Love Me for Eternity || Bruno Madrigal

Chapter 22: It was Our Wedding Day

"Are you ready, mi ahijada perfecta?"

Today was the day.

You breathed in a deep breath and sighed heavily, the darkness of Alma's hands covering your sight from the magic that the women in town had meticulously fixed you up for. You had spent the whole morning getting ready—leaving you no time to see what they had prepared. You didn't even have time to eat breakfast this morning when your madrina followed by Julie, Pepa, and a few women from town knocked on your door, shooed your papi out, and woke you up literally on the break of dawn.

"I'll be as ready as I'll ever be, mi madrina." You replied, your hands clammy and cold.

Her hands slowly lifted from your eyes, and your breath hitched at the sight of you.

You stand in front of a whole body mirror, staring at the dress that your madrina had picked just for you. The silken white bodice swirled with subtle details of intricately woven green, and the sleeves had graced over your shoulders to reveal an ample amount of bosom and collarbone. Your eyes trailed down to the skirt, fitted just right on your hip and flowed down in elegant waves of white lace. It didn't feel heavy, nor did it feel constricting. Everything felt perfect.

Tears prick in the corner of your eyes at how gorgeous you looked; like it was a completely different person entirely. From the mirror, you could also see Julieta and Pepa leaning against each other in awe, equally as emotional as you. Your madrina smiled, eyes glossy, as she came forward with a very long circular mantilla in hand.

"For the final touch," you bowed your head as she fitted the lace veil on your head, trailing it behind you so delicately and spreading to the floor in a circular trail of soft fabric. It was lined with woven depictions of flowers and other types of fauna, and the lace tickled the sides of your cheeks and your bare arms.

"Now, don't start crying on your wedding day, hermana." Julieta teased as she came forward to put a reassuring hand on your shoulder. Pepa followed suit and grinned at the sight of your happy tears, a cloud now forming at the top of her head.

"You look so beautiful—Bruno is going to have a stroke when he sees you." She laughed and sniffled, wiping some stray tears that escaped her eyes.

"Pepa, the cloud." Alma said matter-of-factly. Pepa retreated from you and stood a bit farther to your side, wiping away the happy tears that poured along with a light drizzle.

You were speechless. You couldn't find the words for the excitement, the nerves, the jitters, the bubbling euphoria that seemed to form on the pit of your stomach. You glanced at your madrina, making sure to keep the tears in so you won't soil your make-up, and hugged her tight. She let out a noise of surprise, but she obliged and patted you softly on the shoulder.

"Gracias, madrina." That was the only thing that your mouth could form from the flurry of emotions that you had felt. You had never felt so beautiful in your life, never as excited to show Bruno the work that his hermanas did, and you had never felt so excited to walk down that aisle despite the nerves that took refuge on your stomach. You madrina held you by the shoulders and cupped your cheek, smiling so softly—so proudly.

"De nada, hija. And please, call me mama. You're going to be a part of the family now." Now, that took your whole self-control not to let the waterworks flow. You heard Julieta and Pepa coo at your heartfelt moment as you slowly detach yourself from the embrace.

"Si, mama."

From the distance, you heard the sound of church bells ringing. The older women in the room had scrambled out at the sound, all gossiping about the ceremony and how it would go. Your madrina ushered you out, Julieta and Pepa following close behind.