The Marvelous Elijah’s Return

They are all there

Gazing calmly at her reflection in the mirror, Peach just stared, trying to find words to describe what she was feeling as she smiled softly, whispering, “I’m getting married…”

Many mixed emotions were running through her mind, and some of them seemed a little too loud for her to be silent, but she was happy, ecstatic even.

For so long, it felt like this would be a day that would never come, marrying Elijah was something she never really thought would happen, but here she was, about to wed him.

“Why am I so shaky?” She giggled out nervously, not knowing how to handle the rush of emotions flowing through her as her heartbeat raised. “Peach, honey,” Miss Grace’s sudden voice echoed from outside her bedroom door, causing her to flinch slightly. “Can I come in?”

“Yes, mama,” Peach called out, looking back at her door frame.

A second later, Miss Grace came inside, closing the door behind her with a smile on her face, crying softly, “My baby.”

Since Albert died, it had just been her and her daughter, against the world without the comfort and protection of her husband, and now that Peach was about to get married too, she couldn’t help but worry, feel sad, and yet, she was overjoyed. “Mama, I am going to cry if you start sobbing,” Peach muttered, turning to look at her reflection once again and laughing softly as she wiped her tears away. Silence took over as Miss Grace walked over to her daughter, hugging her from the back, and resting her head gently on Peach’s hair, smiling at her reflection. “Do you think papa will be proud of me is… if he was with… Umm, if he was right here beside you and me?” Peach whispered, tears slowly starting to form in her eyes, her heart breaking as she looked at her mother who was sobbing silently. “Of course, he will be, my dear,” Miss Grace replied, kissing Peach’s hair softly. “If anyone is capable of being proud of you right now, more than I am, it’ll be your father.” A calming silence took over as both mother and daughter uttered no words, and yet, a lot was said through raw emotion and silent tears.

After a moment passed, Peach pulled away from her mother’s embrace, wiping her tears away and smiling brightly, but she felt a great sense of embarrassment as she chuckled nervously, mumbling, “How did you stay married to papa for so long… and how did you make him have eyes… only for you, umm… Also, how did you know papa still loved you after so many years of being together.”

Averting her eyes away from her mother, for a moment, she continued to laugh awkwardly and scratch the back of her head shyly, and mumbled, “When he got mad at you, how did you keep the peace? Did he ever get sick of being together with you?” “Peach, honey,” Miss Grace giggled, placing one hand on Peach’s cheek and rubbing her thumb over her skin gently, wiping away any stray tears before smiling lovingly at her daughter “There is only so much you can do as a wife. Marriage depends on both sides to inake the relationship work.”

“But you made it work for years, mama, didn’t you?” “Of course… I and your papa made it work.”

Peach sighed out sadly and looked down, biting her lip before whispering, “I wish papa was here. He could’ve told me what made

“Marriage is not a simple thing you can control, Peach, but I have

Peach blurted out quickly, wiping off the last traces of tears. Even though Elijah had been standing at the door longer than he intended and had heard more than he should, he smiled faintly, and his voice softened as he said, “Hey… umm… Are you

out, staring straight

aisle…” Just like that, those words caused a small giggle to leave Peach’s mouth and she laughed lightly,

leave you to do your thing because according to popular superstitions, it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. So I can’t do what I really want to do right now…”

Peach let out, smiling widely and blushing, wishing she could rush out of the room and stare into his eyes, wanting to see how beautiful they would look

uttered with a

lobby, a sense of relief settled down in him, feeling glad that he didn’t pressure Peach when she turned down the offer to do her set-up for today at some pompous hotel because after hearing what she said to her mother, her excuse

is something that holds most of her memories with her father, the good and sad times, and her getting ready in place should give her that sense of Albert’s presence and love. “She’s available for you guys,” Elijah said calmly, looking at the stylists and

room door burst open as James, Matt, Ryan, and Rookie walked in on

staring at Elijah’s outfit “Yep.” Elijah replied as he put on a

himself.

Ryan and Matt, wearing Pink suits, and James and Rookie in grey “I have never been a bridesmaid before…” Matt playfully, chuckling under his breath.

making everyone go quiet as he picked it off the table and answered,

got eyes on the beach and the motel, and so far, everything seems to be going smoothly, but…” Jerome replied on the other line, and Elijah could tell

“Yes, boss, even Melina.”

thugs that were invited by Elijah to bring a plus one with them to fill up the seats, so