Beloved (6 page)

             
He woke up the next morning and washed his face. He then went for a daily walk with his dog, Furball. When they came back, he ate his breakfast of buttered toast, fried eggs and coffee. He then gave his dog, Furball, food and water. After that, he took a bath, dressed up and called Violet.

              "Hi Violet. I'm all dressed up and ready to pick you up so that we could buy the things that you need for tonight's dinner party.

              "Great. I'm ready too. I'll just wait for you then", said she.

              "Okay. See yah, bye!", said Jacob.

              "Bye! See yah! Take care", said Violet.

              She was waiting for him in the living room when he arrived. She said goodbye to her Mom and Dad and then they went to the supermarket. They bought three large fish for sweet and sour, some pork that they would later marinate and grill, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, green and red bell peppers, mangoes, grapes, nuts, eggs, cheese, chicken breast and salad dressing for the salad. They bought three kilos of potato for the potato salad. They also bought one layer of readymade custard cake dessert.

              When they arrived home, Violet's parents were already waiting for them. They sliced the cheese, peeled off and sliced the fruit, vegetables and boiled the eggs and chicken breast for the salad.               They cooked the fish for the sweet and sour.  They marinated the pork with lemon and soya sauce and then grilled it. They also peeled off and boiled the potatoes for the potato salad. They made fresh fruit salad as well.

              Violet's parents helped set the table with an attractive table cloth complete with plates, cutlery set and glasses. Jacob went out to buy flowers to put at the middle of the table. When everything was ready, Jacob went back to his house to take a bath and wear clothes for the dinner party. When he's done, he brought Furball and went to pick up his parents, brother and sister and went to Violet's house. They all sat at the table where all the food was displayed.

              "Violet and I are so happy to announce to everyone of you that we are engaged!", said Jacob.

              "Yes, we are so happy to finally be ready to start a family of our own!", said Violet.

              "Wow, that's great news!", said Jacob's Mom.

              "We are all so happy for both of you!", said Jacob's Dad.

              "We haven't decided on the exact date of the wedding yet, but hopefully it will be next year", said Violet.

              "Wow, this is just amazing!", said Ben.

              "We wish all the best for both of you", said Jacob's Mom.

              "May both of you have lots and lots of blessings to come", said Jacob's Dad.

              "We wish that you both are going to have a happy married life and lots of kids", said Hailey.

              "Thank you so much for all the best wishes", said Jacob.

              "Yes thank you so much. You made us happier", said Violet.

              They ate their dinner and dessert that were laid out at the table. Everybody wished them well for their new life together. When they are done eating, Violet and Jacob fed their pets with the leftover food. They all thanked Violet for their dinner, said their goodbyes and went back to their respective houses to rest for the night.

              Months have passed and they were both busy with their work but Jacob continued to call Violet everyday to talk about what they did during the day. They also talked about their upcoming wedding. They planned every detail and they set the wedding day to be on the twenty-seventh of December this year and that's three months from now. They decided about the gown for Violet and the tuxedo for Jacob and they decided to rent gowns for the entourage. They also decided on the venue of the wedding and the reception afterwards. It will be a traditional church wedding and the reception will be in a beach resort called Las Palmas. They decided who are the people that they will invite and who will sing at their wedding, the menu for the reception which will be Seafood Chowder, Ham, Beef in Oyster Sauce, Roasted Pig, Chicken Cordon Bleu and Caramel Cheesecake for the dessert. They picked the kind of flowers to be used and they also called a seamstress who will sew the wedding attire of Furball, Ovaltinne and Ginger. They wrote their vows for each other. They also chose to have their honeymoon in Europe. Everything is ready and all set for the big day. Jacob didn't tell Violet about their new house yet. He planned to just surprise her by taking her there as soon as the house, the pool and the plantation is done. He chose to have a plantation instead of a huge garden so that they can plant as many trees, vegetables and crops as they can. Anyway, they can use them for their restaurant. It will be his belated wedding gift for Violet. The house, the pool and the plantation will not be done in time for their wedding though, but it's okay since Violet is not on a hurry to move out of her parent's house - she loves her parents so much and she told him that she will miss them so much once they're already married.

             
Days passed by until Jacob was surprised to receive a call from Violet telling him that she is pregnant with their first child. She said that the child is going to be a boy. They decided to name the child Vincent after the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh because Violet is quite fond of his paintings. Violet is getting herself physically and mentally prepared for the coming birth of their first child. She ate lots of fruit and vegetables and drank lots of milk. She also used to eat and sip clam soup because it is recommended by her doctor who said that it promotes the production of a mother's breast milk. She started reading a book about pregnancy and child rearing by a renowned psychologist. She also researched a lot of facts about babies and pregnancy from the internet. She is now so excited and ready to have a baby. All she needs to do is to buy supplies that she will need for the baby.

              Jacob offered to accompany her while shopping for things for the baby. They went to the departmental store of a mall and bought baby bottles, sterilizer, diaper, mittens, socks, crib and play pen, strollers, soap, shampoo and toys. She had listed everything so that she will not forget anything. She bought almost all the things that she needs. She is now more than ready to have a baby. She is so happy that Jacob is there for her every step of the way. He is most loving and supportive, she couldn't ask for anything more from him. He was the one who provided for all the needs of the baby. They are both so happy and excited including their parents from both sides and also Jacob's younger brother and younger sister. Vincent will be their first grandchild and nephew who is not from the extended family. During her pregnancy, she craves for salad, strawberries and milk and a lot of seafood. Jacob doesn't mind going to the supermarket many times to get her what she wants. He has no wish other than for Violet and Vincent to be healthy at all times.

