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    DIAMOND
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Episode 46

The playlist for this chapter is 'Ryan Darling - I Choose You' do enjoy🎶🎶🎶

Fernando's POV

The days and weeks passed by with both of us getting prepared for our wedding and getting closer to each other. It took us more than a month to get everything ready, but at last, the day is finally here.

I thought this day will never come when I'll be a husband to someone. Just look how I've changed within the space of 4 months. Falling in love is a risk I never wanted to take. But meeting someone like Micaela, I can say is worth the risk of me falling in love.

Today we will become husband and wife just as the Bible says. Humor me I'm not a Bible scholar but I know the Bible does talk about two strangers coming together to become husband and wife. So today, I'll be making Micaela Alvarado my fully wedded wife.

I wanted to pull a crowd to our wedding so they can celebrate with me for finding a partner that I will share the rest of my life with. But, my fiance wanted something different, she wanted a small gathering and I obliged knowing she is an introvert who loves her privacy. Besides, she has just a few friends and only one of her cousins here with her. I feel bad for her that she lost her parents at a very young age. As of today, that loneliness is gone, I promise I'll be the family she has always missed out on having.

"Fernando Perez!" Antonio yells my name and I turn around and shrugged at him. "You've been staring at the mirror forever bro, is that where you'll be doing the wedding?"

I snorted and a wide grin spreads on my face. "Of course not! What now? Shouldn't I stare at my handsome self in the mirror?"

"By using the whole day to do that, right?"

"C'mon, it's not been long since I stood there. Forget about it, tell me best man, how am I looking for my wedding? Will my woman be in awe at my appearance?"

"I'm afraid no" he shrugs in disappointment and I raised a brow at him, "I'm kidding bro! You are looking so gorgeously handsome from your head to your toes. You see this complete Mexican suit you are wearing and the way you did your hair...? Micaela will fall in love with you all over again, bro!"

"I'm flattered, bro!" I chuckled and turnaround checking out myself one more time.

Antonio and I are wearing a Mexican designer gold suit with some design at the suit collar down to the chest paired with a white collar-up shirt and a black bold tie with a pair of black pants that came with the suit. My shoes...oh my shoes, it's made of gold and specially customized with our Loveship name 'Minando'. Not only was it written on my shoes, but also on my jacket and on the bracelet that I bought for myself and my lovely wife. I also had her shoes customized with the same name, I'm very sure her friends Kim and Sabrina will so love them when they see them.

"Look at those shoes of yours!" Antonio exclaims gawking at my shoes. "Aren't you guys the cutest couple I've ever met?" he coos and I grin widely.

"It's an honor to hear that" I replied and smoothen my hair one last time.

"I'm so happy for you man, welcome to the married men club. It's a non-ending party for me, buddy" he winks at me and I laughed.

"C'mon Antonio, you've had enough drinks already. Just last night you took so much alcohol, I'm surprised you are still feeling good with all the drinks you had. I almost thought for a second you'd not make it to my wedding and I wondered who would have replaced you today".

"You wouldn't have dared to replace me with someone else! C'mon, bro, these are just a few drinks I had last night, I'm yet to have more today. I'm celebrating two things, your wedding and my victory in Gonzalo's case!" he cheered and I smiled.

"Wow, bravo. You finally won such a dramatic case. No wonder you are on the top list of good attorneys in the state. Well done bro, I love how you bring justice to a case and proof one's innocence".

"Thanks, bro, it wasn't easy but I did it!"

"Congratulations! So, who do you have on your next case?"

"I'm yet to know. In five days, I have a feeling I'll get another client with very good pay" he winks at me and I laughed. "C'mon now, let's get going before the bride gets there before you".

I nod and we both made it out of my mansion to my sea-green Bugatti Divo. Starting at my Buggati Divo, it reminds me of my limousine. I imagined seeing my angel alight from its dress in all white. How I wish both the groom and bride can take the same car, I would have sat next to her with our hands entwined.

