In this chapter, I am certain that an unpopular opinion and outcome is going to be mentioned. I do not appreciate any comments that are going to come from it. I understand that you guys probably won't like this outcome, but this was always the plan. Always, since I started this story. While I do appreciate that you were telling me how you guys feel, anything telling me to "change this" or telling me that this was a "bad decision", will be deleted, after you are reminded of this message. Thanks to all who take this seriously.

~Alley

Jeremy invited Ariana to his hotel room to talk about what had happened over the years, but Ariana politely declined, knowing that the Agency and Jake would have to be revealed, which was something she didn't want. Instead, he said that he would meet her in the park in three days. He said something about wanting to see how the city had changed over time. So, she wandered around in the park afterwards, watching children play and laugh with glee. If only she could bring herself to do so. 

She sat down on her trusty bench and waited, though she didn't know what for. Maybe she waited for nightfall, so she could gaze at the stars. Maybe it was until her memories flew way like birds in the fall. Maybe it was for a breeze to pick up so that her tears would be scattered like dandelion seeds. Only she could know, and she was just as clueless as those around her. She was not, however, waiting for Jake Malus and his parents to approach her.

"Ariana?" Mrs. Malus asked her accusingly. "Why did you speak to my son that way the last he saw you?"

Ariana didn't respond; choosing instead to stand in silence. She wasn't sure why she was being bombarded with questions, and she wasn't really sure how to answer any of them. She had yelled at Jake because it had felt right to see him feel the way he had made her feel for years, even if he only felt it for a second. She did it to get even.

"Answer when spoken to," Mr. Malus said. "Be polite."

"Polite?" she asked quietly. "What for? Your son has been anything but polite to me."

Mrs. Malus leaned over her, casting a menacing shadow; something Ariana never thought the petite and gentle woman could do. "Really Ariana?" she asked, her patience evaporated. "Because you're not exactly creditable. After all, you're just a girl that lives on the streets, who lost a life of luxury because you weren't satisfied."

"No it's not--"

"Don't you try to persuade me," she continued. "What you said to my son is unacceptable." she stormed off, which Mr. Malus seemed surprised about. He followed soon after.

"Ari," Jake said when they were alone.

"Yes, Jake," she spat out his name like poison. 

"I have something to ask you, and I need you to listen well," there was a silence left that Jake must have taken for a yes, because he continued to speak. "I've changed. I'm sorry for everything that I did to you. It was horrible and unacceptable." More silence. Mr. and Mrs. Malus had stopped walking and were now facing her, watching intently. When she looked back, Jake was on one knee, watching her expression like the ever-changing sky. "I shouldn't have ever treated you the way I did. Everything you said the other day was absolutely true. I am a disgrace, and I should have figured that out long ago. So I ask you this, Ariana Parkes," Ariana knew what was to come, and yet she couldn't prepare herself for what to say or how to feel. He held a box, which flipped open to reveal a ring. "Will you marry me?"

Ariana opened her mouth to respond, but could find the words. The nerve, the audacity! If she could only find the words to tell him no. Jake looked up at her, his parents still only a meter away. She knew that if she refused she would end up in more trouble than if she accepted. But words for either response refused to leave her throat. They were stuck, much like she.

"I understand," Jake said quietly. "I wouldn't have forgiven me either." he started to get up, but Ariana finally found words to respond. 

"I--I," she couldn't form them properly. She paused, taking in a breath, while eyeing the expression of the Malus' faces. "Y-yes."

Jake looked up. "Really?"

"Yes!" she cried. "Yes, I will marry you Jake Malus." 

---

Ariana had to admit, the ring was beautiful. Jake did have an eye for beauty, choosing a lovely silver ring with a square-cut diamond. The ring must have cost a fortune, but Ariana knew that the Malus family had many fortunes to spare. Ariana was immediately moved into the mansion with Jake, before she even had the chance to say goodbye to Jeffery. 

Jake was kind to her while they were engaged. He didn't yell, he never touched her, and she wasn't even told to pull her weight in the home. It was like the beginning of their relationship; which Ariana knew would go sour the moment they were married. She still wasn't sure as to why she had chosen to accept his proposal. He had hurt her so much, and yet she couldn't help but feel sorry for the pressures that were shoved upon him by his parents and family members. 

Jake had hired a professional wedding planner for their wedding. She was an overly positive girl with brown ringlets and a cheery laugh, which began to bring Ariana tears because of how often she heard it. So far, all that was left was to look for the rings and for Ariana's dress. The ring issue was solved quite quickly when Jake announced that he had taken care of it, which only left her dress. Ariana was nervous; she knew that wedding dresses were always very expensive, especially if it was custom made. Knowing Jake, it would be.

In the end, they settled for a dress that seemed to be more so a cropped shirt with a long skirt. It was covered in flowers and fit Ariana's form perfectly, while effectively hiding the scars on her back from the Agency. If she was honest, she hadn't known that they were there. The girls that had her try in the other dresses had been quite alarmed, which is why this was an obvious choice. Flowers were selected for her bouquet, and then everything was ready. 

