The grounds of the Delacourde Castle were extensive and to accommodate every family representative, a unique seating style for the wedding was arranged. The expanse between the gazebo, the castle, and the main garden was used. Smaller open-air tents were hoisted and occupied seatings of ten to twelve for the guests. Each tent will always have a view of the main tent and the happy newlyweds in the gazebo. Due to this setup, Eros's trek to his mother's garden area was longer than normal. He was stopped constantly by relatives who haven't seen him in years. Uncles who came from the old school generation will have him under their grip, asking about his days then slip a hundred or two in his hand when they allowed him to leave. The aunts will hold him at arm's length and gush about his inherited features and his quiet demeanor. Eros was thankful they weren't the cheek-pinching aunts, he saw how irritable that was on sitcoms. One or two of them claim to know the perfect partner for him but he politely declines with a few words. 
"How can I discover the quality of something when it's dressed up with flattery?"
It left them speechless with more understanding of their nephew. 

Reaching the arched entrance with the stoned path, female laughter touched his ears but that didn't stop him. He could have searched for Chase and Michael but he canceled that plan. He needed a calm atmosphere. His energy for socializing was depleting. Chase was a social butterfly and his uncle was a heavy debater when an interesting topic arises. Those two will drain him within five minutes.
"Rose."
His mother's greeting was a balm to his mind. The exhaustion was now shown on his face and Arianna knew how trying her little boy's day was.
"Hi, mama."
He made his way to his mother's side where she sat like the queen she will always be. Creating a semi-circle on the garden benches were the women of the major families. They were the backbone of each leader and their support system.
"Hello," he greeted politely. They all returned their hellos with welcoming smiles and warm eyes as he sat beside his mother. She poured a cup of jasmine tea and plated a slice of cheesecake for him. Eros ate quietly as the ladies continued their talk. 

"Rose, what are your plans now?" Serena asked when the talk became pleasantly idle.

"In what sense?"

"I can say business but I know you have that path covered. So, I will have to ask about your leisure plans," she returned.

"There is a plan but it will be a mixture of both business and leisure. I plan to stay with mama and father before I proceed."

"Are you sure?" This question came from his mother.

"Yes. That was a lesson and I learned from it. Lucifer's wedding clarified a few things for me even more. My biggest realization is the need to see the world more."

"You don't have to push yourself, Rose," Elizabeth said aloud. 

"I know this. I want to be more than the Delacourde name. Some stumbling will occur and I'm ready for that."

"Not making any precautionary plans?" Sonrie teased. 

A light blush covered his cheeks and his lips twitched slightly in amusement. "Not this time. All plans are on hold as of today."

