Chapter 14
Joined together forever

It was a night made for love and romance, with the moonlight casting a warm glow on the couple standing at the veranda of the house, looking at the night sky. It is close to midnight, but Maya and Richard are still very much awake, remembering their momentous day. Today was the day they got married, followed by a fun-filled reception at the Lim house in Tagaytay, as they have planned it to be a month ago. Now, all the guests have left. The caterers  have restored the place into its former serenity. The parents opted to stay in a hotel in the area to give the newly-weds their privacy on their first night as husband and wife. Rafi, her husband, with Philippa returned to the Lim family house in Makati. And the caretakers sent on vacation so they can have the place for themselves for several days before they go on their honeymoon abroad.

Richard is hugging Maya from behind, with his arms around her waist, his chin on her shoulder, and Maya leaning on her husband’s broad chest as they remembered the most wonderful day of their lives.  Finally, they are joined by God in marriage infront of their families and friends in a ceremony which everyone said was so moving, so full of love, and promise.

Caleruega, earlier that day

The path leading to the elevated entrance of the church was transformed into a veritable garden, with flowers of all varieties decorating it. It was a magical afternoon. The good weather making everything more vibrant, more alive.  The place looked so peaceful, serene, so blessed, and very fitting for a wedding of a couple whose love is evident for everyone to see.

The church is just perfect for the bride’s wish of a small and intimate wedding with only family and close friends present.

The strains of the wedding march started filling the air and the door of the church opened at exactly 4 o’clock in the afternoon. All eyes were on the radiant bride, resplendent in a Monique Lhuillier lace wedding dress. The groom, at his first glimpse of his lovely bride, got so overcome with emotions. He didn’t notice or feel the tears that started forming, and falling from the corner of his eyes. His mother, standing beside him, handed him a handkerchief. Richard gratefully accepted it. His Maya. He can’t described the feeling of finally seeing her in her wedding gown, holding a bouquet of calla lilies and sunflowers, veiled, walking towards him, and about to become one with him in the presence of all they dearly love. He felt this overwhelming happiness and his chest feels like bursting from so much love for her and from sheer happiness.

Maya looked straight ahead, barely noticing the aisle decorated in sunflowers, purple and white calla lillies, tulips, carnations, gerbera daisies, and roses. She only had eyes for her groom. Her Ricky, so handsome in his Armani designer suit, waiting for her with so much love on his face. She felt like she is floating, gliding, and among the sea of familiar and loved faces, he is her anchor.

Halfway through, Maya’s parents joined her, and they walked together towards Richard. Daddy Arturo led her to Richard, shook his hand, while a crying Mommy Tere told Richard to take care of her princess. Richard promised them that he will, with all his heart and all that he has. Maya embraced and kissed an emotional Mama Esme too, before they faced the priest that would formalize their union. The light seeping through the colorful stained glass windows of the church added solemnity to the occasion. It was a beautiful and moving ceremony, and everyone felt the love between Richard and Maya, especially when they recited their wedding vows. The emotions with every word they recite, palpable. All those listening felt the sincerity, commitment and love in every word they uttered for each other. 

Richard’s vows

More than a month ago, I was here with you my love, my sweetheart, now my partner in life. We both offered silent prayers. Do you know what I told God while we were having this silent communion with Him? I thanked Him wholeheartedly for giving you to me. For you coming into my life, suddenly, unexpectedly, but wonderfiully so. My life changed for the best, became richer, more alive, since I bumped into to you in a land where I was not expecting I would find love, where love was the last thing in my mind. But there was this very strong force pulling me to you, the whole you, your beauty inside out, your lovely smile that lit up your face, your positive attitude, and love for life you have.  Then one afternoon, all the beauty around us paled in comparison to the most beautiful realization of all – that I love you, that I want to be with you for always. We may not have travelled the straight and smooth-sailing path to our forever, but amid all the storm and the setbacks, we still found each other again. We were fated to meet in that place and time, and we were fated to be together, there and here at the other side of the world, our own world.  Now, here we are, standing before God, our family and friends. Maya, I vow to love and honor you until the day we die. I promise to take care of you, and the children we will have, God willing. I promise to grow old with you, to take care of you and to cherish you for always. I love you very much, my sweetheart.

Maya’s  vows

 Ricky, life was okay before you came into my life. I thought then, hoped, wished and prayed, that at some point in the future, I will find a wonderful guy  I can share and build a life with. It was just a nebulous concept as I had other things in mind. Then, suddenly, there was you. By God’s will, a stroke of fate, destiny, call it whatever one will,  and of all the people there that evening in the airport, I bumped into you. Then the following day, we’ve been thrown together several times.  From then on, each day we see each other, I fell more and more for you, not only because of your good looks, but because your thoughtfulness, for being just you,  the whole you, and the fact that being with you, I felt like I have known you for a long time when we just met. Maybe, we were two souls who were so lucky to have found each other again this lifetime. I don’t really know the cosmic thing at work when we met. But I am so very glad we did. It was the best thing that happened to me. I found my destiny one night in Stockholm. Then, like you, I have realized this long and abiding love, that day at the botanical garden. Like you, I also prayed hard to God the last time we were here. After thanking Him for you, I prayed to him to bless us and told Him that you are the one I want to spend the rest of my days with. Ricky, I will love and honor you, for always. I will be with you in sadness and happiness, in sickness and in health, in setbacks and in triumphs. We will be partners for always. I love you with all my heart.

