Chapter 21: Three Months Later

Alyssa stood in her room looking at herself in the mirror. This was the day, she was finally marrying Cole Evans.

She was wearing white shoes, her wedding gown, her mother's necklace, Taylor's earrings, her hair was put up in a bun, a beautiful diamond tiara, and a veil sat on her head.

The wedding dress covered her feet, it puffed out on the bottom half a little bit. It had run-off shoulders, and it was made of silk.

She took a deep breath and then looked over to see Taylor standing there. "Hi," she greeted.

"Hi," she greeted back.

Taylor was Alyssa's maid-of-honor. She was wearing yellow high heels, a silk, yellow dress, the necklace Eric gave her for her birthday, and her hair was tied back in a French braid.

All of the bridesmaids' dresses were made of silk and except for Jen's dress, which was pink, Katie and Taylor's dresses were yellow. They had spaghetti straps and they zipped up in the back.

Taylor smiled at her best friend and hugged her. "This is finally happening," Taylor whispered. Taylor pulled back when she heard Alyssa sniffle. "Why are you crying?" She asked.

"Cole and I would've been married a long time ago if it weren't for Roger," Alyssa replied.

"Hey, no tears will ruin this wedding," she insisted.

Alyssa nodded and then they looked over when Jen and Katie came in. "What's going on?" Jen asked.

"She's just a little upset that it took them this long to get married," Taylor replied.

"Hey, no worries, Roger's gone and he's never coming back," Katie assured her.

Alyssa took a deep breath and stood up. "Let's get you married," Jen insisted. They looked up when the door opened to reveal Alyssa's father.

"Dad?" She asked.

She walked over and embraced him. Mr. Enrile smiled and pulled back to look at his daughter. "I never thought I'd ever see this day. You look beautiful, Alyssa," he complimented.

"Thank you," she told him.

He looked at the necklace around her neck and then he saw the nervousness in her eyes. "I think we should let them talk for a second," Jen insisted. Taylor, Katie, and Jen left and Alyssa sat down with her father sitting across from her.

"I guess you saw the news report those few months ago," she commented.

Mr. Enrile took his daughter's hand and sighed. "I did see the report. Why didn't you call and tell me what's going on?" He asked.

"I was afraid that you'd think me weak because I couldn't fight off a single man after all the training you gave me," she replied.

He got on his knees and took his daughter's face in his hands. "Alyssa, that man would've come after you no matter how many times you took him down. He needed to be stopped. I see that you chose the right man to protect you," he assured her. She placed her hands over his with a smile. "When I look into your face, I see your mother. Today, you look just like your mother when I married her. She would've been very proud of you," he added.

"That means a lot, dad," she murmured.

He stood her up and hugged her. "Now, let's get you married," he insisted. Alyssa nodded and she followed her dad out the door.

Cole stood at the altar with his friends, waiting for his soon-to-be wife to come down the aisle. He looked up as Alyssa and Mr. Enrile came down the aisle. He smiled to see how beautiful she looked. Once they stopped in front of the Cole, Alyssa's smile widened and she felt all nervousness leave her. "Who gives this woman to this man?" The minister asked.

"I do," Mr. Enrile replied.

He lifted the veil from Alyssa's face and placed a kiss on her cheek. He took Cole's hand and placed Alyssa's hand in his. He held onto their hands for a brief minute. "Take care of each other and love each other to no end," he instructed. They nodded and he sat down to watch the rest of the ceremony.

The minister said many prayers. Cole found himself looking out over his friends and his eyes widened when he saw Richard and Elizabeth standing in the back with smiles on their faces. Alyssa looked over and saw it too. She then looked back at Cole and gave him a gentle smile. "Do you, Cole Richard Evans, take Alyssa Isabelle Enrile to be your wife? Will you love, honor, and cherish her from rich or for poor, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, and until death do you part?" The minister asked. Cole held onto Alyssa's hands with a smile.

"I do," he replied.

"And do you, Alyssa Isabelle Enrile, take Cole Richard Evans to be your husband? Will you love, honor, and obey him from rich or for poor, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, and until death do you part?" The minister repeated.

Alyssa gave Cole's hands a gentle squeeze before answering. "I do," she replied. She then looked beside her father to see her mother sitting next to him. She saw the smile on her face just like how Cole's parents had smiles on their faces. The rings were then presented. Cole took the first ring, held Alyssa's hand up, and slipped the ring onto her left ring finger.

"With this ring, I thee wed," he vowed.

Alyssa took the other ring, lifted his hand up, and slipped it onto his left ring finger. "With this ring, I thee wed," she vowed. The last few prayers were said and then he smiled at Cole and Alyssa.

"By the powers invested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," he announced.

Cole didn't have to be told twice, he wrapped his arms around Alyssa's waist and pulled her into a kiss. "Ladies and gentlemen who witnessed this, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Cole Richard Evans," the minister announced. Everyone clapped for the newlyweds and stood up as they walked by them down the aisle.

At the reception, everyone was having a great time. Then it came time for Wes, Cole's best man, to say his speech. "When I first met Cole and Alyssa, we all know that they had a strong special bond. However, not wanting their duties to get in the way, they never let it go pass the friendship level. When I first met Cole, I was told that he was on a mission to find out what happened to his birthparents. Once he found out what really happened to them, I know that Alyssa was there to comfort him. Just like how Cole was able to comfort Alyssa during her trying times. Cole, Alyssa, I wish you luck. To Cole and Alyssa," Wes spoke.

"To Cole and Alyssa," everyone announced in unison.

Cole and Alyssa walked over to Merrick after awhile. "So, how long are you staying?" Cole asked.

"I can't stay too long. I have to go back to Mexico," Merrick replied.

"Mexico, that's where you've been all this time?" Alyssa asked.

Merrick rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, I've made quite a living there," he replied.

"Have you met any nice Mexican girls down there?" Cole asked.

Alyssa pushed him a bit. "We've been married for only two hours and you're already asking about other women," she teased. Cole wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Actually, I did meet this one girl. She's taught me a lot about her people and their ways. Actually, I should've told you guys this before, but I have a son," he announced.

"No! You, Merrick Baliton have a son?" Cole asked.

"Yeah, well, I know that Shayla would want me to move on with my life. So, it's been awhile since she left, so, I married Catalina and she gave me a son a few months ago," Merrick replied.

"Merrick, that's wonderful. What's his name?" Alyssa asked.

"I named Merril he's a strong boy," Merrick replied.

"Of course he is, he's like his dad," Cole assured him.

"Why isn't she here?" Alyssa asked.

"Catalina wanted to stay in Mexico with her family. I didn't want to argue. She told me to give you her best wishes," Merrick replied.

"Congratulations on the boy, Merrick," Cole congratulated.

"Thanks," Merrick told him.

"Tell Catalina we said hi," Alyssa insisted.

"I will, don't worry," Merrick assured them.

Later that afternoon, Alyssa pulled Cole away from the party. "What's wrong?" He asked. She gave him a smile.

"I wanted to tell you this on the honeymoon, but after talking to Merrick I can't keep it in," she insisted.

"What's going on?" He asked.

"Cole, I'm pregnant."

Cole's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're pregnant?" He asked. She nodded and she placed a hand on her stomach.

"I'm three months pregnant to be exact," she replied.

She shrieked when he picked her up and spun her around. "This is wonderful. I'm married to the most beautiful woman in the world and we're expecting our first," he murmured. Alyssa hugged him tight with a sigh.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," he answered.