Two weeks later:
Sofia:
-Mommy, please give me something for my nerves! I have a very strong fright in my abdomen and I can’t control it, put your hand on my left side and feel how I have a heartbeat there -I exclaimed, wearing my extraordinary, exclusive and precious white wedding dress, which will be a surprise for my beloved husband.
“He, is a jealous and possessive man with me. However, he is a gentleman, detailed, responsible and affectionate. He loves to be by my side, to support me, to buy me everything, which I then show off to him. However, this dress will be my surprise”.
-Calm down, daughter! -It is normal for brides to suffer this crisis on their wedding day, but you must do your part,” she said with a smile and ready to accompany me to the cathedral with Benjamin.
That Sunday, there was an extraordinary sun on the Island, much brighter than on other days. However, it did not feel so hot, as there was a cool breeze. The place chosen by Rafael and me, for this celebration, was a country place at the edge of one of the most beautiful beaches of Paradise.
-Daughter, Benjamin is coming! -my mother informed me, announcing the arrival of who turned out to be my father’s best friend. He will take me by the arm to hand me over to Rafael.
-Blessed be God, then let’s go at once, Mother! -I answered, closing my eyes to find peace. “Until the priest declares us man and wife, this will not go away,” I affirmed.
-Calm down, daughter! If he’s already yours, hee, hee, hee! -smiled my mother with a restrained laugh, covering her mouth.
-Heh, heh, heh, heh, you’re so right! -I smiled hugging her, remembering that I have been living with him since we got married by civil marriage at the hacienda, a few months ago, before our children’s birthday.
When I came out of my room escorted by my mother and Benjamin, I met my triplets. They looked so beautiful, their suits were a replica of the suit their father would wear, all dressed in white.
-Mommy, you look beautiful! -My son Rafael Angel praised me, approaching me and hugging me by the hips.
-Yes, Mommy, you look beautiful! -added Rafael Enrique, pulling me by one of my hands, so I would walk beside him.
-Thank you, my loves! -I answered, happy to see my children so gentlemanly with me.
-Mommy, we with grandpa Benjamin, should accompany you to get to where daddy is, waiting for you! -said Rafael Argenis with a wide smile.
-That’s how it will be, my love,” I answered, running my hand over his beautiful rosy cheek, “Remember the rehearsal, you will go in front of me.
-Then let’s go, Mommy! -shouted the three of them with great joy.
-My children! You go with your grandma and your aunts, in the car, while I go with Benjamin in the carriage prepared for it,” I told them.
-Great! -They shouted in unison, as they always do, as if they were rehearsing their answers.
-Then we’ll use it, Mommy,” added Rafael Enrique.
-I think it’s perfect! In any case, your father will decide,” I answered so as not to disappoint them.
“God willing, let everything always be like this, as they see it, nothing is complicated, everything is simple, straightforward, without plot,” I thought.
Arriving at the Cathedral, I was guided by Benjamin to the altar, where the priest and my beloved husband were already there, waiting for me, together with Anastasia. Unfortunately, Camila did not make peace with Rafael.
“It was a very sublime ceremony, beautiful, simple, I felt that my heart at some point would come out of my mouth, of how unruly it was, beating uncontrollably.”
“This was too much, finally those days were behind me when I faced the world, labeled both on the Island and by the board members of the Shipping Line as a “single mother and CEO”.”
“And as for my children, they will no longer be bullied by other children for not having a father. I hope that from now on my children will overcome this situation”.
Everything was beautiful, it was beautiful to walk down the central aisle of the Cathedral holding Benjamin’s arm. I was also thrilled to see my little triplets and their cousins before me as I walked down the aisle, throwing petals to the guests.
However, more impressive was to see my husband, he looked excited, happy, always with a smile on his lips. My children came up to him and breaking the protocol of the act, hugged and kissed him, placing themselves next to him, next to Anastasia.
Rafael:
“Really, to see my wife so beautiful, so beautiful, wrapped in that extraordinary and magnificent wedding dress, filled my ego. I am proud to have chosen Sofia to be with me until the end of our days”.
“She and my children are a blessing. I feel immensely happy, even though my mother was not present for this significant event in my life”.
“I consider that it was God who brought her to me. It is unfortunate that Sofia lived that bitter experience alone, but I will dedicate my life to remember her with gratitude to our Creator, because that is what brought us together”.
-I love you, my life! -I said as I received her hand from Benjamin.
-I am giving you the most sacred thing a father can have, and I am doing it in the name of my friend, her father, Don Juan Carlos Morales,” he said, moved to the point of tears.
-Thank you, Benjamin! -I thanked him, moved.
-I love you too, my life! -Sofia whispered, interlacing the fingers of her hand with mine, and as excited as I was.
-Are you ready to start this new life with me? -I asked, giving her a smile and a loving look.
-Yes, my love! -she answered, before we concentrated on the ceremony.
And so, we began this ceremony, in which at no time did I let go of my wife’s hand, who for me, will always be my bride.
The Narrator:
The Cathedral was full of people, since this wedding was a great social event in the federal entity. She belonged to one of the richest families and also linked to the political power groups of the country.
This made it easier for Camila, Corner’s widow, to witness the ceremony without being seen among all the tumult and far away from the altar. She wept bitterly because she should have been by her son’s side, supporting him and giving him away in such an important act in his life.
However, her arrogance and pride did not give her time to solve her impasses with her son. He, apart from looking handsome, was immensely happy, as was the bride. She was able to detail, from there, her grandchildren and understood the truth that her son commented, if they are his children, identical to him, his faithful and exact copy.
“My God, it seems as if I’m seeing my son as a child again, what beautiful grandchildren I have! I have been an imbecile again, to despise this happiness, which my son was giving me” she reflected silently, without taking her eyes off the ceremony.
At the end of the religious rite, Rafael and Sofia left the church, walking hand in hand with their three children, who accompanied them. Their triplets, again breaking the protocol, got into the carriage, with them, to go to the place of the celebration.
The street around the Cathedral was crowded with locals, who photographed and greeted the new spouses, as if they were kings. Both Rafael and Sofia felt they were living a beautiful dream, from which they woke up to the shouts and applause of their triplets as they enjoyed this walk…