"We are all looking forward to your outcome, my little Rose," his mother said softly. Eros held her hand in his and gave it a light squeeze. Like always, his mother supports their dreams and plans without question. Their father puts them through a barrage of questions to gauge their determination before putting his full support. 
He now had the confidence to execute the plans he have in mind.

~~~~

The day was coming to an end. The sun was slowly setting and the garden lights automatically switched on. On the front steps of the castle, the single ladies of the wedding were all excited for the traditional 'throwing of the bouquet'. Lucifer took out the garter throwing for their single counterparts, not wanting any man to own anything of his wife's. Leaning against the gold Rolls Royce Phantom, his twin brothers were on either side of him looking on at the scene before them.
"So the girl who catches the bouquet is slated to marry next?" Eros asked innocently.

"Something like that. It's not a universal rule but I think it's some sort of good luck talisman. I don't know," Ares answered.

Lucifer wanted to laugh at his brothers' conversation but couldn't. The role of the eldest was prohibiting him from doing so. "So if Jeannie catches it, does that mean she will marry Nico in the future?"
Eros's question sobered his brothers instantaneously. 
"REJEANNE! GET OUT OF THERE NOW!" 
The shout from her brothers startled her. "Oh come on, it's nothing big," she protested. A pout formed on her lips when she stomped away from the gaggle of women and went into her mother's arms. Raizon gave them a quick thumbs-up before consoling his teenage daughter. They didn't want to think of that future at that moment. Witnesses to the brothers' overprotective display were amused. It's rare to see them like that.

"Boys, leave Jeannie alone," Amara admonished.

The three shrugged and continued their conversation. 

"Ready?!"

"YEAH!" Their excitement was infectious. The guests were cheering the ladies on, laughing at their competitiveness when the bride did a few fake throws.

"One! Two! THREE!" Throwing it over her head, Amara watched it as it sailed towards the sea of hands reaching for it before it disappeared into the melee. It wasn't long before someone shouted, "I got it. I got it." Coming out with the bouquet in her hand was Charlotte with the biggest smile on her face. 
Amara danced down the remaining stairs and threw her arms around her husband's neck. Burying his face into the crook of her neck, Lucifer held her tightly against his body listening to her soft laugh and giving in to the warmth she exudes. Kissing her neck, he lifted his head to address his family and guests. It was time to leave and the pain killers were waning, he had to make this quick. 
"Thank you for blessing our union and supporting our new position within the family. This day will now be remembered as the most memorable day of my life. I've made my high school sweetheart my wife and took the first step in starting my own family. Thank you for coming, it means the world to us."
Cheers of congratulations and worded support filled the air. Raizon and Arianna came forward and enveloped the couple in loving hugs, wishing them happiness and voicing their pride for the two. Their firstborn was now married to the one he loved wholly, it was a bittersweet feeling to them. It was a sign of growth in the family but to them, that was one baby officially out of their arms.
Stepping back, the doors to the Phantom opened revealing the flower-covered floor and the iced champagne. Helping Amara get situated in the car, he then turned to give his family goodbye hugs before entering the car himself. "Bye, mama, sir." 

Raizon grinned at the title his new daughter gave him. Father was still a stretch for her and he was okay with 'sir.' "Welcome to the family again, sweetie."  The blushing smile on her face proved to them that she was on cloud nine and it all haven't registered yet. Watching the doors close and hearing the low hum of the luxury car starting up, the crowd waved off the couple, wishing them a very eventful honeymoon.

"How do you feel?" Ares asked his brother.

"I'm not sure of the word but I will try one and say, I feel enlightened?"

"That makes you sound like an AI understanding human emotions," he joked.

"Ah! Sorry but I do think I'm understanding emotions more." Eros softly bumped into Ares's shoulder and motioned for him to follow. The two made their way towards the gardens, putting some distance between them and the guests. His tense shoulders dropped noticeably, Ares threw his arm around his twin's neck and led him to the fountain that was once their playground. 
"I think you had an overload today. How about we spend the night in the city to reset your mind?"

"Thanks, little brother. Oh, and Charlotte my wedding partner, has been acting weird all day. What was that?" Eros asked genuinely confused. Ares took notice of how flirty the girl has been. It was a running joke between the cousins on how long it will take him to recognize her advances. Oh, their sweet innocent tiger! 

"Bro, how did you get your dudes?"

~~~~~

Three days after the wedding, Eros and Ares returned to the castle. The majority of the guests left, making it easier for Eros who is socially inept. Their mother welcomed them back with a feast she personally cooked and pulled them all into an impromptu meal. 

"So, I've confirmed my plans."

His announcement brought everyone's attention to him. Rejeanne was interested in what he decided on. He was the only Delacourde who stayed behind the success of his business. His security company has spiraled and his club was well known in Pasadena. What will he think of next? Will he step out into the public eye like Lucifer? Or will he regulate his appearance like Ares?

"I'm taking a year to myself and step out of the role of boss."

The family was rightfully shocked by his decision. This was out of character. They turned to the person seated next to him, eating blissfully after his brother dropped that bomb. Being laidback and delegating was more of the third child's MO, not the second. What happened within those three days?

"Did you two switch again?"