I could say that Eros went overboard with the flowers that decorated the place. I know we left the arrangement for him to decide, but I also know that these many flowers are way over the check that we paid him with.

"Really Eros?" I asked him. He was standing beside Aurora. They're partnered together much to Alec's disappointment when the partnering for the processional was announced by Mara.

Eros shrugged his shoulders. "She told me to make it a beautiful and fairytale-like place for your wedding." He said pointing at Rory who was busy fixing his tie.

"I told you to keep it a secret." She said slapping Eros on his chest. "You never did learn to keep your mouth shut." She said as she faced in front.

"Let's line up," Stella said as the rest of the wedding party lined up.

Eros and Aurora are the first pair, followed by Vero and Mark, then Apollo and Judy, Mara and Alec's cousin. After the bridesmaids and groomsmen, are Artemis and Alec as the maid of honor and best man. After them, is me. Then, I get to watch as Mara walks down the aisle towards me.

Just the thought of it puts a smile on my face.

Eros pats my shoulder and I turn my head to look at him. "Don't think too much and enjoy the wedding. A few extra tulips won't bankrupt my company." He said with a smile.

I nodded my head thankfully. Eros can be an irritating asshole but he is a good friend of mine, right next to Alec. Even when he does stupid things, he still is one good friend. "Thank you."

He shrugged his shoulder and smiled at me before taking ahold of Rory's hand and getting in line with the rest of the wedding party.

"He's a good man." I heard Alec say as he stands before me. "Dad will say it, but I'll say it first. If you ever hurt my sister, I would bury you alive."

Despite his warning, the word that took my attention was what he called Jack. They've been fixing their relationship, and are now on good terms. But I think this is the first time I have ever heard him call Jack dad again. Since the trial, he's been adamant about calling him Jack in public. It was as if he was rebelling against Jack and the thought of calling him Dad.

"I think what shocked me more is the fact that you said the word 'dad'," I admitted to him.

He looks away, a little embarrassed, I suppose. "Shut up. He's my Dad."

I smiled, knowing that my best friend has slowly come to terms with the truth. He's not in denial nor is he running away from it. He's facing it head-on and I couldn't be any more glad that I am finally witnessing the same Alec that I have known since I was a kid. "I'm glad," I told him.

He didn't say anything as the wedding march started playing.

I don't think I have ever been this impatient in my life, ever. As the seconds passed, my impatience grows even more. Then, the bridal march started to play.

I couldn't take my eyes off of her as she walks down the aisle with Jack. There's a smile on her face, but I could see the nervousness in her eyes. I can see her clutching on Jack's arm for dear life and I couldn't help but smile, knowing that we feel the same way. Still, it doesn't change the fact that she looks amazing in her wedding gown.

I took a shaky step forward as they stopped walking. Taking Mara's hand from Jack who just regarded me with a smile before sitting beside my parents. I think he knew that Alec beat him to it. Besides, I think Jack trusts me like his own son.

Mara's hands are cold and shaking. I put them against my lips, looking deeply into her eyes, before helping her walk closer to the altar. Only then could I feel the tension in her body leave. She relaxed and tightened her hold on my hand.

Everything in my surroundings has turned blurry as all my attention was focused on Mara. Even the words that are coming out of the officiant's mouth were a distant noise in my ears. Nothing was clear except for her.

"Dustyn?" I was snapped back to reality when she called my name. She was looking expectantly at me and so is the officiant. "Are you alright?"

"He's lovestruck." I heard Alec say out loud, making the guests burst out in laughter.

The officiant lets out a chuckle. "Your vows, Dustyn. If you will please." He said after recovering from Alec's joke.

I couldn't help but be embarrassed. I need to pay attention and stare at Mara after the wedding is done. She and I will only get married once, and I want this to be as special as I want it to be.

"How lucky am I that you are mine?" I began, taking a deep breath as a surge of happiness coursed through me. I looked deep into that familiar pair of gray eyes as I let the words, my emotion out. "Today, in front of our loved ones, I am marrying the woman of my dreams -- you. Thank you for trusting me, for giving me a place in your heart. Thank you for being an amazing and strong woman. Thank you for loving me, shortcake. I promise to "

I could see the build-up of tears in Mara's eyes. But she blinks it away and smiles at me, a loving look in her eyes.

"Dy, I chose you. Today, and every day of my life. I will forever be grateful that you made me realize a dream I never had. You are a dream come true and starting tomorrow, I hope we can make a reality that we would both be proud of."

"May I have the rings, please?" The officiant asked. Alec hands over the rings with a smile on his face. "Please repeat after me."

Taking Mara's left hand in mine, I place the ring on her ring finger as I repeat what the officiant is saying. "I give you this ring, as a daily reminder of my love and loyalty to you."

Mara does the same thing as she takes my left hand and puts the wedding ring on my ring finger. "I give you this ring as a daily reminder of my love and loyalty to you."

The officiant smiles at us. "By the power of your love and commitment, and the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss each other!" He said in a joyful tone.

With shaky hands, I pulled Mara closer to me and claimed her lips for a short kiss as the people around us started clapping their hands. I pulled away first, knowing that my excitement might get the best of me. Mara stands beside me with a smile on her face and her cheeks red as a tomato.

