***Authors note: Okay so the picture posted in the wrong chapter. That, boys and girls, is Sophia's wedding dress. Pretty, right?
This is my gift to you supportive readers, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays <3 all my thanks, author

NOW, ON WITH THE STORY!***

"Sophia?" she opened her eyes. She was surrounded by darkness, she heard Seto's voice call her name.

"Seto?" she looked around, and saw nothing but darkness.
"Sophiiiiia?" she heard the sing-songy voice. Wait... was that Seto?
"Sophia? Where are you?" she kept turning, and she saw a dark shadow coming towards her. She walked towards the figure quickly, but the outline was wrong.
"Sophiaaaaa?" She didn't know who it was calling her, but it definitely wasn't Seto. It sounded like...
"Found you!" a hand clamped on her shoulder from behind her. She turned to see-
"Carlos?!" she exclaimed. She ripped his hand from her shoulder and ran away. She heard his laughing all around her, mocking her with the:
"Sophia! Sophia! Come back!" he laughed that maniacal laugh again.

"SOPHIA!" the voice brought her round from her dream. It was still dark, but the pale moonlight illuminated the figure above her.
"Seto?" she said, feeling her face. She had been crying.
"Sophia? What's wrong?" he asked, holding her close to him.
"What?" she said, confused and still not fully awake.
"Your Nonni said you were sick, so I came to see you." he stroked the top of her head, still holding her close.
"It's fine, think I might just have eaten something funny. Or maybe it's nerves about tomorrow?" she mumbled. Seto looked a little concerned.
"Come on, come sleep in with me." he stood up, taking her hand.
"Aren't the bride and groom supposed to spend the night before their wedding separately?"
"Not on my wedding day eve." he said in a final tone.
"But it's tradition!" she protested weakly as she followed him, still holding his hand, through the door and across the corridor.
"Tradition be damned." he grumbled slightly as he pulled her into his room. She got onto the furthest side of the bed, curling away from his side so he wouldn't catch whatever she had. But to her surprise, she felt Seto get into bed. He pressed his broad, warm chest to her back, pulling her close.
"You'll catch this."
"I don't care. I'll be fine." he kissed the back of her neck.
"What time did you get home?"
"Two minutes ago, your Nonni was just about to go to bed when I arrived."
"Why were you home so late? Isn't it almost eleven o'clock?" she turned to look at him/
"Twelve. After work, I had to finalise a couple of things for our honeymoon."
"Honeymoon?"
"Just a weekend. I'm sure you'll enjoy it." he kissed her forehead. He lay flat, and pulled her onto his chest. The contrast between the cold winter chill and his warm skin, combined with the strong, steady heartbeat beneath her, it made it more than easy to fall asleep peacefully.

Sophia awoke at six am and could hear the shower running. Seven hours until they were getting married. She felt the butterflies in her stomach begin to flutter.She shed her top and underwear and headed towards the en-suite bathroom to join her soon to be husband.

"You shouldn't have washed your hair this morning. It's lost all of its natural body." the hairstylist despaired. Sophia could only smile, hidden behind her hair. It was a small price to pay for the delightful pre-wedding gift Seto had given her.

12pm  rolled around and Sophia heard the door slam shut. Mokuba and Seto had already left the house. She felt the knot in her stomach tighten, and she felt nauseous again.
"Alright sweetheart, make up is all done. Here's a mirror." she handed her a small hand-held mirror, and Sophia was astounded. Her eyes were made up a rose gold glitter and a thin but dramatic eyeliner look and thick eyelashes, fanned and separated to perfection. Her face was far more defined, and her lips were emphasised and she was wearing a nude shade on her lip (MAC Velvet Teddy!) Her hair was in an updo, curled bun with small white rose hair pins surrounding it. She felt beautiful.
"Oh my God. Can I keep you?" she asked the makeup artist, who laughed.
"Sorry honey, I'm doing Beyonce's makeup in Tokyo tonight. But I'm glad you're so pleased with the look. Seto Kaiba is a lucky man." she took the mirror back from her, and began to pack everything away.
"Okay people, time to get this dress on." Tea clapped. They had all had their hair and makeup done first, and had put their dresses on as Sophia was having the finishing touches of her makeup done. Tea and Mai both helped her step into the dress, while Serenity held it open. With all three girls' help, and they slid the dress up her slim body. After they arranged the netting and petticoats so it all sat in the right place, they stood back in awe.
"Wow." they all gasped in unison. They stood aside so she could look at herself in the full-length mirror. Never in her nineteen years had she ever felt this beautiful.