"And my mom?" I inquired Antonio.

"She already left with your brother and Pedro" he answered and I nod with a smile.

My smile grew wider when I flashed back to my conversation with her this morning. She was the first person to knock on my bedroom door. When I opened up, I saw her in tears. "Mom, what happened?" I asked and she teared up more.

"You are getting married my child, I'm going to miss you" she muffles and I almost laughed. I'll always say this, women are so dramatic.

"Mom, I'm getting married not dying! You and I will always be together, nothing will separate us, I mean nothing. My marriage to Micaela doesn't mean you'll stop being my mom neither will I stop being your son".

"But you're going to spend more time with her than you do with me".

"Of course, she's my wife, Mom. Besides you live far away from me, we can't always be together you know. But you are always here in my heart and I'll always visit you".

"You promise you won't forget me now that you're married?"

"I promise, I swear it".

"I love you so much son, I'm proud of you for the decision you made by getting married to that lady. She's a good girl, caring, humble, intelligent.... she's just a sweetheart".

"I know right. That's why I love her so much, she's a rare gem. As from henceforth, you both will be families and you can do all the gossip with her".

I glimmered when I remembered how my mom swats my arm when I said that. I love those two women in my life, they make me so happy.

We got to my yacht which was an hour's drive from my home.  I exchanged pleasantries with family and friends, business partners, and employees who were already there waiting for us to arrive. Every one of them was dressed in all white just as Micaela and I wanted for the dress code.

Glancing around the yacht was designed with flowers and white fabric. From the people to the surrounding, it looked so perfect! The color we choose signifies purity and peace, it's in connection with the tranquility of the sea surrounding us.

If my guest could look this beautiful, how much more my bride? My heart did a flip-flop just at the thought of her. I can't wait to see her in her white dress, I bet she'll look like an angel descending from heaven.

My mom came to hug me and then showed me off to her friends. "Oh son, you look so, so, handsome!" She exclaims in front of her friends and I chuckled.

"Oh yes, your son is indeed a handsome young man. I wish it was my daughter that was getting married to him" one of her friends said and I snorted.

"No, I wish it was mine!" Another of the ladies interjected and I rolled my eyes.

"Ladies and gentlemen, here comes our beautiful bride!" The MC announces and we suspended whatever we were saying and turnaround immediately to catch a glimpse of my angel in a white dress.

I've seen this moment in movies a few times Antonio made me watch romantic movies before I met Micaela, but today it's happening real to me. Watching my angel being accompanied by her ex-boss, Byung Joon who is acting the father role for the day got me staring at her in awe.

Just like I'd imagined her to appear like an angel she did appear like one. She was marching towards me with divine honor. Her shoes pitied the deck of the yacht and her smile flashed with tenderness and love.

Her gaze met mine and there it stayed for as long as no one interrupts us. I could see the sheer superfluity of happiness in her eyes. The happiness in me deepened. I'm glad we made this choice of being together.

I was so carried away by her appearance that even when I heard the guest clapping and welcoming the bride all I did was stare at her. "Let's welcome the bride!" I heard the MC announces and Antonio nudged me by my arm and I squint at him.

"Isn't she a cutie?" Antonio whispers and a smile played on my lips and I return my gaze to her.

"She's more than a cutie. She's my angel, my woman, my pride, my heartbeat, my healer, my..."

"I think I'm blushing on her behalf" Antonio interrupted and I laugh.

Maybe I should give her a little surprise, I thought inwardly. My feet carried me to her and I halted right in front of her and slipped my right hand into hers.

"You're my always, you're me forever, you're my reality, you're my sunshine, you're my best times, you're my anomaly-" I sang the song of Ryan Darling 'I choose you and I heard some cheering voices from our guest while Micaela's cheeks turned crimson.

"And I'd choose you, in a hundred lifetimes I'd choose you, in a hundred worlds I'd find you.." she continued from where I stopped and I gape at her awestruck by not just her voice but the fact that she knows the song.

