Chapter 16

EPILOGUE • (PART 1) Three months later My eyes widened at Mommy's whereabouts when I heard Prime's laughter as he carried her. First Gabriel Sebastian. My three-month old son. Mommy was next to Trishia who was noisily playing with my son. Some of our colleagues have left here after arranging. They are the only ones left. "You're in front of me nice." Queenie said fixing me up. I followed what he said. The day that I've been waiting for has come. Today is Uno and I's wedding day. The day when we will be one and where we will affirm our fellowship before the altar. This is a once in a lifetime event so I can"t help but be nervous. "It's done! You've become even more prettyful!" Gay said after he fixed me. My forehead frowned. "Prettyful?" "Yah prettyful. You're pretty, you're still beautiful! So don't frown there and smile!" Queenie spoke enthusiastically and faced me in the mirror. I just shook my head and didn't ask any more questions. I examined myself in the mirror. I took a deep breath and smiled. She or He did a good job. Trishia helped me put on the wedding gown. I was amazed to see the gown I was going to wear because of its beauty. I only saw it now because my friends prepared everything, including the church and reception decoration, invitations, outfits, wedding cake and more. Surprise daw kasi. I told them not to but they insisted. According to them, they should just prepare for this ceremony because I was the first to marry our friends. That's where I seem to focus on foods. It's their choice so Uno and I didn't do anything. "Look Prime, your mom is stunning." Trishia commented after I put on the gown. I turned slightly so I could see my totality in the mirror. Infairness, the dress suits me. I approached my baby being held by Mommy. It just stared at me as if someone had seen something. I just smiled. It got his whole face to his father, even his blue eyes. Only its thin lips were inherited from me. I heard Trishia laugh to the side. "See? Even your son nastar struck you." He promised. I lightly waved my palm across my baby's face. It immediately flickered and we laughed inside. Just cute! After that, Mommy loaded Prime with her nanny. We decided to get off and go to the bridal car that was waiting for us. Dad and our driver were on board. I didn't have to worry about finding my bouquet because it would only be given to me at the church. When we got to the church I caught up with there the bridesmaids standing in her-her position. That included my friends Trishia and Aera who were bridesmaids and Lucas who were groomsman. Ella, whom I made Maid of Honor, and her partner Louigi, the Best Man, were also there. When they saw the car I was riding in, the wedding coordinator signaled to start. I was not released until the bridesmaids were finished. When everyone entered, the church door closed again. I was taken out of the bridal car and placed in front of the big door with Mommy and Daddy. The staff gave me mixed roses and a sunflower bouquet that made my eyes shine. Those guys really know what I like. My palm started to get cold. I sighed a few times and tried to calm myself but I was still nervous. I no longer understand how I feel. It's like I'm peeing without knowing it. "It's going to be fine honey, don't be nervous." I heard Mommy speak as she felt my apprehension. I just nodded in response. "Gabi remember this, if that guy will do anything stupid and hurt you, I won't take a second thought to get you back." I turned to Daddy as he spoke. His face was just serious. I just smiled. "Don't worry Dad, that won't happen." I promise. "I can't believe that the time we'll walk our one and only princess in the aisle has come. You're not a baby anymore." Mommy's emotional words once hugged my arm. "Just be happy. That's all we want for you." Dad added. I wrapped my two hands around each of their arms. "I love you both." I smiled tongue and leaned my head slightly on Daddy. "We love you too, princess." They said at once. We fixed me up when the door opened in front of us. This is it. We started to step into the church and I just stared in amazement. The chairs' edges are decorated with sunflower and roses. It has a few leaves that added the beauty. At the bottom are white candles of various sizes. There were white poles standing on the side, a meter away from each other. There are round shaped lanterns hanging here which is made up of small leaves and vines. The altar was decorated with the same kinds of flowers. It's like paradise in here. The acoustic version of This I Promise You is deceptive. Oh, oh When the visions around you Bring tears to your eyes And all that surrounds you Are secrets and lies I looked at the guests. There were our relatives, the friends of our parents and people who made a name for themselves in business society. Amazement