Serena

Everything was ready.

My dress was on, my hair done perfectly in a pretty bun, with a few loose tendrils out. My veil was on, nothing too long, but just simple enough to match my dress.

I told my family I needed a second to be alone and walked into an empty room to just breathe.

I was nervous. This was finally my wedding day. A day that took so long arriving towards, I thought I'd never have it.

But now, not only was I having a wedding, but it was with the man I had loved for so long.

A thought like that made me take a small breather from everything, just to collect myself.

I was bursting with happiness, but a small fraction of me was terrified that it could be taken away like waking up from a dream. I just wanted to pinch myself so I knew this was real. That this was happening.

Twisting my beloved charm bracelet around my wrist, I felt myself relax a little more.

A sudden knock on the door then startled me out my calm state, and when I looked towards it, Emma was peeking her head through.

"Serena," she called out my name and when her eyes found me, she smiled bright and walked into the room. "Oh darling. You look divine," she complimented me.

I grinned at her words. "Thank you so much, Emma. You look beautiful as well," I told her, as we hugged.

She truly looked beautiful, wearing a light blue, pastel coloured dress, and her hair out in curls.

"Thank you, dear," Emma smiled back and then reached into her clutch purse, to bring out an envelope. "I actually needed to give this," she said.

I looked at her confused.

"Okay?" The word came out like a question, wondering why she was giving me this.

"This is for you," she said, and I reached out to take the envelope from her. "Open it once I leave," Emma then told me.

I nodded at her. "Alright," my confusion still evident in my voice and answer.

Emma then cupped my cheek gently, a feather like touch, as she smiled at me warmly, her eyes already appearing slight glassy.

"I can't wait for you to marry my son," she said and with one more glance, she then left the room, leaving me with the mysterious envelope.

I waited for the door to close and then opened the envelope, peering inside to see a card of some kind.

When I took the card out - I was left stunned.

There - in this messy, rushed writing, was a message from my husband-to-be.

Liam had the worst handwriting. He could be a doctor with just the way he writes. It's worse that it's joined-writing, if it was printed it would make it easier.

Luckily for me, I've known him a long time, and I can read his writing.

Hi, my darling.

I just wanted to let you know, I love you. Today, at the end of the aisle, you'll see a man very much in love with you (it's me, don't look at anyone else).

We're about to live our fairytale, Rena.

So hurry up and come marry me.

All my love, Liam.

I held the card close to my heart and laughed. He was such an idiot.

Another knock on the door and this time it was my Dad's voice on the other side.

"Ready, sweetheart?" He called out.

"Yeah. I'm ready," I replied.

The door then opened and I saw my Dad standing there in suit, looking at me with a warm expression.

"Let's do this then. Let's get you married, sweetheart," Dad said, holding out his hand towards me and I didn't hesitate to walk forward and place my hand in his.

Dad looked at me like I was finally grown up and no longer that little girl, that would run around in pigtails and shout the whole house down.

I squeezed his hand gently, when I saw Dad's eyes turning a little glassy.

He cleared his throat and blinked a couple of times, giving me a nod that he was okay.

"Dad, can you hold onto this for me? I'll get it off you after," I said, holding out the card. I wanted to keep this but didn't trust myself to just leave it here and remember.

"Sure," Dad replied, and placed the small card inside his blazer pocket.

We both walked towards the entrance of the garden, taking our places from where we would walk out.

Everyone was positioned in their places and there was a faint, pale pink curtain in the front of the entrance, so everyone's view of us was blocked slightly. They could only faintly catch our silhouettes, and shadowy figures.

I'm not sure whose idea this was, but it was sweet, yet so annoying. I really wanted to see Liam, but the damn curtain was blocking my view as well.

Sara handed me my bouquet, before taking her place.

Music began to play, the sounds of violins and cello, complimenting each other beautifully.

My arm was linked with my Dad's, and I couldn't help but reach out and squeeze his hand, feeling the nerves within me, begin to race.

I wasn't scared, I was excited. This is the beginning of my life.

Our life.

My bridesmaids began to walk, one after the other, well timed. First Molly, then Zoe, and Arya last.

I wasn't sure how everything was so well planned, but if this was all Liam, then I was really impressed. He really did his work.

Sara turned to quickly wink at me, before she began to walk as well and I shook my head amused at her antics.

