LOVER [CHRIS EVANS]²

SIX

"Chris, you dumb dork, in the three years we've been together, you've seen the Bambi Gray──the record breaking singer-songwriter. You've attended countless of my concerts, walked through thousands of flashing flights from sleazes we call the paparazzi, and endured a lot from what the media threw at me because what affected me somehow affected you too. But, you've also seen Astrid Rose──the wide eyed girl from Pennsylvania who dreamed of singing her songs to people. We've had our fair share of ups and down and our twists and turns but we've never let go. I promise to always be honest with you, to laugh at our stupid inside jokes, and to take care of Dodger, Meredith, and Olivia. However, I can't promise it's always going to be peace and quiet when you're with me. But, I can promise you that I'll always give you my sunshine when a storm comes and to keep you warm when you feel the shrill coldness of the world." 

"Astrid, you mad woman, you've always reminded me to be kind to myself and that it's okay to disappoint others but it's not okay to disappoint myself. There are days when the voices in my head get too loud and everything just becomes too much. Before I met you, I dealt with them by taking time for myself and I still do that but I've also found remedy in your arms and in your words. Knowing that someone is there to listen to my ramblings is more than enough. I promise to kiss when you've had a bad day, to give you 75% of my attention even if there's a Pats game, and to join you when you're eating because you can't sleep. My love, I promise that I'll always let you win at scrabble, that you can give me your days where you get mind blocked and can't finish a song or your burnt pastries and I'll give you my love to make everything okay. I'll always see the best in you even when you're giving me your worst attitude and to always see the truth among the lies thrown by the clowns."

"Now, Christopher, will you promise to love and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?"

"I will."

"Astrid, will you promise to love and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, for so long as you both shall live?"

"I will." 

"Will the both of you promise you will love, cherish and respect one another throughout the years?"

"We will."

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The streets of Boston were quiet since it was almost close to midnight. Bambi twisted the ring on her finger and she felt herself smile softly. Love wasn't treacherous red after all; it was warm like sunlight shining on your face. 

Seeing that Chris wasn't exactly driving towards their home, she asked. "Where are we going?"

"I'm taking you to the place I used to work." He answered, one hand on the steering wheel and the other finding hers. "We can't get married and not eat." 

"But, we already did." Back at that fancy restaurant where she was sure people were whispering among themselves and discreetly filming them as soon as they entered the place. Boston didn't have paparazzi culture but some people inherently possessed the trait to be nosy. 

"This is dessert!" 

Chris parked the car right in front of a parlor with bright neon lights. Once she got out of the vehicle, Bambi could feel the winter air whip at her face directly. She snuggled deeper into the jacket she 'borrowed' from him and pulled her hat down her hair. 

Meeting her at the passenger side, Chris smiled. "Well, don't you look adorable."

"Let's just get out of this cold weather so we can eat even colder food." She took his hand and shuffled through the snow. They settled on a booth at the back and yet some heads had turned. 

"Do you remember our first date?" He asked, "It was at that ice cream parlor just near your apartment."

"Of course, I do. I made myself look like an idiot in front of you." His head tipped backwards as he laughed;he looked like a boy. She continued, "And, that was the first time you held my hand and walked me back to my apartment." 

Chris practically beamed at her and──my god──was it possible to for her life to get any better. Bambi was never the person to think that she was the one; she always thought she was the girl that people met that made them see that they deserved someone else. Yet, here she was: married to her rose among the thorns, the love that stood with her when the world turned their backs on her because of one single video and misunderstanding. 

"I used to work here, Bams." He told her, "I was around. . .sixteen? It's not an ice cream parlor; this place is more of a yogurt shop."

"What made you want to work here?"

"Well, Skeeter was working and I saw that it was helping her so I worked here too! Just to make a little bit of cash, you know?" An employee passed by them and he beamed, "And, those cool blue-green shirts that they let us wear."

"Chris, I think it's more of a teal shade." 

"Eh, tomato-tomato." He leaned in and she could feel him nudge her foot, "Hey, are you happy, Bambi?"

"Annoyingly happy, Evans."

He smiled, eyes crinkling. "Good, good. That's my life goal, Evans."