Chapter 21

“Happy, Mrs. Bowman?”

“Very, very happy, Mr. Bowman!”

“I love you very much, darling!”

“I love you very much too, honey!”

“The start of our lives together, at long last!”

“I’m looking forward to that!”

“I am, too, darling Pip, especially to our honeymoon, finally!” Ethan teased Pippa naughtily, making her blushed.

Pippa looked at her husband with so much love, before whispering back, softly and with a naughty smile as well. “Me too, honey! Me too!”

Ethan grinned and gave his wife a quick, but searing kiss. Pippa shivered, feeling the effect of that kiss deep into her being, as always. Ethan didn’t know where he got the willpower not to make love to Pippa in the three months they have been engaged and was practically living together. There were times where they came very close to doing so despite his, and her, resolve! Yes, they found ways to express their passion and desire for each other, learned about each other’s body, to satisfy each other somehow, in the meantime slaked the thirst, so to speak, while counting the days until they will become husband and wife. However, despite all the intimacies they have done together, they had managed, barely, to stop making love all the way.

Ethan and Pippa looked at each other again, and with a heated promise to each other, they glided gracefully in front of their guests. This was their first dance as husband and wife, several hours after their beautiful and simple wedding at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Puerto Galera that morning, with their families and friends from England, Davao, Manila, and from Puerto Galera, in attendance.

Colorful capiz lanterns and floor to ceiling lamps made of native materials  illuminate the big open Anahaw pavilion especially built for Ethan and Pippa’s wedding reception at The Cove. Pippa’s mother insisted on building the pavilion to make her daughter’s wedding extra special. When Pippa half-heartedly protested that it may be over the top as she and Ethan only wanted a simple wedding, Mommy Marianne countered it by saying that it isn’t everyday that her only daughter is getting married. Besides, she said, it can be used afterwards as a wedding venue in the resort. Pippa stopped protesting and went along with what her and mother, her future mother-in-law, Virgie, and hers and Ethan’s wedding planner had suggested for their beautiful Filipiniana themed wedding. To complete the theme of the wedding, Philippine flowers and plants of all varieties were placed all over the pavilion and the areas around it, transforming it into a very beautiful tropical garden! It was picture perfect, and just the way Pippa envisioned her wedding to be.

Mommy Marianne sat closely with her balae and college friend Virgie, and her husband Colin, as they happily watched their children beautifully moving on the dance floor, with eyes only for each other. Both of them, while in college never thought that one day, their children will end up married to each other! But they were ecstatic that it happened. Seeing the happiness and the love between Pippa and Ethan, they couldn’t ask for more.

Mommy Marianne also wished then that her Tommy can see their daughter at that moment. She looked radiant. Her son-in-law, so handsome and looking so very much in love with her daughter. Mommy Marianne knew, doubly so that her daughter is in good hands. A mother couldn’t asked for more. Indeed, she had gotten a son in Ethan.

Virginia Bowman clutched her husband’s hand tightly as they, too, were very happy that Ethan has finally found a love that will last forever. After what their son had experienced almost a year before, they were very glad that he had bounced back and found true and lasting happiness in the arms of the lovely girl he had met unexpectedly. Love and happiness had found their son and they couldn’t ask for more. They just hope and pray that Allison will find the same happiness and love as  what her brother had found with Pippa! Meeting Pippa and learning that their son was engaged to be married was the best news they have received since their son informed them that he was finally coming home after several months of disappearing in Asia! Now, this! Their happiness is complete.

Three months after they got engaged, Pippa and Ethan finally had the wedding of their dreams! Her cousin Belle was Pippa’s maid of honor. Werner was Ethan’s best man. Isabel, Pippa’s business partner in the production house she formed after returning from England, was also part of the entourage. Some of Pippa’s friends at her old work also made it to the wedding, combining it with a vacation to Pippa’s family resort. Tristan and his clinic partner, Joshua were also in attendance, together with their ‘heartbroken’ nurses, Susan and Marita, teasing Ethan that their heart will not recover, seeing that he is married. Ethan and Pippa laughed at their antics. Tristan was part of the wedding entourage as well. Colin, from Ethan and Werner’s company was also there with his Filipina girlfriend, and Ethan’s close friends from England, Robert and Timothy!

