70| ROAD TO FOREVER

Blood splutters inside the sink, creating a gruesome sight. Riley was hunched over said sink, trying to catch her breath.

"No, no, no, please. This can't fucking happen, not now, please." She complained, but her voice was filled with genuine anger instead of pity for herself. She was more concerned about staining her dress, in fact, than the actual ailment that had caused her to throw up. Today was Eron and Frema's wedding and Riley could not let her 'stupid cancer' get in the way if their happiness.

A knock resounded on the door of the washroom. "Riles, are you okay?" Her husband's voice came and she shouted back right away,

"I'm fine, babe. Honestly, you don't have to look for me every two hours. I just needed to pee."

"Oh okay, we'll be heading to the church now with the groom. I'll be expecting you all later, okay?" He said and she replied back with an 'okay', waiting to hear him leave. He finally began to head out and then she turned on the tap, washing every evidence of her blood vomit away. When she was finally done, she took a deep breath and went out.

The bride was ready thirty minutes later and they—the bridal train and the bride began to make their way to the venue. Riley vomited twice in her cup. The two times, she'd vomited blood. Thankfully, her bestfriend, Frema was in another vehicle in front, and so had no idea about what was happening to her. The rest of the girls in the car they were in, seemed not to notice, carrying on with their gossip until they got to the church.

Frema took a deep breath as she watched the big doors of the church open automatically as she approached it. She was smiling so widely, and so was Eron, even as he sat on that wheelchair, unmoving. His eyes were focused on her. Just her, and he looked like he wanted to not just see the external part of her, but the internal as well. He looked like a man who was ready to possess her completely; a man who had waited on this day for the better part of his life.

Eron being saved was a miracle, a story which she could never get used to hearing. According to him, he'd managed to jump out of the car when it had caught on fire and another driver who'd been involved in the accident was the one who'd caught on fire. The one they'd been mourning. It had been a mix-up of some sort, a painful one at that, but Frema could not stop being grateful for another chance with the love of her life. Frema had promised Riley that she would not ruin her makeup, so she kept the tears at bay and when she got to her father, she entwined her arms with his and continued walking.

For long minutes, everyone around Eron had vanished into thin air. His eyes stayed focused on Frema, his bride. For years, he'd looked forward to this day; in fact, he'd dreamt of it almost every night.. but nothing had prepared him for the sight before him. It was even more enthralling than what he'd pictured. Her, in that white dress, clutching her father's arm in one hand and a bunch of flowers in the other arm was a sight for sore eyes. Her face under the veil was undoubtedly perfect, and the thought made him furious as to why he still sat on the wheelchair—now someone else would take the veil off her, probably the priest. He wanted to break the man's hands from the thought alone.

"You may now be seated." The priest informed everyone when Frema arrived on the altar and her father dispersed to his seat. She stood before him and they stared into each other's eyes, regardless of the obstacle covering her face.

"Dearly beloved," The priest began, "we are gathered here today to witness this man and woman join together in holy matrimony." The rest of the speech faded with the wind as they fell in love with each other again, and conveyed the words with their eyes. Soon enough, it was time to say their vows. The priest lifted Frema's veil, causing Eron to groan from how gorgeous her face was. He was the first to speak,

"Eight years. For eight years, you've been a part of my life and for those same eight years, I yearned to be a part of yours, too. I've wanted you all those years, Fremantle Michelson. Back then, I wished I could control myself. I wished I could stop myself from wanting you so desperately, because my love, I felt it was useless, as it was not in my nature to love. It was why I chickened out of my feelings those times, it was why I let you go, even when I shouldn't have, because I built strong walls and you were not permitted to pull them down so easily, but you did. You shattered those walls and not only did you do that, you managed to wrap a monster like me around your fingers. You are a miracle, Princesa. You are my miracle. Because of you, I believe there is a God somewhere and I believe in his miracles. Because of you, I believe in second chance. For these reasons and much more, I'm pledging to you my love, my life. I promise that from today onwards, you're mine to protect and cherish. Mine to claim, mine to love forever." At this point, they were both crying. Frema could not believe he was actually crying, just like the guests could not believe it, as well. She got on her knees in her wedding dress and after he slipped the ring on, she held his face in her palms. He grinned, trying to take away the tension as he asked,

"Got anything that could beat that vow?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. Can I just say I love you? I swear I recited my vow a hundred times but it's still not perfect in my head." She replied with a shy smile, amidst tears. Using his thumb, he wiped some tears away and said,

"I freestyled, woman."

To this, she laughed and started, "First, you're not a monster, Eron. You were never that. You were thirsty for revenge because you were wronged badly and even if you made a few mistakes while seeking for your revenge, it doesn't make you less human. To me, you're perfect. And to our sons as well. You're the only man I've dreamt of sleeping and waking up next to, you're everything I've prayed for and more. Even with your imperfections—" But he didn't let her finish, slamming his lips to hers and swallowing any other words she had to say. The priest cleared his throat and few times and the audience went ballistic, then the priest finally grumbled the words out,

"Alright then, you may now kiss the bride."

When Frema finally stood up and threw the flower to the crowd, turning back around as soon as she did, she did not miss the look of adoration and pure joy on her twins' faces. Those expressions clearly patted her on the back for starting a lifetime with her newly wedded husband and she could not think of a happier day in her entire life—she'd never felt so complete.