Chapter 108 CHAPTER 108

Chapter 108 CHAPTER 108
Ethan Hartley

It seems that the more the anxiety grows, the faster time passes. Today marks fifteen days since the discovery that the next chemotherapy session would be the last.

In this interval, Gabriel and I went to see his mother's beach house to evaluate if the location would truly serve as our wedding venue. And it does—more than that.

The place is immense, with a pool facing the sea, a wide terrace, and an interior that looks like it came out of a dream. Luxurious, welcoming, and absolutely perfect.

For three days I have been at his house. We prepared beautiful invitations, thought out with affection for the people who truly matter. For me, this includes Doctor Rodrigo, who accompanied me throughout the treatment, as well as the nurses Paula, Márcia, and Verônica. These are the people I want by my side on the most important day of my life.

Today is also the day of the last chemotherapy session, scheduled for three in the afternoon. Before that, we will have a full schedule: choosing the flowers, tasting the cake, and trying on the suits.

The wedding takes place in two days, and everything is already organized thanks to Angela, who hired an impeccable team. They have been working nonstop since they started, and since then we haven't returned to the ceremony location. I want to see everything only on the big day.

The anxiety is so great that it doesn't seem to fit in my chest.

"Good morning, my sun."

I jump slightly, startled, as I step out of my thoughts when I feel a kiss on my lips. I open my eyes and find Gabriel awake, looking at me with that beautiful smile. I return the kiss, slowly.

"Good morning, love."

He rests his head on my lap; I am already leaning against the headboard of the bed.

"How long have you been awake?"

I look at the clock beside the bed. Six-thirty in the morning. I turn my gaze back to him and smile in an almost embarrassed way.

"Since five."

Gabriel takes a deep breath.

"Love…"

I hold his face carefully, forcing him to face me.

"I know, baby. But the anxiety wouldn't let me sleep. In two days we are getting married. Today we will choose the roses, taste the cake, and try on the suits. I couldn't turn off my mind."

He smiles faintly.

"I'm the same way. I'm finally going to call you my husband. And I only slept at three in the morning."

"And I woke up at five."

He laughs, and I lean in to kiss his forehead.

"Let's take a shower. We need to get organized because the day is going to be busy."

Gabriel sits up on the bed and lets out a long sigh.

"I wanted to go with you to the chemotherapy."

"I know, love. But today it won't work out. You will still be resolving your things. After I finish trying on the suit, I'll go straight to the chemo with my mother and yours. If you finish earlier, you can come see me. I'll want to come back here afterward."

He smiles and nods in agreement.

"Deal."

He gets out of bed stretching and comes in my direction with that smile that already gives away his intention. I laugh even before it happens. In a swift movement, he picks me up in his arms, as if I weigh nothing, and heads with me to the bathroom.

"I'm warning you now," I say, between laughs. "When I come back from the chemo, I'm going to want a bath in the tub."

He nods in agreement and kisses my cheek.

"Whatever you want, my love."

He places me on the floor carefully, and we walk over to the sink. We brush our teeth first, exchanging light nudges of the shoulder—silent games that make the morning feel even lighter.

When we finish, he approaches, holds the hem of the shirt I am wearing—one of his—and pulls it slowly upward.

"You are too beautiful," he says, with a peaceful smile. "I still can't believe I'm going to marry all this beauty."

I smile teasingly, running my hand across his chest over his shirt.

"You say that because you haven't seen yourself in the mirror. I am the one who is going to have the most handsome and sexiest husband in the universe."

He laughs and holds my waist.

"You like to tease, don't you?"

"I do."

The kiss comes next. Intense, but calm. Our mouths meet with the same sync as always. Kissing Gabriel never loses its novelty; it's like returning to the first kiss every single time. We pull apart only when we run out of air, still smiling.

We head into the shower.

The warm water falls over us, and Gabriel assumes the care with natural ease. He washes my body attentively, each gesture made with affection. There is no rush, no excess, just love. When he finishes, I take the sponge from his hands and do the same with him, returning each touch, each care, until we finalize the bath.

Upon stepping out, Gabriel grabs the bathrobe and helps me put it on, enveloping me with delicacy. Afterward, he grabs a towel and wraps it around his own waist. We leave the bathroom together and head into the closet. My clothes, which I brought from my parents' house, are organized there.

We choose comfortable, simple clothes suitable for a long day. We get dressed in silence, exchanging glances and small smiles, the kind that say everything without needing words.

After we finish getting ready, Gabriel grabs his wallet, the car keys, and our phones, keeping everything in his pocket. We leave the bedroom and head to the kitchen.

"Sit down, my sun. I'm going to prepare breakfast for us."

I smile and obey. There is no use arguing with him; he always wins.

I rest my chin on my hand and begin to observe him as he moves around the kitchen. There is something dangerously beautiful about seeing Gabriel cook. Maybe it's the calmness in his gestures, maybe the concentration, or the confident way he occupies that space.

When he rolls up the sleeves of his shirt, exposing his forearms, I feel the warmth rise for good. It's almost unfair. I even have to fan myself discreetly with my hand, pretending to be normal, while thoughts that are not holy at all insist on surfacing.

He turns around suddenly and snaps his fingers in front of me.

"Love… where were you just now?"

I quickly wipe away the little drool that almost gives everything away and force an innocent smile.

"Just thinking about our wedding."

Gabriel arches his eyebrow and smiles from the corner of his mouth.

"Right."

Shortly after, he places the breakfast in front of me. My eyes shine; the hunger does too. We begin to eat peacefully, enjoying that simple moment.

"What time did your mother say she would meet us?" I ask while taking a sip of the juice.

"At one in the afternoon. She picks you up and meets us at the suit shop. Afterward, I'll go with your father to the other shop."

I nod and go back to eating, satisfied.

As soon as we finish breakfast, Gabriel collects the plates and I accompany him to the sink, helping to organize everything. It is a simple, automatic gesture, but it carries a good feeling of a shared routine.

Next, he opens the cabinet where he keeps my medicine, grabs one of them, and hands it to me.

"This one first."

I recognize it right away. The supportive one, which protects the stomach. He fills a glass with water and places it in my hand. I take it all without complaining.

"Ready," I say, smiling. "Now we can go."

I take two steps but stop suddenly.

"Love… the invitations."

Gabriel brings his hand to his own forehead.

"I completely forgot," he laughs at himself. "I'll go get them. I'll take the chance to put your things in a small bag, because afterward we are going to separate."

I nod. He heads quickly to the bedroom while I go to the living room and stay near the door, waiting. Shortly after, he returns with a small bag hanging on his arm.

"Now we are all set. We can go."

We leave the house. As always, he opens the door for me before getting into the car. Then he walks around, sits in the driver's seat, and starts the engine, placing the bag on my lap before pulling away.

I slide down the windowpane and let the morning wind hit my face. It is a simple but perfect sensation. Gabriel rests his hand on my thigh, and I intertwine our fingers, letting go only when he needs to shift gears.

The drive continues smoothly.