A Year Later...

Elvira raised her eyes to the standing mirror in front of her. She couldn’t hold the bright smile on her face as she blushed. Finally, Elvira was getting married to the love of her life, Jeremy Davis-but her best friend wasn’t there. Thinking of Adelaide, her smile dropped. Perks of tears sting in her eyes that her vision became a blur. She sniffed, knowing she would have been a bridesmaid on this day. She was during hers. The door gently pulled open as Jeremy walked in. He placed his palm on her bare shoulder, planting a kiss on it. Elvira jerked out of the thought and fearfully turned to him.

“Oh, you scared me!” Her voice shivered, making a single tear roll down her mascaraed eyes.

“You look startled wife, is everything alright?”

She looked at him, looking crushed. “I miss Adelaide.”

“It’s okay, my dear. We postponed our wedding because of that. I think where ever her soul is right now, she’d be equally excited.” Jeremy took out his handkerchief and touched her lingering tears. “Don’t ruin your make-up for this. Let the past go now. It’s a new beginning.”

She gently placed her hand on his as they stared into each other’s eyes.

“It’s a new beginning?” Elvira whispered.

“Yes, it is. “Jeremy placed his hand on her neck and kissed her forehead. “I need to go now. See you in the aisle.” He smiled and walked out of the room.

Elvira returned his smile and she turned back to the standing mirror. Although the room was gloomy, the window at the back of the mirror reflected the raising sunlight into the room, giving Elvira a beautiful view of herself.

She placed her hand down on the white gown. Her wedding dress was a V-neck, off shoulder Cinderella gown with white lace and bridal white pearl embroidered at its finishing. She squats to put on her silver Badgley Mischka shoes. Elvira adjusted her fake lashes and heaved.

Just then, Jeremy’s dad walked in. He was going to walk her down the aisle.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

Elvira turned to him with a smile and replied, “yes.”

Side by side, Mr. Davis helped his new daughter-in-law out as they walked gracefully with style.

Prepared to take the wedding vows, Elvira had a thrilling feeling as she took her first step into the church. She finally took a deep breath and seized the moment, trying to keep warm with the super-freeze, air-conditioned church that made the tilled-floor look extremely glacial, as if she would fall down any moment soon.

“It’s okay to be feverishly nervous, darling. Just take the steps as we’ve rehearsed.” Her father-in-law whispered. He was a kind and cheerful man. Even though Elvira was an orphan, just like Adelaide, he treated her like his own.

Suddenly, everything became slow-motioned when she laid her eyes on her husband to be. Viewing the bright, sexy smirk on Jeremy’s face, his blue, radiant eyes sparkled beautifully like a crystal gem stone. Elvira didn’t realize how perfect she walked until he finally held her hands from his dad.

The priest was an elderly man of about sixty-five years. Although he looked so much younger than his age, he wore a sweet smile that made Elvira want to say those words. ‘Yes! I love you!! I love you, Jeremy Davis!!!’

But the priest hasn’t even asked.

Elvira realized she was just being nervous because she was finally going to move in with someone new. She’s getting married to her new best friend. All she wanted was the day to go perfectly.

As they walked down the aisle, everyone standing finally took their seats. Jeremy and Elvira faced each other, with the priest standing inches away from them.

“Repeat after me.” The minister said to the groom.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re all gathered here on this noble day to witness the union of Jeremy Davis and Elvira Young.” The priest continued.

“Please, repeat after me... I, Jeremy Davis...” He asked Jeremy to say the oath after him.

“I, Jeremy, promise to grow with you and support you,
I promise to be patient, understanding, and kind,
I promise to listen and share,
I promise to create, to explore, to laugh, and be curious,
In good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, I promise to love you,
I will make sure there is always coffee,
I vow to be my best for myself, for us, and for our future together.”

Then he fixed a beautiful diamond ring on her ring finger and the crowd applauded.

With a sparkling eyes and a full smile, Elvira stared into his lovely eyes and repeated.

“I, Elvira Young, promise to grow with you and support you,
I promise to be patient, understanding, and kind,
I promise to listen and share,
I promise to create, to explore, to laugh, and be curious,
In good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, I promise to love you,
I will make sure there is always coffee,
I vow to be my best for myself, for us, and for our future together.”

Then she fixed his own ring on his ring finger, and the audience applauded, again.

Just after taking the wedding vows... The priest smiled and said: You may now kiss your bride.

Elvira wrapped her hands around his neck, using the lily white bouquet to cover the kiss a little because of her shyness.

Jeremy leaned down a bit, capturing her soft, pink lips with he’s while she slowly drove wet kisses into he’s. It was gentle but only lasted for a minute... like they had never done it before.

The congregation cheered them up, throwing Jeremy and Elvira beautiful, pink, rose petals as they walked down the aisle.

Jeremy held her hands and danced to the beautiful Bruno Mars music. I THINK I WANNA MARRY YOU.

Well, that lasted for almost an hour, until the couple was got into a mighty, back Grand Cherokee that took them to the reception hall. It took place about four kilometers away from the church. Making their way into the gigantic reception hall together, a familiar voice whispered.

