I was back at the beach and in a private villa with Chike. My friends had finally convinced me into having a wedding, they told me to think of it as a party and they even volunteered to host it. Since I explained to them how I didn't want to feel confined or constricted by a wedding ceremony, they had explained that I could have any ceremony I wanted, and I wanted a very small one with no rings.

I wasn't involved in the preparation, but I told them what made me comfortable. They'd sent me an invite like they sent mine and Chike's close friends and family, all I needed to do was show up. They told me the ceremony was very exclusive and the maximum number of people attending was fifty. That was a relief, my first wedding had been a big and glamorous party and I couldn't stand that again. I was solely going through the ceremony for Chike's sake, it was his first marriage and he needed to at least have a ceremony, albeit small.

At some point, I had been worried about people's reaction from reading crazy and untrue headlines printed by the press concerning the engagement. At the moment, I was past caring. I was only going to focus on the positives.

I left the canopied bed and went to the balcony. Chike was in the bathroom and the ceremony was going to start in less than thirty minutes. I let the wind blowing from the sea calm me for some minutes before I went back into the bedroom. I opened the closet and took out the gown my friends had picked for me, it was a white, backless gown. The material felt soft to my touch as I caressed the short length.

Chike entered the room with a towel tied around his waist and walked towards me.

"I don't want you to feel forced, we don't have to do this," he said.

"We do. I want you to have a wedding."

"I want you to be happy, and if this doesn't feel right let's stop it."

"I actually feel good about it," I said.

"Sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay," Chike said and dried his body. He changed into white pants and shirt then folded the hem of his pants. "Let's get you ready."

Chike took the dress from my hand and slipped it over my head, he did the hook and I turned to look at him.

"You're beautiful," he said.

"So are you, and I love you."

"I love you too."

I went to the vanity and did my hair into a low back ponytail. I used spray gel to keep it in place and used a brush for my baby hairs. I did my makeup and used a finishing spray to keep it matted all through the evening. My friends had protested when I told them not to get me a makeup artist. I just didn't want anything that signified a huge ceremony and in the end they understood. I left the mirror and took the small, red box Chike handed to me.

"It's beautiful," I said when I opened the box and saw a pair of sparkling stud earrings.

"I made the engagement ring into earrings," he said.

"Thank you."

I'd worn the engagement ring for few days after the proposal and couldn't help being anxious. I felt choked and pressured until I took it off and returned it, I didn't want a ring on my finger. I loved Chike but the regular symbols of marriage made me feel like I was going to fail at it again, it was a feeling I couldn't help having.

Chike bent to my protruded belly and said, "Little princess, your mum and I are getting married." I smiled and he kissed me when he got up.

"Let's go have some fun," I said and took his hand.

We weren't following the regular wedding norms, I wasn't going to be walked down the aisle by my father and there were no bridesmaids or groomsmen, no shoes either. I walked with Chike outside and my toes felt warm as we walked on the beach. We walked to the open tent the ceremony was holding and music started playing as we got closer. Everyone turned around in their seats to look at us as we entered, they were all dressed in white and I saw my mom and mama Pam in straw hats that had J&D knitted on them.

I looked around and the tent was beautiful. I didn't know how my friends could have possibly pulled it off on their own two months after the proposal. There were light bulbs chandeliers hanging from the overhead covering and I noticed leaves were stuffed in them, the same type of leaves that decorated the whole tent. There were pink flower petals scattered on the floor and we stepped on them as we walked to the stage.

The stage decor was breathtaking, and I almost cried thinking of the effort that went into it. It was a canopy made out of bamboo with floral decorations placed around the structure. Dave got on the stage and he was also in all white, I smiled when I realized he was going to be the minister. He cleared his throat and silence descended. I stood apart from Chike and looked into his eyes, he took my hands and I felt my heart tighten when he smiled at me with his eyes sparkling.