can be seen in their eyes as they look at me. I continued to roll my eyes until I saw Uno standing at the end of the aisle. Our eyes met and he smiled at me. I'll be your strength I'll give you hope Keeping your faith when it's gone The one you should call Was standing there all along I never thought we would come today. If I hadn't run away it might have been easier and I didn't have a hard time then because from the beginning we were the two of us for each other. Case cunning again destiny. But I'm thankful that way, I learned a lot. Uno and I went through a lot in the short time we were together. I wouldn"t say it was just pure smiles that happened to us. We hurt and made each other cry. There was a lot of pain between the two of us then. But no matter how much it was, or how many more times I was hurt I was still happy because the man in front of me now was with me during those times. And I will take you in my arms And hold you right where you belong Til 'the day my life is through This I promise you This I promise you We continued walking and when we reached the end I could see Uno's handsome face even more clearly. It was obviously nervous. We stopped walking. Daddy took my right hand to reveal it to Uno. Uno looked at me and shook his hand as he reached for it but even before that happened, Daddy held his trembling hand with nervousness. "Pull yourself together." Daddy's serious promise. "Y-Yes sir." He answered immediately and adjusted himself. I laughed weakly. Dad let go of his hand and finally took one of my hands. Mommy just smiled at him and Daddy and I went to their seats. "You're beautiful." Uno whispered softly to me as he led me to the altar. "Your pogi too." I whispered back to him. The priest's ceremony had begun and the people were quiet. "We are gathered here in sight of our Lord and these witnesses to unite Uno Sebastian and Gabriella Arcus in holy matrimony." Priest's advance. "Uno Sebastian, do you take Gabriella Arcus to be your lawful wife? Do you promise to be faithful to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honor her all the days of your life? " Uno squeezed my hand lightly and faced me. "I do, father." He smiled in response. "And you, Gabriella Arcus. Do you take Uno Sebastian to be your lawful husband? Do you promise to be faithful to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love him and to honor him all the days of your life? " "I-" "STOP THE MARRIAGE!" We all turned our attention to the woman who cried. I barely closed my eyes because of its glare. He was wearing a neon green suit. "What the f-" Uno's words didn't end when he realized where we were. The people began to murmur. The others are still taking pictures. "Stop the wedding." The woman repeats while holding CJ's knee and panting. I turned to the side when I heard Prime crying loudly while his nanny was carrying him. Mommy approached it and took it. "Can we find out your reason?" The priest asked. It stood up neatly and artistically placed the separated strand of hair behind his ear. He glared at me. "She didn't invite me! Last night why did you do this to me? You didn't tell me now that you're married. I thought we were friends? Is this friendship over?" Madramang said CJ with matching hold on the chest. And it's like crying. I just got stuck in my head. Right, I forgot to give him an invitation card. CJ Hardeñilisa is one of my friends. He was in our company. Case we just separated when he moved to Canada and studied there. I would have sent him an invitation then in case I forgot. "Do you know her?" Uno asked me. I confronted him. "She's a friend." I'm embarrassed to say. Can I cay that I don't know that crazy woman? "Do you know that I'm still from the airport and I'm going straight here? It's a good thing I'm home now and-" It didn"t end with saying out loud that Aera punched him. "You nutjob! You're embarrassing." Sabi is Ae. He grabbed her by the nape of his neck and looked at his friend. "You're still-hmmm hmm hmmm." He could not speak because Luke covered his mouth with a handkerchief and pulled it out. "We're very sorry. Please don't mind that crazy woman and continue the wedding." Ae said before finally closing the church door. After that, everything calmed down and the ceremony resumed as if nothing had happened. There are what what other traditions have been made. "I announce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Promise of the priest. Everyone inside started screaming. Uno turned to me with a smile. He lifted the veil that covered my face revealing my entire face. He touched both my cheeks and kissed my forehead, down to my nose until he pressed my lip. The people inside shouted even louder. "I love Mr. Sebastian." I said breaking the kiss. "I love you more, most and to infinity and beyond, Mrs. Sebastian." END