The ceremony was about to begin, and my nerves, surprisingly, had calmed. Standing there at the altar, dressed in my tailored suit, I felt ready ready to embrace this moment, this life, this love.
The crowd fell silent as the officiant stepped forward, a regal woman with an air of authority and kindness, her voice steady and warm as she welcomed everyone.
"Today, we gather to celebrate a union of love, commitment, and destiny," she began, her words resonating in the quiet garden.
My gaze shifted to Aeliana, standing opposite me. She was breathtaking, as she always was, but there was something more today an ethereal glow, an undeniable presence that made her seem otherworldly.
Her smile, soft and genuine, held me captive, and for a moment, I forgot we were surrounded by people. It was just us.
The officiant's words faded slightly into the background as my focus stayed on Aeliana. This was happening.
After everything the chaos, the fights, the near-misses, and the triumphs—we had made it here.
"Now, Ciara," the officiant's voice called me back, "it is time for your vows."
I took a deep breath, my hands trembling slightly as I reached out to hold Aeliana's. Her skin was warm, her grip steady, and that gave me the courage to speak.
"When I was younger," I began, my voice steady but low, "I never believed in love—not really. I was reckless, selfish, and, to be honest, a bit of a heartbreaker. Love was something I thought was for other people, not for me. And then…" I paused, my lips twitching into a small smile, "then I saw you, Aeliana."
Her eyes softened, and I could see the beginning of a tear forming, though she held it back.
"At first, I was captivated by your beauty—who wouldn't be? You looked like a dream, a goddess walking among us mere mortals. But it wasn't just that. It was your kindness, your strength, the way you carried yourself. You were… untouchable. And yet, somehow, you made me want to reach, to try, to be better."
My voice wavered slightly as the weight of my emotions threatened to overwhelm me, but I pressed on.
"And then, thanks to Leora and her infuriatingly perfect matchmaking system," I added with a light laugh, glancing briefly at my grandmother.
"I discovered the truth: that you were my perfect match. My other half. I didn't want to believe it at first. I fought it, made it difficult for myself—for both of us, really. But no matter how stubborn I was, you never gave up on me. You saw through all the walls I built and found the real me underneath."
I swallowed hard, my throat tight.
"Aeliana, you've taught me what love truly is. It's not just passion or attraction—though, let's be honest, there's plenty of that." A chuckle rippled through the crowd, and even Aeliana let out a small laugh.
"It's trust. It's partnership. It's waking up every day knowing that, no matter what happens, you have someone by your side who believes in you, who fights for you, who loves you unconditionally."
I squeezed her hands gently, my voice growing softer.
"I promise to always cherish you, to protect you, to be your rock and your partner in every adventure life throws our way. I promise to love you with everything I have for the rest of my life. You're my everything, Aeliana. My heart, my home, my forever."
As I finished, I could see tears streaming down her cheeks now, her lips trembling with emotion. She nodded slightly, her hands tightening around mine.
"Thank you, Ciara," the officiant said, her voice kind and encouraging. She turned to Aeliana. "And now, Aeliana, it is your turn."
Aeliana took a steadying breath, lifting her tear-filled gaze to mine. Her hands trembled just a little, and I held them firmly, letting her know I was here.
"Ciara," she began, her voice soft but strong, "you have always been a force of nature. Confident, fearless, and, if I'm being honest, a little intimidating when we first met."
The crowd laughed lightly, and even I couldn't help but grin.
"But underneath all of that," she continued, her tone growing tender, "is a heart so big, so full of love, that it leaves me breathless. You've shown me what it means to be seen, truly seen, for who I am. You've accepted every part of me—the good, the bad, and even the stubborn."
Her lips curved into a teasing smile, and I chuckled softly.
"You've made me laugh, cry, and feel things I didn't know I was capable of feeling. You've challenged me, supported me, and made me believe in a future I never dared to dream of. And today, standing here with you, I know without a doubt that you are my future, my heart, my everything."
Her voice broke slightly as tears escaped again, but she kept going.
