I yelped when I felt myself being lifted. Before my brain could create crazy stories which involved kidnapping and violence a familiar chuckle made me turn to the laughing person who is the culprit. I narrowed my eyes directing a glare at him.

"Austin." I muttered, my voice, a dull monotone.

"What's my favorite girl doing?" I scowled at him.

"This is not funny."

"And here I am expecting a grand hug!"

"Not when you lift me  out of nowhere scaring the crap out of me."

"I wanted to surprise you."

"Could have chosen other ways."

"Barbie. What are you doing here?" Lillian asked amused.

"I told you not to call me that." Austin scowled, that nickname Lillian gave him always annoys him to no end. Though Ken and Lillian are frenemies, kind of, Austin, Ken's boyfriend and Lillian are friends, sort of.  Ken somehow seemed to pass his affection for me to Austin, along with his habit of lifting me up at random times.

"Why are you not with the groom's party? Are they still here?"

"No. Why would they still be here? I stayed behind because I wanted to meet you as early as possible."

I smiled at him despite myself. "Now put me down before you wrinkle my wedding dress."

"Yeah, yeah." He replied gently setting me down.

"We will start moving. Barbie can catch up with you later or else Gouenji will send out a search party if you are even a second late." That drew smiles from everyone knowing Gouenji would definitely do that.

The next few minutes until we reached the wedding venue was a blur to me. I was a mix of nerves and excitement. Thinking and overthinking everything. I didn't know when I was before the doors ready to walk inside.

"You look lovely sweetie." My dad said placing a kiss on my veil covered forehead. "I don't want to give you. Can't we postpone the marriage?" He asked looking like he was pouting making me chuckle at his childish behavior.

"Yeah dad. We will ask Gouenji. I am sure he will understand." I joked half-serious. This is not that bad idea truthfully. We can convince Gouenji.

"What will he understand? He won't do any such thing. If anything my son-in-law  will tie your hands and drag you to the altar." My mom joked though we all know that there is a certain truth in it. "Now stop being so sad and hand over your daughter to the man who will love her with his life."

With that said the bridal song started and slowly my friends started moving. As silence ensued my nerves returned and so is the urge to run away.  In all the movies I watched I never understood why the bride is so fidgety, crying and mainly marriage blues. It seemed ridiculous or over dramatic to me. I never understood it and wrote it off as the wrong stereotypes or the girl is being too emotional but it takes one to experience to understand I guess.

 As I stood there waiting for my turn to walk the fear of the unknown hit me so strong. I felt like there is a huge burden on my shoulder weighing down, my throat clogged up. I could hear nothing over my loud heart beat. Over all I felt like I wanted to puke then and there. The mere minutes stretched long making my desire to run away stronger but luckily my dad stood beside me like a pillar and I didn't have the strength to do anything besides let him pull me along with him.

I never knew when it was my turn to walk except that my dad started moving and because he had my hand in his I moved along with him like a ragged doll. I think may be this is the reason why bride is accompanied by someone for the bridal walk, to make sure she doesn't run away from nerves and let her know when to start moving. I felt all the eyes on me making my urge to puke increase. But then I felt a strong gaze on me making me slightly look forward and look toward it subconsciously knowing that is my groom. He looked hot and yummy in a Black suit custom made for him.

Like a magic spell as soon as my eyes met his all the haze cleared away, my nerves calmed down and I felt as if I was wrapped in a protective bubble. His gaze was warm and full of love as cliche as it may sound. He looked straight at me his gaze never wavering once looking into my eyes directly as if staring into my soul. His lips turned into a small loving smile that he seemed to reserve for me.

Then I was hit with why I wanted to marry, why I never hesitated even once in marrying him, why I felt getting married to him was a natural thing. It was the love we have for each other. The bond we forged is strong and it is almost like we are already married. Getting married is just to make it official, to announce to everyone that we belong to each other because as far as we are concerned we already belong to one another. For all it was worth my doubts vanished in a second and I was ready to take the test of time against our love because I am sure we will be victorious. I am not alone. I have Gouenji with me. 

"Take care of my daughter." I didn't realize that I reached him until my dad said that, so lost in his eyes, his eyes which were shining a brilliant green radiating with love and life.

