Chp. 43 The Final Moments Before Forever

When Dean awoke the next morning he found that Camille was gone. Only her scent lingering and a paper folded up on his pillow.

~See you tomorrow darling, I love you~

Dean smiled to himself. What a clever girl she was. She was taking this tradition thing to the next level. He'd practically be itching to see her tomorrow.

The words played on his lips. "Tomorrow." He said out loud. He was actually getting married tomorrow. When he thought about it he had really come a long way, he achieved what he thought impossible.

He could also smell food cooking. His mom was most likely going to be busy all day, so he could either go hang out with the guys or go bother Daniella.

He walked down the hallway to her room and opened her door. She glanced up at him.

She sighed knowing what he was going to do. He took a chip from her bag and then a pop from her drink. And then he did what he knew would really tick her off. He walked out and left the door open.

"Dean!" She whined.

He laughed and turned around, poking his head in the door. "Love you little sis." And closed the door.

Dean headed out to the Tailors shop. He was getting his last fitting. He had invited the guys to come along.

...

Dean stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cuffs of his suit while the guys lounged around the fitting room, throwing in their unwanted opinions.

Dean had hit up Jackson and asked him to come. He introduced him to the guys and they seemed to get along pretty quickly. Hence the jokes that were being aimed towards Dean right now.

Jackson leaned against the wall, arms crossed, smirking. "Man, I never thought I'd see the day; Dean Carter, officially off the market. You sure you don't wanna run while you still can?"

Scott snorted, tugging on his own tie. "Please, if anyone's gonna run, it'd be Camille. She's finally realizing what she signed up for."

Isaiah chuckled. "Nah, If she wanted out, she'd have bailed a long time ago."

Dean rolled his eyes, shaking his head, but a small smile played at his lips. "Glad to know my groomsmen are so supportive."

Jimmy clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Always, man. Just making sure you're not getting cold feet."

Dean smirked, smoothing out the front of his suit. "Only thing cold is how you're all gonna look standing there while I marry the love of my life."

The room erupted in groans and exaggerated gags, but beneath it all was an unspoken truth; they were happy for him, and tomorrow, they'd be standing right beside him.

Dean sighed. "Well I'm pretty sure this suit fits me. What do ya'll think."

"Wait turn, like in a circle." Jackson said.

"Why?" Dean replied.

"Just do it man."

Dean rolled his eyes. And turned in a circle his arms out as if to say ~there I did it, are you happy now?~

They all stared at him for a few seconds and then applauded.

Dean shook his head and put his hands over his eyes. "I can't take you guys."

Jackson laughed. "All jokes aside, you do look quite dapper." He said in an accent.

"Yes, yes, rather sophisticated." Henry joined in with the same accent.

They all laughed.

"So what about you guys? Do your suits fit."

He got mixes of yeahs, and good enoughs.

Afterwards when they changed back into their normal clothing, they went to the park. For Dean and Jackson it was a blast from the past. They hadn't been there is years.

They all removed their jackets and coats and saw a nearby basketball that had been left behind.

Dean grabbed the ball and dribbled it a few times before calling out, "Alright, fellas, let's see who's still got game before the big day!"

Jackson laughed and bounded onto the court, while Scott stretched out and got into position. "Don't worry," Isaiah teased, "we're just warming up, try not to break a sweat too soon!"

The game quickly turned into a lively mix of fast breaks, playful trash talk, and a few clumsy missteps, especially when Jimmy got crossed up by Henry.

"Damn J! You gonna let him do you like that!" Dean yelled, drawing laughter from everyone.

In that moment, with the November chill in the air and the sun overhead, all the wedding jitters melted away, replaced by the pure joy of friendship and a spirited game of basketball.

...…

Afterwards they ended up back at Dean's house. Samantha was happy to see Jackson, and they all sat on the couch watching a college game.

They had gotten left over food from the fridge. Thanksgiving had been a few days ago, but they never made a big deal out of it. His mom just liked to cook a nice dinner and then they'd watch a movie together as a family. Camille got to be part of that. Afterwards she went back over to her mom's to spend time with her.

Dean was glad she was repairing her relationship with her mom. He was glad she'd have someone that was actually her family rather than his. There was no issue with that. But he wanted her to feel like she had her own too.

They stayed a few hours. Laughing and filling the house with noise, but they decided to go and told Dean to make sure he got his "beauty sleep".

But sleep would be hard. He couldn't wait for tomorrow. He wondered what Camille was doing. Missing her now that he wasn't distracted.

He decided maybe he should go to sleep, time would move faster.

....

Camille awoke in her childhood room. Immediately the feelings hit her. Excitement and nerves, extreme nerves.

After brushing her teeth and washing her face she came downstairs. She was still having a hard time adjusting. Since she had left her mom had completely redone the house. New furniture, curtains, decorations. It looked like the home she always dreamed of as a child. One where a loving and warm family lived.

One thing was for sure it definitely wasn't a depressing sight anymore.

She skipped out into the kitchen, humming as she went. She poured some coffee and sipped it slowly.

