Saturday, August 8, 2009

Always and Forever - Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve: The Wedding




A/N: This chapter contains rated scenes

--

She wore the white dress, and in her head was her veil. She stared at herself at the mirror. She is beautiful, she said to herself, and today is her day. Her eyes caught a glimpse of the pendant lying on her vanity table. She stared at it for a long time, contemplating whether she would wear it today. It was the pendant her mom gave her before she died, and she promised to her mom that she will wear it on her wedding day. Suddenly, there was this longing in her heart. She was starting to miss her mother. She wished she could see her wedding. She wished she could be here to give her an advise, to tell her what to do. Maybe, if her mom is still alive, this day would come, for she would tell her not to make the same mistake she did, marrying a man who could not love her. Or maybe, she would be happy for her, seeing how lovely her daughter is this day.

“Ella...” she heard a gentle voice call her. She looked back, and saw Melinda walk up to her. She gave her a faint smile. She caressed her cheek, and smiled at her warmly. “You look lovely tonight.” Melinda said. “Thank you...” she said. Ella looked away from her. Melinda saw her pendant lying on the table. She took it, and stared at it for a long time. “I knew your mother would give this to you...” Melinda said. Ella looked up at her, confused at what she said. Melinda looked at her, and smiled at her again. “You know, your mom wore this pendant on her wedding day as well. This was passed on to her by her mother, who also wore this when she married your grandfather. It's the Tian's family heirloom.” she explained. “Melinda, you know my mother?” she asked. Melinda nodded her head. “We were classmates back then. We were the best of friends, more than friends, we were sisters. I was her maid of honor when she married Robin.” she said. “I... I didn't know that...” she said in a low voice. “Diana was as beautiful as you are when she married your father. You know, brides always are the most beautiful on their wedding day. She was very vibrant. She have this aura in her, it's as if she's shining... and most of all, she's very happy that she's going to be your father's wife.” she said happily as she reminisced Diana's memories.

Melinda looked at her step daughter again, and smiled. “One day, I will tell you more about your mother. For now, enjoy your special day.” she said. She took the pendant from the table, and placed it on her palm. “I know Diana would want you to wear this today. I understand that you could not love Calvin yet, but I trust that one day, the love between the two of you will grow. Calvin is a good man, and I know he would take good care of you.” she said. Ella looked down on her hand, then looked up at Melinda again. “Do... do you think, I should wear this? I... I promised my mom...” she said. “Then keep your promise. Wear this today, for her memory. She may not be with us today to witness her daughter's wedding, but I know wherever she is, she could see you, and she's happy that you're marrying a good man.” Melinda said. “Or, maybe mom's sad that I am forced to marry Calvin... in the same way that my dad was forced to marry her...” Ella said softly. The smile on Melinda's face slowly disappeared as she looked at her. “Ella...” she called. Ella looked away from the her, and stared at her reflection. “I told my times a lot of times that I will never end up like mom. I won't let myself be forced to marry someone whom I can't love, and who can't love me. But it's happening today... I am marrying someone whom I don't love and whom I can't love.” she said. “When your mom married your dad, she loved him so much. And today, I can see that Calvin loves you. Maybe you should give him a chance.” Melinda said.

Ella felt Melinda left her side. She kept on staring at herself on the mirror. “Calvin... does he... love me?” she asked herself. She doesn't know if she would be happy at that. She doesn't know if she should be scared. She know in her heart that she does love him, but his love seems to scare her. She knew from the start that this marriage is agreed upon their parents for their own convenience. There isn't any love involved. And that night when something happened between then, she wanted to believe it was all because of lust. Ella looked down on her hand, and stared at the pendant on her hand. “Maybe for once, I should let him know what I truly feel... and I also have to keep my promise to mom...” she said. She took the pendant, and wore it around her neck for the first time.

Robin entered her room, and stared at her daughter through the mirror. She was heartbreakingly beautiful, as beautiful as Diana is when they got married. The only difference between his late wife and his daughter is that Ella was missing that glow Diana had on their wedding day. It could not be helped, he thought, for he forced Ella to this marriage. “Ella...” he called her daughter. Ella stood up from her seat, and looked back at her father. “Are you ready? We're going to start now. I'll walk you down the aisle...” he said. Ella just let out a smirk. “This is my special day, right?” she asked. Robin nodded his head. “So, it means I can do whatever I want today?” she asked again. Robin nodded his head again. “Well, I don't want this day to e ruined because of you. I'm walking on my own.” she snapped at him. Robin flinched at hearing what she said. Her daughter hated him that much, that she didn't want to give him the chance to hand her over to her groom. As she stared at her, he saw Diana's pendant on her neck. Guilt began to fill his heart once more, as he remembered the past. “I understand.” he said softly. Ella gave her father a confused look. “This is your special day, and you can do whatever you want. I just thought that maybe today, I can be a father to you, and do my duty. I didn't realize that you don't need me anymore.” he continued. Ella suddenly felt guilty for talking back to her father. “Dad...” she whispered. She watched as his father brokenheartedly turn his back on her to leave her alone. “Get yourself ready.” he said firmly. “We don't want to keep the guests waiting.” As her father left her, she felt a tug in her heart. Why can't she show to her father for once how much he means to her? “Dad...” she thought to herself. “The truth is... I... I want you to walk me down the aisle... why can't you see through me? That I don't mean what I say?” she thought.