              Violet goes to the doctor every month for checkup regarding the baby. She is happy to know that the baby is in good health and that the doctor said that there is a great chance that she will deliver the baby normally and not through caesarean method which is more risky for both the mother and the baby. Jacob is also relieved that she will most likely be delivering the baby in a normal way. She had prepared a whole room in the house for the baby and she arranged all the baby's things neatly and nicely.

              Her projects are different now that she is pregnant. Previously she was endorsing perfumes and lotions, now she is endorsing milk for babies and a world-famous brand of milk bottles and other products for babies. She is also endorsing clothing line for pregnant women. She is so thankful that she still has lots of endorsements that are pouring in even now that she is pregnant. Jacob too is busy filming his movie entitled "True Love" which will be released next year. It is about a man who is madly in love with his wife that he took her to see all the beautiful places in the whole world. They can't release the movie right away because the filming will take two years because they would have to travel all over the world for the movie. Good thing that Jacob's director understood is that he won't be able to do the filming for a short while for the wedding and honeymoon. After which he would have to go back filming the movie right away. She misses him a lot, but she understands that he is doing this for her and their baby.

              Three months have passed and all they did was work and work. They made sure that they have saved more than enough money for the coming birth of their first child. Time has passed until it was time for them to wed.

              The wedding was held at an old church in Intramuros, Manila. Violet is stunning and ever so beautiful in an elegant beaded white lace gown that has a long train. Jacob is looking very dashing in his tuxedo. He was waiting for her down the aisle together with the priest who will be officiating the wedding rites. She couldn't help but cry as her Dad was walking her down the aisle. This is the moment that she has been waiting for her whole life. Everybody was so happy; they were all smiling as she went to look at all the four hundred guests who attended their church wedding. Ben together with Furball, Victor's Pomeranian dog were tasked to be the ring bearer. They are both wearing tuxedo. Now, it's time for them to read their vows to each other. It took about fifteen minutes until they were done and the priest pronounced them husband and wife. They were both kissing when both of the cried tears of joy. They couldn't believe that they were finally married to each other. They were all taking pictures which will serve as a memorabilia for the once in a lifetime, momentous occasion. All the guests were headed to the reception after the bride and groom left riding the bridal car to Las Palmas, the venue where the reception will take place.

              Everybody enjoyed the occasion. There were lots of people who wished them well in their new life as husband and wife. They all enjoyed a sumptuous lunch. And then it was now time for the bride and groom to cut the five-tiered wedding cake which will be served to each and every table. Afterwards, they had picture taking with the guests at every table. They had the throwing of the bridal bouquet and some games after lunch. When the reception is done, it was for all the guests to go home. The bride and groom stayed at a room in the hotel. They will be leaving to Europe for their honeymoon the next day.

              They have wedding gifts for each other. Violet gave him a motorcycle that he would whenever he has to go out for emergency errands, she also gave him a bed and clothes for his beloved dog, Furball. Jacob gave her some jewelry, dresses, shoes, books about pregnancy and babies and he also gave some clothes for her pet cats, Ovaltine and Ginger. He told her that he has one more gift for her but he can't tell her what it is and that it would be ready in about two years from now. They are so generous to each other.

              For their honeymoon, they went to France and the city that they visited was Paris, the fashion capital of the world. They went strolling down the Champs-Elysees and they also went to the South of France. They also went to Italy particularly to Venice, Milan and Rome. They went boating along the Venetian canal and in Rome, they went to visit old Roman churches and museums where they were so impressed by the artistic paintings that were well preserved. They did a lot of shopping in Milan. They also went to Great Britain to see London. They were so amazed at the wonderful scenery and picturesque views that they have seen. They can truly say that the world is full of wonderful and beautiful places waiting to be visited and explored. Going to Europe's most beautiful cities for them was like a dream. The views were so spectacular and they made sure that they were able to take lots of pictures during the trip. They also did a lot of shopping. They bought a lot of souvenirs to bring to their family and friends who are waiting for them back home. It was surely a memorable trip for both of them. It is their first time to go to Europe and the next time they would travel it would be to the United States of America to see New York and other beautiful cities there.

              They went home feeling very happy about the entire trip. Furball was waiting excitedly for Jacob. Jacob left him a whole lot of food and water before he left for Europe. He missed Furball so much. He bought dog food for him from the different European cities that they went to. He called his parents as soon as they arrived.

              "Hello Mom, we are back from our honeymoon. We bought a lot of things and food items for you, Dad, Ben and Hailey. We also bought the same for Violet's parents. We'll give them to you tonight. We'll be dropping by your house at about seven o'clock in the evening to give them to you", said Jacob.

              "We are so glad that both of you are back safe and sound son. We missed you a lot while you were away. Thank you so much for the presents that you bought for all of us here at the house", said his Mom.

              They spent the whole afternoon unpacking their things. Right now, they are temporarily staying at Jacob's house while the construction of their house is still on-going. It will be done including the swimming pool and the plantation maybe by the time Vincent is turning two years old.

              They went out to personally deliver the presents that they bought during their trip to Europe to each of their respective families. They were all so thankful and grateful for the presents.