Chapter 96— An End To The Feud?

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss...." The officiating minister paused and let out a chuckle. The guest burst out laughing. Lena and Henderson were so busy lost in each other mouths that the laughter of the guest didn't matter to them. "I guess they can't wait, they're already doing it. Congratulations Mr and Mrs Bain." "I'm pretty sure they don't mind leaving for their honeymoon right away, " Brian teased in a loud voice, a burst of laughter filled the wedding hall. This time Lena and Henderson broke the kiss. Henderson's hands were wrapped firmly around Lena's waist, her hands encircled his neck. They gazed into each other's eyes their heart racing in perfect sync, " I love you, Wifey." Henderson purred pulling her in a warm embrace. A blush crept on Lena's cheeks her lips curved up happily. "I love you, hubby." Lena breathed out as they broke the hug. It felt so surreal, they were finally married. She just tied the knot with the man she loved, the man of her dreams. That was all that mattered at that second, she was with the one she loved. The moment Lena walked down the aisle with Trent and Itzel by her sides, Henderson couldn't take his eyes off her. He didn't even realise the moment tears of joy started to stream down his cheeks. He couldn't wait to get done with the wedding vows and now they were finally married, he was married to the woman his heart beats for the woman who showed him the true meaning of love. She was his soulmate and they were going to be together, loving each other and showering their kids with so much love. Yesterday was a tough one for them, after Alia and Madam Carmen had walked in they didn't let Lena and Henderson finish talking on the phone. Alia took the phone from Lena and told Henderson to hang up after which she returned the phone to Irene who was laughing hard at Lena considering the fact that Cleo and Lena made her upset. Lena just walked out of the room, she met Itzel and Trent downstairs and they asked her what the problem was when they saw the sad look on her face. They inquired if it was because Henderson was away and they didn't even need a response from Lena to come to a conclusion that that was indeed the reason why she had a gloomy visage. After Henderson and Lena were done signing their marriage certificate they went back to their seats. When Lena saw her mom walk up to the centre of the stage and take hold of the microphone, the flabbergast overcame her and she just sat and stared, too shocked to comprehend what she was seeing. Her gaze darted to Henderson the moment she felt his hand envelop hers, he squeezed her palm soothingly and smiled at her. From the expression on his face, she could tell he wasn't surprised to see her mom which meant he probably knew about her presence. But Lena was stunned, she hadn't seen her mother anywhere in the premises earlier, or did she wait or hide somewhere else until now? Or did she just come in? "Hello everyone!" Lena was forced to put a halt on her thoughts when her mother's voice echoed in the hall making her gaze in her direction. Lena took slow breaths as she gazed at Henderson. Henderson cupped her face with his palms and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry baby, she won't do anything you won't like. It's going to be fine." Henderson reassured. Lena nodded a small smile formed on her face before she shifted her gaze to the stage taking in the sight of her mother. She never expected to see her mother here today, she could swear her mom was never going to attend her wedding, her mom had said that herself but what changed? That she didn't know. "I'm Marianne Cohen, mother of the bride. I am what you would call the worst mother ever, I did things I should never have done without even pausing for a second to think about the hurt my words and actions caused, I was so blinded by rage and the need to blame others for my problems that I couldn't even do the right thing. I made my daughter Lena's life a living hell, I blamed her for the death of my husband which was never her fault. I failed to realise that she had also lost a father. " By the time Lena's mom completed the last words tears were rolling down her cheeks, her voice cracking as she spoke. She sniffed in tears before she continued. "I feel ashamed to call myself your mom because I don't deserve you Lena or your sister Irene. I became overbearing and inconsiderate. I called you names Lena and I treated you like my enemy." Deafening silence had found its way into the hall, puzzled glances were exchanged by the guests. After taking