Rio

The breeze is silent - calm. It's just right. And in the open field displays numerous of guests; the majority of them greeting each other or exchanging warm smiles as they're dressed formally.
The rest of the portion, being Blondie and the bridesmaids, are in the shack just about an acre away from the canopy I stand at - and I gotta admit the developing envy that's starting to pile within me for them. Because currently they're with my wife.

OK, soon-to-be wife but you get the point. I'm ready to see her. The anticipation, the excitement, it's a bit overwhelming. I'm ready to take her hands into mine and take off to the destination of our honeymoon... in which she wanted a surprise out of.

So, Victoria has no idea where I'll be taking her tonight. And I, simply, just can't wait to see the luminous twinkle in her eyes when she finds out. Way back when, I remember her bringing up Cancún, Mexico, when we were spilling our top five 'dream destinations'. Cancún was her number one.

Like I said, the excitement... it's too real.

A sudden pat on my shoulder forces me from my inner thoughts, before I go to turn to my best man. Chris forms a smug grin when succeeding in gathering my attention.

"Proud of you, man." He starts, earning for a smile from me to break through after.
But before I get the chance to thank 'em, another deep voice welcomes itself next to my side. "Very proud." Pops concludes when Amanda walks up beside him, soon following behind Angela.

"Thanks." I say toward each of them, going to land on my sister's gaze. "Glad you're here." I say to all of them.

"Well of course, we wouldn't trade this moment for the world, dear." Amanda sends me a smile. I smirk, "I don't know, pretty sure Angela would much rather attend some fashion show downtown right about now..." I narrow my brown eyes at her as she stands in her burgundy bridesmaid's dress.

In response, she rolls her bright green eyes, later forming a small grin. "Not exactly," she says, "I'm proud of you, too. And I do love Victoria's taste in fashion so..."

I chuckle while shaking my head, soon catching someone pass by on the side of my eye. I jolt my gaze onto Blondie, a sec, seeing her make her way towards the shack.

I excuse myself a moment, making it quick - 'cause I know the bridesmaids have to start heading out any minute now.

"Blondie," I shout, catching up behind her when she goes to spin around. Ann's hazel eyes instantly become perspective as she scans me over in my fine suit. Her eyebrows raise in surprise.

"Someone cleans up nice." She smiles, and I finally stop when reaching her. A grin finds it's way to my lips - which reveals just how excited I am for this afternoon; I don't tend to smile too much when it comes to Blondie. Kiddin'.

"Thanks, you too." I start huskily, going to point at her. "I wanted to thank you. You did pretty amazing for a first-time wedding planner..."  I glance around between the leafy ground and the perfectly aligned chairs plastered before the rose enwrapped canopy.

She embellished everything just right, I gotta say. I watch Ann shrug in her long dress. "Well you know what they say, there's a first time for everything." She responds casually, briefly nodding her head. I then stare at her with escalated eyebrows afterwards - because not everyone gets a first time for planning a wedding. She soon surfaces a smile before letting a laugh escape.

"Thanks, though." She says, adjusting on my eyes. "I tried." Blondie sends me a small and grateful smile before turning around again to dismiss herself. I go to do the same, just before my name is called from behind.

I glance over my shoulder a second, seeing Ann walk up to me again. I turn to face her. Then suddenly, I'm pulled into a hug before I can even process it. I freeze - soon hearing Ann explain.

"And I wanted to thank you for treating my sister right, and marrying her." Blondie includes. I feel my lips slightly twitch then, bringing my arms up to return the appreciative hug. "King's gotta cherish his Queen, that's just how it goes." I say as we let loose. I fix on Blondie's hazel eyes again. "She's in good hands though, yeah?" I nudge her arm, seeming to knock a smirk out of her.

Blondie nods her head. "Yeah, she is." she says. I grin going to walk backwards, "you better start heading back, wouldn't want the Bride walking out one song too late." I grin smugly, shoving my hands into the pockets of my black tuxedo.

"And you better have those vows memorized, time's not slowing itself down for ya either!" I watch her shoot back a smile before walking off, and I do so myself.

