A month passed and Mikhail and Rose’s wedding was conducted in the ancestral home of the Erling family. Since it was the tradition in both families to conduct the wedding ceremony in the bride’s hometown, the elders decided on it.

This was the first time Jerlina was watching an arranged marriage unfold. Although it was Mikhail and Rose who chose their partners, the families treated it as an arranged marriage. And they were very proud to announce everywhere that they fixed the marriage between those two.

Jerlina being “Mikahil’s sword”, accompanied Alexander whenever Mikhail or Rose needed something to be done. She would act as the ambassador for the couple on their behalf. And Jerlina was privy to see how those old people were worse than elementary school kids who doesn’t know the meaning of compromise.

But she was pregnant and every time she went silent rubbing her belly,  the old men would relent so as not to stress her and gave her what she wanted. 

“I arranged this marriage!” Jerlina proudly proclaimed to Mikhail. “You should pay me back in sponsorship for the rest of your life.”

“As you wish, Your Royal Highness,” Mikhail bowed to her. “I will promote Hamilton Glassware perpetually.” 

Jerlina was pleased with his promise. That’s millions of dollars saved for her. 

The elders were not very keen on having bachelor and bachelorette parties, so they arranged a “get together” for friends a couple of days before the wedding. 

Jerlina and Scarlett were together and Rose had many artistic friends. It was awkward for a while but they downed some alcohol, Rose’s friends became belligerent. Both Jerlina and Scarlett with their slightly protruding belly, each occupied a comfortable couch and ate ice cream.

“She’s not drinking thought…” Scarlett was the one who noticed that Rose is not drinking although her glass got emptied very soon.

As they observed, they noticed although Rose poured glasses of wine, it was the plant by her side drinking all the wine. Poor plant is going to die!

“Rose!” 

Both Jerlina and Scarlett confronted Rose about her curious behavior although they knew the answer.

“Alright, don’t tell the elders,” Rose surrendered without much fight. 

“Yay!” 

Jerlina, Scarlett, and Rose all celebrated the happy news. 

“It’s going to be a boy since we both are having boys,” Scarlett said.

Jerlina nodded. Rose sank into deep thoughts. 

“Eh, whatever!” she shrugged. “I worry more for Mike… I don’t even know if he is ready for it… He says he is happy but it doesn’t seem that way…” she looked concerned.

“Men…” Scarlett the most experienced said both Jerlina and Rose listened intently. “They won’t become fathers until they see and touch the baby. Give him time. He’ll come around.”

Jerlina nodded. It makes sense. 

“I hit Joel,” Jerlina said. 

“You finally caved, huh?” Scarlett laughed. “He needed it. He was acting stupid!”

Jerlina explained to Rose how she had to hit Joel in the head to make him realize that she is having a boy and not a girl. Rose laughed.

The three of them chatted and laughed with ice cream in their hands. But after a little while, they all got tired and returned to their respective rooms.

Meanwhile, in the men’s area, there was a commotion as everyone was acting rowdy. Everyone drank to their hearts’ content and started to pass out. 

Jeremy who was not interested in drinking and Mikhail who had a higher tolerance were the only ones standing as others were huddled up.

“Were you scared when you learned that you’re going to become a father?” Mikhail asked. 

Jeremy thought he was asking for no reason and he just shrugged it off. “A new life is something joyful and… yeah, you’ll have more responsibilities and your life will change… It is scary to have someone totally dependent on you. You’ll have to provide for them, protect them, guide them, teach them, and… It is scary! What if I cannot put food on the table? What if I got sick and… A lot can go wrong, you know?  But imagine having a little version of you…” his hand subconsciously ended up at the back of his head where his kind wife hit him. 

“It is amazing… and my wife… she is creating this little life inside her and it made me respect her more, you know? It is a good thing! It is scary… but I can do it, you know… My wife and I… We can do it together…”

“Hmm…” Mikhail nodded.

He got clarity. He was terrified of becoming a father. He thought everyone handles it easily. Jeremy is someone he respected deeply and to know even he is scared to take on this great responsibility and still be hopeful, made him confident too.

“Yes, we can do it!” Mikhail said and Jeremy nodded. “We can!”

It took Jeremy a lot of time to realize why Mikhail talked about this. 

“You dirty little… how could you do this before marriage?” he hugged him and hit his back. 

Mikhail could only laugh. “Don’t tell grandpa now. We have decided to tell them after the honeymoon…”

Jeremy didn’t understand why he should keep it a secret. Alexander would be beside himself when he hears the news. He couldn’t fathom what they will do on their honeymoon when they are pregnant, but that does not matter to him. 

Speaking of honeymoon, he got reminded of his wife and he stumbled back to their room.