--

Calvin fixed his tie, and the glanced at himself in the mirror. He smiled to himself as he admired his reflection. He looked dashing today in his gray suit. He wanted to look good in front of his bride. In a few hours, he will be marrying Ella, and there's nothing more that he could ask for. He looked at the bracelet on his wrist, and then he sighed to himself. Each time he looked at it, it would always remind him of Selina. “Sel... you would understand, right? And besides, you told me that when you're gone, I should open up my heart and love again...” he thought. He took the bracelet from his wrist, and placed it on his pocket. “I want to start a new life with Ella. Sel... I know if you're seeing me now, I know you're happy for me. I know you wanted this for me...” he said to himself. He closed his eyes, and remembered the dream he had last night. He dreamed of Selina again, but unlike in his previous dreams, she was smiling at him. She became the cheerful girl he once knew. That's when he realized that Selina is not happy knowing that he have have not moved on with his life, and now that he have learned to love again, Selina is happy. “I promise, Selina. I promise to give her the same love I have given you, maybe more. I hope... I hope one day she will learn to love me as well...” he thought.

“Calvin...” he heard someone call. He looked back, and saw his mother coming up to him. “Hey, mom!” he said. “Mom...” he called. Celestine cupped his cheek, and smiled at him. “I can't believe you're getting married...” she said. Calvin could see his mother were on the verge of tears. He smiled at her. “Mom, don't be like that.” he said. “I couldn't help it, son. You were a little baby before, and now... you're all grown up...” she said. Calvin laughed at his mom, and hugged her. “Mom, don't be too dramatic. We don't want to cry now, right? It'll ruin your make up...” he said as he looked at her. Celestine laughed at her son as well. “Son, I wish Ella would take care of you. That's all that I'm wishing for. I know you're trapped into this... and that neither of you wanted this to happen, but I still hope your marriage will last.” she said. Calvin smiled at his mom, and nodded his head. “I'll do my best to make this marriage work, mom. Who knows, one day, we'll you a grandchild.” he said. Celestine smiled at him, and caressed his cheek. “I'll be praying for that day. Calvin, you are now Ella's family. Take good care of her. There's a reason why she rebelled against her dad... so you have to be more understanding of her, OK?” she said. Calvin nodded his head again. “I promise, mom. I'll take good care of her.” he said.

--

The garden was filled with white and violet flowers. The soft music played, and the entourage walked down the red-carpeted aisle. Calvin stood beside the altar as he watched everyone walk and take their seats. Then, Charlene came, and walked down the aisle. Calvin looked at his best man, and saw him rolling his eyes at her. “What?” Calvin asked him. “What?” Mike said to him. “Charlene looked pretty today. Don't you think?” Calvin asked him. Mike sighed, and rolled his eyes again. “Please, she's not my type, OK?” he told him. Calvin just laughed at his best man. “Fine, if you say so. Hiro told me he wants to date her... guess he'll ask her out later.” Calvin said, looking away from Mike. With that, Mike looked back at him. “What? Hiro said that?” he asked in a surprised tone. Calvin just smirked at him, and turned his eyes on the entourage.

Then, another music played. He looked up, and from a far distance, he saw his bride. Then, Ella began to walk. Truly, his bride is the most beautiful woman today. She was radiant today, it's as if she's shining. She looked more beautiful in her white wedding gown. He gazed at her as she slowly walked towards him. He could see her smiling his way as she walks down the aisle. He felt his heart beating faster as she got nearer.

That moment, when he saw Ella coming up to him, he knew it was the start of their forever. He knew at that moment, Ella have truly replaces Selina in his heart. He love her. And he wished they could be like this for the rest of their lives.

