ESTELLE
Two days ago, we went to apply for our marriage license, and I still felt like he was a stranger to me. I kept reminding myself that what I was doing was for my child’s sake, for their future. That was what kept me going and stayed sane.
I slept peacefully next to Linden despite the strain in our relationship was still there because I knew he would never put me in any harm’s way. And it was not about carrying his child, but one thing I was sure of, he would protect me with his life. That was his nature. That was who he was. He was awesome in many ways.
I woke up late than usual since I would only be reporting to the office in the afternoon today. Linden wasn’t in bed anymore. My first guess, he was in the gym or making breakfast.
It was a beautiful day. The curtain was drawn to the side. I could see the bright sun streaking from the window—beautiful fresh flowers on the vase, which was new. I still didn’t have the morning sickness, which was great.
As I stretched out, something caught my eye that shocked me. My hand was on my mouth to stifle my gasp. My eyes went wide. I raised my other hand. It was really there. I wasn’t dreaming.
I took a closer look at the engagement ring on my finger. For me, it was a little bit unfair. I still dreamed of a proper proposal where a man on bended knee asked me to marry him. Call me old-fashioned, but it was romantic.
Then I heard popping or some sort of fireworks. Curiosity got the best of me. I got up and opened the window.
“Oh, my God!” I was already shocked but was beyond flabbergasted to see the clear sky with an aerobatic smoke display of Marry Me. “Holy shit!”
Okay, I took it back. This was the most romantic proposal I’d ever seen. Wait. Is that for me, though?
Then I heard applause from the backyard where his men, our family, and friends stood around the tables. Then my man in a simple shirt and jeans with flowers gestured for me to come down.
“I haven’t said yes!” I yelled down and showed them the ring and shrugged. “But look?”
Everyone just laughed, even my mom. The only person missing was my father.
“Just come down,” Linden said.
“Just give me a minute.”
I rushed to the bathroom to pee, washed my face, and brushed my teeth. It was the quickest I’d ever done. Then I just put my bra on. I was still in my pajama and slippers, but who cared?
My pacing turned slow as I walked to my family and friends as if they were waiting for me to say something. My eyes began to sting. My heart was about to burst out of my chest.
“Do I have a choice?” There was so much excitement when I looked at my mom, and I couldn’t disappoint her. “Fine. Yes!”
One moment Linden was in front of me, and the next thing was lifting me and kissing me. I yelped to the popping of Champagne behind us.
“Congratulations. Welcome to the family, honey.” It was Jaymes with open arms.
“Thank you.” I hugged him as I felt I had lost control of my emotions. I was happy, excited, and scared at the same time. Then Willa came next.
Everyone came to congratulate us, including Quinn and the last person was Moses.
“You deserve all the happiness in the world, Estelle. And I have no doubt you will be a good mother and wife. You will have the longest patience, the sturdiest determination, and the deepest love for your husband and kids. It’s okay to be afraid and to fail. That even makes us stronger. Congratulations on your engagement and the baby.”
Linden gave me a flute of orange juice while everyone was having Champagne. Great. He wrapped his arm around my waist as he was about to say something. “I never thought I would be this happy. It wasn’t an easy journey for both of us. Estelle still hates my gut but knows how much she means to me. Being around you guys is my core strength. I wouldn’t be here without you. I hope you will be there for us for the next chapter of our lives as husband and wife and parents to our child. Thank you for everything.”
“To our power couple.” Jaymes raised the glass.
I raised my glass and drank the juice. Then we settled to our table for breakfast.
“One hell of a show-off, brother.” Striker came to hug Linden.
“Do you know how long it took me to get that permit?”
“She’s worth it.” I pretended I didn’t hear that.
Then Beck, Cenric, and Mykel congratulated us. Then the backyard became suddenly went silent, but all eyes were on our backs. I followed their gazes.
“Holy shit!” Linden went laughing as he stood up to meet his guests. “What the fuck?” He hugged the man the same height.
I rose to my feet and recognized him through the picture in Linden’s old house.
