VII - Surprise

The word "happy" isn't even enough to express how do I feel right now. Since the day I learned that I am pregnant, there's no room for sadness in me anymore. My baby is enough to make me happy and calm every time.

"Honey, come here! I cooked your favorite," Noah called me. It has been three months since we learned that I am pregnant and since then, there was no day that he made me upset. I can tell that he loves our baby even though at first, everything was only for my parents. Now, I don't think we can still continue with our own lives without our baby. Our baby is already a big part of our lives.

"Why are you smiling all of a sudden?" I asked Noah as he stares at me while I eat.

"You're just beautiful while eating the food I prepared for you and for our baby," he said with a big smile plastered on his face.

"Hey, are you sick? This is so not you," I asked, a bit flushed.

"No, I'm not. You really are beautiful. You look more beautiful now that you are carrying our child. I can't wait until your baby bump gets bigger," he added.

"Stop saying those cheesy things. I might fall for you," I said, a bit joking. I might have said that unserious but I am sure I am slowly falling in love with him.…. And it's making me worry. What if I fall….Alone?

"Then that's good. I already fell, you know."

"Stop joking. Please."

He dropped his spoon and fork on the side of his plate before looking at my eyes.

"Who said I am joking?" He asked seriously. I can't really think rationally right now. Is this real?

"What are you saying? Stop saying those, please."

"Why are you insisting that I am not serious with what I've said? I m not kidding here, Braelle. I already fell. And I fell hard. Tell me, don't you love me, too?" He said while looking intently at my eyes.

"W-why are you saying that? Of course, I do…" I said the last line almost whispering.

"You do what? Tell me, Braelle"

"Noah…."

"Come on, baby. Tell me."

"I-I love you, too." There, I've said it.

"I love you, baby."

That night, I slept with a big smile on my lips while hugging with the man I truly love.

I can't believe that it's happening. I am very happy. I can't describe the exact feeling that I feel right now. Everything feels surreal.

Here I am right now, standing beside the altar, staring and watching my bride with her baby bump slightly showing through her wedding dress while walking towards me. I couldn't help to smile. This is my dream. Our dream.

My bride, Braelle Caroline Bellame is walking towards me with her parents on her side. It's a breathtaking view for me. At last, we are getting married despite all the problems and challenges we've been through.

Not sure if you know this

But when we first met

I got so nervous I couldn't speak

In that very moment

I found the one and My life had found its missing piece ~

Braelle looks wonderful in her classic puffed sleeves wedding gown. She looks like a queen. My Queen. In her hands were a bundle of white lisianthus and lilies. And despite the veil that covers her face, I can still see her bright eyes gleaming in happiness, and the sweet smile that made her caught my attention the first time we had met.

So as long as I live I love you

Will have and hold you

And from now 'til my very last breath

This day I'll cherish

You look so beautiful in white ~

I kissed her mother's hand and hugged her father when they arrived in front of me. I respect her parents so much. They've sacrificed a lot for their daughter. If it wasn't for them, Braelle wouldn't be here. Before our wedding, when Braelle learned about my real identity, about the real me, she was mad. She was upset. But because of her parents, we're now okay. She's now okay even though I lied to her. Even though I didn't tell her I am really not a middle-class secretary but a business magnate who had fallen for her for a long time.

"I know you love my daughter very much but please, don't leave her. Take care of our daughter and love her dearly," Her father said. He couldn't even stop the tears from falling on his cheeks.

"She means the world for me, pa," I answered. I won't ever leave her. Aside from my mom, Braelle is the only girl I love. Like what I've said to her father, she means the world for me. She's my life now. She and our baby.

"I love you," Braelle whispered and my heart beats faster. Until now, I still feel my heart jump out of joy every time she says those words. Every time feels like the first time.

"I love you more. I love you and our baby." I can't help but cry. This isn't a dream anymore. This is the start of our dreams. This is real.

What we have is timeless

My love is endless

And with this ring I

Say to the world

You're my every reason

You're all that I believe in

With all my heart I mean every word ~

As we face the altar, the priest also started the ceremony. I couldn't even understand a single word that the priest said for I am only focusing on Braelle. She's the only one on my mind.

It's been seven years since the first time met her and six years since I started loving her even though she doesn't know me at that time. Our encounter at the club where she thought she first met me wasn't really our first meeting. I always thank God for letting me meet Braelle. I don't know what will happen to me if ever I didn't meet her. She deserves the world. Braelle deserves the best. And before, I knew that wasn't me. I wasn't the best for her. Not until when she changed me -no, I changed. I changed because I want the best for her.

"Do you, Braelle Caroline Bellame, take Noel Orion Archimedes Harisson Castellane as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"

She looked at me with so much love in her eyes when she smiled. "I do."

"Do you, Noel Orion Archimedes Harisson Castellane, take Braelle Caroline Bellame as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

"I do, father."I couldn't stop my tears. I stared at her lovingly as I answer the priest.

In a few moments, she will be Mrs. Braelle Caroline Bellame - Castellane, my wife. And I am the happiest man right now.

They gave us our wedding ring, it's our moment to share our vows.

"Braelle, you may not be aware of it but it has been seven years since I first met you. You were my reason back then, my reason now, my reason every day. You strengthen my weaknesses, bring focus to my dreams. Here and now I pledge my life to yours, that your dreams become my dreams. No matter where life leads me, I know that as long as you are there, that is where I am meant to be." I said while sliding the ring on her finger.

"Noah, you have been my best friend, confidant, even my fake boyfriend, and my greatest challenge. But most importantly, you are the love of my life and you make me happier than I could ever imagine and more loved than I ever thought possible. You are the strongest and bravest person I know but if you grow weak, I'll be there to fight your battle for you. I'll help you with your responsibilities and make your problems my own in order to spread the weight a bit more evenly. If you have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, I'll be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you." Braelle is crying while putting the ring on his finger but she still looks beautiful as ever. This is now the start of the new chapter of our life.

"Braelle and Noah, by the power vested upon me, I now pronounce you as husband and wife. May your love for each other grow for Christ. May your marriage be a blessing to others. Love each other faithfully and never let separate what God has bounded. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

"Amen."

"You may now kiss the bride."

With so much love, I slowly unveiled her. Both of my hands held her face and brushed the tears running from her eyes then kissed her passionately. Our first kiss as husband and wife.

I slowly opened my eyes as I feel a pair of hands slightly shaking me. It's my wife, trying to wake me up.

"Good morning, baby. Our baby and I love you." Braelle said with a smile. What a great way to wake me up.