James shoved him off. “Don’t ruin my clothes.” Zachary was speechless.
“Come on, it’s just a suit,” Zachary said, putting his elbow on James’s shoulder. ’ And what’s more important, me or the suit?”
James replied, “The suit, of course.”
Speechless, Zachary started to turn and leave.
James promptly caught him. “I’m just kidding. Why so serious?”
Zachary snorted. “It’s understandable if you told me that your bride’s more important, but your clothes too?! It’s over. We’re done.”
James chuckled. “Why are you being so petty?”
“You’re petty.” Zachary shot James a look.
The pair continued their banter, but they were self-aware enough to quickly stop talking once they arrived at the crowded hall and even flashed a genial smile.
Their ability to change their expressions was certainly instantaneous.
And being the protagonist of the day, James did draw considerable attention.
Mick had made plenty of friends at Minerva over the years. Many of them were attending James and Erin’s wedding, and Mick was eagerly introducing James to everyone.
Though the ceremony was planned by a professional wedding planner, it has not started yet since they intended to maintain a schedule that stuck strictly to the time, per Zidonian tradition. Weddings in Minerva were naturally simpler and did not involve complex rituals.
The priest soon spoke in Zidonian, specially requested since James and Erin were Zidonian—being wed here did not mean they were Minervan.
“Thank you everyone for taking time from your busy schedules to attend Mr. Cross and Ms. Gooding’s wedding.”
The priest’s voice was rich and booming as he announced,” You may come forward, Mr. Cross.”
After James went up to the altar, the priest continued, “And now, please rise to welcome the bride.”
Everyone turned toward the main doors at that, and Tommy excitedly tugged at Abigail’s hand while pointing at it.” Mommy, is Aunt
Erin coming in from there?”
“Yes,” Abigail replied, and the doors swung open as the music blared.
A fair lady akin to Snow White appeared before everyone. With her delicate appearance, slim figure, and elaborate makeup, she was even more attractive.
“Wow, Aunt Erin is so beautiful!” Tommy exclaimed.
Abigail nodded in agreement. “Yeah!”
Erin had one arm around Mick’s as she entered, the train of bridal gown swaying as she walked slowly and steadily toward James, her eyes determined.
Mick personally handed her hand to James, not forgetting to say, “I’m entrusting Erin to you. You must treat her well.”
James nodded. “I will. Don’t worry.”
Mick smiled-he would not have entrusted Erin to James if he was worried. “I’m relieved.”
After that, the priest announced it was the time for speech.” Do you have a speech prepared, Mr. Cross?”
Jame turned toward Erin.
It was a moment to convey his love, and though their relationship started with a one-night stand, many unpleasant matters followed.
That was why he had a serious look and an earnest tone.” It’s my great fortune to be the one whom you’ll spend the rest of your life with. From now on, I’ll love you more. I’ll shelter you, share all your burdens, and spend the rest of my life with you. Be it in the past or the future, I’ll never give you up. I love you.”
Once he was finished, Zachary led the crowd in applause!
The priest then turned to Erin. “What about you, Ms. Gooding?”
Erin’s eyes were welling with tears.
The many moments of their past seemed to echo in his mind, and it was certainly difficult for them to get to where they were today.
“Thanks for coming into my life and making me the happiest person in the world. I entrust all my life to you, and I’ll be with you no matter rain, sleet, or snow!”
Even as Erin and James held each other’s gaze, their lips curled into faint smiles.
It was a good day, especially for them, and it was only right that they would be happy.
No matter what happened before, they were happy at that very moment.
After the exchange of rings, the priest announced with perfect timing, “You may now kiss the bride.”
Zachary hyped things up from the pews. “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”
James had been feeling a little awkward at first, and Zachary’s goading only made him even more embarrassed.
He looked down at Zachary, stopping himself from snapping at the man because there were many others around.
Zachary even started whistling at James. “Kiss the bride! Or are you getting shy, bridegroom?”
While James was speechless, Erin giggled from Zachary’s antics, and she was also close enough to see that James’s ears were red.
She was actually surprised that he could get embarrassed.
“Come on, James! Get down here if you can’t. I’ll sub in!” Zachary’s banter escalated further, since he knew that James would not snap at him just then.
Still, that was when Erin walked up to James, wrapped her arms around his neck, and stood on her toes to kiss him before he could react.
James stiffened, but he soon wrapped his arms around her waist and responded passionately.
Tommy then clapped like everyone else, but he asked Abigail, ” They’re kissing, Mommy. Won’t they get embarrassed?”
Abigail patted his little head but said nothing, so Tommy looked up and asked, “Are you going to kiss Daddy too?”
Abigail was speechless, and various expressions alternated over her face even as she lowered her gaze at her son.
How was she supposed to answer that?
Naturally, she did not notice Diarmuid hiding a smile as he watched her being left at a loss.
Nonetheless, Zachary scooped Tommy up in his arms and said, “Your parents would never have had you if they didn’t kiss, y’know.”
While Abigail was left speechless again, Tommy blinked his bright large eyes in confusion. “What does that mean?”
“That means-“
“Zip it.” Abigail cut Zachary short before he could say anything. “Why have you become such a chatterbox ever since you got a daughter?”
He certainly never spoke that much.
Zachary did not feel that way, however, and asked in return, ’ Have I?”
“Yes, you have,” Abigail replied confidently. “Try to keep it down-it’s James and Erin’s big day.”
“Fine, I’ll stay quiet.” Zachary pouted.
Abigail took Tommy off his arms. “And keep your mouth shut.”
Zachary was left speechless.
Did she just tell him to be a mute? But he refused!
Soon, it was the wedding reception, and Erin left to change into something more comfortable.
Tommy insisted on seeing her, so Abigail had to bring him along, while Diarmuid carried Baby and sat in a quiet corner— Mick had to look for him for a while.
“Why are you sitting here?” Mick asked. “There’s some of my former business partners over there. I’ll introduce you.”
Diarmuid naturally sat there because he wanted to avoid socializing, but Mick was clearly doing this out of the goodness of his heart, since business people would never complain about having more connections.
As such, he passed Baby to Mrs. Watson.
Tommy saw Erin in the lounge, having changed out of her bridal gown and into a Zidonian dress, while a make-up artist helped her with her mascara.
He blinked at her, saying, “You look so beautiful today, Aunt Erin.”
She turned at his voice to find Abigail carrying him.
“Come on in.” She smiled.
“Don’t move,” the make-up artist said, so Erin had to turn back to the mirror.
Abigail put down Tommy, holding his little hand as they walked up to Erin, and she said, “I’ve prepared you a gift in your bridal suite.”
Erin smiled in anticipation. “What is it?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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