Page 148 of Save Your Breath

His words hung in the air between us, heavy and unspoken for far too long. When I finally replied, my voice was low, thick with emotion.

“I did,” I said, my chest tightening as I admitted it aloud. “I always did. I just… I didn’t think I was good enough for her. I didn’t think I deserved her. And I especially didn’t thinkyouthought I did.”

Charlie’s expression softened, and he let out a long breath, nodding like he’d known all along. “Aleks,” he said, his voice steady, deliberate, “I’ve watched you love my daughter for years. I may not have known your true feelings for sure, but I knew you cared about her. I knew you’d always look out for her. I knew you wanted to see her happy — even if that hurt you sometimes.”

I swallowed.

“You’re not here because you’re perfect,” he continued. “You’re here because you’re exactly who she wants. Exactly who she’s always wanted. And that’s all the proof I’ll ever need that you deserve her.”

His words hit harder than I expected, like a fist to the dusty cage around my lungs. All the doubts about my worth flutteredaway with the hit, my next breath lighter, and that emotion that had threatened to strangle me all day tightened its grip.

My eyes welled a bit, but I held the tears at bay. Charlie gave me a knowing smile and clapped my shoulder again, his grip firm. “Now go stand where you’re supposed to be,” he said, his voice breaking the tension with a small grin. “She’s been waiting long enough.”

Before I could respond, there was a small commotion at the top of the stairs. Both of us turned just in time to see Mia step into view, the cream satin train of her dress gathered in her hands as her mom fussed with the hem.

The house, the noise, the entireworldfell away.

She was radiant, her silky brown hair framing her face in curls that dusted the heart-shaped bust of her gown. Her cobalt eyes were lined and smoky, her lips a sunset pink. I caught sight of her dimple, of the beauty mark just above it, the one I could draw with a marker in the exact right spot even blindfolded.

It was the kind of beauty that didn’t really exist, the kind that seemed fake if you saw it online or in a magazine. It vibrated off her, around her, strengthening with every smile she flashed.

Timeless, that’s what she was.

And also… slightly pissed.

“Aleks!” Her voice rang out, snapping me back to reality. “You’re not supposed to be standing there! Cover your eyes or something!”

I scrambled to obey, turning toward Charlie with a sheepish grin as I raised a hand to shield my face. He laughed, shaking his head as he pulled me into one last hug.

“You’ve got this, son,” he said, his voice gruff with emotion. “Now get up there before she yells at you again.”

He clapped my back as he let go, and I hurried into place next to Daddy P, who raised a brow at my flustered state.

“Smooth,” he muttered under his breath, smirking. “You going to cry next?”

“Like you won’t fold like a faulty skate blade when you and Chloe finally tie the knot.”

His eyes flicked to his bride-to-be then, a watery smile finding him as he watched her holding his daughter’s hand.

“You’ve got me there.”

The violinist in the corner shifted seamlessly into a new song, the soft melody drawing the room to silence. Holly pressed a kiss to her daughter’s cheek before taking her seat, and Charlie climbed the stairs to offer Mia his arm.

The moment she slid her hand into his, he glanced at her with a look that could have melted the snow piling up outside. They shared a brief, private exchange—words I couldn’t hear but could feel in the way her shoulders relaxed and his chest lifted with a steadying breath.

And then, together, they began their descent.

My eyes stung as they drew closer, the weight of the moment sinking in. This wasn’t a dream or a fantasy. This wasn’t a show we were putting on for the cameras — although, Isabelladidconveniently give a few of her favorite shutterbugs an inside hint about where they could hide to get the first look at the intimate affair.

It was real.

Shewas real.

And she was walking toward me.

Mia’s dress was pure elegance, a breathtaking combination of modern design and timeless romance as she made her way toward me. The strapless bodice hugged her figure, the sweetheart neckline emphasizing the delicate curve of her collarbones and shoulders. The fabric was structured yet soft, folding into flawless pleats that cinched her waist and flared into the skirt.

From the waist, the gown flowed in a cascade of creamy silk, its dramatic side slit revealing a hint of her leg as she walked — a bold, yet graceful touch. The asymmetrical draping added movement and texture, catching the light with every step. The cream silk against all the greenery and the white and red flowers filling the space pulled together the holiday feel of the affair.