Time to get married
“Mom, did you give this bracelet to me?” Alison asked.
"I have one, too. Look! It's exactly like yours, Alison.” Emily showed hers.
Daphne took the bracelet, that distant memory flooding her mind.
Years ago, when her father was betrayed, Matthew rescued her from those men. On his deathbed, her father gave her hand in marriage to Matthew.
Matthew knew that her heart belonged to Maxim, yet he claimed her as his own. It legitimized his succession to the leadership of the Polar Bear Alliance.
"Alison, Emmy, it's about time you two got married, isn't it?" she asked with a smile.
"Mom, it's still early. No rush,” Alison replied.
"Don't let the third child end up like Sophia and Ethan." Daphne glanced at Alison's slender waist.
"Mom..." Alison flushed, lowering her head.
"Alright. I've made my decision. You two should get married within a month,” Daphne declared.
"Mom, let Alison marry first. My body...” Emily hesitated, her eyes welling up.
"But Emmy, Rock is your brother. It's just like a soap opera..." Daphne felt torn. "You two must support each other in the future."
"Don't worry, Mom," Emily assured her.
——
On Valentine's Day.
It was a grand celebration for the Winston family because all three sons were getting married that day.
Media reporters swarmed the Winston family estate, eager for exclusive wedding coverage.
Three Rolls-Royce stretch limousines adorned with red roses carried the three grooms-to-be, followed by over a dozen luxury vehicles in a grand procession to the brides' temporary residence.
The vehicles pulled up in front of the building.
The grooms stepped out, straightened their clothes, and prepared to go upstairs.
On the balcony above, Alison, Emily, and Lucia were waiting for them.
"They're here! Everyone, take your positions. Don't let them in easily,” someone reported.
"Got it!" Everyone moved to the door.
The doorbell rang.
“Who is it?” one girl asked.
"The groom."
"State your names, or we won't open the door," the girl said.
“Rock Winston.”
"Aidan Winston."
“Jack Winston.”
"Alright! Please answer me: When was your first kiss with the bride? Who pursued whom first? When does the groom find the bride most beautiful?” The girl pressed.
"Our first kiss was the night we met. Of course, I pursued her first. Alison is always beautiful," Jack said.
"We kissed for the first time after knowing each other for about three months. As for who pursued whom..." Aidan hesitated.
"Go ahead."
"She pursued me, and then I pursued her back,” Aidan said with a smile.
"What about the third question?"
"Naturally, Lucia's most beautiful now." He smiled, grateful that he had heeded his mother's advice to keep the baby.
“Alright! Next up, Mr. Rock, please answer the three questions above.”
Rock cleared his throat. Truthfully, he'd forgot the first time he kissed Emily.
“Hurry up!”
“Alright...” Rock hesitated.
“Ask Emily when she and Rock shared their first kiss, Alison. Hurry up.” Jack sent Alison a voice message.
“When did Rock kiss you for the first time? Emmy?” Alison asked.
“Maybe it was on the dance floor at the nightclub.”
Alison sent Jack a message: [It was on the dance floor at the nightclub.]
Jack quickly whispered the answer to Rock.
"Our first kiss was on the dance floor at the nightclub. And she was most beautiful when she wasn't wearing any clothes." Rock blurted out.
The girls in the room were stunned, their eyes wide as they opened the door.
The three grooms squeezed into the room.
“For the final question: Which day did you make them your women?” one girl beside them asked.
This question made all the brides blush.
The three suddenly stood up and answered in unison: “It was at some point that night.”
The moment the door opened, the grooms scooped up their respective brides and dashed downstairs toward the chapel.
——
The wedding cars pulled up slowly.
After the grooms and brides stepped out, a wheelchair was pushed out outside the church.
Aimée seated in the wheelchair, clutching the invitation tighter.
I'd never find a place in Jack's heart.
“Mom, let's go,” she murmured.
Now, it was time to let it go.
——
Outside the Gothic cathedral, a square bustled with flocks of white doves.
Alison crouched down, gently cupping a dove in her palm.
Just then, Ethan's voice rang out. “Mommy, I want to hold it too!”
She turned, carefully placing the dove into his small hands.
“Mommy, look! It likes me! It's so cute!” he exclaimed.
“Yes, it likes Ethan. Where's your sister?” she asked.
“Grandma's holding her. Grandma said she'll take you and Aunt Emily to Daddy and Uncle soon.” Her son asked, tilting his smiling face up to her. "Mommy, are you happy today?"
Just as she reached to pick him up, Ethan dodged away. “Mommy, you're carrying our little sister. You can't hold me anymore, or she'll get jealous.”
“Who says it has to be a little sister?” Alison chuckled.
“Daddy said so.”
“Mommy will hold your hand instead. Is that okay?” She reached out to him.
Ethan happily placed his hand in hers, heading into the dressing room.
——
At 3:00 p.m., golden sunlight bathed the earth as the wedding ceremony officially began.
Piano music flowed softly as the priest's voice rang out clearly and solemnly.
"Do you take this woman to be your wife, to be joined to her in marriage? In sickness and in health, for better or for worse, to love, honor, and cherish, to stay faithful to her until death do you part?“
”I do.“
"Do you take this man to be your husband, to be joined to him in marriage? In sickness and in health, for better or for worse, to love, honor, and cherish, to stay faithful to him until death do you part?"
”I do.“
“I give you this ring as a symbol of your love. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I now pronounce you husband and wife. God has joined you together, and no one can separate you. I have witnessed your love and vows, and with great joy I declare to all present that you are now husband and wife. Now, the grooms may kiss their brides.” The priest continued.
The three grooms turned toward their respective brides, gently lifting their pure white veils.
Jack slowly bent down, kissing his bride tenderly.
The ceremony concluded amidst warm applause and heartfelt blessings.
Alison stood beside Jack, holding her bridal bouquet, while Jack cradled Sophia and Ethan, one in each arm.
The photographer prompted everyone to smile, capturing the most beautiful moment.