Ethan’s family from Davao also attended – his Uncle Michael, Aunt Minerva and several other aunts and uncles, and Melissa, who like Ally, was a bridesmaid. It was a good thing, Allison made it to the wedding, having just had a vacation several months before!  She went back to England ahead of Pippa and Ethan. Ally made it to Mindoro several days after they have return home to tell Pippa’s mom of their engagement and their plans for the future. Pippa also updated her mother on her decision to quit her job and pursue her passion. As with her every endeavor before, she got the support of her mother, who was very, very happy on her engagement to Ethan. When Belle found about their engagement, she was ecstatic too. Tristan was also present when they informed their family and friends in Mindoro and he offered them his sincere congratulations. Ally had a wonderful week in Mindoro. She got along very well with Tristan, Joshua and Belle. When she leaving for England, Joshua, who was going to Manila at the same time for a conference, offered to take her to the airport. Ethan and Pippa promised Ally that they will travel to England as soon as they have manage to arrange things.

Ethan and Pippa finally got to visit the Bowmans in England more than a month after they had been to Mindoro to tell Mommy Marianne that they got engaged. Upon learning that Ethan was engaged to the daughter of her best friend, Virgie Bowman was ecstatic. She insisted on hosting an engagement party for Ethan and Pippa before they return to the Philippines for their family and friends in England who can’t make it to the wedding. She also insisted to Pippa that she would like to help in the planning of her only son’s wedding. So, when Pippa and Ethan went home from their month-long visit in England, the elder Bowmans traveled back to the Philippines with them.

Ethan also met with Claudia’s mother during their first week in England. He wanted to fully close that chapter of his life. She reluctantly agreed to meet him for coffee one afternoon at a neutral place for them after he told her that he would like to give her something that was of great value to Claudia. Pippa offered to come with him, but suggested that she can stay in the background as Claudia’s mum may not like it that Ethan was engaged to be married. Ethan said, it would be better if he does it alone, anyway.

The meeting between Claudia’s mum, Cordelia, and Ethan was cordial, but only lasted less than an hour. Ethan can see that Cordelia was not as composed as she should be when he gave her Claudia’s diary. Ethan hugged Pippa tight after the meeting. While it only lasted a short time, it had drained his energy. Several days after, he was surprised to received a call from Cordelia, asking him to meet again.

Ethan met Cordelia at a coffee shop near the Leicester Square Tube Station. Pippa went with Ally to Notting Hill. The two of them were planning to see what they can buy at the Portobello Road Market. Ethan saw a different Cordelia. She looked broken and sad. He guessed she had read her daughter’s diary. All she asked Ethan, when he sat before her, was to forgive her and to thank her for taking care of her daughter. She also said that she had hoped that one day she can forgive herself to what she had done to her daughter. Ethan softly told her that he hopes she will find peace one day. He said goodbye to her several minutes after. He and Pippa went to where Claudia was buried afterwards and offered a prayer for her and the baby. He felt so much lighter after they have done so. He was completely at peace, especially, he has the life he was making with Pippa to look forward to.

The rest of Pippa and Ethan’s stay in England was spent playing tourists in London and in nearby areas. One of the most memorable moments that Pippa and Ethan treasure was their London Eye ride. They kissed when they reached the top amid the magnificent scenery before them. It also reminded them of their Star City Ferris Wheel ride and their declaration of feelings for each other then. Ethan treated Pippa to a musical also in West End. They also drove around outside London and spent several days in Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland. They flew back after several weeks and got busy, only with the wedding, but their new jobs, Ethan in Werner’s company and Pippa with the production company she formed with Isabel. She had also launched her blog and it was well received. Several of her posts even went viral.

“Honey are you seeing what I’m seeing?” Pippa whispered to Ethan as they took one last twirl around as the music was ending.

“What?” Ethan asked, smiling, looking at the part of the pavilion where her gaze was, his brows knitted in curiosity.

