Chapter 18

Alex took a deep breath, smoothing her hands over the delicate fabric of her wedding dress. The intricate beadwork shimmered under the soft lighting of the bridal suite, catching every flicker of movement as if the dress itself was buzzing with anticipation. She could hardly believe the day had finally arrived. Months of planning, balancing work and pregnancy, managing schedules, and now—now it was here. She was about to walk down the aisle to the love of her life.The morning had flown by in a blur of laughter, quiet moments of reflection, and the steady hum of activity around her. Getting ready with Beth and Kendra had been a surreal experience—both of them fussing over every detail while her mother offered gentle reminders and words of encouragement. The hairstylist had pinned her hair into a soft, elegant updo, the loose tendrils framing her face just enough to add a touch of softness. The makeup artist worked magic, enhancing her natural beauty without making her feel too done up. For the first time in weeks, she felt... beautiful. Not just as a bride, but as herself.She thought back to the morning's quiet moment with Hyunjin—his soft words, the way he cradled her stomach like their little secret was the most precious thing in the world. And Chan... she couldn't stop thinking about him. Was he just as nervous as she was? Was he pacing the way he always did when he got overwhelmed? She could imagine him now, surrounded by the guys, Felix probably already emotional, and Changbin trying to keep everything on schedule. The thought made her smile. Soon, she'd see him, and nothing else would matter.The photo session had been a whirlwind. Alex had been grateful for the planned breaks in between shots—standing for too long was becoming a challenge these days, even with the weight of the dress distributed carefully around her. But the photos... they had been worth it. The way her mother had teared up seeing her in full bridal glory, Beth wiping away a tear discreetly, and Kendra's endless attempts to keep things lighthearted, cracking jokes about how Alex would be the first to cry at the altar.When the photographer posed her with Cassie, Alex couldn't help but melt. The little flower girl had twirled around her, giggling at the way her dress puffed out like a princess. Cassie had whispered, "You look like a queen, Auntie Alex," and Alex had nearly lost it right then and there.Now, as she stood near the entrance to the ballroom, she could hear the gentle hum of the guests settling in, the occasional rustle of fabric and muffled laughter filtering through the heavy doors. Her fingers tightened around the edge of her dress, and she felt her heartbeat pick up. This was it. The moment she would walk toward Chan, toward their future.Beth stood beside her, squeezing her hand gently. "Nervous?" she asked, her voice soft but steady.Alex nodded, exhaling shakily. "A little." She glanced down at her belly, hidden carefully beneath the voluminous folds of fabric. "Just a lot happening today."Kendra grinned from the other side. "You've got this. And hey, worst-case scenario, if you start crying, at least you'll look pretty doing it."Alex laughed, shaking her head. "Thanks for that."Her mother stepped forward, adjusting the delicate train behind her, her eyes shimmering with pride. "You're ready, sweetheart. You've always been ready for this."The music shifted in the distance, signaling the start of the procession. Alex watched as one by one, the bridal party began making their way down the aisle. Beth and Changbin, Cassie bouncing excitedly between them. Kendra and Lucas, followed by the others in perfect pairs.With each step they took, Alex's nerves settled a little more. Soon, it would be her turn. Soon, she'd see Chan standing at the altar, and all the noise in her head would fade away.She closed her eyes briefly, letting the moment sink in. The anticipation, the weight of everything leading up to this. The love that had carried them both here despite all the challenges they'd faced.The coordinator gave her a nod, signaling it was time.Alex took a deep breath, gripping her bouquet a little tighter."Finally," she whispered to herself, stepping forward as the first notes of I Get to Love You filled the air. The doors opened, and with a final exhale, she walked forward into forever.As the grand doors of the ballroom slowly opened, the soft melody of I Get to Love You swelled through the air. A hush fell over the guests, and for a moment, time seemed to suspend in the shimmering glow of the chandeliers. Alex took her first step, the weight of her gown grounding her as she moved forward with measured grace, her heart hammering against her ribs.She barely registered the sea of faces turned toward her, their expressions a mix of awe and adoration. Her eyes were locked on only one person—Chan.And in that instant, the moment he saw her, Chan completely crumbled.Chan's breath hitched the moment he laid eyes on Alex. His hand instinctively reached up to his mouth, his fingers trembling against his lips as his eyes widened in awe. The weight of the moment crashed into him all at once—the sheer beauty of her, the overwhelming reality that she was about to become his wife, and the emotions he had been holding back all morning.His eyes glossed over with unshed tears, and before he could stop himself, his head dipped forward, his shoulders shaking slightly as he turned away. He inhaled sharply, willing himself to keep it together, but it was no use. The love, the devotion, the sheer gratitude he felt for Alex overwhelmed him in a way he hadn't anticipated.Felix, standing beside him as one of his groomsmen, reached over with a reassuring squeeze to his arm, whispering, "Breathe, hyung. You've got this."Chan nodded quickly, taking a deep breath, blinking rapidly to clear his vision. When he looked back up, Alex was still there, walking towards him, her smile soft and knowing. She had seen him break before—on stage, in moments of exhaustion, during heartfelt speeches—but this? This was different.Her lips curved into a tender smile, and despite the weight of the dress and the steady ache in her back, she couldn't help the small chuckle that bubbled up inside her. She had expected him to cry, but seeing him physically turn away to compose himself—it was so him.Alex continued down the aisle, her steps steady, her eyes never leaving his. Each step forward felt like an eternity and yet, not enough time all at once. Her fingers gripped the bouquet tighter as she approached the front, and she could see Chan exhale slowly, his chest rising and falling in a rhythmic attempt to calm himself.As Alex reached the altar, her father gently squeezed her hand, offering one last reassuring smile before placing it into Chan's waiting grasp. Chan's hands trembled slightly as he took hers, his thumb brushing over her knuckles with the gentlest