CHAPTER 151

CHAPTER 151
POV ELIZABETH

Weeks later

Finally, the big day arrived. Mad was a bundle of nerves, but also very happy because, in just a few hours, she and Dan would be husband and wife.
Last week, I went with Mad, Dan, and Elena to get our passports. Well, Dan and I were getting ours for the first time; she was just renewing hers. Even though I hadn’t planned to leave the country, she convinced me to get mine too—after all, you never knew when it might be needed.

And like every bride, Mad had her special day, of course accompanied by her bridesmaids (Charlotte, me, a few of Mad’s friends, and Dan’s sister along with his mother), her mother of the heart (that’s what she called my mom), and her most beautiful little flower girl, Elena.
The day was filled with laughter, fun, relaxation, and plenty of pampering. Just like the bride, all the bridesmaids received special attention.
The color Mad chose for her wedding was Rose—both the decorations and the bridesmaids’ dresses… everything had that rosy tone, and it was all beautiful and perfect.

Once we were all ready, we headed to the church for the ceremony, except for Mad, who stayed behind waiting for James, accompanied by Elena.
As I had anticipated, my belly already felt enormous, and I was exhausted even before the night had begun.
(...)

The wedding coordinator gave the signal for the groom and his groomsmen to enter. To the sound of the Ave Maria, the groom walked into the church, followed by his groomsmen and bridesmaids. Matthew and I (with a huge belly), Charlotte and Henry, and other couples of friends made our way to our seats, waiting for the bride’s grand entrance.

The musicians began playing the wedding march, and the church doors opened, revealing the stunning bride about to walk down the aisle.
With slow steps, tears in her eyes, and her princess-style white dress, she walked accompanied by her father and her beautiful little flower girl, who wore a dress similar to hers. She made her way toward her happiness and her love, who waited for her with a huge smile on his face.

As the priest conducted the emotional ceremony, Matthew took my hand and kissed it. With so much emotion, my thoughts drifted to the day of our own wedding. I remembered every step I had taken to reach him, every word spoken, and the emotion and joy each one had represented in our lives.

“Madelín and Dan… You have chosen each other as family, and today you celebrate a love that has already begun and will continue to grow over the years. Marriage is a union, a journey toward a future where we let go of who we are separately for what we can become together. And so, you become one. In First Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 4 through 7, it says: Love is patient, love is kind; it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth; it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Therefore, beloved brothers and sisters, even if one day you suffer for a love you thought was true, do not despair, for love endures all things, believes all things, and repairs all things…” And with that, he continued the ceremony, moving us deeply.

Mad and Dan exchanged their wedding vows and rings, overwhelmed with emotion, moving all of us in the process. Matthew and James were visibly emotional.
(...)

The ceremony ended with much emotion, and everyone was extremely happy, especially the newlyweds. After the wedding, we headed to the reception hall for the wedding party.
Everything was very elegant, with plenty of food and drinks, great music, lots of photos, and impeccable decorations. That was Mad and Dan’s wedding celebration. Matthew and I took some photos with the couple, then photos together, and also family pictures.

“Attention, everyone,” James called, getting everyone’s attention. We watched as he invited Matthew and Mad to stand beside him. “Today has been a very special day, one of the most emotional of my life, because my little one, my spirited girl, got married… Mad, my beloved daughter, I wish you many blessings and achievements, a happy marriage built on love and complicity.” He hugged her. “The greatest joy of a father, after watching his children grow, is to see them happy and well-settled in life and to have the honor of walking his princess down the aisle. Today I had that honor and I feel deeply fulfilled. I achieved all my dreams today and feel that I’ve completed my mission with you. My two children are happy, very well married, and well-settled in life. I raised you practically alone and was so afraid of failing as a father every day, but today I know I’ve done my job well. You,” he looked at his children, “Matthew and Mad, are my greatest pride and happiness. I want to say I love you very much and thank, first, God, and then your late mother for giving me the privilege of being chosen as your father. I love you!” James spoke, deeply emotional, making his children cry, and they embraced him tightly.

After James’ speech, the wedding party flowed perfectly. But we were among the first to leave. Even though we had spent the entire day at the spa relaxing, I felt tired and my feet were swollen. Not to mention Elena, who must have been tired too, as she had never stayed awake this late before, and she was the only child at the party. So, after congratulating the newlyweds and wishing them happiness for the thousandth time, we left.

Once we got home, we put Elena to bed, took a long, relaxing shower together, and after Matthew massaged my feet, we fell asleep spooning.

Weeks later…

POV MATTHEW

I got home after another exhausting day at work and immediately heard the TV on. I went to the living room and saw my princess intently watching along with Carly. I kissed her and then went upstairs to take a shower.

When I entered the bedroom, I found Elizabeth sitting on the bed, her hand on her belly, staring off into space. I took the moment in, pulled my phone from my pocket, and snapped a photo.
“I never get tired of telling you how beautiful you are,” I said, smiling and catching her by surprise.
“And I never get tired of telling you how much I love you,” she said, smiling. I leaned in and kissed her.