I'm so so sorry, it's been more than a year, again! :S I just haven't had any writing motivation for a while, and I've had this chapter in progress since this time last year, I'm pretty sure. But my exams are over now, and I finally managed to finish it!
Also, my friend just pointed this out to me... Imogen is Nicki's sister, an OC of mine, not the actual Imogen from Waterloo Road! xD
By the way, the next chapter will be the last one! I do have one or two ideas of things I could include in a sequel, but only if you guys would be interested in one.

Nicki's Point of View

It was 10am on Saturday morning. On a normal Saturday, I'd be just about awake, wearing pyjamas and sitting in the kitchen with Tom and sometimes Josh, sipping a mug of coffee and considering breakfast. But today, I was wearing a robe- complete with blue diamante on the back spelling out 'bride'- and drinking champagne, in a hotel room that was in a state of highly organised chaos. Of course, this wasn't a normal Saturday. It was my wedding day.

Beside me, Imogen was working with a vast array of make-up spread over the desk, alternating between muttering complaints that I obviously hadn't slept enough and was making her job as make-up artist so much harder, and telling me in no uncertain terms to stay completely still and not mess up my carefully-styled hair. Tom's nieces, Katie and Sarah, were applying their own make-up in the bathroom, and Hannah, Imogen's six-year-old daughter, was standing on the balcony, talking to the people in the garden below.

"Uncle Tom's here!" She yelled, and I pulled a face at Imogen, suddenly really nervous.
"Oh God, he's early."
"It's better than him being late, hmm?" Imogen said, taking a break from my make-up to hand Katie her camera, instructing her to take photos while she added the finishing touches. Jared, Imogen's husband, was in charge of the photography, but as he wasn't allowed in my room before the ceremony, we had to do the pre-wedding photos ourselves.

Once she was satisfied that my make-up was perfect, Imogen rushed over to the wardrobe. "It's time for your dress now!" She grinned, looking and sounding about as excited as a child on Christmas day. The other girls tactfully disappeared onto the balcony as she took the dress bag out of the wardrobe, unzipping it carefully and revealing the dress. It was simple- white, of course, and strapless, with a full skirt and just a little bit of decoration at the waist. While that doesn't sound like anything special, it had caught my attention the moment I saw it in the shop, and I knew as soon as I tried it on that it was the dress I would get married in.

But, oh no, it wasn't just the dress that I had to put on. There was also the shoes, which were probably higher than any I had worn before (I was still having nightmares about falling down the stairs or tripping while walking down the aisle); jewellery (a couple of pieces from our mother's jewellery box); and the dreaded garter (Imogen's own, and a source of argument between us ever since she decided I should wear it). It was by far the most expensive outfit I had ever worn, and I was in equal parts exhilarated and terrified.

"Okay, I think you're finished!" Imogen declared, standing back to survey me. She was smiling, evidently pleased with all of her work. "Go on, you can look now."

I had no idea what to expect as I turned around to face the mirror. Of course I'd seen bits and pieces of the outfit, but this was the first time I would see it all come together, and Imogen, intent on a big reveal, had been making me avoid mirrors the best she could all morning. I had been ready to thank Imogen for all of her hard work, and give her a slightly wobbly (on account of the shoes) hug, but when I saw myself in the mirror, I was speechless. The combination of the dress and the accessories and the happiness on my face was astounding. I looked, well, beautiful. I looked like a bride.

"Don't you dare cry." Imogen's soft voice broke my reverie. "I am not re-doing that make-up again."
"I won't," I said, although to be honest there was a lump in my throat. "Thank you, so, so much!"
"It was my pleasure, and if I do say so myself, you look gorgeous."

The rest of my bridesmaids came back inside, and we did a once-over to make sure everybody had everything they needed. Then, the camera was returned to Jared, and it was time for us to head downstairs. I could hear voices from inside of the ceremony room as we waited just out of view, and I was beginning to panic- the stairs had gone without mishap, but what if my bad luck was all stored now for me to use on the aisle? Imogen took my arm (she was the one who would be giving me away), laughing slightly at the evident panic on my face. "It'll be fine," She whispered, "Just enjoy yourself. It'll be over far too fast."

I could only nod, battling to contain my nerves, as the voices inside of the ceremony room quietened. Then, the background music changed to the familiar starting chords of the bridal march. I took a deep breath, and started to walk down the aisle.