Love Deferred (Andrei Roxas ans Fides Mondragon Story)

chapter 51: the wedding vows

On the day of their wedding, the church was adorned with flowers and soft candlelight, the gentle hum of music filling the air as friends and family gathered to witness the union of Andrei and Fides. The anticipation was palpable as Fides walked down the aisle, radiant in her white gown, while Andrei stood at the altar, his eyes filled with emotion as he watched her approach. It was a moment they both had dreamed of but had once thought impossible.

As they faced each other, their hands intertwined, the priest gave them a nod, signaling it was time for their vows.

Andrei, his voice steady but filled with deep emotion, was the first to speak. He looked into Fides' eyes, his love for her written in every word.

"Fides," he began, his voice carrying a tenderness that touched everyone in the room. "From the moment we were kids, playing in the park and dreaming of what our lives would be, I always knew you were special. Life may have taken us on different paths—there were times when we drifted, when it felt like love had slipped through our fingers—but through all the distance and time, my heart never stopped loving you. I was just too stubborn to see it sometimes. But now, standing here today, I realize that everything led me back to you. Every lesson, every challenge, every heartache—it all brought me here, where I'm supposed to be. And that's with you."

His voice grew stronger as he spoke with conviction. "I promise to love you not just in the easy times, but in the hard ones too. I will stand by your side, through laughter and tears, through every joy and every challenge. You are my best friend, my partner, and the love of my life. Though our love may have been deferred, I know it's always been true, and today, I vow to love you forever, with all that I am."

Tears glistened in Fides' eyes as Andrei finished, his words wrapping around her heart like a comforting embrace. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking her own vows.

"Andrei," she began, her voice soft but filled with emotion. "Ever since we were kids, I've carried you in my heart. I remember the way you made me laugh, the way you always had my back, and how, even when we were apart, I would still think of you and smile. Life had its twists and turns, and there were moments when I wasn't sure if we'd find our way back to each other. But deep down, I always knew—you were it for me. Even when we were apart, I loved you. I've always loved you."

She smiled through her tears, her voice trembling slightly as she continued. "Though our love may have been deferred, it has never been diminished. It's always been there, waiting for the right time to bloom again. And now, here we are, finally standing together, ready to build the life we've both dreamed of."

Her eyes shone with joy as she made her promises. "I vow to love you with all my heart, to stand by your side through every challenge, and to celebrate with you in every victory. I will cherish every moment we have together, and I will never take this love for granted. You are my forever, Andrei, and today, I promise to love you for the rest of my life."

The church was silent, save for the sniffles of loved ones holding back tears as Andrei and Fides exchanged rings, sealing their promises with a kiss that symbolized not just the beginning of their marriage but the completion of a love story that had spanned a lifetime.

As they turned to face their family and friends, the room erupted in applause, the sound echoing through the church as Andrei and Fides smiled at each other, their hearts full. Their love, once deferred, had found its way home, and they were finally where they had always belonged—in each other's arms.

As the church bells rang, signaling the newlyweds' union, Andrei and Fides were met with the joyful cheers of their closest friends and family. The reception was alive with laughter and chatter as their friends surrounded them, eager to celebrate this long-awaited moment.