Bridal march song on top... ☝

The finale is dedicated to my big bro for his support. I know, bro, that you haven't read yet the second half of this book because you're too busy with your career. I can't even believe that you still tried to read this in spite of the nature of your work, that's why, I'm so grateful because you're there for me.
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~~~ CHAPTER 60 - THE KNOT ~~~

Wednesday.

My twenty-second birthday.

I woke up and there was Mommy Carol in bed with me..

I hugged the sleeping beauty and she opened her eyes.

"Darling... is it morning already?" she wondered, rubbing her eyes.

"Yup," I said.

"Oh, happy birthday!" she said, hugging me back. "My baby is now going to be a mommy!"

I laughed. "Thank you, mom, and yeah, right! I'm going to be a mom soon just like you. Hence, no more baby acting for me."

"No, you're always be my baby darling," she insisted as she played with my hair that covered my face while I lay down facing her. "And you're going to be my son's wife today. Finally, we're going to have the same name, Sarmiento. Finally, darling... and I'd like to be the first person to say it... Mrs. Althea Molina Ruiz-Sarmiento... Oh, so good, really good."

"Mrs. Althea Molina Ruiz-Sarmiento," I repeated her. "It sounds so surreal, mom..."

"No, it isn't, darling, because it's real. Very real. And I'm so happy."

Yeah, finally. If my life story were a novel or movie, I would have entitled it "Finally" after all the things that I had been through.

When I turned thirteen, I was engaged to Nigel. Today, exactly nine years later and exactly on the same date, I was to wed him. It was truly a dream come true!

"Oh," mom contemplated, "you don't know how much both you and Nigelito make me so happy... especially now that you're giving me a grandkid. I can't wait..."

Both rising up from the bed, mom and I held our hands. We embraced for a minute or two. "I love you so much, mom," I said.

"I love you, too, Althea. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me since I lost my Annie."

As I already expected, a time with Mommy Carol before my wedding would be this emotional. I loved her so much and I vowed to be the best daughter for her. I would take care of her just like how she took care of me.

At last, when we separated and about to get off from the bed, we both saw the wedding gown that was hung in the rack just in front of my bed's foot.

White strapless ballgown.

It was so perfect and so beautiful for me that it was hard for me to find the exact words to describe it. With a demure sweetheart neckline and made of dreamy English net covered with an exquisite floral lace appliqué around its bodice and bigger floral laces going downwards until the hemline, my wedding gown was just superb. It was so full and flowing that, even if I hadn't still worn it, I could already picture myself out as a princess in my wedding.

"My dream gown," I murmured. "That's absolutely a knockout, mom! I can't wait to wear it!"

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

After lunch with my girls, I was made up by the country's best make-up artist. I was in my room and sitting in front of my vanity mirror. There was a nervous drumming in my heart as I looked at myself being transformed into a princess. My girls and Mommy Carol were also there with me, also preparing themselves, as I wanted them to stay with me. I was just so nervous that I wanted to feel everyone's presence.

"Beautiful, beautiful..." I heard them say every time they caught a glimpse of me and I just smiled at them. Every now and then, there were flashes of phone cameras.

I knew that Nigel had also been preparing himself by this time and I grew even more nervous thinking about him. I wondered what he was exactly doing at this time as I was looking at myself in the mirror. For sure, my Nigel Joaquin was making himself the most handsome groom ever... and I couldn't wait to see him already.

I just saw him twice this morning. First was when he sneaked to my room after learning that mom was no longer there with me. He greeted me on my birthday and we made out on my bed, then he left. The second time I saw him was when we took our breakfast which was just very quick since he went to entertain friends from the capital who had arrived. We just had a quick peck on the lips after the meal and we separated. That made me crave for him even more today.

Before lunch, a bunch of red roses to my bedroom was sent with a birthday note from him.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

In the afternoon, a helicopter was stationed flying above La Carlota and the hacienda. It contained camera men to get an aerial view of the whole event.