Before he knew it, Ella was standing before him. He looked at her, and smiled lovingly at her. He took her hand, and led her to the altar. The ceremony went smoothly. They were not at the part that they will exchange their rings. “Ella...” Calvin said as he took her hand. He looked into her eyes, and he slipped the ring on her finger. “Take this ring as a sign of my love and loyalty to you. In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit...” he said. Ella took the ring, and then held his hand to wear it on his finger. She looked up at him, and smiled at him. “Calvin, take this ring as a sign of my love and loyalty to you. In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit...” she said. They looked back at the priest, and then they made their vows. “Ella Chen, do you take Calvin Chen to be your husband, to love and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, for better or worse, till death do you part?” the priest asked.

Ella paused, then she looked up at Calvin. Calvin looked at her, and he could see the hesitation in her eyes. Ella looked away from him. “Do I really want to be married to him, although I know he loves another?” she thought. Everything came into her – her past, her mother's heartache, that day her father left them, the men who used her and her body. She looked up at him, and stared at him for a long time. As she looked at his loving eyes, he felt all the pain in her heart slowly melted by his smile. She have known Calvin for a short time, and he managed to capture her heart. It was through him that she have learned to love again, but her love for her brings another fear in her heart. She feared loving him so much, that she would end up breaking her own heart. She feared that Calvin would not learn to love her. She feared that one day, he will leave her, like the way hey father did in the past.

But there was a voice in her ear, telling her to say yes, to say those two words. There was a voice in her ears telling her to set aside her fears, and start a new life with this man. There was a voice telling her that everything will be all right. Calvin waited for her to speak, and the guests waited in anticipation for her to answer the priest's question. As for Calvin, he was getting worried. The more that she kept her silence, the more that he fears that Ella would run away from him. He thought she would turn her back on him, and tell him that she can't marry him. But she looked at the priest and let out a smile. “I do.” she said. He sighed with relief upon hearing her answer. “Calvin Chen, do you take Ella Chen to be your wife, to love and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, for better or worse, till death do you part?” the priest asked. Calvin looked at him, and smiled. Without any hesitations, he gave his answer. “I do.” he said. The priest smiled at the couple, and continued. “With the power vested upon me, you are now as one. I now pronounce you man and wife. Calvin, you may now kiss your bride.” the bride said.

Calvin turn to Ella, and smiled at him. He could here the people clapping their hands. He leaned down to Ella, and took off the veil from her face. He cupped her chin, and gave her a loving kiss on the lips.

--

Andy looked at his brother, who was happily dancing with his wife. He smiled to himself, as he's happy for him. It's been a long time since Selina died, and he have never seen his brother this happy. “I wish someday, I could find my happiness in the arms of the girl I truly love.” he thought. The smile on his face slowly disappeared as his mind wandered off the the last time he saw Genie. He remembered the annoyed look on her face when she saw him in front of their school. She remembered her hurtful words that cuts through his heart. It was clear to him that Genie doesn't want to see him anymore, and he could not blame her. After all the things he did to her in the past just to protect his cool image in school. Often times, he would tease her, and bully her just because she's a nerd. He does that so that no one would suspect that he loves her, but it backfired on him. In the end, Genie left, and she hated him for everything he have done.

At one corner, Genie walked up, and watched her step sister as she happily danced with his husband. She was sad and happy at the same time for her. She was sad because she knows Ella is only doing this because of her father, and because after today, Ella will move out of the mansion. It's only now that they are getting closer, and she enjoyed the company of her big sister, then someone would come to take her away. She's also happy because she knows that Ella married a good man. Though he may not say it, Genie could see that Calvin loves her sister, and that makes her at peace the most. She hugged herself as she watched the other happy couple as they danced. She was also wishing someone her age would come up to her and ask her to dance. But who among the crowd would be interested to a nerdy girl like her? No one, she thought. Her long time crush would not even throw a second glance at her before, and when she got his attention, she pushed him away.

Andy let out a sigh, and then looked back. As he looked back, he saw a familiar figure, standing at one corner and watching the crowd. Then, he smiled to himself. He never thought he would see her again today. “Genie...” he thought to himself. She was more than pretty today. She was lovely in her lavender off-shoulder gown. Although she was still wearing her thick frames, she looked perfect in his eyes. Genie sighed, and hugged herself. As she looked back, she saw a familiar face walking up to him. “Andy?” she said to herself. She immediately turned her back on him. She wanted to move her feet and walk away from him, but she couldn't she remained standing frozen in her place. “Genie?” she heard her call. She closed her eyes, and flinched. She doesn't know what to say to him or how to face him, after the things he said the last time. “It's OK, Genie. Act mean again, so that he won't look down on you...” she decided.

