ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴘᴏᴠ

𝘌𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭

♛♛♛

Their wedding cake was chocolate.

Hazel's one wedding request.

Even if Julius insisted that every decision was her call, she refused to let it be that way. She wanted her Julius to have every say in what their wedding would come out to be.

At first, Julius wasn't so keen on the idea of having a full-blown wedding. Hazel hadn't wanted something so big either. Although, what they both agreed on was having a wedding with close friends. No family.

This consisted of Tracy, Gracie and Percy.

And of course, their pet bulldog, Rocky.

It was a small wedding, but it was perfect.

It had been a few months since the proposal, and Julius was set to marry her as soon as possible, only to officially call Hazel his wife. And Hazel, she was just as eager on calling Julius her husband.

Oh, what a joy.

♛♛♛

Hazel was sitting on their front porch, the sun beginning to rise early this morning. Orange decorated the sky, decorated her eyes. Lighting them up, reminding her that today was the day.

The day she was to wed the love of her life.

It was going to be a beautiful day, she could tell.

Her heart heaved a little at the memory of her older sister. She hoped with her whole heart that she would be standing beside her today, closely watching over this very special day.

Hazel's parents have made no move to contact Hazel. She hasn't seen either of them since the day she last saw her father on the streets of their small town. Due to her travelling everywhere with Julius, that was bound to happen.

They had arrived back in their town early this week, preparing for the wedding. So if a little bump in the road happens, she'll expect it.

She just hopes that they are okay. Amongst everything they've done to her, she can't help but care a little.

The peppermint tea between her hands becomes empty with her last sip to the mug, she places it aside and rubs Rocky's belly sprawled across her lap.

Rocky was a new light in her life. She spent her days in and out taking care of her new bulldog, aside from Julius' common jealousy that the dog was getting more attention than him these days, she made sure to let him know she loves them equally.

Still, he wasn't as satisfied.

Summoning the man himself, Julius Santo steps onto the floorboards of their foyer, his hands digging deep into his black sweats, the matching black hoodie covering his messy dark tresses of bed hair.

Hazel's gaze swivels over to the door, upon seeing her fiancé, she lights the early morning with her bright smile.

"Hi, Juls." Her voice whispers quietly, Julius walks toward her, his face blank as he leans down and kisses her soft lips.

"Morning, beautiful girl."

Her heart explodes, his words trigging all of those silly butterflies in her body to jolt awake.

Julius leans away from her, his grey eyes glinting down at her. His eyes flutter down to the dog on her lap and she sighs, patting the spot beside her for him.

Sitting beside her, Julius wraps an arm around her waist and pulls her closer to him. Together, they sit and watch the sunrise.

"Are you excited?" She asks, her head resting against his chest. Rocky seemed to have fallen asleep on her lap, her smile pointed at him as she realises.

"I've been waiting for this day from the day I met you, angel." He admits into her ear, kissing the edge of her jaw. "So, yes. I am excited."

Hazel giggles as she threads her fingers through his and tightens her grip on his hand. His gold engagement ring gleamed in the morning light, so she raised it to her lips and pecked it, looking up at him to see his reaction.

Julius smiles. He smiles faintly but it was merely visible. He brings her own hand to his lips, running his thumb along the ring he granted her.

"It sucks that I won't be able to see you until this afternoon," He grumbles, pulling her impossibly closer to him with his arm, as if that would help so she wouldn't leave his side. Rocky shifts in his sleep, Julius' gaze going to him.

"I know. But then you'll be seeing me nearly every day of your life, you might as well enjoy it." She smiles jokingly, but Julius didn't take her words as funnily as she did.

Julius frowns, his jaw tightening.

"Bullshit, Hazel."

Her mouth opens to protest but he beats her to anything, granting Hazel his lips once again.

After kissing her softly, Julius pulls back just an inch to whisper.

"You are my life, Hazel. I never will get sick of you and your beautiful smile. The next eight hours will be as dreadful as waiting for you to come out of your timeless showers."

She giggles at the last part of his words, nodding in understanding. She knew he truly loved her, and maybe deep down she was afraid one day he wouldn't want her anymore.

But he proved to her every day that she was more than wrong.

"Okay, Juls." She pecks his cheek, moving her gaze over his features that appeared more subtle from the dark hood hanging over his head.

Noticing that, her hand went under his hood, allowing it to fall behind his neck and releasing each dark strand of his thick, unruly hair.

"That's better," Smiling, Hazel motions for him to lean down. He does so, curiously looking down at her. Hazel's lips meet his, pulling him into one of her gentle kisses. One of those where every inch of his body fuels with this fire for her.

