“ Sofie baby, it’s mommy open the door sweety,”
Sophia groaned as she rose from her bed two weeks after Charles left her without explanation. She still wore the crystal encrusted ball gown she personally designed for her wedding day. She still went through with the ceremony as planned hoping he would come to his senses. Instead of meeting her husband at the alter Sofia was met with judgmental eyes and stale emotions.
Her gown, was covered in salted tissues the weight of it caused her to slump, she gazed at her mats of hair and withered made up face.
She slowly trudged towards her door.
“ Well hello there princess, how are we doing?” her mother asked sweetly.
“Ughhhhhhhhhhh,” Sophie grumbled as she flopped back into her sheets.
She felt her mother sit beside her and stroke her matted curls.
“ You have to get out of bed baby,” her mother said softly.
“ I’m just tired mommy. Just....” and then she began to sob.
Her mother quickly grasped her daughter and held her. She wanted to love her daughter’s hurt away. Yet she knew the kisses could not recover the pieces of her daughters broken heart.
“ Why mommy? Why didn’t he call? Why haven’t I seen him? WHAT DID I DO?!!?!!” Sofia became hysterical. Charles left her without a clue nor indication that he had fallen out of love with her. His speech even confirmed it. That day was perfect....
“Bay?!” “Bayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!” Sofia yelled from the bottom of the stairs. She had just finished making breakfast,
“ Yea baby,”
“Don’t forget to bring everything down for our trip.”
“I won’t Sofie,” She’s relentless Charles thought to himself.
He neatly placed each days outfit on his bed wondering if he had over packed for his wedding weekend.
“How long are we staying at the spot?” He yelled back down to Sophia.
“Two days baby,” she yelled back, “ Tonight is the rehearsal and dinner, then we are having our prelude barbecue before the wedding.”
Sofia smiled to herself as she said it with a country accent.
Upstairs Charles finished his packing and made his way to Sophie.
“ Do you like the name?” Sofia asked her Fiance.
“ What? What are you talking about baby?” he responded as he trotted down the stairs.
“ Nevermind,” Sophia sighed. I swear he’s deaf, she thought to herself
That afternoon Sofia and Charles spent the day riding through the Califorina streets. She loved their trips. It was like they were Bonnie and Clyde onto their next adventure.
“ Wow, “ She heard Charles say, “ This is beautfiul.”
“ You like?” Sofia asked as they pulled into the circular drive way of the San Diego Estate she booked for the wedding. The grounds were perfectly kept, it was covered in white lilies and dogwoods. It’s 1892 structure stood with strength. Each window pane glistened in the afternoon sun. It was everything Sophia could have imagined. She first saw it on the cover of a magazine as she walked by. When she saw it a second time on David Tutera she was convinced it was a sign that she was to be married there.
“ Yea,,” Charles responded. He always felt that Sophia overspent. He was never into the finer things in life, having his needs met was enough.
Sofia gently grasped her Fiance’s hand as they headed inside the mansion of the estate.
“ Welcome to the Saint Bernadine Estates,” The Manager said as she ushered them into the foyer. The grandeur stair case was laced in gold it matched the crystals that gleamed from the chandelier.
As Sofia and Charles walked through the home, the history and beauty left them both speechless.
“ We have set up 43 bedrooms for your guests in addition to round the clock room service,” the manager motioned to each guest house covering the 12 acre land.
“ Additionally our in house chef will cook for the duration of the weekend.”
“ That sounds lovely!” Sophia squealed as she clapped her hands together,” Isn’t it wonderful baby?!”
“ That it is.” Charles said.
“ One last thing, “ the manager led Sophia and Charles to the back of the house, “Mr. Grey Sophia informed me that your venue would be a surprise.”
“ That she did,” he gently kissed Sophia on the cheek.
“ Well then, you will be pleased to see where you will be exchanging your vows.”
Behind the house was a private lake. Charles’ jaw dropped as he witnessed the beauty. The lake was a third of the 12 acre land. It sparkled like diamonds in the sun. The crisp blue water looked good enough to drink.
Although the wedding decor had not been set, Charles was happy to exchange his vows in such an enchanting location.
“ Bay how did you... I... I’m just in awe,” was all that Charles could manage to say.
“See...I knew you would love it,” Sofia mentally patted herself on the back, “ After our wedding you and I can sit out on our private dock and watch the stars.”
Sofia knew how much Charles enjoyed the outdoors. The lake was the icing on the cake.
“ I can’t wait to marry you baby,” Charles said.