of touches, as if he were afraid she might disappear if he held on too tightly.Alex's heart melted at the way he looked at her—his dark eyes shining with unfiltered love, his lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't quite find the words. He looked breathtaking in his white suit, the intricate embellishments shimmering under the soft glow of the chandeliers. The way the suit hugged his frame, the delicate detailing along his shoulders and chest—it was regal, elegant, and uniquely him. He was hers, standing right in front of her, and she couldn't believe how lucky she was.She stepped closer, their eyes locked, and with a warm smile, she leaned in to place a soft kiss on his cheek. The touch was gentle, brief, but it was enough to ground them both. Chan closed his eyes for a moment, exhaling shakily at the tender gesture, a small smile tugging at his lips."You look so handsome," Alex whispered, her voice only for him.Chan's face softened, and a quiet chuckle escaped him, his hand tightening around hers. "And you... you're... I don't even have words," he breathed, his voice thick with emotion. His gaze flickered down for a split second, taking in the stunning beadwork of her gown before meeting her eyes again. "I love you so much."Alex felt her own eyes well up, but she managed to keep her composure, nodding slightly. "I love you too."A small murmur rippled through the guests as they watched the couple share this intimate moment, and Alex could hear Beth sniffling from her place beside her.The officiant cleared his throat softly, signaling it was time to begin, and Chan straightened his posture, though his eyes never left Alex's.The officiant smiled warmly, his voice gentle yet steady as he began. "Family, friends, and loved ones, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Chan and Alex in marriage. Today is a day filled with love, commitment, and the promise of a future built together."Alex felt Chan's grip on her hand tighten ever so slightly, a silent reassurance between them. The soft hum of the live-streaming cameras capturing every moment lingered in the background, but to Alex, it all faded away. Right now, it was just the two of them."Marriage is a journey," the officiant continued. "It is not a destination but an adventure, full of growth, challenges, and most importantly, love. Chan and Alex have chosen to embark on this journey together, with open hearts and unwavering devotion."Chan's eyes never left hers, a tear escaping down his cheek despite his efforts to hold it together. Alex squeezed his hand gently, her own heart thudding in her chest. She could hear the faint sniffles from the bridal party, the overwhelming love radiating from every direction."And now, they have chosen to share their vows with one another."The officiant nodded toward Chan, signaling for him to begin. Chan let out a shaky breath, reaching into his pocket for a folded piece of paper, but after a moment, he shook his head with a soft laugh, setting it aside."I wrote vows," he started, his voice thick with emotion, "but honestly, standing here looking at you, none of it feels enough." He swallowed hard, blinking rapidly to clear the moisture from his eyes. "Alex, from the moment you walked into my life, you've changed it in ways I never imagined. You've challenged me, supported me, and loved me in ways I didn't think I deserved. And today, standing here, I realize I've been waiting my whole life for this moment, for you."Alex felt a tear slip down her cheek, and she bit her lip to keep from full-on sobbing."I promise to stand by you, through every challenge and joy, to laugh with you when times are good and hold you when times are tough. I promise to love you endlessly, to cherish every moment, and to always, always put us first." His voice cracked slightly as he continued, his thumb brushing against her hand. "You are my best friend, my greatest love, and the home I never knew I needed. I love you, Alex, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life proving it to you."The audience let out a collective sigh, and Alex had to take a deep breath to keep from completely breaking down. She offered him a watery smile, wiping a tear from his cheek with the pad of her thumb."Your turn, sweetheart," the officiant said gently.Alex nodded, her hands trembling slightly as she pulled a small card from the folds of her dress. Her voice was soft but steady as she spoke, her gaze never wavering from Chan's."Chan, before you, I thought I had everything figured out. I had built walls around myself, convinced I didn't need anyone to lean on. But then you came into my life, and you showed me that love isn't something to fear—it's something to embrace." She took a shaky breath, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "You've shown me patience, kindness, and a level of love I never thought possible. You are my strength when I feel weak, my light when things seem dark, and my safe place when I need it most."She blinked, the corners of her lips trembling as she continued. "I promise to support you, to stand beside you through every crazy adventure and quiet moment in between. I promise to love you fiercely, to remind you of your worth when you forget, and to always be your biggest fan—whether it's on stage or in life."Alex's voice caught slightly, and she glanced down at her stomach for a brief second before looking back up at him. "Most of all, I promise to build a life with you that's full of love, laughter, and maybe a few surprises along the way."Chan let out a quiet chuckle, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, and Alex felt a warmth settle deep in her chest. This was their moment—raw, vulnerable, and so incredibly perfect.The officiant smiled. "Chan, Alex, you've exchanged your vows with heartfelt sincerity. Now, do you, Chan, take Alex to be your wife, to love, honor, and cherish her for all the days of your life?"Chan's voice was unwavering. "I do. A million times over.""And do you, Alex, take Chan to be your husband, to love, honor, and cherish him for all the days of your life?"Alex's voice was thick with emotion. "I do."The officiant nodded, gesturing toward the rings. Changbin stepped forward, holding them out with a wink, and Chan took Alex's hand once more, slipping the ring onto her finger with reverence."With this ring," he whispered, "I give you my heart."Alex's hand trembled as she took his ring, sliding it onto his finger, her voice soft but sure. "With this ring, I give you my everything."The officiant beamed. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Chan, you may kiss your bride."Without hesitation, Chan cupped Alex's face in his hands and kissed her with a tenderness that spoke of everything he couldn't put into words. The crowd erupted into applause, cheers filling the ballroom, and in that moment, Alex knew—this was it. Their forever had begun.