“Do you think you can get married without me? Congratulations, brother. I never doubted you would fall in love one day, get married, and bear a lot of kids.”
“Thank you, brother, and you fly all the way from Winterbourne to congratulate me?”
“Nah. I was just in the neighborhood.” The entire compound was filled with laughter.
“Well, two more to go.” Two more to go? The woman beside Rome Langston had a very thick British accent. That must be the princess. Holy shit! She kissed Linden on the cheek. “I’m happy you found the one.” Her eyes found mine.
I had no choice but to go to them. They were our guests— the royal guests. Wow. I would pinch myself later.
“Your Royal Highness.” I was about to curtsy, but she stopped me. We kissed cheek to cheek.
“On behalf of my family, congratulations to both of you.”
“Thank you.” I couldn’t help but giggle as I looked at her in her prime dress while I was wearing pajamas.
“So he knocked you up, huh?” Rome’s smile was contagious.
“Long story short, yeah.” I nodded delightfully.
“I didn’t know he had that in him.”
“I didn’t know I had that in me either. I mean, ever heard of protection?”
Rome and Princess Carlott laughed with me.
“Welcome to the family, Estelle.”
***
Apparently, Linden couldn’t wait for another day. And my mom was the best planner. She didn’t want me to stress out. She did everything by herself, of course, with the amazing women in the family. Even pregnant London helped. Considering these guys’ power and wealth, everything was possible with just a snap of their fingers. And I didn’t want to get married with a huge baby bump, so Linden got my approval.
“You look— oh, my God.” Mom looked up to stop herself from crying. “You’re the most beautiful bride I’d ever seen.”
“Thank you, Mom.” I kept my emotions at bay, or I would cry a river and ruin my makeup. I looked at myself in a breathtaking ethereal mermaid white dress. I held her hands. “I think I didn’t thank you enough for what you’ve sacrificed for me—”
“No drama. And every mother would do the same for their children. You will understand what I did now that you’re about to be one. You don’t need to thank me. You don’t owe me anything.”
I took a deep breath as I smiled. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too.”
Who would be the right person to walk me down the aisle? It wasn’t traditional, but I couldn’t think of anyone other than my mother.
The venue was the same backyard we celebrated our engagement yesterday. Only today, the small ceremony was filled with white, light pink, and beige flowers, and everyone wore suits and dresses. Linden looked dazzlingly handsome in his dark blue tux.
“By the power vested in me, by the city of New York, Gabriel, and Estelle, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Our kiss was soft and quick, but the moment our lips locked, I knew I didn’t have regrets about marrying him despite our rocky start. We had a lot to learn from each other. We would have a lot of challenges facing along the way. As long as we were together, we could get through that obstacles. We would reach the finish line for our kid and our family.
The tented reception with a pulled-back white curtain and elegant foliage accented with flowers and candles was beyond my expectations. It didn’t matter where we got married, at the beach, in the church, in the snow, or how we rushed it, as long as I would get married to the same groom.
We had our first dance as husband and wife. Linden was back to the man I first met and the man I fell in love. He had the sparks back in his eyes and a dazzling smile on his lips. Whether this was just for our wedding day, I would take it. At least I had a beautiful story to tell my child that their father was handsome that day.
“What’s wrong?” I was suddenly snapped out of my little dream by his worried voice.
“What?” My voice came out cracked, and that was how I understood his question as he used his thumb to wipe a single tear rolling down my cheek.
I composed myself and smiled. “I didn’t expect my wedding would be rushed yet perfect. Thank you.”
“Are you happy?”
“With the wedding? Of course.”
“No. Are you happy that we are married?”
“Ask me again tomorrow when reality hits me.”
“Estelle.” The softness and vulnerability in his tone stabbed me in my chest. This man had proven things I never imagined a man would do for me, and it wasn’t to impress me. Every simple thing he did, was to make me happy, to put a smile on my face. Who was I to deny that?
We had said terrible things. He hurt me with his words, but he had proven his loyalty over and over again.
“I am.”