Slowly, she turn to face him. She looked up at him, and saw him smiling happily at her. It was the same smile that made her fall in love with him in the first place. She felt like melting again with his smile, but she have to play it tough. “What are you doing here?” she asked him. “The groom is my brother. What about you?” he asked. “The bride is my sister. Step sister, I mean.” she said. Andy smiled at her again. “Isn't it great? It's like we're a family now, since your sister and my brother got married...” he said. Genie folded her arms, and smirked at him. “And what, you're going to bully me again?” she asked. Andy just sighed and shook his head. “It's not that, Genie. Actually, I've always wanted to be friends with you...” he said in a low voice. “But you're too cool to be friends with a nerd like me, that's why. Even if you offer your friendship to me, I won't accept it. I don't know what your real intentions are...” she said.

Andy let out another sigh. He doesn't know what to say to her to let her know that his intentions for her is real. “You really don't want to be friends with me?” he asked. “I don't want to.” she said to him. Andy smiled sadly at her, and nodded his head. “I understand. I was hoping that since your sister and my brother are already married, we can be friends too. But I guess you really cant forgive me for what I have done to you...” he said. Genie looked at her, feeling guilty again for making him sad. “Andy...” she called. Then, he smiled at her. “But I won't give up on you. Even you hate me to bits, I'll prove to you that my intentions are real. I won't stop until you become my friend.” he said. “Why are you wasting your time on me? There are other pretty girls trying to catch your attention. I'm just a nerd that everyone picks on. Why do you want to be friends with me?” she asked. Andy just let out a smile. “It's a secret.” he said. Genie put her hands on her waist, and glared at him. “Wei, are you playing around with me?” she asked. Andy smiled, and shook his head. “All I know is that I want to be true to myself for once. I want to get to know you more, Genie. And I want you to understand that I'm for real.” he said to her.

--

“Hey there, sexy maid of honor!” Hiro said as he walked towards Charlene's direction. Charlene looked back, and smiled flirtatiously at him. Upon seeing Mike tailing up behind Hiro, she frowned at him. “Hey, sexy grooms men!” Charlene told Hiro. Mike sighed, and folded his arms. “Please, I'm so disgusted with your flirtings!” Mike said as he rolled his eyes at the two. Charlene folded her arms, and smirked at him. “If you are, then stop tailing your friend, will you?” she said. Mike just smirked at her. Hiro just laughed at his friend. He doesn't know if this guy is this guy have fallen for Ellas friend, or is just annoying her. “Eh, Charlene...” Hiro said as she looked at her. Charlene looked back at Hiro, and smiled sweetly at him. “Yes, Hiro?” she said. “Would you like to go out on a date with me tomorrow?” he asked. Charlene smiled again, and nodded her head. “Why not? I've been wanting to go out and unwind after the busy wedding preparations. You got yourself a date.” she said. Mike flinched upon hearing her answer. “What? Are you sure you want to go out with her, Hiro?” Mike said. Hiro looked at him, confused with his reaction. “Why? What's wrong?” he asked. “Man, you know she's a playgirl, like Ella...” Mike said. “Wei! Don't label me like that! And can you give a little respect to my friend?” Charlene said angrily at him. Hiro just smirked at his friend. “So what, it's just a date. It's not like we're going to date exclusively...” he said. “But Hiro, she's not your type!” Mike argued. “So what? Maybe if I got to know her more, in the end I'll realize she's my type of girl.” he said. Mike sighed in frustration. Nothing he says can change Hiro's mind. “Fine...” he said. “Go date her. Just don't come running to me, and crying because of her, OK?” Mike said in annoyed tone.

--

Ella sat back in her chair, and watched as everyone around her were having a good time. She sighed and leaned to the table. She was getting bored with the reception, and formal parties like these are not her cup of tea. “Anything wrong, Mrs. Chen?” Calvin said as he walked up to her. “This is getting boring, really...” she said monotonously. Calvin just laughed at her. He could understand that Ella is not tired. They have been rounding from table to table, checking on their guests from time to time. “Don't worry, the party is half way through. You just have to toss the bouquet, and we're out of here.” Calvin told her. Ella let out another sigh. Calvin leaned towards her, and smiled at her. “You're really bored aren't you?” he asked. “I hate formal parties, Calvin.” she said. Calvin stood up, and looked around the area. Their guests are busy socializing with the other guests. Guess it wouldn't hurt if they sneak out for a while. “Come with me.” Calvin said, extending his hand to her. Ella only gave him a confused look. “Where?” she asked. “Just trust me, will you?” Calvin said. Ella sighed again, and then took her husband's hand.

