Chapter 71 - Ribbons, Flower Petals and a Pair of I do's
Cesca was up, it was 7.30 am. The twins were with Jonah at his dad’s and Mia was at home with Cesca, it was the morning of the wedding and everyone was in high spirits. Cesca’s family – her mum, Isabel and her fiancé Lucas, Eva and her boyfriend Nathan and finally the youngest of all the Montoya sisters, Anna were all staying at the Kirby’s family home, other family members were in hotels preparing for the wedding. Cesca was really happy and Mia was being spoilt rotten by her auntie’s and her nanny. Mia was their eldest niece and granddaughter and they all loved her to bits. Cesca was sat in the lounge with her cup of coffee, she thought she was the only one up, she had butterflies this was all so surreal, she loved Jonah they were already married but it was just the entire atmosphere of the day in general. Cesca was soon joined by her eldest sister Izzy, her life couldn’t be described as more perfect, she had a lovely man they were engaged and were now expecting their first baby. Everything had been a smooth ride for Izzy there had never been any glitches any regrets or lies for that matter, Cesca could always count on her eldest sister, she was reliable and would always be that supportive older sister. “Couldn’t sleep either?”, Cesca asked as her obviously pregnant sister joined her on her couch, “Well being kicked to death is definitely an interesting form of an alarm clock”, “I really suffered when I had the twins, double the kicking it was serious battering”, the girls laughed they chilled in front of the TV, chatting away as Mia popped her head in. “Mummy”, “Yes Mia?”, “Can I have some coco pops?”, “No”, “What?”, Mia didn’t let Cesca finish her sentence, “Because”, Cesca emphasised the word, “I’m going to make some pancakes”, Izzy was rather liking the idea of that, her pregnancy had been pretty much perfect to, no morning sickness so eating was never something she had to think twice about. Cesca had, had a shower and chucked on some jeans and a white strappy top with one of the cardigans that was laid out on her chair, she hadn’t worried about what she looked like too much because this was only temporary whilst she got Mia and breakfast sorted before preparing for the big day. Anna had been studying a beauty course so was going to be doing everyone’s hair and make –up something Anna was quite looking forward to. Anna entered the room, the phone clutched to her hand her eyes fixed on the screen a smile plastered to her face. “Okay Anna spill the beans”, Cesca joked as she plaited up the final pancake before bringing them through to the table just as Eva and her mum appeared. “What do you mean?” Anna tried to act all innocent but it wasn’t possible, “Whose the guy?”, Cesca wasn’t stupid, she had grown up in a house full of girls, she knew all the signs, she had been there herself. “Oh no one”, “No one?”, Cesca kidded, “You mean Jose is no one”, Eva added she couldn’t help it, the boys were sat next to their ladies, Anna’s phone sat next to her plate. “So if this guy is so special, why didn’t you bring him?”, Cesca asked curious as to why her little sister wouldn’t bring her boyfriend to England with her, “He had work”, Anna looked pretty bummed about it. “Well we are all going to have fun”, Cesca tried to lighten the situation. Cesca looked over to see how Mia was doing just as she announced, “FINISHED”, Mia could be shy but she definitely wasn’t in front of her family however often she saw them, either way she knew them well. “Mia, I’m very impressed”, Delilah, Cesca’s mum said proudly. Mia blushed slightly, she was so sweet. “Can I get down please?” Mia asked so politely, “Wait for everyone to finish then you can”, Cesca said. Mia sat patiently, which was quite unusual Mia had a lot of energy and sometimes it resulted in her being quite loud. “Well Ces that was lovely”, Eva collected everyone’s plates up, “I can do that, it’s fine!”, Cesca said, “Your the bride, this is your special day, plus I think Anna is ready for you”, “Mummy is going to look very pretty”, “She is Mia” Izzy added, all the sisters were so close, admittedly Cesca was quite motherly towards Anna, being her little sister, but there was no denying their close bonds. “Right Mia shall we go and get you ready then?” Eva asked, “Yeah”, Mia was so excited about wearing her dress again. Eva took Mia’s hand as they headed upstairs, Nathan came to but he went to the room they were sharing and got ready whilst Eva helped Mia.