Today was finally the day. She felt like she had waited years, not months, for this day to come.

She ate some fruit, but she didn't want to eat anything heavy. One, because of her nerves, two she wanted to make sure she didn't have a bloat so her dress would fit like a glove.

She heard a door open, signaling that her mother was awake.

"Ah pour me some, that's definitely what I need right now." She said while yawning.

Camille handed her a mug. She stared with a small smile into her own.

"So, how are you feeling?" Her mother asked.

Camille let out a breath, as if she were looking for the right words. "Excited, but also really really nervous."

Her mother smiled, "I know what you mean. On my wedding day I nearly ran out the chapel multiple times." She laughed. "I was terrified."

Camille laughed with her.

Her mother turned, looking her in the eyes.

"One thing is for sure. That boy adores you, so I don't think you have anything to worry about. He's probably feeling the same way."

Camille laughed again. "Probably."

...

Meanwhile

Dean had woken up a ball of nerves like Laura had suggested. He took a shower to try and calm him down but it seemed like his heart wouldn't slow down.

His mom was already downstairs foiling the many pans of food she had cooked late into the night and early into the morning.

As soon as she saw him a smile broke across her face.

"There he is!" She ran towards him.

"How are you feeling."

Dean smiled. "Like maybe I should run a marathon to get these nerves out of me."

Samantha laughed. "Aww honey, don't worry, by the end of the day it'll all be worth it. You'll wonder why you were even nervous."

Dean laughed. "I hope that feeling would come quicker."

Daniella had also come downstairs, joining them.

"Oh my gosh, I finally get to have a sister." She looked towards Dean. "No offense to you, but it'd be nice if there was another girl around her."

"Hey!" Samantha teased. "What about me?"

Daniella grinned. "You're great mom, I just mean someone closer to my age."

Samantha nodded with a smile. "I understand."

Dean seemed to be thinking of something and then he said. "Dante should be in town soon…"

Samantha had momentarily paused what she was doing. Daniella looked at Dean.

"I called him on Friday. So the day before yesterday. He told me he was finishing packing his suit case and he would get on the road around noon of Saturday. He should be here soon. Who knows when he actually left though." Dean joked.

Samantha smiled. "It'll be a while. A long time actually since I've seen him."

Daniella nodded. "Yeah it's gonna be weird. I don't really know him, and until recently you guys never talked about him."

"Yeah but what's important is that we change things now, moving forward. He's told me that he's sorry and he would like to be in touch with his family again. Must be pretty lonely to not have anybody."

Dean could sense the mood dampening, so he changed the topic.

"We have to head over to the venue at 10:00, and then I won't see you guys again until she walks down the aisle."

His mom clapped. "Oh my gosh I'm so excited. I can't believe my baby is gonna be married."

Dean laughed. "You better not do that there mom."

She rolled her eyes, swatting at him.

Dean ran away.

....

Camille had called up her friends and told them to get ready to go. To also send their boyfriends on their way around 9:40. Dean would take care of them.

Camille looked at the clock. It was already 9:00.

...

It seemed today time was passing rather quickly. Before she knew it Camille was sitting passenger in her mothers car and they were on their way to the venue. She had her dress with her, zipped up in a bag.

…..

Dean had taken his truck while his mom had already left with Daniella to get the food to the venue.

The guys, including Camille's friends boyfriend, minus one were in his car. Jackson had taken his own truck, the other guy had rode with him, and was following Dean.

Deans friends of course instead of getting in the car like normal people decided they were going to ride in the very back out in the open. Dean prayed he wouldn't get pulled over before he made it there.

...

Camille had arrived, her friends not long after. They had jumped and hugged and squealed with her and then decided it was time to get ready.

For a girl it was like preparing to go to war. They took this very seriously.

"We're going to make you look fantastic." Bianca said with a big grin.

...

The morning light filtered softly through the sheer curtains of the bridal suite, casting a warm glow over Camille as she sat still, eyes closed, while Bianca worked on her makeup.

The room buzzed with excitement, laughter, and the occasional rustling of fabric as her bridesmaids made final adjustments to their dresses.

"You're glowing already," Bianca murmured, dabbing a touch of highlighter along Camille's cheekbones. "But this will make sure Dean actually forgets how to breathe."

Camille chuckled softly. "No pressure, huh?"

As Bianca finished, Camille opened her eyes to see Clara and Mya standing nearby, both staring at her with wide smiles.

"You look stunning," Clara breathed, clasping her hands together.

"Dean's gonna lose his mind," Mya added, grinning.

Camille turned toward the mirror, taking in the final look. Her complexion was dewy and radiant, her eyes accentuated with soft champagne shimmer and a delicate wing.

A natural pink gloss coated her lips, nothing too bold, just enough to enhance her features.

Her hair was styled in a romantic low bun, a few tendrils framing her face, with the floral diamond hairpin glistening under the light.

Her dress, the soft ivory satin gown she had found in a boutique here at home, hugged her frame in all the right places before flowing effortlessly to the floor. Her grandmother's pearl and sapphire earrings sat delicately against her skin, a whisper of history woven into the present.

