Chapter 65
A Path of Pink Petals
Jorge
No matter how hard I try not to get emotional, my heart is aching because of my own feelings.
I’m standing at the altar, and ever since I arrived, I haven’t been able to stop thanking my sister for all the work she’s done; I’m intoxicated by the scent of the flowers adorning the pergola and every corner of this garden, and everything is so romantic it feels like it’s straight out of a fairy tale.
In the chairs, our families and friends mingle and wait for the woman of my life to make her grand entrance, and to my left, alongside the rest of my friends, is Elena, my favorite person.
When Carolina told me she’d managed to change my mind about the dress, I never imagined she’d show up in one that was so sexy and red.
I’d never seen her like that before—so confident, so happy, so attractive—and even though I haven’t asked her, I know she chose it so Victoria would realize what she’d lost. But now that the two of them are together, something tells me it’s going to lead to a lot of other things I don’t even want to imagine.
My sister doesn’t know that Vicky has been on the island since yesterday, and I’m glad, because that means she has no idea what will happen as soon as the music starts playing.
I haven’t asked her how she’s doing, but in her gray eyes I can see the sadness caused by the thought that she didn’t come.
Organizing this surprise is the least I could do after everything she’s done for me and everything she’s been through, since these past years have been the worst of her life and all I want is for her to be as happy as I am.
“Are you nervous?” she asks in a whisper that forces me to look her in the eyes and take my attention off the path of petals that Carolina will walk down in a matter of minutes.
“Who isn’t on their wedding day?” I reply, and she kisses me on the cheek.
“When I married Victoria, I was shaking and I was sure I was going to fall down the aisle.” She laughs at the memory. “Luckily, I did it when she was already with me—otherwise…”
“It was a memorable day.”
“What was memorable was the bruise I got on my knees. I hope you don’t forget a single thing about this day, Jorge.”
“I’m sure I won’t…” I promise, stroking her cheek. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us—and I don’t mean just this, but your advice, your support, your encouragement. Without that, we wouldn’t have made it this far.”
“Don’t be silly. You were meant to experience this moment,” she confesses to me. “I knew it from day one, and now, look at you.” She brings her hands to my suit and rearranges the flowers on the lapel. “The blue looks absolutely stunning on you.”
“And red looks great on you. You’re gorgeous.”
“That was the idea,” she says with a little laugh. “Although the other idea was to make Victoria drool. Do you know if she made it on time?”
“This morning I left Carolina a nervous wreck over exactly that,” I say, trying not to let her know I’m lying. “I don’t know anything else.”
“I guess I misread the letter she sent me and she won’t be coming after all…” The music starts playing and nerves start to gnaw at me from the inside. “Well, the time has come.”
“Don’t let go of my hand,” I ask, intertwining my fingers with hers.
“Be very happy, little brother, and never forget to open your heart,” she advises, giving me a kiss on the cheek before stepping to the other end of the altar and whispering “I love you” in a way that touches my soul.
Silence suddenly surrounds us, and the guests stand to welcome two little versions of Carolina—her twin sister’s daughters—who walk down the aisle, making everyone laugh.
The photographer Elena hired snaps countless photos, but I barely pay him any attention because the only thing I want to etch into my memory is the moment the girl of my dreams appears before my eyes.
I lose track of time as the seconds stretch past ten.
I need to clench my hands to contain nerves I’ve never felt before, and my heart trembles so desperately it makes me want to run away.
However, everything changes the moment the blue reflections of Victoria’s dress completely break through the white of the petals, and my attention shifts to my sister, whose eyes are wide with surprise, bathed in tears that cling to her lashes like tiny pearls of happiness.
It’s a shame they can’t have a movie-style reunion, but they’ll have time for that and much more.
“She’ll be here any minute now,” Victoria whispers to me before giving me a couple of kisses. “Thank you for this moment.”
“Stop talking and go get my sister, or I think she’s going to faint.”
When the two of them meet, they exchange a knowing glance that says so much more than words ever could.
Everyone present focuses on the end of the aisle, ready to see the star of the night: Carolina, who soon appears transformed into a fairy-tale princess.
I feel my heart leap at the first smile she gives me, and when she’s by my side, a shiver runs through my body and makes my knees tremble.
I’d never felt so sure of what I want for my future until she comes up to me, takes one of my hands, and looks me in the eyes. Yes, maybe Elena is right and fate intended this for us, but now that it’s real, now that we’ve made it happen, the world seems even better.
“We’ve done it…” Carol says with a smile on her lips, reading my mind. “And with everyone here,” she whispers.
“A dream come true.”
“I love you,” I whisper close to her ear.
“I love you even more.”