___

I deadpan at the group of men in front of me, eyeing the gorgeous engagement that sat so pretty on my ring finger.

"Wedding?" One of the men repeats, "Whose?"

"Mine"

I nod at the guards behind me. Normally I would kill them myself, but I'm just simply not in the mood. I'm extremely happy today. I had to mask that for the meeting, but today was the day every little girl has dreamed of.

My wedding

Even better...

It was the start of a new life with the man I love

I walk out of the nice building, signaling to the guards outside that the deal didn't go through. They knew that already though. I went into this meeting expecting to be the only one to leave it. These men have been pests in my ass since I became a partner in the business side of the Mafia. They've been double-dipping with money loans from not only our company but others as well.

Foolish men, really

Haven't they ever been taught not to play with a mafia leader's money?

"Thank you, Smith." I greet as I sit in the back of a black SUV.

He smiles brightly at me through the rear mirror, "Are you excited, Miss Vargas?"

***

I was staring at myself in the full-length mirror in front of me.

I looked...pretty

I'm standing in this gorgeous wedding dress, my face laced with skillful makeup, and the small smile in the mirror never seemed to falter. Before this time in my life, I always avoided mirrors. Makeup would be to cover up my bruises and the only smile I could muster was a fake one.

I take a moment to adore my surroundings.

The wedding was to take place at the gang house, as all mafia weddings do. We were to have the ceremony in the beautiful garden behind the house. I was in a small greenhouse type shed. The natural light bounced off the walls in here. It had a very calm aesthetic.

Which is helpful because I'm very nervous

Despite my rushing feelings, genuine happiness pulsates through my veins. I am so blessed to be in my situation right now. I feel as though I have come to terms with my horrible past and childhood. This has caused me to allow myself to live in the moment.

I sigh in content in the mirror.

"Hello!" Angel sings as she pushes on the door and quickly shuts it.

I truly believe in the whole can't see the bride before the wedding superstition, so Cole and I have been separated since the weekend. That is also one of the reasons why I'm so nervous. I've heard Cole has been very difficult this morning, as my brother puts it. He's been trying to get to me since my arrival after the meeting.

I'd been staying over at Angel's apartment, while Cole was back and forth from our apartment and the gang house.

"Girl your fiance is a piece of work," She sighs against the door, "He's been threatening to kill people since you arrived!"

I chuckle softly as I turn to face Angel. Her mouth drops.

"Rose!" She shrieks, "Oh my fucking God!"

"You are drool-worthy." She smiles at me.

I step off the podium, taking a look at what she had chosen for a dress. It was a baby blue ripped dress that did wonders for her figure. The color caressed her chocolate skin well.

"And look at you," I gesture to her dress.

"What are you trying to do? Give my brother a heart attack?" I smile slyly.

She and Elijah are definitely this unspoken thing. It goes without being talked about. I'm not sure which one of them is the one that keeps putting off the title, but I'm one hundred percent aware that their feelings for each other are mutual.

Also blue just happens to be his favorite color *wink* *wink*

"Hush," She shushes me, "Enough about me, how are you feeling?"

"Happy," I answer truthfully.

"Awww," She pouts at me, "Y'all are so fucking cute I swear."

She hands me my bouquet laced with white roses and other types of flowers that I can't identify. I've never been a flower type girl, but with the bouquet, my look was complete. Tears started to well up in my eyes.

"I'm marrying the love of my life today."

I whispered breathlessly staring at myself in the mirror. The shed door once again, this time it's Elijah. He'll be escorting me down the aisle.

"You look very beautiful, L-Rose,"

Elijah quickly fixes himself after almost muttering my first name. I smile and nod at him. I am no longer resentful towards anyone. Meaning the use of my first name does not have an effect on me.

"It's okay, Eli, Lorena is fine," He smiles brightly at me, his arm extended.

Angel just smiles, "Come on, they'll start soon."

