03

Theora just shyly nodded. That was when Yiayia also entered the room. Theora screamed internally it was embarrassing enough to get the talk from her mother but Yiayia too !

« Look at you. You look so beautiful » smiled Yiayia admiring her before dry spitting on the ground in front of Theora to ward off the evil eye.

« My dear » Yiayia paused as she sat next to Theora on the other side of the couch « You have a very difficult journey ahead of you but you must never for even for a second bring down the Botsaris name. You are to keep your husband happy and pleased so tomorrow your in-laws don’t blame us saying we taught you nothing. You are the glue that binds both our families together and you must never falter with that responsibility dear »

Theora nodded again to keep both women pleased. At that moment there was a knock on the door and Carmen entered.

« Papa says its time to leave » she said

« Ah ! » clapped Yiayia « Come on we must hurry nothing good comes from being late » with that everyone got up and made their way downstairs to the awaiting limos.

Theora sat in a limo with her bridesmaids and Carmen, of course, being the maid of honor while her parents and Yiayia went in a separate limo.

« The girl is nervous Demos » Yiayia told her son

« Mama it’s normal for a girl to be nervous on her wedding day. Don’t worry » he replied

« You should talk to her explain to her that the family reputation is in her hands » suggested Yiayia

« Mama you and Fiona have already talked to her plus it’ll make her even more nervous than she already is »

« Yes we’ve taught our daughter well she knows what her responsibilities are » Fiona chimed in

« Well then don’t come crying to me if something happens in the future. I’m telling you, girls, nowadays if their husbands even coughs the wrong way they start packing their bags. »

« Mama our Theora isn’t like that » said Demos but Yiayia wasn’t having any of it shaking her head.

« Listen to me and listen to me good first I pray to god the day never comes BUT IF she comes running to us saying she wants to leave her husband we send her right back, » Yiayia tells both of them.

« As you wish Mama now cheer up the in-laws will think you’re not happy with the union » said Demos holding his mother hand and patting it. She doesn’t say anything but loosens up a bit.

Nicholas and his family were already at the church. Nicholas was chatting with the guests as his father tentatively looked at his watch. After a while, Leon motioned his son to take his place at the alter signaling to him that the bride and her family had arrived. Nicholas went to his place awaiting the bride by the priest.

Outside a very nervous Theora stood by her parents. Her nerves finally got the best of her and it was showing.

« This is your big day princess your time to shine » her father smiled giving her shoulder a quick squeeze. Theora just smiled but it faded quickly.

As the bridesmaids went inside one by one soon only Theora and her father were left in the hallway of the church.

« It’s time Theora. You ready ? » asked her father. Although she felt like she would faint any second Theora nodded and they made their way inside.

Theora kept her head down at first but slowly brought her head up meeting the gaze of the guests who had all stood up. Her heart started beating faster as she felt the presence at the top of the alter.

Nicholas kept his gaze firm on his bride as she made her way down the aisle. She was beautiful not only that stunning actually but he put the thought aside telling himself that his freedom mattered more than any girl.

Theora raised her gaze to meet that of the stranger who soon was to be her husband. He was truly handsome as described but her anxiousness caused her to look away. She squeezed her father’s arm tightly not wanting to let go. As they reached the end of the aisle Theora’s father patted her hand and whispered « it’s going to be fine » in her ear.

Nicholas made his way down the steps to receive Theora he had to play the part of course. As he reached out for Theora’s hand her father took his hand and placed it in Theora’s keeping them together with his. Her father kissed Theora on her temple before going to his place next to her mother and Yiayia wiping the stray tear he had been struggling to hold back.