Mi Princesa

Part One - Chapter Thirty-Five: Wedding Celebrations

Vanessa took a deep breath in relief as they stepped into the reception area, the ride back from the church had been amazing and she knew that the day wasn’t even over yet; there was still so much left to do.

Fernando ducked down and stole a kiss from Vanessa, he still couldn’t believe that she was finally his wife and he felt so lucky that she had agreed to marry him.

“Don’t ruin her make-up… we still have the photos to do,” Flori scolded knowing that they didn’t need Fernando getting a little too attached to his wife; they had a long day still a head of them.

Israel laughed at his mother’s words before moving to hug his brother and new sister-in-law, it had been crazy after the wedding and he had needed to be with his own wife for the trip back to the palace.

Fernando smiled turning to look at his mother, he knew that this wasn’t going to be simple and he was sure that the reception that evening would be fine.

“The photographer is here,” Elizabeth announced walking into the room, everything needed to run smoothly if they were going to get anything done and they needed to run on time.

Vanessa linked her fingers with Fernando’s, she smiled up at her new husband knowing that it was going to be an extremely long day and she hoped that everything was going to be okay.

Elizabeth didn’t wait a moment longer before she signalled for the photographer to enter, she wanted things to run smoothly since they had a long day of celebrations ahead of them.

Fernando smiled following after his wife, the sooner that they completed the pictures of the families together the sooner that he could have some time with her.

Vanessa was sure that the pictures were over quickly, she had a feeling that the day would fly by before she knew it; she still had another dress waiting for her back in her room for the reception that evening.

***

“Shall we head onto the balcony,” George mused knowing that the public would be dying to see the couple kiss, they had been standing outside of the palace for hours and they were waiting to see the new royal couple.

The pictures had all been taken and George doubted that it would be fair to keep the world waiting for the couple of the moment; it was just another part of who they were now.

Vanessa nodded her head, sharing a look with Fernando knowing that they couldn’t put it off much longer; she peeked at Bojan who was napping silently in his grandmother’s arms.

“Let’s,” Fernando agreed taking a deep breath, he didn’t want to put it off and the longer that he did the longer that he would have to postpone time with his wife.

The last thing that the couple wanted was to drag all of this out, George nodded his he moving towards the door with Elizabeth right on his heels; they were sure that the balcony kiss would be over quickly.

Fernando linked arms with his wife following after George and Elizabeth as they stepped out onto the balcony, everyone would be joining them; it was strange to think people wanted to see them after they had gotten married.

Stepping out onto the balcony, Vanessa took a deep breath and smiled knowing that any image not showing how happy she was would be used against her and Fernando.

“That’s a lot of people,” Fernando murmured looking at the crowds that were gathered outside of the palace, he doubted that so many people had celebrated when Spain had won the world cup.

Vanessa nodded her head, it was something that she never got used to and she was sure that people would be watching them for a long time to come; they were the future monarchs of the country and their children the future leaders.

Vanessa shared a secretive smile with Fernando before he leant forward and kissed her, his finger moving to cup her face while Vanessa smiled into the kiss.

The cheering from the crowd seemed to only get louder as the couple shared a kiss in front of the whole world; everyone had been waiting to see the couple kiss since they had left the church.

Elizabeth smiled proudly watching Vanessa and Fernando, she was proud that her granddaughter had married for love and she knew that she had made the right choose instead of marrying someone who had a title that would benefit her.

“She looks so happy,” Elizabeth whispered to George, who was stood next to her and she hoped that things would continue to go well; she didn’t want anything to break the couple apart.

George nodded in agreement, a sad smile gracing his lips knowing that it would only be a matter of time before he left the throne and Vanessa would become Queen; he was sure that she was prepared for the job.

Fernando gently pulled back from Vanessa, he didn’t care who was watching them right now; he was happy and that was all that mattered to him right now.

***

“You look beautiful,” Fernando murmured kissing Vanessa again as they headed for their wedding reception, he laced their fingers knowing that they would be leaving for their honeymoon in a couple of days’ time.

Vanessa smiled up at Fernando, she had changed out of her wedding dress and into the champagne mermaid one-shoulder appliques beading floor-length evening dress paired with black high heel strappy sandals that she’d also had commissioned for the wedding day.

“You keep saying that,” Vanessa teased pulling back from Fernando, she was surprised how quickly the day had passed and after a relaxing afternoon they were about to join their close family and friends to celebrate their marriage.

“Because it’s true,” Fernando replied cheekily, he hadn’t been able to keep his hands off Vanessa and he was in awe at how beautiful she looked; he couldn’t believe that he got to call someone like her his wife now.

Vanessa laughed softly, she kissed Fernando knowing that it was going to take some getting used to; she was sure that their two week honeymoon in Thailand would help them.

The trip had been a gift from George and he insisted that the couple enjoy themselves while they could, Nora and Bojan would remain in Andorra while his parents enjoyed their break before they had to face reality.

Fernando wrapped his arms around Vanessa and drew her close, the kiss depending knowing that it had been so long since they’d had time to themselves; he missed her and he hoped to reconnect while on holiday.

Vanessa brushed her fingers through Fernando’s hair, she had missed him while she had stayed in the palace and she looked forward to going home with him that night.

The couple pulled apart when the announcer cleared his throat, he looked away from the couple knowing that they had been sharing a private moment but they needed to get moving.

“Are you ready?” Vanessa asked looking at Fernando as he took a deep breath and held her hand, they couldn’t put this off and it wasn’t as if they were facing the world was watching them now.

“Introducing for the first time… their royal highness the Duke and Duchess of Santa Coloma,” the announcer said as the doors to the reception hall swung open and allowed the couple to step inside to greet their friends and family.