Chapter one hundred eighteen: "First Look"

"We only got an hour!" Mom exclaimed to Aunt Laborè in a panic while I am just sitting down in front of the vanity so my body could take a small rest
Being pregnant and standing up for too long is not a good combo, especially since the due date is right around the corner

Mom and Aunt Laborè were in a bind since one of the people who were supposed to play the orchestra when I walk down the aisle and during the wedding reception are late

Sophia was asking anybody if they know how to play an instrument so she can form at least a small group of people to play

"Mom" I spoke up which broke off their small panic for a moment in front of me

"Yes, sweetie?"

I smiled at them "Don't worry, things are going to be ok"
It's normal for a mother to be stressed since this is the first wedding of one of her daughters

The doors were opened and in came Brie and Ella to whisper to Aunt Laborè something, she pulled both of my sisters and mother out to talk about but I'm not sure since I was a bit far when they whispered it to her ear

So I was left alone in the room

A few years ago when being left alone in a room scared me a lot, now, not so much. Well it's because our baby is accompanying me so it doesn't seem all that scary
Cloud and I decided to not know the baby's gender when we went for my check-ups. The baby is growing healthy inside me which was good

A soft knock was heard on the door

"Come in," I said and the person outside the door hasn't come in yet, I furrowed my brows in confusion
Who on earth?

"Uh, I said it's alright to come in" I repeated myself just in case because maybe the person might not hear me properly

The door slowly opened and it was Cloud who stepped in with a blindfold with his brothers guiding him to stand in front of me. A laugh escaped from my lips "What the heck are you guys doing?"

"We heard from Ava that the first look is meaningful before the ceremony, away from the eyes of other people" Dustin grabbed Cloud by the shoulder to make sure he was facing me

Cloud shrugged "I have no idea that we were gonna do this"

"Well now you do," Benjamin said before they all walked out together leaving blindfolded Cloud before me

The blindfold was only a makeshift one from a silk mocha-colored fabric

Carefully, I stood up and cupped his face "I can feel a handsome face hiding behind this blinfold~" I sang a little which made him chuckle. Once he felt my hands gently cupping his face, he nuzzled at my left hand and kissed the palm

Cloud then removed his blindfold and slowly opened his eyes, his mouth was left slightly open as his eyes were very wide like he is amazed. I could feel his forest green eyes dart at every part of me like he is still not finished admiring

His eyes stopped at the huge baby bump and then up to my face like realization sets in "Everything I wished for is coming true" he smiled in relief and happiness

Then he started holding my hand, and those hands then moved to my arms. He started caressing the baby bump then to my face
It's almost as if he was checking if I'm real

While he was holding me, I started to notice his eyes water so I called out his name "Cloud?"

He stopped immediately and then looked me in the eyes "I'm just making sure that I'm not dreaming, if it was a dream maybe it's best I don't wake up anymore"

"Why would you say that? It's not like I'm gonna turn to smoke or anything" I assured him

"Yes, but something in me is afraid that all of this is just in my head like I was back then. I would make scenarios of me and you where we are together, getting married, cooking something for dinner, walking side by side at an empty park-" he stopped once he saw my concerned face
I never knew Cloud was the type to make scenarios of us in his head

He kissed my forehead "It's nothing to worry about, that was just my coping mechanism when you were gone and when I felt like everything around me is falling apart"

"Everything around you is fixing, it's healing, it's becoming something that you've always wanted" I spoke to him with confidence

Cloud lowered his head to rest on my left shoulder "I know, it's a miracle to even reach this far. All I knew before is that I won't achieve the things I wish and that I was only a shell to everybody"
A shell he knew that everybody loved him or liked him due to his looks, status, and wealth

"We're getting married soon and you're gonna become a father, it makes me excited to know what the baby's gender is" I chose to switch the topic to the baby so Cloud would not sulk a little about his past

The atmosphere became bright again "I hope it's a girl! I always wanted to have a cute daughter"
Ah yes, the daddy-daughter relationship

With the tip of my finger near the corner of my lips, I made a thinking face "Hmm, I always wanted a boy. He will look up at me like I'm his whole world"

Cloud was taken aback "Oh, so I'm just air now?"

