For the next few days, the whole family was busy with the wedding preparations. Although Marcus had hired a wedding planner, his mom and aunt Maggie were very much enthusiastic to get everything perfect. As for Cara, she went along with the flow, enjoying her break and getting pampered. Lucas arrived with Sienna and the kids three days before the wedding and the house seemed to come alive with so many children around. Liam seemed to be bowled over by Alexia and went out of his way to help her with everything. He showed off his artistic skills and even attempted to paint her.
Since Cara didn’t want any pre-wedding parties, they just had a single party two nights before the wedding day. Nicholas arrived the same day with Alyssa and Cara wondered if they would announce their wedding next. Alyssa apologized to Cara and asked for her autograph to which she gladly obliged. This time everything changed and Cara was surprised to be treated like a queen. The moment Maria walked into her house, she hugged Cara to her bosom and was glad to be able to spend a few days with her sister.
“You have no idea how proud you’ve made me, dear. I’m glad that you have proved your worth. You now have the world at your feet. I couldn’t have been happier for you,” said Maria.
“Thank you, Aunt Maria. I’m happy and blessed indeed to have all of you with me,” she said.
“Cara, mom wants you to go to the terrace right away,” said Nicholas, drawing Marcus’s attention as he sat with Marianne, feeding her patiently. Cara had wanted to but he was adamant. He wanted to be the one to feed Marianne.
“Oh, I’ll just go in a minute,” she said as she tied Vera’s hair.
“No, mom wants you now,” insisted Nicholas making Cara a little worried. What was the urgency all about?
Marcus burped Marianne and handed her over to Mrs. Davis with a kiss. Cara dashed towards the terrace followed by Marcus and Nicholas, as both were too curious to know what was going on. The moment Cara went to the terrace, she was spellbound seeing the floral and balloons decorations all around. Everyone was there, Marcus’s mom, Sienna, Alyssa, aunt Maggie, Sienna’s other friends, Eva and Hayley, and a few of Marcus’s aunts who have been invited. Marcus and Nicholas shared a look seeing that men had been banned entry to the place. What was going on? Suddenly, Alyssa, Hayley, and Eva saw Nicholas and Marcus and started protesting.
“Men aren’t allowed here. It’s a women-only-get-together,” they yelled making Cara’s mouth hang open with surprise as Alyssa and Nicholas started having a fight over the issue.
“What’s going on, mom?” protested Marcus. Aunt Maggie came forward and smiled apologetically.
“It’s a special party for Cara, to show her how much she means to us. She has always gone out of her way to take care of us. Despite all hardships, she never took a break or gave up. I had never imagined that I’d be blessed enough to have a daughter such as her. I had been planning this for so long but somehow it kept on getting postponed. This time Sienna and Maria helped me fulfill that wish,” said an emotional aunt Maggie. Cara’s eyes filled with tears and she hugged aunt Maggie who really deserved to be her mom more than anyone else.
“You don’t thank your family, aunt Maggie. You’ve done more for us than anyone else ever did,” she said, her voice choked with emotions. “But why is it a women-only affair? I would love it if everyone joins in. I want to celebrate the special party with everyone,” said Cara, making Nicholas stop arguing with Alyssa and start cheering for Cara.
“It was Sienna and her friends who decided that they wanted an all-women party,” said Marcus’s mom with a chuckle.
“I knew it. This can’t hatch out of anyone else’s brain,” said Nicholas, eyeing Alyssa. It was as if their enmity still continued even after so many years! Alyssa fumed and muttered curses at him. But was it really enmity? After all, there was a thin line between love and hate!
“Fine then. Since Cara wants the whole family here, we might as well have a family get-together,” said one of Marcus’s relatives, aunt Matilda.
“Yay, I’ll call everyone. Hey, what about the kids?” asked Nicholas.
“Call everyone. Leave out Marianne if she’s sleeping,” said Marcus’s mom. The kids were overjoyed and they all demanded a barbecue party with everyone performing for Cara. They started the party with a game of scavenger hunt followed by a lot of dancing. While Nicholas caught Alyssa for a close dance, Sienna danced with Lucas and aunt Maggie with uncle Joe.
Marcus walked up to Cara and pulled her into his arms for a close dance. The music filled the air and soon they were too lost in their own magic bubble to realize when the music was changed.
“Do you want to go on a honeymoon?” asked Marcus, gazing into her eyes.
“We can all go after Marianne is old enough to travel,” said Cara eagerly.
“She can take a short road trip,” pointed out Marcus enthusiastically. Cara’s eyes brightened up and she loved the idea of a honeymoon with everyone.
“I don’t think Adam, Liam, and Vera have gone anywhere else,” said Marcus.
“No, they didn’t. I haven’t been able to take them out at all,” admitted Cara.
“Then that’s settled. We will go to LEGOLAND, Carlsbad, and stay there for four nights. It’s just a two-hour drive away so Marianne won’t mind at all,” said Marcus. Cara smiled at his promptness. He really was selfless, thinking of the children first rather than their own enjoyment. They danced for a while, lost in each other, trying to come to terms with the fact that they were getting married the next day. It seemed too good to be true!
After the performances, the delicious barbecued food was served and everyone tucked in. They were showered with lots of gifts and at last Marcus was able to whisk her away. They went over to the private stretch of beach to walk around hand in hand, enjoying the sunset.
“How are you feeling, love?” he asked quietly but Cara could feel the emotional upheavals going on inside him. It was the same as she was feeling. For two long years, they had longed for one another and now finally that dream was about to come true. It was an ethereal feeling!
“As if I’m walking in a dream,” she told him honestly.
“I know what you mean. It feels too good to be real. I want our first look right here at this very spot tomorrow,” he said. Cara smiled, looking forward to it already.
“Tomorrow by this time, we would be a married couple. Can you feel my heartbeat?” he asked, picking up her hand and placing it over his rapidly beating heart.
“Wow! It’s racing,” grinned Cara, and she placed his hand over hers. It was racing as well. They knew that the magical feeling they shared could never ever be diminished. It was there to stay forever. She was his beloved for life! He pulled her close and cupping her face, kissed her tenderly under the setting sun.
“I love you, mia Cara. Ready to start a new life with me?” he asked hoarsely, his eyes shining with a million promises.
Cara wrapped her arms around his neck, surrendering herself to him. “Yes, Marcus. I love you. I’ll always be ready for you,” she promised, her eyes reflecting the same. They walked back hand in hand, eager to start a new tomorrow with each other.