Three months in after the yoga exercise shenanigans and everyone is preparing for a big event today. The venue is small, filled only with twenty or so chairs. It's like a small greenhouse, with flower boxes and small trees decorating all the sides.

Nigel has chosen it because of that one time he is on a date with Primo at the local zoo and it has been a total wreck because kids are running and screaming everywhere around them.

​​

But then the Alpha has suddenly leaned in and told him that, "when I'm with you, anywhere is a flower garden". Call him cheesy, but the Omega loved it when Primo is being sappy. The problem is that, Primo is always sappy. Making the Omega blushes with embarrassment.

There's an arch at the end of the aisle, a pretty white wooden trellis with strips of ribbons and violets and baby's breath and roses weave into it. There's no officiant, of course, or anyone to stand in as one.

There's a white carpet for an aisle in the middle of the room, and Nigel refuses to look up because the tears he's been holding in might just win if he sees his Alpha up there.

His friends are quiet, soft piano music playing through speakers above, everyone holding their breath. His sister is holding on to his elbow firmly, and she tugs him forward silently, and Nigel looks up abruptly.

The only ones at the front, standing beside the arch are Aiden—Nigel's best man, who is currently smiling and sniffling so hard as he fights back sobs of joy for the doctor that helps him get through his bad mating bond—and Drax, Primo's best man, who is also currently trying to look like he isn't tearing up, but is spectacularly failing, and his Alpha.

Aster Prime Santoro, the man who accepts him for who he truly is, despite the warning that he is too old to be his mate. He still shows Nigel that he is not too old to be happy and not too old to have his dream family.

He's standing under the arch, looking alone and incomplete without his Omega by his side. Nigel's heart skips a beat, and his breath hitches in his throat, because his looks so beautiful.

With the skylight situated above the arch letting in a soft stream of sunlight, the Alpha shines with an ethereal glow.

His jet black hair, their matching pristine white suit, his pale skin, Nigel feels like he is falling in love all over again, and the feeling intensified as he sees the look on the Alpha's face.

He isn't smiling, but his mouth is open in unabashed surprise, cheeks blushing and eyes wide and the love and adoration written all over his face.

The Omega sees Drax elbowing his mate, and Primo only flushes deeper as he closes his mouth.

"Someone's being smitten."

Alliana mumbles under her breath as they walk closer, and Nigel can't help but laugh. It is quiet, but somehow Primo heard him. And then the Alpha is smiling, gums and teeth and disappearing eyes, and Nigel feels his nervousness melts away.

He reaches forward and Primo steps up front with his hand out towards the Omega. Alliana glares at him as she gives Nigel's hand before grinning toothily towards the Alpha.

"Take care of him or I will cut ze head."

Primo's eyes widen in surprise before laughing out loud, making Nigel rethinks why his mate is laughing with the warning. The Alpha sees the confusion and whispers into Nigel's ears what his sister means.

When Nigel realizes what it is, he barks a laughter, giggling at the end as he steps towards the stage of the altar. He breathes in and shakes the laughter away as Primo makes sure that he is well-balanced and will not fall.

"Do you want to start?"

Nigel wants to cry because Primo has always been like this, has always been the understanding of the two, has always been the one making sure whether the Omega likes something or not, whether he is okay with something or not, and Nigel is so, so, so lost to the reason as to why Primo chooses him, but then the Alpha is suddenly wiping away his tears, and the Omega lets out a soft sob.

"Alpha, sometimes I really wanna ask you, why me? Of all the Omegas in the world that flocks you as if you are a big celebrity, why me?"

Nigel is feeling insecure again, and the Alpha smiles at him.

"There goes my cue."

Nigel looks at him as the Alpha clears his throat and calls everyone's attention. The Omega just looks at him, and Primo pulls away to hold both of his hands.

The Alpha takes a deep breath, and he licks his lips before he starts speaking, voice characteristically deep and raspy but clearer and missing his usual slurred way of talking.

"What we're doing right now isn't official, and we won't have a marriage contract or some shit like that, but it's not important. We don't need paper to prove to people that we love each other, and we definitely don't need to prove anything to people. Nigel, you asked why I chose you? I didn't."

Primo looks down at their hands, and Nigel listens with bated breath.

"My heart and our bond did. You see, my life has been a tornado ever since I was "adopted" by the Santoros, taken from my family by force while my brother was being married to some psychopathic woman that he met in Russia. It was a roller coaster ride.

And it was something I was not proud to talk about, but it was a part of me. When I first met you, it was a devastating sight. I got my bond ripped off because of how stupid I am and I was lost. Completely lost of what was going to happen with my life.

And then, you came along. You just entered a danger zone where the moment to stepped inside, you can no longer go back.

But that did not stopped you for showing me and giving me a chance to prove to myself and to others that I could be a better Alpha than that bullshit one who ravished his mate out of anger, frustration and jealousy."

Primo's thumbs are running circles across the back of his mate's hand, and the Omega's heart is running a thousand beats per minute. The Alpha looks up to him and smiles as he finishes his piece.

"What I mean to say is… would you want to be the eternal garden in my life?"