Pippa pointed to where Tristan was sitting. He was scowling and the object of his displeasure was Belle, who was laughing hard at what Werner said. Pippa noticed it when they were rehearsing for the wedding. Werner was very attentive to Belle and he was very charming. He made Belle laughed a lot. She also noticed Tristan looking intently at Belle, but Belle was refusing to look at him. She tried asking her cousin several times if she and Tristan had a misunderstanding or something, but she changed the topic every time she asked. Pippa stopped prying. She felt that something happened to her cousin and their friend in between the time she and Ethan were in Northern Luzon and in England. It became obvious when they were planning the wedding. Belle was barely talking to Tristan, despite the fact that he seemed to want to talk to her. That evening, it was obvious that Tristan didn’t like Belle flirting with Werner. In fact, he looked very jealous. Pippa noticed that he had been looking at Belle closely, and there was that kiss after the bouquet and garter ceremony. It was Belle who caught the flowers and it was Tristan who got the garter. After he had put the garter on Belle’s leg, he looked at her with so much intent, then to hers and everyone’s surprise, he kissed her on the lips. Belle blushed and looked at Tristan with an unguarded expression, before she took on a neutral expression, then after a smile that seemed force, she went back to where Ally and other bridesmaids were sitting. Tristan walked away sadly, but with a determined expression on his face.

“Oh!” Ethan said, smiling. “Playing matchmaker, honey?”

“Hahahaha, this is looking very interesting, indeed!” Pippa said. “Parang alam ko na kung sino ang susunod na ikakasal sa atin! Though parang may hindi tayo alam. But I have a very good feeling about this two!”

Ethan nodded. “I think I agree with you on this dear wife! Pero parang marami pang kailangang gawin si Doc Tristan to win Belle’s heart. I wish him all the luck.”

The two of them shared a smile, then kissed as the music ended. They bowed to their guests. The end of their first dance was also the signal for everyone to go on the dance floor. When Pippa and Ethan were returning to their table, they caught a glimpse of Werner beating Tristan in asking Belle to dance. They smiled.

The party lasted for several hours more. Pippa and Ethan said goodbye to their families and guests late afternoon. They will fly to Palawan via a helicopter that was also part of the gift of Pippa’s godmother Evelyn to them aside from a week’s stay in her beautiful island vacation home. They have thanked Evelyn Romero, and her husband Raymond, earlier for their very generous gift to them.

“Pippa, Ethan, ingat kayo mga anak and enjoy your honeymoon.” A teary-eyed Marianne Montenegro told the newly weds, hugging them one after the other. “Ethan, take care of my daughter ha.”

“Yes, Mom, I will.” Ethan promised Marianne.

“Mom. don’t cry na. Akala ko pa naman tapos na iyan sa church.” Pippa teased her mother. “I love you very much.”

“I love you very much too, anak, and ikaw rin Ethan. Tears of joy naman ito mga anak. I am still having a hard time believing that my daughter has finally found her prince.” Mommy Marianne said, smiling happily at her daughter and son-in-law.

“Balae, I know the feeling. I’m happy too that my son has found his princess.” Mummy Virgie told everyone. “Enjoy your honeymoon, Pippa, Ethan. Don’t worry about us. Marianne and I, with your Dad, Ethan, are planning to take a trip up North as well, doon sa mga lugar na pinuntahan ninyo. Ally is joining us I think. Napag-usapan namin kagabi. We would like to see the place where Ethan proposed to you Pippa.”

“Talaga po! I’m sure you will like it there, Mum, Dad. I’m so glad also Mom that you are taking a vacation.” Pippa said happily.

“O sige, Ethan, Pippa, lumakad na kayo and baka gabihin pa kayo.” Mommy Marianne said.

Ethan and Pippa finally made it to the chopper a round of  hugs and goodbye to their well-wishers. They arrived at the beautiful  island as the sun was setting. They were welcomed by the caretakers and it seemed like another surprise was waiting for them. The whole place was filled with flowers and decorated with colorful lanterns.The place was fit for an unforgettable honeymoon. It was like stepping into their own private paradise.

Ethan carried Pippa over the threshold of the place after the thanking the caretakers and assuring them that they don’t need anything for the night. Manang Maring and Manong Banong told them that they will just be at their small hut at the far edge of the property should they need anything.

