Agreement Behind Her Marriage

Lily observed through the bedroom window that Drew and Mr. Walton were engaged in a serious conversation.

Danica approached her, saying, “By the way, sis, here are the items you asked me to purchase,” as she handed her a brown paper bag taken from her purse.

“Did you inform Orion?”

Danica shook her head.

“Good! If you tell Orion, he will surely inform Drew.”

“Why don’t you want to tell Drew? He’s your husband, right?” Danica asked, furrowing her brow.

“I don’t want to pressure him. Besides, I want to be certain first.”

Danica rolled her eyes. Lauren and Kori were occupied with their child, while Orion, Finn, and Brett were by the pool, conversing with Mr. Arvesso.

Lily quietly entered the master bedroom, with Danica following closely behind. In recent days, she has been experiencing morning sickness. There were even moments when the car’s scent on her way to work made her feel nauseous, and she ended up vomiting at the office.

She retrieved the pregnancy test kit Danica had provided and followed the instructions.

Her sister had suggested that she might be pregnant now. She didn’t know how to feel about it, especially since she and Drew had been married for two years. They were intimate, and as a woman, she couldn’t help but wonder why she hadn’t become pregnant after discontinuing her birth control pills.

She and Drew hadn’t discussed the topic of having a child, which made her think that perhaps her husband didn’t want to start a family.

“Lily? Are you okay in there?” Danica knocked on the bathroom door, interrupting her concentration.

“W-wait!” Two red lines slowly appeared on the test device she was holding, causing her to start panicking.

“Lily?”

Lily repeated the test, suspecting that the result it provided might be incorrect, or that there was a possible malfunction in the test kit. Shortly thereafter, she abruptly opened the door. Danica, who was seated on the bed, was taken aback. She descended the stairs and sought Drew, the last place she had seen him. He was gazing at the road as Mr. Walton’s car was departing, so she approached him.

“Drew!” She began to cry while panicking.

“What happened, babe?”

“I-I’m pregnant!” She covered her mouth while sobbing.

Lily gave him the two pregnancy test kits she had recently used. Her husband’s lips quivered, and it seemed as if his head was spinning as he observed the two kits displaying positive results. His response only deepened her tears because, to her knowledge, her husband wasn’t ready to have a baby.

What would happen now?

“D-did something happen? Why is Lily crying?” Orion and the others inquired as they noticed her distress from their vantage point.

“We had no idea. We were just taken by surprise when she came down the stairs,” Lauren explained, exchanging glances with Kori.

Drew declared, “She’s pregnant, everyone! Lily is expecting!” with joy before giving Lily a tight hug.

Their guests erupted in applause.

“Wow! Congratulations, Lily!” Kori exclaimed.

“I knew it!” Danica added, jumping with joy.

“Are you upset?” Lily asked Drew, tilting her face to meet his gaze.

“Why would I be upset, babe? I’m happy! I’m overwhelmed and excited! God, Lily!” He was at a loss for words, so he kissed her on the forehead. “Aren’t you happy?”

She held onto his waist. “Of course, I am! I’m happy. I’m just worried that maybe you don’t want to have a child. Furthermore, I’m anxious about my ability to fulfill the role of a mother and provide for a child.”

Drew kissed her on the lips. “It’s only natural, babe. Back then, you didn’t know how to handle things with me either. All I could feel was your fear, but here we are, loving each other unconditionally. You will be a great mother because you are the best wife, Lily.”

Her smile broadened, especially when their friends summoned them to commence their meal and celebrate on multiple occasions.

***

This is the second time Lily will go through the process of preparing for her wedding. However, this day is distinct from the previous one.

There is no impending contract termination…

She doesn’t feel fear towards Drew, but rather an inexplicable and profound love…

No tension or coercion is developing…

Now, she has her family and friends with her, truly there to support and love her. It’s unfortunate that Manang Puring passed away several months ago; she was a significant part of Lily’s life.