I wait for my cue, which was the piano playing Bridal Chorus. The engagingly familiar song starts and I can feel my heart pumping faster. The double doors of the shed are opened and the lace pathway lays perfecting in front of me. The beautiful garden was decorated nicely with white lace and string lights. The colors of the flowers danced with the added white.

My eyes finally lock with Cole.

That's when time stops. The people sitting in chairs next to the aisle were no longer there. Elijah was no longer holding onto my arm. The priest standing behind him had magically disappeared.

Cole looked angelic for the first time in his life. In all of his purity, he stood waiting for me. His blue eyes under the string lights are making me feel some type of way. My breathing shallows and I start to feel like the aisle is never-ending.

Cole stretches his hand to mine, being closer to him I realize the small tears that were brewing in his eyes.

He's crying

That's so cute

"Tú eres la razón de mi ser, eres dueña de mi corazón."

(You are my reason for being, you own my heart)

He leans down and whispers in my ear before placing his hand on the small of my back and a light kiss on my cheek.

I could melt right then and there. In front of every member and guest watching. Cole reminds me every day that I've been through hell and came out an angel.

His Angel

As he put it in our phone conversation last night.

"Who gives this woman?" The priest asks Elijah.

"I do." He states firmly, smiling hard at his best friend.

I hand my banquet to Angel, as she is kind of my maid of honor. More or less my only bridesmaid. It's okay though because the Mafia doesn't really do the outside friends thing so even if I did have friends I couldn't bring them. The same goes for Cole.

***

(I've been reading through wedding script samples for a solid hour so I'm not finishing that speech. Fight me.)

"The story of your life together is still yours to write. All those present have come to witness and celebrate your love and commitment this day - eager to be a part of the story not yet told."

Vow time, Cole was first

"Lorena Rose Vargas, you have made your mark on my heart that can never be undone. From birth we were soulmates and we will die soulmates. A contract marriage is what brought my attention to you and I have never been so grateful for something my father did. I feel foolish for ever resenting such a prize as being your husband. As now I have grown wise enough to realize being your husband will be the greatest thing I will do in my life. I fell in love with you and I'm still falling."

I swear when he looks at me like that I can't breathe. I can't control the tears that fall from my eyes. The feeling of being loved and to love is one that everyone should experience.

I breathe deeply, "I guess it's my turn."

A sea of chuckles comforts me as I get ready to pour my heart out.

"I've always thought it would be difficult for anyone to love me as I am shattered into a thousand pieces. But then you crash-landed into my life," The guests laugh again.

"And you showed me, not only a family," I gesture to the crowd. All of the members were here. It wasn't hard to be at my wedding without family because this was family. "But you showed me how to love myself as well,"

"Falling for you has been the easiest thing I've ever done, yet at the same time, it has been the most rewarding. Love can exist in the most imperfect, lost, and broken people. I can't promise you that dark clouds will never hover over our lives or that the future will bring us many rainbows. I can't promise you that life will be perfect. I can promise you, however, my everlasting devotion, my loyalty, my respect, and my unconditional love,"

"For you, Cole, I promise you'll never go through anything else alone. When you have no one else, you'll always have me."

Cole pulls me into his arms, lips meeting mine. The kiss was very passionate, very loving. He was telling me he believed me and trusted me through his actions. This was our secret language that no one else could understand.

"I guess you may kiss the bride," The priest laughs along with the guest, "You kids make an old man proud."

After a quick wardrobe change and some good food. It was time for the dancing to begin. I got up and shook my stuff with Angel. I did a shimmy with Elijah and I tried to get Cole to join.

That didn't work out by the way

I was now just enjoying my time. The couple's dance comes up soon, so I was just resting for that. Cole picked the song and I have no idea what it is. I'm just excited to have my dance.

You say you'll be down in five

The familiar lyrics sound through the speakers and spotlight is suddenly placed on me

The smell of your perfume is floating down the stairs

You're fixing up your hair like you do

Cole pops out of nowhere with his extended to take mine with a knowing smile. I take his hand and allow him to take me to the makeshift dance floor.

