The next morning, I wake up to the sound of my alarm blaring, signaling it's time to get ready for the day. Sitting up in bed, I rub the sleep from my eyes and take a moment to gather my thoughts.

I take a deep breath and remind myself that today is the day. The day of my best friend's wedding. I slide out of bed and head to the bathroom to start getting ready for the day ahead.

As I finish getting dressed, I grab my makeup bag and head over to the wedding venue. I had decided to get my hair and makeup done there, to ensure everything would be perfect for the occasion.

As I enter the room designated for hair and makeup, I spot Hannah sitting at one of the mirrors, sipping from a small flute of champagne. She turns and grins as she sees me, her cheeks already flushed with excitement.

"There you are," she says, gesturing me over. "I was starting to think you were going to skip out last minute." I roll my eyes playfully, taking a seat beside her.

"As if I'd miss this big day. Besides, I never turn down the chance to have my hair and makeup done by a professional." As we both start getting our hair and makeup done, we chat and laugh, sharing stories and memories of our friendship. It's a comfortable and familiar routine, having gotten ready together so many times before.

The hair and makeup artists work their magic, enhancing our natural features and creating a polished look for the wedding. Hannah giggles as they spritz her hair with hairspray, the light scent filling the air.

As the hair and makeup artists finish up our look, Hannah turns to me with a sparkle in her eye. "Hey, I have a little surprise for you," she says, her tone slightly mischievous.

I glance at her, intrigued by the excited look in her eyes. "Of course, anything," I say, giving her my full attention.

"I wanted to let you know that I'm having you and Terry walk down the aisle together during the ceremony." Hannah grins, clearly thrilled with whatever news she's about to share.

I raise an eyebrow, a bit surprised by the news. "Me and Terry?" I ask, trying to hide my skepticism. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Oh, come on, it'll be fun. You two always bicker and banter back and forth, I thought it would be amusing." Hannah laughs, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I groan, pretending to be annoyed. "You just wanted to make my life harder, didn't you?" I say, but there's a hint of a smile on my lips.

Hannah grins, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Maybe a little," she admits, still laughing. "But seriously, it's just a walk down the aisle. I trust you two can handle it without starting a full-blown argument."

I roll my eyes playfully, knowing she's right. "Fine, FINE," I say, feigning reluctance. "I'll walk down the aisle with Terry, but I'm not responsible for his behavior."

With the makeup and hair done, we take a moment to admire each other's appearance, complimenting each other's looks and hyping each other up. The artists have done a fantastic job, making us both look like the best versions of ourselves.

As we head out of the room, we bump into Terry and Jacoby, who are waiting outside. Terry whistles as he sees us both looking stunning. "Wow, looking good, ladies," he says with a wink.

I roll my eyes, used to Terry's flirting by now. "Don't even think about it, T," I say, swatting at him lightly. I couldn't help but coo at the sight of Jacoby. "Oh my god, look at him," I gush, reaching out to give his cheek a little pinch. "Look how cute he is in his little suit!"

As the wedding ceremony begins, I take a deep breath, preparing myself for my walk down the aisle. I look over at Terry who stands next to me, looking almost uncharacteristically nervous himself.

We both take our places at the front of the aisle, the music starting to play. We link arms, our eyes meeting for a moment before we start the slow walk down the aisle.

We walk in step, our arms linked as we make our way down the aisle. I can feel the eyes of the guests upon us, but I try to ignore them, focusing on not tripping over my dress or messing up in any way.

I'm suddenly taken aback as I look up and see my ex-boyfriend Ja'Marr sitting in one of the pews. My heart instantly skips a beat, and I feel a mixture of surprise and anxiety wash over me.

I try to keep my composure as I lean over to Terry, my voice low so only he can hear me. "Oh my god, that's Ja'Marr," I say, my voice shaky. "What the hell is he doing here?"

Terry's eyes narrow as he follows my gaze to where Ja'Marr is sitting. Instantly, Terry's expression hardens, his grip on my arm tightening protectively.

I shake my head subtly, silently begging him not to do anything rash. I glance at the front of the aisle, reminding myself that this is Hannah's wedding day, and I can't let Ja'Marr ruin it.

As the ceremony progresses, I step to Hannah's side, trying to push my unexpected encounter with Ja'Marr to the back of my mind. Terry takes his place behind Jayden, his eyes constantly darting towards where Ja'Marr is sitting.