“Hi, Elvira!” she heard from the corner and turned.

It was Mrs Julia Smith! She was standing beside her from the crowd with worried printed all over her eyes. Elvira hasn’t seen her for since Adelaide ‘s death. The last time they met was when she came to ask for the twins’ names on behalf of her friend.

“Long time, Mrs Smith! Where have you been?” Elvira asked, worriedly, while Julia took off her dark shades.

“Come with me.” She pulled her to a corner. Elvira signaled to Jeremy she’d be right back. Julia intrigued her by attending her wedding. It must be something serious because she knew how things were though with smith’s Inc.

Have you been to the country? I resigned after my friend’s death.

“I know, Elvira. That’s why I want you back.”

“What? I don’t get?” her eyebrows pulled together in unison. “You want me to work for you?”

“Not directly.” She paused and closed her eyes. A drop of tear strolled down her powdered cheek as she gently chewed on her lip. “Where is Adelaide?”

“She died.” Elvira felt a lump in her throat as she muttered the words.

“Oh... Really?” Her wrinkled checks turned red while she tried holding back the tears. “Omg! I planned to ask her for forgiveness. I know I’d hurt her so much... I tried reaching out to her, and to you, too. Not until now.” As her shivering hands wiped away her tears, a soft sniffle escaped her red nose.

“I’m sorry, Elvira. For the pain I caused.”

“No, Mrs. Smith. You don’t need to beg me. You never offended me. But you really hurt my friend.” Elvira’s voice cracked while she cried.

She couldn’t help but to break down in tears now. Gut-wrenching sobs escaped her lips, just then, she remembered it was her wedding. Elvira raised her gaze back to Julia.

“Why are you here?”

“For the trouble I caused in the past, I want to make up, somehow.” Julia quaked. “W.. What about her kids? They’re alive, right?”

“Only one is alive.” Elvira wiped off her tears with her thumb. She knows her eyes would be red by now. Julia just came at the wrong time. “She name him Damon.”

“Jeez! I feel terrible right now. Adelaide loved him that much?”

“Yes ma’am. She loved him so much more than you can ever imagine. Damon was her rock, her hope... Her cure. Your son was her everything and you took him away from her.”

“I feel like a terrible mother. Of course, I am. Where is he? I just want to see him.”

Elvira’s brown eyes examined her... “Do you really have to do this?”

“Yes...” Julia shrieked with more tears hanging in her eyes. “He is the last member of the Smith’s family. I know I’m a terrible person, but please, don’t take me away from my grandson. Let me spend my last days with him. Maybe... Just maybe, I’d be able to smile again.” Mrs. Smith placed her wrinkled hands on Elvira’s as she begged.

Staring at her, she couldn't help but to feel pity for Mrs. Smith. She really looked sad, as if she’s been battling with a sickness in the past few months. With the green circles under her eyes, one could tell she had covered her face with makeup, just to find the truth. Only God knows how long she’s been suffering and how much she’s willing to keep in.

“Just a minute.” Elvira muttered and walked into the crowd.

“Pst!” she called on Diane, Jeremy‘s younger sister, who was helping her carry Damon.

She tuned back and glimpsed at Elvira. She signaled her to bring the child, which she did.

“You’ve been crying.” Diane gasped.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.

“Are you sure?” Diane asked, worried.

“Yes.” she replied and took a glimpse at her groom. He was on his phone, though he felt lonely. “Tell Jeremy I met a long-time friend. I’d joined him in a while.”

Diane gently handed Damon to Elvira while she walked towards her brother.

Elvira walked to where Mrs Smith was standing. She turned back and glanced at the boy in her hands.

Her jaw dropped at the sight of the charming boy. “Oh my, he looks just like Damon!”

More tears welled up in her eyes as she moved closer to carry him. Julia let the tears flow freely while she watched in amazement. She dropped her handbag and hugged him so tight, Julia thought she might hurt the baby. She freeze on her knees that she almost didn’t realize how broken she was until her back touched the wall.

Julia held him tight, and the boy turned to her, emotionlessly. He could not recognize who she was yet.

“Oh, my... My grandson.” Julia held his face and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. Then she kissed his lips and checks and eyes with the immeasurable tears of joy that poured out of her.

Mrs. Smith smiled through her flushed cheeks while weeping. Elvira couldn’t hold her tears, either. She placed her palm over her face and chewed at her bottom lips. That quivered.

“What’s happening here?” Jeremy asked in confusion. Then he realized Mrs Smith was with the baby. Then, he turned to his newly wedded bride.

“Are you alright my love?”

Elvira buried her face in his shirt, as a great tremor overtook her. Jeremy wrapped arms around her while his hand caressed her black hair.

“I love you, Jeremy.” Elvira gasped as more tears washed down her mascaraed eyes.

Although, He didn’t give a reply; he knew that somehow Elvira would find happiness in this reunion. She wept harder into his white shirt while Mrs Smith watched. She might have lost her son, but there she was with another light of hope in her hands.

Baby Damon Smith