“Right Mia shall we do your hair first?”, “yes!,”, “Okay sit down in front of me here”, Eva reached out to the chest of draws which had Mia’s brush and a ribbon laid out nicely. Eva began to brush Mia’s fringe back sideways and then secured it with a hair band before neatly tying the pretty gold ribbon in her hair, it looked lovely against her ebony locks and match her dress beautifully. “There we go”, “Thank you”, Mia was so polite, it was a pleasure to do things for her, Eva loved being an auntie she just wished she got to see Mia more, she had grown up so much since the last time she saw her back in Spain, they all spoke regularly and Skype called so they could see each other but they didn’t properly get the chance to be in each other’s company.” Right well we have a few hours I’m not sure I trust you in your dress just yet”, Mia’s little face saddened, “Well you can wear it but you can’t go and play you will have to sit on the sofa, mummy would be very sad if it got ruined before we even got there”, “I promise I won’t ruin it”, Eva couldn’t say no to her beautiful niece she was too cute, “Okay, but you have to promise me you’ll be careful”, “Promise”, Mia said, Eva helped her into her dress and then took her hand to go and see how Cesca was doing, she knocked gently 3 times. “Come in”, Cesca said so calmly. Eva opened the door still holding Mia’s hand “Mia you look beautiful”, Cesca’s hair was stunning, her fringe was braided back and her hair was all hanging loosely over the opposite side, her make-up was subtle as always but still special. Her nails were all buffed and had been painted in a French manicure. Subtle always was Cesca’s best point. Cesca was wearing some delicate pearl earrings she had borrowed from her mum. “Right I better go get ready your almost done, I thought it was a brides prerogative to be late. Mia remember our promise”, Mia went and calmly sat on the other chair that was in her mummy and daddy’s rooms and so calmly swung her legs back and forth, she was too little to touch the floor still. “Cesca could see her little girl in the mirror; she looked so pretty, Cesca was beginning to pick up on Mia’s use of that word. Anna was also needing to get ready, Cesca was sorted all she needed to do was get into her dress in a bit. Nathan came and took Mia down, she needed to be occupied there was only so long you could sit in a chair, Cesca could hear Nathan counting the steps and her little girl correcting him in Spanish, she was a cutie- well she had her moments. Her sisters were now all ready, Izzy wearing a gorgeous silk maxi dress, purple print; it hugged her bump and looked rather elegant. Eva was wearing an emerald green dress, it hit her at the calf, she had matching emerald green satin shoes, the dress was quirky and had one pretty green strap which cut across her chest, acting as a normal strap on one side and finishing at the top of the bust area on the opposite side. Anna was daring in red, she looked so grown up, Cesca found it hard to see how grown up her sister really was after all she was 25, not so little at all really but she was their little sister. Her dress was red and was very strappy and floaty; the front of the dress had a frill all the way around the top of bust. She looked stunning they all did to be fair, her mum was wearing a black dress, it hugged her nicely – her mum was very fashionable for her age and was wearing red shoes, to add a bit of colour and class.
