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Resting a hand against the wall for a second when the room began to spin again and she felt a dizziness come over her, Julieta closed her eyes with a groan and allowed herself a moment to take some slow breaths with the hope it would help. She had been feeling like this since the start of the week, under the weather and as though she could faint at any second given her level of dizziness, but she had succeeded in keeping how she was truly feeling from her familia for the moment.
Now, if only she could keep up the act until the wedding celebrations came to an end and Dolores and Mariano left to go on their honeymoon. It was only another three days and she had pushed through the past four, so how hard could it be?
Once her head felt clearer and she was sure she would be able to stand unaided without keeling over, she headed back to the table to go on working on the cake. Dolores never did anything by half, so it came as no surprise to her when the girl found her and showed her the plans she came up with. She wanted eight layers, all of them chocolate, with a miniature bride and groom on top and intricate gold detailing over the icing. Not being one to turn down a challenge when it was on her doorstep, she agreed to do it then and there but had since come to see she had terribly underestimated just how much work was going to have to go into it.
All eight layers were baked and stored away, ready to be stacked when the time came, but her feeling unwell had slowed her down and there was still so much to get done with so little time to do it in. Antonio, bless him, had given up his whole afternoon to help her bake a few days ago - though he had done more licking of the bowls and utensils than actual baking - and she appreciated it more than she could put into words, but what she seriously needed was another three arms and something to put a spring back in her step. Her husband would suggest that she made something, to use it to feel better, but she decided long ago not to do that.
Her wonderful gift was given to her so she could help others, to be of service to those around her when they were in need, and she felt it would be more than wrong for her to use it for her own gain. No, she would simply have to wait it out.
Continuing to work on the buttercream that she prayed would hold all the layers in place, she added some sugar to the butter and vanilla extract in the bowl and started to mix it all together, but she had barely any time to get stuck in because her esposo soon came walking into the room. “Leave that until the morning and come to bed, mi amor, before you make yourself sick,” He told her while walking over to the table. “I know this is important to you and you have a lot to get done before the wedding, but you need to sleep. I can ask Mira to help you tomorrow.”
“I can manage,” She shook her head. “You go up, I’ll be there in un minuto.”
“Un minuto in your world is an hour in mine,” He smirked, wandering around the table before taking the bowl from her with one hand and running the other over her curls, the two of them sharing a smile when she gazed up into his eyes. “Am I going to have to carry you up to bed? Or are you going to do as I ask, hmm?”
Turning to him, she brought a hand to his chest through his nightshirt. “Honestly, I would love to ask you to carry me because you make it sound so romantic. I unfortunately remember ending up on the ground when you attempted to do that on our wedding night, so it may be safer for the both of us if I just walk there.”
“Good point,” He chuckled, kissing her forehead. “Come on, hermosa. Bedtime.”
Nodding, she let allowed him to take the bowl from the table and followed him to the refrigerator before he put it inside and took her by the hand so he could lead her from la cocina. It took them seconds to creep upstairs to the upper level and make their way to their bedroom and when they entered she headed straight for the wardrobe. “I have no idea why Dolores wanted such a big cake because we are never going to eat it all,” She told him as she chose a nightgown and began changing into it. “It seems like such a waste to me, that’s all, it’s so much work.”
“You know abuela will give whatever is spare to those in town,” Agustin reminded her as he climbed into bed, smiling as he watched her do the same while pulling the pins from her hair and shaking her head to free her curls. He got comfortable and let her cuddle up to him once she laid down, one hand running up and down her back and the other combing through her hair. Neither of them said a word as they laid there a while, but soon he could take it no more and he sighed. “I know you hate it when I fuss, but I wish you would just tell me you’re not feeling good.”
She looked up at him. “Hmm?”
“Juli, I know you,” He whispered, pulling her closer. “I know when you’re unwell.”
“Ay Agustin, you make it sound as though I’m about to drop dead.”
“I...I just worry about you, that’s all.”
Cuddling closer to him beneath the quilt, she tangled a leg with his and stretched up to kiss him on the cheek. “I know you do, but there is seriously no need,” She told him. “If it helps put your mind at ease, I will ask Mira to assist me tomorrow.”
“Gracias,” He smiled. “You aren’t a machine, you need to ask for help at times.”
“I just feel I should be able to manage.” She muttered.
“You do. You are the most capable person I have ever known, I mean that.”
“I love you so much, Gus.”
“And I love you,” He assured her. “Now, how about we try and get some sleep?”
“You know,” She chuckled. “I think that might be the best idea you ever had...”