- 9 8 -

"Love doesn't just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new." Jane spoke and I breathed out shakily as she scrolled down her phone in pure concentration.

"A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences." She said and smiled as the hairdresser finished up on my hair and I thanked her.

"Oh, another one, this is great—"

"Enough with the marriage quotes!" I suddenly snapped and everyone quieted down around me, my eyes blazing as I looked at myself in the mirror.

"Would you like a moment alone, ma'am?" The make up artist asked me with a small, knowing smile when I took a deep breath and shook my head.

"N-No, I'm okay, continue, please." I said and cleared my throat while Jane gaped at me.

"Thea—"

"I'm fine, Jane." I muttered and she nodded slowly, sharing a look with Ana who stepped forward ad put her hand on my shoulder.

"Nervous?" She asked and I shrugged.

"To put it lightly," I gulped and looked at her through the mirror, "Is is always this nerve-wracking?"

She smiled at me like a true sister would and sat down on the chair beside me, taking my hands.

"It's only nerve wracking because you don't know what to expect. To be honest, no one does, and that's the beauty of it all, never knowing what comes next." She squeezed my hands.

"I know you're scared, but let me tell you one thing we both already know— Roman loves you more than himself, and would die without you—literally." She said and I chuckled, nodding.

"I love him too." I whispered and she beamed.

"See? You're getting married to the man you love, the man who loves you. And while there will be frustrating times and fights, those are just little forks in the road everyone has to face because at the end of the day, you both love each other more than anything, and that's what counts, got it?" She asked firmly and I nodded once.

"Got it." I smiled gratefully when there was a knock on the door and aunt Kris appeared.

"Is my girl ready?" She asked and Zarina and Kim let her in when she gasped.

"You look so beautiful, my darling!" She showered me with compliments, admiring my dress and hair and jewellery and literally everything else before facepalming herself.

"I completely forgot, the groomsmen and the rest of the boys are waiting for the first look." She said and I nodded, taking in a few deep breaths.

"Okay, I can do this." I hyped myself up and took Jane's hand, watching her smile at me in reassurance before we both made our way down the stairs.

The dress I was wearing was ethereal and made me feel like a goddess, wrapping around my body perfectly and hugging my curves, it made me feel confident too.

It revealed a part of my back and had thin spaghetti straps, the lacy material fitted around my body and flaring at the bottom.

The veil on my head had quite a long trail, clipped with a diamond headpiece that was to die for, and my hair had been tied into an elegant low bun with a few curled strands framing my face.

The jewellery I wore was my mom's from her wedding day, a beautiful diamond set that included earrings and an elegant necklace along with a matching bracelet.

My make up was nude, the winged eyeliner and smokey eye make up on point and the dark red lipstick was a must. Let's not forget the slit in my dress starting from the thigh to all the way down, revealing my tanned leg and the extravagant white shoes Ana had got me.

Walking down the stairs, my bare arms spread with goose bumps even though it wasn't even cold, just a little chilly but good weather overall since it was fall and nearing winter.

"She's here everybody." Jane announced when I reached the bottom and looked at all the men with their backs to me, clad in grey suits.

"You can turn around now." I said and beamed when all of them turned and immediately grew quiet, Alex putting his fist over his mouth and Anton pursing his lips before heaving a short breath.

I saw the wetness in their eyes, all of the boys from my family and my own eyes watered when my dad came forward to hug me.

"Beautiful, I tell you. Just like your mother." He pulled back and kissed my forehead, smiling warmly at me as I brushed a stray tear from the corner of his eye.

"You're going to make me cry, daddy." My bottom lip quivered and he chuckled, shaking his head.

"Sue me for being emotional, my daughter looks ethereal." He exclaimed and we all laughed as Anton and Alex took their places, both of them kissing my cheek before Anton wrapped his arms around me.

"I'm proud of you, darling." He mumbled into my shoulder and I nodded, pulling away to let Alex hug me next.

"I still don't like the Italian." He mumbled grumpily and I laughed, patting his back.

"I know you don't." I told him as he pulled away with a grin and took both my hands.

"Thank you for always being there for me, Alex. I wouldn't have been where I am today if it weren't for you." I said and glared at Anton.

"Especially when I thought this idiot was dead." I snapped and Anton simply shrugged while Alex chuckled and pecked the top of my head.

