Ava manages to convince me to tell my parents about school, insisting that there's no way it would steal her thunder. So the night my dad comes home, as we're having dinner together for the first time in a long time, I take a breath, set my fork down, and tell them the news. They're nervous at first, because they don't know how they're going to pay the tuition costs. I mean, I can understand that, as that's how I felt most of the summer. But the moment I tell them that it's being covered by a famous chef, they get very excited for me. I don't know why I was so nervous to tell them. But seeing both my parents looking at me with such pride pulls on every single one of my heartstrings.

My friends are all really happy for me too. Keke screams when I tell her the news, and she's so loud that I have to pull the phone away from my ear to keep from going temporarily deaf. Tyler and the twins are stoked for me too. The only person I haven't heard anything from, though, is the one person I want to hear something from. But Vale has gone radio silent since that night in the restaurant. Several times I attempt to text him to tell him my news and to ask him if we can talk. But I just don't know how to word what I'm trying to say.

Before I get the chance, Ava's wedding planning kicks off into high gear. My grandma and grandpa on both sides of the family show up the night before the wedding, as do my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Then there's Owen's family, who we all have to meet in person during the rehearsal dinner. Everything goes on without a hitch, and the next morning, I wake up to the sound of chaos in my living room.

When I open my door and go downstairs, I'm shocked to see how messy everything is. Every woman, whether they're part of the bridal party or just the bride's family, is in the house, and they're all getting ready at the same time. Makeup boxes are strewn all over the floor, as are dresses, shoes, hair accessories, and whatever else a woman might need to doll herself up. I grab an orange from the fruit bowl, and I unpeel it as my sister's friend Claire does my hair and makeup. My eyes scan the room for Ava, but she's not here, and I assume she's probably already at the venue getting ready.

Viv is also missing, and my grandma tells me my mom took her out of the house before the craziness began. My little sister doesn't do well with large crowds of people or loud noises, so my mom is probably sparing her the stress before it all really begins. So I'm the only Cross sister here, which is a little disappointing. I was hoping we could all be together as a family today. I mean, it is our last day together before my sister takes off to Barcelona for her honeymoon, and by the time she comes back, I'll be well situated in Boston. My heart sinks, but I try to fight it as Claire tugs at my hair, pulling it back into a braided crown on top of my head as the rest of my hair falls in waves down my back.

Once my hair and makeup is done, I get in my car and head to the venue. My grandma wants me to go with her, but honestly, I could use some alone time. I know I'm going to be seeing Vale today, and I'm ridiculously nervous about it. This is probably going to be the last time we're together for a long time, and I'm determined to make the most of it. Today, I will tell him how I feel. Even if I have to chase his ass all the way to China, he will know my true feelings for him by the time the wedding ends. And I am terrified.

I pull into the wedding venue and make my way to the bridal chamber. I knock one time and receive no answer. So I knock again, hoping someone will open the door. And after the third knock, I decide to just walk in. The lights are off, which is a little scary, as I expected this room to be bustling with the same amount of chaos that was in my living room this morning. All the worst-case scenarios enter my mind, and I worry that something's wrong. That something has happened, and the wedding is about to go downhill fast.

But just as I'm about to pull my phone out to call my sister, the light flicks on, and I hear a small group of people yell out, "SURPRISE!" My heart jumps into my throat as I clutch at my chest. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust, but when they do, I find my parents and my sisters are all standing around a small cake that says two words: Congratulations, Gen! My eyes well up with tears as I realize what's going on.

"Don't you dare cry and ruin your makeup!" Ava snaps teasingly, and I let out a teary laugh. She runs forward and throws her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. "Are you surprised?"

I nod my head quickly as she releases me, only to be pulled into another embrace by my mother, and then my father. "I can't believe you guys did this," I say as I fight to control my tears, because I really don't want to ruin my makeup. "You didn't have to!"

But my dad just shakes his head and says, "Of course we did, honey. You deserve to be recognized for this. We wanted to plan you a bigger party with all of your friends, but there just wasn't enough time with the wedding and all."

My mom nods her head. "Yes, but we wanted you to know how proud we are of you." She reaches forward and cups my face in her hands, looking me in the eyes. "Our little girl is all grown up, and she's going to school to be a big-time pastry chef. How could we not be proud of you, Gen?"

Oh my God, I am so moved by all of this. So that's why Ava, my mom, and Viv weren't at the house today. They were here, planning this little surprise party for me. I can't believe it. My heart feels so full as my sister cuts the cake and hands me a piece. "You are so going to be caked out by the end of today," she says with a chuckle, and I throw my head back and laugh.

As far as parties go, this one is pretty small. But honestly, it's so perfect. It's everything I've wanted for so long. The best gift I could've asked for. They see me, and they care. They love me. And yes, the little party has to end quickly, because we do have a wedding to prepare for. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

My mom and dad leave the dressing room to go handle some stuff with the venue, leaving me alone with my two sisters. Viv is sitting quietly in a corner with her tablet, her hair already pulled back into the braided crown all the bridesmaids are going to be sporting today. All she has to do is get into her dress. I'm staring at my sister, lost in thought, when Ava reaches down and grabs my hand. She gives me a quick squeeze, pulling my attention up to her.

