Love Me Until My Heart Stops

63: Last Minute Nerves

“How are you feeling this morning, Esmeralda?” Delia smiled as she stepped into her kitchen, her eyes landing on her daughter who was already stood in the centre of the kitchen, a glass of water sat in her hand. It was early, it had only just passed 6 in the morning, but Delia wasn’t surprised to find her youngest stood in her kitchen so early. She probably missed Gerard who she had left behind the night before. It had been a task, after a family dinner, Delia had almost had to pull Esmé away from her fiancé, and she had to admit that she found it rather sweet. A little part of her had doubted that she would ever see the day that her daughter got married, especially to a man she loved as much as she loved Gerard.

Esmé, who had been quietly drinking her water, shrugged. “I haven’t really had a chance to feel anything yet. I woke up feeling nauseous and spent the last half an hour huddled over the toilet” she noted.

Delia smiled. “Morning sickness?” she posed.

“Possibly, but the nerves aren’t really helping. Should I really feel this nervous about this?” Esmé posed, showing her mother her hand which shook gently.

Delia nodded her head and gently pulled out a seat, helping Esmé to sit down. “It’s a big day, Esmé” she enthused softly “You’re about to commit your life to someone and if you weren’t nervous about it, I would be surprised. It’s a big deal” she mused, gently pushing the dark hair away from her daughter’s eyes.

“Do you think it will go alright?” Esmé posed, kicking her feet slightly.

Delia smiled. “We’ve done a lot of hard work, me, you, your sisters and Gerard’s mother” she insisted softly “We’ve got everything sorted and I will do everything in my power to make sure that this goes right for you. You and Gerard deserve a wonderful day and I’ll be damned if I let anything ruin it for you” she insisted softly before she placed a kiss on her daughter’s head “You just focus on relaxing. Ella and Eloisa are checking out the church and the hotel this morning to make sure that everything is alright and I am in charge of making sure that you just take it easy before we start to get you ready” she enthused.

“What time do we need to get moving?” Esmé posed, leaning into her mother’s embrace tiredly.

Delia smiled. “We’ve got plenty of time for you to have a nap. Why don’t you go lie down in the living room and I will bring you some breakfast in a little while?” she mused.

Esmé nodded her head sleepily and pushed herself out of the seat, pressing a quick kiss to her mother’s cheek. “Gracias” she mumbled before she stepped out of the room. Delia watched after her and smiled. She couldn’t quite believe how quickly the day had arrived for her to give her daughter away to Gerard.

~#~
“You remember where Esmé left your tie, don’t you?” Lionel teased, leaning against the doorframe of Gerard’s bedroom, a grin on his face.

Gerard, who’d been sat on the end of his bed, nodded, a small smile on his face. “It’s on the back of the door with my jacket, waistcoat and trousers. My shirt is with my mother and she’s bringing it around in a little while” Gerard smiled, reeling off the information that Esmé had left him with the night before. It had been a strange experience, spending the night away from her whilst he knew that she was with her mother, and he was pleased that it wasn’t something he needed to repeat. As silly as it was, he had missed her whilst she had been gone and he was quietly counting down the hours until he got to see her again. It was still too many for his liking.

“And your shoes are?” Lionel teased.

“Beside the wardrobe. The gift for my brother is in the lounge and my gift for you is there too” Gerard commented “You really don’t have any faith in me” he added.

Lionel chuckled. “I’ve watched you lose your shin pads in the changing room more than once” he teased “And Esmé asked me to keep an eye on you. Your bride doesn’t want you showing up dressed like an idiot” he grinned.

Gerard noted the word ‘bride’ with a small laugh, showing the slightest hint of nerves.

“You scared?” Lionel quipped, sitting on the chair which sat beside Esmé’s dresser.

Gerard played with his hands for a moment before he nodded his head. “I know that I shouldn’t be, crowds aren’t exactly a problem for me and Esmé is Esmé, but I can’t help but worry. What if she doesn’t show up?” he posed, his hand rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He knew that it was unlikely, Esmé seemed as confident as he did about the prospect of the wedding, but he couldn’t help but worry. He would probably always worry about Esmé having doubts about them.

Lionel rolled his eyes before he lifted his hand, slapping the taller man around the back of his head.

“What the hell?” Gerard muttered, rubbing the back of his head.

“You’re being stupid” the argentine replied “Of course she is going to show up, Gerard. This is Esmé we’re talking about, the girl who for the last 11 months has looked at you like you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. She loves you, hombre, for reasons best known to her, and I have no doubt whatsoever that she will show. You shouldn’t be concerned” he insisted.

“You’re really that sure?” Gerard commented, his voice still a little unsure.

“I would bet on it” Lionel noted “Gerard, she wants to be with you, she agreed to marry you. She didn’t do that just to let you down at the last moment” he mused.

“You’re probably right” the defender commented.

“I know I am right” Lionel smirked.

Gerard shook his head. “You felt like this before you married Antonella, right?” he posed.

Lionel nodded. “I remember shaking, I think I threw up too, but when I saw her, her dress, her hair, her smile, all for me. It just disappeared” he enthused, a fond smile on his face.

Gerard furrowed his brow. “It disappeared?” he posed.

“In an instant” Lionel confirmed “But you’ll know the feeling in a little while. Your brother actually sent me up here to make you come down and eat something” he grinned.

Gerard sighed and pushed himself to his feet. He knew that it was slightly irrational, things were good between him and Esmé and they had been for a while, but he couldn’t help but be nervous. The day ahead of them was the biggest one they would face and he could only hope that it worked out for them.
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Thanks to Jayme112234 for the comment :)