Chapter Twenty-Five

"You look beautiful, Ava," her mom said as she fixed her hair. "Noah is not going to be able to take his eyes off you," she said as she brushed her long hair. She looked at her daughter, and tears fell from her eyes.

"Mom, what's wrong?" she said as she held her hands.

"I just didn't think I'd get to see my daughter get married. I thought I'd be dead. But I was awfully wrong about that."

"Why do you say that, Mom?"

"I knew you and Noah had a love-hate relationship. Some months, it was bad; some months, it was good. Up until you broke up with him, I was pleased that my daughter had found someone. But when Daniel told me you were back, I lost all hope. Yet I still wished the both of you the best. And now you're getting married!"

"I love you, Mom," Ava said as she kissed her hands.

"I'll be back. I'm going to go get Nathalie," she said before she left the room. Ava just smiled.

Ava stared at the window as she remembered how it all happened. It was just two days after she graduated, and Bella had just celebrated her baby's one-year birthday.

She stood at the airport as she waited for Noah to pick her up. She'd just come back from Vegas.

She then spotted Noah coming towards her with two bodyguards.

"Hey, baby," he said as he gave her a small kiss.

"I miss you so much," she said as she gave him a tight hug.

"I miss you too, Ava. We should get going. They are all waiting for you in the restaurant."

"I have to change and shower first," she said as she hopped into the car.

"How was work today?" she asked as they drove.

"It was fine. I'm just happy you're here. I really missed you," he said as he placed his hands around her waist.

"Yeah, me too. And I'm eager to see Bella's boy and Nathalie's girl," she said as he grinned from ear to ear.

"You're definitely going to see them," he said as she placed her head on his shoulder.

They arrived at the Faustino mansion, and the guards helped her carry her stuff.

"Why is the house so dark?" she said as she entered the big doors to the living room.

"Noah, where is your phone? I can't see mine in my purse?" But she received no answer.

"Noah?! I can't see," she called out, but she received no answer.

"Goodness gracious. Hellooo! Hel—" She was interrupted by loud voices as young and old shouted.

"SURPRISE!"

"OMG, you guys," she said as she stood shocked at the decorations and the huge cake in the middle.

"Congratulations and welcome back home," Grandpa Faustino announced as he opened his arms for a big hug.

"Thank you so much," she said as she hugged him back.

Everybody was there with her: Daniel, Bella, Chloe, Grandpa, Nathalie, her mom. Even Pedro and Ryan were there. And Anne. But she didn't know Noah.

She moved to Bella first, who carried her nephew. "Oh my God, he is so cute," she said as she patted him. He only smiled. He looked a lot like Daniel. She handed back the baby to Bella, and she went ahead to hold Nathalie's Eve.

She sucked on her forefinger, and as she carried her, her curly hair fell into her face. She called out, "Mama!" before Ava kissed her cheeks and she laughed.

Suddenly, everybody went silent, and Nathalie collected the baby from Ava. She placed her fingers on her lips as she pointed.

She didn't know what was going on, and she looked around.

She saw Noah with one knee on the floor. He brought out a box from his pocket and revealed the ring.

She placed her hands on her mouth in shock as he asked the question. "Will you marry me? Ava Durango?"

He lifted the ring to her.

She fell to her knees and could only nod her head.

He placed the ring on her finger, and she kissed him, and everyone cheered.

"Omg, I'm gonna cry, Grandpa," Nathalie said as she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.

They were like magic to Ava. Tears dropped from her eyes. She didn't even notice when Noah came into the room and pecked her cheek.

"Oh my God, Noah, it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding." He hugged her from the back.

"Then I want to be your bad luck," he said before he left another kiss on her neck.

"Babe, there's something I want to show you,'' Ava said as she moved to the cupboard.

She pulled out a white envelope with her name written boldly on it.

"I went to some doctors and did some research and..." she said as she handed him the envelope.

He opened it, and his eyes lit up with surprise and excitement.

"It happened that night, and I went to see the doctor two weeks later," she said with a wide grin.

"Shit, I can't believe this." He ran his hands through his hair.

"Yeah, you're going to be a father!" she said, and he lifted her into the air.

"I'm fucking going to be father!" he said before he kissed her.

"Now you will know what it feels like to carry a baby for nine months," Nathalie said as she put her arms around her waist.

"Omg, you heard?!" Ava said when Nathalie interrupted.

"Actually, we could tell already. Something was wrong with your tum-tum."

"Jeez, one baby and you can tell?" Ava said with a chuckle.

"The wonders of pregnancy, my dear," she said as she shrugged.

"Okay, love birds, it's time for her makeup. Besides, what are you even doing here?" she said, pushing Noah out of the room.

The makeup artist came in and fixed her face. And she watched the whole process in the mirror.

When she was done, Nathalie dressed her up. The couple didn't go to the church in the same car.

Noah and the others had already arrived, and they stood at the altar. She could hear the wedding song as she came out of the car.

The entire church stood up as she walked down the aisle with Daniel by her side. She looked left, and she saw her mother's teary eyes. She sent air kisses.

She arrived at the altar and stood with Noah.

"You look beautiful, Ava," he whispered in her ears as the reverend father started.

"Yes, I do," Noah answered.

"And will you, Miss Ava, take Mister Noah as your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, in death and in life, in wealth and in poverty?"

"Yes, I do," she said.

"If you have anything against this couple, speak now or forever hold your peace!" The reverend father asked, and the whole church stayed silent.

"Now you may—" The reverend father was stopped by the brutal opening of the door.

"Wait!" she screamed as she opened the door, and the entire church gasped.

Kendra Wilkinson stood there in a black gown with tears in her eyes.

She fell to her knees. Noah gestured at the guards at the door, but Ava stopped them.

She went down the hall to where Kendra stood.

"I'm sorry, Ava. I'm not here to spoil your wedding. I just want to apologize to you and Noah for everything. I even shot you. I was jealous and blinded by something that wasn't mine. Please, Ava, forgive me. I'll go to jail soon. The police are after me. I just want to apologize before I'm locked up forever," she said, and she fell on Ava's feet.

"You are forgiven, Kendra. And, to pay for your sins, I would like you to witness my wedding," she said, and she hugged her. The whole crowd cheered.

Kendra took a seat amidst the crowd.

Ava went back to her position at the altar, and the father continued.

"Now you may kiss the bride," he said, and Noah did not hesitate to press his lips onto his bride's.

Everyone was there to celebrate her special day.

The afterparty was the highlight of the day. They didn't expect it, but Kendra caught the bouquet. People still hated her, but they were happy if Ava was happy.

And Ava was happy.