The full excitement brides planning their wedding usually had wasn't there for Bianca. She was happy that she was getting married to Eric but she was also sad she was going to loose her mum not long after.
Mr Theodore Eric's father was a free minded person and was in full support of the marriage unlike Mrs Theodore who didn't really like Bianca basically because she was black but that wasn't going to stop the wedding anyway. The wedding was to be small, quiet and simple with just family and friends.
"You look like an angel my darling" Mrs Beverley spoke from behind Bianca who was staring at her image in the mirror.
Bianca didn't reply she only diverted her gaze to her mom, gave her a coerced smile and returned her gaze to her imagery in the mirror. Her wedding gown clinged to her body from her flat stomach to her wide hips down to her knee and opened up to a nice flay of chiffon and small white roses.
"It's time B" Mila said already dressed in her long sky blue lace gown.
The garden, the venue for the wedding, was small but beautiful and richly complemented by the flowers. The chairs where the few guests sat were arranged on each side of the garden with space left in the center which served as the aisle with Eric in his black fitted suit smiling beside the priest at the other end.
As Bianca walked down the aisle with her mum by her side as Bianca had earlier insisted, she was graced with mixed feelings. Joy, peace, sadness, fulfilment, pain and fear all rioting within her.
"Do you Eric Theodore take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife to love and to cherish till death do you apart?"
"I do"
"Do you Bianca Beverley take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband to love and to cherish till death do you apart?"
"I do"
"By the power invested in me by God almighty I now declare you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Everyone stood to their feet and cheered them on. The marriage certificate and court papers were also signed.
"You are mine now and I'm finally complete my love" Eric whispered to Bianca while squeezing her hand beneath the table at the reception and she simply smiled back.
Bianca and Eric's college friends were there especially Bianca's close friend Antonio, his wife Matilda and their little son Chris. Their colleagues were present too. Eric's cousins, parents and relatives were all there and as they came over to greet the new couple Bianca felt the fact that she was soon going to loose the only person she called family more. For that moment she felt alone but Eric's reassuring smile and her mum's speech at the reception gave her some ray of hope.
Mrs Neville attended but stayed at back alone avoiding human contact as much as she could and obviously didn't eat anything. Miss Jordan though came late attended too. The honeymoon was at the Lake view hotel where Eric had already made reservations for a suite. The hotel was expensive but Eric paid anyway all in a bid to give Bianca the best and lighten her mood.
At night while they made love Bianca was in another realm and the whole while she forgot everything negative. It was her third time. First was at her college graduation send off party when Eric took her home because it was already late. Second was the day he asked her out and today they were finally married.
"I love you B" Eric said looking into Bianca's eyes as she laid beside him
"I love you too" Bianca replied
"I love you more" Eric said and they both burst into laughter.
Bianca sleep off while staring at the ceiling as she rolled Eric's curly hair on her finger as he was fast asleep. For the first time since she got news of her mother's ill health, she slept peacefully.
* * * * * *
Eric rented a two bedroom apartment in the calm part of the city.
"This is our home now B. Everything in it is new and so will our lives be from now my love" Eric said to Bianca as they moved in with their luggage and Bianca smiled and nodded.
Eric made sure majority of the things were white or in a shade of green as he knew Bianca would prefer. Flower vases were here and there and it gave the house some sort of serenity.
On the bedroom table was Eric's inhaler as he was an asthma patient from childhood but didn't let that stop him from swimming, frying while cooking or any other activities not totally advisable for asthma patients by making sure his inhaler was always around him. Next to the inhaler was the blue print and a drawing made by Eric of the dream house he wanted to build for them.
The house was to be a duplex steel structure surrounded entirely by glass walls and covered by trees perfectly connecting the user with its idyllic natural setting. It would sit on a promontory overlooking a pond with views towards the woods beyond.
On the main living level, the home's dinning room will be open to both the living room, the large kitchen and the outdoors carefully positioned on a sloped lot. The glass and steel residence would feature three bedrooms, and three bathrooms, a library/home office for Eric's drawings and Bianca's books and a mini gym/play center for the kids to play.
The front of the house will include an exposed balcony and the deck will be supported by a large beam that would be bolted and tied to the main part of the house with steel cables. In the sitting room, an architectural photo collection will adorn the entry wall. There would be flower vases all over with white furniture everywhere in the house except the kids rooms and they would enjoy sublime views that inspire a connection to the natural world no matter what room they were in.
The bigger corner bedroom would be for him and Bianca with floor - to - ceiling windows which would allow sunlight to stream in while the mature trees outside would help maintain their privacy.
As Eric described the house to Bianca, she could see the light in his eyes with his smile and gesticulations. Bianca was proud of Eric as he was vibrant, purposeful and had lovely plans for them. She felt lucky to have him.