Dave had to go for his usual dramatic effect and waited for few minutes before beginning, the sea breeze blew as we waited and I kept smiling as I looked into Chike's eyes.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, and to cherish the words which shall unite Chike and Jade in marriage," Dave said by heart, he looked at me and asked, "Do you Jade take Chike to be your husband, to love and to cherish in sickness and health?"

"I do," I said, and my voice shook with emotions.

He looked at Chike and asked, "Do you Chike take Jade to be your wife, to love and to cherish in sickness and in health?"

"I do," Chike said firmly.

Dave looked at the crowd and asked, "Do you family and friends agree to this union?"

"We do," they all shouted joyful. I could hear the happiness and laughter in their voices.

"I pronounce you man and wife, you may now kiss the bride," Dave proclaimed.

Chike took my face and I stood on tiptoe to meet his lips, I put all my feelings and emotions behind the kiss and he wrapped his arm around me deepening the kiss. The crowd cheered and we broke off. I hugged Dave sideways, my tummy couldn't allow me give a proper hug anymore.

"Thanks, bro," Chike said to Dave and they shook hands.

"Take care of my sis," Dave said.

"I will," Chike replied.

I took Chike's hand and we left the stage to hug our family and friends. My mum and Chike's mom were both crying as I hugged them. My dad gave me a peck and Chike's dad squeezed my hand. My sister and her husband came to hug me before I went to my friends who were all screaming, crying and babbling.

"You did great, sweetie," Zola said and mopped her eyes.

"You guys did a good job, I'm amazed. How did you make this all happen?" I asked them.

"Don't concern yourself with that, just know we did it for you because we all love you," Bym said.

"I love you guys too," I said.

Amaka and Trent couldn't talk because they were crying.

"Guys, stop crying," I said.

"You found love again," Amaka said still crying.

I took her handkerchief and helped her clean her eyes. Trent put her arm around me and I smiled at her.

"Group hug," Zola said and we all came into a hug.

"Thank you," I said.

I was too overwhelmed to cry right there but I was certain my pillow was going to be wet that night when I looked back at the evening. Chike came to collect me and I went with him to meet his sisters, they had all flown in from Canada and I was happy to be seeing and meeting them. They took turns in hugging me and they touched my belly, saying sweet nothing to the baby. They talked about some of their childhood memories with Chike and we laughed as they teased him mercilessly. I watched as they kept calling him 'little bro' while he laughed along with them.

Dave announced that it was time for pictures and everyone gathered around. I took photos with everyone in attendance, we started with my friends and their husbands, then my parents, Chike's family and friends, my sister and her husband, Dave and Kat, my interns and some of the staff I'd invited from the villa.

I took personal pictures with my husband, he lifted me in his arms for some shots and kissed my belly in others. He was happy and so was I. I couldn't let go of his hand and we kept smiling into each other's eyes as he continuously told me he loved me. I felt secure with him and I told him so.

The chairs in the tent had been rearranged when we went back to it after the pictures. They were now around one long table filled with several glass flower vases, plates and cutlery, napkins and scented candles. Trent directed I and Chike back to the stage, it had one table and two chairs and embodied similar design as the guests' table. I sat with Chike and he took my hand under the table. The food arrived and I took tiny bites while watching everyone eat and interact.

My friends were seated next to Chike's sisters and they were all talking and laughing. My mom and Chike's mom had become best friends prior to the ceremony and they couldn't stop talking to each other, our dads were also becoming fast friends. Dave and my friends' husbands were chatting about soccer and I could hear their arguments from the stage. My sister was whispering into her husband's ear and they were giggling like kids. My interns were at the far end of the table and were taking selfies with their tongues out.

I looked at my husband beside me and saw him watching me. "I'm glad this happened," I said. "Look at everyone together, it's so beautiful watching them interact."

"It is but you're not eating, open up," Chike said and fed me.

I smiled and chewed and he kissed my forehead. "We made it work," I said after swallowing.

"Don't break my fragile heart," Chike said and touched his chest.

"I wouldn't dream of it. I love you."

"And I love you too. It feels like I'm dreaming."

"Yes, it's that surreal," I said and we gazed into each other's eyes all through the night.