You should read THE TROUBLEMAKER'S RETURN before reading this chapter.

I stood in front of the picture of my mother, with tears in my eyes threatening to ruin my eye makeup. Her blue eyes looked at me, as if telling me that I'd be fine. How I wish she could be with me on the most important day of my life!

I felt footsteps reaching behind me and I didn't need to look around to identify the presence of my father.

"You look very beautiful Alicia," Dad said, his eyes fixated on the picture of mom. "Just like your mother did on our wedding. She would have been really excited for you."

"I'm sure she is looking after us, wherever she is." I said and turned around. It has been so long since I saw Dad all dressed up so it made me happy to see him suited up.

"How's my husband-to-be? Don't tell me he ran away." I chuckled, changing the topic.

"He wouldn't dare," he smiled. "He knows I'll kill him if he ever hurt you."

"It won't be necessary." I said.

Dad's eyes moistened a little and I realised it must be a big occasion for him, to watch me getting married. He was much more than just a father. He was my best friend, my mother, my adviser, my counselor, my teacher, everything.

"I am so happy for you." he said, wiping the wetness from his face.

"Aww," I said and hugged him, hiding my face in his chest. "You are the best Dad in the world." I whispered, fighting my own tears.

"Bonding time over." I heard Sophia's voice interrupt us. She was walking inside with the veil and jewelery in her hands, Emily and Adaline silently following her. "Time for the touch up. Sorry Mr. King, you'll have to wait outside."

After he left, all three of my bridesmaid encircled me. Adaline was in front of me in her wheelchair while Emily and Sophia were covering me from both sides.

Sophia was my maid of honor because we had made an arrangement. I was maid of honor on Emily's wedding, she was Sophia's and now Sophia was mine.

"You all look amazing," I said and stared at all three of them in awe, especially Adaline who was first time dressed in a stylish gown.

All thanks to Sophia, who styled our dresses and asked the designers of her boutique to prepare my dream wedding dress and blue bridesmaid dresses.

"And you make the prettiest bride," Emily came forwards to hug me.

They pulled me down on the chair and then Sophia retouched my makeup, while Emily helped me wear my jewelry.

"Adam's gonna have a heart attack," Emily said once I was completely ready.

"I think he would ask the attack to wait while he ravish you." Sophia teased and I blushed.

"Ew, he is my brother." Adaline added. "Don't traumatise me with that image."

We all laughed at the dreadful look on her face.

Suddenly, the door opened and Noah walked inside. His eyes widened when they landed on the bride aka me. "Wow Ali, you make the cutest bride," he said but the minute his eyes fell on Sophia, he subtly changed his statement, "After my own wife of course."

"Smooth Noah." she said, rolling her eyes. "Real smooth."

They got married last year and nobody could be happier than me, well except them of course. Two of my best friends were getting married and Sophia was now kind of my sister-in-law too.

"Noah, can you please check on Adam?" I requested. I was worried for him. I knew he must be more nervous than me because he was more socially awkward. And well, being the groom, he would be recipient of almost half the attention.

"Me?" he asked, unsure if he heard right.

"Please." I pouted and he gave in. Nodding, he left and closed the door behind him.

...

"How can you not come?" I shouted in annoyance at my colleague and junior, Jeff. He was supposed to be my best man because he was the closest thing I had to a friend.

"I am stuck here, Adam. The flight delayed." he made the lame excuse again.

"That's such an irresponsible behavior." I reprimanded.

"Don't be mad. Just ask someone to go to my apartment and bring the ring. Its in the first drawer of my dressing table. My sister will let them in." he said. "Sorry, the battery is about to end." Saying this, he cut the call.

I turned around in anger, only to find Noah standing behind me. He was holding his daughter Anna in his arms, who looked like she was playing with her father's hair. She had big, blue eyes, just like her father and caramel color skin, like her mother. I never liked babies but I had to admit she was really cute.

I turned my attention back to Noah. By the look on his face, he had already heard my conversation with Jeff. "What happened?" he asked.

"Nothing," I muttered.

"Adam, if there is anything I can do to help."

"There isn't." I said. I didn't hate him now. Things have been changed but that doesn't mean I could take his help. He was still a stranger to me.

"Adam, think about Alicia. Do you want to ruin this day for her?" he said and that made me think. He was right; my ego wasn't more important than her happiness. Nothing was more important than her.

