Page 34 of Sold to the Highest Bidder

The sun was shining brighter than ever. It reflected off the flowers beautifully. The sound of the church bells could be heard from about ten blocks away.

The crowd cheered, clapping loudly as Nazalie and Joshua kissed. They ran down the long church corridor, hand in hand, passing friends and family. Nazalie threw her bouquet to the crowd andturned to Joshua, grinning ear to ear. The newlyweds smiled at each other. Their happy expressions stayed in place till after they arrived in the reception suite.

It was an outdoor reception. The large green field was covered in several white gazebos, and there were flowers everywhere. It was a perfect spring wedding, like Nazalie wanted. Joshua was happy to concur with her every suggestion.

The whole atmosphere was joyous and peaceful. Children danced around the married couple, so did the other couples. Both their mothers were there. Rosa was all smiles as she looked at the newlywed couple. Nazalie was such a great help, taking her out to quiet places until she got used to the outside world. She finally went to a doctor and got a prescription for meds that aided in managing her pain.

Dina had been doing so much better since her discussion with Nazalie months go. She had completed her thirty-day stint in rehab. She still attended AA meetings and has been sober for almost eleven months.Nazalie was even happier to have her mom at her side working at her newly opened bakery,Red Velvet.It had been almost six months since her bakery Red Velvet opened and business had picked up quickly. Nazalie couldn’t have been more excited about that. The old bakery had been fully demolished and Joshua’s new office building now stood in the old spot. Nazalie had found a small commercial property for her bakery near Joshua’s new offices. All of her dreams had come true.

Nazalie and Joshua were in a world of their own. Some parts of Nazalie still couldn't believe that she was married. Everything that happened last year seemed like a dream. And if it was, she didn't care anymore. She'd keep dreaming blissfully.

Joshua couldn't believe she agreed to marry him. He still felt like he didn't deserve her. She was too good for him, too pure. He made a secret vow to her that he would never do anything to make her cry. He would make sure he made her laugh as often as possible. He would do whatever it took to keep her happy. Her happiness was his happiness.

"How are our new 'Mr.' and 'Mrs.' doing?"

Dina's voice snapped them out of their lovestruck haze.

"We're fine, Dina," Joshua said, smiling. He looked dashing in the Tux. Nazalie had never seen him in one before, so she was pleasantly surprised. She still couldn't believe Joshua was all hers now. She circled the wedding rings on her finger.

"Nazalie?"

"Yes?"

"I was asking Joshua when I should be expecting my grandchildren."

Nazalie smiled. She had almost forgotten how embarrassing her mother could be. She seemed to have no qualms with the fact that her little girl was having sex. She was asking for grandchildren.

Nazalie turned to Joshua, looking into his eyes. She was rubbing her stomach through the extra material of her ball style wedding gown.

"Hmmm in about five months – give or take."