"I will." He nodded to my father and taking my hand in his he placed a soft kiss on my knuckles.  With my hand in his we slowly turned to the wedding officiator for the marriage to begin. My eyes never strayed from his and he did the same as if he can't even turn away for a second. I heard what the wedding officiator was saying but at the same time I didn't. Time went fast again until it was time for our vows.

"Astrea Destiny Faith. Just like your name states you are the epitome of innocence. When you first barged into my life, quite literally, I didn't knew then my life would change this much, that you would become the most important person in my life. From then our journey started on a thorny path. We faced many trials and went through many unhappy moments but we came out unscathed, our bond getting stronger and my love for you growing with each and every second. I am not good with romantic words and poems so this might be short but I promise you that I would love you with all my heart, protect you with my life and be there for you every second of my life. So will you accept me Gouenji Shuuya as your husband? If you do I will cook for whenever and whatever you want."

He even said the cooking part seriously and sincerely. I couldn't help but chuckle at the last words. I didn't think he would remember that. After eating the breakfast made by him I proposed(as a joke of course) in front of his special programming team, the only condition being that he should cook for me.

"Gouenji Shuuya....um yeah, I really don't know what to say." I started awkwardly because I really didn't. How are we supposed to express the love in words? "because I am not sure what words, if at all any, can convey my feelings to you. I never knew when you entered my heart like a thief and took possession of it but that's alright because there is no one in this world I would rather have my heart. I am afraid of the unknown, the future but I know that with you we can face the test of time against our love. You make me feel protected, loved, and cherished. I promise to love you, cherish you and support you in any and every way I can, treasuring each second I get to spend with you so will you accept me Astrea Destiny Faith as your wife? And yeah I take you up on your cooking offer but don't blame me if I get fat. You are responsible for that!" 

I could hear people chuckling at the last part but I am absolutely serious because this man can cook! I am sure I would be eating plenty so if I get fat he would be the culprit! 

Then it was finally time for I do's and ring exchange.

  "Do you, Gouenji Shuuya, take Astrea Destiny Faith as you lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold, to love and honor, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health until death do you apart?"  

"I do."

  "Do you, Astrea Destiny Faith, take Gouenji Shuuya as you lawfully wedded husband to have and to hold, to love and honor, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health until death do you apart?"  

"I do." I replied softly smilingly at him. 

  "Rings please?" The wedding officiator asked and Kidou came forward with cute little Dannon dressed in a tuxedo. He looked very cute and I am absolutely sure he would  grow up handsome breaking many hearts. Dannon held the pillow with rings firmly in his little hands making me smile.

  "May these rings be blessed as a symbol of your union. As often as either of you look upon these rings, may you not only be reminded of this moment, but also of the vows you have made and the strength of your commitment to each other. You may exchange the rings now." He announced and Gouenji went forward first taking the ring from the little angel bestowing a kiss on his forehead.   

He slowly slid the wedding band onto my ring finger and kissed it making me smile at him.

It was the ring that we both shopped for together and after countless rejections we found the perfect one. I didn't know I was that picky until then but I guess anyone would be when you need to wear it for a life time.  The ring is of platinum and has a reasonable sized green diamond cut in square shape with platinum surrounding it giving the effect of some flower with small diamonds. Together with the platinum and the rare high quality green diamond the price sky rocketed but for once I didn't hesitate about making Gouenji pay for such an expensive ring, because the green diamond was the same shade of green as his eyes and I couldn't find a more perfect ring than that.

It was my turn and I too kissed Dannon as a thank you smiling at him. It was a simple platinum ring with a single extra expensive diamond in it and our names engraved inside. It said 'Astrea *love symbol* Gouenji Forever'.

I slid the ring and found that I liked it very much on his finger. This ring indicates that he belongs to me. I smiled at him tempted to kiss his ring finger like he did mine but I resisted. Also there would be veil in the way. Control Destiny. You have a lifetime with him ahead of you. 

"Now I pronounce as husband and wife! You may kiss the bride."

Turning to me he slowly lifted the veil on my face and I smiled at him. I am sure my eyes conveyed all the love I felt for him and the happiness from being married to him. He smiled back at me, a heart stopping one at that, topping off all the others before, his eyes eyes shining with the same love and happiness. Swooping down his lips touched mine smoothly and gently. It was unlike any kiss we shared. Aside from the fact that it was our first kiss as a married couple resulting in all the feelings bubbling from our hearts we poured all the feeling int the kiss savoring each other slowly and gently, showing pure love.

