Chapter 200 I do - Final Epilogue
"Peek-a-boo!"
The sound of deep belly baby giggles reverberates through the room, and I smile dreamily.
"Kev!" Mom scolds Dad. "His tummy is going to start aching from all the laughing!"
Dad picks Thiago up, and swings him around, making my son laugh even more.
"His tummy doesn't ache." Dad bites his tummy, and he pulls up his little legs in his adorable suit pants. "He is grandpa's little superstar!"
"Kev, take the baby and go out, please." Aunt Farrah says, shooing my dad and Thiago out. "The bride needs to be at the altar in less than thirty minutes."
Yes, I'm the bride, and I'm not even in my dress yet, the makeup artist busy with her final touches.
I'm getting married, and I'm not even nervous.
Life has been the best since Miguel and I started living together, and Thiago has been the best part, not just in our life, but both sets of our parents as well. They absolutely adore him, to the point where they're fighting over who gets to watch him. Miguel and I literally have to remind them that Thiago is indeed our son. I honestly don't mind, though, the support has been amazing.
With Miguel buying into T.'J's company, and expanding it, and me going back to ballet full-time, we didn't even need to hire a nanny because Valentina decided to move back to New York completely. She says that's what abuelas are for. Oh, and she's dating Benedict, much to Miguel's chagrin. He still has to get over how his father didn't protect her, and took him away from her. It's a work in progress though, and I keep on telling him he can't make decisions for his mother, because that would just be the same thing she's always had to deal with.
Caroline sometimes still haunts us in Miguel's nightmares, but he's never had violent reactions again, and he's still going to therapy.
I blame Ben less for everything. He was clearly a product of her abuse, and his mental state was maybe a result of what she did. We can't know for sure since he's dead, but I don't think a child was born evil. If I look into the innocent face of my own son, I can't imagine anyone hurting him, much less me.
"Done." The makeup artist smiles and steps back. "You look beautiful."
I check in the mirror and thank her. I do look beautiful, my makeup elegantly done.
"Let's get you in the dress." Mom claps her hands tovether.
Of course I have three desses for the whole day, something I relented to when my mother came with all her wild ideas. I know I have to learn to say no, but I'm her only child, so I let her have that.
The first dress is a lace ballgown, classic and beautiful, and tears shine in her eyes when she looks at me. That makes all of this worth it.
"You are absolutely stunning!" She gushes. "I can't believe I get to call you my daughter."
I hug her tightly,. "I can't believe I get to call you my mother."
My father doesn't fare much better, crying when he sees me with Thiago on his hip, who is just trying to grab my perfectly styled hair.
"Are you ready?" He sniffs, handing Thiago over to my mother.
"Yes." I beam. I have been ready, but we decided to wait until the next spring when Gregory's debut show ended so we could at least have a proper honeymoon.
Simon, who is my man of honor hugs me after we get out of the dressing room. "You look spectacular. You better not look like that when it's my turn, you can't outshine me."
I throw my head back and laugh as he hands me my bouquet. "I promise to keep it very demure."
My mother planned this day to perfection. Alessi's daughters walking the isle as the flowergirls, wooing the guests with their cuteness, and Thiago in a battery operated little car being the ringbearer. Raul has to fight him to hand over his little suitcase with the rings inside, making everyone laugh.
Dad pats my hand, smiling down at me. "Being your father has been one of my greatest honor, and I'm very proud of the woman and mother you've become."
Tears already start burning my eyes, and the day hasn't even really begun. "Thank you Dad, I love you."
The violin starts playing, Arcangngelo's soulful sound. I decided that Ben's proposal wasn't going to haunt me any longer, and I wasn't going to let Arcangelo not play at my wedding.
The man at the front waiting for me is my end goal, and everything that came before this moment may have played a role in shaping us, but it doesn't define our love for one another. I have eyes for him only as Dad walks me down the isle at the beautiful villa we're hiring as the all-in-one venue, wildfowers everywhere. It's perfect, like the man holding his hand out to shake my father's, promising that he will protect me and love me always.
I don't have any doubt that he will.
Dad kisses my cheek and places my hand in Miguel's, who helps me up the few steps at the altar outside. He too, has a sheen in his eyes when he looks at down at me, but he smirks and bends down so his lips are at my ear.
"You are beautiful, wife." He whispers, making goosebumps break out over my skin. "But you're also late, I'm going to have to piunsih you tonight, mouse."
I look forward to it.
THE END
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