36. MARCO RUSSO

Today feels like the best day of my existence. And I will be damned if something ruins it.

IT'S MY WEDDING, FOLKS.

I cringe at this thought. I am sure some imposter entered my body the day I met Dahlia, because if it hadn't been true, I wouldn't have thought this thought full of cherriness.

And then I grin, thinking how I have changed as a person since I met Dahlia. How I am more relaxed and happy, and how I feel more content with myself.

"Should I take it as a blessing from God that I get to witness your wedding when I was one hundred and ten percent sure you would die being celibate?" Taehyung smirked.

BASTARD

He has been a real pain in my ass since the morning, and I am regretting choosing him as my best man. I didn't want any groomsmen or shit at all, but Dahlia insisted.

"Would you shut the fuck up?" I snapped, feeling my patience wearing thin. Taehyung just laughed, clearly enjoying getting under my skin.

I took a look at the villa's massive gardens, having a beautiful view of where the wedding was taking place. I am impressed by Josephine's skills in planning this big day. She was not a  planner, but she did an amazing job decorating and planning this day. Her attention to detail was impeccable, down to the last flower petal and ribbon on each chair. It was a beautiful view. I have never been fond of flowers and ribbons, but now they look perfect. The colors were vibrant, and the arrangements were stunning, adding a touch of elegance to the already picturesque setting. I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at how everything came together so beautifully. The guests were in awe of the beautiful setting she had created, and many commented on how it was the most stunning wedding they had ever attended. Josephine's hard work and dedication truly shone through, making this day a memorable one for everyone involved.

As the sun began to set, the soft glow illuminated the flowers and decorations, creating a magical ambiance.

I looked at the guests. Almost every famous and powerful person was present here, ranging from sportsmen to business legends to politicians. Everyone was laughing and mingling with each other. There is just a little time left before my lady walks down the aisle.

"I was right when I confronted you in Valhalla that night. I remember you saying you would not get a story out of me, Young. You might want to take it back, Mr.?" Taehyung continued riling me up.

" I swear, I am this close to killing you right now. The only thing stopping me is Lia's anger if something bloody happened at the wedding." I muttered from the side of my mouth. I don't want to ruin today's pictures on this asshole. Also, Lia wouldn't be happy if I did.

"You have been close to killing me for the past three hours," he scoffed.

"Enough, Young. I will help you rile him up, but after this gets over, James interrupts. "Bridesmaids are here, so I think it's time."

I drifted my attention to Jo, Sofia, and Camilla, who came to the altar to stand beside us, smiling excitedly. The guests took their seats, and I saw Aunt Stella come and sit in front, smiling proudly at me. I glanced at mom and dad and noticed that dad had matched his tie with mom's red dress. He is whipped, whether he admits it or not.

As the music started playing, I took a deep breath and prepared myself for the moment I had been waiting for. The doors opened, and I locked eyes with my soon-to-be spouse, feeling a rush of emotions overwhelm me.

And then I saw her.

There she was—my fiancée, the woman I was about to marry. She was walking toward me, her every step graceful, her presence radiating in the sunlight. My breath caught in my chest.

For a brief moment, everything else faded into the background. The vibrant flowers, the elegant decorations, the whispers of the crowd—they all blurred. I was focused on her. Lia. My heart pounded faster as she got closer.

Christian Harper was by her side, and I could feel the weight of the moment in the air. The man who had always been a steady, powerful figure in her life, the one who had been her protector, was now giving her to me. His expression was unreadable, but there was a quiet intensity in his eyes. I could sense his care for her in every move.

When they reached the altar, Christian's gaze met mine, sharp and unwavering. He placed her hand in mine and whispered something only I could hear. "Take care of her."

Christian said, his voice thick with emotion. "But I'll be clear—you hurt her, and I'll make sure you regret it."

I looked him in the eyes, and despite the intensity of his words, I nodded, understanding the weight behind them. Christian had always been a man who protected what he loved fiercely, and it was clear that his daughter was at the top of that list.

He held my gaze for a beat longer, as if assessing whether I understood the gravity of his unspoken threat. Then, after a moment, a small but approving smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"I'm serious, Russo. She's everything to me. You break her heart, and I will break you," he said, his voice low and steady, but the hint of a protective grin crept through. "Now go on and make her the happiest woman alive. That's your job now."

I chuckled nervously, feeling a tight knot in my stomach. "I wouldn't dream of doing anything else, Uncle, I mean sir."

Christian's demeanor softened just slightly, his fatherly pride unmistakable. "Good." He took Lia's hand gently, passing it into mine, his eyes softening as he looked at his daughter. "Lia, you've always been my little girl.  Take care of each other."

His words were full of love, and despite the earlier warning, the deep affection between father and daughter was clear. Christian kissed Lia's forehead tenderly before stepping back, and for a moment, I could see the man who had raised her—a man who had done everything for his daughter.

I smiled at her, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts racing in my mind. "You okay?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, her lips curving into a smile, though I could see the nervousness behind it. "Nervous, but... I'm ready."

I chuckled softly, squeezing her hands. "You look so beautiful, i can't even explain it, Lia. I can't believe this day is finally here."

Her smile widened, a little shy, but it was the same smile that always made me feel at home. "It still feels unreal," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "I've dreamed about this day, but... it's happening. And I get to marry you."

My heart swelled at her words. "And I get to marry you, Lia. You're everything I've ever wanted, more than I ever imagined. I'm so damn lucky to be standing here with you."

