50

Sean Peterson
I adjusted my bow tie while looking at my reflection in the mirror. Oh, how I wish I could barge into the room where Lauren had been getting ready and have her do my tie, I had to settle with Xavier doing it for me. I tricked Xavier into helping me by saying I wanted assistance on my special day.
After getting dressed I stood at the altar impatiently waiting for Lauren to grace the ceremony with her presence. For the time being, I mentally appreciated the organizers for fulfilling Lauren’s wish. A beach wedding was something she wanted, so I booked a beach resort for the wedding and the reception. She wanted the altar to be set at the edge of the beach where the music of waves masks the sound of the music system. She wanted to exchange the vows right when the sky illuminates with the magical colors when the sun prepares to move down the horizon; I made sure to fulfill her every wish. We were getting married in the evening beach wedding ceremony.
I didn’t notice that I had my gaze fixed on the aisle until Daniel’s infamous teasing reached my ears.
“Look how desperate he’s to get married; can’t take off his eyes from the empty aisle. Come on, Sean babe, you can blink, give rest to your eyes because Lauren isn’t going anywhere, she’ll come to you and only you.”
I looked over my shoulder to send him a glare showing him how much I regret asking him to be one of the groomsmen and Daniel being Daniel raised mocking eyebrows proudly conveying I had no other choice. I gazed at my other groomsman, Xavier only to find him stifling his laugh. Shaking my head, I decided to leave it like that since they would not change, no matter what.
I took my gaze off them and looked forward and as if they were waiting for me to look away, they again began their nonsense talk.
“Why do I keep remembering my wedding day when Sean clearly said he would not get married because he hates the idea of settling down?” I heard Daniel say. I fisted my hand in front and fixed a smile on my face, not wanting to punch him on my wedding day.
“And he also said he can’t bear the tantrums of woman all his life.” Xavier joined the commenting fest.
I heard Daniel chuckle. “And look today he is getting married to the woman who, I presume, throws tantrums beyond his enduring limit.”
Xavier chuckled as well. “I wonder what has changed. He’s giving his freedom to a woman for life.”
I cursed myself for saying all that. You never know how and when your life takes a turn you end up doing what you thought you would never do. I did say I did not want to get married but everything changed after the entry of Lauren into my life.
Then I heard Daniel sigh. “I think I should have made bet back at my wedding. You remember Xavier, I told you he’ll fall for the loud and bold one?”
“The crazy one to be precise.” Xavier laughed. They both laughed.
My jaw ticked. “Don’t punch them. Don’t pay heed to them. It’s your wedding, your day, just keep calm and patiently wait for your bride.” I kept chanting in my head. However, my poor ears kept enduring the torture of the mocking comments thrown at me.
I thought my ears would bleed anytime soon when the slow, romantic melody soothed my ears and my eyes landed on the beauty laced in a white and soft pink combination wedding gown. Everything else except her disappeared from my vision, my heartbeat quickened and my gaze got locked on her. Slowly, she walked down the aisle, and as she neared me I could see her smiling through the veil. Seeing her smile was something that made me gratified. Her happiness could be seen even when her face was covered with the veil and that’s what I have always wanted, her happiness.
I extended my hand for her and when she placed her hand on mine, I locked her hand in a neverending promise. She smiled and stood in front of me, our hands laced together. We exchanged the vows under the open colorful dusky sky and eagerly said ‘I do’ and exchanged rings.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
The moment I had been waiting for had finally arrived. As soon as the minister pronounced us husband and wife I didn’t take long to uncover her veil and pull her for the long and passionate promising kiss.
“Welcome to the new phase of your life, Mrs. Lauren Peterson.” I grinned.
She beamed as well. “And you are officially welcome to my crazy world, Mr. Peterson.” I chuckled and pecked her lips one more time. I never imagined I would ever see myself married but here I was, married and happy.
We descended the altar and the first thing Lauren did is she hugged Ryan. “I am officially your mom now.” She mumbled.
Ryan pulled away and frowned. “Now? But you became my mom a long ago. Remember I asked you to be my mom?”