"How'd you know?" I mouth to him.

"Elijah." He shrugs with a boyish smile, he turns me.

This was my parent's song, back when they were both alive and happy before everything went wrong. They use to dance to this song in the kitchen after they put Elijah and me to bed. I've always said that I wanted this to be my song with my husband. I guess Elijah remembered.

I know that I'll be a mess

The second that I see you

Cole starts to sing along to the lyrics as well. I throw my head back in laughter, his singing has always been the worst, but in this moment. It was beautiful.

We sway to the music, basking in each other's presence. I was in his arms. He was in mine. Everything was perfect.

Ohhhhhh

I'm speechless

Staring at you, standing there in that dress

What it's doing to me, ain't a secret

'Cause watching you is all that I can do

His eyes bore into mine as the lyrics reach our ears. His eyes filled with love and adoration. Cole's grip loosened on my waist as he leans in. "I have something to show you, but we have to ditch the party first."

I love how he calls his own wedding a party.

I nod, loving the sound of being alone with him,

***

"Is this where-"

"Yes, Princesa, it is."

(Princess)

We pulled up to where the diner used to be. Except it was no longer the burned patch of cement that I had seen it be last. It was a very nice looking building now.

"This is the new gang house."

I gasp, smiling hard.

We put Ms. Justine's property to use. A rather large part of me wished I could've invited her to the wedding. I can just imagine the smile on her face as I walked down the aisle. Ms. Justine is the mother that I should've had. The one that I deserved.

Cole guides me into the building by the small of my back. He shows me all the new updates to rooms and weapons. The layout was the same as the one we just left basically.

"This is my favorite part, my love, but you have to close your eyes." Cole stops us as we start towards the backyard. I roll my eyes before placing my hands over them.

I hear the door slide open and I step onto what feels like a stone pathway. The feeling of fresh air and new life invades my nose as we continue to walk.

"Open your eyes, Princesa."

(Princess)

Oh my fucking God

I was staring at a stone version of myself. It was beautiful. I think the statue may have been even prettier than myself. The angel wings that were added onto the statue intrigued me. On the platform that the statue stands on, it's engraved:

May the flowers remind you why the rain was necessary

Forever and a day, my love will stay

"Cole," I state breathlessly.

What was I supposed to say? What do you tell the perfect guy?

"My life wasn't worth living until you came along," Cole wraps his arms around my waist, pulling his into my back. "I will make sure you understand that every day until our lives part from this earth,"

"Even in hell, I will express my love to you in flames,"

Ha- at least we both know where we're going

"I adore you."

Is all I could muster to say as I rock with his body in the soft wind. We danced to the sound of birds chirping and water rushing. I had no wants at this moment. Everything my heart desired was already in front of me.

I am contempt, I am happy, I am okay

***

Lorena and Cole have disappeared to God only knows where. People were starting to go back to their duties and the atmosphere was simply calm. I walk towards the garden, only wanting to see one person.

There she stood, in the garden looking prettier than an angel. The string lights seemed to bounce off of her beautiful skin. She was glowing. The ring in my pocket seemed to burn me in acknowledgment.

"That was gorgeous," She stated, back still facing me.

I stand next to her, looking into the deep woods the same way she was. Her bright eyes embraced the darkness and light around her.

"Cole cried," She comments again, "That's so sweet,"

"Yeah, he'd better," I snort, "That's my sister he's marrying,"

Her laugh blends right into the beauty of the scene.

"So, when is it going to be our turn?" I joke wrapping my arms around her waist, placing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"Whenever you decide, you're the one that can't figure out what you want," She shoots right back.

Angel spends around to face me, eyes warm.

I've always known

I place myself on one knee, presenting the small box in front of her.

***

It's over! I also added just a little taste of Elijah and Angel's relationship ;)

Any Questions?