Chapter 55: Chapter 55
Zenovia
About five years later, after that fateful night in the nursery room of our twin babies, I was now walking on the aisle with my parents, who would give me away to Maksimillian. The aisle was matted with white and yellow rose petals that Oksana spread. She looked so cute in her white dress, holding the yellow basket that was filled with rose petals.
The entire Black Church was decorated with white and gold colours. Aside from the standing displays, the pews had accents and bows of the same theme colours.
The wedding march was played as I walked and looked at my brother and best friend standing on one side, at the front pew. Rurik was also there, on the opposite side. I was happy that he and Maksimillian had reconciled two years ago, after what late Marisha did to us. Because of what she had done, my partner in life did not even attend his aunt’s burial, although I sent our condolences through flowers and a card, without Maksimillian’s knowledge. I only told him later on, but I was surprised he did not make a fight over it, which was a good sign. I even told him Rurik appreciated it.
I was just glad it did not take a lifetime for Maksimillian to forgive his one and only cousin. Rurik was back to the company, after living outside Russia to heal. Upon his reinstatement to his old job, he assisted my husband-to-be with all the works, whereas I worked as a full-time painter and a mother to our twins.
Endometriosis was still part of my life and womanhood. But to me, the pain was manageable after I paired my medicines with acupuncture, which Antonia agreed that I should try. So, I did. Maksimillian empathized whenever I had my painful monthly cycle. He would stick by my side to help me soothe it, which I was always grateful. Sometimes, even my kids would stay with me when it was the time of the month. They would caress my abdomen or my back, depending on how I positioned myself on the bed. They imitated their father, and this would make up as our bonding time, too. It was kind of ironic though.
Despite the pain, I was happy that my loved ones were there for me. And I was grateful to The One above for giving me such precious gifts in this lifetime. And today, on my wedding day, I felt truly fortunate to have them.
Only a few were invited to our solemn wedding in a Catholic church in Romania. I wanted to do it here, rather in Moscow. Thus, here we were on the twins’ birthday. We specifically chose this special date, so that it could be merged together with our wedding day. And then, we could celebrate it in just a day. It symbolized a lot for me and Maksimillian.
He proposed to me last year, during our twins’ fourth birthday. It was so sweet and a surprise, with all the balloons, cakes, flowers and the most expensive diamond ring I had ever seen.
“What? It’s a long way to go if we’ll hold our wedding on the twins’ birthday,” Maksimillian protested after I agreed to marry him⸺and after telling him my preferred date. He was all sweaty and nervous, because he was afraid I might turn him down, knowing that I hate marriage.
He was very surprised, however, that I agreed without any protest. The truth was that, after living with him for four years, I secretly hoped he would bring up the marriage topic. And, it happened. I was like transported to the heavens when he proposed to me last year, together with Matvey and Oksana. Who could turn him down then? The man was quite good at that kind of strategic plan. But I didn’t mind. As I had mentioned, I secretly prayed he would finally bring up the marriage topic once again, and as usual, Maksimillian had never disappointed me. It was like he was waiting for the right time, and he read my mind.
And my heart.
My attention was now on my waiting groom at the altar, beside the priest who was holding a Bible and a microphone. On the far side was the choir we hired, as well as the photographer and videographer to capture every moment of our special day.
Maksimillian’s short hair perfectly matched his three-day stubble, as usual. He certainly looked gorgeous, wearing a white three-piece suit that matched my snow-white wedding garment. It was a stunning fit and flare, simple crepe gown with sequined embroidered lace paired with a semblance plunge to adorn the bodice. Meanwhile, the back constituted a breathtaking cathedral length spectered train with an open back and thin straps.
My hair was kept in a simple but elegant updo, with curls at the side of my face. There were glittering hairpins of diamonds to keep my hair up. A pair of dangling earrings, a diamond-and-white gold choker and a bracelet adorned me as well. These were all my husband-to-be’s gifts for our wedding day. Plus, he had no idea he had a separate one aside from these. The most precious one, in fact.
He.
Maksimillian held my hand when I reached him at the altar. My parents murmured things to him, kissed us on both cheeks and left for the ceremony to begin.
During the ceremony, we kept looking at each other, listening to the priest. Our kids would sometimes come to us, and Mihai and Antonia would always take them away to not disturb the priest. Maksimillian, the guests and I would laugh whenever this happens.
We had our pictures taken after the ceremony, after the priest blessed our marriage. We were ecstatic that we were finally one in a holy bondage. I hoped this would never break for as long as we breathed.
I knew it would remain to be seen. Nonetheless, I would just place my trust on Maksimillian and on his love for me.
***
We were on our private jet, going to Maldives for our honeymoon.
With our kids.
We could not just leave them behind, even though my brother wanted to look out for them. He was so sweet to offer it, but Maksimillian and I thought it would not be fun without our kids. So, he just tagged along with us anyway, just in case we needed help, especially on our sexy time. We had to be sure that the twins were safe by the time then. The twins loved their uncle very dearly, so it was truly a good thing to be together on this honeymoon.
Now, Maksimillian, on his back, with me on top of him, grunted upon climaxing. Our eyes held each other, while our breaths came in gasps. I leaned forward to kiss him.
“Te iubesc atât de mult (I love you so much), Maks!” I whispered to him.
“I ya tebya tozhe lyublyu, moye solntse (And I love you, too, my sunshine)!” he whispered back, with a loving smile on his lips. He tenderly kissed me again and cuddled me. “I’m so lucky to have you, Zenovia. My life is now complete.”
I smiled at him sweetly upon hearing it, heart swelling with happiness and love.
“You took the words right out of my mouth, Maks, my love.”
“I’m glad I did, because you always make the first move and say the words, instead of me.”
I giggled, remembering our first meeting and how I told him the first time that I loved him. “If I hadn’t talked to you at the Black Church, would you have done it instead?” I wondered aloud, brows raising.
He grinned at me charmingly. “Of course, I would have, and we’ll still end up here and now.”
I chuckled at that. “Really? You’re that sure and confident, huh?”
He caressed my cheek with his knuckle tenderly, looking deep into my eyes. “I just knew the moment our eyes held in the Black Church that you’d give eternal sunshine to my bleak life, Zenovia, luybov’ moya, dushen’ka (my love, my soul)…”
The end