The music then changed slightly, my entrance nearing, and I could feel my heart racing at this point.

I could hear the hushed whispers of everyone, their anticipation evident.

It was now Bea's turn to walk, with Daisy and little Hugo, however she didn't move.

I could see her head bowed down, and frowned slightly.

Looking to my Dad, I tugged on his arm gently and he knew what I wanted, and released me from his hold.

Walking forward, I came to Bea's side, and crouched down myself.

"Bumblebee?" I said and she turned to me.

"What if I mess up?" She asked softly, and looked so vulnerable and scared, as if the weight of this wedding was on her shoulders.

Cupping her cheek slightly, I smiled. "You won't. And if you do, I'll fix everything. Or we run away together and go get some ice cream," I joked and a smile was back on Bea's face.

She nodded, looking towards me with a grin.

"Go on, Bea. Do your thing," I said and then stood up. "You too, Daisy," I added, earning a bark from her. "And Hugo," he gave me a toothy grin.

Bea held her basket of flower petals tightly and then gave Daisy a bouquet to hold between her teeth. Hugo held onto Daisy's collar, steadying himself.

The music, that had stopped, began to play again, and this time Bea, Daisy and Hugo walked out together in sync.

I had taken my position with Dad at this point, and couldn't see much, but definitely heard everyone else's voices, whispering in awe and excitement.

It was now my turn.

"Ready?" Dad whispered.

"Ready," I replied, just looking straight ahead.

The curtains opened completely and there was Liam, looking...very still. He looked almost frozen.

His best man, Chris, then nudged him, causing Liam to seemingly snap out of it.

Chris seemed to have said something to Liam, that had him grinning like a madman, before his eyes were back on me.

I began to take steps closer towards him, closer towards everything I've ever wanted.

My eyes were locked onto Liam, and he too, didn't look away. It was like we both couldn't physically take our eyes off each other.

There was no nervousness anymore. No sweaty palms. No dry throat. There was a racing heart, but that was a given.

When I stopped right in front of him, I could see his eyes were brimming with tears.

I couldn't help but smile at him. He looked so overcome with emotion, it was adorable.

When I tried to take a step forward, I realised I couldn't because my Dad hadn't let go of me yet.

"Dad? You need to let of my hand," I whispered.

My Dad looked towards me, with what I can only describe as a pout.

"Just for a little while," I smiled at him, and rather reluctantly, my Dad finally let my hand go, only for Liam to hold it straight away.

I stood opposite him and Liam still hadn't let my hand go. It was like he was scared I'd disappear, and little did he know that I felt the same way.

"Hey, you," I managed to grin at Liam.

Liam's mouth just opened and closed. "I-...you're-...hey, you," he stuttered out and I wanted to chuckle.

The ceremony finally began, with the priest saying a few welcoming words, and reading a poem.

I wasn't even sure on what exactly being said, since all I could really focus on was the man in front of me.

At this point Liam had let go of my hand, only to reach into his pocket to pull out a handkerchief to wipe away some fallen tears.

I snapped back into reality when the Priest then spoke to Liam.

"Liam, would like to say your vows?" He asked.

He turned to the priest and nodded, wiping his eyes and taking a trembling breath.

"Yes," he said and then sniffled slightly.

Chris handed him a paper, which I assumed to be his vows, and Liam held it in his shaky hands.

When he looked at me and tried to speak, it was like his voice was stuck in this throat, as I just waited, letting him have some time.

"I-I can do this," he said, and I could hear everyone let out laughter at his words, and grinned too.

It was really something, watching him overcome with emotion like that. He'd never been like this before.

Liam shook his head, "I'm sorry, I-..." he began to say, and I reached out to squeeze his hand gently.

"Let me," I said, and he nodded.

I didn't write my vows down on paper, since seeing Liam was all that I needed.

With a deep breath, I began.

"I've always wanted a wedding. Always dreamed of having one that would be like a fairytale," I confessed, and Liam stared at me intently as I did.

"I had this picture painted in my mind of this perfect moment, because life doesn't always give us one," I said, remember the times in my life that weren't so great. "Lord knows I've had my moments of imperfection," I heard a few echoes of laughter at my words.

Liam shook his head gently, and I gave him a little shrug.

"As I grew older, the picture in my mind became clearer. I knew I would have my parents sitting up front-," I said, glancing at them in the front row, sitting next to Liam's parents, "-and my Mum would definitely be crying, even my Dad would be teary-eyed."

