Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Mrs. Mensah entered her daughter's dressing room and burst into tears at the glorious sight.

"Wow, mama... if the dress is that horrible, you can just say so, there's really no need for crying." Louisa teased with a smile.

Mrs. Mensah laughed through her tears. "You know that's not why I'm crying, Lou. You look so amazing in your dress, and I've been waiting so long for this moment."

The old woman sniffed, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. "Your father would be so happy wherever he is."

Louisa smiled and wrapped her arms around her mum, tears in her own eyes. "To be honest with you, mama. I thought I'd never get married, and look at me now, tying the knot with the very same person who had taught me that love conquers all."

Another four months had passed after the birth of Naa Larley's son, Christopher Nolan Nana Kwame Hooper, and in that period, a whole lot had happened.

For instance, Louisa had gotten rid of all her doubts with William and was now ready for marriage.

Naa Larley's event planning company had landed a really huge contract... one that was going to make them a multi-billion dollar company.

The two women heard a knock at the door and in popped Naa Larley, closely followed by someone you'd never guess;

The one and only,

Regina Aryee.

Surprising right?

Well, yes. As I was saying before I got interrupted, a whole lot had happened in the space of four months, and one of those things was the wonderful friendship that had blossomed between the three women.

Reggie was officially part of the duo now... and she was honestly loving every bit of their never-ending fun relationship.

Oh, and did I mention, she was also heavily pregnant?

No?

Well, now you know. And yes, she was carrying Chris's child, but this isn't really a story about Reggie, is it? So I'll tell you all about that later... probably in another book.

Now back to Louisa's story.

Naa Larley took in the scene before her... mother and daughter shedding tears and she shook her head in disapproval. "No, no... guys, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Mrs. Mensah glared at her. "Well, what do you think? We're having our very own mother-daughter moment before I hand her to her husband."

"I get the cuteness and all, but you definitely, Can't. Cry. You hear me? You can't. You'll ruin all the hard work of my make-up team!" She huffed.

Reggie tried her best to diffuse the situation. "What Naa is trying to say is that, crying will ruin your wonderful makeup, Mrs. Mensah." She calmly explained.

It was funny how Naa Larley took the award for Bridezilla of the year when it wasn't even her own wedding.

The thing was, her almost lifelong dream of organising her best friend's ceremony was coming to fruition, and she wanted everything to be as absolutely perfect as she'd imagined.

"The ceremony should be beginning any minute from now." Naa Larley stated, glancing at her watch. She rushed to hug her friend, "You look stunning by the way."

Then, dashed out of the room in a run, shouting behind her. "THEY'RE IN YOUR HANDS NOW REGGIE, MAKE SURE THERE'S NO MORE CRYING!!"

The three women laughed at their friend's antics as Reggie gently wobbled towards Louisa, while Mrs. Mensah left them alone to answer a phone call. "How are you feeling, Lou?" She asked with a smile.

"I'm so happy, Reggie." Louisa gushed, her face taking a serious turn. "I know this must be pretty awkward for you..."

Reggie brushed her off. "It isn't really. I'm completely over Will now and you know it. My heart belongs to a man who can't love me." She stated sadly as Louisa engulfed her in a hug.

"Chris will surely come around, trust me. The idiot is in love with you, he just hasn't realised it yet." Louisa assured the beautiful, heavily pregnant woman.

Reggie cleared her throat. "Enough about me, let's get ready to get you out there." She finished with a smile.

Mrs. Mensah approached them. "Ready?"

Louisa took in a deep breath and nodded.

*******

Naa Larley and her team had honestly outdone themselves.

The venue was breathtakingly stunning, and Louisa couldn't help but gush at the scene as her mother led her down the aisle, with the Bridal March serenely playing in the background.

Everything was put together perfectly, and Louisa was glad that after a long deliberation, she had settled for an outdoor garden wedding.

Even the sun was shining just right, not too hot to make everyone uncomfortable, and not so down to make the setting gloomy, it was just perfect.

William stood at the end of the aisle, waiting for her, his eyes shining with unshed tears and love at the sight of his daughter happily scattering flower petals for her mum to walk on. His eyes shifted to the woman in question, and this time a stray tear trailed down his cheek.

Chris placed a hand on his shoulder in solidarity, handing him a handkerchief so he could wipe away the tears.

Louisa was looking beautiful...

She always did, but then there was just something about a woman in a wedding gown that had the grooms bawling their hearts out.

Perhaps, it was the fact that all that amazing glory was finally going to be theirs or maybe it was just an overwhelming sense of joy.

Louisa approached the alter, the white veil shielding her teary eyes from view.

The music ended, and all the guests took their seats.

The officiating minister gave a brief sermon, and then there was the declaration of vows, and the exchange of rings.

William had everyone laughing at his impatience to kiss the bride.

The minister blessed their marriage and prayed for them, then they headed to a private location to sign their certificates.

And, that was the end of the ceremony.

They were officially married before God and men!

******

The reception was a lively, simple affair. Louisa had changed into a stunning white dress, and Will had slipped into a more everyday suit.

As they danced to the violin version of John Legend's all of me, courtesy of their talented daughter Isabel, William breathed his lovely wife in. God, she smelled heavenly, and he honestly couldn't wait for when they were all alone tonight.

In fact, he had honestly thought of scooping her up in his arms and running off already, their guests and courtesy be damned, but he was a gentleman,

He would wait.

What was an hour more when he would have her all to himself all night long?

"What are you thinking about?" Louisa asked, her eyes shining with mirth as she looked up at him.

"Uh... nothing." William stammered, rolling his eyes in amusement when Louisa started laughing.

Louisa knew it definitely wasn't "nothing", if the bulge poking her stomach was any indication, and she told him so.

"Only you can do this to me, Mrs. Blankson." William murmured, tone husky, eyes glazed with desire.

Louisa looked up at him, her eyes equally matching his. "I like the sound of my new name." She whispered back as she tilted her head for a kiss.

The slow song ended, and a more upbeat music started as guests joined the newlywed couple on the dance floor. Isabel joined her parents, her eyes shining with unspeakable joy, her beautiful laughter ringing loud and clear as she mocked her parents for their old school dance moves and their inability to keep up with new trends.

She was officially Isabel Ewurakua Blankson, as her parents had included the change in their marriage signing.

As they danced, Louisa looked up, saying a quick prayer to the heavens. She was really grateful for how things had turned out.

She glanced around her, and saw how she was surrounded by friends and family. Everyone was here to celebrate her big day and she couldn't be more thankful.

It hadn't been easy, but she had done it.

She had completed her journey to paradise.

The End.