[ it's a good thing that raleigh was actually in town when greg called. otherwise he might not have gotten here in time. as it is, he's a little winded from sprinting from the car to her dressing room. the sight of her in a wedding dress really doesn't help with the breathlessness any. she looks so damn beautiful. ]

Greg called me. [ and boy wasn't raleigh surprised to get that call. thrilled and a little sad too. it's hard not to be thrilled when you hear that the woman you're madly in love with is still in love with you too. and sad because she should be happy. she shouldn't be in tears on what should be the best day of her life.

carefully shutting the door behind him, raleigh takes in the way naomi looks. gorgeous dress, flowers in her hair, red cheeks and teary eyes. he reaches out as he steps forward, his thumb brushing wetness away from her cheek. even when she's a hot mess, she's still the most amazing thing he's ever laid eyes on. ]

I love you, [ he says quietly, cupping her face in his hands. ] I never stopped. And I can't tell you how many times I've wished I hadn't walked away from you when I did.

[ he doesn't say greg's stopping the wedding. figures that's pretty apparent by the way her fiance called her ex-boyfriend to come talk to her. he also doesn't say if you ask, i'll get us a helicopter and we'll go to vegas so the dress doesn't go to waste even though he kind of wants to. even if she does still love him back, he's changed a lot since they were dating and they need to see if they still fit before he can say anything like that. but god does he want to. he wants to sweep her up and take her away from here and be stupidly in love with her for the rest of his life.

instead, he takes her hands and squeezes them gently. ] I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you that. [ he kisses the knuckles of her right hand. ]