"Wife," I said, letting the word roll out of my tongue and getting the satisfaction as she turns even redder.

Still, Mara looks back at me with a similar smile on her face. One of content and happiness. "Husband."

Veronica is standing beside Mark whose arms are supporting her to stand. "Mara looked panicked for a second." She said in a condensing voice while shaking her head.

I scratched the back of my head, knowing I messed up in that part. It's embarrassing that I was so focused on Mara, everything around was a forgotten memory. So much so that I was almost deaf to the sounds around me.

"Don't forget how he calls her shortcake," Mark said, adding another series of laughter.

"What is your wife? Food?" Eros said, chuckling at their nonstop teasing.

I groaned, knowing that none of them would stop anytime soon. "You don't know the whole story okay?"

"Oh I know," Alec said smirking. "Mara was obsessed with strawberry shortcake when she was a kid. This one right here tried to bake her some but ended up almost burning the kitchen at home."

I wanted to hide my face as the unexpected emotion of shyness overrides my happiness. "

"Don't bully him." Mara's voice made me snap my head to her. After the recessional and picture taking, Rory stole her to help her change out of the wedding gown and into something more comfortable for the reception. Her arms go around my torso, hugging me to her side. "He was nervous."

Eros snickered. "Nope, that was definitely not it." He said, making Alec and Mark laugh again.

"He was staring at you the whole time," Apollo muttered as he took a glass of champagne from the waiter passing by. "That's why they find it funny, although I don't really understand that part."

This time, I was the one who had to stop my laughter. Since this morning, Alec and Eros have been ganging up to bully Eros as he is the youngest groomsmen. They've been trying to piss him off by making fun of all he does, except he didn't get pissed. He completely ignored their remarks and has been slowly attacking them since the wedding concluded.

"Why are you bullying the groom?!" Rory asked in frustration as she joined our group. "It's his day. Let them be. Shoo!"

Mara and I laughed as they all scattered around the reception without another word. Knowing Rory, she probably had Eros cooperate. Plus, Alec pretty much does whatever Rory says these days. It's almost comical to watch when they're in the same room.

"Now. You two go enjoy the party and talk to your guests." She commands like a mother hen.

"Yes, ma'am," I said, pulling Mara away with me to talk to our parents. "She's pretty scary."

" I thought you knew that already." She said with a smile. Due to the heels, she is wearing she is taller than normal.

Not being able to help myself, I lowered my head to meet her enticing lips without a warning. I can feel her stiffen before relaxing as I release her lips. I grinned at her as she looked up at me with wide eyes. "I can't help myself, wife."

I watch as a smile lights up her face. "Well, you are my husband. I don't think anyone would disapprove."

Someone cleared their throat and Mara couldn't help but jump at the familiar voice. "I do mind."

I chuckled, rubbing Mara's arm to calm her down. Jack stands before us with a smile on his face despite the disapproving tone of his voice earlier. "Jack."

"Dustyn remember what we told you." He said in a warning tone.

"Daddy.." Mara whined. "Stop that. We're already married." She said.

Jack shrugged his shoulders. "I can always take you back."

"Oh pish posh, old man. Leave the young couple alone." Mom said as she and dad joined us. She looks nothing like her age dressed in a maroon off-the-shoulder dress. "I finally have a daughter." Mom squealed as she pulled Mara into a hug.

I rolled my eyes at her. "She could've been your daughter if you didn't hate her." I reminded them.

"Oh shush. Mara and I have gone past that, haven't we?" She asked Mara with a smile.

Mara nodded her head. "It's all well in the past now, Jaclyn."

Mom frowned. "I thought you'd call me Mom, now."

Dad puts his hand on Mom's shoulder as if to stop her. "One step at a time, honey. They just got married."

Mom nods her head dejectedly but perks up once again. "Oh, can we at least give them the present now?" She asked them hopefully. She looked excited as she waited for their answers.

Dad smiled. "Of course."

Mom grins happily and proceeded to take out a letter envelope from her clutch. How she managed to fit that in there is a mystery to me. "Here you go, kids."

I wanted to roll my eyes at Mom. Kids. We just got married and she still calls us kids. But I accepted the gift from her with a smile. "Thanks, mom."

"It's from the three of us. Since Jack here beat us into buying a house." Dad said with a chuckle. "We hope you'll like it."

My jaw dropped as I saw the content of the gift. "Dad," I said, unsure what to do with something as huge as this. It wasn't a simple gift like Mara and I have wanted from them

Dad raised his hand to stop me from saying anything else. "It's a gift, so no. You can't refuse."

Mara, in her confusion, gently ripped the thing from my hands and peeked inside. "Jaclyn."

"Oh, you kids worry too much. It's just a vacation house. Something you can use for your honeymoon and for the future." Dad said, waving the whole thing away as if it was nothing.

For them, it probably wasn't.

"I already fixed a flight for the two of you. All set and done." Jack adds. "No refunds." He said strictly as he stares at Mara.

"You know, nothing about your gifts are simple," I told them as Mara closes the envelope and holds onto it.

"You need to find out what Alec bought for the two of you before judging us," Jack said with an amused smile.

I shake my head at them. Our families are hopeless.