Sophie was left alone in the room when Alva stepped. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. Just then, a familiar voice echoed behind her.
"Are you ready, ma'am?"
She froze.
That voice… She turned slowly, her heart racing. There he was—her father. Standing tall, dressed sharply in a dark suit, his expression unreadable.
Sophie's breath hitched. "What… What are you doing here?" she asked, barely able to mask the tremble in her voice.
Her father stepped closer. "I had to come for my daughter's wedding," he said, his voice firm, but not harsh. "You didn't even tell me. Who told you to get married without my permission?"
Tears welled in Sophie's eyes. "I didn't think you'd come… I didn't think you'd approve."
He sighed, his tone softening. "You're still my daughter. Whether I approve or not, I should be here to walk you down the aisle."
Sophie's lips quivered. She stepped forward and hugged him tightly, burying her face into his chest. "I'm sorry, Dad."
He held her close, resting his chin gently on her head. "Let's go. They're waiting."
Moments later, the wedding music began. The garden transformed into a dream—white roses lining the aisle, petals scattered across the grass, guests standing in awe.
Sophie stepped out with her father by her side. Every eye turned toward her. Her gown shimmered in the sunlight, her bouquet trembling slightly in her hands. She clutched her father's arm tighter as they made their way down the aisle, each step heavy with emotion.
Kyle stood at the altar, his eyes never leaving her. As she drew closer, his breath caught—she looked more beautiful than ever.
When they reached the altar, Sophie's father gave her hand to Kyle. "Take care of her," he said, his voice low but full of meaning.
"I will. Always," Kyle promised.
The ceremony was brief but heartfelt. Vows were exchanged through smiles and tears, and when the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, Kyle leaned in, pulling Sophie into a tender, passionate kiss. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, petals thrown into the air like confetti.
Sophie laughed through her tears, wrapping her arms around Kyle's neck as he held her tightly.
The reception that followed was filled with music, dancing, and laughter. The couple moved as one on the dance floor, their first dance lit by soft fairy lights and the fading glow of sunset. Cody held Alice while Alva stood by his side, smiling as she watched her best friend's happiness unfold.
Later, Sophie found her father at the edge of the party. "Thank you for coming," she said, quietly.
He looked at her with a rare softness. "You've grown into a strong woman, Sophie. And I'm proud of you."
That was all she needed to hear. Father and daughter shared one last hug before returning to the celebration.
Hand in hand, Sophie and Kyle stood surrounded by friends, love, and the promise of forever. And as the music played and stars twinkled above, they knew this was only the beginning.
Honeymoon Bliss
After the wedding celebrations had ended and the last of the guests waved goodbye, Sophie and Kyle finally found a quiet moment for themselves. A sleek black car waited to take them to their honeymoon destination—an elegant coastal resort tucked along a scenic cliffside with breathtaking ocean views.
As they arrived, the sun was just beginning to set, casting golden light across the water. Their private suite was nothing short of magical: wide glass doors opened to a balcony overlooking the sea, white curtains danced in the breeze, and rose petals were scattered across the king-sized bed. Soft instrumental music played in the background, and a chilled bottle of champagne sat waiting beside two glasses.
Sophie stepped onto the balcony, letting the wind sweep through her hair as she took in the view. Kyle came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Can you believe we're finally married?" he whispered.
She turned to face him, smiling. "It feels like a dream."
Kyle kissed her softly, then led her back inside. He picked up a small remote and dimmed the lights, creating a romantic glow that flickered against the walls. Then, slowly and gently, he helped Sophie out of her gown, every movement tender and deliberate, as though savoring every second.
Sophie touched his face with her fingertips. "Thank you… for loving me even when I didn't feel like I deserved it."
Kyle leaned in, kissing her forehead. "You deserve the world, Sophie. And I'm going to spend the rest of my life showing you that."
Their clothes soon found the floor, and Kyle pulled the silky sheets over them. Their bodies moved in perfect sync, slow and full of emotion—this wasn't just about passion, it was about two hearts becoming one. He kissed every part of her with reverence, and she clung to him like he was her safe place. They whispered promises and laughed softly in between kisses, tangled in each other's arms like nothing else existed beyond that room.
Later that night, Sophie lay against his chest, tracing lazy circles on his skin while Kyle played with her fingers.
"What do you want to do tomorrow?" he asked.
She smiled sleepily. "Honestly? Nothing. Just be with you."
Kyle kissed the top of her head. "That's the plan."
Outside, the ocean waves sang them to sleep. Inside, two souls rested, deeply in love, ready for the life ahead.
A true love