His hands find her cheeks, pulling her deeper in. Their breaths collide and she pulls away before they could get ahead of themselves.

"I love you."

He smiles against her lips.

"I love you more."

♛♛♛

"Oh my fucking god."

Trace squeals prominently, causing both women inside of the room to block their ears.

"You look like a princess." Trace says, staring across at Hazel in shock. Hazel blushes a deep pink colour, her eyes falling on herself in the mirror.

The wedding dress was ethereal. The exact moment her eye caught onto it, she knew it was the one.

It was a simple wedding dress, it wasn't anything extravagant or over the top but it was her. She went through old magazines or photos on Twitter of all these pretty women wearing wedding dresses that were simply stunning, but none of them pointed out to her for inspiration.

Then when she went into the boutique Trace and Gracie took her to, the white silky dress stood out to her among every outshining one.

And simply, Hazel looked pretty in it.

Her hair was curled in soft curls, in a half up half down style. Her curtain bangs had a kink to them, laying on each edge of her face.

Gracie had done her makeup, which was light but not as subtle. Her lashes were coated in mascara, and a little wing liner and her lips were coated in cherry red lipgloss. As for eyeshadow, it was simply a brush of gold, glittery eyeshadow.

Highlighter adored her freckled cheeks under the light concealer.

As for jewellery, she had dangly diamond earrings. Her neck was graced with the rose pendant Julius had given her along with her hand that adored her engagement ring.

The two women in front of her stared in awe.

"You look so beautiful, Hazel." Gracie's eyes start to water and Trace already had a few tears lingering down her cheeks, making Hazel's heart warm.

"Thank you," She blushes and pulls them in for a hug, holding onto her tightly.

Suddenly, a knock on the door to her room pulls them away. Trace immediately races to the door, making sure it wasn't Julius.

"Anyone but Julius is allowed to enter." She informs and a scoff was heard from the other side. "It's not Julius."

Hazel's smile widened at the voice of her other dearest friend, Percy.

Percy was going to be Julius' groomsmen and best man. Funnily enough, the two had gotten quite close. Considering that Julius hated most humans, Percy, he tolerated. Along with Trace and Gracie—most of the time.

Trace'aline and Gracie were Hazel's bridesmaids, she told them to wear whatever they were comfortable with tonight. She didn't care if they turned up in a t-shirt and sweats, all she cared about was them celebrating her special day with her.

Percy enters the room with a scowl. But when his eyes landed on his best friend, his frown had turned into something wonderful.

His green eyes that reminded Hazel of grass lightened up at the sight of her, he slowly withered his expression into a smile and stepped forward.

"You look stunning, Haze." Pulling his arms open, she embraces him in a light hug.

Percy was like an older sibling to her. An older brother that she never got to have. He was protective of her, he always made sure she was doing okay on his crankiest days, and even more, he reminded her all of the time that he would be there for her through and through.

In a way, Julius hoped that if one day he wouldn't be here, Percy took over his role in loving Hazel. Making sure she was well protected and loved by her family. Percy, Gracie and Trace'aline.

"You look really nice too, Purse."

Percy leaned away, staring down at the small girl with a lingering smile. "Thanks, Haze."

"It's time to head off guys," Gracie announces gently and everyone turns to Hazel.

The bride takes in a deep breath, processing all that was about to happen.

She was about to marry Julius.

♛♛♛

The sun was way high up in the sky, glowing down on the earth.

And down upon the grass, dirt and leaves, Hazel glowed, brightening the world.

The wedding was placed in Hazel and Julius' secret spot. Which now wasn't so secret anymore.

Their secret garden was filled with its usual flowers and bunnies running around, all except that it was decorated in beautiful white fabric hanging around the trees, fairy lights sparkling and roses petals decorated in a trail for Hazel to walk along.

Even past the gate she caught onto a running bulldog hanging around.

She counted her breaths as she nears the gates, Trace and Gracie now running off into the garden and Percy beside her, his arm looped with hers.

"Don't be nervous," He says gently, his thumb running circles along her arm in hopes to calm her down. Unfortunately, it didn't work the way Julius does it.

"I'm not," She admits, staring off ahead at the wooden tables decorated in vases full of flowers, and pink and white decorations littering all the nature around. "Just overly excited."

Percy chuckles lightly, shaking his head which only made his perfect, slightly gelled black hair fall out of place, his shorter, front stands bouncing down his forehead.

They finally reach the front of the gate and all talk goes silent.

Birds chirp, the wind was light, and her smile was just as bright.

Tilting her head up, at the end of the trail, she was met with her fiancé.

