The following days were as busy as it could be. Beauty hardly had time to check the restaurant. Thanks to her mother who offered to take charge.Trips with Claire to the seamstress had been so arduous for five months. At the same time, while waiting, they had to travel for her accessories, more clothes, and for meeting Clarence"s relatives outside the country.
Her entourage has had traveled for fittings since some of them were Clarence"s cousins, nieces, and nephews from other countries. They insisted as part of the wedding, even carpet roller or their driver since Clarence was one of their favorite buddies.
Beauty thought at first that her family might feel out of place with Clarence"s relatives, but she was wrong. Clarence"s kin was as crazy as their lifestyle. They were from different walks of life and living like formality was irrelevant.
A French doctor suggested they would wear tuxedos, short pants, and black rubber shoes on the wedding while a lady architect wished golden sneakers having diamond studs matched their bridesmaid and flower girl gowns.
A chef and painter big cousin, who owns a restaurant in Italy asked as the head chef for the grand reception and to wear his Pica.s.so outfit with his magnificent ice and cake sculpture.
A famous fiction story writer expressed to sponsor for a labyrinth garden wedding. He would pay for the whole garden remodeling for his next story using their wedding as a cover page.
A policewoman cousin said she won"t wear a long gown with open shoulders. Her muscled arms would be exposed and hated it. Somehow, she must be one of the bridesmaids since she was the only child of Claire"s big brother. She wouldn"t allow a lesser part in the entourage.
A 32 years old single fat lady, Clarence"s Aunt living in South Carolina didn"t hold back as well. She insisted as one of the bridesmaids wearing her own long gown. Claire couldn"t help but frown.
This cousin of hers had said this to every cousin and turned down. Yet, she asked again. She said it was her utmost desire to become one. She"s willing to shoulder her own expenses or spend the wedding itself in exchange for their agreement.
The nieces and nephews expressed their desires too. They wanted a millennial outfit for them, discouraged the traditional long gowns or black slacks with tuxedos or ties or barong. The girls wanted to wear all-white trousers, leather high heeled boots, and long tail sleeveless suits on top. Then the boys suggested all-white denim, s.h.i.+rt, overcoat, and leather boots to match the girls.
Claire had a headache listening to their "suggestions". She dismissed their requests by bringing them on a hearty buffet. Beauty laughed it all out. She felt sorry for her future mother in law but also excited with these people. They"re enjoyable to be with. No wonder Clarence couldn"t say no to them.
Two months to go for the wedding day. Claire didn"t hold back from her expenses. She would give the best wedding for Clarence and Beauty.
With her insistence, they made the final list of 200 people. Exclusive garden wedding in a hotel resort outside Metro Manila.
The labyrinth made was only a fraction due to s.p.a.ce constraint but readied so that the rose bush to flower on the wedding day.
Clarence provided Beauty"s relatives" fare and housing. To begin with, they were a small family.
As December 7th approached, Beauty physical stress grew with all the preparations and travels. She couldn"t help but sleep on most of their travels.
One night, in the plane from Chicago, she dreamt walking the aisle in her diamond embroidered wide gown. Clarence waited at the altar while her entourage walked with the tempo of the music. As she started walking her feet felt cold. She bent down to see herself barefooted. Claire canceled the wedding since she needed to order the shoes first.
Clarence ran and insisted to bring her to the altar and proceed as planned. Unexpectedly, the labyrinth garden barred their path leading them to run from one dead end to the other.
"Beauty, Beauty, wake up." Claire patted her face with wet wipes. "What happened? You have a nightmare?"
"What? What happened?"
"You were shouting that the wedding must go on."
"Huh? I did that?"
"Yes, you did. What was your dream?"
She told Claire everything. Claire understood she caused the young bride a tremendous pressure.
"Let"s take a break when we reach home. I think you don"t need to join me on my trips. I"ll take care of everything. Just relax and look after your restaurant until a week before the wedding day."
Beauty sighed to hear Claire"s words. For the first time in months, she could spend time with her parents and Clarence.
Clarence was thankful that his mother freed Beauty from the responsibilities for the wedding.
. . . . .
Clarence and Beauty walked hand in hand in the park near their place.
"Is this fine with you? My mother and relatives wanted their own way for the wedding, most of all their dress," asked Clarence.
"I don"t mind. I"m enjoying with them. I"m not so particular with clothings as well, you know that."
They stopped walking, Clarence faced her and yanked her to him.
"I wish you can be as insistent as well. I want you to demand something of me, even once."
"I"m happy. What"s the point of complaining? What to demand?"
"Then can I demand instead?" His eyes twinkled.
"Whoa! No way. I think you"re up to something bad."
"Promise, you will like this." He gave her his most charming smile.
"I"m not sure of that." Beauty laughed while pointing at him.
"Fine, but please demand something of me."
Beauty looked at him with sincerity. "I demand that you love me forever and don"t give up on me in spite of my weakness and mistakes."
Clarence embraced her tight and whispered on her ear. "I will love you forever and won"t give up on you till death do us part. Promise me the same thing."
With a soft voice, she said, "I will love you forever and be with you until death we part."
They kissed and the moon was their witness of their promises for each other.
Time came fast. Two weeks to go and a tropical storm moving their way would shower their wedding day.