Page 42 of Shadowed Desires
Chapter Twenty-Six
Pia
In the quiet of the morning, the reflection staring back at me feels almost foreign—a stark contrast to the girl I once knew. The woman in the mirror, with soft waves cascading over her shoulders and clad in a strapless, form-fitting antique white dress, emanates a quiet strength. The simple yet stunning dress wraps around me like a promise of new beginnings, its fabric whispering tales of love and resilience.
"Thank you," I murmur to the makeup artist and hairstylist. Their skills transformed me for one of the most significant days of my life. My voice trembles, laden with gratitude and the enormity of this moment.
As Cypress walks in, her reaction—a gasp of awe—sends a wave of warmth through me. "Oh, my. Pia, you're a goddess." Her words, meant to flatter, cause the blush on my cheeks to deepen.
"Stop it, or I might actually believe you," I joke back, but the sincerity in her gaze tells me she sees something more than just a friend in a pretty dress.
Her hands hold mine as she steps back, her eyes scanning me with an affection that feels like a balm to my soul. "I know the past few days have been difficult, but the past year…" Her voice breaks, and so does the dam within me, tears threatening to spill. "Well, you've survived, my dear friend. You made it through the most treacherous parts."
Her embrace is a fortress; I find the strength I thought had waned within it. "And you," I manage through the tears, "you are gorgeous." In her impeccably tailored suit that speaks of power and elegance, Cypress is a vision of strength and beauty. Her mestizo heritage bestows upon her a look that many here envy, but her unwavering spirit shines the brightest to me.
Today, she will walk me down the aisle towards a new chapter, a declaration of our bond, a journey we've weathered. Don Antonio and my soon-to-be brothers-in-law all offered, but this moment belongs to Cypress and me—perhaps unconventional, but deeply suitable.
I'm marrying the man I love, stepping into a future crafted by our hands and choices. This day, this moment symbolizes more than just a union between two souls; it's the embodiment of my growth from a girl shadowed by scars to a woman seizing her destiny with both hands. Knowing that life is mine to shape, I intend to live it on my own terms, surrounded by love, strength, and an indomitable will to thrive.
Breathing deeply, I place a hand over my stomach and whisper to the tiny life growing inside me, "I love you." This new, profound love for my unborn child is unlike anything I've ever felt—a boundless, all-consuming affection distinct from my love for Marco. It's an unbreakable lifeline, tugging at the edges of an infinite horizon filled with endless possibilities and dreams.
My mother's name, Evelyn Bautista, floats through my mind. I uncovered hidden photos of her in my father's office when we were in Batangas. Her simplicity and grace mirror mine, a gentle reminder of roots I'm beginning to understand. She hailed from a small village in Pangasinan, where I now feel connected. The thought of her final moments, fraught with uncertainty and fear, wrenches my heart. Even in those dire moments, did she know I would survive?
Cypress's voice gently pulls me back to the present, her concern evident. "You all right?" she asks.
Nodding, I share, "Just can't believe I'm going to be a mom." Her reaction to the news the night before—mocking shock and joy—brought me a moment of lightness amid overwhelming change.
"Hey, my parents checked, and I can visit you in Mexico. Once you're all settled in, I'm thinking of taking some time off school to be there—maybe even for the birth," Cypress says, her voice warm with the promise of support and the shared joy of the new life. "I mean, how amazing would that be? I get to be an auntie!"
"That would mean the world to me," I say, pulling her into a tight embrace, grateful for a friendship that's been my anchor through the darkest times and now shines brightly in my happiest moments.
The knock on the door signals it's time. Don Antonio's presence, his innate elegance, brings a sense of formality to the moment. "We're ready when you are," he announces, and with those words, the reality of the day fully settles over me.
As Cypress and I make our way downstairs, every step is towards a new chapter in my life.
The backyard, transformed into a scene from a fairytale, leaves me breathless. The ocean, the flowers, the glinting decorations—all of it fades into the background as Marco comes into view, standing there, waiting for me.
With a gentle nudge from Cypress, we begin our walk down the petal-strewn path. Each step brings me closer to the man I love, the future we'll build together, and the new life we've created.
Surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the scenery and the faces of those who matter most in this moment, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of peace and contentment. As I take confident steps forward, I know this future is of my own making. My eyes lock with Marco's, our gazes unwavering as we share a knowing smile. I raise my head high, filled with determination and strength. This path ahead won't be easy; it is fraught with uncertainty and shadows that hold our deepest fears. But as a mafia princess, I have been prepared for this lifestyle since birth. And now, as I take the hand of the man I love and will soon call my husband, I fully embrace my role as a mafia wife. It is a choice that I make with confidence and conviction. No longer will I fear life. I will embrace it with all the love and passion in my heart—for this man before me and the precious life growing inside me.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Marco
Cypress's handshake feels like the closing of one chapter and the opening of another, symbolizing strength and transformation. I gently release her grip to take Pia's hand, feeling a surge of powerful emotions that almost knocks my breath. The woman before me has evolved from the fiery spirit struggling against her chains into the embodiment of grace and confidence, fiercely my own in every sense.
Leaning in, I can't resist the pull of our connection, whispering so only she can hear. "I can't wait to remove every piece of clothing on you, baby girl." Her playful gaze, fluttering up to meet mine, sends a wave of desire through my veins, a silent promise of the passion that awaits us.
As we face the officiant, every fiber of my being attunes to Pia. Her presence, her essence, captivates me wholly. The world falls away, leaving only the two of us in this sacred moment of commitment and love.
"I vow to love you, protect you, and cherish our family above all. To stand by your side through every challenge and joy, to build a future where our love is the foundation on which everything else stands," I say, my voice steady with conviction and deep emotion.
Pia's eyes lock on mine, shimmering with unshed tears. Her voice is firm yet tender. "I vow to be your strength and your haven, to love you with every beat of my heart. To face every trial with you, knowing together we can overcome anything. And to cherish our family and the one we're about to become, forever bound by love and trust."
Our vows hang in the air, a testament to our journey together. As we exchange rings, symbols of our unending commitment, the world seems to right itself around us. Everything uncertain now has a purpose, and every fear is overshadowed by the love we share.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant declares, sealing our vows with the weight of his words.