” Alice gushed over breakfast one morning. “I have a few surprises, but nothing set in stone yet,I had no clue what she was talking about, but I figured it would be worth it—Alice was always trying to make things special in her own way. But then, in the weeks leading up to our wedding, Alice acquired several expensive accessories—a branded bag, designer shoes, and even a pair of enormous diamond earrings. It all seemed out of reach for us. We’d always been practical about our finances,understanding our limitations.

So, when I saw these designer items, I couldn’t help but question how Alice could afford them. I asked her about it—I didn’t want to begin a new life with Alice without knowing. “Are you sure we can afford this?” I asked, holding up the shopping bag, its content a silent accusation. Alice had been gone for most of the day, with her phone set to silent. I didn’t know where she had been,and my mind ran marathons.

For a moment, I assumed the worst—that Alice was seeing someone else, someone who had splurged on luxury items. “I got a bonus at work, Noah,” she said. “I just want to be perfect for our wedding. I want to go all out for this one day in my life.” Alice smiled at me, a slow and reassuring smile. I believed her. Of course, I did. Her explanation eased my worries, temporarily silencing the nagging voice in my head.

And I was grateful because I wouldn’t willingly get married to Alice while nursing these treacherous thoughts. As the ceremony began, Alice looked radiant, the very image of happiness, yet her eyes occasionally drifted to the hall’s entrance. We stood there, listening to the priest speak about love and commitment inside and outside of marriage. Alice’s hand, tucked inside mine, grew sweatier as he spoke. She continued to glance at the entrance the entire time. “Are you okay?” I murmured to her.

“What’s wrong?” Alice shook her head slightly and smiled ahead at the priest. We went ahead and said our vows, Alice’s eyes still flickering to the door. Who did she expect to show up? I wondered. The priest’s voice echoed through the venue once more—a solemn call for any objections to our marriage. “If anyone here has any objection, speak now or forever hold your peace.” Silence reigned, causing me to smile. But it was shattered within seconds by the dramatic entrance of a man whose presence immediately caused Alice’s face to light up in a way that I hadn’t seen throughout the entire ceremony. Every muscle in my body seized. “Stop it!” the man boomed.

“Stop the ceremony!” Alice gasped, clasping her hands to her chest. “I’m so sorry for interrupting the ceremony! I know I’m late, Father,” he said. “But please, let me just walk my little girl down the aisle. I’ve broken all promises to her, but this one, I can’t.” Our guests murmured, their shock evident. Alice’s mother was on her feet, her hands clutching Alice’s bouquet tightly “Alice, is that…?” I began, my voice trailing off as the reality of the situation dawned on me. Of course. Alice had the man’s eyes, and his chin. It was clear. “Yes,” she whispered. “That’s my dad.” Her father, a man who had been more absent than present in her life, had chosen this moment to fulfill a promise, to be there for his daughter when it mattered the most.

“Shall I carry on?” the priest asked me. “No, let’s do the walk again,” I smiled. As her father took her arm, guiding her toward me, I saw Alice in a new light. She finally looked like a bride who had been waiting for this day. She beamed. We began the ceremony again. This time, Alice laughed through her vows and cried through mine. Afterward, her father embraced me tightly.

“Thank you,” he said. “Thank you for looking after my girl.” Later, when Alice and I were in our rented car, being driven off to the airport for our honeymoon, she told me everything. It turned out that Alice had reached out to her father a few weeks before the wedding. They had been speaking on and off over the years, but when it came down to our wedding—she just wanted him to walk her down the aisle. “My dad bought me the handbag,” she admitted. “But the shoes and earrings were from my bonus.” I’m not sure if my father-in-law plans on being a part of our lives, but I do know that I’m grateful he walked Alice down the aisle. “Maybe he’ll stick around,” she said later when we were sipping on champagne. Maybe he will.