45 Wedding 2

July 19, 20xx

Piraeus, Athens

✳

Taking one of the empty sofas outside the bride's dressing room, her mother-in-law kept staring at her stomach. Blythe wanted to laugh but reigned herself.

Shen Qiao must have heard what happened last night during dinner and speculated like everyone else in the family.

But what led everyone to believe she's pregnant?

Her mind went back to last night's dinner.

~~~ Flashback~~~

Inside the dining room, everyone enjoyed the meal except Blythe. She's unable to eat the food her husband placed on her bowl and there's the feeling of wanting to vomit. She immediately excused herself and ran to the bathroom.

Nick apologized and followed her.

All eyes were suddenly on them.

Inside the bathroom, the acrid smell of what she regurgitated can be smelled but Nick ignored and kept patting her back. Seconds later, he wiped her face with the clean towel he took from the cupboard.

When they returned, Trinette noticed her paleness and inquired, "Are you, alright dear?"

Blythe slightly bent her head to say yes.

"Is the food not to your liking?"

Grandma Li was a bit disappointed because she had the kitchen prepare Chinese food. According to Nick, his wife likes Chinese food best.

Blythe cleared the lump to speak but was left speechless by Karlie's question, "Are you pregnant?"

Karlie then turned to everyone wide-eyed, "Remember when Julia was pregnant with Michael? She hated all kinds of food. She was always retching."

"Karlie Louise Chen!"

Trinette reprimanded Karlie for mentioning the word 'retch' in the dining room.

Karlie has no choice but to apologize.

The nausea Blythe was feeling disappeared and there was that urge to laugh. Blythe thought, Karlie really talks without thinking.

But, she didn't want to be the next one to be bellowed at by Trinette who is very strict when it comes to decorum so she stayed compose.

"Are you pregnant?" It was Chairman Li who asked with a pleasant smile plastered on his face. He really wants his grandchildren to have more. His friends have more than 4 while he only has one. Julia and Anthony's son.

Nick gave them a mysterious grin.

Everyone's face brightened especially Trinette.

"Really?" Trinette's face brightened.

Nick didn't answer and held his wife's hand under the table to stop her from speaking.

Back at home, when she inquired, he simply replied, "Why not? Being pregnant has benefits."

~~~end~~~

Hence everyone thought, she is pregnant.

Thinking of it now, the benefits he was talking about was all these extra care and attention she was getting. Last night, they easily escaped when Nick said she was tired. They were both exempted from joining the bridal shower and bachelor's party.

Sighing, Blythe has to tell the truth to his mother. Misleading the family is bad.

"I am not pregnant." she spoke slowly.

Disappointment crossed her mother-in-law's face but a second later, she smiled again.

Shen Qiao studied her son's wife who was sitting next to her. The three ladies, Vivian, Karlie, and Julia were always Blythe this and Blythe that. So even without meeting her, she felt she'd known her already.

Shen Qiao clasped Blythe's hand and noticed the wedding band on her. She was pleased to see that her son chose her favorite jewelry brand for their ring. She picked up something inside her bag.

Normally, Blythe would stare back if someone observer her intently. But for an unknown reason, she was shy and looked down. Only to return her original sight to the woman when a jade bracelet was placed on her wrist. It was a natural green jadeite bracelet.

Blythe's eyes widened. This simple looking jewelry was auctioned for $19.5 million last year and was bought by an anonymous buyer. It was a highly publicized event because the wrist jewelry was originally owned by one of the most powerful women who ruled China during the Tang Dynasty, Empress Wu Zetian (a).

"I can't take this."

However, Madam Tang stopped Blythe's action.

She said gently, "This is our first meeting. As an elder, I have to give you something."

"But---"

"You aren't going to refuse your mother-in-law, are you?"

Blythe wanted to cry. If someone's going to abduct her, they'll probably in cloud nine for hitting the jackpot.

Now she got an idea as to where Nick inherited his subtle ways of slipping expensive things to her.

Shen Qiao laughed at Blythe's expression. There was no pretense on her daughter-in-law's face that she didn't want to get the gift. She liked her more because of this.

Although she's unlike other mothers out there who chose the best bride for their children, she hoped Nick can find a woman who will really love him for what he is, not for what he has.

The smile on her grew wider. At least, she didn't have to deal materialistic daughter-in-law like her friends.

Nick made the right decision.

For her, she'd rather let her children find the person they'll going to spend their life with on their own than forcing them to do something they are against to. Her marriage was a commercial one and it ended pretty badly. On top of that, it was a loveless marriage. Letting her children experience the same thing is pure cruelty.

It took one failed marriage for her to realize, happiness is something you can achieve if you stop comparing yourself with other people.

And when she did, she met the perfect man who treated her as his wife, not a business partner. Hence, she wants her son to be the same.

"Has Nick been good to you?"

Blythe nodded. She can never find fault at her man who's really showering her with all forms of love. She suddenly blushed at the thought of him. It was impossible to prevent herself from touching her burning face.

This didn't slip past Shen Qiao's observant eyes and she shook her head in amusement.

Being young is great.

"If he bullies you, let me know."

Blythe agreed. But in her mind, she won't. Any marital problems they'll face in the future, they needed to address it as a couple. Not to run immediately to the family and ask them to solve it.

**

There was an arch adorned with flowers of blue, peach, white and some greens on the makeshift altar.

The wedding guests occupied the arranged chairs on each side. Blythe counted around 50 people. It was indeed a close-knit wedding like Nick said.

When the soft and dreamy melody of wedding march sounded from the piano on the left side, the flower girls walked the carpet lined aisle leading to the makeshift altar and threw petals as they pass. The flowery scent wafted to everyone's nose.

Blythe turned her attention to the little children, especially to Julia's son who looked so cute in a tuxedo.

In awe, she turned to Nick and commented, "Isn't he adorable?"

He bent to whisper, "Our son would even look better."

"Why?"

"Because I have perfect genes."

Blythe pinched him on the side.

"Conceited."

"I am."

Blythe shook her head with his honesty.

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The collective gasp from the people around them prompted her to glance on the side. She saw Vivian Li making small steps alongside her grandfather, Chairman Li who was standing in place for her parents who died in a vehicular accident.

The bride was wearing a beautiful strapless lace wedding dress. She was absolutely stunning and radiant. The groom in a white tuxedo was all smiles as his eyes followed every step his bride took.

From what Nick told her, Tang Qi and Vivian suffered ups and downs in their relationship. They broke up twice but eventually ended up being together again.

In her opinion, it's normal to experience troubles in a relationship as there is nothing perfect in this world. The good thing is that, if your relationship weathered the storm, it will last longer.

It makes her think, will it be the same for the two of them? What setbacks will they have to face in the future?

Will it be her illness?

What happens if his family learns about it? Will their down-to-earth treatment of her change?

She knows she shouldn't be thinking of negative things during this time but she can't stop herself.

'What's happening to me?'

'Stop! Stop! Stop! Don't get ahead of yourself.'

Blythe heaved a sigh.

She clasped Nick's hand and intertwined their fingers together. She rested her head on his shoulders. Luckily, she was wearing heels, if not, it would be impossible to do this.

Sensing her strangeness, he pressed, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just thought you are really too good-looking. I need to show every woman here that you are mine."

Nick gave out his Colgate dazzling smile.

"Of course I'm yours, sweetheart." He murmured before pulling her for a kiss.

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???? Tidbit of Info:

(a) Empress Wu Zetian - was the only female emperor in the history of China. She was ruthless in order to gain and keep power. (A/N: If interested more, ask Mr. Google.)