Claim Me Captain! I'm Addicted to You!-Chapter 440: Side By Side
Georgia’s POV
"How’s our bride doing?" I whispered as I peeked through the slightly open door.
Ella’s head snapped toward me, her face lighting up instantly. "Georgia!" she exclaimed, already on her feet. "I’m so glad you’re here!" She wrapped her arms around me in a careful, gentle hug.
"I tried my best to come early," I said with a laugh, resting a hand on my very prominent belly. "But this little one has been making negotiations extremely difficult."
Ella giggled and crouched slightly, placing her hand over my bump. Her smile softened. "Please don’t give your mommy a hard time," she murmured sweetly. "And please—don’t come out yet. At least not today. Let your mommy finish her speech at my reception first, okay?"
"I’ve been praying it’s not today," I said honestly, waddling toward the sofa. "But I’m not making any promises." I exhaled the moment I sat down. "I really need to sit. My stomach feels like it weighs a ton."
"Do you want a wheelchair?" Ella asked immediately, worry flashing in her eyes. "I can ask for one."
I laughed and waved her off. "No need. My doctor says I should walk every day since I could give birth anytime now. But today?" I grinned. "Today, I’m walking just enough not to send this baby straight to your wedding party."
We both laughed.
Ella squeezed my hands. "I really wish you were my maid of honor today," she said softly.
"Hey," I replied gently, "don’t say that. I think it’s exactly how it’s meant to be. I’m heavily pregnant, so your sister gets to be your maid of honor. I know that’s been her dream for as long as she can remember."
She nodded, then smiled. "You’re right. But if it were up to me, I’d have both of you. And maybe Vicky too."
"That’s way too many," I teased, making her laugh. "Anyway, I actually came to give you this." I reached into my bag and handed her an envelope.
She frowned slightly before opening it. Then she gasped. "You remembered!"
I smiled, a little proud. "I asked Liam months ago what you two planned for your honeymoon, and he was completely clueless. Then I remembered you telling me, years ago, that you dreamed of visiting Keukenhof Gardens. So I decided your honeymoon would be my wedding gift."
Her eyes widened.
"Not just the Netherlands," I continued. "You’ll be traveling around Europe, too. You deserve it, Ella. You’ve worked so hard for so long. I wanted this to be the very first gift you’d see today."
She fanned her face dramatically. "Oh my gosh, you’re going to ruin my makeup," she said, laughing through tears before hugging me carefully. "Thank you so much. I promise I’ll buy you something amazing there."
"Just send pictures," I said warmly. "I want to see everything. Someday, let’s bring everyone there together."
"I’d love that," she said softly.
I pushed myself up from the sofa with a small grunt. "Alright, I’ll go to my seat so I can rest. I’m already exhausted—and this stomach is absolutely humongous."
Ella laughed as she helped steady me. I took one last look at her—radiant, happy, glowing with a future she so deeply deserved—before heading toward my place in the church, where Prudence was already waiting.
My heart felt full as I looked at the flowers and all of the decorations. Today wasn’t just a wedding. It was a celebration of love and all the joy that still awaited us ahead.
"Are you alright, dear?" Prudence asked the moment she saw me approaching, one hand pressed firmly against my lower back.
"I’m fine," I sighed as I eased myself into the seat beside her. "Just tired. And this lower back pain is absolutely brutal."
She chuckled knowingly. "Don’t worry. Once the baby arrives, that pain will disappear—only to be replaced by pain somewhere else." She laughed at her own joke.
"So I’ve been warned," I said, laughing with her. "I can’t wait to finally see our baby... but for today, Ella and Liam come first."
Before we could continue our little exchange, the music began to play, soft and reverent, signaling the start of the ceremony.
Everyone stood.
A moment later, Katie skipped down the aisle, scattering flower petals with the kind of joy only a child could possess. She beamed when she spotted me and waved enthusiastically, nearly missing a few petals in the process. I waved back, my heart swelling.
Then came Nick, and the soft murmur of surprise rippled through the church.
He was carrying a portable smart TV, and on the screen was Reagan.
Gasps turned into smiles. Some guests lifted their phones, others waved openly. Reagan waved back, his smile wide and emotional. Tears shimmered in more than a few eyes, including mine.
Next was Liam, walking in with Benjamin and Violet. He looked impossibly handsome, a mix of nerves and pure happiness written all over his face, as if he couldn’t quite believe this moment was real.
And then—
The doors opened.
Ella stepped inside with her parents, and the world seemed to pause. She was radiant. Absolutely breathtaking. Her strapless gown hugged her perfectly, the A-line skirt flowing like something out of a dream. Tears slid freely down her cheeks.
When I glanced at Liam, he was already crying.
I lifted my phone, quietly capturing the moment—something I’d been doing for some time now.
A small secret I hadn’t told them yet.
Some memories are too beautiful not to be saved forever.
Liam stepped forward the moment Ella reached the end of the aisle, his hands trembling openly now, no longer bothering to hide it.
Her father paused beside him, his expression a mix of pride and bittersweet restraint, before placing Ella’s hand gently into Liam’s.
The simple gesture carried so much weight that it made my chest ache.
Liam bowed his head slightly, as if overwhelmed by the trust being placed in him, then lifted Ella’s hand and pressed a reverent kiss to her knuckles.
Ella let out a soft, broken laugh through her tears, squeezing his fingers as if to ground herself. Together, they turned toward the altar, standing side by side, ready to begin a life they had chosen with open hearts.
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