Diabolus: The Lost Phoenix

Chapter Twenty One

KAI WOODS

The wedding ceremony was probably the most romantic, the most beautiful, but most importantly, the truest thing I've ever experienced. Almost every girl was in tears; except Lexi, who's definitely more tough than Aaron; even he seemed to be crying in tears of joy. But the most important thing was that I saw happiness in all of their eyes, for the first time.

After the ceremony, we walked down in the rain of rose petals, the air was thick with cheers, applause and laughter; our every kiss seemed like the greatest thing we ever did, leaded by cheering from our friends.

But one thing that kept the happiness growing inside me, was Beverly, her wide, honest smile, and eyes filled with such love that I probably haven't seen before. My happiness isn't fireworks and chatter. Just being near her lights me up inside, gives me a serenity I can never feel without her being close. It's like the breaths I take aren't full when she's away, like the smiles I smile are incomplete somehow. Just being next to her is my favorite place in the world.

It's Beverly that creates the warmth in my soul, Beverly that fills me full of love and keeps the fire burning in my eyes.

"I'd like to say a toast."

Brent's teaspoon, rapping on the side of his wineglass signalled everyone to silence. After the wedding, we went to a small place we rented to celebrate our wedding, to have a party and a little fun in here. All I can say is that Brent and others did a good job, helping me with this wedding; I couldn't imagine it being more perfect.

"I want to personally congratulate my best friend, the brother of my soul, by marrying the best girl in the whole world. I can't imagine how she didn't run away from you yet, but I'm glad she didn't."

The room fills up with laughter and such a great emotion that this happiness reminds me of one you felt when you were a kid; true, and honest.

"But this is only the start of the difficulties to come, and I'm not talking about troubles you're already facing every day. Love is not only a joyful feeling, it's the hardest work, and if you won't work on yourselves, on your relationship, you're going to lose it. It's not perfect, none of you are. It isn't a fairytale and it doesn't come easy. Love is overcoming obstacles, facing challenges, fighting to be together, holding on and never letting go. Love is work, but most of all, love is realizing that every hour, every minute, every second of it was worth it because you did it together."

Brent slowly raises his glass of champagne and smiles at both of us, while others raise their glasses too.

"To Beverly's and Kai's never ending love."

The cheers erupt like an auditory volcano. It is all quiet one second and then deafening the next, rising to a crescendo, but the most important thing, there's only happiness surrounding us.

"Now how about that first dance?"

The cheering grows even louder as I look at Beverly, at her ocean blue eyes and that honest, beautiful smile that secretly wants me to take her to dance. To dance not only for the first time as a husband and wife, but for the first time ever.

"Finally." The slow, romantic music starts to play and, no questions asked, I grab Beverly's hand and take her to the dance floor, spinning her around a few times before she bumps into my body and I catch her, feeling her tiny embrace in my hands. "Ready for our first dance, Mrs Woods?"

"I was born ready, Mr Woods."

The lights are twinkling with every step as we spin in delicate circles, her white dress billowing out, my eyes only on her and it seems like the others just disappeared, leavingus together, in our own space, in our own world.