CHAPTER 164

CHAPTER 164
Celine

He kept to his promise.

He meant every word he’d said to me that day in the hospital elevator, and he's shown that in the last 9 months, with the way he gave me back and foot rubs, cooked and served me dinner in bed, bought all my cravings without me having to ask twice, held me in bed until I fell asleep, stayed awake with me on nights I couldn't fall asleep, gave me a thousand kisses everyday, told me I was the most beautiful woman to walk the surface of the earth, bathed me, washed and blowdried my hair, brought his face to my bump and talked to our baby, went for every doctor's appointment with me, and held my hand through it all.

And now, standing by Serena's open room door with a big smile on my face, as I watched him comb, pack and decorate her hair with colourful ribbons, while they both chatted and laughed about random stuff, I had no doubt that he was going to be a great father when our baby eventually comes.

“All done?” I asked, the radiant smile on their faces lingering as their heads snapped to face me. Then he rose from her bed, and they both walked towards me hand-in-hand.

“Look at you,” he said, taking my hands in his and looking me over with a sparkle in his eyes. “You look stunning as always.”

I let out a soft chuckle, a blush creeping up to my cheeks.

He still had that effect on me after all this time. And I also loved how he always gave me compliments, whether I was in a plain sundress with no makeup on, or in the silk sky blue off-shoulder dress I had on right now, with minimal makeup, comfy heels, and a simple hair updo.

“You’re the cutest bridesmaid ever with that baby bump,” he added, giving me a warm kiss on the side of my head.

“And that navy blue suit and bowtie looks absolutely breathtaking on you,” I said, sliding my hands over his shoulders.

“What can I say?” he said with a smug smile, his fingers resting on the nape of my lower back. “Gotta look the best man part.”

“Right,” I said through my laughter, nodding.

Then the laughter gradually melted off my face, my eyes staring into his in silent admiration.

“What is it?” he muttered, mischief gleaming in his eyes. “Is my handsomeness too much for you to handle?”

I chuckled lightly, a proud smile lingering on my lips. “You did a great job with Serena's hair,” I said, admiring how coordinated those ribbons were with her pink ballgown.

He looked down at Serena and they both grinned, his gaze returning to me.

“You've changed so much, and it makes me love you more everyday,” I added, caressing the back of his neck.

“Well, get ready, cause you're going to fall even deeper from now on,” he said as he pulled me closer, a seductive glint flickering in his eyes.

I couldn't hold my blush as we both got lost in each other's eyes, the moment shattering as Serena cleared her throat.

“Would you two love birds like to be the ones getting married instead?” she teased with an innocent smile, forcing an amused chuckle out of I and Antonio's lips.

“Hanging out with your papa everyday has made you just as naughty as him,” I said playfully, tapping on the bridge of her nose, and she giggled.

“Well, ladies, we better get going before the bride and groom start looking for us,” Antonio said, holding my hand on one side and Serena's on the other, then we quietly made our way outside to the car.

Moments later, we arrived at the venue; a venue just perfect for a classic evening beach-themed wedding.

We handed Serena over to Janice, and they joined the other guests who had begun to flood in, under the mesmerising palm leaf canopies.

Soon, we were all watching in awe, as Alyssa's dad walked her down the aisle, with Dino, Antonio, Pedro, and the other Luna Nera brothers standing beside Matteo on one side of the podium, in their matching groomsmen outfit, while Anna and I who were her only bridesmaids, stood at the right.

Alessia looked drop dead gorgeous in that strapless mermaid wedding dress and cathedral veil. And Matteo looked like he stepped out of a fashion magazine in that white suit, accompanied by black pants and a bowtie in the same color.

The highlight of it was the tears of admiration in the couple's eyes. The way Matteo and Alessia smiled and stared at each other was a clear testament of how much they loved each other and have looked forward to this day, and I was so happy that the kindest people I knew were finally having their happily ever after.

After all was said and done, they were joined together as husband and wife, and the after party kicked off.

By this time it was already nightfall, the humming waves and fairy lights above, adding a magical glow to the beach.

We were all seated around our various tables facing the one the couple had all to themselves, excited chatters and music filling the air as we dined on different delicacies.

Then came the part where Antonio was called to give his speech, explosive laughter echoing in the air as Antonio exposed the embarrassing things Matteo did in his childhood.

Other events followed, like the couple’s first dance, a wedding trivia where Matteo and Alessia had to tell us how well they knew each other, and photo sessions followed right after.

There was even a fireworks display, then a dance off between the bridesmaid and groomsmen, which Anna won in the end.

It was a fun-packed day, and everyone was having the time of their lives.

Then something I didn't see coming happened.

At this time, we'd finished eating, and the party was already far gone. We were having a little chat on the table where Antonio, Pedro, Dino, Anna, and I sat, laughing because Antonio was trying so hard to set Dino up with the single daughter of a longtime business partner of Gray Corporation. According to him, they'd look good together, but I knew deep down that it was because he couldn't get over the fact that Dino used to have feelings for me.

But right in the middle of the conversation, I felt a cramping in my lower abdomen, and a soft scream tore out of my lips before I could stop it, sending everyone on the table into a frenzy of panic as their heads snapped towards me.

Antonio and Anna hastily sprang up from their seats as I fell back on mine and spread my legs apart, their eyes widened in anxiety.

“What's wrong?” he asked as he held my shoulder, his voice on edge.

“I think I–” My words died on my lips as I felt a warm fluid sliding down my legs, my eyes bulging in horror.

“Oh my God!” Anna exclaimed dramatically, attracting the attention of the guests who had been occupied with their conversations. “I think her water just broke.”