The wait was over. There were only three weeks left for the wedding since we came back from the journey, but they sure flew. Even though I didn't have a good time, I wanted the days to be longer so I didn't have to confront the reality of a one-sided-love marriage. I tried to convince myself we could fall in love later, because of all the time we would get to spend together. However, I wasn't very good at convincing myself, unfortunately. Every night I would inevitably think of my future and couldn't stop tears from coming out. We even started avoiding each other because looking at our faces just hurt too much. But what was the point of getting married then? We would have to do something about it sooner or later.

The night before the wedding, I came across him on the hallway while we were heading to our rooms to rest. There was no helping it, we were standing in front of each other, we couldn't run away anymore. 

- Good evening, how are you?- he asked.

- Good evening... - I sighed.

- Miss, I know things didn't go as we planned, but as we are getting married tomorrow we should try to get along or it would be meaningless. 

- Why are we even getting married? Just because of the agreement between our families? 

- I do want to, that is why I asked you back there, to know if you wanted it as well- he answered.

I was surprised at his words, he said he wanted to... But he didn't mention anything about feelings... I didn't know what to believe. A ray of hope sneaked into my heart, starting to warm it up.

- But when I asked you about your feelings you didn't answer... you were sad and started acting cold towards me and I have felt miserable ever since.

- My dear- he came close to me and caressed my cheek-, that is because I can't give you an answer on that yet, I needed to reflect on it, that is why I didn't give you as much attention as before, but seeing how you grieved when you looked at me because I couln't give you an answer... I started avoiding you so that you wouldn't have to see me anymore, but I suppose that only made things worse.

- You should have told me you needed some alone time and that it doesn't mean it's not alright between us. You should have told me... I had a very hard time seeing how cold you were towards me, and the thought of marrying someone that doesn't even look at me was devastating. I missed you so much...

I hugged him and he held me tightly, prooving me he felt the same way.

- You don't know how much I missed having you in my arms, looking at your beautiful face and hearing your sweet voice longing for my affection. I couldn't ask for more, and yet, the time has come for you and I to be united and have you by my side always. I am so blessed because of that- he said with the most gentle voice I ever heard.

I couldn't help it any longer. I didn't care anymore about the deal of who would win who's heart, I just wanted to let it all out. I needed to let him know how I felt, just get it out of my chest. 

So I confessed.

- I... I...- I burried my face in his chest and let it all out at once-. I love you! I am in love with you, I have been for a very long time and all I want is you to love me back... I want to marry for love, not compromise. 

- Hmmm... you lost the bet- Edward said with a shade of interest and sarcasm-. That means I decide on the wedding.

- But what does it matter? I love you, I want to get married anyway, if you feel the same- I said, looking at him.

- It matters... You will have to marry me even if my brother shows up, regardless of my feelings and the fact that this is my revenge.

- What?- I stepped back, worried about the situation I was in. What was happening?- Revenge? On Derek?

- And you. You were my fiancé but kept being unloyal. So I promised myself I would make you mine and you would even want it.

- Is this just a matter of pride and revenge? Don't you have any feelings for me?- I started crying-. You are just going to make me give it all and you won't even risk a tiny portion of your heart?

- I'm sorry, but I only loved one person and my heart locked up since then. I am unable to give all of me to someone, I don't like being vulnerable...- he said with a sad voice.

- So it is alright for me to be vulnerable, risk being hurt by surrendering to you but you are not willing to do the same? It's not fair! It's not!

- How could I allow myself to fall in love with someone that kept waiting for my brother's return to take her away? There was no point in hoplessly falling in love.

- Well I... But I...- I tried to say something in my defence, but his answer was reasonable and I would have done the same, I actually did the same, trying to not fall in love while I didn't mind him falling in love with me even if I would end up with Derek-. But I did fall in love with you... So what are you going to do about it? Are you just going to stay married to someone you don't love and keep yourself from feeling anything?

He tried to come close but I stepped back again. I looked at him fiercly, but he just smiled slightly.

- Well, when you are finally mine and nothing will come between us, I might not have more reasons to do so.