Oh, my surprise has turned into a duet I guess. The cheering from our guests increases when they all heard her angelic voice. I bet they all must be thinking we planned it.

"And I'd say, I do. For the rest of my life, with all that I have, I do. And we will, until the sun turns black-" I continued the chorus.

"Until he comes back riding on the clouds-" she paused and we entwined our left hands.

"Every day, every moment, every breath we take, we'll choose you" we both sang along smiling at each other.

"Oh my gosh!" A female squealed and I bet you that should be Sabrina's voice. Thunderous applauswasre came from every corner of the yacht while my gaze settled on just one person which is my wife, Micaela Alvarado.

Her soft giggles filled my ears and I felt like kissing her lips right now but the priest wouldn't allow me to do that not after our vows. I have to stop singing because I feel like stealing a kiss from her right now.

"You are looking really, I mean beautiful, my own! Your dress is so gorgeous on you. You look like an angel, magnificent in every way, I swear your light is blinding me right now".

She giggles and said, "Thanks my love. You are looking so handsome! I think I'm falling in love all over again with you" she replies with a wide grin.

Antonio was right on that one. "Ain't I the luckiest man?" I answered rhetorically and giggles erupted from her and her friends.

"I'm so tripping right now! You guys are so cute!" Sabrina squeals excitedly. The drama queen in my new family circle. Sabrina and Kim happen to be Micaela's maids of honor.

For the past few months, I've known these two ladies, they've proven to be real friends to my woman, and with that attitude of theirs, I couldn't help but accept them as my friends too. I knew I couldn't do much but shower them with gifts. I even promised them a trip to Australia after our honeymoon vacation to show my appreciation.

"Before you two love birds start kissing each other, let's hear you make the marriage vows" the priest intruded and everyone erupted into laughter.

Micaela and I shared a smile and I took her hand and led her to the decorated part of the yacht which was meant for us the couple. We both stood in front of the priest and we waited for the priest to commence the occasion.

"We gather here today 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 its entirety, as lovers, companions, and friends. A good relationship is 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-" he paused and fixed his gaze on both of us.

"That's why I'm going to ask you two these questions. Fernando Perez and Micaela Alvarado, do you both pledge to share your lives openly with one another and to speak the truth in love?"

Micaela and I shared glances and we smiled at each other and chorused, "Yes we do".

"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?"

"Yes, we do".

The priest nods and flashed us a smile. "The rings please" he requested and my godson Diego brought it to us and I handed it to the priest and he continues…"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" he took out one of the rings and handed it to me.

"Fernando, please repeat after me. I Fernando Perez promise to love and cherish you, Micaela, in truth and understanding, in good health and love. With this ring is a symbol of my vow" he said and I repeated the vows and slide the diamond ring on Micaela's ring finger.

It was now Micaela's turn, he handed the second ring to her and said, "Micaela, please repeat after me. I Micaela Alvarado promise to love and cherish you, Fernando, in truth and understanding, in good health and love. With this ring is a symbol of my vow". Micaela repeated the vows and she slides the ring onto my finger.

The loud cheers and clapping were enough to wake up the fishes in the sea. I entwined our hands and my eyes never left hers. The happiness inside of me is beyond words.

"With the power bestowed on me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Please you may now kiss your bride" the priest concluded and more cheers came from our guests.

I cupped Micaela's face in my hands and I sealed our vows with a kiss that I've been longing for ever since she got here.

"I love you forever, my own. I don't know how you did it, but I'm completely smitten by you. I'm obsessed with the way your eyes lit up when they found mine. You taught me how to trust in love, and you accepted me despite my insecurities. Thank you. I love you" I kissed her forehead and then whispered, "Tonight, we're going to Rome for our honeymoon".

"Rome?!" she exclaims and I shrugged with a wide smile. That's my first surprise for her, the second surprise will be revealed during our honeymoon vacation in Rome.