The Checklist

PROLOGUE

28th of June, 2012.

The piano keys signaled it was time for the bride to make an entrance.

Caesar Mateo stepped into the church and on one of the tiny rose petals scattered on the long red carpet.

Everyone in the church stood up at the entrance of the beautiful bride.

Following the rhythm of the piano, Caesar walked forward. looking left, she smiled. Her ever-beautiful mother sniffed into a pink handkerchief and smiled encouragingly. Behind her mother's row, her cousins and her other older relatives looked so happy. Caesar's heart swelled with joy as she continued walking down the aisle. Everyone that needed to be present was, except her father. Bless his soul.

Almost. . .

Almost there. . .

Caesar whispered in her head. She knew she was one step closer to marrying the love of her life.

Smiling still, Caesar stared dreamingly and marveled at how dashing her soon-to-be husband looked dressed in a grey tuxedo and a black bow tie.

                            ***
"Do you take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?, To have and to hold from this day forward, In sickness and in health?, For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do you part?." The priest asked patiently, looking directly at the bride's face as she smiled brightly underneath her white veil.

"Yes, I do," Caesar answered back with unbridled enthusiasm. She simply couldn't wait to be married to the love of her life.

"Do you take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?, To have and to hold from this day forward, In sickness and in health?, For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do you part?." The priest asked, facing the groom.

Blinking like a faulty lightbulb, Raul Sandoval's forehead became dotted with cold sweat. His black-tie suddenly felt too tight around his neck.

The priest smiled assuringly. 

Pre-wedding jitters.

He whispered good-naturedly to himself.

Caesar's smile dwindled a little. She swallowed hard and fighting the urge she felt to look at her husband to be. Then out of the corner of her eyes, she peeked, her heart sank.

Was that doubt she saw in his eyes!?.

Caesar asked herself, holding her bouquet with shaky hands.

The whole atmosphere of the church became tense. A murmur of confusion arose among the guests and Ceasar's mother fanned her face furiously in embarrassment.

The priest cleared his throat and the murmurs died down a bit. "Young man, do you take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?."

Raul's throat suddenly clamp shut, if he didn't speak now up now, he might never have the opportunity to do so again. He shivered involuntarily, his fingers clammy and cold.

Caesar tried to remain positive and calm. On the outside she looked like a composed bride, on the inside, she was wallowing in sadness. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her adult life, the final moments of answering the name Caesar Mateo.

"No," Raul answered, although it sounded like a mere whisper, it was loud enough for the whole church to hear.

"What?!."