She's My Sleeping Pill

The priest presided over the ceremony and when they got into the reading of their vows, Cayenne was at a loss for what she should do. She never prepared anything and surely, a wedding can’t be done without her giving her wedding vow. “Don’t worry,” Stefan muttered while gently squeezing her hands. “Just say what you truly feel.”

“Today, as we witness the unity of this couple, let us hear their wedding vows for each other.”

To give her time, Stefan signaled the staff to give him the microphone. His smile was so bright, you could light up your whole room with it. It was evident on his face just how happy he was at this moment. “I won’t promise that you will always be happy with me around. I know we’ll face more obstacles that will test our relationship as husband and wife, but I can promise you that I will always be there along the way. I will stay awake at night to lull our babies to sleep. I will cook your meals when you’re craving. I will show the world whenever you wanted. Basically, I will spoil you rotten.”

“You are spoiling her already before you even get married,” Travis shouted from the crowd which made the guests laugh again.

“As if you don’t do that to your wife.” Stefan retorted before going back to say his vow “Ayen, this life and the next, and the next after that, I will love you faithfully. I will give you my greatest love. There’s no one else for me but you. If our time here ends and God asks me about my accomplishments, I will give your name. I will thank Him for giving you to me because everything in my life felt right when I met you. You are my joy, my strength, my light but never my weakness. You are His greatest gift to me.”

The adults who knew what happened to Stefan while growing up couldn’t stop themselves from weeping silently. The young boy who was insecure and lonely, the neglected heir of the Dumrique family has grown with the help of his friends and people who cared for him. He may have done something spiteful in his youthful days but ever since Cayenne came into his life, he has changed. He learned forgiveness. He learned about second chances. He has spread his wings strong and wide.

.....

“Tisha.” Cory, Stefan’s grandmother muttered while looking at his grandson, “I wish you can witness your son like this. I wish you can see how much he has grown.”

Hearing her wishful plea, Stanley could only rub his mother’s back to comfort her. Although this was a happy event, they also longed for an important person to come and witness this event. Unfortunately, it would not happen. Or so they thought.

After Stefan’s vow, the staff moved the microphone to Cayenne. With trembling hands, she took it and took a deep breath. “You see, I wasn’t informed that I’d get married today. Now, I don’t even have a well-written vow.” The guests chuckled once again knowing the plight she was in for this surprise wedding. “Anyway, there’s this song that I always hummed whenever a big bear asks me for a lullaby. It’s not exactly a lullaby and he has never heard of the lyrics before. He never knew that I have always sung him the vow I wanted to say for the longest time now.” Counting to three, she closed her eyes before turning to Stefan and opening them again.

“Enchanted world of love and fairy tales

These are things that you showed me

Whenever I fear waking up without you beside me

Your hugs and whispers brighten my day

I promise to love you no matter what

To always do the little things to make you happy

I promise to make you laugh

To laugh together with our family

Hearing words of fear and insecurities

Things that you chased away for me

When somebody asks me what I see in you,

I say you are the future the one I belong to.

I promise to love you no matter what

To always do the little things to make you happy

I promise I won’t break your heart

To love you faithfully and eternally.

Cayenne’s voice wasn’t as beautiful as those singers in Disney’s but she wasn’t tone-deaf. The sound was melodious as she performed her wedding vow in a song. Stefan never expected that on those nights that she hummed this song to sleep, she was singing him a wedding vow. His chest felt full from the love and passion in her eyes. If they weren’t having their wedding, he probably whisked her away already.

Jillyanna was smiling happily while listening to the song but tears were hanging onto her lashes even though she tried to stop them from falling.

After she sang her song, many guests gave her warm applause.

“Stefan, you must never cheat on her! You can never find anyone who will sing you a wedding vow to sleep!”

“You are one lucky man, dude!”

Stefan didn’t have to say the words stuck in his throat. There was no way he would cheat on her. Not even in his wildest nightmare. No!

After the wedding vow, the two of them exchanged their rings and this time, Cayenne wanted to just faint on the spot. Last time, she received a gift from Ferdinand, an heirloom that should be passed down to the first lady of their family. It should have been given to Julia if they didn’t have a fallout. Now, it was sitting inside Stefan’s vault. She was so afraid to wear it in public.

Now, without even telling her the price, Cayenne could tell that it was no cheap ring. Even if she works for five lifetimes, she could not probably buy this ring.

“I offer you my faith, for as long as we both shall live, to wear upon your hand the symbol of our love and unity,” Stefan said after the priest and slipped the ring onto Cayenne’s finger.

Since Stefan prepared for this wedding long ago, she already expected to find a ring for himself. And there was. She followed what the priest told her to say and slipped the ring on Stefan’s finger.

“With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

“Oh, I’ve been waiting for this,” Stefan whispered, bringing a deep blush to Cayenne’s face.

“Stefan, don’t show your true color,” Monet yelled from the crowd making the other guests laugh again. It wasn’t a boring ceremony at all.

Even when the wedding ended and they got into the reception, Cayenne still felt like she was walking on cloud nine. She was unable to wrap her head around the idea of her grand wedding that just happened a few minutes ago.

“I’m probably in heaven.” She whispered and closed her eyes next to Stefan.

***

“Let’s go back to your room. You need to sleep now.” The woman pulled the wheelchair away from the television and pushed it to the room next to the living room. They just finished watching the fairytale-like wedding of Cayenne and Stefan which was a surprise coverage from selected media after they got permission from Stefan.

She wondered what was going on in her patient’s head. If only she can talk or write, or at least nod or shake her head, she would have known what better things she could do for her.