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***Sebastian's POV***

"You look like you could use this." My mom hands me a water bottle with a couple headache relievers. She is right. I can definitely use this.

I stand still like a mannequin as Grey and Kip get ready. Alex walks around me in slow circles, smoothing my tuxedo as he makes his rounds. Looking in the mirror, I can see happiness and excitement shining in my eyes as well as the faces of the ones who mean so much to me. 

I am appreciative that Martin came through this morning. As promised, he had Amelia come by to fix all of us breakfast. The Bloody Mary was a good choice. I am still fighting a waning headache. It could be worse. Hell, I am surprised it is not. We really tied it on last night.

"Are you almost ready? Mak just sent the text saying that they are ready?" Ma wipes the back of her hand over my cheek bone as she sweetly asks this of me. I can tell she is going to cry. That is if she hasn't already.

I softly grip my mother's hand, bringing it closer to my face so that she is cupping my jaw. After a brief moment, I place a kiss inside of her palm. I have been eternally blessed with this woman. Quietly, I release her hand, my arm wraps around her waist as I pull her close for a genuine hug. I do not know what I would have done without the unconditional love and support of this lady.

"I am ready." I confirm.

"Yes, you are. It is me and you against the Universe, child. That is not going to change just because you get married. We just have a bigger team of heroes behind us." Ma squeezes my hand, linking our arms together.

Grey opens the door, signaling us to proceed to the altar. This is it. I am about to begin the journey. Soon enough, I am going to have my husband beside me in the first day of our personal Once Upon a Time.

The birds chirp softly as the sun does a good job of amplifying the headache between my temples. My eyes scrunch slightly, adjusting to the dimming brightness that will soon make way for the sunset. Guests settle down as I lead my mother to her seat at the front of the audience. I place a kiss upon ma's cheek before letting go to take my place beneath the arch of flowers.

I stand quietly, willing my nerves to calm down. With the wedding officiant behind me, I watch the guests take their seats. Our party comes slowly down the aisle, breaking away from their partners as they take their places on either side of the altar. Every minute feels like ten while waiting for the music to signal the guest of honor's arrival.

Martin briefly hugs me before taking his seat beside Amelia. Clara bounces joyfully on Amelia's lap, pulling at the diamond necklace that lays delicately against Mrs. Parker's neck. I can't help thinking of the future when my own children will fill our lives with as much joy as Clara has brought to all of us. 

My attention is redirected when the music finally announces that the ceremony is beginning. Standing taller, I fidget with my hands suddenly finding myself unsure what to do with my arms. A chuckle from Alex causes me to sneer in his direction. With a sigh, Alex pushes my hands in front of me. I clasp my fingers together, holding my restless energy between my palms.

"Focus on Mark. That is all that matters." Grey sends his signature wink in my direction. A silent nod of my head confirms that I will do just that. I honestly never expected to feel so nervous.

The soft notes of music fill the air. I watch with anticipation for Gavin to make his debut. His presence will bring me one moment closer to seeing Mark. It feels like it has been a very long time. In reality, only a few hours have passed since I saw my handsome future husband.

Having momentarily dazed off, a gasp from the crowd pulls my attention towards Gavin. My eyes focus in and out in absolute confusion. I know this boy. What the fuck?

"Alex?" I whisper with a bit too much panic.

"Shhhh." Alex pats my shoulder while I let my eyes comprehend the scene.

Dressed in a sleek black suit, Gavin slowly drops flower petals from his delicate hands. The music seems to set the pace as Gav glides elegantly down the aisle towards me. With minimal theatrics, Gav plays his role as flower queen like a trained professional. The only show stopping feature on the boy is the soft pallet of foundation that is highlighted by shimmery cheeks, tinted lip gloss and the faintest trace of mascara. Gavin's honey curls blow wistfully in the soft evening breeze. Gavin looks like the most whimsical creature to ever grace an aisle with little effort. He is breathtaking.

Before taking his place in front of Gray, Gavin walks slowly to me. With a slight bow of his head, Gavin slips his hand into mine to give me a brief touch of comfort. I smile at our cherub nurse while my head continues to process the fact that our flamboyant flower child just graciously carried himself with an overwhelming amount of subtly when it was not even necessary. We expected Gavin to almost steal the spotlight. A soft smile plays on my lips at Gavin's sacrifice. We wouldn't have been upset with a loud display of Gavinisms.

The tempo of the music picks up gently. An acoustic arrangement of "Yellow" by ColdPlay begins. I love this song. It is Mark's song to me. My heart tugs knowing that my forever chose to showcase his love for me in such a seemingly small way. It is huge to me. Mark knows that.

I look straight ahead, anticipating the moment when Mark will come into my view. It takes only a few seconds before tears fill my eyes until one surrenders to the barricade of my lashes. Mark is single handedly the most amazing human to enter my world.

With denim blue eyes shining brightly, Mark smiles. He simply takes my breath from my body. The tuxedo he wears is the palest shade of grey to exist. The way his muscles press against the threads in the expensive suit do everything to make him look even more appetizing. Mark takes his first step before his gaze hones in on me alone. I release the breath that was caught in my throat.

Mark is my perfection.

Every step fills my body with an overwhelming feeling of adoration. Mark is choosing me. In a world full of so many options, this man found me worthy of a lifetime of love and commitment. I will never forget his choice. I will not ever take a single breath for granted. My heart expands until the confides of my chest fell incapable of storing the emotions.

As Mark reaches for me, I lift my hand for his to slip into. Our fingers intertwine slowly, filling the empty spaces so that our skin molds into one unit. I guide my love to his place in front of me with a smile that seems as though it may break my skin. I am the luckiest human alive.