"Yes"

He fake hurt "That hits me too hard, I thought I was supposed to do that"

"Yeah but it's better if it was the mini version"

Our conversation was cut short when Theo stepped in without knocking "Hate to break your smoochy time but you guys better tie the knot already, I wanna have a weekend getaway with my wife right now" he then pointed at his watch while making a clicking sound with his tongue

I rolled my eyes at Theo "Uscire" (Get out) I said to him in french

He squinted his eyes at me "If that's a swear word-" "What? Are you gonna reduce my salary?" I joked and he sighed

"Can't fight a pregnant woman Theo, you can't fight a pregnant woman, or else you would be sleeping on the couch" he mumbled to himself as he walked away

My soon-to-be husband looked back and forth from me to his Dad "I'm surprised he still managed to bear with you"

I crossed my arms across my chest "I'm surprised he is willing to be my father in law, he won't be able to hold the baby though as punishment for our first meeting a few years ago"
Yes I'm petty

Vivi, Dustin, and Oliver dashed into the room and pulled Cloud out like they were late to an office meeting from how they ran in and then out

Dad entered when they stepped out, he stopped and took the entire situation in. He inhaled deeply and then looked down at his feet "I can't believe I'm doing this"

"Well it's my wedding, you're obviously invited" I giggled in happiness as I grabbed the arm he moved near me

Sophia walked up to me to hand over a beautiful bouquet "I heard you love sunflowers so I asked the florist to incorporate flowers to make the sunflower the focus of the bouquet" she gave me a small kiss on the temple before hurrying back to her seat

Just like when Juliet and Romeo married, the Marshall tradition follows. As me and my Dad walked past a row of guests, the one nearest to the aisle then threw an envelope full of written wise words from the people on that certain row about how to keep your marriage happy and tips from couples who were married for a long time

I was excited to read the letters with Cloud after our wedding but the main thing that I'm very excited about is that man at the end of the aisle who is about to become my husband

Cloud was crying, no I'm not exaggerating, the man really is crying that one of his brothers have to hand him a tissue to clean up a little
Hopefully, the wedding photographer captured his face so I can tease him about it later

Of course, this isn't gonna be the typical Marshall wedding union with another family without the paparazzi taking unbelievably huge amounts of pictures just standing behind the red ribbon so they won't come barging in

Daisy was near the aisle second row to the front, so when we both made eye contact after dropping the letter she gave me a thumbs up along with Wyett sitting beside her

I flashed them a huge grin before facing the front again, once my Dad helped me reach the end of the aisle he handed me over to Cloud who already have his hands outwards to me

"You better take good care of her" Dad spoke for the first time in such genuine worry with warning behind the meaning of what he said

Nick was Cloud's best man, and Nikki was one of my bridesmaids. Like almost a proud big sister, Nikki wiped a tear from the corner of her eyes while watching us

After the priest was done, me and Cloud would now start our wedding vows to each other. It was the most awaited moment for all of us at least since we knew Cloud is the type who wouldn't run out of words

"I, Cloud Josiah Marshall, take you, Penelope Angel Price, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life."

"And to-" "Hold on I'm not yet done" Cloud cutted him off before he cleared his throat

"Oh boy, here we go," Ava said in amusement

Cloud squeezed my hand tightly "I just followed the script but I knew it doesn't feel genuine so I should add a bit of what I wanted to say"

His words made everyone chuckle a little

"Angel, so we made it" he grinned "I'm sure you already know that our story is just starting to begin again, a new chapter in our lives. Probably the last time I will see you be the type who slaps my back when you laugh your ass off"

I laughed along with everyone in the area

"So there's that, I promise to be an understanding husband and a good dad to our baby. If I am given the chance to go back and did everything just to be with you then I will, well, except for the part where you ran away because of me but that's for another time"

His words made me smile at him warmly
It was my turn

I took in a deep breath before saying "I, Penelope Angel Price, take you, Cloud Josiah Marshall, to be my husband. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life"

He grinned brightly back at me. "I'll also still love you for who you are, no matter what happens. Even if we turn gray and old, I'll still see you like we first confessed to each other. Sorry, I may not be as wordy as you but I'm serious though" I honestly said

Cloud chuckled while our friends and family giggled or laughed

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss-" I didn't wait so I grabbed Cloud by the collar and pulled him down so I could kiss him "The groom?" the priest is left scratching his head

If there is anybody happier than us, it was Nick. He jumped up and down with the rest of our friends screaming "FINALLY!!"

Before I could join them along with Cloud, I felt something drip down my legs. When I look down Cloud followed where I was looking

"My water broke," I said in a speechless tone

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Author's Note:
Hey guys,
It's been a long time since my last update and throughout that time, I was doing my best to heal myself physically and mentally. I'm doing better these days thankfully

Love you guys ❤️❤️❤️