Lauren laughed at his cute reply and squeezed his cheeks. “Yes, I remember. Come on let’s have a family photo first.” She stood up and gestured me to pick Ryan in my arms and I complied. We then had our family photo clicked. I couldn’t take my eyes off Lauren who had her gaze fixed on Ryan, both giggling for no reason. Contentment rushed in my veins seeing my small family smiling. She had stolen everybody’s heart in such a small period and most importantly, she accepted Ryan in a heartbeat. She’s going to be the best mother Ryan could ever have.
Lauren Peterson
Married.
Mrs. Lauren Peterson.
Never in my wildest dream, I saw myself married after being dumped by numerous men. Even I never thought that a week entry in my boss’s home I would become the permanent member of his family. I accepted his lifestyle, I accepted him because he accepted me as I was, no changes demanded. He saw and endured the real me, still, he accepted me for being me.
I had been cursing my luck for no reason. I mean I got married to my long time crush, how much more lucky could I be?
Sean’s parents, now my parents too, poured their hearts on me by giving me loads of blessings. Grandma being grandma didn’t back down from showing her love.
“Oh, I had been badly waiting for this day. Finally, my Sean is married.” She had tears in her eyes when she hugged him. Then she embraced me. “I don’t think I have anything left to say to you. Still, I want to thank you. You are the reason I am seeing my family together and happy after a long time. My boys are so lucky to have you.” She sniffed and I rubbed her back soothingly.
“Don’t cry, grandma, your boys are my boys now as well.” I joked to encourage her to smile and she did. I didn’t want to see anyone crying on my wedding day.
My dad embraced me in a loving hug and my mom for the first time ever did not throw her unnecessary comment on me.
“God bless you, Lauren. Stay happy, that’s all I want.” She smiled while patting my cheek. Yep, I was stunned and she too didn’t miss my shocked expression.
She laughed at me. “I am not that cruel as you see me. I have always wanted your best but it’s a different thing you took it otherwise. But that’s okay now. I wish you a happy married life, Lauren.”
Oh, why her words felt soothing, and why the bloody hell I had moisture in my eyes? All of a sudden, I felt myself being gently pushed towards my mom, making me fall on her, and she didn’t take long to embrace me. I felt the warmth, my mother’s warmth.
I could still feel the hand on my back that pushed me to my mother and it was none other than my husband. Mom pulled away and looked at Sean.
“She can be troublesome sometimes but I assure you she has a pure heart. Take care of her, Sean.” She said to him.
He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me to him. “I know how troublesome she can be.” He laughed and earned a playful scowl from me.
My sister came and gave me a loving sister’s embrace. “Happy to see you married, Lauren.”
I pulled away and held her hands. “Thank you and wish to see you married soon. Don’t take long, alright?” She laughed and nodded her head.
Ariana, Eloise, and Trish came and gave me a group hug. Daniel and Xavier congratulated me and turned their attention to mock Sean but only after giving him a brotherly hug.
“Locked with Lauren for while life. How will you manage, Sean?” Daniel taunted. “In case you require advice on how to manage married life, Professor Daniel Adams is always there for you.” Daniel teased and earned a punch on his arm in return.
“Will you stop it now or do you want to taste the hospital’s bland food for a change?” Sean scowled at him then apologized to Eloise. “Sorry Eloise but your husband is asking for it.”
Like I and Ariana, Eloise chose to stay out of their matters.
“Don’t scowl too much Sean, you should have become used to the teasing by now.” Xavier encircled his arm around his shoulder.
“Teasing is not something one should become used to now. I mean, why did you both choose me to tease? Did I ever tease you two?” Sean fired back.
“Oh, Sean babe, the answer to your question is simple and straight.” Daniel too encircled his arm around his shoulder. “Your gloomy soul barely let you have fun. It’s our teasing that has been keeping you sane but now it’s Lauren’s task too.”
What else could you expect from Daniel? His playful nature always wins hearts.