Bedecked in my gown, tiara and veil, I was transported from the palacio to the chapel in La Carlota by a flower-filled horse-drawn carriage. And, yes, the helicopter was escorting my journey, giving an aerial shot of me. People in the village appeared to have waited at the roadside for the passing of the bride since they were all so ready to wave their hands at me once I appeared in their view. Everyone's face was in celebrating mood. Children blew flying kisses towards my direction. I waved at them as well.

My bridesmaids shrieked when they saw me arrive at the wedding venue.

"You are just like a real princess," Kara said happily when she saw how I was brought to the ceremony venue. We didn't have much time to talk for the occasion started just as I arrived.

Looking at the whole place, I could see the complete transformation of the chapel yard. The landscape architect really did the most wonderful job in setting up the garden. The yard was just made perfect with combined green shrubs and white roses around. The place looked like a little version of mom's flower plantation. The tree branches near the chapel had lanterns hanging in them that were ready to be lit up once the sun would set.

All the guests were already settled inside. Watching the processional start, I was on the carriage to wait for my turn to walk.

My girls in lavender gowns with the groomsmen walked through the pathway of the garden going to the chapel door. Wow, it looked like there was an aisle even in the yard and it was filled with lavender petals in each side. Oh, my God! It was gorgeous.

If the yard looked this great, how much more was the chapel itself! I couldn't wait to see what was inside it.

At 5:00 P.M., exactly an hour before the sun would set, the carriage door was opened and I was made to set my feet on the ground. The moment my shoes touched the ground just at the endmost portion of the outdoor aisle, the lanterns in the trees alighted! I paused for a while, not making a step yet, for the lights just took my breath away.

Oh, Nigel! You're really setting up all this drama! For that, I wanted to cry.

With the bouquet made of lavenders and white roses in my hands, I began to walk now on the yard aisle. I walked slowly feeling every beat of my heart. This was my day with Nigel and I wondered how he was also feeling right now.

The door was closed when I reached at the front of the chapel. I took the breathing exercise as I prepared for the bridal march. When the door was opened, a song was started to be played. My heart just wanted to stop beating when I listened to the first three lines.

🎵It's always been a mystery to me
How two hearts can come together
And love can last forever🎵

My feet began to tread on the chapel aisle now. It wasn't only the song that overwhelmed me so much but the whole chapel interior. It was like the whole lavender plantation of mom was transferred in there! It was unbelievable. So her lavender request was materialized! Lavender flowers were decorated and placed in every available space just beside the chairs to the wall. The sides of the aisle, where I was walking on, however, was decorated with white roses. Even on the carpet, white rose petals just filled it.

And the lanterns... they were everywhere lighting the whole chapel! The lights just reflected my white gown that I heard someone muffled in her seat, "She's glowing... Wow..."

I couldn't believe it myself. Was I? Oh, so much drama, Nigel Joaquin!

🎵But now that I have found you, I believe
That a miracle has come
When God sends the perfect one
Now gone are all my questions about why
And I've never been so sure of anything in my life🎵

With the beauty and splendor of the bridal lane, it was an emotional walk for me. I wanted to cry so much but I had to control myself because it was time for me to be happy.

I walked in the middle of the white chairs lined in rows. There were only about fifty people in there, just few special people who had all their eyes on me.

I looked ahead and...

There he was... my Nigel Joaquin... standing by the altar.

🎵I wonder what God was thinking
When He created you
I wonder if He knew everything I would need
Because He made all my dreams come true
When God made you
He must have been thinking about me🎵

There he really was... my Nigel Joaquin in his black tuxedo, standing by the altar and waiting for me. He had his eyes trained on me... only to me... Gripping the bouquet in my hand, I felt the pumping of my heart and, there it was, I felt no other than the familiar beating of my heart as I moved closer to him.

Bam. Bam. Bam.

