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Siren looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror. Her black hair was styled into a neat bun, with small fringes framing her forehead and temples. A long white net veil was attached to her bun. Her neck was bare, and a simple yet elegant ear cuff with teardrop earrings adorned her ears. The makeup was minimal, featuring subtle smokey eyes with silvery eyeshadow that made her electric blue eyes stand out.
Finally, her wedding dress was altered and now elegantly hugged her body.
Siren averted her eyes from the mirror, gazed at the bright blue sky, and muttered softly, “I wish you were here now.”
Suddenly, the bride’s room burst open. Ruth and Sam entered, carrying Aiden in their arms. Siren turned to look at them and smiled slightly at Aiden.
Sam and Aiden were dumbstruck, their mouths hanging open in astonishment. Aiden wriggled in Ruth’s arms, and understanding the little boy’s intention, Ruth put him down. Aiden ran towards his mother with the fruit jelly cake, specially made for him by Ms. Pakpao, still in his mouth.
He circled his mother, looking at her in awe. His eyes were full of admiration and deep love. He even forgot to eat the cake in his mouth and couldn’t stop staring.
“Mommy, you are beautiful. No, the most, most beautiful!” he exclaimed, jumping for joy and circling her again and again.
Ruth and Siren chuckled at Aiden's actions, while Sam pouted and pretended to tear up.
Dramatically wiping away imaginary tears, Sam said, “My baby is going to be someone’s baby. I am sad.”
Siren gave him a disgusted look, prompting him to laugh loudly. He walked over, kissed her cheek lightly, and wished her, “Be happy always.”
Siren narrowed her eyes at him but nodded without argument. Ruth hugged her for a minute and patted her head lightly.
They left the room to give her some time to calm down. When it was time to walk down the aisle, Sam, who was acting as both bridesmaid and groomsman for her, came to inform her. Siren exited the room, her veil trailing behind her. She saw Alex waiting at the end of the aisle.
Alex looked at Siren, who was as beautiful as ever. Tears welled up in his eyes, but his lips curved into a genuine smile of happiness. As she approached, he extended his arm for support. Siren took his arm and looked at him silently.
“You look beautiful today,” he said as they walked towards the altar.
“Am I not beautiful yesterday?” she asked lightly.
Alex laughed, “My daughter always looks beautiful”
Siren smirked slightly, and they both fell silent. She looked at the man standing at the altar. He was dressed in a black and white tuxedo, with a bright silver lapel shining near his collar. His thick black curls were styled to perfection, and his neatly trimmed beard enhanced his strong jawline.
When her electric blue eyes met his forest green orbs, he smirked. Siren’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself. As they reached the altar, Siren looked at Alex, who was still holding her fingers tightly in his large palm. She felt his fingers trembling.
She turned to face him and clasped his fingers tightly. Looking deeply into his eyes, she uttered the words Alex had longed to hear for a long time.
“You did well…dad.”
The tears Alex had tried to control streamed down his face. To his surprise, Siren moved forward and hugged him tightly.
Alex knew the words that had failed to escape Siren’s lips. He hugged her back and kissed her head gently.
Raven stood there patiently, giving them their moment. When Alex regained his composure, he placed Siren's hand in Raven's palm. Siren felt the heat emanating from Raven's hand.
Alex looked at Raven and said, "Protect her well."
Raven nodded in acknowledgment, and Alex patted him before descending to join the people down the altar. Conan, seated nearby, handed him a handkerchief and remarked, "Use this, snot has been running down your nose."
Alex shot him a glare, snatching the handkerchief he wiped his tears. The wedding ceremony commenced as the bride and groom exchanged rings and recited their vows, following the guidance of the priest.
"By the power vested in me, and witnessed by those who respect and honor this sacred union, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your love be as enduring as your loyalty, and your bond, as unbreakable as your strength. You may now kiss your bride"
Raven placed his hands on her hip bone which looked tempting with her figure hugging wedding dress and pulled her closer to him. Siren felt as if her heart jumped out of her chest. She looked at him with unsteady eyes.
Raven sensed her nervousness and gently cupped her cheeks with both of his hands, “Nervous?” He asked her without taking his eyes away from her even for a minute.
Siren responded with a slow flutter of her eyelashes, offering no verbal reply.
A faint smile graced Raven's lips as he tilted his head, shielding her from the prying eyes of onlookers. Drawing nearer, his warm breath brushed against her face, their gaze locking in a profound exchange.
Siren silently sighed with relief as Raven's lips neared her cheeks. But then her eyes widened in surprise as his warm lips brushed against hers in a slow and sensual way . She stood frozen, only snapping out of it when the applause started.
Hardin, who was standing beside Raven as his best man, congratulated them and hugged his friend for his new beginning. Siren, still a bit shocked, thanked him for his good wishes.
Siren glanced at Raven, her gaze carrying a light glare. Raven, on the receiving end of his new wife's glare, chuckled and remarked, "A kiss on the cheek is too cheap for a wedding"
Siren scoffed, turning her face away from him which was obviously glowed pink.
Soon, the guests surrounded them, offering their congratulations. Conan and Alex joined the esteemed guests for lunch, accompanied by Aiden and Ms. Pakpao.
Siren introduced Ruth and Sam to Raven and his friend Hardin. The men exchanged formal greetings. As the group conversed, a striking woman approached Raven, linking her arm with him coquettishly.
Raven glanced at the woman, rolling his eyes. "You're late," he teased.
The woman playfully punched him and retorted, "Blame it on Daniel, he is busy even on his cousin-in-law's wedding day," she said with irritation evident in her folded arms.
Raven chuckled, "He's always like that," before turning to his wife and introducing her, "This is my cousin, Amber Smith."
Amber looked at her brother's bride and eagerly hugged her. Siren was taken aback by the sudden gesture but stiffly returned the hug. "You look lovely," Amber said, then turned to Raven and gave him a thumbs up in approval.
Soon, a man approached from behind and hugged Amber around her waist. Her eyes narrowed, and she swatted his hand away. Turning to Siren, she said, "Siren, let's meet up sometime soon. I want to get to know you better."
Siren nodded in agreement, and Amber, without acknowledging the man beside her, swiftly departed without glancing back. Hardin observed the disheartened man in silence for a moment before erupting into laughter, clutching his stomach. Raven too chuckled at his cousin in law.
Daniel shot them a glare before turning to face the bride. He offered a polite smile and extended his well wishes, "I am Daniel Smith, the lucky one who married his cousin. Although it's tough to remain sane around this man, I hope you have a happy life with him."
Siren remained composed and thanked him.
"What trouble did you get into this time?" Raven inquired.
Daniel sighed and recounted, "Some damned bastard of a murderer managed to infiltrate the station, damaged the victim's body, ruined my suit, and absurdly showered me with confetti and made me late for the wedding"
Hardin clicked his tongue and shook his head disapprovingly. "What a dark moment in Officer Smith's history," he remarked.
Daniel glanced at him and offered a tight-lipped smile. "Not as dark as getting beaten by sneakers," he retorted.
Hardin choked, rendered speechless by Daniel.
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