Chapter 23
(Brianna)
“IN A LIFETIME made of memories, I believe in destiny. Every moment returns again in time. When I’ve got the future on my mind, know that you’ll be the only one...”
I flashed my sweetest smile while walking down the aisle. Tears ran down my cheeks when I saw the man waiting for me at the altar, the man I never thought existed and the man who opened my eyes about the countless beautiful things in the world. I never thought that a wedding such as ours would still be possible after everything we had gone through.
“In a lifetime, there is only love reaching for the lonely one. We are stronger when we are given love. When we put emotions on the line, know that we are the timeless ones. Meet me halfway across the sky. Make this a new beginning of another life...”
New beginning, indeed, I thought as the song continued to play. Everything was beautiful today. This day made me realize that such perfection could exist in real life, too, and not just in the novels that I write. The sea was beautiful, even the sand caressing my bare feet, the soft wind playing with my hair, and the sunrise. They were all perfect… especially my groom.
So many things happened. If not for the love Ingram and I had for each other, we would probably have given up already. It had been a year since Mama passed away. It was hard to accept at first. But God was good. He didn’t allow me to wallow in misery for a long time because when He took my mother, He left people that would help me rise again.
Stella’s love and support still overwhelms me until now. Ellen and Erasmus’ presence were a big help, too. Ellen was now a Vampire. She asked to be turned so she could be with Erasmus for a longer period of time. Ingram’s love was the one that I’d always be thankful for. He never left my side when I was still grieving. The very hour that my mother died, and I screamed his name, he came right away and has never left me since then.
Xanthus was able to fulfill his plans. The Primus had fallen. Sullivan and his entire clan were excommunicated. It happened a month after my mother died. The Vampires felt Xanthus’ desire to change the system in the Council. His contributions in their community were the reasons why he later on became one of the Council members.
Xanthus rewarded Ingram, Erasmus, and Ellen. He searched for a shaman that could help with their sun curse. This time, they weren’t given a mark but a black pearl which was created through Xanthus’ blood and the Shaman’s magic. It was the kind of pearl that could never be stolen. Through a spell, the pearl went inside their bodies that would shield them against the sun for eternity. Now, I could be with them even in the daylight.
As a part of our celebration, our wedding was held during sunrise. But that wasn’t the end of our celebration. Because exactly a year after Mama died, destiny surprised us once more. I got pregnant. It was still a mystery to all of us until now.
Erasmus said that maybe it was because of our special blood as doppelgangers. Or it could be Xanthus’ secret gift for Ingram and me. That was what Ingram thought of. I didn’t know how or why I got pregnant. And I didn’t want to question things anymore. Having a child was already a huge miracle that I would always be thankful for.
I’m one month pregnant now.
Ingram and I only have a very few guests. We only invited those who were the closest to our hearts. They were Xanthus, Kiara, Erasmus, my co-writers who were eyeing Xanthus for quite a while now and Stella and Kristoff along with Lourdes Marie, their daughter. I’m relieved that Kristoff and my sister seemed to be getting along well now.
Ingram loved me and I love him, too. There shouldn’t be any problem anymore aside from the fact that our days on Earth were now numbered. Because the curse still remains. Even the Council had no idea how to lift the curse.
For someone like me who lives only to die in the end, what should I do? I remembered asking that question before. I made a promise to Ingram that every day, we would celebrate our existence, that we would make our remaining time worth it. As the fear and tension came back in my heart, the memories of all that we had been through also came back…
This is your wedding, Brianna. Don’t spoil the moment, I reminded myself to stop myself from worrying. Ingram and I were lucky enough that we got to spend almost two years together. I’m just not sure anymore if I’d still be able to deliver the baby. And if I did, until when could I be with her?
My baby...From now on, I will write everything that’s in my heart. I will express all my hopes, love, and dreams in my novels with a hope that my child would be able to read them one day.
I took a deep breath before focusing on my groom.
“The mere thought of your beautiful face was enough to quiet the demons inside me. Every time you smile, I tend to forget that I am a beast. I tend to forget the misery I’ve gone through the past three hundred years that I’ve waited for you,” I remembered Ingram saying last night which brought back the smile on my lips.
When Ingram and I met in front of the altar, he took my hand and softly kissed it. Love was written all over his eyes.
“I love you so much,” he whispered.
Warmth spread in my heart. “I don’t know what’s waiting for us at the end of all these, Ingram. And it’s frightening. But I love you, too. I love you so much. And somehow, that makes everything manageable.”