Jonah was all suited to, Ruth looked stunning in her strapless floral number, her hair was all down and straight for a change, she was just waiting for her new man Joe to come and pick her up, it really was amazing to see how all grown up they were. Ruth had helped Marcus and Jonah to dress the 4 month old twins. Betsy was dressed in a cute short sleeved dress it was bright red and was delicately coated in pretty poppies; she had matching red pram shoes to go with it. Oscar was in a cute little suit, his shirt even had a rounded colour like Jonah’s and a cute little red tie, the twins were matching well at least colour co-ordinated. They were settled and now they were a little older they weren’t so demanding, Jonah was loving having them around and so was everyone to be frank, back at home Cesca was missing them. It was strange to not have them around, but Jonah was right it would have been hell getting them ready feeding them and what not as well as preparing for her big day. Cesca’s mum entered the room. “You look beautiful”, Cesca could see the tears that were pricking the corners of her eyes, “oh mum”, Cesca said, she got up and gave her mum a hug, “Will you give me away?”, Cesca asked her mum pulling away from their hug, “Of course”, her mum replied the biggest smile on her face, she was one very proud mother. She loved seeing all of her family in one place; all her girls back together again how it always used to be. “Right shall we get you into your dress”, Cesca smiled, this was that moment that all girls dreamed of stepping in to their wedding dress. Cesca’s mum finished doing up the buttons at the back and then took a step back to admire how lovely her daughter looked, she then helped her to place on her veil before heading down stairs to present her to everyone. Cesca caused tear stained faces and smiles. “Mummy you look like a princess”, Cesca laughed, “So do you baby”, She gave her little girl a kiss, “We ready”, Cesca’s mum asked, Cesca looked around, “Yeah”, she took a big sigh, this was nerve racking who would have thought that this was that day, they day when everything is supposed to change, a little different for the Kirby’s they had already been through this before but this time was more special, it wasn’t rushed and it wasn’t to prove anything this time was more on the basis that they wanted to celebrate the day with their family and friends. Cesca got into the Limo that Jonah had provided for her. The rest of her family followed, Mia sat with Eva. Nathan and Eva were really enjoying spending time with little Mia, Eva hated the fact that she didn’t get to see her sisters family very often, she didn’t know whether she liked the idea of going back to Spain, she had a lot to think about but this was Nathan’s home to. So maybe this was fate maybe she was meant to want to stay, now wasn’t the time to be having these thoughts but she knew that this is what she wanted but was it what Nathan wanted. The Montoya’s were enjoying spending time with each other they didn’t get to do it very often with the fact Cesca now lived overseas it was hard but if it made Cesca happy when they were all happy. Cesca watched her little girl interact with her auntie’s, it warmed her heart to see that special smile Cesca knew all so well, she couldn’t believe how grown up her little girl was, how beautiful she was and how proud she made her, she would always surprise her and put a smile on her face.
Jonah left with his dad and the twins as well as Ruth and Joe, Joe’s parents were well off to say the least, so Joe was able to transport them all to the church in possibly one of the swankiest cars Jonah had ever seen. It was definitely going to be a day he would treasure, Ruth piled the twins buggy into the car, oh the impracticality of having children on your wedding day. Marcus held Oscar whilst Jonah held his precious little girl as they rode to the church, they arrived before the bride which was to be expected Ruth was to look after the twins during the service they were placed into their buggy before falling fast asleep after the journey in the comforting arms of a loved one. Ruth waited outside the church with the other guests as the groom and his dad walked into the church, Ronan had met them there with Vicki who was blossoming nicely a small round bump. Weddings really were family events/occasions. Their friends and family gathered outside the church, Tom, Eleanor and Nikki and then there was Grantely who had gone with Ruby John and Janeece, weddings really did put everyone in a good mood. The fishers were also there as well as Chris Mead. For Ruth it was nice to see old faces, faces she respected those 5 years ago, it was remarkable how much taller Harry was and how loved up Rob and Karen were. Weddings just brought the best out in everyone, there were no signs of frowns just smiles. The Montoya’s arrived, Anna, Eva and Isabel getting out first along with their men. Eva then turned back to help Mia out the car so that their mum could help Cesca out before they all arranged her dress. The church was almost full with all their guests minus the Montoya sisters who were running late as they had arrived with Cesca. The girls went in to the church leaving Cesca, her mum and Mia waiting to go in, having those few moments to prepare before starting the all important walk to the altar. “Mummy you look very pretty”, Cesca smiled, Mia was just everything she ever wanted her to be, she just made her so proud and so happy, “So do you baby”, Cesca took Mia’s hand the other holding her bouquet of roses the Kirby’s really were a bunch of romantics. “You ready Ces”, her mum looked at her beautiful daughter, feeling as proud as Cesca was of Mia if not more. “You really do look beautiful”, a tear pricked the corner of her eye, “Mum, you’re going to start me off”, it was a really emotional moment for them all, this day meant so much to everyone, Cesca didn’t think she