"You're gonna make me cry, feather." Zephyr took his place, rocking side to side with me before I laughed and pushed him away, Ivan taking his place.

"My favourite Russian." I said and he grinned, holding me tightly.

"Proud of you, kotenok. Keep that man on his toes because he certainly doesn't deserve you." He said and I smiled at him, shaking my head before he kissed my forehead.

"You look beautiful, unfortunately." He said and I rolled my eyes at his way of complimenting.

"Must you always be so mean to me, Malev?" I put my hands on my hips when he chuckled.

"Always, Elias." He murmured, looking at me warmly before shaking his head and stuffing his hands in his pockets, moving towards my uncles who hugged the literal life out of me.

"Enzo, Gabe thanks for being here." I hugged both men who nodded with small smiles.

"You look great. That man of yours is one lucky bitch. Don't know how he is, though, he's got neither the looks nor the charm." Enzo commented and I laughed.

"Thanks, but you better not let him hear that." I warned him playfully and he chuckled.

"I ain't got a death wish, but thanks for the reminder." He joked before sauntering over to Jane and pecking her cheek when Anton and Alex stood beside me on either side.

"Ready to go?" Anton asked and I nodded, taking both their hands as they led me to the train of cars waiting outside and the girls helped me sit in, Anton taking the front seat with the driver and Alex sitting next to me.

"Why is there so much dress?" Alex huffed and I laughed.

"Because I wanted there to be." I shrugged.

"What a waste of money." He said and I scoffed.

"You're the waste of money." I sassed back and he rolled his eyes, hiding his smile as he looked out the window.

We reached the church in about half an hour and I brushed off all the nerves, reminding myself again and again that I was getting married to the man I loved, and I was lucky for that.

I got out of the car and stood in front of the church gates, looking at the beautiful architecture looming above us.

"Ready, sweetheart?" Dad offered me his arm when I nodded, standing up straighter as I took his arm.

The heavy and large doors were opened, revealing a lobby of sorts where the bridesmaids and groomsmen stood waiting.

Maria saw me and waved, making me smile as I waved back, watching as she hooked her arm through Gabriel's, in front of them stood Enzo and Jane and behind them stood Lily and another guy whose name I forgot but remembered him as the 'tech' guy.

"You look beautiful." Maria commented and I thanked her.

"We missed you at the bachelorette." I told her and she nodded, remembering that she had to go to Italy because her father was unwell during those days and she had just returned this morning.

"Me too, but it's okay, at least I get to see the wedding." She said excitedly and I grinned as she moved back to Gabriel, her little baby bump on display under the baby pink satin dress she wore that was for all bridesmaids.

"Relax, darling." Dad squeezed my arm gently and I nodded.

"I'm just really scared." I confessed and saw him look down at me.

"When two people love each other, the only thing they should fear is losing the other. No other what ifs or what now's. Live in the moment, because there is no time like the present. We learnt that the hard way, didn't we?" He asked and I nodded after a moment, a sad smile on my lips.

"Yes." I mumbled when he smiled warmly.

"Then live in the moment, darling, its always worth it." He whispered and I nodded, sucking in a sharp breath when the doors opened and the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked in slowly, followed by Anya, our adorable flower girl before she ran off to her mother and then it was finally our turn.

Here goes everything.

As soon as I stepped on the red carpet of the aisle covered in rose petals, the bouquet of red roses in my hands and my father right next to me, I felt my heart thunder in my ears and my blood pump in my veins as I kept my eyes down, making sure I wouldn't trip or fall.

But then something in me told me to look up, and I did, my breath hitching when I met emerald green eyes gleaming with happiness and my eyes swept along his tall and muscular frame, admiring how the black three piece suit hugged his body perfectly, the crisp white shirt, blood red tie and the matching red rose in his breast pocket.

I felt my eyes well up the longer I looked at him.

And suddenly, all of the troubles, all of the problems, psychotic exes and parents, bullet wounds, fights, and turmoil we had faced seemed worth it. Because all of it brought me to him. My Roman.

I saw his soft smile, the way he looked at me with all the love in the world in his eyes that was only reserved for me, the way his face lit up whenever he saw me, and how he held out his hand for me when we reached the altar.

"Take care of her." My dad whispered, his voice full of emotion when he kissed my forehead and Roman smiled warmly at me.