The remainder of the wedding party comes out, including the rest of the bridesmaids and groomsmen. They all find their places in the front, standing or sitting in their designated positions.

As the wedding march begins to play, everyone turns to look at the entrance. Instead of her dad or brother, Hannah appears, holding little Jacoby in her arms. It's an unexpected but incredibly sweet sight.

As I watch Hannah walking down the aisle with Jacoby, a lump forms in my throat. Seeing her holding her baby brings a rush of emotions to the surface, and tears begin to prickle at the corners of my eyes.

To my left, I glance over at Jayden, who I can see is also deeply moved by the sight of his bride walking down the aisle with their son. His eyes are glistening with unshed tears, and he looks like he might burst with love and pride.

The guests coo and awww over the adorable sight of Hannah holding Jacoby, and the atmosphere in the venue is filled with a sense of heartwarming emotion.

As Hannah and Jacoby reach the altar, Terry gently takes Jacoby from Hannah's arms. Jacoby babbles contentedly in Terry's arms, oblivious to the ceremony taking place around him.

Hannah takes her place next to Jayden, who is visibly emotional, tears streaming down his face. The officiant begins the ceremony, the words blending into a background hum as I try to keep my emotions in check.

The officiant begins the ceremony with the standard opening statements. "Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today to celebrate the union of this bride and groom in holy matrimony, to witness the declaration of their love for each other, and to mark their commitment to spend their lives together in the presence of God and all of you."

The officiant then turns to Jayden and Hannah, addressing them directly. "Jayden and Hannah, today is a significant day in your lives, a day of celebration and joy as you come together to marry one another. Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?"

"We have." Jayden and Hannah simultaneously respond, their voices firm and resolute.

The officiant continues. "Will you promise to love and honor each other, to stand by each other's sides in both good times and bad, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

Both Jayden and Hannah reply together again, their voices filled with conviction. "We will."

The officiant turns to Jayden, signaling for him to recite his vows. Jayden takes a deep breath, his eyes locked on Hannah's. "Hannah, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You have brought so much light and laughter into my life, and I can't imagine my life without you by my side. From the moment we met, I knew you were something special, and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, today, in front of our friends and family, I promise to be your partner, your lover, and your best friend. I promise to support you, encourage you, and believe in you in everything you do. I promise to love you unconditionally, even when life gets difficult and messy. I promise to be your strength when you are weak, your laughter in times of sorrow, and your biggest fan in all of your endeavors. I promise to always listen to you, to be there for you, and to hold you in my heart forever."

Hannah's eyes are brimming with tears as Jayden finishes his vows, her hand reaching up to wipe away a stray tear that has escaped down her cheek. The guests murmur with emotion, touched by Jayden's words.

The officiant then turns to Hannah, signaling it's her turn to recite her vows. Hannah composes herself, swallowing the lump in her throat before beginning. "Jayden, you are my other half, my soul mate, and my best friend. I never thought I could find someone who would understand me completely, but you have been that person. You have seen the best and worst parts of me and still chosen to love me, despite it all. You have filled my heart with love and joy that I never thought was possible, today, in front of everyone we hold dear, I promise to be your constant companion, your cheerleader, and your source of comfort in times of need. I promise to lift you up, to support you, and to believe in you wholeheartedly. I promise to honor and cherish you, to love you unconditionally, and to be the best partner I can be for you. I promise to always be honest, kind, and loyal to you, through every twist and turn life throws our way."

The atmosphere in the room is thick with emotion as Hannah finishes her vows, tears streaming down both hers and Jayden's faces. The guests are visibly moved by the heartfelt declarations of love between the couple.

The officiant turns to Jayden and Hannah, addressing them both. "Do you, Jayden, take Hannah to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

Jayden looks at Hannah, his eyes filled with love and devotion. "I do."

The officiant then turns to Hannah. "And do you, Hannah, take Jayden to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

Instead of immediately responding, Hannah turns to me with a playful smile on her face. She pretends to look conflicted for a moment, as if she's actually considering her options, causing a few chuckles to ripple through the crowd. Finally, after a brief dramatic pause, she looks back at the officiant and Jayden with a wide grin, responding with a resounding "I do"

The officiant smiles and nods, satisfied with their responses. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Jayden doesn't hesitate to take Hannah into his arms, pulling her into a tender, passionate kiss. The guests erupt into applause and cheers, celebrating the newly married couple.