would ever be able to see Jonah again let alone have all the people that previously judged them all in one place, all celebrating Cesca and Jonah’s love for one another. The doors of the church opened, Cesca took a deep breath in a smile plastered on her face, her grip tight around Mia’s hand as they walked down the aisle. There were so many smiles as well as tears of happiness which set Cesca off as well as her mum, they were a hopeless bunch. “Why are you crying mummy?” Mia asked as they approached the centre of the aisle, halfway between Jonah and the back of the church, “Because I’m so happy baby”, Cesca smiled. They reached the alter where Jonah was standing, Cesca caught him wiping away a tear and smiled, tilting her head to the side. She gave Mia a kiss before directing her to go and sit with Eva, who was more than happy to have a 5 year old on her lap for the entire service. Cesca’s mum finished the process of giving away her daughter, she couldn’t be happier, it was a monumental moment for her watching her first daughter married off to a lovely man, it was an important moment to a mother, and it was just one of those things. Cesca’s eyes met Jonah’s, her heart raced, she loved this man that stood before, and she loved him with all her heart. She really was happy; this had always been what she had wanted. “Will you love and protect”, the vicar said, Jonah and Cesca’s hearts were both in sync, “I will” Jonah replied confidentially but with raw emotion embedded in his throat. “And Will you Cesca Kirby promise to honour and cherish”, “I will”, this brung back so many memories, these words, these emotions but what made it so special was the fact they were able to share it all with their friends and family. “You may kiss the bride”, was the last line to be shared by the vicar, Jonah wrapped his arms around his wife’s waist and kissed her passionately, “I love you Francesca Kirby”, Cesca smiled, “I love you to, that shirt looks good on you”, she cheekily added. He took her hand within his as they began to walk back down the aisle this time together, as a newly wedded couple except they weren’t because this was them renewing their vows but to them it was the same thing. People smiled, Cesca was so happy, just being with Jonah was enough to make any day feel perfect but today really was the icing on top of the cake, all that was left now was to celebrate, a bit of booze, some music and the support of their family and friends what could be better.
“Right Mia shall we do your hair first?”, “yes!,”, “Okay sit down in front of me here”, Eva reached out to the chest of draws which had Mia’s brush and a ribbon laid out nicely. Eva began to brush Mia’s fringe back sideways and then secured it with a hair band before neatly tying the pretty gold ribbon in her hair, it looked lovely against her ebony locks and match her dress beautifully. “There we go”, “Thank you”, Mia was so polite, it was a pleasure to do things for her, Eva loved being an auntie she just wished she got to see Mia more, she had grown up so much since the last time she saw her back in Spain, they all spoke regularly and Skype called so they could see each other but they didn’t properly get the chance to be in each other’s company.” Right well we have a few hours I’m not sure I trust you in your dress just yet”, Mia’s little face saddened, “Well you can wear it but you can’t go and play you will have to sit on the sofa, mummy would be very sad if it got ruined before we even got there”, “I promise I won’t ruin it”, Eva couldn’t say no to her beautiful niece she was too cute, “Okay, but you have to promise me you’ll be careful”, “Promise”, Mia said, Eva helped her into her dress and then took her hand to go and see how Cesca was doing, she knocked gently 3 times. “Come in”, Cesca said so calmly. Eva opened the door still holding Mia’s hand “Mia you look beautiful”, Cesca’s hair was stunning, her fringe was braided back and her hair was all hanging loosely over the opposite side, her make-up was subtle as always but still special. Her nails were all buffed and had been painted in a French manicure. Subtle always was Cesca’s best point. Cesca was wearing some delicate pearl earrings she had borrowed from her mum. “Right I better go get ready your almost done, I thought it was a brides prerogative to be late. Mia remember our promise”, Mia went and calmly sat on the other chair that was in her mummy and daddy’s rooms and so calmly swung her legs back and forth, she was too little to touch the floor still. “Cesca could see her little girl in the mirror; she looked so pretty, Cesca was beginning to pick up on Mia’s use of that word. Anna was also needing to get ready, Cesca was sorted all she needed to do was get into her dress in a bit. Nathan came and took Mia down, she needed to be occupied there was only so long you could sit in a chair, Cesca could hear Nathan counting the steps and her little girl correcting him in Spanish, she was a cutie- well she had her moments. Her sisters were now all ready, Izzy wearing a gorgeous silk maxi dress, purple print; it hugged her bump and looked rather elegant. Eva was wearing an emerald green dress, it hit her at the calf, she had matching emerald green satin shoes, the dress was quirky and had one pretty green strap which cut across her chest, acting as a normal strap on one side and finishing at the top of the bust area on the opposite side. Anna was daring in red, she looked so grown up, Cesca found it hard to see how grown up her sister really was after all she was 25, not so little at all really but she was their little sister. Her dress was red and was very strappy and floaty; the front of the dress had a frill all the way around the top of bust. She looked stunning they all did to be fair, her mum was wearing a black dress, it hugged her nicely – her mum was very fashionable for her age and was wearing red shoes, to add a bit of colour and class.
