Rivals Redemption

chapter 98 : Love in bloom

Tina Diaz

The wedding preparations were in full swing, and things were moving faster than I could’ve imagined. Everywhere I looked, there were decisions to be made—flowers, music, the guest list—and while it was a bit overwhelming, it was also thrilling. Rowan and I were about to get married in five months, and with every passing day, the reality of it settled in more and more.

Today, my mom, Sarah, and Rowan’s mom, Morana, had come over to finalize some of the finer details with me. I was in the middle of going through the color palette for the reception when I overheard them chatting excitedly in the next room, their voices carrying easily into the space.

“I still can’t believe our children are getting married,” Morana said, her tone filled with the kind of joy only a proud mother could have. “It feels like just yesterday Rowan was running around the house with his toy rockets, and now look at him—ready to start his own family.”

My mom laughed in that light, easy way she always did when she was truly happy. “I know exactly how you feel. Tina has always been so independent, so focused on her career. But seeing her with Rowan…it’s just perfect. They balance each other.”

I smiled to myself, knowing they weren’t wrong. Rowan had a way of grounding me, and I loved him for it.

Then came the part of the conversation that nearly made me choke on the iced tea I was sipping.

“And once the wedding is done, I hope they don’t wait too long to give us grandkids,” Morana added, her voice filled with anticipation.

“Absolutely,” my mom agreed with a mischievous tone. “I can’t wait to spoil my grandbabies. I’m sure they’ll be stunning with how gorgeous Rowan and Tina are. I can already imagine it—little ones running around, calling me Grandma.”

I felt the iced tea catch in my throat and coughed, trying to keep from laughing. Grandkids? Already? I wasn’t even married yet, and they were already thinking that far ahead!

They both turned to look at me as I sputtered, their faces lighting up with amusement.

“Are you alright, sweetheart?” my mom asked, raising an eyebrow knowingly.

I gave them a sheepish smile, still trying to recover from the unexpected turn in conversation. “I’m fine, just... was not expecting the baby talk to come up this soon.”

“Oh, honey,” my mom said, walking over to me with a grin. “It’s never too early to think about the future. You and Rowan are going to be incredible parents.”

Morana nodded, smiling warmly. “I agree. You two are so in sync already. And Rowan’s always been great with kids. You should’ve seen him with his cousins growing up—he’s a natural.”

I could feel my face heating up as I took another sip, this time more carefully. “We’ve... talked about it a little, but we’re not rushing anything. There’s still a lot we want to do together first.”

My mom waved a hand dismissively. “Of course, of course. You have all the time in the world. But just know, whenever you’re ready, we’ll be more than happy to help spoil those little ones.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

The conversation shifted back to wedding details, but the thought of future kids with Rowan lingered in my mind. It wasn’t something we were planning anytime soon, but hearing our moms talk about it with such excitement made me think... maybe one day, it would be a reality. But for now, we had a wedding to plan, and that was more than enough to focus on.

Aiden and Lemi’s wedding was nothing short of magical. As bridesmaids, Grace, Sevia, and I were dressed in elegant pastel pink gowns, while Lemi stood out in her custom-made wedding dress, an absolute masterpiece she designed herself. As a fashion designer, she knew exactly how to make herself look radiant, and she glowed with every step she took down the aisle.

Aiden was already at the altar, looking sharp in his tailored navy suit, but the minute Lemi appeared, you could see his eyes welling up with tears. The love between them was so palpable it was impossible not to get emotional. Rowan stood beside Aiden, looking dapper as ever in his suit, while Louis and Nash completed the group of best men. The scene was picture-perfect.

As the priest began the ceremony, everyone quieted down, hanging on to every word. Aiden and Lemi’s vows were heartfelt, filled with promises and love that made us all smile and tear up in equal measure. When the priest finally said, “You may kiss the bride,” Aiden wasted no time. He pulled Lemi close and kissed her passionately, like he couldn’t hold back anymore. It was a kiss that spoke of years of love, trust, and shared dreams.

The ceremony ended with cheers from everyone, and as Aiden and Lemi made their way down the aisle as husband and wife, our friend group gathered around to congratulate them. The whole scene felt like a dream—families smiling, friends laughing, and love filling the air.

After the ceremony, we all found ourselves in a cozy corner of the reception hall. Lemi was still glowing, her cheeks flushed from all the excitement, while Aiden couldn’t stop looking at her like she was the only person in the room. We showered them with congratulations, starting with Grace, who was the first to speak.

“You two looked so perfect up there,” she said, pulling Lemi into a tight hug. “Aiden, I’ve never seen you so emotional!”

Aiden chuckled, his arm wrapped around Lemi. “How could I not be? Look at her. She’s incredible.”

“Congratulations, man,” Louis added, giving Aiden a firm handshake. “You two were meant for each other.”

Nash nodded in agreement, clapping Aiden on the back. “Couldn’t have said it better myself.”

Rowan, standing beside me, grinned. “You guys set the bar really high for the rest of us.”

Lemi laughed, glancing over at Rowan and me. “Don’t worry, you’ll do just fine. Besides, I’m pretty sure your wedding will be even more spectacular.”

I blushed, still getting used to all the attention about our upcoming wedding. “Let’s just focus on your day for now! You two are the stars of the show.”

As we continued to laugh and chat, Grace and Nash exchanged a glance, and before any of us could catch on, Nash cleared his throat. “Actually, speaking of weddings…” He paused, looking around at us with a grin.

Grace stepped closer to him, her smile wide. “We have some news.”

Nash pulled out a small box, and when he opened it, a sparkling engagement ring gleamed inside. “Grace and I are engaged.”

There was a beat of stunned silence before the group erupted into cheers. I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth. “What? When did this happen?!”

“Just last night,” Grace said, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “Nash proposed, and I said yes.”

Sevia rushed forward to hug Grace, followed by the rest of us. “I’m so happy for you both!”

Nash looked a little sheepish but incredibly proud. “We didn’t want to steal Aiden and Lemi’s thunder, but we figured it’d be nice to share the news while we’re all together.”

Aiden laughed, shaking his head. “Don’t worry about it, man. The more love, the better. Congratulations!”

The night continued with celebration after celebration, and as I watched everyone around me—my friends, Rowan, and our families—I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Aiden and Lemi were married, Grace and Nash were engaged, and in three months, it would be my turn. The future looked brighter than ever.