We parted slowly and it was then that we could hear the cheering of the people around us. We escaped into our own world I guess. I couldn't help the small smile that crept up onto my lips and Gouenji mirrored mine. If you can imagine all the emotional scenes with soft music in the background the music it jerked to a stop as soon as his heartfelt smile morphed into a smirk, the evil smirk which was always the reason for my trouble, so yeah I took a step in caution but it was not enough. I should have known it after all even if I run all the way to the ends of earth I will still be in reach of his hands.

I yelped as I was lifted in someone's arms for the second time this day. It was Gouenji or to be precise my husband this time but I am not sure whether to feel fortunate or unfortunate about that. Of course all the people sitting cheered loud at this but they are naive people who doesn't about his smirk. Folding my arms around his neck for balance I can't help but to go along with him. I don't know what I expected but I never expected Gouenji to just walk off straight into a car, a wedding car with all the flowers and stuff. I can't explain much but it is an unsual wedding car, one giving off the vibe of modern carriage style wedding car.

We were in the backseat with me in his lap. I thought he might explain but as usual he didn't. I might not know much about marriages but I am pretty damn sure that the groom doesn't just disappear with his wife as soon as they declare them husband and wife.

"Gouenji..." I called tentatively and nervously.

"Yes love." He answered and I am sure I sat there staring at him in shock for at least a few seconds. Did he just call me love??? The smirk that appeared on his face noticing my reaction snapped me from the daze. I start immediately before he says something because I am sure that would end up in me being a blubbering and stuttering mess.

"Reception is tomorrow right? Or did I mess up the schedule for some reason?"

"No."

"We are going somewhere?"

"Yes."

"Is it urgent?"

"Yes." Times like these are the ones I want to pull out my hair in frustration. Can he not answer me without one word answers? Cool Destiny! It hasn't even been five minutes we got married. You can't lose your temper just like that. Deep breathes and long, detailed questions.

"Where are we going? We didn't greet any of our friends or parents, let alone guests. As you said we arranged the reception tomorrow and I am sure we didn't book any after wedding party place. I don't think we are supposed to walk away like that." I point out as patiently I can.

"Who cares?"

WHAT? I think my jaw hit the floor just now. Who cares? Who cares?

"They can wait till tomorrow to congratulate us. This can't wait! I waited long enough."

"What can't wait?"

"What else?" He asked me as if I was asking in which direction the sun rose today. "Throwing you on a bed and ravishing you senseless." I blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice. Then poof! There's the lovely tomato. The level of nonchalance his voice held will make one doubt that he is talking about weather.

"You look lovely in this color." He replied sensually caressing my cheeks, his voice low and husky. "Especially with you wearing all white." Bending down he placed a small peck on my lips softly. Looking into my eyes he continued to softly brush his lips against mine, as if he couldn't help himself. A peck turned into a soft kiss, a sweet one conveying our feelings of love. But with time desire overtook and slowly it turned passionate and urgent and I was swept into the pace Gouenji set, blindly following him and giving him what he is asking for. Abruptly he pushed me back.

"Let us stop before I take you in this back seat. Although that's not a bad idea, we can try it sometime in the future. Let us make our first time a little more special." He whispered in my ear panting out of breathe, his voice husky and sexy pulling me in deep and nipped my ear. I don't how he turned it into something sexy but it did. 

I also don't understand his ability to turn things abruptly, one second we would be talking normally and next second the atmosphere would be sizzling with electricity, sexual frustration to be more precise, like from zero to hundred real quickly. Then turning me forward in his lap he started nuzzling my neck and we stayed cuddling but just like before he slowly started kissing my neck and nibbling, definitely leaving evidence. Fortunately a knock on the car door stopped him which later I knew was the driver giving us a moment of privacy before opening the door. We got out soon to what looked a villa quite secluded with the vast trees surrounding it. The fountain with an angel statue in the middle, although cliche, looked absolutely beautiful. 

"Where are we?"

"I bought it recently seeing that you liked Kidou's guesthouse. We can come here whenever we want some privacy."

We went in and although I wanted to look at everything and observe Gouenji dragged me along with him to the master bedroom saying we can have a tour another time.

