Journey (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 22: A New Beginning

The decision to divorce Nok had not come lightly, but it was inevitable. The marriage had long since been reduced to a business arrangement, a cold and distant relationship that served only to maintain appearances. But after everything that had happened, especially after Pond's public declaration of his love for Phuwin and the acceptance they had found within his family, Pond knew that it was time to finally close that chapter of his life.

The divorce proceedings were swift and relatively uneventful, considering the wealth and status involved. Nok, though furious at first, had eventually come to terms with the situation. She had long been aware that their marriage was a facade, and with the public nature of Pond's relationship with Phuwin, there was little point in prolonging the inevitable.

In the end, Nok left with a generous settlement, her pride intact but her ties to Pond severed. It was a bittersweet parting, but one that both of them knew was necessary. They had gone their separate ways, each to build a life that suited them better than the arrangement they had once forced themselves into.

With the divorce finalized, Pond wasted no time in making his intentions clear. He wanted Phuwin by his side—not just as his partner, but as his legal spouse. The idea of marriage had once seemed impossible, given the complexities of their relationship and the world they lived in, but now it felt like the natural next step.

Pond proposed in the quiet intimacy of their home, away from the prying eyes of the media and the pressures of the world outside. It was a simple, heartfelt moment that spoke to the deep bond they had formed over the years.

Phuwin had been taken completely by surprise. They had faced so many challenges together, endured so much to be where they were now, that the thought of marriage had never crossed his mind. But as Pond knelt before him, a ring in his hand and love in his eyes, Phuwin felt a wave of emotion so powerful that he could hardly speak.

"Yes," Phuwin whispered, tears filling his eyes as he looked down at Pond. "Yes, I'll marry you."

Pond slipped the ring onto Phuwin's finger, his hands steady despite the overwhelming emotion of the moment. He stood, pulling Phuwin into a tight embrace, holding him close as they both took in the enormity of what they had just agreed to.

"We've come so far," Pond murmured into Phuwin's hair, his voice thick with emotion. "I can't believe we're here."

Phuwin smiled through his tears, his heart swelling with love for the man who had brought him out of the darkness and into a life he had never thought possible. "I never thought I'd have this," Phuwin admitted softly. "I never thought we could be this."

Pond pulled back slightly, cupping Phuwin's face in his hands as he looked into his eyes. "We deserve this, Phuwin. We deserve to be happy, to be together, without fear or shame. And now, we can finally have that."

The wedding was a small, intimate affair, attended only by close family and a few trusted friends. It was held at the estate, in the gardens where Phuwin had spent so many solitary hours, but which now felt like a place of warmth and love.

Pond's family, who had surprised Phuwin with their acceptance, were there to support them. His mother, who had grown particularly fond of Phuwin and Chompoo, was instrumental in planning the ceremony, ensuring that every detail was perfect.

Chompoo, dressed in a tiny white dress, played the role of flower girl, toddling down the aisle with a basket of petals in her small hands. She giggled as she scattered the flowers, her joy infectious and a reminder of the new life that had brought so much happiness into their world.

As Phuwin walked down the aisle toward Pond, his heart felt like it might burst with emotion. The man standing at the end of the aisle wasn't just the person who had saved him from a life of loneliness and despair—he was the love of his life, the person he wanted to spend forever with.

Pond's eyes never left Phuwin's as he approached, his expression filled with a mix of love, pride, and awe. He couldn't believe how far they had come, from the shadows of their past to this bright, hopeful future they were now stepping into.

The ceremony was simple, but deeply meaningful. They exchanged vows that spoke of their journey together, of the challenges they had faced and the love that had grown stronger with each passing day. When Pond slipped the wedding band onto Phuwin's finger, it felt like the final piece of a puzzle that had taken years to complete.

"I promise to love you, to protect you, and to stand by your side, no matter what," Pond said, his voice steady and filled with emotion. "You've given me a reason to believe in love, Phuwin, and I'll spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me."

Phuwin's hands trembled slightly as he placed the ring on Pond's finger, his heart overflowing with love. "I never thought I'd find someone like you, Pond. Someone who sees me, who loves me for who I am. You've given me a life I never thought I could have, and I promise to love you with everything I have, for as long as I live."

When they were finally pronounced married, there was a moment of pure, unbridled joy that radiated through the small gathering. Pond pulled Phuwin into a kiss, sealing their vows with a promise of forever. The cheers and applause from their loved ones were a testament to the acceptance and support they had found, the family they had built together.

After the ceremony, the celebration continued with a small reception in the gardens. The air was filled with laughter and the soft strains of music as they shared their first dance as a married couple. Chompoo, who had been the light of their lives, danced alongside them, her tiny hands clapping in delight as she twirled in her dress.

As the night drew on, Phuwin and Pond stole a moment away from the crowd, retreating to a quiet corner of the garden. They sat together on a bench, their hands entwined as they looked up at the stars.

"Did you ever think we'd end up here?" Phuwin asked softly, his head resting on Pond's shoulder.

Pond smiled, pressing a kiss to Phuwin's temple. "I hoped we would. But even if I hadn't, I would have fought for this. For you."

Phuwin sighed contentedly, closing his eyes as he let the warmth of Pond's embrace wash over him. "I'm so happy, Pond. I never thought I could be this happy."

Pond tightened his grip on Phuwin, his heart swelling with love for the man who had become his everything. "You deserve all the happiness in the world, Phuwin. And I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you have it."

They sat together in the quiet of the night, the world around them fading away as they focused on the love that had brought them to this moment. Their journey had been long, filled with pain, challenges, and uncertainty. But now, they had found their way to each other, and nothing could take that away.

As they looked out over the gardens, the sounds of the celebration still echoing in the background, they knew that this was just the beginning of their new life together. A life filled with love, acceptance, and the promise of forever.

And as they stood to rejoin the celebration, hand in hand, Phuwin couldn't help but smile, knowing that he had finally found the happiness he had always longed for—in the arms of the man he loved, and in the family they had built together.