Even though that woman may no longer be a part of her life, there’s another one growing inside her womb.

Lily gently touched her small belly. She and Drew had discussed that they would complete the wedding before seeking medical advice.

“I hope you can help with my slightly swollen eyes,” she requested the makeup artist.

“Did you stay up late last night, Ms. Walton?”

“I’m a bit excited,” she replied.

A smile was the artist’s response. A significant part of her preoccupied thoughts and excitement stemmed from her pregnancy.

Lily’s overall appearance was perfected by a beautiful and vibrant gown in a combination of white and baby pink. She had personally requested not to wear pure white, particularly considering the events of the past. There was a knock on her door. At her first wedding, it was Mr. Martin’s stern face that greeted her, but now it was Mr. Arvesso.

“Lily!” He approached her, embraced her, and planted a kiss on her cheek.

“You look just like your mother. You are gorgeous.”

She smiled as tears welled up in her eyes. “Thanks, Dad!”

He apologized for leaving her mother. She held no grudges, and it had no bearing on her relationship with him. The man had been a good parent to her and Danica, even though she had known him for a relatively short period. Her relationship with him, Danica, and Orion was great-and that was all that mattered.

There was another knock on her door a few minutes later, and she furrowed her brow as she was about to head to the gathering for the ceremony.

Mr. Arvesso opened the door, and they both were surprised to see Drew’s grandfather, Master Walton.

“May I speak with Lily?” he asked.

“Master Walton!” Mr. Arvesso winced.

“If you’re here to advise me not to proceed with the wedding, I’m sorry, but I can’t do that,” Lily said to the elderly man. She disapproved of his relationship with Drew in recent months, but she loved her husband.

“I’m not here for that, Lily. I came here to give you my blessing.”

She bit her lip.

“I’ve been too stubborn for the past year and was obstinate because I valued the company’s reputation too much.”

“It runs in your blood, I guess,” Mr. Arvesso whispered teasingly.

The elderly man laughed, and she couldn’t help but smile. “You are right! It runs in my blood, which is why I have a child and a grandchild, both equally impulsive. I’m getting older and starting to feel various things in my body, so I want to retire and focus on other things and will leave the company to Andrew and my grandson.”

Lily expressed concern when he mentioned his health. “Master Walton, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Lily, and please call me ‘Grandpa’ again.”

“Thank you, Grandpa Walton!” She hugged the old man.

The organizer appeared at the door. “Ms. Lily, it’s time…”

She nodded and then held onto her father for support. The look he gave her differed from what Mr. Martin had given her before. She could feel his love as a parent, even though she had only known him for a year.

Lily felt nervous as she stood in front of the doors of the gathering hall. Behind them lay a new life that awaited her, leaving behind all the unpleasant experiences as she stepped inside.

“I’m so proud of you, honey,” Mr. Arvesso said, his voice choked with emotion. “Thank you for giving me the chance to at least escort you to your wedding, even though Cristina is no longer with us.”

“We have more years to look forward to, Dad.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

He nodded, wiping away a tear.

The doors swung open, and the people lined up on either side greeted her. Unlike her previous wedding, she felt nothing but happiness and love at that moment, thanks to the people supporting her now.

The lights were bright; the tables were adorned with pink roses, and the soft music played by the violin filled the hall.

The movement of the people around her stopped, capturing her attention, while all of her focus remained on the man standing at the front. Tears welled up in her eyes because of the happiness that enveloped her heart. She never expected to find someone like Drew, who would offer her a future, dreams, family, and friends – someone who had shown her overwhelming love.

Drew’s lips moved, expressing something, as he wiped a tear from his eye. She couldn’t hear it from their distance, but because he had said it to her multiple times before, she could read his lips.

“I love you…”

A little while later, she closed the distance to Drew. Her heart fluttered with excitement as he reached for her hand.

She found her match…

She found her greatest love.

She found Drew Walton…