Jonah was all suited to, Ruth looked stunning in her strapless floral number, her hair was all down and straight for a change, she was just waiting for her new man Joe to come and pick her up, it really was amazing to see how all grown up they were. Ruth had helped Marcus and Jonah to dress the 4 month old twins. Betsy was dressed in a cute short sleeved dress it was bright red and was delicately coated in pretty poppies; she had matching red pram shoes to go with it. Oscar was in a cute little suit, his shirt even had a rounded colour like Jonah’s and a cute little red tie, the twins were matching well at least colour co-ordinated. They were settled and now they were a little older they weren’t so demanding, Jonah was loving having them around and so was everyone to be frank, back at home Cesca was missing them. It was strange to not have them around, but Jonah was right it would have been hell getting them ready feeding them and what not as well as preparing for her big day. Cesca’s mum entered the room. “You look beautiful”, Cesca could see the tears that were pricking the corners of her eyes, “oh mum”, Cesca said, she got up and gave her mum a hug, “Will you give me away?”, Cesca asked her mum pulling away from their hug, “Of course”, her mum replied the biggest smile on her face, she was one very proud mother. She loved seeing all of her family in one place; all her girls back together again how it always used to be. “Right shall we get you into your dress”, Cesca smiled, this was that moment that all girls dreamed of stepping in to their wedding dress. Cesca’s mum finished doing up the buttons at the back and then took a step back to admire how lovely her daughter looked, she then helped her to place on her veil before heading down stairs to present her to everyone. Cesca caused tear stained faces and smiles. “Mummy you look like a princess”, Cesca laughed, “So do you baby”, She gave her little girl a kiss, “We ready”, Cesca’s mum asked, Cesca looked around, “Yeah”, she took a big sigh, this was nerve racking who would have thought that this was that day, they day when everything is supposed to change, a little different for the Kirby’s they had already been through this before but this time was more special, it wasn’t rushed and it wasn’t to prove anything this time was more on the basis that they wanted to celebrate the day with their family and friends. Cesca got into the Limo that Jonah had provided for her. The rest of her family followed, Mia sat with Eva. Nathan and Eva were really enjoying spending time with little Mia, Eva hated the fact that she didn’t get to see her sisters family very often, she didn’t know whether she liked the idea of going back to Spain, she had a lot to think about but this was Nathan’s home to. So maybe this was fate maybe she was meant to want to stay, now wasn’t the time to be having these thoughts but she knew that this is what she wanted but was it what Nathan wanted. The Montoya’s were enjoying spending time with each other they didn’t get to do it very often with the fact Cesca now lived overseas it was hard but if it made Cesca happy when they were all happy. Cesca watched her little girl interact with her auntie’s, it warmed her heart to see that special smile Cesca knew all so well, she couldn’t believe how grown up her little girl was, how beautiful she was and how proud she made her, she would always surprise her and put a smile on her face.