Opening the huge double doors I was mesmerized by the beauty also quite surprised. The bedroom was huge, classy and elegant with black and white theme but what caught my attention is the room covered with flower petals. It was almost same as when Gouenji covered the room with red roses day before yesterday but the only and contrasting difference is that instead of red flowers it is covered with black rose petals and black roses. What does this mean? Doesn't black mean hatred? I am really confused now. Didn't we pass the stage of hatred in our initial stage and loving each other now? What is happening? 

I slowly turned around to find Gouenji smirking, not the usual playful one reserved for me but a very different one, a dangerous one and an evil glint in his eyes making a shiver run through my back. Definitely not of pleasure.

"What is the meaning of this Gouenji?" I asked him in a low of voice, almost scared to listen to his answer.

"What do you think?" The evil glint was prominent now making me want to run away but I was frozen, unable to move. His gaze held me there.

"I..I don't know..." He suddenly caught my wrist in a painful grip and pulled me into him. I stumbled into his chest and looked at him with fear filled eyes. This doesn't look good at all nor does his painful grip on my waist. I am sure it would leave marks on me tomorrow.

"What did you think? That you would just barge in my life and with that little 'I am innocent as hell' look I would feel me like others? That I would just declare my love for you and marry you? That I would forget my  hatred for females, which I had for ages, in just a moment and start fucking love you? Is that what you thought?" He pushed me away  and I fell on the floor harshly. Panting and scared beyond belief I looked at him not knowing what is going on. He immediately knelt beside me and had my hair in a harsh grip making me yelp in pain. 

"Did you? I am not that foolish to believe in all that! Who do you think I am to fall in such useless trap? You might have fooled others but not me! And for all the things you did it's time to teach you a lesson. A lesson to you and all the females in the world for the conniving bitches you are. You are married and will be married to me your whole life. Bound to me in every way. Don't even think of escaping because you will find none."

 He pulled my hair harsher that I felt a sharp headache coming on and then slapped me hard that my whole  face turned the other with the force of the impact. I couldn't breathe and I couldn't think. My heart felt constricted and each breathe was more painful than the others. Was it a lie all this time? He didn't love me but acted as if he loved me? All for what? To torture me? This is how our married life is going to be? With him abusing me? With him being the psycho? With me being tortured on a daily basis without any escape? Unable to find any escape and bound in every way? This is how my dreams are going to end? This is how my marriage is going to end? My life is going to end like this? 

This is 'The End' for me? My happily ever after turning to Painful ever after?

"I would like to think of your silence as you being awestruck with the beauty of the room but your eyes tell me a different story." The voice whispered in my ear brought me out of the trance I was in with a startle. Gasping for breathe I reassured myself that Gouenji and I are still at the entrance of the bedroom and that was my stupid and idiotic imagination coming into play unnecessarily.

Trying to calm my still thundering heartbeat I looked at Gouenji wearily. That is not going to happen right?

"What...what is the meaning of this Gouenji?" I asked him very scared to know the answer and praying that my stupid imagination doesn't turn out into reality. 

"What do you think?" My eyes bulged out and I staggered a step back trying to move out of reach but Gouenji caught my wrist and pulled me to his chest. Deja vu?

"I am not sure what you are thinking but I don't like the look in your eyes. Relax." He said slowly rubbing his hand on my back trying to soothe. My body relaxed automatically but I am still on alert ready to run away any moment though I am not sure whether I will be successful in that or not.

"Do your remember the first time I gave you the black rose?"

"Yeah. On Valentine's day as reply to my so called love letter." I replied having full memory of what happened that day and the next.

"I assume you thought of it as rejection as a way of saying 'I hate you'?"

"Yeah." I replied, all thoughts of previous nightmare gone and my focus entirely on him. He has that effect on people, especially me, to concentrate solely him and his words alone, no thoughts passing you.

"Do you know that flowers have meaning behind them? A symbolism? Many think think that black roses signify hatred but it has a deeper meaning to it? Not the superficial black meaning hatred and death."

Black roses have another meaning?

"You belong to  me right down to the end." He smiled presenting me a black rose out of nowhere. "That was what I meant that day."

I was entranced by his words and the meaning behind it. Though it sounds a bit(a lot) possessive it still suits Gouenji precisely. That is something he would say instead of the cheesy lovely lines, that is definitely like him to say.

