Broken

Chapter 66: The big day | Part 1

June 12, 2025.

The sun hovered over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the ocean as waves gently kissed the shore. The villa, nestled right by the beach in Cape Los Cabos, was buzzing with activity. Fatima stood at the entrance, looking at the final touches being put on the outdoor wedding setup. The white chairs were perfectly aligned, the wooden pergola beautifully draped with delicate flowers, and the sound of the ocean created the peaceful, dreamlike atmosphere she had always envisioned for her wedding.

"Where should I place these flowers?" asked one of the wedding planners, balancing two large floral arrangements in his arms.

"Hmmm, over there," Fatima replied, pointing towards the front of the pergola. She tried to remain calm, but the flutter in her stomach betrayed her. The wedding was just five hours away, and while everything seemed to be going smoothly, her mind couldn't help but race with thoughts of what could go wrong.

Her attention was drawn away by a familiar voice, "Mommy!" Zac called out, stepping into the villa with their 6-month-olds, Khari and Kamari, perched on each of his arms.

Fatima's face lit up as she turned toward them, a wide smile stretching across her face. "Hi babas! Did y'all have fun with Dada?" she asked, moving closer to meet them.

"Oh, they had fun alright," Zac grinned proudly, glancing between the two giggling babies, but Fatima's sharp eyes caught something unusual.

"Why are their shorts wet?" she asked, her brow furrowed as she inspected the dampness clinging to both of the girls' tiny outfits.

"I... I don't know," Zac said, feigning innocence as he tried to avoid looking too guilty.

Fatima shot him a knowing look, but she decided to drop it for now. She reached for Khari, who stubbornly laid her head back against Zac's shoulder, sucking on her pacifier without a care in the world.

"You're a very mean child," Fatima teased with a shake of her head, making Zac chuckle.

Turning her attention to Kamari, Fatima stretched out her arms. "Would you like to come to Mama?" Kamari, with her bright eyes wide open, immediately leaned towards her mother, and Fatima took her in her arms, planting a soft kiss on her head.

"That's my girl," Fatima cooed, pressing Kamari close to her chest. She turned to Khari, still nestled against Zac's shoulder, and playfully added, "You can stay with yo daddy."

"Not too much on my baby now, Ti," Zac said with a smirk, his voice stern but full of warmth as he gently rested his head on top of Khari's, who remained unfazed by the teasing.

"I let you live in my body rent-free for nine months, and this is the treatment I get? It's fine," Fatima said dramatically, rolling her eyes while adjusting Kamari in her arms.

Zac just laughed, giving Fatima an appreciative look. "The place is looking great," he said as they stepped outside onto the terrace, gazing at the beautiful wedding setup.

Their villa was right on the beach, offering a panoramic view of the ocean that stretched endlessly toward the horizon. The pergola adorned with white flowers stood like a beacon of elegance against the blue sky. It was everything Fatima had dreamed of when she thought about their wedding day in Mexico.

"It looks beautiful," she whispered, her voice soft with emotion.

"And the two of you are going to look even more beautiful," Fatima smiled as she glanced at Khari and Kamari, already picturing them in their little white flower dresses.

Kamari was wide awake, sitting up in Fatima's arms and taking in the scene around her with curious eyes. Khari, on the other hand, slowly lifted her head, her pacifier dangling by a string attached to her shirt.