Chapter One Hundred Twenty Eight: The Double Wedding - Part One (The Morning)
The day had finally arrived.
After weeks of planning, chaos, tears, laughter, period mood swings, pregnancy cravings, and more chaos—the double wedding was here.
The mansion woke at dawn.
---
Jay opened her eyes.
Today was the day.
Two weddings.
One family.
Everything they'd been working toward.
Keifer stirred beside her. "Morning."
"Morning."
"Ready for chaos?"
"Born ready."
He kissed her forehead. "I love you."
"I love you too. Now let's go wrangle brides."
---
The mansion was already buzzing.
Tita Gemma was everywhere at once, clipboard in hand, directing florists, caterers, and anyone who stood still long enough.
"THE FLOWERS NEED MORE PINK! NO, LESS PINK! ACTUALLY MORE PINK! AKSHI SAID MORE PINK!"
Tito Rachel sat in a corner, drinking coffee, watching the chaos with amusement. "She's been like this since 3 AM."
Kuya Angelo stood with Ion, both calm amidst the storm. "It's a good chaos."
Ion smiled. "The best kind."
---
The bridal suites were chaos incarnate.
Two rooms. Two brides. Two sets of sisters, mothers, and friends running around.
In Akshi's room: pink and gold everywhere. Akshi herself was bouncing off the walls, already in her robe, hair half-done, makeup half-applied.
"I'M GETTING MARRIED TODAY!"
Chethan's voice from the hallway: "WE'RE GETTING MARRIED TODAY!"
"STAY OUT! YOU CAN'T SEE ME!"
"I KNOW! I'M JUST EXCITED!"
"ME TOO!"
---
In Shreya's room: soft ivory and sage green. Shreya sat calmly as her hair was styled, but her hands were shaking.
Jay noticed. "Nervous?"
"Terrified."
"Good terrified or bad terrified?"
"Good terrified. The kind where you can't believe this is finally happening."
Jay hugged her. "It's happening. And it's going to be perfect."
Shreya smiled. "I know."
---
Ella sat in a comfortable chair, three months pregnant and glowing, watching the chaos with amusement. "This brings back memories."
Aries appeared in the doorway. "You okay? Need anything? Water? Snacks? A foot rub?"
Ella laughed. "I'm fine. Go help the grooms."
"Are you sure?"
"GO."
He went.
---
The grooms' suites were calmer.
Calmer being relative.
Chethan was pacing. "I'm getting married. I'm actually getting married."
Mithun sat calmly, already dressed, watching him. "You've known this for weeks."
"I KNOW BUT NOW IT'S REAL!"
"It's always been real."
"STOP BEING CALM!"
"I am calm. It's my nature."
---
Percy burst in. "GENTLEMEN! THE BIG DAY! ARE YOU READY?"
Chethan grabbed him. "I'M NOT READY!"
"TOO LATE! YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED!"
"I KNOW!"
Honey followed, rolling her eyes. "Percy, let them breathe."
"BREATHING IS FOR LATER! NOW IS FOR PANIC!"
---
C.N. appeared with his laptop. "Final checklist. Akshi's suite: pink and gold. Shreya's suite: ivory and sage. Flowers delivered. Catering ready. Guests arriving in two hours."
Rakii followed with her camera. "I'm documenting everything. Every moment."
David bounced in. "CAKE! HAS ANYONE SEEN THE CAKE?"
Freya followed calmly. "The cake is in the kitchen, David."
"BUT IS IT SAFE?"
"It's cake. It's fine."
"CAKE IS NEVER SAFE!"
---
Felix and Bridget arrived, both dressed and calm. Felix smiled. "This is going to be beautiful."
Bridget nodded. "Two of our favorite people. Same day."
"The best day."
Mica and Calix came next, Mica already bouncing. "I'M SO EXCITED! TWO WEDDINGS! TWO RECEPTIONS! TWO—"
Calix grabbed her. "Breathe."
"I CAN'T!"
---
Keiran ran through the hallway, Rex in one hand, Ganesha in the other. "WEDDING DAY! AUNTIE AKSHI! AUNTIE SHREYA! GETTING MARRIED!"
Rex seemed thrilled.
Ganesha nodded solemnly.
Keigan followed more slowly, trying to look cool. "It's just a wedding."
Jay appeared. "You're wearing that?"
He looked down at his outfit. "What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing. You look handsome."
He blushed. "MOM."
"What? I'm allowed to compliment my son."
---
Tita Gemma's voice echoed through the mansion. "ONE HOUR UNTIL THE FIRST CEREMONY! EVERYONE TO THEIR POSITIONS!"
Chaos intensified.
But underneath it all—
Joy.
Pure, unfiltered joy.
---
In Akshi's room, she was finally ready.
Pink and gold. Beautiful. Radiant.
She looked in the mirror and cried.
"I'm getting married."
Shreya appeared in the doorway, also ready. Ivory and sage. Equally beautiful.
They looked at each other.
"Sister weddings," Akshi whispered.
"Sister weddings," Shreya echoed.
They hugged.
Carefully. So as not to ruin anything.
But fiercely.
---
In the garden, guests began to arrive.
The east lawn was set for Shreya's morning ceremony.
Soft colors. Delicate flowers. Peaceful.
The west lawn was set for Akshi's evening ceremony.
Bold colors. Vibrant flowers. Energetic.
Perfect contrasts.
Perfect sisters.
---
Jay found Keifer in the crowd.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Can you believe this?"
"I can't. But I love it."
She touched her stomach.
Still a secret.
But soon.
Soon.
He covered her hand with his.
"Soon," he whispered.
"Soon."
---
The music began.
Shreya's ceremony was about to start.
Everyone moved to the east lawn.
The double wedding was beginning.
---
End of Chapter One Hundred Twenty Eight