Chapter 52: Part 1

Erica

Whispers, rushing of footsteps, giggles and instructions.

My home was filled with women and children from my neighborhood and distant relatives. I was currently sitting in front of the mirror and my stylist was on full swing in making me look beautiful. My hair was done but I couldn't see myself yet because I wasn't allowed. But I could judge by the reaction of the women coming in that Sheena- my stylist was doing an amazing job.

Today was the day that I was finally going to get married to the love of my life - Ethan.

"Aww...You look so beautiful. I can't believe that you are getting married today. I am so happy for you." Alex, who was my maid of honor said coming in. She was in tears and I felt myself getting teared up too.

"Honey, please don't cry, it will ruin your make-up." Sheena said.

"Sorry." I said and quickly dabbed away my tears.

"You are going to be the most beautiful bride that they have ever seen." Alex said with a wink. I smiled shyly.

A few more minutes passed with Sheena and her assistant doing the work of painting my nails when my phone went off.

I was about to pick it up with my free hand when Alex beat me to it and snatched it away from my grasp. She had a wicked smile on her face.

"Ethan.. Mmmm.. What has lover boy got to say? Shall we find out girls?" She said wickedly. The girls and other women all had a smirks on their faces. I glared at her.

"Alex, give it to me." I said trying to sound angry. But if anything she just smiled innocently at me and swiped the green button.

"Hey sweetheart." Ethan said unaware of the fact that a crowd of almost seven or eight girls were an audience to us.

"Hi." I said wanting to keep it short.

"Did you finish getting ready?" He asked.

"No, actually there's still a lot to finish." I said.

"Did you get ready?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm done. I can't actually wait to see you. I know you'll make the most beautiful bride. My bride." Ethan said. I couldn't help but smile at that.

"Thanks, but I am sure there must be many beautiful women out there who must've been more beautiful than me. I'm just me." I said.

"I don't know, I have eyes only for you." I saw almost all the girls with an expression that said aww..

"I can't wait for you to be in my arms. I have missed you terribly these past days. I haven't seen you for almost two weeks let alone touch you. Just imagining you in the wedding gown looking all gorgeous does nothing to get the desire to touch you out of my system. I can't wait for tonight when we'll be together finally. Just you, me and the bed." My cheeks reddened at his words. I saw all the girls were looking at me teasingly. That made me blush more.

"Ethan.. " I tried to stop the conversation but Alex took the phone away from near me where she had held it and stood in a far corner. My God, this was going to get worst if I didn't stop her now.

"Finally the wait is over. Just a few more hours and then we'll be officially husband and wife. Then nobody can stop me from making love to you. I was thinking we'll try a new position tonight..."

"Oh My God! Ethan!" I said in horror.

The room burst out laughing and I hung my head down in embarrassment.

"Erica?" Ethan said from the other side.

"What's happening?" He said clueless to the fact that everyone here had heard him.

"Will she be safe tonight Mr. Monroe? I am worried for my best friend." Alex said in the phone.

"Alexandra? My God! What are you doing with Erica's phone? Where is she?" He asked puzzled.

"She is getting ready, its a long process Mr. Monroe. What did you say Erica..."

"Wait.. "

"Hang up? Okay, I'll hang up." Alex hung up and placed the phone back to its original place.

"I am going to get back to you." I threatened her.

*****

I stepped out of my room now in my wedding gown. It was gorgeous and studded with pearls on the neckline. It was backless with the hem reaching almost up to my lower back. In the inside there was lace that covered my lower back up to my mid back. Alex helped me put the veil on my head and zip up the dress.

When I descended the stairs, I saw Dad waiting there. He stopped doing what he was doing when he saw me. On getting close I saw tears in his eyes. I wiped them away before they fell. He smiled at me lovingly and said, "You look beautiful. I can't believe that you are getting married. It was just yesterday that you were playing around with dolls and now your prince is going to sweep you off your feet." He said.

Unable to form words I embraced him tightly. I didn't know when tears formed in my eyes. But I dabbed them away not wanting to ruin my makeup.

"Daughters grow up so fast. I didn't even realize when my little girl grew up. I wish you all the good things Erica. I know Ethan will give you all the love you deserve. You will forever have my blessings."

"Thank you, Dad." I smiled at him.

"Come lets go." We moved out of the house and I saw a limo parked outside. Alex handed me my bouquet and I asked her about the limo.

"Your Dad has arranged everything." I looked at Dad in astonishment. He had a proud smile on his face.

"I want to give you away to Ethan at the church. And I also want to be with you and spend the last few hours with you." He said.

"Of course Dad. There's nothing better than that." My heart filled with joy. Everything seemed perfect. I couldn't wish for anything more. A loving father and an even more loving husband and twins on the way. Could life be any better?

We rode our way to the church where the ceremony was going to take place. It wasn't much distance from my house but the anticipation was too much to bear. I knew no matter how much I tried to calm my erratic heartbeat it wouldn't be at peace. I looked out of the window and saw the trees passing by. The birds, children and the sky but none could distract me from my thoughts.

Finally we reached the church. Dad got out of the limo but I stayed in. I could see many people had gathered for our wedding. I didn't know Ethan had so many people coming over. Alex came in and sat besides me.

