Chapter 302: ~ 301
Chapter 301
~Octavia~
The scent of fresh white roses and pale pink lilies filled the air of the cathedral. The venue had been completely transformed into a breathtaking floral paradise, an ethereal wonderland that perfectly mirrored the romance.
Everyone was here, her mum, sister and her husband.
As the maid of honor, I stood at the stage down the altar, holding my bouquet tightly. The doors at the back of the cathedral swung wide open, and a collective, breathless gasp echoed through the sanctuary.
Annie appeared. She looked like an absolute, literal goddess. Her wedding gown was absolutely gorgeous, and her veil trailing behind her as she began her slow walk down the aisle.
I cut my eyes toward Clinton, who was standing beside the priest. He looked completely and utterly smitten. The very moment his eyes locked onto Annie, his composure fractured in the most beautiful way.
His jaw trembled slightly, and a raw, vulnerable tear escaped, rolling down his cheek. He quickly raised his hand, wiping it away, unable to take his eyes off his bride for even a single fraction of a second.
When Annie finally reached the altar, Clinton took her hands, his voice thick with emotion as the priest nodded for them to begin their vows.
"Annie-bear," Clinton began, his deep voice cracking slightly as he looked down into her eyes, completely discarding his usual rigid corporate exterior. "From the playground to this altar, you have been the best part of my life. I loved you when we were just kids scraping our knees, and I love you even more today. You have always been my safe haven, the bright light in my darkest days. I promise to cherish you, to hold you through every storm, and to spend the rest of my days making sure you know how deeply you are loved. You are my childhood dream come true, and today, you are finally my wife."
Annie’s eyes overflowed with tears, a brilliant, radiant smile breaking across her face as she squeezed his hands tightly, her voice clear and soft.
"My Clinton," she whispered, her voice trembling with sweet emotion. "We grew up together, we fell in love together, and there was never a single moment where my heart didn’t belong to you. You’ve protected me since we were children, and being in your arms is the only place I’ve ever felt entirely safe. I promise to love you fiercely, to stand by you through everything life throws our way, and to be your constant joy. I am yours, completely and entirely."
Clinton’s eyes softened completely, a rare, breathtakingly tender smile breaking across his sharp features. He leaned in just an inch closer, his voice dropping into a private, rough whisper that only people close to the altar could catch. "I love you, Annie Bear. Forever."
A collective murmur of emotion swept through the pews. The priest smiled warmly, raising his hands. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Clinton, you may kiss your bride."
Clinton didn’t hesitate. He pulled Annie into his arms, dipping her slightly as he captured her lips in a deep, passionate kiss that made the entire church erupt into a deafening roar of cheers and applause.
As they walked back down the aisle as a married couple, we all lined the steps, throwing handfuls of delicate white flower petals over them. Annie threw her head back, laughing with pure, radiant joy as the petals rained down on her lace veil, her hand gripped firmly in Clinton’s as they stepped into their brand-new life together.
The transition to the grand ballroom for the reception was almost immediately after the pictures were taken.
After the formal dinner, the party truly began. I stood near the edge of the sprawling white dance floor, sipping a glass of champagne and letting out a happy, exhausted breath.
My eyes drifted across the room, tracking the rest of our tight-knit circle. Over by the cocktail lounge, Flynn and Victoria were absolutely over each other.
"You’re still lecturing me about alcohol drinks, aren’t you?" Victoria laughed brightly, her hand resting flat against Flynn’s chest as she looked up at him.
Flynn had his arm wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her impossibly close. "Absolutely," he murmured with a wicked smirk, leaning down to press a kiss to her temple. "You are a menace, Victoria. But you’re my menace, and you look too beautiful all the time for me to stay mad at you."
"Good," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck, completely intoxicated by his presence. "Then shut up and dance with me."
I smiled, turning my gaze back to the center of the dance floor where Annie and Clinton were sharing their very first dance as newlyweds.
Suddenly, a familiar, intoxicating wave of warmth washed over my back. Before I could even turn around, a pair of large, strong arms wrapped effortlessly around my waist, pulling my back flush against a broad, solid chest. The scent of rich mahogany, expensive cologne, and pure masculinity enveloped me completely.
Franklin.
I let out a soft, contented sigh, leaning my head back against his shoulder as his large hands splayed flat across my stomach. Even in a room filled with people from other corporations, my husband effortlessly commanded the space. He looked impossibly handsome in his custom black tailored tuxedo.
"You’ve been running around taking care of the bride all day, sweetheart," Franklin murmured, his deep, rumbling baritone vibrating directly against my spine. He leaned down, his warm lips brushing teasingly against the sensitive shell of my ear. "Have I mentioned yet how utterly beautiful you look in this dress?"
"Maybe once or twice during the photos," I teased softly, overlapping my smaller hands over his massive ones. "But I wouldn’t mind hearing it again."
"You look breathtaking, Octavia," he whispered, his voice dropping into a low, fiercely possessive tone that made my heart do a wild, familiar flutter. He tightened his hold on my waist, pulling me so close there wasn’t a single inch of air between us. "Watching Annie walk down that aisle was beautiful. But it just reminded me of the day I watched you walk toward me. I would marry you all over again, every single day, for the rest of my life. Never forget that."
My heart completely melted, a thick wave of love taking over my entire being. I turned around in his embrace, looping my arms loosely around his neck as I looked up into his dark, fiercely devoted eyes. "Is that a promise, Mr. Flemington?"
"A lifelong promise, Mrs. Flemington," he corrected with a wicked, devastatingly handsome smirk.
Franklin didn’t wait for another word. He took my champagne glass, placing it on a passing waiter’s tray, and seamlessly guided me out onto the crowded dance floor. The orchestra transitioned into a slow, sweeping, romantic ballad.
Franklin’s large hand slid down to the small of my back, his palm warm and steady through the satin fabric of my gown, while his other hand securely clasped mine.
We began to sway together in perfect harmony, moving as one entity amidst the flashing cameras and laughing guests. I rested my cheek against his lapel, listening to the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat beneath his tuxedo.
The music played on, and Franklin leaned down to press a deep, lingering, and fiercely loving kiss against my lips.
He is my forever.