened to us in the past, despite everything we've been through and how our relationship has faded and progressed, how we've also met some people who came but eventually left, and with an amount of love that never changed even once... who would have thought that we would reach this state?

Who would have thought that the silly and stubborn Samantha would end up marrying the man of her dreams, the heartless Luke Marcuz Williams?

"... You got to believe in magic because it's magic when two people fall in love..."

My mother was crying while my father had a huge and proud grin on his face when I joined them in the middle of the aisle.

"Oh, my baby is now getting married,"

Mom immediately pulled me in her arms and I couldn't help but laugh at what she said.

"Mom, this is actually my second wedding, have you forgotten?" I asked, patting her on the shoulder.

"No, of course not, but this one is different from what you had back then because now I'm witnessing pure love, care, and happiness in your eyes and I'm so happy for you," "Ahh..." she then kissed me on the cheek.

"Congratulations, sweetie, and best wishes,"

"Thank you, Daddy," I slowly moved to embrace my father and like Mom, he also kissed me on the forehead.

"Shall we because your groom is now nervously waiting,"

The three of us shared a light chuckle before deciding to walk down the aisle and meet my husband for the second time in a few minutes from now.

Luke stepped forward to meet us as soon as we reached the front of the altar.

When the time we thought both our parents were already going to take their seats, we stopped when Dad turned around and suddenly took Luke's hand again. "Luke..."

We were all surprised by his sudden gesture, but we were even more surprised by the words he said...

"You know that I treat you like my own son, right? Even when you hadn't married my daughter yet when you were in college and you were just simply my son's best friend, I already treated you like my own child. I know the past is past and I've already forgiven you for what you did--- we've already moved on from that."

"Dad..." I tried to get his attention because I too was confused with what he was saying at that moment.

"And now that you're marrying my daughter--- my princess again and have asked us to give you the blessing, we hope this time you will take care of her and your family."

"I will, Dad, I promise---" Luke tried to speak but he was immediately cut off.

"And I hope that this time you will be a man to love her, cherish her, and take care of her like what you promised when you asked us for her hand."

"I will, Dad, don't worry, I'm not the same man I used to be,"

"You better be," And Dad patted him on the shoulder. "Alright, son, you may take her now,"

"Thanks, Dad," They exchanged one more hug.

"Alright, take responsibility, huh?"

"I will, Sir!"

A sigh and a smile of relief took over my lips when they parted and Dad already went back to his seat. Meanwhile...

"Hi," The first word left my soon-to-be husband's lips when our eyes met when we were left alone in the middle.

But instead of responding to his greeting, a light chuckle broke out my lips. His hand was trembling when he held it out in front of me, and I looked at him in an instant when I noticed how cold it was when I grabbed it.

"You're hand is so cold!" I whispered, squeezing his hand tightly.

"Oh, is it?" he gave me a nervous chuckle.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm nervous, to be honest," he shrugged, squeezing my hand back as if that's where he gets the strength to move and walk towards the table where we will take a seat.

"Why are you nervous?" I couldn't help but ask the moment we took our seats.

"Because..." he paused, so I asked again, confused.,

"Because what? Are you having cold feet right now?"

"No, of course not, sweetheart!" He quickly shook his head. I guess the question took him by surprise as his face held an expression as if he was telling me 'Are you seriously asking me that now?' but instead he said... "That's the last thing I would ever feel right at this moment," suddenly I was able to breathe again.

"They why?"

"I don't know," he shrugged. "I'm actually thinking... what if you say no when the priest asks you if you agree to become my wife,"

"What---" but my words were left in mid-air when suddenly the priest who would officiate at our wedding spoke in front of us.

"To all present, I say: we are

gathered here today to witness and

celebrate the union of Samantha

and Luke Marcuz in marriage. Through their time together, they have come to realize that their personal dreams, hopes, and goals are more attainable and more meaningful through the combined effort and mutual support provided by love, commitment, and family; and so they have decided to live together as husband and wife."

And since the ceremony had started, I could no longer open my mouth again to tell him what I wanted to tell him. I just squeezed his hand so tight to tell him in silence that what he was thinking would never happen. As the ceremony continues...

"Samantha and Luke Marcuz,

remember to treat yourselves and each other with respect and remind yourselves often what brought you together Take responsibility for making the other feel safe, and give the highest priority to the

tenderness, gentleness, met

Kindness that your connection deserves. May you always need one another not to fill an emptiness but to help each other know your fullness..."

And before the ceremony ends...

"Since Samantha and Luke Marcuz have grown to know and love each other, and because they have agreed in their desire to move forward in life together seeking an even richer, deepening relationship, and because they have pledged to meet sorrow and joy as one family, we are pleased to recognize them as partners for life. Samantha, Luke Marcuz, you may now begin the adventure of marriage with a kiss..."

"Yeheey!"

"Whoo!"

Almost everyone screamed when Luke lifted my veil.

"At last..." he uttered before giving me the most passionate kiss of my entire life.novelbin