Everything was perfect.

Not a loose thread, not a speck of dust to taint the perfect glow of the white dress, not a stray strand of hair, not a dim light on the Christmas tree, nothing! The woman before her was the mirror of perfection, the makeup and the dress doing a perfect job of concealing the storm that raged within her. It failed to reveal her struggle to breathe, and it concealed her pounding heart against her ribcage.

"The wedding is off."

Philip's words from the night before echoed over and over again in her ears. Yet, her lips couldn't form those exact words. It didn't matter how hard she tried, or how often she tried, she couldn't tell her family and friends that there would be no wedding. Shame seared her lips together. Shock held her captive, keeping her bound while she was being helped into her wedding dress.

She stared at her image once more, wanting nothing but to disappear. She couldn't face them, neither could she face the truth.

"Eden!"

Startled, she sucked in a breath, and spun around.

"Eden?! Are you in there sweetie? Everybody's waiting and you know how your grandma gets when she has to wait too long for an event, in this case the event being your wedding?" Judie, her best friend squealed from her position behind the closed door. "So, hurry up already, will you? Because my instinct tells me I'm getting engaged today and you already said it was alright if I did steal a bit of your thunder!"

Eden watched the closed door, her heart rate accelerating further. The door was the only thing that kept her safe and delayed the inevitable from happening.

"Eden?"

I can't!

"Eden?!" The door shook and her eyelids widened.

Clutching her chest, she knew she couldn't stay hidden forever, sooner or later, Judie and the rest of her guests would find out.

"Ed--" The words died on Judie's lips as Eden pulled the door open.

Judie heaved a breath in relief, and raised a perfectly carved brow in question.

"For a moment, I feared you had maybe, I don't know," she shrugged, brown eyes filled with accusations, "died?! Who does this, Eden; who locks themselves in their dressing room on the day of their wedding?! You're not getting cold feet, are you? Well?"

"We should get going Judie, we don't want to be late."

Making her way past Judie whose lips now hung wide open, Eden took measured steps down the stairs and out of the door. She settled in the limo, not bothering to glance at Judie who settled beside her, or her grandmother who was now scolding her for being tardy. In truth, Eden barely heard anything past the rhythm-less pounding of her heart in her chest. Her fingers curled around her dress, common sense compelling her to tell her grandmother and her best friend, the truth. But the words wouldn't form on her lips.

She leaned against the window and closed her eyes, fighting the urge to cry. She would need to tell them eventually -she reasoned. She would need to walk down the aisle to an empty altar and make the announcement. Perhaps it was the best way to break the news, perhaps in the midst of the confusion after she had broken the news, she could sneak out of the church alone.

The car began to slow down, Eden's heart slowing down along with it. Her eyelids snapped open as the door was pulled open, and as the driver helped her down, she fought to keep her wobbly legs stable.

Would people blame her for the breakup? It was after all as a result of the video of her and Mike, that Philip had chosen to break up with her.

It was ironic -she smiled bitterly. She was a bride, yet she had been rejected by two men in less than two weeks. The one she cared about ended up walking away from her, and the one she hoped she would eventually love once they were married, walked away as well.

Eden walked slowly up the stairs of the church, with her grandmother and Judie by her side. Could they sense her anxiety? She stole a glance at her grandmother who was dressed in a lovely gold dress, before turning briefly to Judie.

She needed to tell them.

Heaving a breath, she paused in her tracks right before the door, and stood before them.

"There is something you two must know... Before I go in there." She released a breath, and forced a smile to her lips. "There is not going to be a wedding. "

Silence. What had she been expecting, a reaction?

She glanced down at her hands, the diamond ring Philip had proposed with, still on her finger. Pulling the ring off, she said, "I'm sorry for making you two come all this way for nothing. I need to go in there, and apologize to my guests." She swallowed.

Straightening, she made to turn around.

"Eden." Judie took hold of her wrist, pulling her to a halt. She turned to Judie, tears springing to her eyes. Yet, she held them back. "I'm going in with you."

"Me too, sweetie," her grandmother said.

Unable to speak past the lump in her lungs, she nodded. Judie pushed the door open, before taking hold of her left hand. Her grandmother held her right, and together, the three women began making their way down the aisle.

Eden clung to Judie and her grandmother, drawing strength from them as she forced her legs forward. She kept her eyes on the floor, fear and shame keeping her from looking the guests in the eyes.

"Eden," Judie whispered beside her, as they paused before the stairs of the altar.

This is it.

Nodding, she released her hold on Judie and her grandmother. "Thank you."

Slowly, she took the five stairs that led to the altar, lifting her gaze up as soon as she was on top. She made to turn around to face the crowd when her eyes caught a glimpse of the man on the piano, forcing her to pause in her attempt.

At first, she barely recognized him with his clean shaven face, freshly cut hair, and tailored black suit. But the longer she stared, the more difficult it became to breathe.

"Mike?" She breathed, confused.

~*~

Mike didn't sleep, he couldn't. And it wasn't because he had returned to the house he abandoned months ago, it was because he could barely wait to tell Eden how he felt.