"I promise to stand by you, to fight for you, to love you with all that I am. I promise to be your partner, your safe haven, and your biggest supporter. You are my greatest adventure, Ciara, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
When she finished, the crowd erupted into soft murmurs of approval, and I had to blink back tears of my own. She was incredible—my incredible Aeliana.
The officiant smiled warmly, looking between us. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you wife and wife. You may kiss."
Without hesitation, I closed the distance, cupping Aeliana's face gently as our lips met. The kiss was everything—soft, passionate, full of promise.
The world seemed to disappear, leaving only us in this perfect, timeless moment.
The cheers from the crowd surged around us as we finally pulled apart, our foreheads resting together for a moment, revelling in the shared warmth of the kiss.
Aeliana's eyes sparkled with unshed tears, and I could see the joy radiating from her.
She was mine now, and I was hers—officially, completely, and without reservation.
"Mrs Cromwell," I murmured with a teasing grin, my voice just loud enough for her to hear.
Her cheeks flushed, but she grinned back. "Technically, you're Mrs Crowell-Leclair too."
"Touché," I whispered, stealing another brief kiss before stepping back slightly.
The sound of Lily's delighted shriek broke through our quiet moment. "They're married! Finally!"
I turned to see Lily bouncing on her toes, her little hands clapping with enthusiasm. The crowd was on its feet, applauding and smiling, with some wiping away tears.
Leora's approving smile caught my eye, as did Seraphine and Riley's proud expressions. Even Lydia and Aurelia, standing together, looked genuinely happy for us.
The officiant stepped forward again, raising her hands to quiet the crowd. "Let us now celebrate this union with joy, laughter, and love. The reception awaits!"
Aeliana and I turned, hand in hand, and began the walk back down the aisle together, greeted by waves of petals tossed in the air. Every face we passed was filled with warmth and delight, and I felt like the luckiest person in the world.
"You look stunning," I whispered to Aeliana as we walked.
Her smile grew wider. "And you look devastatingly handsome," she countered, her thumb brushing over the back of my hand.
We made it to the end of the aisle, where Lily practically launched herself at us, her arms reaching up for a group hug.
"You two are the prettiest brides ever!" she exclaimed, her innocent joy lighting up the moment.
Aeliana crouched down to hug her tightly. "Thank you, sweetheart. And you're the prettiest flower girl ever."
Lily beamed, then grabbed my hand. "Can we eat now? I've been waiting forever!"
I laughed, ruffling her hair. "Soon, Lily. Let's let everyone settle first."
The reception area was beautifully decorated, a perfect blend of Aeliana's elegance and my sense of grandeur.
Tables were draped with fine linen, adorned with glowing candles and floral arrangements. A soft breeze carried the scent of roses and lavender, mingling with the sound of a gentle string quartet.
Aeliana leaned closer to me as we walked toward our designated table. "You outdid yourself, Ciara."
I chuckled. "Anything for you."
As we reached our seats, Leora appeared, her sharp gaze scanning me as if assessing every detail.
"Well," she said with a wry smile, "you managed to make it to the altar without causing chaos. That's a good start."
Aeliana stifled a laugh, her hand covering her mouth. I rolled my eyes but grinned. "Thank you for your faith in me, Grandmother."
Leora's expression softened as she looked at Aeliana. "You look radiant, my dear. Welcome to the family."
"Thank you, Leora," Aeliana said, her voice warm.
The rest of the evening unfolded with a blend of laughter, stories, and plenty of delicious food—thankfully, all approved by Leora.
We danced under the stars, the garden lights casting a soft glow on everyone. Aeliana's laugh was a melody I could never tire of, and the feel of her in my arms as we swayed to the music was perfection itself.
As the night wore on, I pulled Aeliana aside for a quieter moment beneath one of the arched trellises. The sound of the celebration faded slightly, leaving just us and the faint hum of crickets.
"I love you," I said, my voice soft but steady, my hands holding hers.
"And I love you," she replied, her gaze locking with mine.
I leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that was slow and deep, savouring the moment. When we pulled apart, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shone with emotion.
"I don't think I've ever been this happy," she whispered.
"Good," I said, smiling against her lips. "Because you're stuck with me now."
Her laugh was like music, and she pulled me into another kiss, sealing the moment as ours forever.