🎵I promise that wherever you may go
Wherever life may lead you
With all my heart I'll be there too🎵

I walked closer and he extended his hand for me when I was nearing him. We held hands and I felt his grip...

🎵From this moment on I want you to know
I'll let nothing come between us
And I will love the ones you love
Now gone are all my questions about why
And I've never been so sure of anything in my life🎵

Security... I felt it in his hand. I felt so secure to be with him. I thought he was teary-eyed just like me but we managed to keep our composure. All along, his eyes never left my face.

"You're the most beautiful bride on earth, princess," Nigel whispered to me. Indeed, as I stared at him, I saw two beautiful dark eyes locking gaze with mine. I felt so overwhelmed to be tying the knot with this drop-dead gorgeous man standing before me.

🎵He made the sun, He made the moon
To harmonize in perfect tune
One can't do without the other
They just have to be together🎵

Hand in hand, Nigel and I went to the altar to receive God's blessing.

🎵That is why I know it's true
You're for me and I'm for you
'Cause my world just can't be right
Without you in my life🎵

Right that moment, I got a strong belief that papa and mama had witnessed the grand event happening right now and I knew, for sure, that my mama was very happy that I was to wed the son of her best friend of whom she also considered like her son.

🎵Oh, I wonder what God was thinking
When He created you
I wonder if He knew everything I would need
Because He made all my dreams come true
When God made you
He must have been thinking about me🎵

Yes, I believed on the message of my entrance song. God created Nigel especially for me and I for him. He was destined to be mine and I to be his.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

The ceremony began and, for me, it was smooth-flowing, emotional, and solemn. And I could feel that Mommy Carol was settling on her chair and tapping her eyes with a hanky every once in a while.

Then, it was time for us to say our vows.

It was Nigel's turn to speak first. He paused first and gazed at my eyes before he started. He gulped something in his throat and I smiled at him.

Finally he began, "When I was a kid, I dreamed of a princess to kiss."

Some people in the audience smiled; others laughed a little; girls and women giggled. But they became silent when he spoke again.

"One day, I found her sleeping... nine years ago on exactly the same date... just like that sleeping princess in the classic tale. Right that very moment, I knew that my heart confirmed that she was the one I had been dreaming of. She was you, Althea. However, just like what happened in the immortal tale, time and fate tested the both of us and tested how strong and deep our feelings for each other. Before we both stand here today in front of this altar, we've been through a lot."

"Now, that you are mine to keep, my princess, Althea Molina Ruiz, I promise to be your Nigel forever, your champion, your fighter, your warrior, your defender in all battles of life that you and I have yet to face together. I promise to be always right here for you, to make you happy, and to be the better half that you expect me to be. I pledge all my love, respect, trust, and fidelity to you. You are my first love and forever will be my only love."

"I vow to spend the rest of my life showing my never-ending devotion to you. For all the aspirations that you still want to achieve, I vow to be here supporting you all the way. Today and always, I am yours, Althea."

Certainly, Nigel was a bit teary-eyed as he pronounced each word. As I heard him, I knew his words came from the deepest part of his heart. Indeed, he was my Nigel, my champion, my knight. Didn't his name mean champion?

Then, it was my turn.

I looked up to him and stared at his eyes.

"All thoughout my life, I've fallen in love with only one man --- you. Now that I have you as mine, Nigel Joaquin Sarmiento, from this day forward, I promise myself to be yours to keep. I am not perfect and I am not the best but I promise to do my best to keep a home filled with love, happiness, and respect. In all life's ups and downs, I will stand by your side until my last breath. I pledge to support you in everything that you do. I vow to submit myself wholly to you as your wife, friend, lover, and everything in your life. I am yours forever, Nigel Joaquin."

The exchange of rings were done as well and, with me, seeing my wedding ring on my finger, it was magical. The whole ceremony was just the kind of wedding that I imagined it.

