Darkened Roses [Complete][Book 1 of Roses Trilogy]

Epilouge

*3rd pov*

Finally the big day has come, September 17th. The entire church was buzzing, packed mostly with Rose and Rays fellow employees, and some of Rays family along with Rose's brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew.

Ray stood at the altar, nervous as fuck, shifting and moving his tie around. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he waited for Rose. Michael stood beside him as the best man. They only had a couple groomsmen and bridesmaids. The bridesmaids were Lindsay, the maid of honor, Meg, Barbara and Griffon. The groomsmen were Michael, Gavin, Joel and Geoff.

Suddenly the march sounded and Ray glanced up to the double doors at the back. Jesse, the flower girl & Geoff's daughter cane first before the groomsmen and bridesmaids. Finally she stepped down the aisle, her dress moved perfectly with her body.

It was a simple white dress with ruffles on the lower half and a strapless beaded bodice. Rays breath caught in his throat as he watched her.

Rose looked up at Ray, her arm held by James as he led her down the aisle. Smiling softly at him, she dropped James's hand when they reached the altar. Rose ascended the final steps on her own, and their gazes locked. The ceremony went fast and it neared the end as Ray and Rose spoke those final words.

"I do" Then Ray kissed his bride, his love, his wife.

xxxx

The reception was held in a small hall, and the first dance was theirs. The song they chose? Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran.

When your legs don't work like they used to before
And I can't sweep you off of your feet
Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love?
Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks? Rose leaned into Ray, her chin on his shoulder as they swirled around on the floor.

And, darling, I will be loving you 'til we're 70
And, baby, my heart could still fall as hard at 23
And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe just the touch of a hand
Well, me - I fall in love with you every single day
And I just wanna tell you I am

So honey now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
Maybe we found love right where we are Ray looked down at Rose, his arms laced around her lower back as they danced.

When my hair's all but gone and my memory fades
And the crowds don't remember my name
When my hands don't play the strings the same way (mmm...)
I know you will still love me the same

'Cause honey your soul could never grow old, it's evergreen
And, baby, your smile's forever in my mind and memory
I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe it's all part of a plan
Well, I'll just keep on making the same mistakes
Hoping that you'll understand

That, baby, now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
Thinking out loud
Maybe we found love right where we are (oh ohh) Rose sighed gently, moving ever so as they dance so her hand rested on Rays heart, feeling the rhythmic beating under her palm.

La la la la la la la la lo-ud

So, baby, now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Oh, darling, place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
But maybe we found love right where we are
Oh, baby, we found love right where we are
And we found love right where we are

As the song finished everyone clapped and a few cheered. That night was perfect and so was the honeymoon, but that is a tale for another day.

[Welp, that was it my little Mogars, the end of Darkened Roses. But there may be a sequel, more details to come]