Love Me for Eternity || Bruno Madrigal

Chapter 26: A Hurricane

Pepa is an emotional wreck.

A new cloud would pop out after you tried to calm her while she mumbles the worst case scenarios for the wedding. You and Julieta had tried your best to calm her down. It helped, in a way. At least the cloud was no longer up her head now. You fixed up her wedding dress, combed through her ginger hair, and fixed up anything that was out of place. She was still a worried mess, but really, this was Pepa we're talking about. She's always a worried mess.

"Today's wedding should be perfect, and if it isn't perfect, mama will have my head. What if Felix backs off at the last minute? What if he calls it off because he realized I'm not good enough for him?"

"Pepa?"

"What if I trip? What if I stutter during my vows? What if I forget my vows?!"

"Pepa."

"Oh no, there will be rain, rain, rain, and everything will be ruined and if everything is ruined it's not going to be perfect and mama will be furious because I can't control my stupid gift—"

"Snap out of it, estupida Pepa!"

"Ow!"

Pepa watched you with wide eyes as you slapped both of her cheeks with just enough force to sting, but not enough to leave a mark. Julieta gasps and covers her mouth with her hands, but you could see the tinge of amusement that graced her eyes at the scene. Your hands were still on Pepa's cheeks, squishing the life out of her as her painted lips jutted out almost comically.

"Look, if you keep on thinking about the bad that's going to happen, you're not going to enjoy the wedding. Felix loves you, that man literally sings praises about you in town—and I mean literally, everyday, without fail. It's honestly getting super annoying when he sings his serenata in the casita every single day and all I can hear is the both of you giggling and being googley-eyed at each other while everyone is going on about their days but the both of you are honestly sooo cute that we'd feel bad if we tell you to stop—" you took a large intake of air, out of breath from talking straight. You have seen how lovestruck the both of them were, and it was honestly stupid how Pepa is stressing out on her wedding. You weren't even this nervous when you married Bruno!

"—It won't rain, Pepa. Just stay calm. The wedding will go perfectly, just like how mama would want. Felix loves you, you love Felix. That's the only assurance you need, understand?"

Pepa nodded, the graying cloud that appeared on her head now dispersing. You sighed in relief when you saw the outside, now clear of clouds. It was now a beautiful day, a stark contrast from the other days with Pepa's constant worrying. You let go of Pepa's cheeks and gave her a hug, careful not to crease her wedding dress.

"I'm so happy for you, hermana. You're finally marrying the man of your dreams." She hugged you back with enough force to break your back. You let that bit slide and didn't protest—she needed to let go of the tension that lay heavy on her shoulders. She snuggled deep into your shoulder, taking a few calming breaths. As soon as she was satisfied, she pulled away from the embrace and gave you a grateful smile.

"Did you also feel like this? When you married Bruno, I mean." You gave her a reassuring smile and held her hands in yours.

"Yeah. I was a nervous wreck when I was standing behind the church doors. But do you know what calmed me down?" The bride-to-be shook her head. You grinned and squeezed her shoulders tight, "Knowing my husband-to-be is waiting on that altar, being just as nervous as me. Maybe even more nervous."

Pepa giggled, the sun outside growing noticeably brighter. You were glad you had managed to calm her down—God knows what your madrina would do if this wedding didn't go perfectly. You didn't want to think about it one bit.