On February 26th, Rosemarie has Hilda up at 3am and then again at 7:15am. Rosalina awakens at 7, so the sisters decide to nurse their daughters at the same time in the family room.
"I can't wait for Rosemarie to give up her middle of the night feeding. Four hours between feedings is certainly an improvement but I can definitely go for 6 or even more," comments Hilda in a soft voice so as not to disturb either nursing baby.
"She'll sleep through the night before long, but of course will occasionally get you up at an odd time just to prove she is still in control," responds Betty with a smile.
Betty softly tells her daughter, "I'm glad I used the pump briefly before feeding you or you'd be choking right now with how eagerly you are drinking."
"I don't think Rosemarie will ever have that problem with me," states Hilda.
Hilda continues, "Thanks again for giving us some milk and continuing to do so, we haven't had to give her formula and that is a definite plus."
"No problem, glad we can do it. It would be a shame if we had to throw some out because it got too old and I don't have time to go pump at the hospital, which is the only way they'll accept any donations," responds Betty.
Christina and Kristin join Betty, Hilda, Rosalina, and Rosemarie in the family room, with each of them eagerly taking a baby and burping her.
"So, today is your wedding day, having any second thoughts?" asks Christina with a smile.
Betty responds, "I know you must be joking since I have no doubts that I am making the right decision for myself, for Matt, and for Rosalina."
"You're correct, your feelings for each other are obvious to everyone. Just trying to lighten the mood a bit before we head to the hotel for the "chores," before the party," answers Christina.
Meanwhile, at The Plaza, Matt is restless and decides to call the townhome just before 8am, as he has given up on falling back to sleep.
"Hello, I missed you last night. Not taking advantage of sleeping in I take it," says Betty as she answers the phone.
"I missed you too, it was odd here by myself. I hope I didn't wake anyone," replies Matt.
Hilda calls out, "No, we are all awake, the girls made sure of that. Everyone is doing fine."
"Great to hear it," responds Matt.
"So you are going to get here by 1, with my needing to be in my Dad's suite by 12:30 just to be sure I don't see "the dress." We'll then do pictures starting at 3pm, correct?" asks Matt.
"Yes, that is the plan. Kristin and Rosalina may get settled in their rooms while the other ladies begin primping me since then she is less likely to get into things," answers Betty.
"Good to know. I may stop by and get some play time in with her before putting on my tux," states Matt.
"See you in a few hours, my handsome husband, when we'll show everyone what a wonderful, loving couple we are," remarks Betty.
"An attractive one too, thanks to you," responds Matt before he hangs up the phone.
Emitting a deep sigh, Matt rests on the bed for a few more minutes before heading down to the lobby for breakfast. The women eat the breakfast prepared by Kristin, which is light but satisfying. Time passes quickly, with the women and babies, along with their dresses, soon on their way to The Plaza. Betty goes to the honeymoon suite where the others join her after putting their things away. They all soak up the opulent surroundings for a few minutes and then start getting ready.
Hilda tells Betty, "I have something for you. These pearl earnings were mom's and they can be your something old."
"They are lovely, and coordinate with the necklace. Thank you Hilda this means so much to me, another way for Mom to be here with us," responds Betty as the sisters embrace.
"You should really thank Papi, he is the one who suggested it," answers Hilda.
Betty replies, "I will, but you deserve thanks to, I know these are special to you to."
Victoria knocks on the door of the suite at 2:20, asking, "I just wanted to see how everything was going."
"Please come in," replies Betty as she tries to sit still while her make up is being applied.
"That dress really suits you and Rosalina's makes her look like a princess," remarks Victoria as she sits down.
"Thank you, Christina here is a wonderful designer and knows me well, so that was to our advantage," answers Betty.
"I am hoping you don't have something borrowed yet," comments Victoria, "as this watch belonged to my grandmother and I'm sure she would want you to wear it."
"Something borrowed was the one area I was having trouble deciding on. It is beautiful, with the little pearls matching my necklace, which can be my something new, and my mother's earrings, my old item. I'd be pleased to wear it," says Betty.
As Victoria puts the watch on Betty's wrist she asks, "Do you have something blue, since that seems to be the only one of the four areas missing?"
Blushing slightly, Betty responds, "Yes, I do, the garters, which Christina also designed, have the wedding colors in it, including midnight blue."
"Good, then that wedding tradition is taken care of. I'll see you downstairs in a few minutes," states Victoria as she leaves the suite.
At 2:45 Betty, Christina, Kristin, and Rosalina go down to the agreed upon area for pictures, with Robert, Jessica, Anthony, and Sharon wanting to start with individual and couple shots, followed by ones of the bridal party and relatives. Taking pictures before the ceremony will allow all of those in the bridal party more time to enjoy the festivities.
Upon seeing each other, both Betty and Matt have shy grins come across their faces. They walk towards each other and then pause, speechless for a few moments.
After catching his breath, Matt bends down and whispers to Betty, "You look incredible, the dress is perfect for you and will help make our wedding that much more dazzling."
As they give each other a sweet kiss, Betty remarks, "You don't look too shabby yourself in your tux. Let's hope the tabloids do us justice."
