Our Tomorrow, Intertwined (COMPLETE)

Chapter Twenty-Four: Rainy Wedding

Chapter Twenty-Four: Rainy Wedding

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IT WAS raining that day.

Yet it felt...perfect.

Hyacinth wore a Swarovski crystal-embedded mermaid-style gown with a plunging v-neckline. Jean went through hell and high water arranging the rush marriage by booking her appointment with a renowned wedding gown designer before the Bismarcks and Hyacinth left for the Southern Isles vacation.

She wore a silk tulle veil embroidered with lilies and her head is adorned by a diamond tiara— a Bismarck heirloom from the seventeenth century. It is a priceless artifact for Sutton City and people from all over Northern Isles visit the Trudor Square Museum once a year to look at the Bismarcks' family heirlooms. It is a tradition that the Bismarck jewels will be displayed in the museum once every year to honor the first foreign settlers of the Northern Isles.

Hyacinth learned that Max is the direct descendant of a nobleman from the country of Western Isles. The Westerners, specifically the Bismarcks, were the first to discover Northern Isles' need to import rice, barley, and wheat. They're the first family to open trade between Northern Isles and the Western Isles. Because of the successful business, the Bismarcks became powerful in the country, especially in Sutton City. That is why the bill for land ownership in Northern Isles in the 17th century was forever changed.

Maximillian Bismarck, being a descendant of a wealthy nobleman, owns precious gemstones and pieces of jewelry that had been passed down from generation to generation. That is why the public had been so curious about Hyacinth's fashion for her wedding day. It is a good thing that security personnel of the Bismarcks is scattered around the vicinity to scare away the unwanted guests: that is, the media people.

The ceremony is an intimate one, the guests were only Jean and her husband Andrei, Philip, Erin, and Maine. The ceremony is conducted in a small chapel in Bronson City because of Max's sudden change of plans. Erin is the ring-bearer, Jean is her maid of honor, Maine became her bridesmaid, Andrei became Max's best man, and Philip walked Hyacinth down the aisle. Everyone in the chapel has their tasks and she's thankful that things didn't go downhill just because Max changed his mind at the last minute.

He had been pissed about the priest in Sutton City. No—scratch that. He had been pissed that things didn't go according to his plans.

And, oh, Hyacinth will never forget how annoyed Max was when he saw the gray skies earlier. Not that it was a surprise for them to see one. It is just that Max had been very careful about choosing his wedding day and he wanted it to be a little bit sunny, at least. The man literally thought that he could bend the weather to his will.

"The weather forecast yesterday said that there's only a ten percent chance of rain," he complained earlier when the priest was busy reciting a verse from the dusty bible in his hand."

"Also, you're the first Bismarck to not conduct a wedding ceremony in Sutton. Accept that things won't always go according to plan."

"Right," he whispered back.

She doesn't like it when he's irritated, so she whispered something that might uplift his spirits. "Jean said that rain on a wedding day signifies an abundance of blessings and good luck. She also said that it washes away all of the impurities and negativity from the union."

That seemed to do the trick, for Max's frown began to smoothen.

She heaved a sigh of relief. Hyacinth was just glad that the rain against the roof of the chapel kept the priest from hearing their exchanged whispers.

The vows were exchanged soon after that, then followed by smooth jazz as Erin brought the wedding rings to the altar and presented them before the priest.

"With this ring, I promise to love and eternity, patience, and devotion..."

Everything went still as Max slid a gold band with a pink gemstone on her ring finger. She didn't know if it was the relic in her hand that caused her to suddenly feel a pang of embarrassment, or the fact that she heard Max say the word eternity.

Eternity. They're not even sure if the word still awaits them in the future.

The couple before the priest looked at each other and shared the same sentiment.

They don't have forever. They only have two years and six months left.

After the ceremony, a car fetched the whole family—including the guests— from the chapel and dropped them at a reception where most of the respectable media outlets gathered around the entrance to get a glimpse of the bride. Max figured out that the media won't leave Hyacinth alone until they took a picture of her and her jewels. Chef Goodman welcomed them to one of his exclusive conference rooms and cooked their food himself.

"I like hasty weddings," Maine commented. Erin held her Aunt's hand in delight as the two chattered about the "romantic" ambiance of the small ceremony and what would their future wedding gowns would look like.

"Maine tends to keep our Erin away from us. How can we enjoy our time with Erin?"

Hyacinth chuckled. "They're practically sisters right now, considering that Erin is close to her age."

Max nodded at her in agreement as they entered the conference room for exclusive members.

Hyacinth requested a small wedding reception since they're the only ones who will celebrate. Maximillian brought up the discussion about Bismarck Group's board of directors and his business associates, suggesting that he felt obliged to invite them but because of Erin's presence, the other investors—especially the close friends of Max's parents— will speculate on Erin's identity. Erin is a total replica of Max. People would ask questions about Erin. If they invited other people to their wedding while Erin was there, they might get shocked if Max raised their baby in the future and the baby is starting to grow up to look like the kid they saw in the past.

That's why Hyacinth convinced Max that he should not invite other people to their wedding. Someone in the future might remember their daughter attending their wedding in the past. Someone might take pictures of the ceremony, for crying out loud!

So, the decision is whether to not bring Erin to the ceremony, or not invite a bunch of business associates. Of course, Hyacinth and Max wouldn't prioritize strangers over their own daughter. Max didn't even pause to think about his decision regarding the matter. He casually told Hyacinth that Erin will be on their wedding day and that the investors don't give a fuck if he's physically and mentally exhausted every day but their kid does. He also justified his decision by saying that family will always come first than anything else.

It is a good thing that Max and Hyacinth chose Erin over a hundred guests. As a result, their wedding ceremony felt serene and intimate... as if they were both free from the judgment of those around them.

It's fascinating that their daughter is present on their wedding day. Of course, they took some pictures of the event but Max kept them hidden in a safe so that other people won't know their secret. Hyacinth imagined people seeing their wedding pictures in the future. They'll wonder why is Erin present in the same year Hyacinth conceived her.

Before the wedding, Max and Hyacinth also made some risky decisions. One of them is to tell Jean about Hyacinth and Erin's true relationship.

That was probably the most nerve-wrecking risk that they made as a couple, for Jean had been so shocked by her revelation about her ability and Erin's. Hyacinth and Max decided to not keep Jean and Andrei in the dark anymore as Jean and Andrei began to question more about Erin's parents and why the girl had looked exactly like Max even though Hyacinth claimed that Erin's her cousin.

It was difficult at first, but when Max convinced Jean that Hyacinth was telling the truth, her friend finally believed and had promised to both of them that their secret will be safe.

Max and Hyacinth knew from experience that Jean is trustworthy. Andrei, too, pledged that he'll keep his mouth shut about the matter. Knowing Andrei, he's a man who values his own words and promises. That was why Jean fell in love with the man in the first place.

Hyacinth thought that Jean had always been a friend and a family that she could rely on. She only hoped that Jean would always be there for Max when she disappears in the future.