The wedding convoy barely managed to stop in time as a dog darted into the road.
“Oh God, please dont let us be late!” Emily checked her watch for the third time in five minutes. “James, are we really going to make it?”
The chauffeur of the wedding limousine glanced reassuringly into the rearview mirror. “Dont worry, Emily. Were right on schedule.”
Schedule. That word had lost all meaning. For the past two months, it was all anyone talked aboutthe ceremony timing, the photoshoot slots, the banquet sequenceeverything down to the minute.
William, her groom, had insisted their wedding day be flawless. No delays, no hiccups. He always liked things perfectly planned. Probably a habit from his job as a finance directorno room for chaos there.
Emily glanced at William. He sat beside her, glued to his phone, likely double-checking their meticulously arranged timeline.
It was strange. When theyd first met three years ago, hed seemed so differentmore spontaneous, more alive.
Their first encounter had been the opposite of planning. Shed been late for work and crashed into him outside a café, spilling coffee over his crisp white shirt. Instead of getting angry, hed laughed and invited her for another cuptogether.
Emily smiled at the memory. It felt like a lifetime ago.
The screech of brakes shattered the silence. Emily lurched forward, saved only by her seatbelt.
“What happened?!” she gasped.
“A dog,” the chauffeur exhaled. “Ran into the road. I couldnt stop in time.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
Emily flung open the door, ignoring Williams protest”Where are you going? Youll ruin your dress!”
On the tarmac, right in front of the limousine, lay a large golden retriever. Motionless.
“Oh God,” Emily whispered, rushing closer. “Is she alive?”
The chauffeur knelt beside the dog. “Breathing. But unconscious.”
“We need to get her to a vet!”
“Emily,” William touched her shoulder. “We dont have time. The ceremonys in forty minutes.”
“How can you say that?!” She spun to face him. “Theres a living creature hurt!”
“We cant help. The guests are waiting. The registrar”
“I dont care about the registrar!” Tears pricked her eyes. “We cant just leave her!”
By now, the rest of the wedding party had stopped. Guests spilled out of their cars, murmuring in confusion.
“Whats happened?”
“Why are we stopped?”
“Goodness, a dog! Poor thing.”
Voices buzzed around them. Some suggested calling a vet, others insisted they press on.
“James,” Emily turned to the chauffeur. “Wheres the nearest vet?”
“A couple of miles away. But”
“No buts! We have to take her!”
“Emily!” William gripped her arm. “Are you mad? Its our wedding!”
“Yes, our wedding!” She pulled free. “The day two people vow to love and care for each other. To be there in sickness and health. And youd leave a dying animal for a schedule?!”
Just then, a voice called out”Daisy! Daisy!”
An elderly man hurried toward them, breathless. His silver hair was tousled, glasses slipping down his nose.
“My Daisy, my girl,” he dropped to his knees beside the dog. “What have you done? I told you not to run off.” His hands trembled as he stroked her golden fur.
“Is she yours?” Emily asked softly.
“Yes,” the man looked up, eyes wet. “Shes all I have left. After my wife passed Daisy kept me sane.” He turned back to the dog. “Whyd you run into the road, silly girl?”
“Well take her to the vet,” Emily said firmly. “James, help us?”
The chauffeur nodded, carefully lifting Daisy. The dog was heavyat least sixty pounds. Her limp paws and lolling head made Emilys stomach twist.
“We need something to lay her on,” she said, scanning the crowd.
A guest handed over a blanket. “Here. Be careful.”
They spread it across the limousines back seat. TogetherJames, Emily, William, and Albert (the old man)they settled Daisy inside. Her fur looked dull under the cabin lights.
“Hold on, sweet girl,” Albert whispered, stroking her with shaky hands. “Dont leave me.”
Emily sat beside her, cradling Daisys head in her lap. Her ivory wedding gown was instantly smudged with golden furshe barely noticed.
“James, drive!” she ordered. “Careful on the turns.”
The whole way to the vet, Emily kept stroking Daisy, fingers threading through her soft coat. She felt the dogs uneven heartbeat, saw her paws twitch in pain.
“Stay with us, sweetheart. Were almost there.”
Albert sniffled beside her, wiping tears with a trembling hand.
“Dont worry,” Emily squeezed his palm. “Shell be all right. Well make it.”
William, sitting ahead, turned to look at her. His eyes held something newadmiration. But she didnt have time to dwell on it.
Daisy whimpered weakly.
“Shh, its okay,” Emily murmured, smoothing her ears. “Were here.”
“Emily,” William said tightly. “Were late.”
“Then were late.”
She faced the guests. “Im sorry, but well have to delay the ceremony. I hope you understand.”
Oddly, no one objected. Many even nodded approvingly.
“Im going with James,” Emily said. “The rest of you, head to the registry office. Let them know well be delayed.”
“No,” William said suddenly. “Im coming with you.”
She blinked. “Really?”
“Really.” He gave a small smile. “Youre right. To hell with the schedule.”
An hour later, the wedding convoy finally arrived at the registry office. Forty minutes latebut no one minded.
Daisy stayed at the vetbruised and concussed, but alive. Albert stayed with her.
“You know,” William said as they climbed the registry steps, “I havent seen you like that in ages.”
“Like what?”
“Fighting for that dog. Standing your ground. You were so real. Like when we first met.”
Emily smiled. “And you were just as stuffy as usual.”
“Hey!” He nudged her playfully. “I still came to the vet!”
“Yeah. You did.” She stopped, meeting his eyes. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not staying stuffy forever.”
He laughed and pulled her close. “You know, maybe this was a sign.”
“What sign?”
“Today. Maybe we should loosen up a bit? Not control everything?”
“Who are you, and what have you done with my fiancé?” she teased.
“I mean it!” He paused. “Remember those wedding gifts? Maybe instead”
“Instead what?”
“Maybe we donate the money? To an animal shelter. To remember today.”
Tears welled in her eyeshappy ones this time.
“Thats why Im marrying you,” she whispered.
“Because Im generous?”
“No. Because you change. And youre not afraid to.”
The ceremony started late. The brides dress was wrinkled. The grooms tie was crooked.
But when they said their vows, every word rang trueespecially “in sickness and in health.”
A week later, back from their honeymoon, their first stop was to visit Daisy and Albert.
And guess what? They didnt schedule the visit.
Because sometimes, the best moments happen unplanned. Without timetables.
Simply because theyre meant to.
And Daisy? She recovered fully. Now she has new friendsa young couple who visit often with treats and long walks.
Albert says hes never seen her so happy. No, scratch thathes never been so happy himself. Because now he has friends too.
All because someone stopped. Even when in a hurry. Even when late.
Stopped to help. Just because they could.
And the world became a little kinder for it.
As for the wedding? Well, it was perfect. Just not on schedule.
A year later, in Alberts small flat, an unlikely but warm gathering celebrated. Around the table sat Albert, Emily and William, andof coursethe guest of honor: Daisy.
“To Daisys rescue day!” Emily raised her juice glass. “A year ago, fate brought us together.”
“And turned my life around,” Albert smiled. “I was so alone after my wife, Margaret, passed. Only Daisy kept me going.”
He stroked her head. She licked his hand gratefully.
“Now Ive got family. You visit, we walk together. You even got me onlineIm in those social media groups now!”
“Animal rescue ones,” William added.
“Yes! Ive helped three dogs find homes just by sharing their stories!”
“