The wedding officiant begins with a small reminder of how large our decision truly is. Talk of trust, faith and the ability to talk rationally through the roughest waters of our future captures the attention of everyone that has gathered to witness our day. Mark and I keep our eyes studied on one another. I process the words with little question that Mark and I will have no trouble keeping our promises of forever. 

We have been through some of the most trying times already. I cannot imagine that there is much more in this life that would compare to a death sentence. We made it through that. Mark and I can make it through anything.

As the officiant closes his brief speech, I wait patiently for Mark to take the reins. I focus on every movement of my fiancée, down to the slow motion of his Adam's apple gliding down the length of his throat. Mark is nervous.

"Sebastian, to say we only get one chance at love would be a lie. Options exist exponentially. However, what we do get is one chance at the perfect love. You are my one chance. From the first moment you grabbed my attention, it has been you. From the soft touch of your fingers across my jawline to the moment that you touched my heart with unyielding love, I have known that you were the one that I could not let get away. Neither of us are perfect. I wouldn't expect us to be. What is perfect is the way my heart jumps a beat in order to pace itself with yours. Perfection lies in the moments where only you and I exist. Your very breath, as it passes over my skin, is perfection. You and I together, are perfect. 

You make me better. In everything I do, I think of you. You are my muse; my motivation. 

I promise today and every single day of forever that I will never forget where we have been. I will take even the hardest days as a blessing, knowing that you are my reward. I will cherish the gift of your choice to have me stand beside you. 

 I make this vow to you that I will not give you a reason to question my unending love for you. I will be mindful of my decisions and the way that they will affect you. I will not intentionally cause you pain. I will handle you with all the love and affection that you, Sebastian Royals, deserve.

Today, I take your name. I take the prestigious title of being your husband. It is my highest honor to be loved by you. I will neither take that for granted nor cause you to regret your choice. I choose you, Sebastian. Today, tomorrow and forever, I promise to be worthy of you. I love you inconceivably. Thank you for giving me your heart. Thank you for taking mine." Mark sighs heavily after his words are resting in the minds of our company. 

As my lips quiver, my eyes spill endlessly. I do not know how I got Mark Fletcher. All that I do know is that I am going to keep him. With shaky hands, I give my love a small hand squeeze to portray my gratitude for his beautiful words. I smile when Mark reaches up to brush his knuckles beneath my eyes, taking away the evidence of my appreciation.

"Sebastian, would you like to say your vows?" A small reminder from the officiant leads me to nod my head in acceptance. I have been waiting for this moment. 

Unsure that I am able to convey how I feel as eloquently as my soon-to-be husband, I acquiesce. My fingers tighten around Mark's. One last deep breath brings me to open my mouth, willing my emotions to cooperate so that I may reassure Mark that I have the most pure of intentions regarding his soul.

"Mark Fletcher, I feel like we have lived a thousand lives in our quest to get to this day. You have been nothing short of amazing through all of the obstacles that threatened to keep us apart. If I have never thanked you, I want to right now. Thank you for seeing something in me. Thank you for forgiving me after I attempted to deprive you of your place in my life. I was scared. You came in like a lion: brave, compassionate and prepared. You gave me another reason to fight when giving in would have been far more ideal. Mark, you are one of the many heroes in my story. I could never fully show my gratitude for your role in my remission.

As if fate deemed me worthy, I found myself staring into a pair of blue eyes that held so many secrets, emotions and possibilities. I have been given the gift of unboxing you as if you were the most precious of novelties. I have not been disappointed. 

Your past gave you a series of unique perspectives that could easily stagnate through fear. You did not hesitate to open your soul to me. Mark, you granted me permission to either hurt you or love you. I love you. I will not ever put myself in a position to lose you. You are the very reason that I am able to stand in front of you to bind us together as husbands.

On this day, I make the following declarations: I will always be your first line of defense. When you are unable to move forward alone, I will gladly be your strength to help carry us forward. I will give my last breath in my quest to love you the way that you deserve. My hands will always be anxiously waiting to hold on to you with unwavering vigor. My heart will always belong to you alone. My love will transcend space, time and temporary short-comings in order to protect you. I promise to provide stability, reassurance and a place of safety for you Mark.

I love you, baby. Thank you for choosing me." Everything around me feels so inconsequential as the look that Mark sends towards me. His glistening eyes scream a proclamation of love at me. I just want to kiss my husband. I want to whisper my prayer of thanks into his ear while his heart beat presses into my skin.

"The rings." My palm opens to receive Mark's ring from Gavin. Mark takes my band from our nurse angel. With simple instruction, we slide the symbols of our contract onto one another's fingers. 

The moment the closing words are spoke, allowing us to seal our marriage with a kiss, I seize the opportunity. My trembling hands lace into Mark's chestnut hair as if his strands were a safety blanket from a raging storm outside. Pulling Mark's lips to touch my own, I softly press my mouth against his. The heavy breath of emotional exasperation slips between our touch to bring peace into our hearts.

The announcement of our eternity comes just in time. Being addressed as The two Mr. Royals makes pride burst from every pore in my skin. I steal one last kiss from Mark before pulling him down the aisle to escape to our room. We will have only a few minutes to breathe before heading towards the reception. I only need enough time to privately whisper my love to my husband.

As we move towards the edge of the ceremony, my heart stops beating with a loud thud. The voice that carries across the evening air makes my skin crawl erratically. My fingers grip tightly to Mark's while my head turns toward the sound of the voice of the intruders.

I should have fucking known.