TRIGGER WARNINGS:
EXPLICIT LANGUAGE
SWEARING
Fucking hell. My knees were shaking. My hands were shaking. I couldn't keep still. I was a bag of nerves, something so foreign to me. I shuffled on my feet probably looking like I needed to piss but I was just waiting for her.
We have been standing at the end of the aisle now for six minutes exactly. I know she's coming because Raf just winked at me. The venue looked beautiful, covered in the same red velvety roses I brought her. I hope she likes it. I shoved my hands into the pockets of my trousers, my classic black suit being a perfect fit to my body. I had a small red rose pinned to the pocket because she would like that.
"Relax Enzo. Do you want to hear a joke? I pissed myself this morning." Raf grinned. I laughed at his stupidity and nudged him. The guests were all murmuring amongst themselves but soon they all quietened down. Raf turned to look behind him and smiled. I didn't want to look, not until she was by my side. That was the traditional way, I think.
Raf nudged me. "It's your mom." I turned at that and saw my beautiful mom walking up the aisle towards me. She was smiling and then she stopped before me. She leaned in and hugged me, kissing my cheek. "She's nervous so tell her a joke." She whispered in my ear before brushing down my suit jacket with her hands. "My beautiful baby." She muttered before slipping away from me and taking a seat beside dad at the first pew. Dad grasped her hand and smiled at me.
Asim was behind mom and he took a spot beside Raf, being one of my groomsmen. Raf elbowed me and I turned back around, facing away from the entrance. Music began to play a soft wedding march and Isabella ran forward no doubt to throw the flower petals around. She skipped back and grabbed onto Mara's hand whispering that Lira looked like a princess. Fuck. She's going to kill me.
I heard the tap of shoes and my heart began to race. I knew Admir was giving her away and I knew that meant so much to her. It was slow, but that gave me time to breathe. To actually take in air and expel it.
I smelt her first, lilies and Admir's musk. This was it. I was the Don of the Italian-American mafia but it was Lira who made me nervous. And she alone could do that. No one else. Well mom and dad could when I was in trouble. I hadn't seen Lira for a week so when I turned around, my mouth hung open and a tear ran down my cheek.
She did look like a princess. Her dress was stunning, in white which flared down from her waist. It was dotted with diamonds. She told me she spent ages picking it out and my God did she look beautiful. Stunning, captivating. All the compliments in the world couldn't be enough. Her face was covered with a sheer veil but through it I could see her smiling.
I was still staring when Admir kissed her forehead and then let go off her, standing beside Asim. She smiled and came to stand beside me, turning to look directly at me. I cleared my throat and grinned widely. She was fiddling with her painted french manicured nails. "Raf pissed himself this morning." I blurted awkwardly. She grinned and laughed which made me feel better. "Oh I've missed you Enzo." She smiled.
The wedding officiant cleared his throat, his body being draped in a very clean robe. This was my cue so my fingers found the end of Lira's veil and I lifted it slowly over her head. She wore it for me, I'm sure. A small tiara sat atop her head and I recognised it immediately. "You're so fucking beautiful." I whispered. There would be plenty of time to talk afterwards. Then I would tell her how I've missed her and how I almost died at the alter waiting on her.
"You're perfect bello. Why did you have to look so good for?" She chuckled, raking her eyes over me.
As the officiant began to read why we had all gathered here, I couldn't keep my eyes off Lira. I was raised to be observant but at this moment in time, all I could look at was her. The small peppering of her freckles showing under her makeup, the light pinkness of her cheeks, the soft dimple in her cheek when she smiled. I've made awful decisions before but marrying her would never be one. Never.
"This ceremony celebrate the beginning of your marriage. It's a journey of love, understanding, perseverance, and dedication to one another that lasts through time. As we stand here today to mark this occasion, we remember that what matters most is not the ceremony itself, but the love and companionship you will continue to share throughout your married life together." The officiant spoke.
Married life. What does it feel like being married? I would know soon. All I knew was that Lira was the one.
"I'm aware that the bride and groom have their own vows. Would the groom like to go first?" The officiant asked turning to smile at me. I nodded and pulled out a piece of paper from my pocket. I tried to straighten it out which earned me some chuckles from everyone watching.
I cleared my throat and looked at Lira. "From the very first moment that I met you, I was head over heels for you. You are not only extremely beautiful, but you are smart, deadly and very reckless. You also made me nervous and nothing makes me nervous. The more time I spent with you, the more I fell in love with you. I mean sure we had our moments but I think I knew it, I would always come back to you. Because every time I'm with you, it feels like there's no one else in the room because I can only see you. Every time you smile and laugh, it feels like my heart is on fire from being so overwhelmed with love. What I love most about you is how you challenge me. You make me be a better man. So I need you by my side not only because I love you, but because you are my best friend and there's nothing I wouldn't do for you. You know I would murder anyone who upset you, I would gut them like goats and display their heads on spikes." I chuckled making everyone laugh. The officiant didn't think it was funny.