We had an intimate reception because Sean had planned another grand reception for the media and the business world. Soon it was time to leave but before we could leave Ryan rushed to us.
“Why are you leaving me, mom, dad? I want to go with you.” His eyes got filled with moisture. Sean instantly lifted him in his arms.
“Hey champ, we are not leaving you, never will. It’s just for one night. Just for tonight, you will have to stay with uncle Daniel; I promise I will pick you in the morning.” Sean said.
“But why? Why can’t I come with you tonight?” My poor Ryan asked sadly.
Daniel came and grabbed Ryan from Sean’s hold. “Because it’s your parents’ first night and it’s going to be intense, you will not be able to sleep.”
“Why? What will they be doing tonight?” Ryan was too quick to question.
I looked for something to hide my red face with. For once I thought to cover my face with my veil but it would leave me more embarrassed than I was already.
“Oh, they will be having good f-”
“Shut up, Daniel.” Sean cut him off before he could complete.
“What? I was gonna say fun. What did you think I would say?” Daniel grinned wickedly. “Dirty-minded people everywhere.” He shook his head what it seemed to be in disbelief. I’d be the first bride going home with a red face.
“Shut the hell up and take care of him.” Sean scowled. And then after bidding happy goodbye to everyone we drove home.
Upon reaching home, Sean lifted me bridal style and carried me to our room. And like a hungry animal, he pulled me in a hot kiss. While kissing, his hands traveled to the zip of my gown, but before he could unzip my gown I stopped him.
“Wait, wait…” I pushed him gently.
“What, Lauren?” He let out an impatient groan.
“Where’s my wedding gift?” I asked as I crossed my hands across my chest. I didn’t want a gift from him because he was the best gift I could ever get, but I had a precious gift for him.
“Uh, a gift?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Err, I was so busy in preparation that I forgot. But I swear I will give you anything you want first thing in the morning.” He added quickly.
I conveyed fake disbelief through my expressions. “I am hurt, Sean. I thought – never mind. You forgot but I didn’t, I have a gift for you.”
I swear it took every ounce in me not to laugh at his frightened face. He thought I would be mad at him but I wasn’t.
“You have a gift for me? What?” He asked in confusion.
“Stay here,” I said and walked to the closet where I had hidden the gift. I came back with a big box and gave it to him. He opened it and took out what items from inside.
“Plush toys? Baby’s milk bottle, pacifier? Why are you giving me Ryan’s stuff?” He asked, frowning.
I gaped at him. “R…Ryan? Does Ryan play with plush toys? He plays puzzles! Does he drink milk in a bottle? No, he uses a glass!”
“Uh, yeah, you are right…err, I don’t get it why you gifted me these.” He huffed. And he considered me dumb.
“I can’t figure out what I’ll do with babies stuff unless…” He paused, his eyes turned wide. I grinned mentally. Finally, he understood.
“Are you trying to say you want us to create a baby tonight?”
Just how much dumber he could go?
“God, Sean, there’s no need to create ’cause it’s already in here!” I pointed at my belly frustratingly.
The stuff in his hands dropped on the floor, his jaw as well. “You mean to say you are…pregnant?”
“No, I was hungry and ate a baby, of course, I am pregnant!”
In no second I was pulled in a bone-crushing hug where I could clearly hear Sean’s loud heartbeat.
“Oh god, Lauren, you are pregnant. I can’t believe it.” He muttered. He pulled away and held my shoulders, a huge smile forming on his lips. “When, how-”
“Seriously, how?” I frowned and slapped his hand away.
“God, Lauren, I mean when and how did you know you are pregnant?”
“I had a suspicion four days ago and confirmed it two days ago.” I smiled.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked excitedly.
“Wanted this news to be a wedding gift for you.” I smiled. He again pulled me in a hug.
“This is the best gift I have ever received, thank you, Lauren.” He kissed my forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you too, husband,” I replied sweetly.
“Now this a call for a double celebration.” He wiggled his eyebrows and raised mine in question.
“One for getting married and one for the good news.” He didn’t take long to unzip my gown and pull me to the bed.