"So listen, there's something I kind of need to confess," she says. I stare at her, confused, as she sucks in a breath of air and says, "I wanted you to be my maid of honor from the start. I just didn't know how to ask you. So I'm sorry if you felt like you were the second choice. But I'm really happy you agreed to do this. Honestly, Gen, this is the way I always pictured my wedding would be."

I remember feeling so hurt at the beginning of this whole thing when she didn't pick me to be her maid of honor. My heart feels so light as I lean my head on her shoulder like she did mine in the treehouse the day she tried to give me the check. "Ava," I whisper, so softly so that only she can hear it. "I love you."

She grins and rests her head against mine. "I love you too, baby sister."

***

My sister looks absolutely stunning in her wedding dress. Yes, this was the less expensive dress, but honestly, this one flatters her way more than the first one. She's gorgeous. The most beautiful bride I've ever seen (not that I've seen that many). Our dad cries when he sees her, and she cries when he starts crying, which forces her to redo her makeup. We send our dad out of the room after that to prevent any more tears, as the ceremony is supposed to begin any minute. The guests are all seated. The groom is standing at the end of the aisle. Everything is in place. And before I know it, it's time for the maid of honor and the rest of the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle.

I intertwine my arm with Owen's best man's arm, and the two of us walk down the aisle together. And a part of me... a part I don't think I would ever dare admit out loud... is picturing myself walking down an aisle with a different man on my arm. Heat floods my face, and I scan my eyes around the room looking for Vale without being too obvious about it. When we get to the end of the aisle, the best man releases me, and I stand next to where my sister will be in just a few minutes. I search the room again, looking at every person individually for my best friend. But... he's not here.

Disappointment isn't a strong enough word to match what I'm feeling. I was really, really hoping he would be here. That I wouldn't have to go find him. But as my beautiful sister makes her entrance, walking arm-in-arm with our dad, I can't help but feel my heart sinking as I realize Vale didn't show up. And the reality is that the only reason he wouldn't come to Ava's wedding is... because of me. Tears well up in my eyes, both with happiness for my sister, and sadness for myself. For what I've lost.

Owen and Ava exchange vows, and they're somehow both funny and emotional. She cries. I cry. I don't think there's a dry eye in the room. And by the time the officiant pronounces them husband and wife, everyone is bawling. Owen grabs Ava's face tenderly in his hands and pulls her up to meet his lips. They share a perfect kiss before breaking apart, and I have never seen my sister so happy in all my life. The officiant introduces them as a married couple for the first time, and the two of them walk down the aisle together, leading the way for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. And in the midst of the chaos, I look again, hoping he'll appear. But... he doesn't.

We all enter the reception hall, where there are several round tables with white table clothes sitting all around the room, wildflowers sitting in mason jars at the center of each one. And in the center of the hall is the dance floor. Once everyone comes into the hall, the DJ announces the happy couple, and Ava and Owen walk into the hall arm-in-arm. The DJ plays their first dance song, and we all watch as Ava and Owen dance to the song "Lover" by Taylor Swift.

After a minute, my mom and dad join in the dance, as do Owen's parents and everyone else who wishes to dance on the dance floor. And before I know it, almost everyone is dancing to the music. Keke, Tyler, and the twins are all here as well, and even they have partners. Keke is with Paul, Tree is with Tyler, and Taylor is with one of the groomsmen. It feels like I'm the only one in the party not dancing. The best man offers to dance with me, but I politely decline. The only person I want to dance with isn't here, and I just want to wallow for a few minutes before I join the party.

I stand off to the side by myself, watching everyone move to the rhythm of the music. My arms are folded across my chest as I stand there with a fake smile on my face, pretending like I'm enjoying this day when in reality, all I feel is pain. I really, really wanted him to be here today. And the fact that he's not is killing me.

Another slow song starts to play: "Inside Your Heaven" by Carrie Underwood. God, this is torture. All these love songs, and I'm over here by myself, watching everyone else having a good time but me. And all because I was too stupid to let myself be happy. What the hell is wrong with me? Tears fill my eyes, and I'm just about to leave the party to collect myself when I see a familiar head full of dark curls enter the hall. He's wearing a loose blue button up shirt and a dark blue tie with a pair of nice black jeans. And my heart comes to a full and complete stop as he locks eyes with me across the room and begins to make his way toward me.

Author's Note:
One more chapter and then we're at the epilogue! I'm not crying, you are! This story has been such a joy to write, and I can't wait to share the last chapter with all of you! I'm getting emotional already. You should have it by the end of the week, if not tomorrow night.

Let me know what you think of this chapter in the comments and brace yourselves for the end! It's happening! Stay tuned, my dears!
XOXO,
~Aly