“Sweetheart, I’m so happy. I love you very much.“ Maya said to her husband with so much love, so much happiness that she feels she will burst from the intense emotions she have been feeling throughout this special day.

“I love you very much too, Mrs. Lim. Finally you are mine. This is the happiest day of my life.” Richard touched Maya’s chin and gave her a sweet and long kiss on the lips. Maya responded in turned. Their lips locked and they exchanged heated kisses, started touching each other.

“Hmmm, Ricky, should we get going to bed.” Maya asked in between kisses. “Shall we go in?”

“You are the boss, Mrs. Lim.” Richard said and then proceeded to carry Maya inside the room. They opted to use the room Maya used before instead of Richard’s room, or the master’s bedroom, because of the wonderful memories they had there already.

“Promise, Mr. Lim, you will like what I prepared for you. ” Maya said, giving her husband a teasing smile as she holds on to her husband’s neck.

They entered the softly-lit room, decorated in sunflowers and roses, with some candles, and a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket. Richard put down Maya near the bed, who promptly turned her back on him, asking him to help her with the buttons of dress. It was the dress she changed to during the reception. Like her wedding dress, it was made of lace too, intricately-designed with tiny pearl buttons from neck to her waist. Richard started undoing the buttons, punctuating his action with small loving kissses on Maya’s back.

“Sweetheartttt.” Maya half-protested. “Stop for now, or I will not get around to taking a bath first.”

“Hmmmm, you don’t have to.” Richard replied, then proceeded to attack Maya’s senses again. “I’m enjoying what I am doing, very very much.”

“Rickyyyy. ” Maya said as she faced her husband, with her dress half-hanging down. “Bath please, sweetheart. Promise, patience will have its reward!”

Richard grinned at his wife. Then, kissed her one more time before going to his old room and preparing himself with the night with his wife. He took a quick bath, found his pajama and a white shirt that does not really hide his muscled chest. He is really looking forward to making love to his wife. Wife! It does have a wonderful ring to it. It has been a long one month. This will be the first time they will make love like this again after the last time they were here. They had a lot of loving moments together the past month, bordering on this, but Maya asked Ricky to wait for making their union complete until their wedding night. They did find other ways, creative ways, to satisfy their love for each other physically. Richard returned to the bedroom, with so much anticipation, for his wife and the wonderful treat she promised him.

Maya on the other hand, took a long, leisurely bath, making herself ready for a night with her husband. Husband. She really love the sound of it!  She is looking forward to this night with him. It would be worth the wait and the control she needed to exercise as well, the past months, not to give it to Ricky’s seductions to make love all the way. They found wonderful ways to satisfy each other’s desires, while waiting for this moment. Maya enjoyed those moments too, very much. She put on a long white, sheer, night gown, with flower details on the cups, showing her creamy breasts to advantage, and very thin and loose straps. The gown came with a matching underwear. She entered the bedroom, locked eyes with Richard, who gazed at his lovely bride, hotly. Her body quickly reacted to his hot look. She walked towards Richard who sat up on the bed, turned down the blanket for her, and guided her beside him.

“Sweetheart. You are so beautiful.” Richard said admiringly, desire showing in his eyes, as he kneeled on the bed and gave Maya a hot kiss, which she matched with the passion of her own. Before they knew it, they were kissing with abandon, as they can’t get enough of each other. They assaulted each other’s senses with their touches, their kisses and their very strong desire for each other.

Maya removed Richard’s shirt and touched her husband muscular chest, wanting to give him the same pleasure he is giving her. He was thoroughly loving her breasts through the transparent material of her night gown. Richard then laid down Maya on the bed, and started trailing kisses,  from her lips, to her neck, her breasts and at the same time, touching her, everywhere. His touch was followed by his kisses.

‘Rickyy,” Maya moaned incoherently. “What you do to me, sweetheart. I’m burning for you.”

“I’m the same sweetheart. I can’t get enough of you.” Richard replied, kissing his wife, everywhere, checking with his touch what gives her pleasure, then work on giving her more, and all he could give her, over his own. When they can’t take anymore, Richard positioned himself over Maya, joined their heated bodies, and they soared together.  They made love again and again, all throughout the night, until their desires was temporarily slaken, and slept overtook them. Their naked bodies as closed as two persons bodies can get.

Maya woke up with someone kissing her neck, her breast and touching her intimately. She smiled and looked at her husband, who gave her his lopsided smile, full of love and desire for her. It started a bout of morning lovemaking. All that can be heard inside the room was their sighs of pleasures as they, again, physically expressed their love for each other.

“Good morning, my Mrs. Lim!’ Richard said grinning, looking lovingly at his wife after their desires have been satisfied again, for now. “I love you very much.”

“Good morning, my Mr. Lim.” Maya said with a goofy, loving grin on her face too. “I love you very much too, my dearest husband.” She then stretched her arms up, the blanket falling off her breasts, and her husband looked at her again, with desires in his eyes. Her body and senses quickly reacted.

Maya and Richard stayed in bed most of the day, expressing their love for each other in every way they could. When they got hungry, they took a quick trip to the kitchen, then returned to the bedroom, in their own private paradise.

Note: And that ends Suddenly Love. Thank you guys for reading. I will write an epilogue, I think! 🙂 Maraming salamat again from the bottom of my fangirl heart! 🙂