As Jayden kisses Hannah, I clap and woot enthusiastically along with the rest of the guests. It's a beautiful moment, filled with love and joy. I can feel tears welling up in my eyes as I watch my best friend marry the love of her life.

Hannah and Jayden break apart, their faces flushed with happiness. They hold each other's hands, facing the crowd as the officiant announces them as husband and wife. The guests continue to clap and cheer, the air filled with excitement and joy.

After the official ceremony is over, the guests begin to make their way to the reception area for the afterparty. The reception is held in a beautiful garden venue, with tables adorned with linens and flowers, and a small stage set up for the first dances and speeches.

The guests find their seats, settling in for the festivities as the newly married couple approaches the stage to give their first dance as husband and wife. The guests all wait in anticipation as Jayden takes Hannah into his arms, a romantic song playing in the background.

Hannah and Jayden move gracefully together on the dance floor, their movements a perfect synchronization to the music. It's clear that they've practiced and planned this moment, but their dance is not rehearsed to the point of losing its magic. They smile warmly at each other, their love and happiness radiating through their movements.

As they move around the dance floor, a few guests cheer and clap along, while others wipe tears from their eyes, touched by the romantic sight. The setting sun casts a warm glow over the dance floor, adding to the beautiful and romantic atmosphere.

Younghoe, Hannah's brother, approaches the stage to give his speech. He stands in front of the microphone, looking slightly nervous but also excited. He clears his throat and begins his speech, addressing the guests.

"First, I just want to say congratulations to my baby sister and her new husband," Younghoe says, his voice tinged with emotion. "I couldn't be happier for the two of you, and I'm so grateful to be here celebrating this special day with everyone."

The guests clap and cheer, encouraging Younghoe as he continues. "I've known Jayden for a long time now, and he's one of the best guys I know," Younghoe says, smiling at Jayden. "He makes Hannah so happy, and he treats her like a queen. She deserves nothing less."

After several speeches by friends and family members, it's finally my turn to get up and give my own speech. I feel a wave of nervousness wash over me as I make my way to the stage, my heart pounding in my chest. I take a deep breath and approach the microphone.

"Hey everyone," I begin, my voice a little shaky with nerves. "I just want to say how happy I am to be here celebrating Hannah and Jayden's special day. It's such a joy to see two people who are so clearly meant for each other finally tie the knot."

I look at Hannah and Jayden, who are sitting at the head table, and smile warmly at them. "Hannah and I have been friends for years now, and I've watched her go through so many ups and downs. But one thing has always been constant, and that's Jayden's love and support. He's been there for her through everything, and she shines brighter because of him."

A few guests nod their heads, agreeing with my words. I continue, "And now that they're married, I know that they'll continue to grow and flourish together. They're each other's biggest fans and supports, and I couldn't ask for two more deserving people to find each other."

Before I can continue with my speech, I'm suddenly interrupted by Terry running up to the stage. He jumps onto the platform, his eyes wide with excitement and a mischievous smile on his face.

"Hold on, hold on," Terry says, waving his hands frantically. "I just have one thing to say, and it's for the bride and groom!"

I can't help but roll my eyes at Terry's antics. "Terry, you weren't supposed to drink," I say, shaking my head in mock disapproval. I give him a playful thump on the chest, which gets a few chuckles from the guests.

Terry grins triumphantly as I hand him the microphone, clearly pleased with himself for stealing the attention. I take a step back, resigning myself to letting him have the floor for a moment.

Terry, now holding the microphone, grins widely as he faces the crowd. "Hey everybody," he says, his voice slightly slurred from the drinks he's had. "I just wanted to make a quick toast to the happy couple."

As Terry continues with his somewhat slurred speech, I feel a light tap on my shoulder. Startled, I turn around to see who's standing behind me.

My heart skips a beat as I turn around and see Ja'Marr standing there, his eyes fixed on mine. He looks different than the last time I saw him, and yet the same. The noise of the party fades to a dull buzz in the background as my focus narrows to him. But before I can say anything, I remember the situation at hand - Terry's stumbling and possibly embarrassing speech.

As I turn my attention back to the scene unfolding on the stage, I shake my head slightly, silently signaling to myself that there will be time to sort out this unexpected encounter later.