The garden was bathed in a golden glow from the strings of fairy lights draped across the trellises, their soft illumination giving the night an ethereal quality.
The gentle hum of laughter and conversation buzzed around us, but my focus was entirely on Ciara.
She looked breathtaking, as she always did, her sharp suit accentuating her tall, commanding presence. And yet, there was something tender in the way she gazed at me, her violet eyes softened by emotion.
"Shall we?" she asked, extending her hand towards me with a grin that was both confident and warm.
I slipped my hand into hers, smiling as she led me onto the makeshift dance floor in the centre of the garden. The quartet began to play a soft, melodic tune, and the guests naturally quietened, their attention turning to us.
Ciara's other hand settled gently at my waist, pulling me close as we began to sway to the music. Her touch was steady, reassuring, and I couldn't help but smile up at her.
"You've been stealing glances at me all night," I teased, resting my hand on her shoulder.
Ciara chuckled, her lips quirking into a smirk. "Can you blame me? You look like a dream, Aeliana."
A blush warmed my cheeks at her unabashed compliment. "You don't look so bad yourself," I replied, my voice soft.
The dance started slowly, her movements guiding me effortlessly across the floor. I'd always admired her confidence, the way she carried herself with such natural ease. But tonight, there was something deeper, a vulnerability that shone through in the way she held me, as if this moment meant as much to her as it did to me.
"You know," she murmured, her voice low enough for only me to hear, "I never thought I'd get married. I didn't even believe in it for the longest time."
I tilted my head curiously, encouraging her to continue.
"And then there was you," she said simply, her gaze locking with mine. "You changed everything, Aeliana. You made me want this—made me want forever."
The intensity in her words left me speechless, my heart swelling with emotion. How did I ever get so lucky?
"I could say the same about you," I finally managed, my voice trembling slightly. "I never imagined this life for myself. But with you, it just feels... right."
Her smile softened, and she leaned down, her forehead resting lightly against mine. We danced like that for a moment, wrapped in our little world while the rest of the garden melted away.
The song changed to something livelier, and Ciara's grin turned mischievous. "How do you feel about spinning?"
Before I could answer, she lifted me slightly, twirling me around before catching me back in her arms. Laughter bubbled out of me, the spontaneity of the moment breaking through any formality.
"You're terrible," I said, though I couldn't stop smiling.
"But you're laughing," she pointed out smugly.
As we danced, others began to join us on the floor Leora leading a reluctant Lydia, Riley pulling Seraphine into a playful spin, and Lily darting between couples with her uncontainable energy.
The atmosphere was electric, filled with joy and love, and I couldn't help but soak it all in.
Ciara, of course, was at the centre of it all. Even as we moved to the music, she was throwing playful comments to her sisters, teasing Leora about her dance moves, and flashing her roguish grin at everyone who caught her eye.
"You really love being the centre of attention, don't you?" I teased, raising an eyebrow at her.
She shrugged, unrepentant. "What can I say? I like making you laugh."
The song began to wind down, and Ciara slowed our movements, her hands resting gently on my waist. "Thank you," she said quietly.
"For what?" I asked, looking up at her.
"For saying yes," she replied, her voice filled with sincerity.
I smiled, leaning up to press a soft kiss to her cheek. "Thank you for asking."
The moment was perfect, but of course, in true Ciara fashion, it couldn't last without some sort of interruption.
"Time for the cake!" Lily's voice rang out, loud and enthusiastic.
I laughed, shaking my head as Ciara groaned dramatically.
"Fine, fine," she said, offering me her arm. "Shall we, Mrs Cromwell?"
"With pleasure," I replied, sliding my hand into the crook of her elbow.
As we made our way towards the cake, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the happiness surrounding us.
This wasn't just a celebration of our love it was a reminder of the life we were building together, a life filled with laughter, chaos, and more love than I ever thought possible.
And as Ciara looked down at me with that boyish grin of hers, I knew that this was only the beginning.
The crowd gathered around the grand table where the wedding cake stood, a towering masterpiece of culinary art that shimmered under the soft glow of lanterns.
