Finale 10

I wake up early today with butterflies in my stomach. I check my wristwatch--- it's half past four in the morning. 'I still have time' I think as I put on my running shoes, put my earphones on, and grab the bottle of water on the table. I am going for a jog.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee tickles my nostrils as I walk past the kitchen, step out of the gate and start jogging.

"Wow! They are so early to prepare!" I mumble, watching the men and women busily decorating the vast garden outside our island home. I smile as I keeping jogging until I reach the cliff, continuously battling with the waves and time. I take deep breaths as I stand, facing the bright rising sun on the horizon.

"A new dawn. A new hope. A new life." I utter, feeling the cool and crisp breeze caressing my body. Then, a phone call cuts my pondering. I smile when I see the name on the screen.

"Where are you?!" he yells.

"Calm down, darling! I am on my way," I reply, suppressing my laughter at his anxiousness.

"It's already 5 am. Hurry up!"

I end the call and jog back home. I go straight to my room and take a cold shower. When I finished, I go down to see everyone around the table full of tropical fruits, bacon and eggs, and pancakes.

"Where have you been?!" my brother Rob thunders. "You know how important this event is, yet you managed to go jogging!"

"That's enough, Rob!" the prince scolds. I grin. Rob scoffs. I apologize as I make some sandwiches.

"They are preparing in the guest room," Jay says, answering the question in my mind as I look around. I nod.

It's 9 am--- an hour before the ceremony. Guests start to fill the seats clothed and arranged on each side of the carpeted aisle. Primroses and myrtles, lilies, and roses are intricately designed on the soaring arcades of vines, temporarily built for the occasion.

I go to the guest room and find Belle and her team working here and there. The bride looks absolutely stunning. From her wavy black hair in a half updo, her smokey eyes accentuated by her long curled lashes to her fairytale wedding dress, she looks breathtaking. The ivory white silk veil is fastened by a diamond tiara, gleaming like her eyes.

I am startled when someone suddenly exclaims, "Aunty looks gorgeous! Right, Zen?" And I turn to see Letizia cuddling her three-month-old baby, Zen, looking so adorable in a white floral dress and a pale pink bow on her bald head.

"Hmmmm... how about you and Benjamin? When are you planning to wed?" I ask. She shrugs. I raise my brow at her reaction. I understand their decision not to wed, but I don't condone.

"Tsk. I hope your parents will stay together for your sake," I say while tickling Zen's neck. She smiles.

"Aunty... don't worry about us. We are fine," Letizia replies. I exhale.

"Let me carry Zen," I say since the lords and ladies are part of the entourage. We go outside and join the others wait for the ceremony to begin.

After a few minutes, a classic love song by David Pomeranz, "Born for You", is being played. I can't help but shed tears as I watch the lords with their ladies march down the aisle. I smile when I see my brother anxiously stands with his wife next to their tall and handsome son, waiting for his bride.

"That I was born for you

It was written in the stars

Yes, I was born for you

And the choice was never ours

It's as if the powers of the universe

Conspired to make you mine

until the day I die

I bless the day that I was born for you..."

Then, we all stand when the blushing bride enters, clinging on her father's arm. Even the little tot in my arms seems to feel the happiness and excitement the fills the air as she wiggles her tiny arms and legs.

There's so much joy and cheer when the exchange of vows comes.

The lords tease the groom as the bride nervously breaths in and out to calm down.

"Oh no! She's gonna change her mind now!"

"Don't worry, brother. Two doctors and a nurse are here just in case you collapse!"

"Good thing, Katelyn isn't here!"

We laugh upon hearing the name of the woman who persistently chased the groom. For those who don't know her, they whisper among themselves.

"Who is Katelyn?" they whisper. I lean into their conversation and answer, "Some lunatic who pursued him. She even offered herself to be his mistress now that he's married." And to their horror, they gasp.

The priest asks her again, "Do you Camille Elizabeth Rheeze take George Cameron Spencer as your lawfully---"

"I do!" she finally says to everyone's relief.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride!"

We cheer as they share a passionate kiss in front of everyone--- full of love and affection. Then, we send them off to their week-long honeymoon in their private yacht. It's indeed a glorious day.

"Who's next?!" Jason asks the other lords who look at each other.

"The captain should be next in line since they already have a cute baby!" Jay responds. Letizia and Ben just chuckle at his comment.

"We have Zen. That's all that matters," Ben replies. The other lords agree. Only the prince and I don't.

Then, Mon and Leo whisper to each other and turn to Jay, cooing Zen.

"I wonder. Do you have any problems? If you do, I'll arrange a private check-up for you," Mon yells Jay. He furrows his forehead, unable to understand what he means.

Then, after a moment, he punches his cousin, making him twitch in pain and screams, "What the fuck! Why~"

"Are you saying that I have a problem with my little Jay?" he snarls, pointing at his crotch. We burst out laughing.

"Look. You've been cohabiting for about three years, but..."

"Nothing's wrong! He's good. It's just our choice not to have a baby yet," Sophia says while holding Jay's hand tight.

"Hmmmm.... the hospital is open just in case!" Leo utters. Jay groans in annoyance.

"How about you two, when are you planning to get married?" I ask my son, Damon, who is wrapping his arms around Stephanie's shoulders.

"Time will tell. But, maybe... within a couple of years," Mon replies.

"We still have dreams to pursue and we are not rushing to settle down," Stephanie adds.

"Besides, the uncle should go first!" Leo blurts out.

"What? Spare me from your marital issues," Jason exclaims. I just shake my head.

For years, our lives have changed dramatically. So many twists and turns that nearly break us up, yet we have stood strong as a family. For so long, I have been meddling with the lives of the five crowns and the prince, holding a beacon to guide them through stormy nights.

But now they're all grown-ups, having their own decision, trusting their guts, and defying me. They're ready to carve their own future, create their own story--- their legacy. Something that they'd proudly pass on to their descendants. The eagles that I nurtured have come to age, ready to take their flights. It still feels surreal to let them go, but I feel a sense of pride watching them decisively taking their places in the sky.