- Please tell me, after all this time together, so many things happening, have you really not developed any feelings for me?

I clenched my fists, waiting for the answer. I was nervous, and my chest hurt.

- I's not that I don't feel anything. It's more about whether it is love or not. And I can't answer that. I don't have an answer, sorry. Maybe we will discover it together in time- he reached his hand out to me, and I put my hand on his.

- Do you want to?- I asked him.

- Only after I am sure you are mine. I'm still afraid something might happen before the wedding is over... Actually, I want you to sleep with me tonight. Just to make sure you don't go anywhere.

- I won't go anywhere...

- I just... I will rest better this way.

- But...

Ignoring whatever I had to say, he picked me up and carried me in his arms all the way to his bedroom. I was blushing like never before. I was realising that in that same bed, next day we would have a different way to spend the night. Just one day away from our union. He held me in his arms while lying down on the bed. But I couldn't sleep. After two hours, I finally let him know. He woke up and tried to calm me down.

- I can't sleep, I just can't... There is too much going on...

- Shhh... Don't think about it anymore. Leave the worries for tomorrow. It's going to be alright. Everything will be alright- he whispered in my ear, giving me shivers, but at the same time making me feel better. I was finally able to relax and sleep.

The next day, I went to my room to prepare for the wedding. A maid came to help me with my fitting. I was nervous, and excited. A new day, a new hope. I was feeling much better than how I felt for the last month. Optimism was breaking its way through the saddnes and disappointment that had covered my heart, but now it was beating again. I couldn't stop thinking of what Edward told me when I opened my eyes, waking up by his side:

- From today on, you will be mine...- he saw I blushed and caressed my cheek, then he kissed my lips-. Be ready for that.

- Ready for what?- I asked.

- Sharing a lifetime.

I smiled again, remembering how I was so nervous I just said I needed to go prepare myself and went to my room. In just a few minutes I was going to the grand hall and stood in front of the doors, waiting for the entrance cue. The doors opened and in front of me were Lilliana and her friends, throwing rose petals on which I stepped slowly as I walked down the aisle. Edward's eyes wouldn't stop fixating on me. My heart was beating so fast I feared the sound would echo in the hall for everyone to hear. I reached Edward's hand and stood by his side during the ceremony. It was all going well until... the objection part of the wedding.

- Speak now or forever hold your peace- said the marriage officiant.

No one expected for any objections, but someone raised their hand and objected. Everyone gasped as that person stood up. Edward was shocked. I was confused. Who was she...?

- I object to this wedding because it was supposed to be mine. I am Edward's first and true fiancé and he is only getting married because he thought I was dead. Well here I am.

She was dressed as a bride, ready to get married right then. She walked down the aisle and Edward went to her, still in shock.

- You are alive!- he embraced her.

I felt out of place. But I wouldn't lose my dignity.

- Isn't that great?- I told them-. Now you can marry the one you always loved.

I walked down and headded out, passing by them. They said nothing and when I almost reached the door, I saw Derek standing there.

- Did I come on time?- he smiled, arms wide open waiting for me to go to him.

I hugged him and hid my tearful face. Everyone was contemplatimg the scene with their mouths and eyes wide open. The two brothers' parents had a "what just happened?" look on their face. They loved both their sons so they couldn't root for one or the other, they just wanted them to be happy. The situation was so confusing there was an awkard silence before the people started to talk in a low voice among themselves. Edward saw me and Derek and forgot about his former fiancé.

- Derek! Did you bring her to me so that you could be with Jasy?

- I made your wish come true, didn't I? I am repaying my mistake from years ago. Now you can be with your true love. And this way you wouldn't feel lonely after I came back to get Jasely, because you already know she would choose me. She always has- Derek replied.

- You...- Edward didn't know if he should be happy or angry.

- You have your true love back, aren't you happy?- Derek asked.

- Edward, now we can get married- she said-. Don't you want that?

Edward looked at me, at Derek and at her.

- Don't worry about me, I will find happiness- I said, turning my back on him and took Derek's hand, ready to go outside.

