Wedding Day
Friday came and went without a fuss- Liliana and Aukai both passed their classes with straight As, setting them up well for the next term. Everything was ready for the ceremony on Saturday, all that was left to do was wait, just a few more hours...
On Saturday morning, Aukai got up early to make them both breakfast and get ready. They would be leaving for the venue as soon as they were both dressed, to make sure everything was set up correctly.
He couldn't quite believe this was really happening... he was about to marry his soulmate, in just a couple more hours.
Vanessa, of course, had provided their wedding cake, but for the rest of the menu Aukai and Liliana had decided to go with a caterer from Sulani, who specialized in themed weddings. Most of their dishes were light and fruity for their beach theme, but Liliana had requested mucenici, a favorite dessert of hers that was local to Ravenwood.
It all looked incredible!
Vanessa and Teodor arrived not long after them, and the rest of the family and guests soon after that.
"You look just like your grandmother in her wedding pictures." Vanessa smiled at Liliana sadly. "You've grown up so beautiful, my little flower. Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be, Mama."
Vanessa took her place as the Officiant beneath the wedding arch, and the guests quickly found their seats. The wedding music began to play from big speakers hidden amongst the decorative plants, and anticipation ran high as everyone waited to see the happy couple.
Lis and Aurelia walked down the aisle first, carrying their flower petals and rings respectively. Liliana and Eugene followed after, together as the maid and man of honor.
Watching them walk down ahead, Liliana couldn't help but think that the two of them made quite a nice couple... too bad Leia had whatever was going on with the Grim Reaper. She'd been evasive on details recently!
Then it was Liliana's turn, and her father came to walk her down the aisle. As she looked out over her family and friends, Liliana couldn't help but think just how lucky she was. She'd had an incredible life so far... what was next, she wondered?
Whatever the answer to that was, she and Aukai would explore it together. As they exchanged their rings and vows, both of them knew that this was forever.
"I vow to be your anchor in the storm." Aukai told her. "Your safe harbor, and the wind in your sails, guiding you through life's adventures."
"And I promise to love you as deeply as the ocean." Liliana answered, as she slid the silver wedding band onto his finger. "Like the waves that crash against the shore, my love for you will be unending and unstoppable."
"Aukai Inoke, do you take Liliana Constantin to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Vanessa asked.
"I do."
"And do you, Liliana Constantin, take Aukai Inoke to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do!"
"Then by the power granted to me by the Kingdom of Ravenwood, I now pronounce you, husband and wife." Vanessa declared. "You may kiss the bride."
The guests threw rice and flower petals as Liliana and Aukai made their way down the aisle together, still glowing with the solemn joy of the ceremony. The formalities were done- they were officially married.
Now, it was time to celebrate!
To kick off the reception, Liliana and Aukai started by cutting the wedding cake. It wasn't a party without a cake, after all!
"Thank you, everyone, for coming today." Liliana told their guests. "Please, enjoy the reception! There's plenty of food and desserts to go around!"
Liliana and Aukai shared their first bites of the cake as the others started to talk and mingle, leaving the happy couple with a few minutes for themselves.
"This has gone so much better than I hoped." Liliana whispered to him.
"It's perfect." Aukai agreed. "I love you, Lily."
"I love you too, Aukai."
After a while of enjoying the food and mingling with the guests, Liliana and Aukai called everyone over to the dance floor for the first dance. The romantic music swelled as they gently swayed in each other's arms, their family and friends looking on.
The sun was starting to set over the ocean- had it really been a full day already?
"Before we all head home, there's one more tradition I'd like to observe!" Liliana called the attention back to her as the dancing ended. "I'd like to do a bouquet toss!"
Eirwen immediately slipped to the back of the crowd, but the rest of Liliana's cousins gathered eagerly with chatter and laughter. After a count of three, Liliana flung the flowers out towards them.
Several hands grabbed out for the bouquet, until Ella's gloved hand grabbed hold.
"I got it!" Ella laughed.
"Better get on it, Kit." Aukai teased his friend, who laughed and knocked his shoulder.
"All good things in time."
The ceremony and reception over, Liliana and Aukai returned home to Britechester as the sun set. They were both tired, but there was still time for a little wedding night romance.
Today marked a massive milestone in their lives, and there were more adventures yet to come. But, for now, they were secure in each other's arms, in a home they called their own, and that was all that mattered.
Whatever tomorrow brought, they would take it on together.
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