CHAPTER 148
CHAPTER 148
POV MATTHEW
Elizabeth finally came downstairs. She was wearing a dress the same color and almost the same style as Elena's—glittering stones on the bust and stomach, and a flared skirt. Her hair was loose and wavy, makeup flawless. She looked stunning. She greeted a few guests and walked toward me.
“What happened, love? Why didn’t you come down earlier?” I asked seriously.
“I was feeling a little nauseous, so I preferred to wait it out in the bedroom,” Elizabeth replied, looking at me—but she seemed worried.
Even with her carefully done makeup, her eyes were puffy, clearly showing she had cried a lot. That worried me.
“Are you sure you're okay, love? Really sure?” I insisted, concerned.
“I’m fine, my love...” she answered seriously.
She kissed Elena, then gave me a kiss, and we went to our seats to wait for the bride and groom to enter.
(…)
And finally, Mrs. Amélia walked in with my father… She entered very emotional, making her daughters emotional too, and they walked toward the officiant, who was already waiting for them.
My father kissed his future wife on the forehead, and the officiant began the ceremony.
“Good evening, everyone! We are gathered here at the end of this beautiful day to celebrate one of the greatest things in life—Love—and the companionship between this couple. You were all invited to witness and share this important moment with Amélia and James, and if you're here today, it's because you hold an important place in each of their lives. Today, you are witnessing that love has no age. There are no barriers when one truly wants to love. It doesn't matter how many people have passed through your life, or how many had to be lost to reach this moment—the important thing is that they made it. And they're here now, overcoming their differences and celebrating love...” he continued the ceremony.
(…)
In a simple yet moving ceremony, the officiant finally declared them husband and wife.
During the ceremony, Elizabeth was visibly moved, but she seemed apprehensive, nervous, and tense. And I didn’t understand why. She was talking to Charlotte and Mad, so I approached.
“Are you okay, love?” I asked, looking at her, and she smiled while holding her glass of non-alcoholic champagne.
“I’m fine, love. I just got a little emotional with the ceremony. Must be the pregnancy,” Elizabeth said seriously. I kissed her and walked away, letting them talk in peace.
And so the small celebration went on. Dinner was served to the guests, and during the meal, I noticed that Elizabeth wasn’t acting like herself. Something was bothering her. So after dinner, I took her hand and led her to the garden, because I needed to know what was going on.
“Love, what’s going on with you? You seem off!” I asked, caressing her face.
“It’s just that I need to tell you something, but I don’t think this is the right place,” she replied, looking nervous and tense.
“Shall we go to our room, then?” I asked seriously, and she held my hand.
“Not yet… Let’s wait until the guests leave,” she replied tensely, gesturing with her hands.
“Alright...” I held her by the waist. “But before we go back, I want a real kiss.” She smiled, and we started kissing.
(…)
Finally, the last guest left, and I couldn’t find Elizabeth anywhere. After saying goodbye to my father and stepmother, I went upstairs. But before going to my room, I peeked into Elena’s—she was already asleep.
I took off my blazer and headed to our bedroom. While walking, I loosened the knot of my tie… I opened the door, and everything was dark. I turned on the light and was both shocked and overjoyed by what I saw in front of me.
There was a huge heart on the floor, made with blue and pink paper. On the bed, there were heart-shaped balloons, also in blue and pink. I began to smile, my heart pounding faster and faster, and then I walked closer to the bed.
There were several balloons, and among them, an envelope. I picked it up and opened it. Inside was a handwritten letter from Elizabeth, and another paper.
I took the letter and started reading:
Hi, to my future daddy...
A few weeks ago, mommy received some wonderful news. She found out that there were two hearts beating inside her, and that I was on my way. But she was a little sad at first, because she didn’t know how I ended up in her belly. Because, logically, I wasn’t supposed to be there...
But I’m a little gift from God, and God’s gifts aren’t meant to be explained—only accepted. And she accepted me and started loving me. You accepted me too, and I know you already love me as well…
So today, I bring you more wonderful news. TODAY I reach another week inside mommy’s belly... Today, daddy, exactly on the day when my grandparents celebrated their love, I turn six weeks old.
I know what you’re thinking—how is this possible? So let me explain: I’m a gift from God. The kind of gift that’s going to give you a lot of work and many sleepless nights. I’ll steal mommy away from you, and I think I might make my big sister a little jealous—just a little. But I came to seal this beautiful bond between you two even more. I also came to help my big sister Elena turn your hair gray faster, and together with her, bring more joy and love to our family. God sent me to be another fruit of the beautiful love that exists between you and mommy.
I came defying science and proving that nothing is impossible for God. I’m a gift with His permission… I’m the result of the deep and beautiful love that unites you and my mommy!
I love you, daddy. Kisses! And in about 238 days (34 weeks), I’ll be in your arms, and I know you’ll love me just as much as you love my big sister!
Inside mommy, there are two hearts madly in love with you!
Oh, and this is my very first photo—of many more to come. Keep it with all your heart...
The other paper was the image from the first ultrasound.
I finished reading it, overwhelmed with emotion, tears streaming down my face… and then I heard footsteps. I looked up and saw Elizabeth wearing an open white robe and delicate white lingerie underneath. She was also very emotional, so I quickly got up, went to her, and hugged her tightly. We cried together, overwhelmed with the joy of knowing we were having another baby—and that I was, officially, the father.
Once again, our love had multiplied.