The ceremony is about to begin, and I can see my mother is getting more anxious by the second. I take her hand and hold it while her bridesmaids fix her veil and hair and fluff her dress a bit.
Miss Fox pokes her head inside the room.
"The guests have been asked to go to the garden so we're ready to begin whenever you're ready," she announces and leaves us.
"I'm nervous," mom whispers as we leave the bride's room hand-in-hand. Benji is holding onto my other hand.
"It's okay to be nervous. Are you going to say yes?" I ask her in all seriousness.
She looks at me for a moment as if contemplating what to say to me.
"Yes," she says, "No doubt about it."
"Good, then that's all we're focusing on right now. You are getting married no matter what, because you love him," I talk to her while going down the stairs. I'm just trying to make conversation to take her mind off the process that is happening. I guide her towards the beautifully decorated open terrace where the ceremony is about to be held, the other bridesmaids are close behind us.
"Mom, this is it. I'll see you in a couple of minutes, okay?" I ask her, smiling.
"Okay," she replies, fidgeting with her bouquet.
I squat down to Benji's eye level and try to encourage him on his next task, after all, he has a huge role in the wedding.
"Sweetheart, now it is your duty to help grandma get married. Remember what we talked about?" I ask my boy and he nods.
Mom sobs quietly next to me, it's finally hitting her that she truly is getting married.
"And I'll see you both down the aisle. After you give granny's hand to Alexi you come straight to me, okay?"
"Yes, mommy, I can do this," he says, full of confidence.
I fix his hair one last time and kiss his little cheek, then say, "I know you can!"
Miss Fox appears once again, this time she's here to coordinate the process.
"The groomsmen are ready to go, and the groom is waiting for his bride. Are you, ladies, ready to get going?"
We nod in unison, except my mom. The mellow music changes and it signals that it's time to get moving.
"Please line up, bridesmaids first, the maid of honor is going last, just before the bride," Miss Fox says strictly.
Betty, of course, settles herself to be the first in line, trying to get all the attention she can. Even mom rolls her eyes at her. The rest of the women take their places right behind her, and I'm left to be the last in line.
Miss Fox guides them to leave the room one by one, opening and closing the door for them. Each lady meets her groomsman behind that door, and together they walk down the aisle.
"Are you okay?" I ask mom quietly before it's my turn to leave her.
She nods but doesn't say anything.
"Mom?" I ask her, a little bit worried.
"I have a bad feeling," she admits.
"Those are just wedding jitters. It's okay to be nervous. It means you care," I fix her hair again, even though she looks perfect.
"Mrs. Gilmond, are you ready?" Miss Fox asks, and both of our heads snap in her direction.
"Miss Gilmond, time to go," she adds a moment later, not even a little bit interested in my mother's answer to her first question.
I look at my mom again and nod in question. I don't have to ask whether she's ready, one glimpse says it all. She nods in return, she's ready.
I connect Benji's and mom's hands and kiss them both on their cheeks before I adjust my dress and stand up straight, next to last in line, as told.
Miss Fox opens the door in front of me while the door on the opposite side is also opened. I can't help but smile when I see Anthony standing there, facing me. He winks at me, and this makes me blush. We take a couple of steps towards each other, and I gladly take his arm to walk down the aisle together.
"Stunning," Anthony whispers.
***
The ceremony begins as soon as Benji gives mom away to Alexi. He's such a little gentleman, and he makes Alexi smile with pride. This was definitely something Alexi didn't expect, and we succeeded with our surprise. Alexi is going to be a valuable part of our family, and we love him.
"Welcome, family, friends, and loved ones," the officiant begins, "We are gathered here today to celebrate the love and the union of Alexi and Gloria. Thank you all for joining us and being a part of their love story..."
The officiant goes on, but I keep looking at Anthony. The sun is setting, and the pink sky is bringing out all his handsome features. While the officiant goes on about love and commitment, I keep thinking about my love for my man. The way I want to be committed to him. I can't believe I was so foolish to believe so easily what Simon said about him. How could I be so stupid? I feel a tear roll down my cheek and wipe it away with my thumb. Nobody knows what's going on in my head and I'm sure everyone thinks I'm crying because mom is getting married. But not Anthony. He knows, I can tell by his worried expression.
"Even though it hasn't been that long since the day they met, we must trust the process of love. Sometimes it takes years to know, sometimes it's only months. But as soon as you find your other half, your soulmate, you know immediately. Do not hesitate to embrace the feeling. We are here to witness the unexpected love of Gloria and Alexi. It was love at first sight...," the officiant goes on, telling the guests the most important details of how mom and Alexi met.
I look at the guests, most of them are strangers to me. I can't tell one face from the other, because they all turn into a blur. I realize I'm crying. Suddenly I feel I can't breathe, and I look around nervously, trying to find a way to get rid of this uncomfortable feeling. I have a bad feeling, just like mom had before coming out here. I'm having a panic attack. I'm not sure how long it has been and how long it will take for the ceremony to be over, but I feel like if I have to stand here for one more minute I'm going to faint.
I focus on Anthony, and I can see he's watching me intently. He sees me going through something I can't express or explain. I understand he can't help me right now, because we can't ruin the ceremony, but I also know he'll be right by my side if things get worse.
"Benji," he mouths my way and looks at the boy next to me.
I look at Anthony, not quite understanding what he's trying to say. Then he subtly motions with his palm for me to pick Benji up, and I oblige immediately.
As I pick up my boy, he hugs me with his small hands tight around my neck. His weight in my lap and the pressure around my neck releases the tension as if someone put an oxygen mask on my face and I can breathe again. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, which is a mixture of Benji's smell and fresh air. I'm okay. I look at Anthony and realize he has not stopped looking at me the whole time.
"Thank you," I mouth at him, and he winks in response.
"Do you promise to be there for each other in good and bad, in sickness and in health?" the officiant asks the bride and the groom. They both promise. I realize I'm slowly nodding towards Anthony, and he smiles.
I can't take my eyes off him. Somehow having Benji in my lap and seeing Anthony in front of me relaxes me. These two seem to be reason to pull myself together and keep going.
It's soon time for the bride and groom to say their "I do's". The ceremony is almost over, and we can relax and have fun.
"These rings represent the eternal love between a man and a woman, two souls meant to be together. You made your promises to one another, and now it's time to commit to each other with the final vows. Let these rings be the symbol of your eternal love, your unbreakable bond. Alexi, please repeat after me: "With this ring, I promise to protect, love and cherish you until we both shall live."
"Fuck no," a sudden loud voice interrupts the ceremony from the last row of the guest seats, and as if in slow motion, Simon stands up.
YOU ARE READING
Troubled Indeed
RomanceThey met mere months ago and instantly fell in love. But love doesn't come without struggle. She has her issues and he has his darker side which seems to follow him around wherever he goes. Follow Victoria and Anthony as their passionate love story...