"My best man is unable to reach here in time." I said and his eyes gleamed with a hope. He was waiting for me to ask him to be my best man. I tried to find words that won't make me look like a loser but I couldn't. So I decided to be straightforward, "Will you be my best man?"

"Yes," he said dramatically, putting his hand on his heart, that made me roll my eyes.

"The ring is in his apartment. He lives next block." I said.

"I'll bring it, don't worry." he said excitedly. "I'll manage everything."

Once he happily left the room, someone else entered, someone I had invited but wasn't ready to see.

"Thank you son. You did a great favour on me by inviting me to your wedding." Mr. Brown said as he stepped closer to me. He looked old, really old.

"Because of you, I never had anything but now, I have everything. Love, money, reputation, relationships, everything you denied me of. There is no point in hating anyone anymore." I admitted honestly.

"I am glad to know that." he said and attempted to reach me but I backed away. He seemed to understand that although I have forgiven him, I didn't want to have any close relationship with him.

After he left, I sat down and thought about my wife-to-be. She must be looking heavenly right now. I wish I could see her, kiss her, hold her in my arms. We weren't sleeping in same room for a week now and I was dying to get close to her.

...

I was getting anxious with every passing minute. My feet tapped the floor of the aisle anxiously and I heard Noah chuckle behind me. A glare from me shut him off, and he shrugged in return.

When my impatience was about to kill me, she finally stepped in, her entry brightened the hall with her presence.

She looked heavenly. The dress was simple but her beauty enhanced its grace. It hugged her figure, increasing my desire to hold her in my arms. Few curled locks were framing her beautiful face and the smile on it made my heart skip a beat.

How can someone look so sexy and innocent at the same time?

I extended my hand for her. Holding it, she stepped on the aisle and passed me her toothy grin, one that made me fall for her.

"You clean up nice." she said, winking at me.

"You too, Mrs. McArdle." I whispered.

"I don't want to change my surname." she murmured.

"We'll see." I smirked. She got surprised when she found Noah at the place of my best man.

"I love you," she mouthed.

The officiant started the ceremony. He was saying something about the importance of marriage but I couldn't listen carefully. My focus was on the angel that was going to be mine forever in few minutes.

We exchanged our vows and rings in hurry. I could see in her eyes that she was waiting for the kissing part of the ceremony. Once the officiant allowed us to kiss, I pulled her forwards and claimed her lips in front of everyone. She smiled against my lips and pulled away before the kiss could become scandalous.

I was never a social person so when we had to meet everyone one by one for congratulations, I couldn't help but groan internally. Except aunt Tiffany and her husband Joey, I never had a communication with any of the elder couples so I just kept my mind on my wife throughout the reception, who seemed quite enthusiastic about meeting everybody.

"Adam," I was about to walk forwards when I heard someone.

It was Mr. King, staring at me with a firm look in his eyes. I knew what was coming and it would be a lie to say I was ready for it.

"I don't think I have to say it one more time but still, if you ever made my daughter cry---"

"You'll skin me alive." I completed the sentence for him.

"Glad you remember," he said and walked past me. He was never a man of words and neither was I, so I was grateful of him for his short speech.

Once everything was done, a car drove us to the hotel. The whole time, I kept my eyes on Alicia who was blushing profusely. I controlled my urge to pounce at her throughout the drive.

We stopped in front of the hotel and the receptionist gave us key to the honeymoon suite. It was a gift from Tiffany to us, while Mr. King had already given us two tickets to Paris for honeymoon as a wedding gift.

She walked forwards while I followed behind, her beautiful dress trailing behind her. Once we stepped inside the room, she gaped at the red and white decor inside the room in awe.

While she was busy assessing the room, I walked behind her and snaked my arms around her waist, pulling her to me.

"Adam," Her breath hitched. I leaned down to place a kiss on her neck and she sighed.

My fingers reached the zip on her back and I tugged it down, all the while peppering kisses on her milky neck.

The dress soon loosened and fell down, leaving her in a white lingerie. Picking her up in my arms, I lay her on her bed. Her eyes were dilated and her cheeks were flushed, something I really adore about her.

"You look breathtaking, Mrs. McArdle." I said and kissed her cheeks.

"Of course I do." she giggled and traced my jaw with her finger, her brown eyes brimming with mischief.

I kissed her again and made a vow to myself; a vow to never let this precious woman go.

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