Ah, the vows. Of course I've got those drilled into memory. Can't wait for that moment, too.

Minutes down the line, the low and smooth music that ran it's course of playing, comes to an end - another soon begins.

It's time.

I jog up to the canopy, and settle to stand firm in place. Folding my hands in wait, I feel the pounding within my chest increase as people gather in their seats. And for a moment, during the blissful silence inbetween the two songs, the beating of my heart carries it's way up to my ears - it's infallible acceleration picking up again.

Then, the bridesmaids come from the corner of tall and lingering oak trees, revealed to make their ways down the isle individually. Then, comes Abby with the wedding rings on a plush pillow. Alongside the rest of the bridesmaids, the little one stands across the me and the boy's side. I send Ann's daughter a warm smile, before someone catches my eye.

Right on time, Victoria deliberately makes her way from around the corner, finally coming to view. Her usual loose brown waves are pinned up beneath her veil. And the dress...

The sight of her in it leaves me standing speechless. She, as always, is completely and undeniably beautiful. But this is perfect. Right now, she is absolutely perfect.

At my sight Victoria's light brown eyes blaze onto my very own, across the leafy field. And she's making her way towards me - I can't wait.

Absentmindedly, I find myself breaking into a delighted smile.

I'm gonna be marrying this woman...

Victoria's radiant smile reflects back at me. And finally, when she lands by my side, the officiant begins in welcoming.
And once he's finished announcing the ceremony to family and friends, I'm told to take Victoria's hands into mine. Victoria stares up into my darker eyes with so much longing, it's captivating.

"You look beautiful," I mouth.

"Thank you." She mouths in return, my eyes never able to unlatch from hers.

Then, the officiate finally introduces the Declaration of Consent. He looks at me first. "Do you, Rio Cortez, take Victoria Stone as your lawfully wedded wife, to share your life openly, standing with her in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and love forever more?"

I keep my longing eyes on the Queen, and bite down on my lip a second. Then my lips curve up. "I do."

"And do you, Victoria Stone, take Rio Cortez as your lawfully wedded husband, to share your life openly, standing with him in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and love forever more?"

The mesmerizing woman before me plasters a remarkable smile - her intent eyes boring into mine. "I do." She says without an ounce of hesitation, as did I.

And once the officiant introduces the exchange of vows, he announces that not only were ours written, but that the bride will be giving hers first. I can't help but form an intrigued grin, as I focus on her and only her, and become all ears.

I take a moment to squeeze her smaller hands in mine, watching Victoria infuse a breath in preparation.

"I have gathered that it is almost impossible to find your perfect match, or to have someone by your side that will always summon up the butterflies in your stomach until the end of time. But then you came along." She starts softly. I cock up my eyebrows, interested, while she continues. "Never did I expect I will be marrying a man quite like you. You challenged my weaknesses to help me develop my strengths, you took my breath away in ways that no one else ever could...
...You let me know that you wouldn't let anything happen to me before you ever even had to say it. And still til this day, I have never felt more safer than when I'm in your arms...

...I admire every single thing about you.
You accept me and all of my quirky decisions, and I thank you. You have always given me that essential attention as a best friend and as a partner from the day things began to spark, and I thank you. And I'm thankful to know that your arms will always be open after I had some long day at work." My small smile widens greatly, and I then don't think I'll be able to let go of her hand when told.

"In that case, I know that I will always need you. I need that kind of love you express and couldn't make any clearer for me to see, because that's what makes me feel the most alive." Victoria adds, my heart undeniably wild and pumping. "So, in this infinite little history of ours, I promise to love you, to cherish you, and to stand by your side loyally and faithfully until I take my last breath, with all I have. That's it, Rio Cortez... you're stuck with me."

Lips twitching, my vision almost instantly becomes blurry - though I can still see my fiancé's blazing brown eyes watch me.

Then, it comes back to me that we're not the only ones out in the field. For a moment, I admit, it felt as if it were just Victoria and I under the warm breeze.

