Chapter 49: 49.

(Cassandra Santiago)

A/N: I owe you guys an apology. This has been the longest 2-week wait for a new chapter and I'm so sorry! I've been busy working on self-care and taking my mind off things for awhile. Additionally, my kid's birthday is coming in a few weeks which was what I've been busy planning.

Thank you for being so patient as always. If you're new here, thank you for helping IHMB hit 48k during my absence. I can't even begin to describe how happy that makes me even though it may seem like a small amount to most of you. Writing and watching this book grow from 0 reads till now means a lot to me. I read every one of your kind comments and notice every vote, too, so thank you once again. ❤️

Are you ready to say goodbye yet?

• • •

A lot of things can happen in a span of a year. Will you believe that in a blink of an eye, I have officially completed my sophomore year in college as a Media and Communications major? Right, I know. The time-skip again.

There's so many things I have to catch you guys up on, but first, let's start with what's happening today.

"No... no! It won't zip!"

"Relax! Stop panicking! Stop flailing your arms and stay still!"

"Stop panicking?! What great advice, Edison! How am I going to walk out of here with my dress half-zipped and my stomach bulging?!"

Ally rolls her eyes but keeps her mouth tightly shut in a flat line. Everyone knows not to argue with a hormonal woman, needless to say a hormonal bride.

Wait. Did I miss out on some important details?

"I'm not getting married. I'm not doing this. This is a mistake!"

"You have about ten minutes to decide if you want me to drive the getaway car, Cass." I inform her, still desperately trying to zip her up alongside Ally.

"I don't know! I don't know! Do I really want this, Owens?" Cass turns around with doubts evident on her face. It really isn't cool to dissuade a bride on her wedding day, but I've always been forward with my opinion on this.

"I can't tell you what you want. But I'm telling you if you don't want this, I'll be the first to get you out of here. So make up your mind!"

Ally narrows her eyes and glares at me sternly. "Are you really helping?" Then she turns to Cass. "Calm down, calm down. Everything's gonna be fine. It's your big day! C'mon, breathe."

I let out a sigh. I probably am the worst friend ever.

"Fine. Suck it in for three seconds!" I command Cass. Her four months pregnant belly has somehow grew up a size since our last dress fitting just five days ago, hence the wardrobe malfunction right now.

Cass takes in a deep breath and sucks her stomach in like we told her to. In a combined effort—me holding the dress in place and Ally focusing on the zipper—we successfully manage to zip her up the spine.

"Oof," Cass lets out the breath she was holding. "Now... now I feel so tight I probably can't even sit." She looks like she really wants to break down and cry on the floor.

Ally and I share a look before we come up with a plan. As her bridesmaids it's only our job to ensure the bride is happy and ready to be married! Besides, we're best friends. We sure as hell can't let her walk down the aisle with her questioning herself.

The day Cass found out she's pregnant, she freaked out. She didn't dare tell anyone, Carson included, until I forced it out of her after her zoning out for an entire day. She didn't know what to do. Even after more than a year, she insists the both of them aren't in a relationship and are merely more-than-friends. But the moving-in to his room part clearly spoke otherwise.

Maybe she was just in denial, because Carson isn't really one known to be romantic. In fact, he's quite clueless when it comes to love and relationships. He's gotten her flowers and gifts, but he didn't know that all she's been waiting for is a promise. A question. A proposal.

It took Ally and I exactly three weeks to convince Cass to tell Carson. Even if she thinks they aren't in a relationship, he's still ultimately the fetus' father and has every right to know. Cass was worried about how it'd change things, understandably, but somehow Ally and I both knew Carson wouldn't disappoint us.

However, that didn't stop me from encouraging Cass to follow her head. Because if she didn't think keeping the child or marrying Carson is the right choice, nothing we say can convince her otherwise. She needs to do it out of love, not of obligation. That's why I've always been reminding her that if she really wanted to back out, I'll be here. She won't be alone.

Cass talked to Carson in private and we didn't get to see his reaction in person. Cass told us all he did was stare at her wide-eyed, gave a hesitant nod and said he needed to think. That worried Cass even more. She began to contemplate whether to abort it. She wasn't ready for a child at 22 years old, much less a single parent.

But Carson was just stunned by the news. He recovered quickly and returned the next day with an entire file of wedding brochures. That was his way of asking Cass to marry him.

As always, wedding planning began in excitement and anticipation. Cass was ecstatic to be trying on her wedding dresses, taking bridal photos and getting to choose every little detail from the venues to the invites. She was so invested and hadn't had time to consider it was her own wedding she was planning.

Until it dawned on her the past week when the date drew near. She began to realize she was the one who's going to walk down the aisle, say her vows and truly become someone's wife. She still hadn't grasped that concept well enough and now it was really happening.

Truth be told, there's no backing out now that she's four mouths pregnant. But she still has the choice to decide if she really wants to marry Carson. They've had ups and downs throughout the time they spent together and we've all noticed how their temper multiplies each other. Will they really be able to navigate the life of being newlyweds and first time parents all at once?

I pick up my phone and dial Zac.

