I stare at the mirror, barely recognizing myself. My dark hair cascades in waves down my back, a far cry from its usual mess. The makeup artist has worked magic, enhancing my features without masking them. My brown eyes, a gift from Dad, seem larger and more luminous than ever.

The dress... it's something else entirely. When Mum and I went shopping, I insisted on simplicity. "Nothing flashy or princess-like," I said. Then I tried on this gown, and all my preconceptions flew out the window.

It's soft ivory, with delicate lace sleeves ending just above my elbows. The bodice hugs my figure, adorned with intricate beadwork that catches the light. From the waist, it flows into a full skirt that makes me feel ethereal. It's perfect.

As I gaze at my reflection, memories of Nathan flood my mind. The journey that led us here hasn't been straightforward, but it's woven with moments that shaped us. I think back to that day on the beach, a day that changed everything.

We were seventeen, and it was after our not-so-date. We went to the beach, and walked along the shore, the sound of the waves mingling with our laughter. I remember the way he looked at me, his eyes full of something I didn't quite understand at the time.

We stood there together, the sun setting in a blaze of colours. Nathan turned to me, his expression serious. "Beth," he said softly, "there's something I need to tell you."

My heart pounded in my chest. "What is it, Nathan?"

He took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving mine. "I love you, Beth. I think I've loved you for a long time."

The world seemed to tilt, and for a moment, neither of us could find the right words, so he did the only thing that felt right – he leaned in and kissed me. His lips were warm and soft, and in that kiss, I felt a promise, a beginning.

But after that day, I panicked. The intensity of my feelings scared me, and I didn't know how to handle it. I avoided Nathan, ignored his calls and messages. 

Yet, Nathan never gave up. He was always there, waiting patiently. When I finally gathered the courage to talk to him, he welcomed me with open arms, his love unwavering. "Beth," he said, holding me close, "I'm not going anywhere."

From that moment, every kiss felt like a reassurance, a reminder that we were in this together. There were countless kisses after that – in the rain, under the stars, in the quiet moments when words weren't necessary. Each kiss was a thread, weaving us closer, binding us in a way that nothing else could.

"You're breath-taking, darling."

Mum's voice draws my attention. She stands in the doorway, eyes glistening. Her pale blue dress complements her eyes - the same eyes my little sister Meri inherited.

"Thanks, Mum," I say, smiling at her reflection. "You look beautiful too."

She moves behind me, resting her hands on my shoulders. We gaze at our reflections, side by side. Despite our differences - her blonde to my brunette, blue eyes to brown - our family resemblance is undeniable in the shape of our faces and the curve of our smiles.

"I can't believe my little girl is getting married," Mum says, her voice thick with emotion.

I squeeze her hand. "I can hardly believe it myself."

So much remains unsaid. We both know this day, wonderful as it is, carries a bittersweet edge. Under normal circumstances, I'd be nowhere near ready for marriage at seventeen. We're cramming a lifetime of memories into a few short months.

A knock interrupts. "Is it safe to come in?" Dad calls out.

"Come in, Dad," I reply, turning from the mirror.

He enters, looking dapper in his dark suit. His eyes widen at the sight of me.

"Oh, Beth," he says softly. "You're... absolutely stunning."

My cheeks warm at his praise. "Thanks, Dad."

"Oh! I almost forgot," I say, moving to the dressing table. I retrieve two envelopes, each bearing a carefully written name. Nervousness floods me as I face my parents. "I wrote these for you both."

I hold out the envelopes. They take them, looking confused.

"What are these?" Mum asks.

I take a deep breath. "They're letters. For... after. I don't want you to read them now. They're for when I'm... gone."

The word hangs heavy between us. We've danced around it ever since I revealed my decision about assisted suicide. But saying it aloud now, on my wedding day, makes it painfully real.

Dad stares at the envelope, tracing my handwriting. "Lizzie, I..."

"Please," I interject, my voice catching. "I needed to do this. To say things I might not be able to... later."

Mum nods, clutching her envelope. "We understand, darling. We'll keep them safe."

Tears threaten, but I blink them back, unwilling to ruin my makeup. "Thank you," I whisper.

Dad clears his throat. "Beth, your mum and I... we've been talking. About your decision."

I tense, anticipating another argument about my choice. But Dad surprises me.

