Diana is excited and anxious about her impending marriage to Tom. Her five-year-old son, however, objects, shocking everyone and stopping the ceremony in its tracks. Ethan divulges a bombshell that turns everyone pale as the visitors mutter in disbelief. What potentially game-changing information about Tom does Ethan know?
Among my bridesmaids, I stood in the little home near the garden.
On the morning before my wedding, I felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
The home was filled with the wonderful scent of flowers, and I could see visitors coming in and taking seats through the windows.
With their delicate lavender gowns, my bridesmaids surrounded me, arranging my hair and modifying my outfit.
As they laughed and spoke, their happiness spilled over to me.
Grinning, I considered the path that brought me to this point.
I had been seeing Tom for three years. He was the perfect companion for me; he entered my life at the right time and fulfilled all of my expectations.
More significantly, my five-year-old son Ethan had benefited greatly from having him as a father figure.
There was a unique affinity between Ethan and Tom. They built Lego castles, played with toy cars for hours, and had small adventures in the park.
My heart rejoiced to see them both together.
“Look at me, Mama!” I was drawn back to the present by Ethan’s words.
I turned to see him, his blue eyes glistening with joy, standing proudly in his small suit. I almost started crying because he looked so gorgeous and mature.
I knelt down to Ethan and whispered, “You look so smart.” “Are you prepared to assist me now?”
“Yes, Mama!” he said with a smile. “I’ll be the most amazing ring bearer ever!”
A wave of love and thankfulness swept through me as I gave him a deep hug.
This day was about our tiny family and the future we were creating together, not just Tom and myself.
I caught one of my bridesmaids, Kelly, peeking in as the cottage door opened. “Diana, the end is almost here. Are you prepared?
I nodded after inhaling deeply. “Yes, I’m prepared.”
I was in complete awe of the scene when we entered the garden and left the home.
Tom was waiting for us at the altar, where a lovely walkway was made by flowers lining the aisle.
Every attendee was grinning and chattering merrily.
It was the ideal backdrop for our memorable day.
“Are you ready, Ethan?” I squeezed my son’s small hand and murmured to him.
“All set, Mommy,” he answered, his enthusiasm shining in his eyes.
With soothing music playing in the background, we strolled down the aisle.
I could feel our visitors’ warm grins enhancing the happiness of the occasion as their eyes were fixed on us. Ethan clutched my hand and looked very cute in his suit. He walked with pride and confidence.
As we approached the altar, I noticed Tom’s wide smile and his joyful, loving eyes gleaming. Emotion surged through my heart, and I felt a tear roll down my face.
I had always dreamed of a man like Tom, and today we were living the life we had always imagined.
“Daddy, give me a look!” With a voice full of sheer joy, Ethan yelled out.
Tom smiled even more broadly and laughed. “Champ, I see you. You appear really intelligent!
Ethan grinned, his little chest swelled with pride. “Today I’m a big boy!”
“You certainly are!” Tom looked up at me and answered. His expression spoke everything, even if it was nonverbal.
Today marked the start of a new chapter in our family’s history.
Tom grabbed my hand as we got to the altar, and I could feel his power. “Diana, you look amazing,” he muttered.
“Tom, thank you,” I grinned in response. “It’s unbelievable that this is true.”
He grinned back and replied, “It’s real.” “Plus, it’s flawless.”
I looked down to see Ethan grinning broadly as he looked up at us. “We succeeded, my love,” I whispered.
“We succeeded!” he said, giggling and tapping his toes.
With a grin, the celebrant guided Tom and me through our vows.
“Do you consider Diana to be your spouse, Tom?” The celebrant smiled as she asked.
Tom said, his gaze never leaving mine, “I do.”
And do you consider Tom to be your spouse, Diana? The celebrant went on.
I answered, my voice full with emotion, “I do.”
The minister was ready to declare us husband and wife when a little but resolute voice spoke out to us from next to us. “I disagree!”
A gasp went up from the assembly. I looked over and saw that Ethan was standing there looking serious. A beat skipped in my heart.
What made him say that?
“Ethan, why do you object, sweetheart?” I knelt down so that we were eye level and asked.
Ethan’s little fingers trembled as he raised a tiny, worn-out rattle.
“Mama, Tom has another family! I overheard him discussing his daughter with his mother. Mommy, is Tom betraying you? He inquired.
The throng started to whisper, their voices becoming more intense. I turned to face Tom and felt a knot rise in my gut.
Tom appeared just as shocked as I was, and everyone’s cheeks became pale. He parted his lips to say something, but nothing came out.
The officiant glanced between us and the guests, seeming perplexed.
“What do you mean, Ethan?” Gently, I inquired, trying to grasp. “What were the words you heard?”
Ethan cast his eyes down to the floor. “I overheard Tom discussing his daughter with his mother. I was unaware of his daughter, even though he claimed to have one. Mommy, why didn’t he tell us?
I inhaled deeply as I tried to comprehend what Ethan was saying. I looked at Tom, who was starting to speak at last.
Turning to face the throng, he said, “Guys, I can explain.”
I stopped him by raising my hand. “Are you certain you heard correctly, Ethan?”
“Yes, Mommy,” he urged, his small face full of sincerity. Tom mentioned having a daughter.
Tom looked up at me, taking a long breath. There were a lot of whispers in the audience, and everyone was waiting for an explanation.
A visitor said in a whisper, “What’s going on?” to another.
“Have you heard the young boy say?” Someone else muttered, seeming perplexed.
There was a worried voice asking, “Is there really another family?”
I ended the mutterings with, “Well, Tom, I guess it’s time you told the truth.”
Tom moved nearer and grasped my hand. He turned to face Ethan after glancing out at the throng.
You heard correctly, Ethan, my friend. It’s not what you think, but there is a baby involved,” Tom remarked.
Once again, there was a loud gasp among the group. Tom took Ethan in his arms and gripped my hand tightly.
Tom grinned more broadly as he turned to greet our visitors. We would want to inform everyone that we are expecting a child. You’re going to be a big brother, Ethan!
“Oh my!” shouted someone.
Another commented, “Gosh, this is not what I expected!”
The audience’s collective amazement gave way to clapping and shouts. Joy and enthusiasm took the place of the stress.
“Really? I’ll have the role of older brother. With excitement, Ethan enquired.
With tears of happiness flowing down my face, I gave him a strong hug. You will make the greatest big brother ever, my love.
Tom embraced us both, putting his arms around us. I apologize to Ethan if we misunderstood you. Today, we decided to give everyone a surprise.
Ethan had a sympathetic expression on his face. “We’re expecting a small child?”
“That’s correct, champion,” Tom laughed. “We are expecting a child.”
The atmosphere was now one of jubilation and laughing as the throng cheered on. Grinning widely, the celebrant resumed where we had left off. “Well, today is definitely unique! Let’s carry out the ceremony now.
After a little while, the vows were said, and Tom and I were declared husband and wife. We sealed our vows to one another and our expanding family with a kiss.
Later that evening, I watched Tom and Ethan play together as the sun sank and the yard was illuminated by a gentle, golden glow. I had intense joy and fulfillment.
Even though our journey together was just getting started, it was already brimming with love.
Have you ever attended a wedding when the first shock was replaced by a lovely surprise?