"Baby." He answers as soon as I call.

"Hey babe. Is Carson around?"

"Ahh, he's uh..." he trails off. "Nervous."

"Really? Cass is too. Maybe they can both be nervous together."

Zac chuckles. "They'll be seeing each other in less than an hour. Give them the time to be nervous on their own before they have to spend the rest of their lives together."

Knowing he's right, Ally and I do our best to satisfy Cass' needs and placate her before she loses it. She specifically asks for a cheeseburger and although we didn't want her to explode out of her dress, her demand is fulfilled in order to keep her distracted and fed.

The wedding is set at the backyard of the Grays' mansion. Surprisingly, the Gray brothers' father showed up for the first time to meet his daughter-in-law. Granted, Dion isn't in that good of a mood to see him although she still puts up a smile for the event.

"Is my girl ready?" Cass' father, Arnold Santiago, asks behind the closed door. The bridal suite is in one of the many guests room.

Cass' entire family, including her cousins and distant relatives all flew over to Boston specially for her wedding. She does have a large family considering Carson paid a hefty five digit amount to fly them all in a private plane here.

Ally and I glance at Cass, who gives us a nod in return. She has satisfied herself with a cheeseburger and some fries, her dress fits and her make up and hairdo perfectly done by professionals. And despite the pregnancy bump, she still looks absolutely gorgeous in the exquisite white laced gown and veil.

"Come, help me up." She lifts up both arms dramatically, enjoying to be treated like a princess. Ally and I curtsy in response, going to her side to help her up on her kitten heels.

———

"God, baby. You look incredibly beautiful." Zac spins me around in a circle to inspect my bridesmaid dress. Cass had chosen a turquoise cocktail gown for both Ally and I.

I giggle, still feeling my heart flutter at every compliment my boyfriend gives me. Even after one year and three months of our relationship, this man still never fails to put a smile on my face.

After Zac and Drew graduated last year, both of them eventually went on to carve out their own career path. Despite his engineering degree, Drew made the choice to go into full-time soccer. He was aimless for a couple months in the beginning until he came across a club recruitment. Long story short, Drew earned his spot as a midfielder with a reputable club just a few miles away from Boston. Although he has to live with his teammates now as per his first year contract, being in the same state still keeps our friendship very much alive.

Zac decided not to follow his father's footsteps. Instead, he's determined to start up on his own; making a name out of himself and not be his father's shadow. When he first told me his idea for his business, I knew right there and then that it's perfect for him.

It is no secret that Zac has always been the chef among us. And it isn't just because he cooks well; he enjoys doing it. He's always taking the time to plate our food nicely even if it's merely instant noodles we were eating. So when he explained that he wanted to be a private chef, all of us were fully supportive of him.

Gratefully, his mother had contacts with high society families who were open to trying Zac's cooking. It didn't take long before they hired him and made him handle all of their weekly dinners. However, working alone soon took its toll on Zac and he found it harder and less motivated to go to work. I would've offered to be his assistant but god knows I'd just be more of a hassle than any help.

When dinners got exhausting for him, I suggested that he tried another path—catering. It was a lot easier in the sense that he need not plan every menu as delicately as he had to for his previous clients. You'd be surprised how those rich people are so particular with their food simply because they could afford to.

For catering, he'll have free-range of deciding his own menus. And it didn't have to always be truffle or caviar anymore. What started from hiring 1 assistant to 5, then chefs, then bakers; now evolved into Zacson G Catering. The business now consists of almost forty employees in total—including deliverers, servers, and even Carson who's been helping in everything technical.

And being family, that means this wedding's catering is done by Zac's company. He usually does not get involved in cooking anymore; but he had taken the liberty of handling at least half of the food for the event today specially for his brother.

Seeing as the wedding is pretty much intimate, albeit the hundred guests, Cass and Carson planned to dial down the formalities and make the event fun and casual.

White chairs decorated with baby breaths are placed neatly in rows on the left and right, leaving the middle as an aisle for Cass to walk down. All of the guests are very co-operative too, wearing blue in their outfit like Cass specifically wanted so she'd be the only one in white while Carson will be in black.

Zac, being the best man, takes his place at the front alongside Cass' maid-of-honor—her elder sister, Clarice. Carson stands suavely in his tuxedo with a small smile on his face; although anyone who truly knows him will know he must be nervous as heck. He always tucks his thumb into his fist when he's nervous and right now, both his hands are as described.

Groomsmen and bridesmaids take the seats on the first row along with the bride and groom's parents. The males sit on the left column while the females right. Ally remains next to me, watching as Cass is currently walked by her father.

"I can't believe this," Ally mutters under her breath admist all the clapping and wolf-whistles. "How did Cass end up marrying earlier than you? I always thought you'd be the one to get knocked up first."

I let out a soft, dramatic gasp and shove her lightly on the shoulder. "This is what you think of me!" I pretend to be offended.

She giggles. "I'm kidding!"

Carson is grinning so widely when Cass' father hands her over to him. He grasps her hand in his palm as they turn to face the minister who'll be officiating their wedding.