"It also means 'Eternal love'. A love which lasts even after death and into your next life. A love beyond death A love that lasts forever." His green eyes blazing with love captivated me so much that I couldn't look away from him even for a second. His lips once again brushed against mine slowly and sweetly. I am getting addicted to his kisses. It ended shortly and sweetly and we parted slowly and reluctantly.

He smirked mischievously. "I also remember your reply that day. That black roses are rare so you would treasure it. You are right in that though. These are natural Black roses." 

"Natural black roses exist? I thought it was some hybrid variety?"

"No. This is the Turkish 'Halfeti Black Rose', a natural though very rare flower."

"Wow! It must have cost you a fortune."

I replied digesting the information and still admiring the Turkish Halfeti Black Rose. The wonders of nature huh?

"Enough with the rose. Shall we start with our night? It's long overdue now and I have run out of patience."

I dropped the flower just like that and I tensed immediately. I don't know how I entertained that thought previously but now all I can say is, so embarrassing and hella nervous. How does people even do this? I definitely don't want to! No way!

"I'll take a bath." I said trying for a hasty retreat. The key word being 'trying' since I am struck in Gouenji's arms.

"Not needed."

"But it is. I am all sweaty after the marriage and I smell. Let me take a bath."

He held me tighter and buried his nose in my neck taking a deep breathe. 

"You smell wonderful to me."

"But..."

"You are going to end up sweaty after I am done with yo so why bother?" I blushed hard if you all must know.

"Let me at least change and get ready so that I can look good for you." Any excuse would do please!

"You are looking good, no, stunningly sexy as it is."

"Wedding dress is difficult to remove so..."

"Not to me. Moreover I want to peel off everything from your delectable body, just like unwrapping a Christmas gift though I was never excited for it but I am more than excited for you. I WANT to do do this with your wedding dress. The white aptly describing your innocence and cuteness, and the contrasting red color on you when I peel it off slowly to see how far the blush goes as I shower your whole body with kisses." With that he slowly but surely started kissing my neck and I could feel the drop in temperature and atmosphere sizzling with electricity. There he goes again changing the mood on his whim and making my body react to his will.

"Are you done with the excuses now?" He smirked sexily at me and lifting me bridal style once again he carried me to the bed where he dropped me gently and got on top of me hovering where the night slowly but surely began with us making love all over the night, connecting with each other for the first time, expressing our love with heart, body and soul. It was sweet, unlike any other experience and just like the name suggests it was making love, showing our love to each other, cherishing and treasuring each other.

***************************************************************************************Whew! An update after a long time! Sorry for the delay but it is the result of assignments, exams and writers block! All nasty things coming together so i can't help it! I hope you all like this!

This chapter might awkward but this is the best I could do. Also I am totally clueless as to how to write their feeling in the form of vows and I was tempted to write just the traditional vows by the wedding officiator but knowing my Gouenji even though he is a man of few words and even few romantic words he would say just a few but very heart touching vows so I had to include vows but since I am not to the level of Gouenji I could only do so much.

Regarding the 'daydream' I included it is just something that popped in my mind as soon as I thought that Destiny would misunderstand the situation. It wasn't planned but as I was typing, my fingers wrote a story of their own. I wondered what would happen if I really ended the story there, with a bitter and sad ending! But yeah not happening on my watch. I guess you guys are already to immune to that by now??? May be??? No?

And coming to serious issues.....

I heard that people might get upset or offended with the way I portrayed the wedding last chapter. I am really sorry for that but I had no intentions of hurting everyone. true I emphasized that they didn't care about traditions much but that doesn't mean they didn't have faith or that they are taking light of traditions. In my opinion traditions are something brought and changed over the generations and marriage being one of them. It changed over ages, places and with belief. Even now they are being done differently and I don't believe there is a correct or wrong way of doing it. That is the reason why they didn't care about traditions. All that is important s that they love each other, respect each other and hold true to their vows. That is what I cared about and emphasized about in the story. If my meaning didn't get across to you then I am sorry for that but know that my intentions are pure.

And I am unable to reply to many comments and for that I am really sorry. I am trying my best but with the limited time I have as of now I have to use that for updating but I will try my best. But please do comment because it gives writer great joy to know the readers opinion and I always read your comments with a big grin on my face.So thanks to each and everyone of you who comment, vote and read! You guys are awesome!

So yeah that's it for today. Please vote, share and comment. Have a nice time lovelies! Till next update!