Declaring sovereignty

Alex wondered whether they are playing family before marriage, because Raven was dressed in shiny red satin shirt with black pants, and Siren matched him with the loose fitting black shirt which is tucked in front into her red suit pants. The only difference is that Raven's shade of red is a little bit darker than Siren's pants. As if not enough Aiden too matched their outfit.

Siren entered the shed and stood in front of Raven. She looked him up and down and said to him with solemn expression, "We matched"

Raven's lips quirked up at the side, "We do"

Aiden wiggled in Alex's arms telling him to let him down. Once his feet touched the ground he ran towards Siren and held her hands in his little fingers. The three stood there like they are already a loving family planning to go for a vacation in matching family outfits.

Alex couldn't help but burst with jealousy; as a father, he had never worn matching outfits with his daughter. Fuming, he stormed into his personal room in the shed, turning it upside down until he found a red shirt. After changing, he emerged to find Conan waiting for him in the lobby, donning a red and black suit.

Frustrated, Alex demanded, "Where is my daughter?"

"She went to the bureau with my grandson for the marriage registration. I am here to accompany you... My in-law," Conan replied politely, though there was a hint of mockery in his tone.

Alex scoffed, retorting, "My daughter should not marry without my presence."

"Come on, Alex, it's just a registration, not a wedding," Conan rolled his eyes dismissively.

"Not even a registration" Alex then started his car and drove madly towards the civil affairs bureau followed by Conan.

Fortunately for them when they arrived, the couples only started to fill out the application and necessary documents before signing the marriage certificate. The couples took a photo and got their red books in their hand.

Siren saw the book in her hand, both she and him were staring straight at the camera, his lips slightly hooked up at the corner revealing a faint smile whereas she looked expressionless and blank.

She is a member of Grey now and the man standing besides her is now her husband, a legal one. She never thought of marrying someone and having a family in this lifetime but now not only does she have a husband but also a child. 

She didn't know if she did the right thing or not but she couldn't ignore the feeling she got when looking at Aiden, a warmth of light. She wishes to hold it tight as long as she can.

But it is another matter, the feeling she got for Raven. It was a very faint and unknown emotion that she wished to nip it in the bud but now it seems impossible with him being her husband. 

She snapped out of her daze when she felt someone tenderly caressing her head. Raising her gaze, she found Alex with dramatic tears in his eyes, patting her head.

Before he could utter a word, Siren intervened, saying, "Save your speech for the wedding, Dexy; it's just a registration."

In an instant, she burst his emotional bubble. Alex cleared his throat and remarked, "Of course I will, I am your father after all."

Conan extended his congratulations and presented a small red pocket to Siren, which she graciously accepted. Alex reluctantly handed over a small gift he had bought for Raven and a red pocket to Aiden, both of whom thanked him politely.

Aiden tugged at the corner of Siren's pants and held out his hand. Understanding his request, she passed him the red book. He then turned to his father, requesting his red book too. He opened to see the picture inside and kept the two books close and saw them left and right. His action brought smiles to the people present there.

He carefully closed the book and safely tucked it deep inside his pants pocket, fearing that someone might steal them. He looked up to see Siren with tears in his eyes. 

Softly, he uttered, "Aiden has a mother now," tears streaming uncontrollably down his cheeks.

Siren squatted down, gently wiping away the tears, and replied, "You do."

Aiden giggled, his laughter soon escalating into loud peals as he joyfully called Siren "Mother," bouncing up and down in front of her like an exuberant monkey. Siren smiled slightly, feeling a searing warmth in her heart at the sound of him calling her mother.

"A mother" she thought in her mind.

Raven observed his son's antics with a smile in his eyes. He knew he was truly happy now. Despite Aiden's remarkable bravery and intelligence for a four-year-old, he is just a child at heart.

The family soon headed to the city's renowned restaurant for lunch together. Alex told them to hold the wedding as soon as possible as he didn't want his daughter to be someone's wife only in the shadows. 

Conan echoed the sentiment, advocating for a swift ceremony. Raven assured Alex that the wedding would take place next month, once he concluded his pending foreign deals. He mentioned that he had already sent the marriage certificates and photos to the press and media, ensuring that his marriage would be the talk of the town by tomorrow.

Alex reacted with shock upon hearing this, while Conan beamed with pride at his grandson. Meanwhile, Siren silently pondered her newly married husband, wondering when he found the time to arrange all this amidst the busy marriage registration from morning.

Sensing her gaze, he turned to meet her eyes, "I texted my secretary when we left the bureau," he explained to her.

 But in truth, he had already set everything up beforehand, back when she had asked him to marry her. If there was one thing Raven strongly believed in, it was asserting his sovereignty. He wants everyone in the world to know that she is his.

Whether he loved her or not, one thing was certain: one should think twice before messing with something that belonged to him.