He stayed up all night, coming up with several speeches. Yet, none seemed adequate. There were no words to describe how he felt about her, and there was no perfect way to say it.

The next morning, Mike took his time getting dressed, and slipping into clean clothes. He combed his hair, and satisfied with his image, made his way to Eden's house.

Even as he walked up the stairs, a part of him feared she would reject him. He feared she would blame him for ruining her wedding.

Still, Mike didn't listen to fear. He had been listening for too long.

Curling his fingers into a fist, he pounded on the door. It swung open after a few minutes, revealing Judie.

Looking absolutely breathtaking in long, beige, off-the-shoulder dress, Judie rose a brow. "I see you finally showed up. It's a little late, but I'll take what I can get," she said, stepping out of the house and closing the door behind her.

Confused, he stretched his neck hoping to catch a glimpse of Eden. "I'm here to see Eden. Come on, Judie, let me in."

She shook her head. "Eden's getting dressed for the wedding.”

It felt like someone poured a bucket of cold water on him. His heart dropped. Wedding?! He thought it was off! Did Philip call to reconcile? Was it back on?

No, it didn't matter. He was here to at least try to get her back.

"I can't let her get married," he whispered, shaking. "I love her, Judie."

"And she loves you too." Judie's response surprised him; she knew?!

"Then she cannot marry Philip." He shook his head.

"Oh, she's not marrying Phil, he called off the wedding last night. Yes, Mike, we were both eavesdropping.” She winked.

He blushed. "Then why is she getting dressed?"

She shrugged. "No idea. As far as I know, there's not going to be a groom. Unless..."

~*~

Mike's heart slowed as he watched Eden make her way down the aisle, clinging to her grandmother and Judie.

She was beautiful. Perfect. The very sight of her took his breath away, and for a second, his fingers laid motionless on the piano. Then, just as quickly, he began playing 'here comes the bride' as she slowly made her way to the altar with her head bowed.

Judie was right; there was no groom. He didn't understand her reason for coming, but he knew his.

She reached the altar, her eyes still on the floor. Yet, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. When she mounted the stairs alone, he wished he could have been there to receive her. Then, she turned around, and met his gaze.

Her eyelids widened, and her face immediately grew pale.

Her lips moved, but he didn't hear a single word. He rose to his feet then, ignoring his anxiety as he slowly made his way to her. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as he approached. His hands shook by his side.

"Mike," she breathed as he rose to his feet and made his way to her. "Wha...” she swallowed, shaking her head. “What are you doing here?"

"I came for you, Eden," he began, stepping forward until they were standing face to face. He stared into her wide eyes. "Twenty five days ago, I decided I was done living," he scoffed. "Existing; I was doing more of existing than living, and I was done with it. I was going to jump off of that bridge that evening if you hadn't stopped me. I had..." He took a deep breath, nervous. "I had lost the two most important people in my life, and I was lost, and I was tired of being lost." He took another step forward. "Then I met you, Eden, and life didn't seem so bad anymore. Still, I was determined to kill myself today... Even if I fell in love with you the very first time you showed up on my doorstep." The memory of her standing before his apartment building that morning as she threatened him into returning to work brought a smile to his face. He watched as her eyelids grew several notches. "I had twenty five more days to live, until you captured my heart, stirring it completely in another direction. You changed the course of my life and the rhythm of my heartbeat and you saved me from myself. But most of all, my darling, you did all of that in twenty days.” Reaching out, he brushed the tears that slipped down her cheek. “I'm sorry it took me five more days to say this," he smiled, his palm resting on her cheek, "I love you, Eden Parker. I want to live for you. I want to live with you. I want to spend every sleeping and waking second of my life with you in it. I want to make beautiful memories with you." Going to his knees before her, he took both her hands in his. "Eden Parker, will you marry me?"

She stood before him, frozen. Tears slipped down her pale face, and he imagined her rejecting him. But he didn't budge, he wouldn't budge. He knelt there before her for several minutes, hoping she would say yes.

"And if I refuse?" she finally said, her question stabbing at his heart.

He sighed. "Here is the thing, Eden, you get to say no. I hope you say yes, but it's up to you. You get to walk away. I love you, and I want you in my life, and nothing will ever change that."

"Will you leave here, and walk over to the bridge if I refuse?"

He shook his head. "I already stood death up. Life is worth living," He glanced at Lynette who stood clutching her hands before her by the altar. He turned back to Eden. "It is better when you find the right person to share it with."

"No."

"What?" He tried and failed to keep the hurt he felt out of his voice. It wasn't the answer he had been hoping for, and while it ripped at his heart, he rose to his feet. He forced a smile to his lips. "You are still the most beautiful bride I have ever seen."

He turned from her, and began forcing his legs forward. He felt more pained, than ashamed of the fact that he had spilled his guts out before a room full of complete strangers, and had still gotten rejected.

"No, Mike," she called after his retreating back, "wrong answer."

Slowly, he turned around. "What?"

She shook her head. "I don't get to walk away. You're not supposed to let me walk away."

