NOW MARRIED

The church is filled beyond capacity as we stand at the altar for the final betrothal rites. I feel nothing but love from all these people who have traveled miles to come to witness this beautiful union. What more can I possibly ask, God? I have all that I need.


"By the power bestowed upon me, I now pronounce you, DAMIAN ALMENDA RICCAFORTE, & ELLIE MARRIE RICCAFORD, as husband and wife. Let what God has joined no man put asunder. You may now kiss the bride!" The priest's words echo with so much vigor that we waste no time crashing each other's lips.

The echoes of cheers fill the whole church, and I bet the world outside can hear too.

Finally, I have married my betrothed. I am finally Mrs. Riccaforte Jr. or Mrs. Almenda, whichever, as long as it's Damian—my Damian! My forever Damian! All our struggles and sacrifices have paid off. All the wrong choices have been made right by this action—our marriage—and the future is smiling at us.


"Ready for the honeymoon? I warn you that we won't leave our room for one good week." Damian grinned mischievously, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

I see. And who wants that more than I do, huh? "And why is that?" I asked, playfully raising an eyebrow as I gazed into his sweet, bottomless orbs. They always had a way of hypnotizing me, pulling me deeper into his charm.


"We will be making babies. I want a set, so we have to put in extra effort," he says.

I see. "Ooh my!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement. "Okay. As you say, boss. I am so ready. More than ready! So, where to?" I asked eagerly, eager to embark on this new adventure with him.

He grinned, taking my hand as he led me outside to our... Wait, my Porsche!

"Wait. What is this doing here?" I ask, my confusion evident as I stare at the sleek, shiny car parked in front of us.

I mean, what the heck is it doing here? I would recognize it even if I were to spot it in a foreign country, because it is mine. Ooh, correction, it was mine, because this is the same baby that I let go of so that I could have the means of survival. It was the same car I sold back in Mombasa. It being here and decorated like this is something I don't understand at all.

"The buyer was me. The one you dealt with was just a mere intermediary. And so, this beloved baby of yours will be the one to take us to the airport, baby."

No, freaking way! I am frozen. I am thunderstruck! So, it was him all along? No wonder I felt something so odd with the buyer's sudden change of mind and attitude. And that moment when Damian left me to get something in his car, he had indeed followed the man, and they struck a deal.

Now I think I get it. That night, I was so ready to explain everything to him. All the mischiefs he had noticed. But he silenced me. Because he had learned all about my deal. And so, even all those things I achieved back in Mombasa, including the coffee shop, because even if it was handed over to me for free, if I didn't have the millions in my account, I wouldn't have had the courage nor a single reason to face the seller. So, all that I acquired because of him? I can't believe just how much this man has sacrificed for me. I can't count how many times he has gone out of his way just for me.

He is always full of surprises! Mind-boggling surprises. I will reward him handsomely for this someday. Just a small thank you, because I cannot repay him for everything he has done so far. Not even my whole time with him is enough compensation. May the heavens always rule in his favor.

'Why does it seem like you have married a ghost, wifey?" He breaks the silence, pinching my waist to bring me back to reality. 'What is on your mind?"

I shake my head. "How do you manage to do all this? You, making me smile and helping me get by, even without me knowing that you are the reason," I say.

He smiles. 'Because your happiness is my happiness. I have no peace when I don't see a smile on your beautiful face. Before I think of my own happiness, yours comes first, my all! I am happy if you are happy, my love, and that will never change."

'Can I say I love you so much for the tenth time today? What would I do without you, huh? What would my life have become if I never met you, love?" I ask, years brimming my eyes.

'That would have never happened. We were meant to meet. We were fated for each other, and to this day, we were righted by the stars and the heavens even when we both rebelled against it. Our betrothal was not just right, but fated." Damian says, caressing my cheeks as people begin to cheer behind us. I don't know what they are cheering on, though, and neither Damian nor I care to know what it is.

'I love the sound of that. We were fated! So, do we also fall in love with our children and betroth them to people of our choice?" I ask.

He shakes his head. 'This is sweet, but I would want to give my children the chance to choose their life partners themselves. We have gone through so much pain because of this, and I wouldn't want our children to go through all the bitterness that we went through. They might not be strong like you and me to dance through all the storms. So, let us not make such decisions for our children, okay?" he asks.

' I can't agree any less. Let this chapter end with us," I say.

'Sure, so I am dying to make you pay for starving me for one whole month. Can we now get to the car? We have a flight to catch in an hour or so," he asks.

'And from the airport? Where to?" I ask.

"Where else? Let us advance our Spanish? It will be a fantastic adventure! " he says.

SPAIN? Shoot me! 'Sure, hubby! I am dying to start this night already! And our forever adventures!" I say as we hand in hand walk to the car.

Spain, here we come! Hello, happy-ever-after!


***************THE END******************