Love Without Eyes II

Chapter One

Lucia watched as the long night turned into dawn. It was until then that she felt her eyelids become heavy enough to shut close.

She saw herself heading towards the bedroom. She could hear giggles coming from the room. Her heart was beating in anticipation as she slowly pushed the slightly open door ajar. It was Ted and Anita in bed together. They turned to glance at the intruder. She gasped in shock.

Lucia woke up with a start. She touched her chest to find her heart beating faster than normal. She buried her face in her palms. Her door burst open and her mother entered.

"You're awake already! How did you sleep?"
"I didn't catch much sleep."
"That's normal; the anxiety keeps you awake for most part of the night. Come on, let's get you something to eat. You need to look good today. The make-up artist and the others will be here in an hour and half. You have to be ready by then," Mrs. Baker said.

"Mum?"
"Yes darling."
"How did you know dad was the one?" Lucia asked.

"I just knew; of course there were little things that made me a bit uneasy but I knew deep inside me that he was the one for me. Why do you ask? Are you getting cold feet?"

Lucia shook her head as she bit her lower lip. Her mother touched her chin, making her look at her.

"It will be fine; it does feel scary, going into a lifetime relationship like this. You start asking yourself if you're ready for it or whether he is the right one or if the timing is wrong. But when something feels like it's meant to be, it usually is. It's okay to feel anxious and a bit unsure but do not doubt the conviction of your heart," she said softly.

Lucia nodded. She got up and hugged her mother.

Ted tried Lucia's number but it was switched off. He threw the phone on the bed in frustration. He began pacing the room. His mother entered the room.

"Honey, why aren't you ready yet? Time's not really on our side here."
"Have you heard from Lucia?" He asked.

"No; why, should I have?" Ted did not reply but resumed his pacing.

"Is everything okay? You can tell me."
"She came over yesterday."
"And?"
"Let's just say we didn't part on the best of terms," Ted simply said.

"What could you possibly fight about on the eve of your wedding?" Ted was quiet.

"Whatever. So what, you think she's going to call it off?" she asked.

"That's what I'm not really sure of."
"What was the fight about?"
"I don't want to get into that right now. I just want to know if she's okay."
"Okay, fine; I'll call her mother and find out."

"Thanks, mum."
"Whatever it is, I hope you two find a solution to it immediately. And hurry up with your dress-up already. We don't have all day," she said and walked out of his room. Ted stood in front of the mirror and began wearing his tie.

Mrs. Baker stood at the door gazing at her daughter admiringly as she was being dressed up. Her phone rang. She answered it.

"Hi! How are things going at your end?"
"So far so good; yours?"
"It's going well. She's dressing up at the moment."

"Okay, thank God; that means all's well."
"Of course it is; why would you think otherwise?"
"Ted was worried. Apparently, they had some sort of fight yesterday so he's being all jumpy about Lucia's emotional state. Does she seem okay?"
Sarah took a closer look at her daughter. She stared absent-mindedly into the mirror as the ladies went about their work busily.

"She does seem a bit distracted but she's okay. Don't worry, we'll be family at the end of the day." Mrs. Bourbon chuckled.

"Good to know. Could you tell her Ted sends his love? Perhaps that could bring a smile on her distracted face."

"Of course and tell young Bourbon not to fret. His bride will be ready soon."
"Okay; see you at the church. Bye." The line went dead. Sarah walked up to her daughter and gently touched her shoulder. Lucia turned to look at her.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concern rising in her voice.

"Oh yeah, just have a couple of things on my mind; that's all."

Sarah turned her attention to the ladies.

"Could you please give us a minute? I wish to speak with my daughter in private."
"Sure, ma'am." They left the room.
"You look a bit down. Is it about your fight with young Bourbon yesterday?" Lucia looked at her mum.

"I was on phone with his mother a minute ago. Ted is a bit restless but I told her to let him know that you're okay and still ready to marry him. I didn't lie, did I?"
"I'll be okay, mum."
"What did you two argue about? Why is it bothering you this much?"
"It's nothing; we'll sort it out."
"You better. I'm going to call them back so they'll get you ready. If you need anything, let me know, okay?"
"Yes mother."

Ted glanced at his watch nervously. He felt a trail of sweat speeding down his back. Mrs. Bourbon could read the anxiety on his son's face. Her phone beeped. It was a message from Sarah Baker. She heaved a sigh of relief. She walked to Ted and whispered in his ear, "She's here, Ted."
Instantly, relief washed over his countenance. She squeezed his arm gently.

"I'm going to check up on her."
"Thanks, mum."

Mrs. Bourbon met Lucia's mother outside the waiting room in the church.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, she said she needed a minute alone," Sarah informed her.

"What could they have possibly argued about?" Mrs. Bourbon asked.

"I have no idea and from the look of things, none of them want to tell us about it. I just hope she won't walk out when they are exchanging vows. Monique can get that dramatic sometimes," Sarah pointed out.

"May I go in and see her?" Mrs. Bourbon asked.

"Sure; maybe you can calm her nerves better I can."

Lucia was staring out the window when the door opened.

"You're looking heavenly, darling." Lucia turned and smiled when she glanced at her soon-to-be mother-in-law. She walked towards her and held her hands.

"Are you okay enough to go through with this? Because if you need some time to clear your head, we could always postpone it."
"No, no, I'm good. I just needed a minute."
"Cold feet?" Lucia chuckled.

"Yeah, maybe," Lucia admitted.

"You're going to make a wonderful wife to Ted, I know it. You just have to believe it." She nodded. Tears threatened to form in her eyes.

"Could you do me one little favor?" Lucia asked.

"Sure, name it."
"Could you make sure Anita doesn't come anywhere near this premises?"
Mrs. Bourbon's eyes widened. "Is your fight about her?"
"Not really; I just would feel more comfortable if I knew she wouldn't be here."
"Sure of course; I'll get right to it."
"Thanks." They hugged.

"See you inside," she said with a smile and left the room.

The few minutes that passed after his mother left him felt like hours. He wanted to walk down the aisle to find out what was going on but he didn't want to make the congregation wonder what was going on. But how long was he going to wait here? When he took the first step, the doors opened.

He sighed as he took the step back.