3.1 | Complete Me ✔

The End

Everything was perfect.

The chairs she designed herself, draped in purple, silver and white. The runners all in the same color, and the paper lanterns that hung so beautifully throughout the yard. The aisle was sprinkled with sakura petals, recalling the marvelous trip to Japan they had embarked on. The invitations were perfectly crafted, spritzed with a hint of lavender like she'd always dreamed of.

Every single guest of the audience was a complete stranger to her, but that was only because everyone she cared about would be in the ceremony with her.

Her trailing dress was a pristine white, her hair done in impeccable ringlets. Her makeup was as flawless as her handmade jewelry, the bouquet of lilies she held complimenting the whole ensemble so well.

It was time.

She stepped outside of the dressing room into the waiting arms of Alfred.

"You look beautiful, dear," he remarked, taking her hand in the crook of his arm. She silently thanked him as the wedding march began and the doors opened. 

Everyone stood at rapt attention. Her three bridesmaids looked stunning in their alternating dresses of purple, silver and pearl. Divya and Desiree's fingers sparkled with engagement rings, and Scarlett was aglow with motherhood, her growing belly working the hell out of her outfit.

Saber, her maid of honor, wore all three colors, watching her with eyes full of tears and pride.

Bruce's best man Kaldur, and the four groomsmen looked handsome as ever in their matching tuxes. But none as much as the love of her life. She never imagined that it would be this man - or any man, for that matter. But she was the luckiest, happiest woman on this planet.

She kissed Alfred's cheek before he took his seat, and she took her spot before Bruce.

"Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today . . ." 

As the pastor began the proceedings, she couldn't break the transfixed gaze they were sharing. Her ears were ringing with the sound of birds and music, paradise and the immense love she felt for this man. She could tell from his eyes alone that he felt the exact same way, and it made her eyes sting with the tears she willed herself not to cry just yet.

"And now for the vows," the pastor said, stepping back as they took each other's hands.

"Zane . . . when I first met you, I have no words to describe how breathtaking I found you that day. In that moment, there was nothing more important to me than just getting to know your name."

There were a few heartfelt chuckles from the audience.

"You know more than anyone that I hadn't the slightest idea what was to become of us. You're so different than any woman I've ever met, that I never knew what to expect of you. Whatever surprises you brought forth never ceased to amaze and astound me. That's what scared me the most since the very beginning. Knowing who I was, a man whose always struggled to be in touch with my feelings and allow anyone into my heart, and beginning to know the warm, open and compassionate person you are - I felt myself preparing to run away. I feared that nothing that happened between us would last - that it could last. But every moment I spent with you proved to be something I'd never experienced before. You discovered and revealed to me, parts of myself I never knew existed. I'm a much better man than I've ever been since you came into my life, and I hope that starting with this, I can someday repay all the patience and kindness you've spent saving me."

There might have been a few sniffles from the crowd. She couldn't be sure, since she couldn't hold back her own tears any longer. Bruce squeezed her hands encouragingly, and she couldn't stop the euphoric laugh that escaped her.

"Bruce," she began tearfully. "Before I met you, I was no one. I was an average girl in a big city, trying to make a meager living while going unnoticed. I thought that was my safe and happy place: a life of mediocrity. A slow-trudging, painful cycle of nothing. When I finally met you, I never dreamed someone like you would take interest in someone like me."

She could see the pain briefly flit through his eyes, but she squeezed his hands reassuringly.

"I was terrified to get involved with you. Although I'd admired you for years, I'd heard so many things that the old me would have considered way too troublesome. To this day, you have ways about you that drives me lovingly mad every now and then. But since the day we've met, you proved any doubts I ever had about you wrong every. single. time. You showed me what a gentleman you are. You showed me what it was to be treated like a lady - like a woman. You helped me see that I'm a precious gem, and that I deserve anything I desire in this world. It still blows my mind to think that you chose to open yourself to me. And even after all the wonderful travels we've been on, and all the wonderful gifts you've lavished on me, you revealed to me the most important thing of all. Money and status will never make me happy. If I had given everything you've given me to myself, it could never compare to the love that comes from inside of you."

She stepped closer to him and stared deep into his glassy eyes.

"You say that I saved you, but it's you who rescued me. No woman will ever be as lucky as I am."

After a moment of sacred silence, the pastor tearfully called for the rings. Ezio appeared, quite the proud ringbearer as he carefully cradled the pillow. Aria appeared beside him with her flower girl basket, raining petals on the weeping audience.

"Zane, do you take Bruce to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the pastor asked.

"I do," she sniffled, slipping the ring  she made on his finger.

"And Bruce, do you take Zane to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," he said with the biggest smile, slipping his ring's matching pair on hers.

"I officially pronounce you husband and wife!" the pastor said excitedly. "You may kiss the bride!"

He gently drew her into his arms and kissed her with the most passion she ever felt in her life. Alfred released lovebirds as rice, flowers and jubilant cheers of health and prosperity rained down on them. 

Zane threw the bouquet and Scarlett caught it, making Conner laugh with joy.

"I love you, Zane," Bruce said, the emotion shining in his eyes.

"I love you, Bruce," she replied, kissing him tenderly once more.