“Sa wakas, Mrs. Bowman,” he said with a silly, naughty and teasing grin. “Here we are!”

“Yes, my husband, here we are! Imagine, parang kailan lang I saw you chopping wood at my mother’s yard.” Pippa smiled at the memory, remembering that the first thing she noticed was Ethan without a shirt on. “Akalain mo ba naman!

“Hmmm, parang alam ko na ang ibig sabihin ng smile na iyan. Remembering that scene, parang I felt I was ogled as someone took a sip of Coke.” He teased. “Admit it, Pippa darling.”

“Hahahahaha, guilty. You looked so handsome kaya! Kahit na broken-hearted ako noon, I still have eyes.”

Ethan grinned, then cupped Pippa’s face. “And you looked so very lovely my darling, standing there, with legs that went on forever. My heart is so full that you are mine now. I never thought that I will feel this happy in almost a year after the most devastating thing that had happened to me.”

“Me too, Ethan. after the heartache, here I am, so well-loved by you. I love you very much so.” Pippa caressed Ethan’s beloved face.

Ethan lowered his lips to Pippa and gave her a searing kiss. Pippa kissed him back with all the love and desire she was feeling for her husband. Both of them thought at long last, here they were, in their wedding night! The kiss turned into more intense kisses, the desire they have ignited in each other turning into a conflagration. Ethan carried Pippa to the big bed, strewn with roses, laid her gently and started undressing her, slowly and maddeningly. He kissed every spot he had uncovered, sending volts of desire into Pippa’s. When he managed to remove every stitch of clothing, he looked hotly and with so much love at his beautiful bride, who also looked at him with eyes glazed with desire, and with all the love she was feeling. He undressed slowly and when he  had shed off all his clothes, he joined his wife on the bed and proceeded to love her gently, taking in consideration her innocence. They loved throughout most of the night and indeed, it was worth the wait. They only stopped when sleep beckoned and they can’t ignore it anymore. Ethan covered his and Pippa naked and sated bodies with a beautiful embroidered blanket he found at the foot of the bed. They slept for the first time as husband and wife, as close as two person could be.

Pippa was woken up with searing kisses the following morning. She smiled and looked at her handsome and wonderful husband with so much love. They shared a look and before long, they were kissing each other with abandon, wanting to satisfy the passion that ignited between them again. Ethan wanted to be gentle as Pippa might still be sore for all the beautiful loving they did the night before, but Pippa will have none of it. She took the initiative and their lovemaking was more explosive than the first time they came together. More than two hours later, they finally got out bed as they can’t ignore their hunger anymore. Pippa made them an omelette, just like the first evening they shared a meal. They went for a swim after their leisurely brunch.

Ethan and Pippa expressed their love for each other in every way they could in the days and night they have spent in that beautiful, secluded island. They were like in a world of their own.

“I love you very much, my darling.” Ethan whispered to Pippa as they sat on a blanket by the beach, watching the sun set the day before they returned to Manila. “I will love you until my last breath.”

“I love you very much too, honey. I will do the same. I will love no other. I’m looking forward to a lifetime as your partner and beloved wife.” Pippa said emotionally as she reclined against her husband’s chest.

Pippa turned and the two of them shared another smouldering kiss as the sun was setting. When the sun was but a small disc on the horizon, they returned to the house to have dinner and the night was spent loving each other again in every possible way.   Both of them knew even then that it will always be like this for them for the rest of their lives. Indeed, both of them were very lucky to find a love that would last a lifetime, unexpectedly!

Note: With this, I finally found my groove again, I think. 🙂  Sorry for just ‘disappearing’. I had writer’s block for some reason! I kept myself busy in the meantime (I also needed to help out my sister with her house moving), hoping to get out of it. Hopefully, I did!  I have started working on the last part of On the Street Where You Live as well.  

This ends Pippa and Ethan’s story, which is special to me too as this is my first non-RM fiction. Thank you very much for reading this as well, and supporting my other works. Next will be Doc Tristan’s and Belle’s story in Unrequited Love. Thank you very much, again, for the support. ❤