"We want you to know," he says steadily, despite his tear-filled eyes, "that we understand. We don't like it - God knows we don't - but we understand why you want to do this."

Mum takes my hand. "We support you, love. Whatever happens, whatever you decide in the end, we're with you. All the way."

Their words shatter something inside me. Tears spill over as I throw myself into their arms. We hold each other, crying, for what feels like eternity but is likely only minutes.

When we finally separate, we're all a mess. Mum laughs wetly, reaching for a tissue. "Oh dear, look at us. We'll have to redo all our makeup."

I can't help but laugh too, wiping my eyes. "Sorry. Didn't mean to turn into such a watering pot."

Dad pulls out his handkerchief. "I think we're allowed a few tears on a day like today," he says.

We help each other tidy up, Mum expertly retouching my makeup while Dad fetches water. Soon, there's no trace of our emotional moment.

"There," Mum says, finishing my lipstick. "Perfect."

I turn back to the mirror, taking in my reflection. Despite the emotional moment, or perhaps because of it, I feel radiant. Like I'm glowing from within.

"Ready, love?" Dad asks, offering his arm.

I smooth down my dress. "I think so," I say. Then I pause. "Oh! What about the 'something old, something new' thing?"

Mum smiles, reaching into her bag. "We've got that covered," she says. She pulls out a small box, revealing a delicate silver bracelet. "This was your grandmother's. She wore it on her wedding day, and I wore it on mine. That's your something old and borrowed."

Fresh tears threaten as Dad fastens the bracelet around my wrist. "It's beautiful," I whisper.

"Your dress is your something new, of course," Mum continues. "And for something blue..." She produces a small, sky-blue handkerchief with my initials embroidered in the corner.

"Oh, Mum," I say, taking the handkerchief. "Did you make this?"

She nods, smiling through tears. "I wanted you to have something special."

I tuck the handkerchief into a hidden pocket in my dress, right over my heart. "Thank you. Both of you. For everything."

Another knock, and Meri peeks in. She looks adorable in her flower girl dress, blonde hair in ringlets.

"Is Beth ready yet?" she asks impatiently. "Nathan's already downstairs, and everyone is waiting." 

I laugh at her enthusiasm. "I'm ready, Meri. Let's not keep everyone waiting."

As we leave the room, emotions swirl inside me. Joy, love, excitement... and yes, a touch of sadness. But mostly, gratitude. For this day, for the people around me, for the chance to create this memory that will outlast me.

We pause at the top of the stairs. I hear the low murmur from the sitting room where we'll have the ceremony. It's a small wedding - just our closest family and friends. My cousin Jackson and his parents are there, along with some of Nathan's family. Small, intimate, perfect.

"Okay," Dad says, offering his arm again. "Let's go get you married."

As we descend the stairs, Mum and Meri following, I think about the journey that brought me here. The diagnosis that upended my world. The treatments that gave hope, only to snatch it away. The decision I made about how I want to leave this world.

But I also think about the good things. My family rallying around me. Friends sticking by me through everything. And Nathan... sweet, funny, loyal Nathan, my best friend for years before he became something more.

I remember the day he proposed, on his birthday no less. We were in our usual spot, surrounded by both of our families.

He had told me that he wanted to marry me because he loved me. Because he had loved me for years, and he wanted to be my husband. For however long we had left.

How could I say no to that?

And now, here we are, about to make it official. As we reach the bottom of the stairs, I see through the open sitting room door. Our small group of guests are seated, all eyes turned expectantly towards the doorway. And there, at the front of the room, stands Nathan.

He looks handsome in his suit, his usually unruly hair neatly combed for once. But it's the look on his face when he sees me that takes my breath away. His eyes light up, a smile spreading across his face brighter than the sun.

At that moment, all my doubts and fears melt away. This is right. This is perfect. This is exactly where I'm meant to be.

Dad squeezes my arm gently. "Ready?" he whispers.

I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. As the first notes of music begin, we step forward together, towards my future, towards Nathan, towards a love that will outlast even death.

In this moment, I'm not Elizabeth Reid, the girl with terminal cancer. I'm not the girl who made the difficult decision about how she would die. I'm just Beth, a bride on her wedding day, walking towards the man she loves.

And for now, that's enough.