Epilogue

                                    

                                          
*'And if you were to ask me
  After all that we've been through
Still believe in magic?
Well yes, I do.
                          
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' Love is a strong feeling. So strong that it can break a grown person. Bend a stiff tree. And kill you. While making you suffer the pain of living. All at the same time. Yet love gives you a reason to live. It gives you light. It gives you hope. And we all are living in this world on nothing but hope'.
                                            ~ Sibi
 
                          
                           .............................
                          
"Come on Victor. Can you really move any slower?", Berry called him, holding her bridesmaids dress she walked into the venue.
                          
"I believe that I'm moving at a perfect speed", he said trailing behind her, "I think you should slow down".
                          
"What happened to Mr. Victor Wild who is never late for anything?", Berry raised her eyebrows.
                          
"That was before I came in possession of a wild cat carrying my little kitten inside of her", he smiled.
                          
"Walk slow, you'll get leg cramps. That's why I wanted you to take your maternity leave early. But you never listen to me", He complained.
                          
"If I don't listen to you then why do you even try. And we have talked about it, I'm not taking my maternity leave until the last month. I'm only at my sixth month. Stop worrying all the time".
                          
He grunted in response.  
                          
They went inside the dressing room where Susan was getting ready. She was looking beautiful in a white flowing gown.
                          
Susan turned when she heard them coming, "about time you came. Did you see the time? Billy's bow isn't tied, my dress feels tight. Oh, I don't know what's happening".
                          
"Relax Susan, everything will be fine. I'll tie Billy's bow. And you're looking gorgeous. So pretty that I can't stop smiling when I'm looking at you".
                          
"And you shouldn't be complaining", Victor interrupted, "you couldn't have picked a worse time for getting married. Berry hasn't landed on her feet from the past two weeks thanks to your wedding preparations. If someone should be complaining it should be me", Victor sulked.
                          
"Victor", Berry gently reprimanded.
                          
"Serves you both right for getting married before me. And who gets married in an unknown church in Iowa? And now you both are planning to settle there as well. Do you know how far that is from there? Why are you taking Berry so far away from me?".
                          
"It's both of ours decision. And Susan today is not the day to think about that. It's your day. And besides I will visit all the time. And you, Billy and Derek have to visit too", Berry reminded.
                          
"Of course I will, you silly. Now don't make me cry. I would hate to redo my makeup. Go", she hugged her one last time.
                          
Berry hugged Susan back, "I'm so happy for you Susan. You look beautiful".
                          
"Okay, okay let the bride breathe", Sebastian said from behind, "So, should we go now?"
                          
"You're taking your role very seriously", Berry commented.
                          
"Well I don't have any sisters. I might not get a chance to give away a bride again", Sebastian adjusted his bow, looking very proud of performing his duty today.
                          
The wedding celebrations were perfect. Berry finally came to sit in her seat, exhausted from the tasks. 
                          
Victor started worrying again, "You're tired already aren't you? I told you, you shouldn't strain yourself so much, but you never listen. Look how tired you are looking, let me get you a juice. I don't want you too....", 
                          
Berry gently kissed on his lips to shut him up, "relax dear husband, I'm perfectly fine. Sometimes I forget that it's me who is pregnant and not you", Berry chuckled.
                          
"Make fun of me all you want. But I'm telling you this. This is it. We are not having any celebrations until the baby is born. I will not let you out of my sight even for a second now", Victor warned her.
                          
Berry raised her eyebrows, "have you forgotten?"
                          
"Forgotten what?"
                          
"We have our house warming party in three weeks. And all your cousins and their families are coming".
                          
Victor whined, "why can't we give it later?"
                          
Berry kissed him again, "Because we can't. So stop your worrying and just enjoy the wedding".
                          
#*#*#*
                          
Berry looked up at her home and took a deep breath. She smiled. She couldn't have asked for anything more. A beautiful house here in Dubuque, a perfect family. She turned back and looked at Victor's cousins and their kids. Her grandpa was playing with Samuel's son and all the party decorations have long gone and turned into a kids fighting weapons.
                          
At the back Amber, Samuel's wife who is a chef by profession was working on the barbecue along with aunt Emily and grandma. Victor and the rest of his cousins were sitting on the grass enjoying their meals.
                          
"Aunt Berry when will we go to the Fenelon Place Elevator?", one of Victor's niece asked her.
                          
"This evening sweety. We will all go there".
                          
"Don't even think about it", Victor walked from behind, "the kids will go with their parents. You are not going anywhere. It's not safe".
                          
"Excuse me, if my memory serves me right. Then you were the one who dragged me there even though I was scared. And now you don't want me to go?"
                          
"Well then that's because you're not fit to go there. We live here now, we can always visit later".
                          
Berry agreed, "Okay".
                          
He put his arms around her shoulder. "Are you happy here?", He asked looking at her as if her opinion matters a lot to him.
                          
Berry wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his lips. "Does that give you your answer?", 
                          
"No, not fully, I want more", he held her from behind and kissed her again as if he was surviving on that kiss. It was sensual, passionate yet caring.
                          
"Can't you keep it in your pants? Get a room. There are kids around here", Samuel joked from behind.
                          
Victor turned back and muttered, "Buzzkill", he turned to Berry again, "But this time I agree with him. Let's go inside before I scar my nieces and nephews", he took her hands in his and started quickly going inside the house. 
                          
The moment they reached their bedroom, he kissed her again. His hands running through her hair. While her fingers busy undoing his button.
                          
"Relax my dear, we are not going fast. I have all the time in the world. I have you for the rest of my life. So this time I can take my time", Victor said smiling down at her.
                          
"I love you Victor", Berry whispered.
                          
"I love you more, my Cherry Berry".
                          
  THE END
                          
#*#*#*
                          
So, finally we have come to an end. Uh, it's so sad but then it had to end.
                          
Do let me know if you liked this book. If this book turned out like you had expected.
                          
I thank every single one of you who thought that my book was worthy enough of your time. A big thank you to everyone who was walking this journey with me. It made me feel that I'm not walking alone. I love you all a lot.
                          
I'll be back with another book. But till then stay beautiful and lovely.
                          
And don't forget to vote, comment and share.
                          
*The above lines are from the song 'Magic' by Coldplay.
                          
With love and appreciation,
Sibi