a sharp breath and slowly exhaling Lena's mom sauntered in Lena's direction. "I remember you invited me to your engagement, and I said I wasn't going to attend and I didn't. I even hurled insults at you and slapped your Fiance, but still, you invited me to your wedding and I turned down the invitation until Henderson made me realise how stupid, selfish, and foolish I've been all these years." Lena's mom nibbled on her lower lips, tears crinkled in the corner of her eyes but she didn't bother to try to stop them from streaming down her cheeks. "I've realised how inhumane and unfairly I've treated you and Trent. I've been cruel to both and I have no words to justify my actions. Please forgive me, my daughter, I know I have disappointed your father, you Irene, and everyone else. I apologise to you, " Lena's mom made to go on her knees before Lena but Lena sprang up to her feet and put both hands around her stopping her from kneeling. Lena shook her head, her eyes welled up with tears. "You don't have to kneel before me, Mom. I forgive you." Lena let out with a smile wrapping her arms around her mother in a warm embrace. Both Lena and her mother broke into tears hugging each other. Lena's mom pulled away from the hug and put her hands on Lena's shoulders. Her eyes narrowed in disbelief, she sobbed wriggling her head. "You forgive me?" Lena nodded in response, she cracked a smile and wiped the tears on her face. "Of course Mom, I forgive you." "Thank you so much, " Lena's mom embraced her. "Yay! Finally, it's happening. I've waited so long for this day!" Irene screamed joyfully in a loud voice rising to her feet she scooted to where her mom and Lena were standing and joined in the hug. A rave of applause and cheering filled the room from the guest. "I love you both sweeties, " Mrs Cohen smiled cupping Lena's and Irene's faces. "We love you too Mom, " they smiled. "Now where is my grandson?" Lena's mom inquired. Lena beckoned Trent who was beside Henderson to come to them. Mrs Cohen crouched in front of Trent as he stood in front of her. She wrapped her arms around him engulfing him in an embrace, she kissed his cheeks and smoothed his hair after breaking the hug. "I'm so sorry my boy. I hope you forgive me." Trent looked up at Lena and then Henderson before returning his gaze to Mrs Cohen. "I love you, Grandma," he mumbled hugging her. "I love you, Trent, " she grinned kissing his cheeks before rising to her feet. "And this is...." Mrs Cohen mumbled pointing to Itzel who was beside Lena. "Itzel, " Lena completed putting her hand around Itzel's shoulder. "Mommy, is this your mommy who has always made you cry?" Itzel's brows furrowed in a frown as she peered at Lena's mom. Lena let out a sigh, she wondered how she was going to explain things to Itzel. "Itzel.... It's..." Lena stuttered she couldn't come up with any reasonable sentence. "Yes, I used to be a bad Mommy to your mommy but henceforth I promise to be a good mommy and a good grandma to you and Trent." Lena's mom chipped in calmly patting Itzel's head. "Henderson, thank you for loving my daughter. For being there for her, Trent, and Irene. Thank you so much." "I'm honoured to be a part of their lives. You birthed an amazing woman and I love her, she turned my life around and filled our lives with so much love and joy. We are glad that she is a part of our lives. She is my life, my soulmate and I love her very much." Henderson stated wrapping his arm around Lena's waist. He kissed her and this made the guests go wild as they kept cheering the couple on. Mrs Cohen giggled as she stared at both of them. "I wish you both so much happiness and the life you dream of. Stay blessed sweeties, " she smiled placing one hand each on their shoulders as they turned to face her. After the making up and exchange of pleasantries between Lena's mom, Alia, Madam Carmen, and the rest of Henderson's and Lena's friends, Lena and Henderson went around the hall to appreciate the guest on Lena's saying. Left for Henderson, he couldn't wait for them to get out of the reception premises and head for their honeymoon but Lena wanted them to exchange pleasantries with some of the guests. "Hi, congratulations to you two." Maya put on a polite smile when she stopped in front of Henderson and Lena. "Thank you, Maya." Lena smiled but Henderson had a different reaction, a scowl marred his features he gave Maya a dirty look and his upper lip lifted in scorn as he perked at her with eyes blazing with intense coldness and dislike. "What are you doing here, Maya?" His stern voice came, his eyes not leaving her even for a second.