Jonah left with his dad and the twins as well as Ruth and Joe, Joe’s parents were well off to say the least, so Joe was able to transport them all to the church in possibly one of the swankiest cars Jonah had ever seen. It was definitely going to be a day he would treasure, Ruth piled the twins buggy into the car, oh the impracticality of having children on your wedding day. Marcus held Oscar whilst Jonah held his precious little girl as they rode to the church, they arrived before the bride which was to be expected Ruth was to look after the twins during the service they were placed into their buggy before falling fast asleep after the journey in the comforting arms of a loved one. Ruth waited outside the church with the other guests as the groom and his dad walked into the church, Ronan had met them there with Vicki who was blossoming nicely a small round bump. Weddings really were family events/occasions. Their friends and family gathered outside the church, Tom, Eleanor and Nikki and then there was Grantely who had gone with Ruby John and Janeece, weddings really did put everyone in a good mood. The fishers were also there as well as Chris Mead. For Ruth it was nice to see old faces, faces she respected those 5 years ago, it was remarkable how much taller Harry was and how loved up Rob and Karen were. Weddings just brought the best out in everyone, there were no signs of frowns just smiles. The Montoya’s arrived, Anna, Eva and Isabel getting out first along with their men. Eva then turned back to help Mia out the car so that their mum could help Cesca out before they all arranged her dress. The church was almost full with all their guests minus the Montoya sisters who were running late as they had arrived with Cesca. The girls went in to the church leaving Cesca, her mum and Mia waiting to go in, having those few moments to prepare before starting the all important walk to the altar. “Mummy you look very pretty”, Cesca smiled, Mia was just everything she ever wanted her to be, she just made her so proud and so happy, “So do you baby”, Cesca took Mia’s hand the other holding her bouquet of roses the Kirby’s really were a bunch of romantics. “You ready Ces”, her mum looked at her beautiful daughter, feeling as proud as Cesca was of Mia if not more. “You really do look beautiful”, a tear pricked the corner of her eye, “Mum, you’re going to start me off”, it was a really emotional moment for them all, this day meant so much to everyone, Cesca didn’t think she would ever be able to see Jonah again let alone have all the people that previously judged them all in one place, all celebrating Cesca and Jonah’s love for one another. The doors of the church opened, Cesca took a deep breath in a smile plastered on her face, her grip tight around Mia’s hand as they walked down the aisle. There were so many smiles as well as tears of happiness which set Cesca off as well as her mum, they were a hopeless bunch. “Why are you crying mummy?” Mia asked as they approached the centre of the aisle, halfway between Jonah and the back of the church, “Because I’m so happy baby”, Cesca smiled. They reached the alter where Jonah was standing, Cesca caught him wiping away a tear and smiled, tilting her head to the side. She gave Mia a kiss before directing her to go and sit with Eva, who was more than happy to have a 5 year old on her lap for the entire service. Cesca’s mum finished the process of giving away her daughter, she couldn’t be happier, it was a monumental moment for her watching her first daughter married off to a lovely man, it was an important moment to a mother, and it was just one of those things. Cesca’s eyes met Jonah’s, her heart raced, she loved this man that stood before, and she loved him with all her heart. She really was happy; this had always been what she had wanted. “Will you love and protect”, the vicar said, Jonah and Cesca’s hearts were both in sync, “I will” Jonah replied confidentially but with raw emotion embedded in his throat. “And Will you Cesca Kirby promise to honour and cherish”, “I will”, this brung back so many memories, these words, these emotions but what made it so special was the fact they were able to share it all with their friends and family. “You may kiss the bride”, was the last line to be shared by the vicar, Jonah wrapped his arms around his wife’s waist and kissed her passionately, “I love you Francesca Kirby”, Cesca smiled, “I love you to, that shirt looks good on you”, she cheekily added. He took her hand within his as they began to walk back down the aisle this time together, as a newly wedded couple except they weren’t because this was them renewing their vows but to them it was the same thing. People smiled, Cesca was so happy, just being with Jonah was enough to make any day feel perfect but today really was the icing on top of the cake, all that was left now was to celebrate, a bit of booze, some music and the support of their family and friends what could be better.