Edward hesitated. He went back to her and kissed her hand, then they talked a bit and went to the place in front of everyone.

- I want to thank you all for comming, but there will be no wedding today, it will be posponed until further notice, which will be very soon. Please enjoy the banquet anyways- he said-. It will be ready in 10 minutes.

Derek and I were already in the garden, and we heard none of it.

- Jasy, you didn't wait for me...- Derek said-. Did you fall in love with my brother?

- I'm sorry, Derek, I tried but you were gone for so long and he was there all this time, a lot of things happened...

- Do you think we can start over?- he asked.

- It will take me a long time.

- I can wait.

- I can't stand the thought of them getting married...- I started crying again.

- Come, sail with me, the further the better, you will be able to forget faster- he said, taking my hand and leading me to his ship.

- Wait, I need to pack my things...- I said and turned around to see Edward right there, standing behind me several meters away and his former fiancé not far from him. I wondered why he was there. People started to come out and watch the scene.

- Did you come to see me off?- I asked.

- No, Jasely. I came after you- he said, making my heart skip a beat-. I won't go down without a fight. I won't let you go without first doing something about it.

- Aren't you going to marry her?

- Only if you won't have me.

- What do you mean? You said she was the only one you love, why not marry her now?- I replied.

- Look, I know I haven't been fair to you, hiding my feelings, but it just hurt too much to think you would leave with Derek. And now you are... but I think it is my fault for not staying with you and telling you how I feel. At least I have to try- he took my hand and pulled me closer while Derek stepped back, realising his position.

- Edward, what do you mean by this?- I was confused.

- I thought she was my true love, but seeing her now made me realise it was an idealised memory I held dear from the past, but seeing you leave my side was hurting me in a very real way and all I could think was... that I didn't want to lose you. Now I realise, what I feel is... love. I choose you over anyone else. Please, stay with me- he kneeled down-. Jasely, I speak from my heart, my heart belongs to you, if you'll have me, I'll be yours. Will you be mine?

- I once told you... My answer would be the same as yours...- I smiled, tears falling off my cheeks.

- I love you. Will you marry me?

- Yes!- I hugged him, happily-. I choose you over anyone else as well!

He took me in his arms and spun. We heard applause and people wishing us happiness.

- I was so scared you would choose Derek...- he said.

- And I was so scared you would choose her...- I said.

Maybe the fear of losing each other made us realise we belonged together. Derek and Edward's ex were disappointed, but they decided to stay until the end of the ceremony just to make sure it was actually over, because if anything happened, they would still have a chance. But that wasn't meant to be. We got married and had a great time at the banquet. Everyone was overjoyed. Before leaving with her somewhere far, Derek wanted to say goodbye to me. He pulled me appart to a quiet place.

- Because of my mistakes and my revenge, I went the opposite way and we just kept distancing ourselves from each other. I should have taken the opportunity to be with you and build a relationship. That is why I don't blame you for your choice. But mind my word, I will be back for you someday, I will take you with me and never let you go. It is a pirate's promise. You heard me- Derek said louder, seeing Edward coming towards us-. One wrong move and I will take her away.

- I'd like to see you try- Edward replied, with a confident look in his eyes.

- Just you wait. You'd better take care of her- Derek said, heading to his ship.

- Goodbye, Derek, see you soon- I waived at him, smiling.

- Don't dare to show your face around here while I live- Edward said in an amuzed way.

After he was no longer in sight, we looked at each other and kissed. Then, we hugged.

- Can you say it again?- I asked.

- I'll need to get used to it... But for you, as many times as you want. My dear Jasy, I love you- he kissed my hand and looked into my eyes-. And I know for sure that this love will only grow. From now on, we will be together and nothing will break us apart. We are one.

- We are one- I agreed.

I had never been happier, it was a long journey, but we finally reached a happy ending... No. A new beginning, together. And until the day Derek would fulfill his promise, Edward and I would never worry and live happily. I never had any regrets while it lasted.

End of the second part

To be continued...