Lia's eyes softened, her gaze intense as she looked into mine. "I'm lucky too. I never thought I'd find someone like you. Someone who understands me, who makes me feel safe and loved... someone who will always choose me."

I stepped a little closer, lowering my voice, just for her. "I will always choose you, Lia. No matter what. You and me, we're in this together. Forever."

Her smile grew wider, and for a moment, the world around us disappeared. It was just the two of us, standing at the precipice of forever.

The sound of the priest clearing his throat gently brought us back to reality, signaling that it was time to begin. But before we stepped forward, I leaned in and whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too," Lia whispered back, her voice full of conviction, her eyes sparkling with love and joy.

And with that, we shared one last look, our hands still intertwined, knowing that the vows we were about to speak were just the beginning of the rest of our lives together.

The ceremony had begun, the soft murmur of the guests fading into the background as the priest stood before us. Christian had already given his blessing, and now the air was thick with anticipation. The priest nodded at us, a warm smile on his face, as he turned to address us both.

"Lia, Marco, today you stand before the people who love you most to make promises to one another, to begin your journey together as husband and wife. Please, share with us the vows you've written for one another."

I turned to Lia, feeling the weight of the moment. Her eyes locked onto mine, calm yet filled with emotion. There was no one else I could imagine standing here with, and I was overcome with the realization that this moment was just the beginning of our forever.

Taking a deep breath, I spoke first. "Lia," I began, my voice steady but filled with emotion, "when I met you, I was convinced that I understood what love was. But you... you've shown me something deeper, something more real. You've taught me that love isn't just the happy moments, the big gestures, or the fairy tale endings. Love is in the small things—the way you hold my hand when life gets tough, the way you laugh even when the world seems against us, the way you make me want to be a better man every single day. You're not just my heart, Lia—you are my home. And so, I vow to always protect you, to stand by you through all of life's storms, to cherish the quiet moments with you, and to always, without question, choose you—no matter where life takes us."

Lia's eyes were glistening with tears, and for a moment, I feared I'd lost my composure. But as she squeezed my hands, her smile reassured me.

She took a deep breath before speaking, her voice clear and strong. "Marco, when we met, I never imagined I'd find a love like this. You've shown me that the impossible is possible. You've proven that true love isn't about finding someone perfect—it's about finding someone who accepts your imperfections and loves you more because of them. I promise to always stand beside you, not as someone who completes you, but as someone who complements you. I vow to love you in every season of life, to never stop learning and growing with you. And when we face challenges, I promise to face them with you, never against you. You are the calm in my chaos, the strength in my weakness, and I will forever be thankful that I get to spend my life with you."

Her words hit me like a tidal wave, and in that moment, I realized just how lucky I was to have her as my partner. Every word, every vow, had been true—this was the woman I would love for the rest of my days.

Then, with a tender smile, I said, "I have one more thing to add, Lia. You once told me that you believed love wasn't about grand promises or impossible standards. It was about the small, everyday moments. And I couldn't agree more. So today, I'm making this promise to you—not a perfect promise, but a real one. I promise to show you, every single day, how much I love you. Not with big declarations, but in the little things—the way I kiss you good morning, how I always have your back when things get hard, how I'll laugh with you through the joy and wipe your tears through the pain. I'll love you in a way that's as real as every moment we share."

She reached up, brushing a tear from her cheek, her smile radiant. "I promise you this too, Marco," she said softly. "When the world feels heavy and the days seem long, I'll be there beside you. When you're unsure and lost, I'll be your compass. We'll build this life together, one moment at a time, and when we face the hard days, I'll remind you that we've already won, because we have each other."

we exchanged rings.

The priest, who had been quietly observing, turned to us both, a soft smile on his face. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Marco, you may kiss your bride."

I took a deep breath, my heart racing as I looked into Lia's eyes—her everything. Without hesitation, I leaned in and kissed her, softly at first, then with more urgency, as the world seemed to melt away around us.

When we pulled away, I whispered against her lips, "I love you, forever."

She smiled, her voice low but clear. "I love you, too. Always."

[..................]

I am tired of greeting and meeting people as they congratulate me. I haven't had a chance to dance with my wife yet, as she is too busy mingling. I just want to be alone with her on the dance floor.

Finally, I steal her and pull her into a corner of the room, away from the crowd. "Now we can finally have our first dance as husband and wife," I whispered to her, holding her close as the music began to play. The world faded away as we moved together, lost in each other's embrace.

It was a moment of pure bliss, just the two of us in our own little world. The music, the lights, and the chatter of the guests all faded into the background as we danced together, savoring our first dance as husband and wife.

"Meets and greets are fucking exhausting. I wonder how you do it on your shows and promotions." I sighed.

She chuckled softly, resting her head on my shoulder. "It's all worth it when I see the smiles on their faces," she replied, her voice filled with warmth and love. And in that moment, I knew that, no matter how exhausting it may be, we would always find joy in sharing these special moments together.

"Thanks for everything. I love you." She said it softly.

"I love you too, diamond." And with that, I crashed my mouth over hers. The kiss was filled with passion and gratitude, sealing our bond even tighter. As we pulled away, I couldn't help but feel grateful for her presence in my life.

She is my life.

My heart.

My soul

And I would be fucking lost if she left me.

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AND IT'S HOW THIS STORY ENDS. I WILL POST ABOUT THE UPDATES ON MY NEXT BOOKS REVOLVING AROUND SOFIA AND TAEHYUNG SOON.

THANKS FOR SUPPORTING ME AND READING THIS BOOK.

XOXO

BTW TRY GUESSING THE NEXT NICKNAME....