The sky stretched blue and cloudless, as if blessing this extraordinary day. The courtyard of the ancient Vaughn family castle was adorned with white and gold flowers. Classical architecture blended seamlessly with luxurious modern touches. All eyes were fixed on one focal point: the grand altar with sheer curtains swaying gently in the spring breeze.
The orchestra played softly as a shimmering white gown swept across the marble steps. Celeste walked slowly, as if time itself had slowed with her. At the end of the aisle stood Alistair Vaughn, his black tuxedo immaculate, his gaze never leaving the woman who was about to become his… completely.
Their eyes met. The world seemed to shrink. No noble guests. No journalists capturing every moment. No whispers of wealth or politics.
Just two souls, once broken, now reaching for wholeness in each other.
When Celeste reached him, Alistair extended his hand. She took it—without hesitation.
"Celeste Carter," the officiant's voice was steady yet warm, "do you take Alistair Vaughn to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, in joy and in sorrow?"
A pause. Celeste's breath caught… then she met Alistair's eyes and smiled faintly.
"I do."
The sky itself seemed to cheer. Leaves trembled softly, flowers swayed gently. But no sound was more stirring than the next words:
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you… husband and wife."
Applause erupted.
Alistair looked at her, then bent down. His lips met hers with a quiet depth that only those who've waited a lifetime possess.
They didn't belong to each other. They chose each other.
And from that moment on, Celeste Carter was no longer just a girl trying to survive in a cruel world.
She was Mrs. Celeste Vaughn—wife of a billionaire, and the woman who had stolen his heart.
Amid the thunderous applause and the sunlight glinting off the floral crown in her hair, Celeste whispered into Alistair's ear, *"You're the home I never knew I was searching for…"*
Alistair smiled meaningfully.
*"And you're the warmth that fills every emptiness in my life, Celeste Vaughn."*
The reception had begun, yet Celeste barely registered the clinking of crystal glasses or the conversations of the noble guests surrounding them. The world seemed to spin slowly around her, but only one figure remained in sharp focus—Alistair.
His hand still held hers, as if he couldn't bear even a single strand of hair to separate them.
"I still feel like I'm dreaming," Celeste murmured as they stood slightly apart from the crowd on one of the castle balconies overlooking the gardens. The wind carried the scent of lavender from below.
"Then let me be the most beautiful dream of your life," Alistair replied softly, his eyes never leaving her face. "I'll protect you, love you, and make sure not a single day passes with tears… unless they're tears of joy."
Celeste ducked her head, smiling shyly, then lifted her gaze to the man who was now her husband. "I'm… afraid this is too beautiful to be real."
"If reality is painful, then it's my duty to reshape it," Alistair murmured, closing the distance until his face was mere inches from hers. "Celeste Vaughn. My wife. Your name now has a new place… one I'll never replace."
Celeste flushed. "You really never stop teasing."
"I'm your husband. And you're far too captivating *not* to tease."
His fingers brushed her cheek, then traced the elegant twist of her hair. "You make everything expensive look worthless. I could buy every diamond in the world, and none would rival the light in your eyes."
Celeste studied him, her heartbeat no longer calm—but not anxious either. Just full of warmth and hope.
"I'm afraid I'll disappoint you… I'm not nobility, or someone raised for a world like this…"
"You don't need to be anyone," Alistair took both her hands and kissed them gently, "just be Celeste. That's more than enough for me."
A brief silence. Then a small shout from the reception hall: "Kiss the bride again!"
Alistair chuckled, leaning in. "We can't ignore our guests."
Celeste nearly whispered, "Don't kiss me in front of everyone again…"
But Alistair's lips had already brushed her forehead with a tenderness that made the world stand still.
"Then save the rest for tonight, Mrs. Vaughn…"
And for the first time since meeting him, Celeste didn't resist, didn't hesitate, didn't fear.
She simply laughed softly… and hugged her husband with all her heart.