Sudden decisions

76 - Family

Can

 "What do you call someone who is madly in love with a woman and manages to marry her not once, but twice?" Our eyes remain locked as I press an adoring kiss on her lips and, hand in hand, we prepare for the start of our second wedding ceremony. The first time had been so complicated, I was so disappointed and angry with her that I could not experience the excitement of knowing the woman I love was finally mine, mine for life. Now the officiant's words and our yes, shouted at the top of our lungs, are the happy epilogue our story was missing.
Husband and wife at last.
The applause and hugs from our loved ones at the end of the ceremony move us so much, because this time everything is true. I read in their eyes the joy for us, for our happy ending. They know what we had to go through and understand what a miracle it is to have managed to overcome all the obstacles to build a life together.

One of them is Metin, and the words my lifelong friend addresses to me are capable of moving me to the depths. "Abi, brother, I have lived and suffered with you every stage of your story. I knew you were madly in love with this woman and I always knew you would eventually find a way to love her despite everything and everyone, I am happy for you."
Without words I can only hold him in a brotherly embrace, which is even more important since my only brother is not only not close to me, but I know very well that he did everything he could so that I would lose the woman of my life forever.

Then it's the turn of Sanem's parents, Mevkibe, who pulls me into a warm embrace, smiling touched. "Can, we always believed in you, we knew you were in love with our daughter and, despite the difficulties, you managed to make things work between you. Welcome to the family oğul, son". A motherly embrace from her that soothes a latent pain that I know has been part of me since childhood when, in order to survive, I decided to hate that woman whose selfishness left deep wounds in the hearts of those she should have loved and protected instead. I hold her tighter to me to show her all my affection and, at the same time, comfort that man cub who has never accepted being abandoned by his own mother. "Thank you Mrs Mevkibe, you don't know how much your words please me".

She smiles through tears of emotion "What lady , call me anne, mama . You are the son my husband and I never had, in our eyes you are just like Sanem and Layla, you are part of our family". I look up at Nihat who nods smilingly and I feel honoured and excited by the affection they are showing for me. "Teşekkür ederim, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart ... anne'. And as I speak these words, I realise that this is yet another way in which the Aydins, all of them, are filling my life with love, warmth, family.

And then I want to give them a present, I think there is no more meaningful moment to do so. I melt away from Mevkibe's embrace, but I take her with me and putting an arm on Nihat's shoulders I guide them towards my wife who is talking to some guys from the agency. I clap my hands to attract the attention of all the guests. "Arkadaşlar, friends. I would like a moment of your attention." I move next to Sanem taking her hand. "We want to thank you for being here today, we know that it may seem strange to celebrate a wedding twice, but many of you know that we felt the need to renew our vows which now have a deeper meaning than ever" I turn towards Sanem, I bring her hand to my lips looking at her with all the adoration I feel for her and which I am now no longer afraid to express. We exchange an excited and happy smile, then I turn my attention back to the guests.

"You are an important part of our lives, a part we couldn't do without, we wanted you here today to share in the joy of our best day but not only ..." I let go of Sanem's hand taking me behind her, I intertwine our hands and place them on her abdomen that begins to round " ... we also want to take this opportunity to share with you our happiness at the arrival of a new life that will soon make our family complete". The exclamations of jubilation and thunderous applause that follow my words are proof of how lucky we are and how much affection surrounds us.

We find ourselves submerged in hugs and congratulations from so many future uncles, my lifelong friends like Sanem's neighbourhood friends and the guys from Fikri Harika, all ready to welcome our baby into this big, weird extended family that has been created around us. 

Sanem 

I find myself inundated with hugs, kisses, congratulations... this day never ceases to give me extraordinary emotions. First the huge surprise of the wedding, taken care of in every detail by the man I love most in my life, and now unexpectedly I hear him announce my pregnancy to family and friends. Somehow he is putting back together every piece, every detail of a relationship that he had to overcome so much to arrive at this immense happiness.

"My little girl". My mother pulls me into an excited embrace resting a hand on my abdomen. "Oh Sanem, but how many months old are you?"- She pulls away from me to cast a puzzled glance at the already quite accentuated roundness, I prepare to answer fearing retaliation from her in discovering the truth when it is Can who answers in my place. "Anne, we will calmly explain everything to you, suffice it to say that you won't have to wait even five months to become grandparents" He smiles at mye holding me close to his side and resting his large hand protectively on my abdomen." We did it for you, we knew you would be eager to meet your granddaughter". Mine eyes widen. "It's a girl? Do you already know the sex?" I smile, elbowing Can. "Stop it, what if it doesn't turn out to be a girl? Don't delude my parents."

He pulls me even closer to his side. "If it doesn't turn out to be a girl, it means we will have to try our luck again soon, because I want a little erkenci kus, who looks like her mother in every way, to be cuddled and spoilt without restraint. My parents follow this exchange of jokes, smiling delightedly as my sister comes to pull me into an enthusiastic hug. "Oh Sanem, little sister, how could you not tell me anything until now? It doesn't matter, the important thing is that ... I'M GOING TO BE AUNTIEEEE!!!" I feel my heart burst from the joy this day is bringing me. I squeeze even tighter to my husband and whisper in his ear.
"Teşekkür ederim, thank aşkım, my love".
He lays a kiss on my forehead smiling.
"Thank you Sanem my love, for agreeing to take my hand and come away with me from that party. That sudden decision was the best decision I could have made, I took my destiny by the hand and I have every intention of never letting go of it again."