"I love you." Carson says into the mic when asked to read his vows. He pauses a little while for effects, leading others to think that's it. Even Cass looks at him wide-eyed waiting to hear if there's more.

He lets out a light chuckle. "This is my vow, Cassandra. I know I don't say this enough. In fact, I think I barely say it much. I love you," he repeats. "I love you, am in love with you and I promise to love you always. I'll love you despite the stretchmarks you'll get from having our daughter. I'll love you even if you gain weight from all the kids we'll continue to have. Actually, I'll love you even more; because you're the amazing mother of my children. I'll love you even when you nudge me at night to feed or change nappies. You know I'm not good at this, babe, but I love you so, so much."

Several people let out 'awws' at Carson's speech while I find myself being touched to the point tears well up in my eyes despite the big smile I have. Looking at the couple now makes me realize how silly I was to have doubted them.

Cass breaks out into a sob, likely due to the hormones, and Carson had to pull her into his arms immediately. They stay embraced for a minute or two as one hundred people watch them in slight awkwardness.

The minister clears his throat. "Ms. Santiago, would you like to read your vows?"

Cass lifts her head up from Carson's shoulder weakly, dabbing her fingertips under her eyes carefully. Taking the mic in her hand, she meets Carson's gaze. "I—I—I love you too." She sobs again, shaking her head as she pushes the mic into Carson's chest—signalling the end to her four-worded speech.

The minister laughs, proceeding to proclaim them husband and wife. All of us get up on our feet and cheer for them, witnessing as they exchange rings.

"Honestly, this is kind of weird now that Cass will be my sister-in—" I cut myself off. Ally turns to laugh at me teasingly.

"You really want to marry big Gray too, huh?" She hooks her arm with mine as we make our way to congratulate the newlyweds.

"Shut up. You know what I mean!" I try to get her to zip her mouth as we near the family. They're a family now. Holy crap.

Zac and his parents walk over as I hug the two of them. I hear Cass greet Zac's mother—Dion, mom. God.

"Okay, fine. This is really quite weird." Ally says.

"What's weird?" Zac chimes in.

"That Cass is now Kelsey's sis—" she doesn't gets to finish her sentence as I hurriedly drag Zac away from her.

———

"There you are! I feel like I haven't seen you all day." I slither up to Wayne who's standing by the food table alone. He's one of the groomsmen, which meant he was sitting at the other side earlier.

When he didn't reply, I observe as he glances wistfully at a certain someone.

"You should go talk to her." I encourage him.

Ever since Wayne's birthday last year when he talked to Ally, the both of them had never so much as been in the same room again. Ally stopped coming to our house, only hanging out with us on Tuesdays and occasionally going out on the weekends.

Wayne did visibly deflate when she didn't show up at our gatherings anymore, although he never mentioned a word nor asked about her. Neither did she. I wasn't entirely sure what sort of conversation they had that day but it was as if the both of them wanted nothing to do with each other anymore.

I couldn't pressure them to do anything they didn't want to. So Cass and I did our part as her friend to let her move on.

Wayne picked himself back up from his pit soon after. We were all surprised when he decided to start a boxing school. He said he'd accepted that he couldn't be a professional boxer anymore, but he still loved the art. He couldn't walk away. One year later, he is now a well-liked coach among his young students.

He's changed a lot, too. In other times, there'll probably be a girl in a short skirt hanging around his arm right now; but he hasn't really been seeing anyone else. At least not that I know of. Him being at the wedding alone only further confirms it.

As if just now noticing my presence, my brother sighs, turning away where he was staring. "She's happier without me." He murmurs, swirling the wine in his glass.

I furrow my brows. This idiot. "You don't know that."

Wayne rolls his eyes at me. "I'm toxic to her, Kel. It's just better this way."

"Is it really? You don't know how she's been closing herself off. Look, I don't know what happened between you two. But do you really want to witness her in another man's arms before you begin to regret?"

"She—she's dating someone?"

I deliberately shrug, choosing not to answer. "If you don't try at all, you'll really lose her forever, Wayne."

He seems to be momentarily psyched until he looks at her in the far distance again. He raises his chin to the sky and shuts his eyes. "I can't. What am I even going to say? This is the first time I seen her in a year. I—I can't, Kel."

"You can." I pluck the wine glass away from his hand, causing him to look back down at me. "Please, you're Wayne Owens." I scoff.

"And she's Ally Edison!" He whisper-yells. "S-she's my weakness, Kel. If I go up to her now and she hates me, I'll probably die all over again."

"You'll really die when she stops waiting for you, you dumbass." I poke my brother's chest with one finger. "I'm probably ruining some girl code for this but I love you, okay? I want you to be happy too. And I mean genuinely happy. You were a different kind of happy when you were with her. She was, too. It's been a year, Wayne. She hasn't even so much as kissed another guy. But if you don't talk to her today maybe I'll start setting her up for real."

Wayne lets out a faint chuckle, something he hasn't been doing much ever since her absence in his life. "I love you too, my favourite sister." He tries to reach out to ruffle my perfectly done up hair but I slap his hand away.

"I'm your only sister!"