“ Me neither.”
Later that night Charles and Sofia met their family and friends in the foyer.
“ Sofia I can’t believe you found this location!” Erika exclaimed.
“ Yea girl this shit must have cost you a fortune,” Gayle said.
“ Language Gayle,” Sofia quickly retorted.
“ Uh Oh let me find out you got all she she frew frew on me,” Gayle playfully responded.
With one look at each other the girls burst into laughter.
“ Gayle why do we always cut up around you?” Erika asked.
“ Because you tight wads barely breathe in that firm of yours,”
“ Sad to say, she’s right,” Sofia said to Erika.
“ Yea , but this weekend is all about you honey and..,” Erika began to say.
“ And we are going to CUT IT ALL UP!” Gayle interrupted.
The laughter from Sofia and her best friends filled the foyer.
“ Man, you sure you ready,” James asked Charles as they sat down in the cigar room.
Charles sighed, “ Yea man better time than any I guess,” he responded as he lit a complimentary cuban.
“ You guess?!” Charles’ cousin Zach questioned, “ Nigga you bought a $30,000 dollar ring for that girl you better be sure!.”
“ Damn Zach why does the cost of her ring always seem to come up with you?” Charles could feel the blood rushing to his hands.
“ I’m just saying man, just because you are a big shot doesn’t mean that you have to spend big shot money, especially not for a girl you are guessing about.”
“ If you want keep your teeth I suggest you shut the hell up,” Charles spitefully responded.
“ Whoa, guys,” James chuckled nervously, “ Charles is completely undeniably sure he loves Sofia, if he isn’t I’ll wife her up and pawn that $30,000 dollar ring for myself.”
They laughed, “ Man you are stupid for that one, “ Zach said through his laughs.
“ I’m just saying,” James grinned.
“ Attention everyone,” the house manager yelled,” Dinner is served.”
As the guests entered the dining room they were greeted by a long table lined with golden plates and utensils. The table scape was that of royalty. The royal purple lilies ,from the estate’s garden, were neatly arranged in the middle of each section of the table. Hand scripted place cards sat on top of the golden speckled napkins. The gold chairs were complimented by cream colored cushions. The room was illuminated with 18th century chandeliers. The room held just the right amount of glamor.
“ Wow,” was the only word said by all.
“ You are way passed she she frew frew,” Gayle whispered to Sofia.
Sofia’s grinned covered her entire face. She reveled in the compliments and attention.
Once everyone set at their seats, Erika stood to give her speech, she tapped lightly on her glass of champagne to get everyone’s attention.
“ First and foremost I just want to thank Charles and Sofia for having their wedding weekend in such a magical place,” everyone nodded in agreement,” Sofia, I have known you for eight long years now, and I have never seen you smile as much as you do when you are with Charles. Everyday you walk with a glow, I don’t know what you are doing Charles, but if you are going to do it for the rest of her life.... I’m going to have to marry you too!” the crowd roared with laughter, “ But on a serious note you two are meant for each other. Your bond makes my heart smile, and gives me hope that my prince charming is still out there.”
“ That’s right!” Sofia said.
Erika winked at her best friend cuddled up with her fiance,” To Sofia and Charles!”
Sofia looked around as everyone raised their glasses to toast. Everyone she had ever loved surrounded her. From her 91 year old bubby to her closest friends. It was a dream come true and she never wanted to wake up.
“ And now, the groom will give a speech,” Charles’ Grandfather belted quickly.
“ Oooo no, no,” Charles responded playfully.
“ Speech! Speech!” The guests urged.
“ Well since you pressured me I guess I can give a speech and all, “ Charles reached into his blazer pocket and pulled out the speech he had written for his family, friends, and Sofia.
He cleared his throat, “ Sofia, from the first day I saw you I knew you would be the one for me. Remember that day? You came into the cafe like a ray of sunshine. I’ll never forget how my heart skipped seeing you. Over the years we have had our ups and downs from family illness to your cancer. But through it all we still held strong,” Sofia’s eyes began to water as she thought of those times. “ I am honored to call you my wife and blessed to have you for a lifetime, I love you baby you are my world.”
Charles bent down and softly kissed Sofia.
“Thank you bay,” she whispered.
As Sofia’s sobs subsided, she continued replaying that moment in her mind. Charles had no signs of doubt. Sofia held her head as it pounded with questions. She took another Zanax to numb her emotions. Secretly she hoped it would stop her heart, for the pieces inside jabbed at her broken soul.
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