I clear my throat and try blinking back the water that's threatening to pour. My lips instinctively curve widely as Victoria holds my longed gaze. Then she squeezes my hands in hers, when the officiant tells me to start my vows.

I smirk, picking up on what I've got jotted down in my head whilst licking my lips momentarily. I don't release Victoria's gaze.

"Life's brevity is prominent, it's fragile. It's briefness is so important that you should spend it mindfully, because you never know how many days you're gonna get. Of course I don't know how many days I've got, but I do know, more than anything, that I wanna spend it with my ride or die - which is the woman who guided me to my very own better beginning." I start boldly, searching either of Victoria's intent brown eyes as they're laced with passion.

"You, Victoria, are my rock and anchor. You are simply always there, and additionally, there to remind me I'm loved graciously in countless ways when I need it. And that feeling I get every morning when I wake up with you by my side is an inseparable feeling I want to be blessed with every single day." I smile wide and genuinely, observing her watch me.

I feel her thumb gently brush against my hand as she holds it, and my skin becomes as hot as fire. I quickly brush my tongue across my lips, continuing. "You alone are an essential blessing and best friend - and by that I'm not referring to venturing out with you as we get our nails done..." an amused laugh escapes Victoria's soft lips as it does the seated guests.

My grin can't wither. "...but instead someone I know I can always put my trust and compassion into. And I can't thank you enough for accepting and valuing everything there is to know about me."

Victoria smiles at me still, only now with teary eyes. I examine her beautiful face, before tracing back to her brown eyes, meaning every single word.

"When I'm with you, wherever we are or whatever we're up to, I wouldn't trade that moment for gold. You are far more rich than diamonds and money combined. You're the sole purpose of my happiness. I thank God for you every single day that I'm given." I tell her - my heart no longer pumping like crazy, and instead it's like I'm consumed with an exceeding peace. "I won't fail in making you feel the same way, the way you deserve. I vow to keep you protected and honored, and to never leave a piece of you unloved." I tell her, gently squeezing her hand. "I love you, darlin'."

Finished with everything I ever dreamt of telling her, I watch a tear make it's way down Victoria's pink cheek. I feel my mouth twitch up into a grin at the sight of her. "I love you..." she mouths in my direction. I deliver her a wink, when another smiles plasters.

The officiant glances between us one moment longer - a small smile forming on his face before he briefly nods his head - and glimpses down at his Bible again.

"Now, let us equip the wedding rings." He says. Abby is quick to hop in between Victoria and I and peer up at our standing figures. I offer her a thankful smile when she lifts up the pillow that the rings showcase upon.
"The wedding rings are a commemorable symbol of your promises to love. Please, Bride, gift your Groom with his wedding band." The officiant directs.

And Victoria does so; gracefully slipping on the wedding ring onto my finger.

"And please, Groom, gift your Bride with her wedding band." I take Victoria's ring from the pillow and into my grip, before placing it safely onto her finger.

"Now," the officiant carefully clasps his hands firmly together, gathering our attention, "it's time for the most exciting part." he smiles, gesturing towards us both.

"From this day forward may you live together in love; may you grow each day in understanding and compassion. When you are apart, may you return to each other in togetherness. May the home you establish be the place of sanctuary, where many will find a friend." He says. I settle my gaze on Victoria's alluring own.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, family and friends, it is my pleasure to present for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Cortez! You may kiss the Bride!"

A bright smile makes it's way onto my face, as Victoria grins and blushes greatly. Her perfect smile is summoned when I pull her into me without thought, and I connect my lips with hers.

Her hands rest on my back while she kisses me hard in return - only for my blood to rush. And throughout everyone's applause in the peaceful field, I hear Victoria sound a giggle once our lips momentarily part. Her warm gaze flicks up to mine.

"Welcome to my world, Mrs. Cortez." I whisper huskily while surfacing a mischievous grin - and she playfully slaps my arm afterwards - before I go to press my lips against hers again.

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*applauses, too*

Hey, hey loves! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!! I know I did! Hope you're all doing fantastic!

Loving the new cover of Devour You?

Much, much love,

xx