My Dad was trying so hard not to let the tears fall, and I saw him holding onto my Mum's hand for support.

"I would have my friends watching on with happiness, and my best friend would be by my side," I glanced towards Danny who cradled Sofia in his arms and gave me a slight smile, and then towards Sara behind me, who gave me a cheeky grin.

"Everything was so certain, so clear, except for who would be standing in front of me," I said, looking at back to Liam now.

"For a long time I placed you in that picture, until I couldn't," Liam frowned at my words, knowing exactly why I couldn't. "Just when I thought I would just have to paint myself a new picture, you were back in my life, and now, you're here," I smiled.

"You're here and you're mine, and I'm yours," I told him and Liam nodded, as if to confirm my words.

Liam held my hand in his again. "You're here, just how I imagined-," I said, before adding on, "-although with a little more tears than I thought there would be."

Everyone seemed to laugh at that, and even Liam couldn't help himself and shook his at me, closing his eyes momentarily.

"You once told me, in fact you promised me, that if I were to give you a chance, give us a chance, then I would want for nothing more," I reminded of his words from a couple of years ago.

Liam smiled and nodded, remembering.

"Now that I'm standing here, I truly realise that I don't want anything more," I told him. "I have you and my Bumblebee," I looked over to her, smiling whilst sitting on the edge of her seat, next to Emma. "I have my family now. That was my true dream."

Glancing back towards Liam, I saw his lips quiver ever so slightly, but a smile still etched onto his face nonetheless.

"Thank you for giving me my dream. For loving me back, just as I have loved you. You're my always, Liam, and you always will be. I love you."

I took a deep, albeit shaky, breath after finishing my vows, feeling my heartbeat in my ears.

That was intense.

I looked towards the Priest, who gave me a gentle smile and then he looked towards Liam.

"Liam, would you like-" he began to ask, but then stopped himself halfway, when Liam just waved him off and shook his head.

Clearly, he still was unable to talk, and it was all too endearing.

Everyone chuckled at this this, and I looked over to Peter, who was shaking his head laughing, and then saw Emma nudge him with her elbow.

Even Danny was smiling now, more than just a usual tug of the lips.

Will, who Liam had also invited, gave me a thumbs up when I looked towards him, with a cheeky grin plastered on his face.

Admittedly, a part of me did want to hear what Liam would say, but then again, I had our whole lives left to hear that he loved me. It didn't matter if he didn't say it in this moment, I knew it. That was enough.

The ceremony then carried on, a few more words, before it was time for the rings.

Despite the ring I had just received, Liam placed a simple wedding band on the same finger.

He gave my ring finger a kiss after, and the action warmed my heart, causing a stupid grin on my face.

Sara handed me the ring for Liam, and I gave her my bouquet. I hadn't even seen this ring till now, since all these arrangements were done for me.

The ring matched my wedding band in its simplicity, but just as Liam moved his hand forward and I was about to place the ring on his finger, I noticed inside there was an engraving.

I took a closer a look and found the words, Serena, etched in the inner part of the ring.

I looked up to Liam in shock, but he just nodded knowingly.

He did this. He wanted my name with him.

Now I could feel my eyes welling up, but quickly blinked that away, mostly because Sara would kill me if the makeup was ruined.

My breath trembled slightly, as I placed the ring on Liam's finger, and couldn't help but just stare at his hand, stroking my thumb over the ring.

We finally made it.

Liam took my hand in his, giving it a squeeze, like he knew what I was thinking.

"Liam Hunter, do you take Serena Hastings, as your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

"I do," Liam replied, "and even after that."

I smiled at his words, and the priest then turned to me.

"Serena Hastings, do you take Liam Hunter, as your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

"I do," I grinned at Liam.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the-"

He didn't get to finish his words, since Liam pulled me into his embrace, and then held my face between his hands, as he kissed me deeply, letting me in on all his emotions.

There was clapping, cheers, laughter and whistles, but all I knew in that moment was Liam.

He tilted my head up, and I held onto his arms, feeling like my legs would give out from underneath me from the daze I was in. The sheer bliss of being his, was overwhelming and perfect at the same time.

Liam then pulled away, pecking my lips once more, before resting his forehead against mine. We both sounded so breathless from our first kiss as husband and wife.

Husband and Wife. That sounded perfect.