"Nervous?" She asked. She couldn't have been more accurate.

"I feel like my heart is going to explode. O God, Alex what if I trip on the aisle? And what if Ethan changed his mind and thought that he was better off without me? What if he never showed up and left me standing at the altar alone? Oh My God! I am going crazy." I didn't know from where these thoughts came to me. But it was scary.

"Relax, don't stress yourself. You won't fall and Ethan has already showed up. He is talking to your Dad and he isn't turning back. I'll kick his ass if he does." That made me feel a little better.

"You know when he is going to see you, he'll know what he has earned."

I smiled at her.

"Oh Erica, I'm going to miss you." She put her arms around me and hugged me.

"I'll miss you too Alex." I said and hugged her tight.

"Hey its time." The door opened and I saw Juliette peep in.

"Oh Jesus! You look wonderful." She kissed my cheek and hugged me.

"Thank you, Juliette."

"Oh come on, call me mom now." She insisted.

"Okay mom." I half said, half laughed.

Alex helped me to come out of the limo and lifted my gown so that it wouldn't get stuck anywhere. Once I was out, my Dad came near me and offered me his arm. I locked my arm in his and together we marched down the aisle. On the way I saw Caleb was there with Mia. I was happy that he came.

I was suddenly very conscious about myself. Hundreds of people were present to witness our wedding. The choir began a song and my gaze landed on the man of my dreams at the end of the aisle near the altar. Slowly every person in the church hall disappeared for me. All that I could hear was the wedding song and all that I could see was Ethan looking at me with an expression of awe.

Ethan

I saw my bride walking hand in hand with her Dad. But as soon as she was near I stopped breathing for a second. She looked like an angel landed from heaven. Absolutely gorgeous. I was mesmerized by her beauty and her innocence. The way her eyes sparkled and the way her lips curved into a smile at the sight of me was driving me crazy. Though she was covered in a veil but I could still see her beautiful face through the lace material. How did I get so lucky?

To think that we were going to become one forever was incredible. I never knew that a woman would come in my life and change it for good. I was truly, madly and deeply in love with this woman and she was going to be my wife now. I couldn't ask for a better life.

Erica

Ethan was wearing a black Tuxedo with a red tie that matched with the single rose in my bouquet. He looked so handsome with a slight stubble on his face. It made him look so hot. I don't why but all of a sudden I began feeling so shy. I guess I got infected with the blushing bride disease.

Dad placed my hand in Ethan's hand and Ethan firmly clasped our hands together.

"You look absolutely gorgeous. You took my breath away. Literally." I ducked my head down coyly.

"Thanks." My was came out so shy and weak. I couldn't even look straight in his eyes.

The priest cleared his throat to get our attention. We all looked at him and he began.

"My dear Brothers and Sisters, we have all gathered here to celebrate the union of two lives- Ethan and Erica.

We gather here to unite these two people in marriage. Their decision to marry has not been entered into lightly and today they publicly declare their private devotion to each other. The essence of this commitment is the acceptance of each other in entirety, as lover, companion, and friend. A good and balanced relationship is one in which neither person is overpowered nor absorbed by the other, one in which neither person is possessive of the other, one in which both give their love freely and without jealousy. Marriage, ideally, is a sharing of responsibilities, hopes, and dreams. It takes a special effort to grow together, survive hard times, and be loving and unselfish."

We both looked at the alter with our hands joined together.

"Do you both pledge to share your lives openly with one another, and

to speak the truth in love? Do you promise to honor and tenderly

care for one another, cherish and encourage each other, stand

together, through sorrows and joys, hardships and triumphs for all

the days of your lives?"

"We do." Me and Ethan said in unison.

"Do you pledge to share your love and the joys of your marriage with

all those around you, so that they may learn from your love and be

encouraged to grow in their own lives?"

"We do."

"May these rings be blessed as a symbol of your union. As often as

either of you look upon these rings, may you not only be reminded of

this moment, but also of the vows you have made and the strength of

your commitment to each other."

We both exchanged rings and I couldn't stop the smile from forming on my face. It was the mkst beautiful ring that sparkled in the lights like a shining star.

"You may say your vows now. "

Ethan cleared his throat and began.

"I, Ethan, take you, Erica, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow." He finished and smiled at me.

It was time for me to say my vows now.

"I, Erica, take you, Ethan, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse,for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part,

according to God's holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow."

"By the power vested with me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." The priest announced.

Ethan lifted my veil and cupped my face in his hand. He whispered the words only for me to hear.

"I love you."

And then he placed his lips on mine ever so gently and softly. I trued not to get carried away in the kiss. There were people out there who cheered for us and we heard the clapping sounds. After we pulled away, he again dipped in for another peck and then we both walked out of the church hand in hand as a newly wed couple. I could see Ella, Seb, Juliette, Alex, Dad and even Mr. Monroe clapping for us.

All that I had ever wished for was coming true. There were troubles, heartbreaks, misunderstandings but in the end all that matters is that we are still together and are never going to break apart.

---*-*-*---

Few more chapters left until we bid a goodbye to Erica and Ethan. But not so soon. There's still a lot to happen. Stay till the end, if you like my writing then I have a surprise for you guys. I'll let you know when I finish this story. Till then,

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