As 12.15 came around, Sophia began to descend the stairs with the girls in tow. Mai handed her the waterfall bouquet of white and blush-pink roses amongst other white flowers. As everyone looked up, she met her father's gaze. His jaw dropped. It was like seeing his own wife in her wedding dress for the first time. He felt a rush of affection for his daughter, a feeling that filled his long empty heart with joy.
"I have to say, Max, I never thought I'd live to see the day I'd say I'm glad to see her marrying. But there's no denying her face, she's in love with Mr Kaiba, that's for sure."
"Yep. Who'd have thought it?"
"This is what I get." They both watched as the entire staff (bar three suits, who were already at the wedding venue flanking each entrance) rushed forward to greet the soon-to-be Mrs Kaiba.
"For what?"
"You must understand Max, when Cecilia's father passed away, I didn't know what to do. And then Cecilia was taken from us so young. That baby girl breathed new life into me. But I've always wondered whether it was the right thing to do. Taking her away from you, raising her the way I wanted to raise Cecilia, it was selfish of me." She stared forward. Maximillion placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"No. You helped to shape her into the wonderful, successful woman she is today. I couldn't have given her what you did. You made her humble, appreciative of the small things, and you taught her about the meaning of family. If anything, I was the selfish one. The things I said after Cecilia died-"
"They were completely understandable. I would have said the same if I lost my wife and my daughter was taken away from me in the same year."
"Well. Let's bury the hatchet, and we can both make Cecilia and Sophia proud today."
"Quite right Max." She patted his hand. Sophia approached them.
"What are you two whispering about?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just about how stunning you look!"
Her Nonni approached her, cupping her face in her hands.
"My Bambino! You've grown into the most beautiful woman. I'm so proud."
"Guys stop, the makeup artist has already left and I don't want to ruin my face."
"We better get you on your way. You'll be late otherwise."
Her father opened the door for her, and her eyes were met with a spectacular sight. Surrounded by a blanket of snow, stood a Cinderella-style carriage with four horses of near white was in place of what she thought would have been a limo. She gasped. Walking towards it, she found a tag attached by a thin rope that read "one last surprise before we get married. S.K. x"
"Oh Seto..." She very nearly cried. The kind gesture only added to her already aching heart. Maximillion helped her into the carriage, ensuring her dress wasn't caught in the doors. The bridesmaids, her father and Nonni all climbed into the white limo behind it. After Roland gave the signal to the driver, they started their journey.
Sophia was taken through the streets of Domino City, where she smiled as tourists and locals alike took photos and marvelled at the spectacle. She felt like a queen.
Pulling up to the Manor House, she watched as they travelled the long road which had been well travelled despite the snow, towards the venue. The butterflies returned, and she was jittery. She was getting married, and the event was imminent.

Everyone gathered outside the doors, and there was Parker, waiting to open the door. He nodded and smiled at Sophia, who waved back.
"Sophia. Before we go in, I have something to give to you." Her father handed her a small jewellery box, which she took with a confused look on her face. Opening it, her eyes grew wide.
"Dad, this is your ring."
"I know."
"I can't take this, it's too much." Sophia tried to put the ring back in his hand, but he refused, plainly.