It was truly a sight to behold—five tiers of intricate designs, adorned with sugar flowers so delicate they looked as though they had been plucked from a garden.
Leora's handiwork, of course. Only she could create something so breathtaking.
Ciara and I approached the table, her hand resting on the small of my back. The buzz of voices quietened, replaced by an expectant hush as all eyes turned to us.
Ciara's red eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned in to whisper, "Ready to carve up a masterpiece?"
I couldn't help but laugh, rolling my eyes. "I think it's safe to say that we shouldn't ruin it entirely."
She grinned and picked up the ornate cake knife, offering her other hand to me. Together, we held the knife, its polished silver catching the light.
As we prepared to cut into the cake, Ciara looked down at me, her expression softening. "Are you sure you want to share this moment with everyone? We could just sneak off and eat it ourselves."
The playful suggestion made me chuckle. "Tempting, but no."
"Worth a shot," she murmured, squeezing my hand.
The knife sliced through the first layer effortlessly, and the room erupted into applause. Ciara, ever the showman, raised the slice triumphantly before placing it delicately on a plate.
"And now, for the best part," she said, mischief twinkling in her eyes.
"Oh no, you wouldn't," I warned, already catching onto her plan.
She held a piece of cake in her fingers, aiming for my face. "Wouldn't I?"
Before I could respond, a smear of frosting landed on my nose. The crowd laughed, and I shot Ciara a mock glare, which only made her grin wider.
"You're impossible," I said, wiping the frosting off and retaliating with my own dollop aimed at her cheek.
Ciara laughed heartily, wiping it away with a napkin as Leora appeared, hands on her hips and a look of mock horror on her face.
"My cake!" she exclaimed, feigning outrage. "I slave away to make a masterpiece, and this is how you treat it?"
Ciara grinned at her grandmother, clearly unrepentant. "It's too good not to play with."
Leora sighed dramatically but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "You're lucky it's your wedding day, or I'd make you eat the whole thing in one sitting."
The playful exchange lightened the mood further, and soon the cake was being served to the guests.
Each bite was as divine as it looked rich, decadent, and bursting with flavour.
As I savoured the taste, I leaned into Ciara. "Remind me to tell Leora she's a genius."
"She knows," Ciara replied with a smirk, popping a piece of cake into her mouth.
The evening unfolded into a whirlwind of laughter, dancing, and heartfelt toasts. The stars twinkled above as if they too were celebrating our union, casting a serene glow over the festivities.
Every now and then, I caught Ciara watching me with an expression that sent a warm flutter through my chest—a mix of love, admiration, and pure contentment.
As the night wore on, Ciara pulled me aside, her hand firmly grasping mine as she led me away from the bustling crowd. "Where are we going?" I asked, curious.
"Somewhere quieter," she said, a soft smile on her lips.
We found ourselves on a secluded balcony overlooking the garden. The hum of the party was distant here, replaced by the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft chirping of crickets. The air was cool and crisp, and the moon cast a silver sheen over everything.
Ciara turned to face me, her hands resting on my shoulders. "I needed a moment alone with you," she admitted.
My heart melted at her words. "We've been surrounded by so much chaos today," I said with a smile. "I'm glad you thought of this."
She leaned in, her forehead resting gently against mine. "I just want to savour every second with you. It still feels surreal, you know? That you're mine. That I'm yours."
Her vulnerability was rare, and it made this moment all the more special. I reached up, cupping her cheek with my hand. "I've always been yours, Ciara. Even when I didn't realise it."
Her lips found mine, soft and slow, and the world seemed to fade away. It wasn't just a kiss it was a promise, a celebration, and an unspoken declaration of everything we felt for each other.
When we finally pulled away, her smile was brighter than the moonlight. "Let's go back before someone sends out a search party," she joked.
I laughed, slipping my hand into hers. Together, we made our way back to the celebration, where our loved ones awaited us. The night was far from over, but as long as I had Ciara by my side, I knew it would be perfect.