𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨

Chapter 26 - marriage

1st August 2024
Narrator Pov - Present
The morning sun rises over Barcelona, casting a warm, golden glow across the city’s rooftops and shimmering off the Mediterranean in the distance. The hotel suite where Chloé Laurent prepares for her wedding is buzzing with soft laughter and excited chatter. She stands by the window, looking out over the skyline, her mind a mix of excitement and nerves. Today is her wedding day, the day she marries Mapi León, the woman she loves with every fiber of her being. She can’t help but smile, the enormity of it all sinking in like the sunlight pooling across her shoulders.

Behind her, her best friend and maid of honor, Steph Houghton, adjusts her own dress in the mirror. Steph has been by Chloé’s side through every part of her relationship with Mapi, from the day they met on the football pitch to this moment now, about to say “I do.” Steph notices Chloé’s expression and walks over, a warm, steadying hand resting on her shoulder. “Ready?” Steph asks, though the answer is clear in Chloé’s eyes. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” Chloé replies, her voice barely above a whisper, a hint of disbelief. Today, she becomes Mapi’s wife, and it feels both surreal and exactly right.

Just then, a small voice breaks through their moment. “Mama!” Sofía, skips into the room, her curls bouncing. She’s already dressed in her delicate, white flower girl dress, her little hands gripping a basket filled with fresh rose petals. “Look, Mama!” she says, holding up the basket proudly. “I have pwetty flowers!” Chloé kneels down to her daughter’s height and cups her tiny face in her hands, her heart swelling. “Yes, ma chérie, they’re beautiful, just like you. Are you excited?” Sofía nods vigorously, then glances around as if searching for something or rather, someone. “Where’s Mateo?” she asks, referring to her twin brother, who is currently with their grandmother, preparing to be the ring bearer.

“He’ll be here soon, don’t worry,” Chloé assures her with a kiss on the forehead. “Now, why don’t you practice throwing those flowers for me?” As Sofía skips off with a delighted squeal, Steph pulls Chloé aside. “Alright, let’s get you into that dress. It’s showtime, Laurent.” Chloé laughs, nerves and excitement intertwining. She lets Steph guide her to the dressing area, where the wedding gown; an elegant, timeless piece with lace detailing and a soft, flowing train waits for her. Slipping into it feels like stepping into a new part of herself. As Steph zips her up, Chloé looks at her reflection in the mirror, the woman she is now staring back: confident, in love, and ready.

Once her veil is in place, she stands still for a moment, taking it all in. Steph squeezes her hand, and they share a look that says everything words can’t: the laughter, the late-night talks, the moments of doubt and joy that brought her here. Downstairs, in the lush courtyard of the hotel, guests are already gathering. The ceremony is set against a backdrop of ivy-draped stone walls and Mediterranean blooms, their colors vibrant against the elegant whites and greens of the decor. The air is thick with anticipation and the scent of fresh flowers, and the sun casts a warm, hopeful glow over everything.

In a small anteroom just off the courtyard, Mapi León stands with her best girl, Alexia Putellas. Dressed in a tailored, sleek suit that complements her effortlessly, Mapi’s usually unflappable demeanor has been replaced with a rare vulnerability. Her fingers tap against her thigh, and she paces ever so slightly. Alexia, leaning casually against the doorframe, watches her with a knowing grin. “You look incredible,” Alexia says, taking in her friend’s anxious energy. “You know that, right?” Mapi gives her a small, grateful smile. “Gracias. I just… I want this to be perfect. For Chloé, for the kids, for all of us.”

“It already is,” Alexia assures her. “You and Chloé, everyone can see it. This is just making it official.” She pauses, then adds, “And, you know, once you see her walking down that aisle, everything else is going to disappear.” Mapi nods, taking a steadying breath. “I just need to see her.” As the music begins to play, guests take their seats, their murmured conversations quieting. Sofía, the flower girl, is the first to appear, her little hand clutching the basket of petals. She steps carefully, looking so focused as she scatters petals down the aisle, her eyes lighting up every time she spots a familiar face. The guests smile and murmur as she passes, their hearts captured by the sweet sight.

Then comes Mateo, with a serious expression and a small pillow holding the rings balanced in his hands. He’s taking his job very seriously, his small steps steady and deliberate. When he reaches the altar, he stands next to Alexia with a proud grin, his eyes scanning the crowd for his family. Finally, the music shifts, and Chloé appears, stepping out into the courtyard on her father’s arm. The guests rise to their feet, a hush falling over them as she makes her way forward. The sunlight catches the lace of her gown, and she looks radiant, like something out of a dream. Her eyes find Mapi at the end of the aisle, and suddenly, all her nerves melt away.

Mapi’s gaze locks onto Chloé’s, and everything Alexia said is true: nothing else matters now. The crowd, the nerves, the details, none of it exists. It’s just the two of them, their love filling the space between them. Mapi’s eyes shine, and she feels her heart hammering with every step Chloé takes. When Chloé reaches the altar, her father gives her hand to Mapi with a smile, stepping back to take his seat. The two women stand facing each other, hands intertwined, their eyes never leaving one another’s. The officiant begins, but neither of them registers much of it, lost in their own world. It’s only when the time comes for the vows that Chloé finally blinks, her heart beating in her throat.

She takes a breath, her voice trembling just slightly. “Mapi… you’ve taught me so much about love, about strength, and about finding joy in every little moment. You’ve been my partner in every sense, and today, I promise to love you for everything you are and everything you’ll become. I promise to stand by your side and to be there for you in every match, every victory, and every challenge. I’m yours, always.” Mapi’s eyes well up as she takes her turn, her voice quiet but steady. “Chloé, from the moment we met, I knew you were special. You made me believe in love in a way I never thought I could. I promise to protect you, to support you, and to make every day we spend together the best it can be. You and our family… you’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of. I’m yours forever.”

The officiant smiles and declares, “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you wife and wife. You may kiss.” A soft gasp of joy ripples through the crowd as Mapi pulls Chloé close, her hands gentle on her face. Their kiss is tender, a promise sealed in the sunlight. The courtyard erupts in applause, friends and family on their feet, cheering and laughing. As they pull apart, they’re both glowing, unable to keep the smiles off their faces. Sofía and Mateo run over, each holding a hand, their eyes wide with excitement. Chloé and Mapi look down at their children, the family they’ve created, and in this moment, they feel complete. Hand in hand, Chloé and Mapi walk down the aisle together as wife and wife, their little family around them and their loved ones celebrating their love. The day has only just begun, but already, it feels like a dream they never want to wake up from.

Word count: 1320