3 years later
"Okay just breathe, Natalia," Trina says trying to calm me. How can I breathe? I want to ask her but I know better than to yell at my maid of honor.
Time has truly passed us all in an instant. Xander is a wonderful father and an amazing fiance. He is truly it for me.
Our daughter Carena is up walking and is always up talking to anybody who would listen. Today she has the biggest responsibility to be a flower girl at her parent's wedding.
Once we announced our engagement 2 years ago, the public kept asking when it would happen. The reason we waited so long was to get back to normalcy well as normal as it could be with Xander and me. We also didn't want to rush into our marriage because he was newly divorced even though he had said he didn't care. I, however, cared and wanted to wait for Carena to be at least able to walk down the aisle. I know Xander didn't want a whole wedding ceremony but for our parent's sake, we decided to do it even though just last week we met with his lawyers to sign our names and be legally presumed, Mr. and Mrs. Reed.
Once my breathing is under control, Trina finishes buttoning the last button on my gown. My wedding dress is a simple ivory gown that has dropped sleeves, a heart-shaped neckline, and a mermaid silhouette. All around the dress is lace and tulle but at the back of my dress is a small train.
"Well, it looks like it's almost time. How do you feel?" Alizah asks.
"I feel like throwing up again," I say. Which I have been doing for a while now.
Months before the wedding I had asked Trina and Alizah to be my bridesmaids. Trina was my maid of honor because I knew her the most. They both wore the same light blue silk halter dress. Their hair is done in a half up half down style and their makeup kept light and soft.
"It's just nerves, I'm sure it will pass when you walk down the aisle," Trina says in an attempt to calm my nerves while Alizah helps me with my veil. My hair is done in a loose updo and on top, I wore a small hairpiece that kind of resembles a small crown. My makeup is dramatic but not so overdone with the eyes or lips. When Alizah gets the veil on I stare at my reflection for the first time since this morning. My veil is in place and not a piece of hair is sticking up out of place. My make-up seems to be doing fine even though it's more than what I usually wear on a daily basis.
"Well, we better head out there I think it's time," Alizah says and I follow them out of the room with a single glance back at the mirror.
The wedding is taking place at my childhood home. In an attempt to bond with each other, Xander and my dad have spent their days renovating the house since Xander bought it back. This place is going to be our home for when we raise Carena. I was happy to have the old estate back because it held many fond memories of my mother. The ceremony will be taking place outside close to my mother's old garden and the reception will be taking place outside in a giant white tent.
I reach the bottom of the steps in my soon to be home at the same time my father who is dressed in a tux meets me. He turns towards me.
"You look beautiful, Nat. I'm sure Adella would say the same." He says and I smile at the thought. My father has been doing better by always offering to babysit Carena and forming a friendship with Xander. Our relationship has gotten better because he has been more involved in my life than ever before.
"Thanks, Dad," I say and I hear the music transition to the wedding march. My daughter, who is dressed in a pastel blue dress, walks out grabbing a handful of flowers and tossing them ahead of her over the white rug runner. A minute later my two closest friends eventually walk out just before they give me a few last words of encouragement. When they're gone I hear my cue to walk. Through the glass double doors is the long aisle of friends and family standing and witnessing the long-awaited wedding. I take a deep breath and I look down the aisle to see Xander. My heart pounds when his eyes meet mine and just like that all of my nerves float away. I keep my eyes focused on him and on my steps while my father continues to walk hand in hand with me. Soon we reach the end of the aisle and my father places my hand in Xanders just before my father is seated. Xander is wearing a navy blue fitted suit with a white dress shirt underneath and his hair is slicked back away from his face. He swiftly kisses my cheek while whispering an "I love you". I smile at him and I say it back before we start the ceremony.
Forty-five minutes later, Xander and I have been pronounced husband and wife and all of our friends and family throw flower petals when we walk past them to get our photos taken.
Soon after our photos are already taken, I slip away to change into my reception dress. My wedding gown is beautiful but I won't be able to move around as much when I'm dancing. Trina soon follows to help me get out of my dress. My reception dress has an empire waist with beaded stone straps and an open back. The material is in light blue chiffon with white pearl detailings all around the dress. My veil comes off while Trina tells me how beautiful the ceremony was.
"I'm honestly happy it's over," I say while she unbuttons my dress.
"I bet!" She says.
"I can't wait for the honeymoon we really need some time to recover after planning all of this," I say.
"Yes, but don't forget to tell him about your news." She reminds me and I laugh.
"I won't forget this time," I say. Minutes later Trina and I walk out of the room and I look for Xander who is waiting by the staircase. He looks me up and down when I walk towards him
"Are you ready, Mrs. Reed?" He says with a grin and I laugh.
"Of course I am, Mr. Reed," I say in response. He takes my hand in his and we walk outside the house towards the white tent in the backyard. Outside the tent is a table that holds our guestbook and about a few dozen momentos that our guest could take.
When we enter the tent everybody is cheering while we are announced as a married couple. We begin our rounds of talking to everybody before we sit down and eat.
Inside the tent, the rounded tables are placed all around the dance floor with the exception of one table set in front of the dance floor. All the tables have white table cloths with navy blue napkins and golden plates. All the chairs are wooden with pastel blue bows. Each table also has a floral centerpiece with a candle at the center of a tall vase. Off to the side are the catering table, the cake table, a candy table, and a gift table. The tent is lit up with a few chandeliers and white drapes with long strings of lights hanging above everyone.
By the time Xander and I finished thanking everyone for attending we finally enjoy our first meal together as a married couple. Soon After dinner, everybody toasts in celebration of our marriage and the music starts. Xander and I head out towards the dance floor so we could kick off the reception. I soon notice a few couples dance with us, like Nick and Alizah and Xander's parents. I also spot Carena and my father dancing together which makes me smile seeing them together.
Eventually, the dance floor is filled and Xander and I decide to slip away from the reception to grab some fresh air. We happen to stop in my Mother's old garden that is decorated in a dozen of twinkle lights through the bushes and the trees. At the center of the garden is a white gazebo that I once played around when I was younger and now Xander and I stop by it.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Mrs. Reed?" He asks with a grin while still using my new last name.
"Yes, I am and are you Mr. Reed?," I ask while smiling up at him.
"I am Mrs. Reed," Xander says as he draws me closer towards him and he quietly says, "I still can't believe your mine." I still can't believe it either.
Less than a few years ago this man who was my boss at some point is now my husband and father to our beautiful daughter.
"Xander?" I ask trying to grab his attention.
"Yes?" He asks and I don't know where to begin.
"I have something to tell you." I begin.
"About what?" He asks.
"I have a feeling that a friend for Carena will be joining our family," I say while dropping my hint.
"Wait. Are you..." He trails off but looks down at me as if silently asking to confirm his question and I nod in response.
"I'm pregnant," I say and then add, "again." I look up to see what he is thinking but I can't tell.
"How long have you known?" He asks.
"The doctor said about a month," I say while placing a hand on my small stomach which will be growing soon.
"I'm happy," He says while placing his hands over mine. For a second I'm taken aback by his response.
"Are you?," I ask for confirmation. The year Carena was born we had focused our attention on her but this year we had openly discussed the idea of growing our family.
"Of course I am because you have brought me more happiness then I deserve," Xander says smiling while he is caressing my cheek with his hand.
"I love you, Xander," I say while looking into his hazel green eyes.
"I love you, Natalia." He says just before he closes the small gap between us with his smooth lips.
Together, we enjoy this private moment until we head back to the reception so we could celebrate with the people who love and support us. In the end, I never thought my life would end up this way. I guess this Cinderella got her prince.
The End