Julius was dressed in black slacks, black glossy dress shoes—and by fate, he wore an all-white, silk dress shirt, tucked into his slacks with the first few buttons of his shirt undone.

Hazel lifts her free hand to her mouth, a giggle escaping her as she realises that they had matched unpredictably.

Soulmates.

The word lingered in her mind.

From across the garden, she saw his own lips twitch up in realisation too. Grey eyes clearly caught in a trance staring at her.

Music started to play from every corner of the area, Percy slowly glided her along the trail of rose petals as they walked up the aisle.

In her mind, she counted every step. Her hold on Percy tightened, her eyes never left Julius as they walked.

She could see the way he was in awe upon watching her walk towards him. His eyes were purely glittering, merely brighter than the sun above them.

Unconsciously licking his lips and darting his eyes back up to hers, the sides of his lips twitching at the sight of her beauty.

The world seemed to stop around them, once her feet were perched in front of his. Percy congratulated them both before stepping off to the side of Julius.

Julius and Hazel stood opposite each other, face to face.

Everything went quiet, the music softly humming in the background, the priest standing between them quiet for a moment, also.

"Hi," Hazel whispers, her smile turning shy as she takes his hands into hers. Julius smiles back, his gaze soft as ever.

"Hey, beautiful."

Clearing his throat, the priest begins the ceremony.

Words spill from his mouth, and every second that goes by seems to be a second shorter to the words that would announce them as husband and wife.

Every so often Hazel's eyes sparkle and those moments consisted of her eyes catching his.

They never went off his the moment their eyes connected, she smiles brightly at him, embracing every word the priest spoke.

"Hazel Rosalie Alexis," The priest calls, allowing her gaze to flutter to him only for a brief moment.

"Do you take Julius Santo to be your husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, to honour him, to comfort him, and promise to be true to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health?"

Her eyes go straight to Julius Santo, the man who was a friend, a best friend—who loves her no matter what, takes care of her, trusts her, and puts a roof over her head when she was in need.

Without hesitation, she nods with glistening eyes.

"I do."

Julius' lips tug up into a smile, and his hands rest in hers as the priest then speaks again.

"Julius Santo,"

Hazel's heart begins to race.

"Do you take Hazel Rosalie Alexis to be your wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, to honour her, to comfort her, and promise to be true to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health?"

Without a speck of hesitation either, his deep voice speaks profoundly.

"I do."

"Repeat after me," The priest states.

Turning to Julius, Hazel watches as Julius never leaves his gaze on her blushing figure.

"I, Julius Santo, take you Hazel Rosalie Alexis to be my 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."

The priest finishes off, Julius now repeating the words.

"I, Julius Santo," He smiles down at his fiancé, taking her hands into his. "Take you Hazel Rosalie Alexis to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward," Her eyes begin to water, Julius takes note of that and strays a thumb under the eye from the leaking tears.

"—For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

The woman sniffles and the priest now turns to her with a soft smile.

"I, Hazel Rosalie Alexis, take you Julius Santo to be my husband, 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."

Staring right into his bright gaze, Hazel traces a scar on his tattoo absentmindedly with her thumb.

"I, Hazel Rosalie Alexis," Her voice was soft and tender in the air around them, Julius' heart rate picks up and he seems to tighten his hold on her clammy hands, never minding how tender she was.

"Take you, Julius Santo to be my husband," She breathed. "—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," Her lips part into a heartwarming smile as she speaks the final words, "Till death do us part."

The priest comes between them again, asking Julius to bare her left hand with a ring.

Julius takes out the wedding ring they had chosen together, the diamond easily sliding onto her wedding finger.

"I give you this ring as a token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love."

She stares down at it, her breath caught in-between her lungs.

Suddenly, Gracie comes beside her, handing her his own ring to present.

A rose was engraved on the golden ring, much similar to her own.

Hazel then slides his wedding ring onto his long, tattooed ring finger and braces their hands together once again.

"By virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of the country of America, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

It seemed as if time had slowed.

Julius had finally pulled her in for a kiss. A type of kiss that held everything and everything. His heart poured out to her through his lips, her own heart crying with happiness.

As they pulled away, staring into one another's eyes, the applause from the others around them and the colourful petals from flowers falling on top of them weren't noticed as now the only thing that could be seen between them, was them.

"You're my husband," Hazel cries, her bottom lip wobbling from the joy.

Julius laughs, that boyish laugh she rarely ever heard.

"And you're my wife." His deep voice rasps, vibrating against her skin.

Picking her up by the waist, he spins her around and she laughs out in joy, spreading her arms into the air and smiling at the world.

♛♛♛

🫂