(Much like this).

Only two days before the wedding and Ariana felt anxious. Everything was prepared and checked over. Flowers, the venue, the rings, the minister. Jake said that he was prepared, and Ariana felt the same, but why was she so nervous? She had even written her vows, but she wasn't sure if they had been too forced. She was surprised by how genuine some of them were, and she hoped that none of the guests would see through them.

She suddenly sat up in bed. The guests! She almost cried when she remembered that no one she knew would be there unless--Jeremy? Would that be odd for him; seeing the girl he had flown all the way from Québec to see, getting married to someone else? She scraped the idea. What about Sofia? She would attend, surely. She made a note to look for Sofia before she turned off her light, anxious and happy for what was to come. 

---

Wedding day. Two words that sum up most people's happiest day of their lives. The day when two people became bonded forever in the name of their love for each other. A day when everyone gathered to celebrate the next step in their lives. Ariana's wedding day, was a day of anxiety and sadness. Not a single friend or family member waited for the ceremony. Even Sofia, who had said she couldn't make it. Over one hundred guests, and none of them even knew her name. 

Ariana had to admit though, the hall looked stunning. From what she saw while they were setting up, it was a gorgeous arrangement of flowers, lace, and satin. Ariana knew that it would be unforgettable. Just as everyone was given the five minute warning, one of the bridesmaids--all of whom were Jake's nieces or sisters--hurried in with a man on her arm. Ariana almost cried. Somehow, someway, her father stood before her, ready to walk her down the aisle. She rushed forward and hugged him while he whispered sweet nothings in her ear.

"I didn't know where you were," Ariana said. "I thought--"

"That Jake boy kept me in, Ari," Max said, surprising Ariana with a voice that she handy heard in years. "Even after he told me that you had run off, he still paid for my rehab. I'm sober honey. I've gone to therapy. Everything will be okay now."

She hugged him again and she was told that they would be cued in at any moment. Max, already dressed in a suit, gave Ariana his arm as the first bridesmaid walked out. Ariana now knew that this was meant to be. She realized that while Jake had made some mistakes, but he had changed in the two years that she had been missing. He truly was someone that she was prepared to spend the rest of her life with. With her father by her side, she was really and willing to face her future. The crowd was asked to stand, and she walked out.

There were murmurs as the guests viewed her dress for the very first time, and a look of pure affection on Jake's face on the altar. This was perfect. She held her bouquet of peonies, tied with a satin ribbon, while she careful and slowly walked down the aisle towards her future and her future husband. Everything was ready; she even had her father by her side. She reached the altar, and the ceremony began. Jake slid Ariana's ring into her finger before he began his vows. It was beautiful; another square diamond, but this one surrounded by a gold netting and smaller cut diamonds.

"Ariana," he said. "I know that I've made some mistakes. I've done things that I regret deeply and that I wish I could take back. You were so much more than just another girl to me, Ariana. You were always someone that I cared about; I just never knew how to show it. I promise that no matter what happens, I apologize for anything that I ever did to hurt you. I love you, Ariana Parkes, and I am ready to spend the rest of my life with you." 

He was met with thunderous applause before Ariana was asked to do the same. She slid the ring on to his finger, before recalling the vows that had taken no time to write when she finally realized what he meant to her.

"Jake," she began. "I know that the things that happened between us weren't always the best. I know that we have a difficult history, but before me, I don't see the boy that I met two years ago; I see the man that I want to spend the rest of my life with. I love you Jake Malus. For all our faults, we always seemed to have intertwined fates, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Until death do us part, my love."

Applause met her speech, even more so than Jake's. Ariana had been genuine. She hadn't needed to worry about fooling the audience because the only person she had been fooling was herself. The only reason that Jake had managed to hurt her as much as he had was because if how much she had continued to care about him. Jeremy had seen that when he had returned; he had known that even though she was hurt, Jeremy could never be more than a friend to her, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

"By the power invested in me," the minister said. "I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Ariana wrapped her arms around Jake. They kissed each other for the first time in years, and for the first time as husband and wife.

Were you expecting that? I didn't think so! And for all those who no doubt left comments saying how Ariana was stupid to fall for him or something like that, while I appreciate your enthusiasm, this was always the intended outcome. The day I made Jake Malus, I knew that they were going to be wed. I just decided to make him an arse along the way. Anyways, here is this chapter's questions:

- What did you think of the vows? Could they be improved in any way? (I honestly I need help, though some lines must stay in. PM me if you have ideas)

- What did you think of Jake now that you've seen that a). He continued to care for Max even when Ariana left him and b). He has now shown that he has fully accepted that he was in the wrong?

- Are you sad to see this book come to an end?

- Should I add an epilogue after chapter 15? (This book will only have 15 chapters, that was also always the plan)

Anyways, thanks for reading and I hope that I don't get too much backlash for this chapter. I worked really hard on it, and this was always the plan. I don't even know why I'm worried so much. This is my book, I choose. Of you have any concerns comment then here, but I still don't see why I should have to justify this choice. Anyways, see you in the next and final chapter!

~Alley