He stared into her eyes, breathless. Slowly, he made his way back to her, and took both her hands in his. "Eden..."

"I think it was when I realized you were the worst dancer in the entire world, but still wanted to watch you dance all evening..." She covered the space that stood between them. "I still wanted to dance with you all evening... That was when I knew I loved you. It took you twenty five days to tell me how you feel, and I feel like I have been waiting my entire life to get to this moment," She shook her head. "I do not get to walk away, Mike. You do not get to let me walk away."

Mike's heart skipped a beat. His hands settled on her shoulders, as he inched forward until her warm breath was tickling his skin.

"Eh-hem."

Mike paused, releasing his hold on Eden, and turning around.

Judie stood there, a piece of paper in her hand. "I think you two need to sign this, then get married, before you can kiss the bride, Mike."

"What is that?" Mike eyed the paper in her hand.

Judie smiled. "I called in a few favors, and..." She held the paper up. "A marriage certificate."

Mike chuckled, barely surprised; Judie did manage to get everything she wanted.

He turned back to Eden. "What do you say, love? Marry me? Marry me right now so I can kiss you, cause Judie won't let us do it. Pushy nurse keeps getting in the middle-"

Eden pressed her lips to his, stopping the flow of his words, and his heart along with it. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her further against himself as his lips parted to welcome hers.

Mike's heart mended in that second. Everything -every pain, and every void- he knew he had, was immediately gone. He was complete, the woman in his arms completed him. Life no longer felt like a sentence, it felt like a blessing. The seconds no longer counted, time no longer mattered. Eden mattered, Eden was all that mattered.

"Yes." He heard her breathless whisper against his lips. "I will marry you."

~*~

Eden shook with excitement, but she managed to pay attention to every word spoken by the pastor, long enough to say an 'I do'. She grinned, shivering with excitement as Mike said 'I do' as well, and before the pastor was finished telling Mike he could kiss the bride, he anxiously closed the distance between them, and her lips anxiously welcomed his.

After the joining, her grandmother insisted the money spent on the reception couldn't go to waste, so they made their way there. Mike seemed eager to take his bride home, and Eden was even more eager to go with him. But she couldn't leave, not when Henry still needed to propose to Judie... At least she hoped he would.

After an hour, Mike leaned over to the side. "Want to come home with me, Mrs. Stacks?" He kissed her neck.

She giggled. "Yes. But Henry needs to propose to Judie first. " She nodded to Judie who sat across the table from her, a nervous smile on her face. Henry sat next to Judie, his attention on a plate of salad before him.

"Is he going to, tonight?"

She shook her head. "I... I'm not sure. "

Mike nodded. "I will be right back." He rose to his feet, went over to Henry, and the two men exited the room.

A few minutes later, Henry returned, took the microphone, and proposed with a beautiful diamond ring. Judie, visibly ecstatic, went around the room displaying her ring.

"Looks like my job is done," Mike pulled her to her feet. "Let's go."

The ride to Mike's 'home' was silent. Eden leaned into his side, cuddling against him. He placed an arm around her. The limo came to a halt after thirty minutes. Eden waited until the door was opened, before climbing out, and coming face to face with an unfamiliar building.

The white walls of the building looked like they had freshly been painted, and the snow on the cobbled walkway was shoveled. Flower pots filled with red roses sat on the front porch, and from her position by the car, she could see a swing on the porch as well.

"Where are we?" She turned to Mike.

"Home." He held out his hand to her, and she took it.

They walked until they reached the foot of the front stairs. Then, Mike leaned down and carried her in his arms. Giggling, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her up the front stairs and into the building.

She barely saw the house but the wood smelled like they had been newly polished, as he carried her up the stairs, and pushed the door of a large bedroom wide open. He placed her on her feet then.

"Is this your house?" She turned around, and swept her gaze over the beautifully furnished room. It didn't seem to her like Mike could afford such a luxurious home.

"It's our house... Our home." He touched her head, removing the clip that held it in place. It fell to her shoulders, and his hazel eyes darkened with desire.

She reached out then and placed her hand on his chest. Taking her hand captive, he kissed her fingers. She sighed in satisfaction, and closed her eyes, as his lips slowly moved up the length of her arm. When he reached her shoulder, he drew her against himself, a soft moan escaping her lips as he tilted her head back, and kissed her neck.

It felt like a dream, she sighed, his lips gently moving up her neck, and to her jaw, before taking captive of her lips. It was a dream to know that twenty five days ago, she couldn't have imagined meeting the love of her life. It was a dream -she moaned, as his hands worked to loosen the lace of her dress- to know that twenty five days ago, she was engaged to the wrong person. She clutched his waist and tilted her head to the side, their kiss deepening. It was certainly a dream to know that she was now married to the love of her life.

Her dress fell to a heap around her feet, and he leaned down and carried her in his arms. Placing her on the large bed, he leaned down over her. She ran her hand gently down the side of his face, her eyes searching his. He loved her, she thought, seeing it clearly in his eyes, and knowing, as their bodies became one that evening until the break of a new day, that they had more than twenty five days to be together; they had the rest of their lives.