"With my life." He promised in a low voice and my chest constricted as my father gave me away.

I took Roman's hand, standing in front of him, our hands clasped in each other's and my eyes widened in the slightest when a single tear rolled down his cheek and my hand moved up on its own accord to wipe it off gently with my thumb.

"You look beautiful, mio angelo, amore mio."(My angel, my love)He whispered his voice emotional as the priest cleared his throat.

"We have gathered here today—" The priest started but all the voices faded out as I looked into his glimmering eyes, completely lost in them.

"Roman Hael Angelo, do you take Heather Solonik Elias as your lawfully wedded wife—"

Hael?

"I do." Roman answered when the priest was done and tears gathered in my eyes as he looked at me, sliding the intricate and beautiful wedding band on my finger with the words engraved on the inside, 'With my life and everything in me'.

"Heather Solonik Elias, do you take Roman Hael Angelo as your lawfully wedded husband—" The priest went on as my breathing became heavier, heart heavy with emotion while I heaved a shuddery breath that betrayed my excitement.

"I do." I spoke in a breathy and uneven voice and Roman chuckled as I slid the wedding band with the similar engraving onto his finger, my eyes narrowing in the slightest when I saw what was tattooed on the finger in place of the ring.

'Heather, mio angelo'

I looked at him astonished as I slid the ring over his finger and he smiled knowingly at me as the tears finally fell down my face and I laughed softly.

"With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The priest announced.

Both Roman and I smiled like the lovesick idiots we were, his hands gently framing my face and wiping my tears, he put his forehead against mine as the crowd squirmed in anticipation.

"I was yours the moment we found each other." He whispered and I smiled wide.

"And I yours." I whispered back as he gazed at me with all the love and adoration in his eyes, wiping the last bit of my tears as he titled his face and I closed my eyes as he lowered his lips to mine, everything falling into place the moment our lips touched.

A loud cheer erupted from the guests as he kissed me slowly, sweetly, taking his time to savour me when a coupe of hoots and shouts made us break apart.

I giggled, holding onto his hands as he leaned down to kiss my forehead before taking my hand and raising it in the air for everyone to see.

The guests all cheered and clap for us before he kissed the back of my hand and lead me down the aisle and outside where we were met with flashing cameras.

Turns out, people were interested in my life as well as Roman's, considering both our families have very successful businesses.

Walking towards the car, Roman's men made sure no one came close to us and he gripped my hand tightly in his before helping me sit and then following in after me.

I sighed in relief when we are on the road and away from the crowd when Roman squeezed my hand and I smiled at him, leaning my head on his shoulder.

"I'm so happy." I whispered and he sighed.

"I am too." He murmured, kissing the top of my head before gazing down at me lovingly.

We reached his house in record time where the reception was to take place in the backyard, one which I had organised with help from all the girls, but mostly on my own.

Getting out of the car, Roman helped me out and I beamed when I saw my friends and family waving us over and turned to rush over to them when Roman tugged me back and right into his chest.

"Rome!" I chastised when he grinned, wrapping his arms around my waist as he nuzzled his nose with mine.

"Let me kiss my wife." He murmured lowly and my stomach filled up with butterflies as I blushed a deep shade of red and sighed when his mouth came down on mine.

He kissed me with a passion I yearned for desperately, not having seen him for the last two days in the midst of all the planning and chaos, I was desperate to kiss him as much as he was for me.

"Two fucking days." He muttered grumpily and I giggled, smoothing out his tie.

"I'm here now, aren't I?" I asked and he grinned.

"For good, I hope, Mrs. Angelo?" He asked smoothly and I swooned, almost fainted, but surprisingly kept myself upright as I grinned, placing both hands on his chest.

"For good, Mr. Angelo." I answered and saw his satisfied face as he leaned down to peck my lips a few more times and I laughed, wiping off the red lipstick from his lips with my thumb.

"Let's go." I said and took his hand, swinging our hands together as we made our way to the back and were met with flowers and confetti and balloons thrown over us, making me squeal in delight as I held onto Roman and leaned into his side, his arm wrapped securely around me.

"Let the party begin, bitches!" Enzo yelled and we all cheered in response as the drinks were popped open and laughter filled the air around us, my eyes latching onto those green ones that had me hooked at first sight.

Because I was his the moment we found each other.