When the priest said, "You may now kiss the bride," Nigel lifted up my veil and we stared at each other for a second or two before we expressed our love to each other with a gentle, satisfying kiss. Everybody clapped afterwards. I looked at mom and she was teary-eyed again, even Kara and Elena, too.

When the ceremony was over, Nigel swept me off my feet and carried me by his arms as he treaded to find the way out of the chapel.

Everyone, smiling and laughing now, teased us as they showered us flower petals. The horse-drawn carriage was there waiting for Nigel and me outside the chapel. Passing the countryroad, we both rode on it on our way to the palacio.

Men and women, workers of The Fields and their families and who had become our family, too, stood by the sides of the road, brought lanterns in their hands, and threw confetti of flowers to us when we passed by.

Feeling like a princess, I was smiling but teary-eyed the whole time. I was so touched by all the efforts these dear people just did for us. I was now Sra. Althea Sarmiento, and with that name, I began to feel the responsibility I had for these people who had been serving the Sarmiento family ever since. Now that I was the wife of the Master of The Fields, I knew that it was going to be a very big responsibility. However, with Mommy Carol who would be guiding me, I knew I would make a difference in their lives.

"I feel like a real princess," I said, smiling at Nigel who drew my waistline and pulled me to him.

He was so handsome as he stared at me. He was smiling, too, but he wasn't speaking.

I stared at him as well. "Hey, S. Eliakim, playing speechless?" I said.

He just clasped my head and pulled me for a kiss.

By the way, I just got married to a certain S. Eliakim. It was how he signed our marriage contract. It was his official signature, wasn't it?

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

The reception venue was just the place that I imagined it to be. Lanterns were everywhere. And the humongous cake in the middle of it? Wow, it was amazing! Just the wedding cake that Nigel and I imagined it to be! Mrs. Riviera together with the rest of the cake team certainly nailed it!

Dinner was superb. Everything was just superb. The reception rites were done and every one was in the mood for a party. Just after the toasts were done, the guests held their lighted lanterns and we released them in the air.

Together with the lanterns flying in the dark atmosphere, I made my prayers and wishes. The dark sky looked amazing with the flying lights. Nigel then hugged and kissed me. He was just being like that all throughout the night. He never seemed to get enough of me. Of course, who was I to object?

Then, our first dance as couple came next. Both of us picked the song for it. It was a song that reminded him of me and me of him.

As I was in his arms, I came to realize that it was actually our first time to dance together. It felt so wonderful to move my body in synchronization with him. I stared at his eyes and, yes, a pair of dark, beautiful Spanish eyes was staring back at me. His eyes were always an inescapable trap. My heart had been trapped in them since a very long time ago.

We were dancing slowly and Nigel's lips touched my forehead. I closed my eyes and I felt his lips travel to one of my eyelids and kissed it very, very gently.

"They are always a lure to me, you know that, don't you?" he said.

I opened them and I felt his fingers in the corners of my eyes, slowly brushing the tears that glistened in them.

By the end of the celebration, I found myself carried by my groom's arms to the helicopter waiting for us. I didn't know where the helicopter would bring us but I trusted my groom. It would all be up to him. It looked like I had another surprise on my wedding night... Nigel loved to do that... surprises... and I would always be that wife who would always feel like fainting every time he would show me one...

--- THE END ---

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

A/N

Exactly in the 60th chapter, this novel is through! FINALLY!

Hope you like it, guyz!

Isn't it one long journey? The story opened with the engagement in Chapter 1 and ended with the wedding in Chapter 60... hehe... At least, we're done with all the drama.

Please, make me happy... VOTE, COMMENT, SHARE, FOLLOW... and you'll have a bonus chapter from me. I know you still want to know something so I'll be giving it to you as a bonus... I still don't know when but I'll just notify my followers when I'm ready with it.

Thank you so much!

Lovelotz,
(sapphiregirl22) ~_^
a.k.a HERVINA

(Hervina blows flying kisses to every one and takes a bow...)