THEO'S REDEMPTION

Chapter 16

The wedding reception followed after the newlyweds welcomed their guest with much enthusiasm and appreciation. The bride literally glowed as her husband proudly introduced her as his wife.  Family pictures were taken, and those who wanted to be  part in the occasion were just  happy to obliged.

The grand wedding of the Sinclaire and the Johnson were the biggest news in the Chicago society.  Both families were prominent and as the Sinclaire's are well known not only from the wealthy but also from their philathropic endeavors  throughout the states. To avoid media circus, only few reporters were invited to cover the wedding.

Theo and Amelia were seated next to each other together with her parents and Mark. He still holding  her hand under the table, and to Amelia's mortification Theo lift their enterwined hands and kissed it infront of her family.

Amelia didn't know where to look at, she is sure her face would resemble a red tomato. She glared at Theo who just shrugged his shoulder like showing his affection for her infront  of her family is normal occurrence.

Mark scoffed at Theo's audacity, but he admired him nonetheless. He know how much he loved his sister and he was certain tha he's the right man for Amelia.

David and Amanda admired Theo for being affectionate to their daughter and he was not afraid to show his love for her infront on them. They just want what's best for Amelia and Theo could give her the happiness she deserves.

After the dinner were served, it's time for the newlyweds to grace the floor with their first dance.

Andrew and Lauren were enjoying their dance as everyone cheered on them and Andrew showed his fantastic moves to the surprise of their guests that he was such a good dancer. Lauren beamed at him with pride while his family watch the couple with fondness in their eyes.

Your brother still got the moves, I  remembered during high school he joined the dance group and girls were having a crush on him that he had troubled fending off  their advances. Theo laughed at the memory, thinking those hilarious days.

I'm sure not only Andrew who had  troubled with girls. I heard you're more than popular at the campus and girls were making efforts to throw theirselves on your way.

"Why do I hear some jealousy, Theo teases Amelia.

Amelia rolled her eyes at him for sounding ridiculous, of course she vehemently denied making Theo smiled seeing her reaction.

Amelia roamed her eyes at the dance floor, she smiled looking at Andrew and Lauren having their sweet dance as well as her parents who aged gracefully.

Can I have this dance? Rob ask Theo's permission of course but Amelia drag her bestfriend in  the dance floor before he could say something. Theo just shake his head watching them laughing together with the newlyweds. He owed the guy an apology so he had no intention of  any disagreement brew between them. The matter is settled already and it made Amelia happy so he is willing to concede.

So, what is your plan with my daughter? David asked Theo when he reach into  his side. He observed at the distance how  Theo looked at Amelia with so much love, exactly like he did for his wife.

I'm going to court her, I know I have so much to prove to Amelia. What I did in the past caused so much pain for both of us. I thought that separating myself from her would keep her safe, in the end we lost the most important part of our life. Regrets may came late, but this time I promise that I would make her happy and make up for the time we have lost . I would not hurt her ever again and promise to protect her with all my life.

I hold on to that promised Theodore, remember Amelia is the most precious gift  in the family. You know how protective we are, her happiness is all that matters to us. Don't disappoint us this time son, the whole family might not be able to give you another chance.

"Thank you so much sir, as I promise I would rather be dead than hurting my Ames again. A promised that Theo willing to fulfill as he could not live without  Amelia on his life. He's been through hell for the past years because he thought what he did was  best for both of them. He never thought that the woman he loved is the one who suffered the most from his mistakes.

Amelia roamed her eyes looking for Theo who was gone for quite sometime now. After her dance with Rob, she was approached by her brother for a change partner and she lost the sight of him.

"Dad have you seen Theo?  I saw you  talking to him earlier. Andrew is looking for his best man, it's time for the speech.

Yes we did, but he excused himself saying he's going to do something important, maybe he's in his room.

Amelia didn't know why her feet was drag into the place were she wanted solitude and find peace when she was in trouble. Her intuition were right, seeing Theo seated in the bench shoulder dropped and shaking. Her steps faltered  hearing his sorrowful voice talking to their daughter with so much pain and regrets.

"My angel Emerald, Daddy is here, today is your uncle Andrew's wedding. If only you were here, you could be the flower girl, and I'm pretty sure you and your Mom would be the most beautiful girls in there. Daddy would be proud having the two of you on my side. I would be the envy of everyone having my two beautiful angels." I'm sorry sweetheart", forgive me for not being with your  mom  the time she needed me the most, for  not being able to protect both of you. I know I've come too late, but only if  I could turn back time, I wouldn't have hurt your mom by leaving , and maybe...maybe..

Theo didn't finish his words when Amelia cannot take it anymore seeing him so remorseful, she slowly approached him and hug him in the back.

There's no such thing as what ifs and  maybe Theo, things happen for a reason. Although it hurt so much, and I felt suffocated from the pain, but as the time passed by, I gradually come to terms that if it's mean to be, it will  be.   I believe that God has other  wonderful plan stores for me. Like seeing you again, and being here with you talking to our dear angel. I'm sure she's happy to have a father like you.

Amelia's comforting words did calmed Theo, he turned and face her not hiding the moisture in his eyes. He is grateful for this enchanting woman, that despite what he did  there's no resentment in her eyes, only forgiveness and understanding and maybe love.

Amelia cupped his face and smiled at him. She wouldn't have thought that this cold hearted man can also be broken and emotional,  not even ashamed to show this weak side of him infront of her. The Theo that she know is a master of suppressing his thoughts and  emotions. Even before,  she had a hard time  guessing what's on his mind. She could see the pain lurking in those beautiful eyes, and she wished to erase that sadness. She wouldn't have wished for him to suffer from pain because of what happened. Together they would heal, and it's time to let go of the past but it doesn't mean it would forgotten because without it they cannot move forward.

"Thank you so much Ames, I know how difficult it is for you to forgave me  because of what happened, but I'm here,  asking you again for forgiveness.

"Stop it Theo, as I've said I'd let go of the past and forgave you already. Honestly, I didn't hate you nor blamed you for what happened. So, it's time for you to let go and we start afresh.

They hug each other for comfort, there's a calmness settled in their heart and felt at peace when they were both looking at the epitaph of their beloved angel.