Chapter Ten

beautybyfabiola ✓ • 18h

Fabiola was out shopping with her mother, Shyneesa, when the conversation inevitably turned to Fabiola's upcoming nuptials.

As usual, Shyneesa could not stop remarking on the speed at which Fabiola and Sefa were planning their wedding day.

"My, it's coming up so soon!" she exclaimed with widened eyes, clasping a hand to her chest in exaggerated surprise.

Though Shyneesa's tone was light and cheerful, Fabiola detected an undercurrent of judgment and worry in her mother's words.

After all, most couples took over a year to plan their dream wedding, agonizing over every tiny detail. Yet Fabiola and Sefa had chosen a venue, booked vendors, and sent out invitations in barely two months' time.

While Fabiola was proud of her organizational skills and ability to make quick decisions, she also felt self-conscious about the implication that they were rushing into marriage.

As Shyneesa prattled on about catering mishaps and playlist planning, Fabiola felt her anxiety rising. She interrupted her mother mid-sentence with a weary sigh.

"Mom, stop talking about the wedding, you're making my nerves bad," she pleaded gently.

Crestfallen, Shyneesa backpedaled and tried to reassure her daughter that she just wanted to help ease the planning stress. But Fabiola was firm in her resolve, letting her mother know everything was under control for the big day.

Though touched by Shyneesa's concern, Fabiola needed space to manage her pre-wedding jitters without excessive commentary from her worried mother.

After Fabiola dropped her mother off at home, she drove across town to meet up with her future mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Talisua, Thavana, and Trinity at Talisua's house.

Talisua had graciously offered to teach Fabiola some traditional Samoan dances that she could perform at her upcoming wedding reception.

Though Fabiola was Haitian, Sefa and his family were Samoan, so incorporating some of their cultural traditions into the celebration was important to her.

However, Fabiola felt extremely nervous and apprehensive about learning dances that were completely foreign to her. She had trouble remembering the intricate steps and precise hand motions that went along with the rhythmic drumbeats.

Her movements felt awkward and clumsy compared to the graceful, fluid way that Trinity effortlessly performed the dances. Fortunately, Trinity, Thavan, and Talisua were patient and encouraging teachers.

They broke down each part of the dances step-by-step until Fabiola began feeling more comfortable with the routines. By the time Fabiola's best friend Aubrey arrived to join them, Fabiola had made significant progress.

With Trinity and Aubrey demonstrating on either side of her, and Thavana calling out instructions, Fabiola slowly started to get the hang of it.

Though she still had much practicing to do before the big day, Fabiola left Talisua's house feeling hopeful that with the family's help, she would be able to honor her new husband's heritage with a beautiful dance performance at their wedding.

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beautybyfabiola Today's forecast calls for bridal showers.
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With Fabiola and Sefa's wedding around the corner, the beautiful bride-to-be kicked off the festivities with a glamorous bridal shower thrown by Aubrey at the luxurious Peninsula Hotel.

As Fabiola made her entrance into the elegant event space, all eyes turned to take in her radiant glow. She was dressed fittingly for the occasion in an immaculate white outfit, her curvy frame accentuated by the fabric's delicate ruching and skirt. Her ensemble was completed with a pair of dazzling silver stilettos that added a hint of sparkle with each graceful step she took.

Fabiola was surrounded by her nearest and dearest, including her mother and sisters who looked on adoringly as she mingled with guests. Sefa's female family and friends were also in attendance, eager to shower Fabiola with love, wisdom gained from their own marriages, and gifts to start her new life with Sefa.

The air was filled with joyful chatter and excitement for the upcoming nuptials. As Fabiola opened present after present, ranging from kitchenware for her new home to lacy lingerie that elicited giggles from the crowd, her eyes welled up with happy tears at the outpouring of support.

This bridal shower marked the start of a momentous chapter for the bride-to-be, and she felt incredibly grateful to be able to share this special time with the important women in her life.

The bridal shower was going smoothly with the women gathered around chatting and laughing over glasses of champagne and different variety of food.

The decorations were all in shades of pink, Fabiola's favorite color and vases of peonies adorned each table. Fabiola was sitting with her mother, when suddenly the side door burst open.

In walked Sefa, his brothers, and a few of his cousins, hooting and hollering. Fabiola gasped in surprise as Sefa made his way over to her, a huge bouquet of pink roses in hand.

He had a sparkle of mischief in his eye as he presented the flowers to his blushing bride.

After a quick kiss on her lips that elicited giggles from the crowd, Sefa gave an impromptu speech about how lucky he was to have found a woman as kind, intelligent, and full of light as his Fabiola.

He spoke of how she constantly inspired him to be a better man and how he knew without a doubt she was the one he wanted to spend his life with.

By the end, Fabiola had happy tears in her eyes. She felt so grateful to have found a man who truly appreciated her, who saw her worth and cherished her.

Here was the man she had prayed for, standing before her expressing his love on her special day. She couldn't wait to start their new life together as husband and wife.