And finally, she stepped into the heels Samantha had secretly bought for her back at the boutique, her something new.

As she took it all in, she felt a lump rise in her throat.

"Well, now I'm going to cry," Laura, her mother, said from the side of the room.

"Not yet, we have to hold it together," Samantha whispered, though her voice wavered.

Camille turned to see both women dabbing at their eyes, a mix of pride and emotion clouding their expressions. Even Eva, whom Camille had only met today, gave her a warm smile.

"You look beautiful, Camille," Eva said sincerely.

Camille swallowed past the emotions and smiled back. "Thank you."

Before she could say more, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind. Daniella.

She hugged Camille from behind as they both stood in front of the mirror, resting her chin lightly on Camille's shoulder.

"You really do look beautiful," Daniella murmured, her voice warm.

Camille smiled, reaching up to grasp Daniella's hand where it rested over her waist. It wasn't just a moment between a bride and a bridesmaid, it was between sisters, in every way that mattered.

"Thanks, Dani," she whispered.

They held the moment for just a little longer before Daniella finally stepped back, giving her a playful nudge. "Alright, no tears yet. We've still got a wedding to get to."

Camille exhaled, steadying herself, just as her mother approached, hesitating for just a second before taking her daughter's hands in hers.

"I, uh…" Laura exhaled. "I wanted to tell you earlier, but I figured today was busy enough."

Camille furrowed her brows. "Tell me what?"

Her mother glanced down briefly, then back up. "My plus one… it's your father."

Silence settled for a moment. Camille blinked. "Wait—Dad? I thought-"

"I know," her mother cut in. "I just… I reached out. I thought he should be here today."

Camille wasn't sure how to feel. Her parents had officially separated. Their relationship was beyond repair—or so she thought. And yet, he was here?

Bianca nudged her lightly. "You okay?"

Camille let out a slow breath. "Yeah," she said, still processing. "Yeah, I'm okay."

She turned back to the mirror one last time. No veil. She didn't need one. Everything about this moment felt right.

And somewhere across the venue, so did he.

...

The groom's suite was far less composed. Laughter bounced off the walls, and the air was thick with the scent of cologne and polished leather.

Dean sat in front of the mirror, Scott fussing over his tie with far too much concentration.

"If you tighten that thing one more time, I'm gonna pass out before I even make it to the aisle," Dean muttered.

Scott smirked. "We can't have that. You're already pale enough—let's not make you a corpse before you say 'I do.'"

"I'm not pale," Dean shot back, rolling his eyes.

"Not now," Jackson chimed in from the couch, "but give it another ten minutes."

Dean shook his head, running a hand through his freshly styled hair. His tux was crisp and perfect, the navy tie and matching pocket square adding just enough depth to bring out his green eyes. The white rose boutonnière, accented with a subtle touch of maroon, sat neatly against his lapel.

"Alright, final check," Isaiah announced, straightening his own suit in the mirror. "Do we all look good enough to not embarrass Dean today?"

"Aww Dean will be okay, it's Camille we can't embarrass." Henry remarked.

"Speak for yourself," Ray shot back. "I'm carrying this wedding's fashion game."

Jimmy laughed. "Yeah, okay."

Mr. Washington, who had been quietly watching from the side, finally chuckled. "You boys sure do talk a lot for a group of men who are supposed to be getting ready."

Dean turned toward him and grinned. "Just like old times, huh?"

Mr. Washington shook his head. "Except back then, you were stocking shelves and getting yelled at for slacking off."

"Yeah, well," Dean shrugged, "you yelled at me like a dad would."

The old man gave him a knowing look but didn't argue. "And now you're getting married. Time flies."

Before Dean could respond, the door creaked open.

Jackson, who had been lounging, sat up straight and smirked. "Alright, the best man's here."

The room quieted for just a moment as Dante stepped inside.

Dean turned, his gaze locking onto his older brother. It was still surreal, seeing him here. Dante, who had been gone for so many years. Dante, who had left when they were kids. And yet, he was here now.

Dean stood up shaking his hand then pulling him into a hug.

"You clean up nice," Dante said, a small smile playing on his lips.

Dean huffed a quiet laugh. "You too."

For a brief second, the noise of the room faded, and all that was left was the unspoken understanding between them. The years apart. The tension. The history. But today wasn't about that.

Dante was here. That was enough.

.....

Samantha had slipped away from the bridal suite, needing a moment to breathe. The day had already been overwhelming, watching Camille prepare, seeing the love and joy surrounding her son. But as she stepped into a quiet hallway, her breath hitched.

Because there he was.

Dante.

Her son.

Standing in the dim light, adjusting his cuffs, looking so much like the boy she had lost but with the weight of years in his eyes.

He turned, as if sensing her, and their gazes locked.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Samantha exhaled, voice trembling. "Dante."

His throat bobbed. "Mom."

She took a step forward, hesitated, then closed the distance entirely, wrapping her arms around him. He stiffened for just a second before melting into the embrace.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered.

Dante closed his eyes. "Me too."

And for the first time in years, they held on, neither letting go.