They sneaked out of the party, and went to a part of the hotel were there are no people. It was another garden inside the hotel. The place is filled with lots of flowers, and there was a gazebo in the middle of the garden. At one corner, there is a large fountain. “How did you find this place?” Ella asked Calvin as they were strolling. Calvin looked at her, and smiled. “I did, when we were doing ocular visit to this hotel.” he explained. Ella smiled as she looked around the place. “This is beautiful...” she said. “I know you will like it here....” Calvin said. Calvin held her hand, and lead her to the gazebo. They stood in the middle, and then, Calvin bowed before her. “May I have another dance with my wife?” he asked as he bowed. Ella just laughed at him. “What? Dance? But there's no music!” she said Calvin stood up, and smiled at her. “Then, let's use our imagination.” he said. Ella laughed at him again, and then nodded her head. He held Ella on her waist, and his other hand held her hand. Ella's free arm was around Calvin's neck. Before she knew it, they were waltzing around the gazebo.

After a while, Calvin led her to the fountain. “The hotel manager told me that this is a wishing fountain. You just need to drop a coin on the fountain before making a wish.” he told her. Ella gave him a skeptical look. “And you believed that?” she asked. Calvin nodded his head. “I made a wish when I first came here, and it seems effective.” he said. “And what did you wish for?” she asked. Calvin looked at her, and gave him a boyish smile. “It's a secret.” he said. He reached for a pocket and pulled out two coins. He handed the other coin to Ella. “Are you sure this would work?” Ella asked again. “Of course it does! The wish I made that day came true...”
“Then tell me what it is...”
“I will tell you one of these days.”
“No fair, you should tell me now since it already came true!”
“It will remain a secret for now. One day, I'll tell you what I wished for.”

Calvin took a deep breath, and stared at the coin. Then, he closed his eyes to make a wish. “i wish... I wish Ella and I could stay happy forever...” he prayed silently. It's the only wish he could ask for now. His first wish had came true today, when Ella said 'I do' to him in front of the priest. Ella closed her eyes, and made a wish. “I wish... Calvin will learn to love me someday...” she thought. Then, they both opened their eyes. “1, 2, 3...” Calvin counted. At the same time, they dropped the coin to the fountain. “Calvin...” Ella called after they dropped the coin. Calvin looked at her, and waited for her to speak. “If my wish came true, will you tell me what you wished for today and the last time?” she asked. Calvin smiled, and nodded his head. “I will, definitely.” she said. Ella smiled at him. Inside her heart, she was praying that her wish would come true.

--

Calvin opened the door of their hotel, and carried Ella inside. Ella could see how he have been struggling to carry him, and she could only laugh at her husband. “Aiyo, put me down now!” she said. Calvin just smirked at her. He walked towards the bed, and plopped her down on the mattress. “I didn't know you were that heavy...” he complained as he sat beside her. Ella sat up, hugged him. “I'm so sorry, Mr. Chen... I think I ate too much a while ago...” she said. Then, she looked up at him, and smiled seductively. “Why don't I give you a prize for carrying me?” she said. Calvin let out a flirty smile at her. “What prize?” he asked. “This...” Ella put her arms around her neck, and kissed Calvin passionately on the lips. Calvin responded to her kiss, and embraced her. He leaned over her as they kissed. Calvin broke their kiss, and stared at her lovingly. “You're beautiful tonight...” he whispered to her. “And you're so handsome...” Ella said, cupping his cheek.

He leaned down to her, and planted a small kiss on her forehead. His lips trailed down to her nose, down to her lips. As he kissed her passionately on the lips, his hand roamed around her back. He was able to feel the zipper of her gown, and he immediately pulled it down, which gave him access to her bare back. His lips roamed down to her neck as his hands tried to undress her. Ella pulled Calvin away, and then took off the veil from her head. She looked at Calvin, and brushed his hair with her fingers. His fingers trailed down to his face, to his neck, down to his chest. She reached up to him for a kiss as her free hand undid his tie and unbutton his shirt. As she kissed him, she touched his bare chest. Slowly, she felt her gown slid out of her own body. He carefully laid her down on the bed, and stared at her nakedness. “You're very beautiful...” he whispered to her. He leaned down to her, and kissed her neck. Ella took his shirt and coat off, and she could feel his skin against hers.

He kissed her lips again, this time, hungrily. In his kiss, she could feel how much he wanted her, and she felt the same way. She wanted all of his love tonight. She wanted to feel like a woman in his arms. She wanted to feel that he needed her, that he ached for her. That night, Calvin made love to her, just like the first time that he did. She surrendered herself to his passion. She needed this now. She needed all of his love...

Labels: Always and Forever, fan fic