“Jeryl!” he knocked on the door hoping she is back. “Open up- for- your dear-rest husband, dear!”

Jerlina smiled hearing his voice. He sounded drunk. He must have had a good party. She wrapped the bathrobe closely. Drying her hair with the towel, she walked to the door and opened it. 

“Where’s your keycard?” she asked the man slumping on her shoulder. 

He giggled like a little boy. “Here!” he pulled it out from his pocket. “I just wanted to see you the moment the door opens…”

Jerlina kissed his ear. It was cold. 

“Get it, silly boy,” she tried to get him off her but he didn’t want to leave her shoulder. And so she dragged him to the shower.

“Are we showering?” he asked with his eyes wide. Even with the beard, he looked like a little boy.

“I love it when you are a happy drunk, Joel,” she cupped his cheek and kissed his lips.

He chuckled. His eyes were a slit as he couldn’t open them. “I am happy. Very happy!”

“Yeah?” she made him lean on the wall and unbuttoned his shirt. He giggled as she unzipped his jeans and helped him with his briefs. 

Silly man!

“Now be a good boy and shower. You reek of alcohol! I might absorb alcohol from your skin…” she spoke in a stern voice and he nodded.

“I love you, mommy!”

Jerlina shook her head and turned to leave, but then she pushed him inside the shower and waited outside the shower enclosure. He was staggering and she feared he might trip or something. 

“Mommy!” he screamed and Jerlina entered the shower enclosure fearing he might have hurt himself somehow.

“What?”

“Mommy, my pee-pee needs washing…” he grinned and Jerlina let out a sigh.

“I am not your mother, Joel. She’s in the next room. I’ll get her for you in a moment!” she barged out but her wrist was grabbed from behind.

“Are you mad, Jeryl?” he rested his chin on her shoulder. “I am happy and you see…” he placed her hand on his crotch. “My little guy is excited… help me…” he nibbled on her earlobe.

“Geez! Wash up and come to bed!” Jerlina set her hand free and walked out. 

This nasty guy!

“Really? We can? Today? Now?” he was excited.

Jerlina let out a sigh. It is true the frequency they are doing it has greatly reduced, but she was not sure he is that depraved. But she was happy too. He wants her that much. 

He dashed out of the shower in a minute, toweled himself dry in just under a minute, and jumped on the bed.

He really looked like Earl when he would jump at her when she has his favorite snack. How adorable! 

“Careful…” she held his cheek and his lips crashed on hers as his hands undid the knot on her robe.

“You’re the best, Jeryl!” he kissed as he entered her. 

“I cannot express how much I love you with words, Jeryl…” he rubbed her belly and kissed her as he finished. 

“Yeah?” Jerlina kissed him back and hugged him. “Me too…”

—–

The venue was a garden in the Erling Estate and the arrangements were spectacular. Since they were relatives, they were given special seating arrangements. Jerlina didn’t know many of the Erling family members and she was glad she was seated near Samuel Erling, the heir of the Erling family. He was polite with her as always. And Jerlina saw Jonathan Erling was very happy with everything too. 

The wedding ceremony started and Jerlina held Jeremy’s hands as it reminded her of her wedding. She was glad she changed her mind and enjoyed her wedding. She started crying as the bride and the groom kissed. Jeremy was laughing at her. 

“Aww!” he screamed as Jerlina pinched his thigh. 

“Then stop laughing!” she pouted.

During the dance, Jerlina couldn’t keep her eyes off Jeremy. “I am so glad you barged into my life, Joel…” she kissed him.

She was under great duress for those months that she thought Jeremy was hunting her, but she has attained thousandfold happiness after that. 

“I am glad you barged into that pub that night,” he kissed her back. 

If he didn’t meet her that day, his life would have turned entirely different as he would have made very different choices.

“I love you, Joel,” Jerlina leaned on his chest. 

Deciding to let him take the lead on her wedding day was one of the best decisions she made in her life.

She looked around at all the happiness. And she felt full in her chest. She was stuffed with happiness.

Alexander asked her for a dance.

“Tell me the truth… there is something Mikhail is hiding from me. What is it?” he asked. 

Jerlina thought of not answering him, but she didn’t have the strength to withstand Alexander’s pleading eyes.

“Rose is pregnant, grandpa,” she whispered in his ears. “When they tell you pretend to be surprised.”

“Really?” Alexander held her shoulders and asked with his eyes wide. 

“Yes,” Jerlina nodded and Scarlett pulled her aside for a dance and Jerlina went with her. 

Alexander looked up. 

“Vikki… did you hear?” His eyes watered. “We are… Ah, I wish you were here…”