Chapter 116: Bonus

BK’s smile widened the moment the church doors in the town of Caramoan opened. They revealed his wife in a simple white wedding gown, but she gave it justice, making it look elegant. She was breathtaking in it even with the roundness of her belly. Simplicity suited her. She never grew fond of anything extravagant.

They lacked preparation because the wedding was sudden. They spent almost a week handling everything to make this ceremony happen. They took advantage of the fact that all her relatives were here in the Philippines.

After he mouthed “I love you,” she replied. No wonder the smile on his lips never faded. Corny as it was, he still felt giddy every time his wife answered him like that.

But he couldn’t stop thinking about their first night later in the cabin, meaning their first night ‘again’ after months apart.

As she stepped forward, a male choir member began singing. He chose ‘I Do’ by 98 Degrees for her. She couldn’t think of anything, so he helped her pick. They listened to almost everything, but that’s the only song they got hooked on. It felt like he wrote that song himself, just for her. It hit him right in the heart. And he knew she felt the same because after months of being distant, she willingly kissed him. She didn’t say anything, but he knew she liked his choice.

He loosened his tie slightly, feeling hot and suffocated. Then he suddenly felt impatient even though his wife was already walking toward him. Time felt painfully slow. He was close to asking the priest to speed up the ceremony. Truth? He was just eager to finally have his wife all to himself.

He smiled inwardly.

He glanced at his mother when she nudged him.

“Ma, seriously?”

“Fix your posture. Everyone can see how impatient you are. Excited that much, son?” his mother said, giving him a pointed look. “You’re embarrassing me in front of her parents and everyone here.”

“She’s taking so long. I want this over so I can have my wife to myself.”

He heard his father laugh behind him, while his mother narrowed her eyes. He winced when she pinched his side.

“Can’t you see your wife is pregnant? Of course she’s walking slowly. And when have you ever seen a bride rushing down the aisle, huh? Like she has an appointment? Huh?”

“Love you, Ma,” he whispered.

The older she got, the more her mouth turned into a machine gun.

She elbowed him again, making him shake his head.

His mother glanced at his father, who had to cover his mouth with a handkerchief to hide his laughter.

“What are you laughing at, my dear husbie?” Kendra asked.

“Nothing, wifey,” Kent answered with a smile.

“Nothing? What, are you going crazy now? Laughing at nothing?”

His father just scratched his head. “I saw a bit of myself in your son. That’s all.” He gave her a sweet smile. “I love you,” he said gently, but his mother only snorted at him.

He straightened his posture when he saw his wife nearing. Her smile was still beautiful as she looked at him. Her parents were on either side, both unable to stop crying.

Right, her parents weren’t there the first time they married. This was the very first time they would walk her down the aisle.

They stopped in front of him. He was about to kiss his wife when his mother stopped him.

He also heard his friends cheering. He shot them a glare, but of course, they didn’t stop.

“Did you attend yesterday morning’s rehearsal or not?” his mother whispered, though he knew his wife and her mother heard because they both laughed.

“I did,” he said quickly.

He had completely forgotten in his excitement to finally see her up close. He hadn’t seen his wife and child after yesterday’s rehearsal because, according to his mother, it was bad luck. So he stayed at his parents’ house. No wonder he missed them so badly.

His mother only shook her head before turning to Daphne and her parents.

After speaking to them, both his parents looked back at him.

“Now it’s your turn, son.”

He approached his wife and hugged her tightly.

“Your beauty is beyond words, baby,” he whispered before letting go.

“Thank you, BK. You too. You look very handsome today,” she replied.

He frowned. “What? Only today?”

“What I mean is, you look ‘more’ handsome today. Meaning, you’ve always been handsome.”

“Great answer, baby. Because of that, you’re getting a bonus from me later.”

“What bonus?” she laughed.

“Nothing, baby. Let’s go. Father’s waiting.”

His wife held his arm as they climbed the steps toward the smiling priest.