"But really, Lira, with you in my life, I'm happy. So happy I feel like everyday is a dream and that I could wake up any second. I wouldn't want to wake up. I know I can do anything with you by my side, because it's me and you. You've made me the happiest man alive." I finished and released a breath. I pushed the paper back into my pocket not having actually looked at it once. I had already memorised everything.
I looked to see Lira with a tear running down her face. I rubbed it away with the brush of my thumb. And I looked at her as if to say if you cry, I'll cry. She chuckled before releasing a big breath. "The brides turn." The officiant smiled warmly. We all watched as Asim handed her a crumpled piece of paper, swapping it for Lira's bouquet. Her eyes scanned over it before she tossed it to the floor.
"I don't need it. I'll speak from the heart. It was shit anyway." She chuckled to herself before she grabbed onto my hands. "Enzo, my most beautiful handsome man. You fill a hole in my life I've always had. I think I've always known it but it wasn't when I actually met you that it felt filled. It was love. That's what I was missing. Because you love me for me, with all my flaws and you never expect any more. I think I fell for you the second you opened your mouth. Because you also made me nervous. Enzo you take my breath away every single second we're together because I just want to be with you even more if that was possible. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you because I can't see my future without you in it. So if you want me to kill someone, I'd do it without hesitation. If you need someone in your corner, I'm always there. Of course I'll doubt you and push you but I'll always be on your team. You know me, I'm impulsive and stupid at times but you even me out. It's how it's supposed to be. You know happily ever after's aren't real but standing here with you today, I think they are. I love you so much and I want to spend my life with you and only you." She smiled at the end, her dark eyes big and bright.
I squeezed her hands softly and she squeezed mine back. The officiant went on about the marriage and the rings while all I could think about were her words to me. We stood facing each other and I began first, repeating the words of the officiant. "I, Vicenzo Ferrari Hernandez, take you, Lira Qesari, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." I grinned unable to stop smiling. She said the same thing to me.
Raf stepped up to me and held a small box open. Lira zoned in to it, wanting to see the rings. She plucked a ring from the small box. "Do you, Vicenzo, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The officiant asked. This was it, the moment I've been waiting for a long time. To make her mine. Two little words. Two words that slipped so easily out of my lips. "I do." And with that she placed the ring onto my finger carefully.
"Do you, Lira, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The officiant asked her when I had picked up her ring. There was another tear running down her face now but it was easy for her to also say I do. I slipped the ring onto her finger. The rings were a symbol of our love and commitment to one another. Our respect for one another. And a promise of a happy life together.
"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss." The officiant spoke and we both smiled at that. The whole room was watching us but it seemed like only her and I. She leaned forward and so did I. We kissed making sure it was a small one. We'd have time later for much better ones.
Still holding onto her hands, I felt calmer now. Lighter. My wife was in front of me. My family were around me. Everything was perfect. The future seemed so clear, so bright.
"It is with great honor and delight that I present to you Mr and Mrs Hernandez." The officiant beamed.
"Well we did it." Lira smiled. "We did. Are you nervous?" I smiled back, still holding onto her hand. "I was but not anymore. It's perfect." She sighed before looking at everyone. "Me too." I whispered before also turning to look at everyone still sitting in the pews.
Mom was crying, dad looked like he shedded a tear or two and grandad was rubbing his eyes. Everyone else seemed happy for us. Raf was beside me, grinning. "Well who wants some food and drink?" I asked loudly making some guests chuckle. "You are an idiot aren't you?" Lira chuckled, leaning into me. I hummed. "I am aren't I Mrs Hernandez?"
She chuckled. "Yes you totally are. Come on, I'm starving. I haven't eaten because I was nervous and I was scared that I would be sick."
"Oh what a shame. The only thing on the menu is seafood and shrimp. Lots and lots of shrimp." I grinned walking down the aisle with her. "I feel like having a divorce. This could be the shortest marriage in history Enzo." She laughed making my heart flutter once again.
After we took what seemed like a million photos, we left the castle, taking a seat in Lira's lykan hyeprsport. It was a bittersweet choice after all. It was special. She sat beside me in the passenger seat, choosing not to drive. Well I don't think she could not in her dress and heels. So I turned the engine on and clutched the steering wheel. Everyone was outside now waving us off. They would all see us at the after party but now it was just Lira and I driving off together.
"Ready to change the world?" I smiled as I drove off. "Always." She breathed.
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🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉
I am buzzing. This is the moment I've been waiting for. This is the moment I've dreamt of. This is it.
The vows ™️©️®️. Cries 😭 It's what I would imagine I would say one day (maybe)
Fun fact: The poison dart frogs are the deadliest frogs in the world. They're about the size of a thumbnail. 🐸