Oleg raised his glass. ‘A toast to Mum and Mikhail. May your love be as bright and long-lasting as these lights,’ he said, and everyone clinked glasses. ‘To Mum and Mikhail!’ everyone repeated, their faces full of joy and support. I looked at my children, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. “Thank you all for being here and for everything you’ve done. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better family,‘ I said, my voice trembling with emotion. ’Mum, we wouldn’t have missed this for the world,‘ said Benjamin, smiling warmly. Oleg nodded. ’Yes, we’re so happy to see you happy again.”
But despite the laughter and love that surrounded me, part of my heart ached for Emilia, my estranged daughter. I couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever forgive me. Her absence was a constant reminder of the pain that still remained. ‘Emilia would have loved this,’ I said quietly, more to myself than to anyone else. Michael squeezed my hand. ‘She may still change her mind, Margarita. Give her time.’ ‘I hope so,’ I replied, trying to push the sadness away.
The next day, my heart pounded as I stood next to Michael, face to face with the master of ceremonies in our picturesque outdoor venue. Flowers and twinkling lights created a magical atmosphere, but nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.
‘If anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace,’ said the master of ceremonies. My four children stood together, their faces serious. ‘We object!’ they said in unison. My heart sank. Just yesterday, everything had been so perfect.
Before I could ask, Jacob spoke up. ‘You can’t get married, Mum, at least not without one person.’ The children parted, creating a passage. And there she was. Emilia. I couldn’t believe my eyes! She was walking towards us, tears streaming down her face. My emotions were boiling inside me, almost overflowing.
‘Mum, I’m so sorry,’ she said in a trembling voice. Tears welled up in my eyes as I rushed to hug her. “Forgive me, Mum. I blamed you for Dad’s death, but over the years I’ve realised how unfair that was,‘ she added, pulling away. ’He made a choice, and you fulfilled his wish. I was too hurt to see that.”
When Ivan was suffering from his illness, he made me sign a document. It said that if his heart stopped, we would not be resuscitated. I fulfilled his wish, and it broke my heart. Emilia was devastated and said I had killed him. She disappeared from my life, and I was afraid I would never see her again.
‘I missed you so much, sweetheart,’ I said to her. ‘I tried to get in touch, to explain, but I understand why you couldn’t hear me then.’ Emilia hugged me again, and we both cried as we made peace. “I don’t want you to start this new chapter in your life without knowing that I support you. Mikhail seems like a wonderful person, and I want to be part of your life again. Thank you to my brothers for inviting me here,‘ she said. Mikhail stepped forward, gently taking Emilia’s hand. ’Emilia, I’ve heard so much about you. Your mother loves you very much. This is all for her.”
With tears in my eyes and my heart full, I turned to the officiant. ‘Let’s continue,’ I said. Mikhail and I exchanged vows, and when the officiant declared us husband and wife, we shared our first kiss as a married couple. The reception was even better. My five children were together and happy.
Emilia raised her glass for a toast and looked at Mikhail and me. ‘To new beginnings, to love and to family. To Mum and Mikhail and to us all being together again.’ The room responded with cheers and the clinking of glasses. I looked around, my heart overflowing with gratitude and a sense of fulfilment. My family was together again, and I was starting a new chapter with everyone I loved by my side.