Jessica teases, "Well the pictures are off to a great start since we were able to get some of your reactions to seeing each other and your kiss too."
"Now, however, we'd like to do some planned shots," comments Anthony as he directs Betty and Matt how to pose.
Around 4pm, the entire bridal party is down in the lobby with the exception of Tyler and Amanda, who arrive 10 minutes late and earn stern looks from a few of the other participants. Family who are not in the wedding party are in the photography area at 4:45.
Glancing at this watch, which reads 5:20, Matt tells everyone, "Betty will need to be done within 10 minutes since she has to feed the Princess before the ceremony. Let's get the last few pictures done please."
Betty, Matt, Christina, and Rosalina go back to the honeymoon suite, where Christina has to show them how the dress works in terms of nursing. Once Rosalina is done, they head downstairs to the ceremony area, with Matt giving both Betty and Rosalina brief kisses on their foreheads before getting in line for the ceremony.
After several hints from the hotel staff, the guests quiet down, the music begins, and the bridal party starts to walk down the aisle. There are several smiles as the guests watch William pull Rosalina in a wagon, where she is sitting up thanks to modern baby items.
The room becomes extremely silent as Ignacio proudly escorts Betty down the aisle, with a few whispers about how beautiful and happy she looks. Smiling at each other, Matt takes her hand and they proceed to stand in front of Father Miguel.
Father Miguel informs all in attendance, "We are gathered here today to celebrate the vow renewal and wedding celebration of Betty and Matt. I had the honor of presiding at their first ceremony just a few months ago on the day they welcomed their beautiful daughter Rosalina into the world. Being somewhat creative people, they have written their own vows."
Father Miguel glances at Betty, with her nodding her head as she turns and faces Matt.
Looking adoringly at him, Betty says in a clear voice, "I, Beatriz Maria Suarez, take you, Matthew Edward Hartley, as my husband, secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. I further promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you. My body, my mind, my heart, even my soul, everything that is me belonged to you long before this and it shall be yours long after this. I will follow you anywhere and everywhere, hand in hand and heart in heart for as long as we both shall live."
With tears in his eyes due to listening to words just spoken by Betty, Matt takes a deep breath and then states, "I, Matthew Edward Hartley, take you, Beatriz Maria Suarez, as my wife, secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. You have filled my world with meaning. Thank you for taking me as I am-loving me and welcoming me into your heart. I promise to always love you and respect you as an individual. To live with you and laugh with you, to stand by your side, to bring out the best in you always, and, for you, to be the most that I can be. I promise to wipe your tears with my hands, to mirror you with my soul, and to share with you all my riches, honors, and dreams. Let me be the shoulder you lean on and the rock on which you rest. Together we will walk our path from this day forward as long as we both shall live."
Father Miguel pauses briefly, letting the words spoken by the smiling, happy couple register with those attendance before he says, "the rings please."
William, with a gentle shove from Christina, brings the rings to Father Miguel and then quickly resumes his position next to his mother.
Father Miguel informs the guests, "In addition to writing portions of their marriage renewal vows, Betty and Matt have together decided on what they want to say as they exchange their new and improved wedding rings."
Grasping each other's hands gently as they place the rings on their spouse's finger, Betty and Matt jointly announce, "With these rings we, Betty and Matt Suarez-Hartley, unite our hearts in tenderness and devotion. We will honor each other's cultures as we join together in matrimony. We will protect, support, and encourage each other through life's joys and sorrows as we create a loving future. We promise to establish a home for ourselves and our children shaped by our respective heritages-a loving environment dedicated to peace, hope, and respect for all people. From this day forward our lives will be intertwined forever and filled with compassion, understanding and love."
"Now, you may kiss your spouse," comments Father Miguel.
As they smile broadly at each other, Matt gently frames Betty's face with his hands and gives her a sweet, yet sensual kiss that has just the right amount of pressure. Betty decides to surprise Matt by plunging her tongue deeply into his mouth. With a startled look followed by a wide grin, Matt matches the intensity of her kiss with his own, pulling Betty against him. They both let out low groans and reach their arms around the other's shoulders and neck. Matt then surprises Betty by dipping her slightly before reluctantly ending their kiss. He continues to hold her in his arms for a few moments longer, content with how right she feels in his embrace.
Betty whispers to Matt, "I am tempted to say we skip the reception and go directly to our suite, now, but that wouldn't be proper."
Matt softly replies, "A wonderful idea but we do have obligations to our guests. We also deserve to enjoy tonight with those who came to share this event with us. Our obligations to each other are much more private and I'm sure will be more than worth the wait."
Holding hands they turn towards their guests, who are clapping and whispering amongst themselves, with the love, admiration, and attraction between Betty and Matt evident to all in attendance. Rosalina's giggles mix with the applause, which makes both of them smile. Matt takes Rosalina, who was alternating among being held by her grandparents, into his arms and both of them give their daughter a kiss. Rosalina snuggles against Matt's shoulder, leading to several "awes" from those in attendance. The wedding party heads back down the aisle, with Betty, Matt, and Rosalina leading the way.