Chapter Text
The night before the wedding opens in a hush of surprise and light. Under the soft glow of the Gala Room, family and friends gather to lift their glasses, to laugh, to breathe, and to let tomorrow come.
Sometimes the beginning happens the night before.
Dr. Manning’s estate sat quiet against the evening. Cars were hidden beyond the guest cottages beneath the magnolia trees—her idea, of course. She wanted the surprise to be perfect.
When Catherine and Bickman arrived, the drive was empty, the house still, only the faint shimmer of light behind the tall windows.
“Did we get the time wrong?” he asked.
“She said seven,” Catherine murmured, checking her phone again.
The butler opened the grand double doors, and light spilled through like sunrise.
“Surprise!”
Applause burst across the Gala Room. Champagne corks popped, laughter collided with music, and Catherine froze where she stood.
The room bloomed in color—bouquets of roses in every shade of spring. Cream tablecloths glowed beneath lavender, blush-pink, sage-green, soft-yellow, and sky-blue bows. The colored cloths answered with cream satin ribbons that caught the light when people moved. Candles flickered gold through crystal glasses, reflections dancing over polished silver.
Bickman rested a steadying hand on her back. She glanced up at him, wide-eyed and smiling, the kind of smile that carried a laugh inside it. He leaned down and whispered,
“You didn’t see that coming, did you?”
She shook her head. “Not a chance.”
Guests began to settle. Josh waved from across the room, Esme nearly bouncing beside Lina. There were hugs, tears, a dozen voices at once. Then gradually the sound softened; chairs scraped, napkins unfolded, glasses chimed.
Dr. Manning rose from her seat, a small smile forming as the noise fell away.
“May I have everyone’s attention, please.”
The hush deepened. She waited until every gaze found her.
“When I first met Catherine Black,” she began, “I met a woman who redefined courage. And when I met Ian Bickman, I met a man whose devotion was impossible to miss. I didn’t see the start of their story—but
I’ve seen the way they’ve grown into it. What followed was not perfection; it was grace, perseverance, and the kind of love that keeps learning how to stay.”
She paused, letting the room breathe with her.
“Tonight isn’t only about a wedding. It’s about how two people chose to become better—for themselves, for the people they love, and for the life they’re building. To Catherine. To Ian. May tomorrow find you exactly as you are now: brave, kind, together.”
Glasses lifted. The room shimmered again with laughter and applause. Bickman brushed his lips against Catherine’s temple. “To us,” he whispered.
The night unfolded in easy rhythm—stories, music, and quiet touches that said more than words. Leo’s jokes made Esme double over.
Josh and Lina argued over which cake layer was best and settled by taking both. Near the window, Catherine leaned into Bickman’s shoulder. “Happy?” he asked.
“More than I can say,” she answered.
When the evening wound down, Dr. Manning walks over to Catherine and Bickman “ I'm sorry to have to do this to you Bickman”, but it's pre wedding tradition, the bride is not to sleep with the groom before the wedding. Ian glances between Dr. Manning and Catherine and doesn't look pleased at all. But I…
No Buts, Ian.
Catherine is coming with me.
“Wow you sure are cold!”
Catherine gave Bickman a look that said don’t you dare argue.
He smiled. “Orders are orders. I’ll see you at the altar.”
Catherine softly smiles back at him, then walks away with Dr. Manning
Dr. Manning pressed a key into Catherine’s hand and said, “The suite is ready,” she said softly. “Go rest. Tomorrow is a very big day.”
Upstairs, the suite glowed with lamplight and lemon tea. Esme curled into Catherine’s side on the sofa, Lina draped in a blanket across the armchair. They talked about everything except the wedding—about laughter, about how family can look different but still feel right.
When the lights finally dimmed, Catherine whispered good night, Esme squeezed her hand, and the world outside held its breath for morning.