"Sophia. The day your mother gave me this was the happiest day of my life, until she gave me you. Your mother and I shared a love that could never die, not even when she did. If she were here instead of me today, she'd be doing the same. So please; take this ring and give it to Kaiba boy. He's already got your mothers to give to you." Maximillion pushed a stray hair behind her ear.
"Dad... I don't know what to say." She began to tear up.
"No no no! No tears! Only happiness today. You are getting married, bambino. You're not allowed to be sad on such a beautiful day." Sophia nodded back, happy her Dad was here.
"Shall we?" He asked, linking his arm in hers.
The doors were flung open, and so began the march. Serenity, Mai and then Tèa entered the building first, then Sophia. Standing in the small reception area, another set of thinner doors were the only thing keeping her from Seto at this moment in time. Her Nonni had already entered to take her seat. She could have done with a Nonni pep talk at this moment. She could feel her stomach tighten and she began to sweat slightly.
"Dad, I'm sweating." She whispered. Then, the music began.
"Too late to run now." He snickered, clutching her arm.
On queue, Tèa, Mai and then Serenity walked through the doors. Max and Sophia waited for their queue, and when it came, the doors were opened for them. Sophia looked out over the sea of faces, her own side familiar, full of the few friends she'd made and her students, who all gasped and squealed quietly at how beautiful their teacher was. Seto's side was full of unfamiliar faces, business associates and the like. Finally, her eyes clapped onto her husband to be, standing at the altar with his brother by his side. They locked eyes, and the music and chatter no longer filled her ears. Seto sent a small smile her way, and her chest flip-flopped. He and Mokuba's suits the exact same as her fathers, a soft grey, with a white shirt and blush waistcoat and cravat. Half way down the aisle, she felt her dad grip her arm harder. Turning her head slightly to take a peep at him, she saw his face was tense, and his eyes were brimming with tears. 
"Dad..." she whispered, but he shook his head.
"Shhhh." he silenced her, touching beneath his eye to clear the tears. They reached the altar, and her Dad released his grip on her arm, leaving her and Seto to stand together. 
"Hey," he whispered to her.
"Hi." she giggled back at him. She took his hand in her own. They faced the officiant, who began his speech:
"Welcome family, friends and loved ones. We are gathered here today to join Seto and Sophia together as one soul, one flesh, and one love. You met and fell in love by chance, but you both made the decision to be here today, together.
Marriage is one of life's greatest and most challenging relationships. Marriage is also, in a sense, like a house. No ceremony will build it. You alone, together, will build it into the beautiful, sturdy house it can be. Your respect for each other, and commitment to one another will lay the foundations, your walls will be built by supporting and believing in each other. Your undying love for one another will be the roof, shielding you both from the weathers of life. Now, I understand you both have vows that you have written for one another?" he gestured to Seto, who pulled out a small cue card. Clearing his throat, he began:
"Sophia, I remember the first time I met you. I thought to myself: "She's the one." I knew right then and there I needed you by my side. Saying yes to going on our first date together was the second best day of my life, the first being the day you said yes to being my wife. I remember the first time you ever tasted a Dorito. The look on your face solidified everything I had thought when I first laid eyes on you. And now, you and I can begin the 'forever' I've been thinking about since day one." A procession of 'awwwws' came from the audience, a few claps. Sophia looked out across the audience, at her grandmother, at her Dad, at her friends and students. And for just a second, passing the glass door that separated the servant halls from the main rooms, she could have sworn she saw-
"Sophia? Your vows?" the officiant pulled her back to reality. He was smiling at her expectantly, and Seto slightly narrowed his eyes. Was that... worry? 
"Yes! Yes! Sorry." she mumbled as she pulled the piece of notepaper from inside her bouquet. She began reading.
"Through the years, I never realised how truly lonely I was in Italy. While I had the support and love of my small family, I felt like I was just... existing. With you, I now know what it's like to live. You have always been kind and considerate, a real gentleman even though I've only really made your life a lot more difficult than necessary." a small laughter rippled through the crowd as they laughed. "But you've always maintained the sweetest demeanour, been the most attentive and supportive boyfriend and fiance. You encouraged me to break out of my comfort zone, and it was the wisest decision I've ever made, and now I can't wait to see what our future holds for us." Sophia smiled weakly up at him, her stomach was still turning. For a moment, their eyes met, and she could see a flurry of emotions, but he lowered his eyes quickly. 
"Now, if anyone has any objection as to why these two should not be wed, please speak now or forever hold your piece." silence filled the room, and the officiant continued:
"Do you, Seto, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, to cherish, defend and to love from this day until the last, until death do you part?" Seto looked back up at Sophia, his eyes were full of... She didn't know. His eyes were uselessly hard to read, with a steeled gaze, except during personal and intimate moments between the two of them, but right now, they were gentle and soft. 
"I do." he smiled at her, a cheeky grin appearing on his face.
"Do you, Sophia, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to cherish, defend and to love from this day until the last, until death do you part?" Sophia gazed back into Seto's eyes, and she felt warm. Smiling, she nodded; "I do!" Seto took both of her hands, holding one to his mouth and kissing it quickly. Cameras began to flash, and Sophia found herself able to ignore it, block it out. Bombs could be falling, alarms blaring, and fire spreading around them and she wouldn't have broken his gaze. The officiant smiled at the young couple and declared: "With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may now kiss the bride." Seto placed his arms around Sophia's waist, pulling her close. Cupping the side of his face, Sophia kissed him. He responded almost immediately, pressing into the kiss. The audience erupted around them with cheers of happiness and whistles. 

As he watched the guests filter from the makeshift wedding area, Carlos narrowed his eyes while adjusting the uniform he had stolen from the cloakroom. A text message buzzed on his phone, which he glanced at.
"I told you not to come." Fuck, he'd been spotted.
"I had to see her. I had to see if she would go through with it." he had watched Sophia, whom he considered to be the love of his life, betray him. 
"You'll have her back in no time, and you can do whatever you wish to her. But be patient." his boss had replied. Carlos stored his phone away. He'd show Sophia. And if she thought her just giving in and coming home with him would save that obnoxious pretty boy, she had another thing coming. He'd put bullets in the back of people's heads before, he had no problem doing it to Seto Kaiba. He smiled that crazy smile, and chuckled darkly to himself as he retreated to get his own clothes.