Epilogue

Epilogue
Something old, something new,
something borrowed, something blue.
And a lucky sixpence in your shoe.
Best Wishes
~S2~
"Done!" declared Paola, in her role as helper to the hired designer who was adjusting her wedding dress, as she secured the lace Juliet cap with pearl and lace flowers on the tips. "A work of art!"
Facing the huge mirror in the guest room of her in-laws' house, Paulina couldn't help but smile with happiness and her eyes moistened at the sight of herself in the dress that had once belonged to her mother.
"Oh my...," she whispered, feeling her face warm.
"Hold back your emotions, Paulina, or you'll smudge your makeup," recommended the designer, Elisabeth Albuquerque, concerned with perfection in every detail. Just minutes before, she had reprimanded the assistants for their mistake in taking the measurements, which had made it difficult to close the row of embroidered pearl buttons on the corset.
"My dear, a tsunami could come and this powerful makeup wouldn't smudge!" reassured the makeup artist recommended by Thiago, who, along with his team, had spent the last few hours doing her makeup, styling her hair, and taking care of her feet and hands.
Paulina laughed, waving her face to hold back the tears of happiness, praying that the statement was true because she was on edge. According to her friends, sister, mother-in-law, and Simon, she didn't have to worry about anything. Since the day before, she felt like a princess being pampered from all sides. And today, she would unite once again with the man who held her heart, this time in the church her mother had visited every Sunday of her brief life.
Even though the civil ceremony had taken place months before, Paulina was nervous about the religious ceremony. Her heart was pounding with excitement and anticipation, her smile never leaving her face, and her tears threatening to run rampant.
A long-haired young man, a member of the makeup artist's team, with a gentle smile came to her rescue.
"Let me help you," he asked, using a tissue to lightly press on the corners of the bride's eyes to dry them.
"You look beautiful, Lina!" admired Tábata, handing her a glass of water. "I'm amazed that the dress fits you so well, even though it's old. It's like a painting!"
Paulina thanked in a faint voice, repeating the compliment to her friend, who was wearing a lilac long dress with a boat neckline, the color chosen by the bride for the bridesmaids.
"Simon is a lucky brother-in-law," said Paola, wearing a lace-strapped long dress, admiring her sister's beauty. "That's why he wants to tie you up in every way possible," she joked, making everyone laugh.
Bubbles of happiness exploded in Paulina's chest, her hands sliding gently over the organza skirt as she remembered the first ceremony. It had been an intimate celebration, with only close relatives and friends of both. At Simon's request, the judge of peace united them on the richly decorated veranda with flowers in shades of pink, white, and lilac. Also at his request, she wore the dress that would have been used for her previous engagement. Her cheeks blushed as she remembered how he leaned in after the kiss that sealed their lives to whisper seductively, "I've been dreaming for months of the opportunity to remove that dress and make you my wife," then planting a kiss on her neck, igniting flames of lust throughout her body.
"A silver coin for the thoughts that caused that intense blush and smile," teased Isabele Albuquerque, in a tight lilac dress, shaking her blue shoes, the left foot holding the coin to bring luck to the newlyweds.
"Hand over the shoes, Isabele!" demanded Elisabeth, causing the blonde to roll her eyes. "We have to hurry."
"Yes, Mom Captain!" she retorted, placing the shoes in front of the bride.
Paulina laughed at the blonde's audacity as she put on her heels. Some might say that those cobalt blue suede heels were an extravagance, but the young Albuquerque had been insistent with the bride on this point.
Isabele had been a great friend in recent months, helping with the preparations alongside the other bridesmaids chosen by her and Simon. In addition, she had given bold ideas for the bride's lingerie and for the new wedding night. Paulina blushed again just imagining it.
There was a knock at the door. Paola hurried to answer, letting the Salvatore matriarch, dressed in an elegant blue long-sleeved sheath dress, and Tamara, wearing a lilac strapless dress, enter.
"The limousines have arrived," Tamara informed them, asking the bridesmaids to accompany her to their respective car. "Simon is already leaving with Alessandro and Gabriel. The next ones are us!"
The movement in the room intensified, everyone rushing towards the four cars that would take the bride and groom, both parents, groomsmen, and bridesmaids.
"Can I talk to you for a moment, daughter?" Mirela asked when Paulina walked towards the door of the room. "Alone."
"Of course, Mirela!" she replied, waving goodbye to her friends and Paola, who closed the door behind her.
"You look so beautiful!" her mother-in-law declared emotionally. "Your mother would be so happy to see you today!"
"Thank you!" Paulina murmured, bravely fighting back the tears. "I like to imagine that she can see us from above."
"Of course she can see!" Thinking of her mother and the tradition to attract happiness to the newlyweds, I decided to lend you my locket." Mirela opened the small navy blue fabric bag she was carrying, taking out a necklace with a silver chain and an ivory rose cameo on a navy blue background. "Open it!"
Paulina took the object that her mother-in-law was handing her and did as she was told. The young bride prayed that the makeup would be really powerful because tears ran down her face. On one side, there was a photo of Mirela in her youth and on the other, the portrait of Soraia.
"Just before I left the orphanage to marry Fabrício, your mother gave it to me as a proof of friendship," Mirela explained. "I thought I could wrap it around the bouquet so she could be part of the ceremony."
Grateful and emotional, Paulina hugged Mirela tightly.
"Thank you, Mirela!" Paulina whispered, pulling away to face her mother-in-law. "I can't repay you for everything you've done for me all these years. You've been like a second mother... And I love you for that."
"Oh, my dear, the greatest gratitude is that you love my boy very much, just as he has always loved you," Mirela replied, tears streaming down her face. "We all love you both so much!"
"I love him," she assured, smiling and tasting the saltiness on her lips. "Very much."
"Oh, and I haven't forgotten about my grandson or granddaughter. I hope you won't leave me out of the news for too long," Salvatore added, with a sharp look that left Paulina blushing and speechless.
Tapping on the wood caught both of their attention.
"Mirela, Paulina, we're going to be late," Fabrício informed from the other side of the door. "And I know the bride is always late, but I think Simon might have a heart attack if we take too long."
Both laughed out loud. However, it was more likely that Simon would insist on chasing after her on a white horse.
"Shall we go, daughter?"
"Yes."
Smiling, Paulina picked up the abandoned handkerchief and, imitating the assistant's movements, wiped away the tears as she followed the Salvatore matriarch to the two cars parked in front of the house. The first had left with the groom so he wouldn't see her in her dress and the bridesmaids who had been with her shortly before.
As soon as Paulina faced her father, she could see his amber eyes fill with tears. Deep down, as tough as her father was, his heart overflowed with love and pride.
"For a moment, I thought it was your mother coming down the stairs..." Paulo murmured, his voice a little choked as he tried to contain his emotions. "You look beautiful, my daughter."
"Thank you, Dad." The brunette squeezed the handkerchief in her hands; she should have taken a few more.
Entering the last car, Paulina sat between Paulo and Paola, resting her hands in her lap and took a deep breath to contain the world of emotions threatening to burst through her eyes. It was impossible not to think about everything she had been through until that day.