The officiant waited just a mont after Svetlana’s vows, letting the stillness settle over the space.
A soft breeze moved through the seated guests. The waves in the distance were faint, barely heard over the quiet emotion in the air.
He looked at them both, then spoke calmly, with a clear, steady voice.
"Damon. Svetlana. Today, in front of the people who know and love you, you’ve promised each other more than words. You’ve promised to build sothing together, sothing lasting, sothing chosen. Love brought you here. Commitnt will carry you forward."
The officiant paused, giving the mont room to breathe. Then he turned slightly.
"May I have the rings?"
Joey stepped forward, careful and focused. He handed over the rings without a word, his eyes giving Damon a small nod. Ashley did the sa for Svetlana, her hands slightly trembling from the emotion she was holding in.
The officiant held the rings between them.
"These rings are simple," he said. "But what they represent is not. They are a symbol of unity. Of strength. A reminder of the promises made here today. There will be seasons where love feels effortless. And others where it will be a decision you make, over and over again. Let these rings remind you of what you chose here, what you continue to choose every day."
He turned to Damon.
"Damon. Take this ring, and place it on Svetlana’s finger. Repeat after ."
Damon took the ring, his hands steady despite everything he felt. His voice was hoarse but sure.
"I give you this ring," he said slowly, eyes locked on hers, "as a sign of my love, and my loyalty. I promise to stand by you, to protect you, and to grow with you. In every season, every challenge, every joy, I’m yours."
He slid the ring onto her finger.
Svetlana was already blinking fast, holding it in.
The officiant turned to her.
"Svetlana. Take this ring, and place it on Damon’s finger. Repeat after ."
She took his hand and the ring gently, holding her breath for just a second before speaking.
"I give you this ring," she said, voice calm, "as a symbol of my love, and my commitnt. I promise to walk beside you, through whatever cos, and to never forget how much we’ve built. I choose you, always."
She slid the ring onto his finger. Damon exhaled slowly.
The officiant smiled softly.
"By the power vested in by the people and the state, and with the full support of everyone here," he said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
He looked at Damon. "You may kiss your bride."
Damon didn’t wait long. He stepped in and cupped Svetlana’s face with both hands, kissing her with all the tenderness and joy she had brought into his life. Her hands rested on his chest, holding steady.
When they pulled apart, the officiant spoke once more, louder this ti for the guests.
"Ladies and gentlen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Cross."
The guests rose to their feet in applause.
Damon reached out, offering her his arm. Svetlana smiled and took it.
They began the walk back down the aisle together.
As they walked down the aisle, hand in hand, with applause and cheers surrounding them, Damon leaned slightly toward Svetlana.
"You held it together better than ," he murmured, his smile crooked.
Svetlana laughed under her breath, not breaking eye contact with the guests they passed. "Barely. I saw your lip shaking before the kiss."
"That was strategy," he replied. "You cry, I cry, everyone cries. Very efficient."
She nudged his side gently. "You looked like you were about to pass out."
"I still might. But if I do, I’m falling in your direction."
They walked out into the open courtyard path that led to the reception hall.
The staff had everything ready, two large doors stood open, and inside, the decor had shifted to warm golds and soft creams.
Guests began making their way in through the side entrance, so stopping to congratulate them quickly as they passed by.
They made it to the main hall, where round tables had been set for the guests, centered around a long, elevated table at the front ant for the couple and their closest friends.
The lights were slightly dimr here, elegant and warm, with candles flickering inside glass holders. Soft instruntal music played in the background.
As soon as they stepped toward the front, Damon heard a small voice squeal, "Daddy!"
He turned, and Ava ran full-speed from the edge of the room. Her shoes tapped loudly on the floor, her tiny dress bouncing with each step. Before anyone could stop her, she collided lightly into Damon’s legs.
He laughed and imdiately bent down to scoop her up.
"Hey, flower girl," he said, lifting her onto his hip. "You ran the aisle like it was a racetrack."
Ava nodded proudly, gripping his shoulder. "I did it good!"
"You did it perfect," Svetlana added, brushing a hand over Ava’s hair.
They made their way up to the head table. Damon sat down first, still holding Ava, and Svetlana joined beside him.
Joey, Ashley, Ash, and Ty began taking their seats nearby. The rest of the guests continued filtering in, so stopping to wave, take photos, or offer quick hugs before moving on.
Damon kissed the top of Ava’s head and looked toward Svetlana.
"She didn’t even spill anything on her dress," he said. "That’s a wedding miracle."
Svetlana gave a tired smile, brushing her fingers along Ava’s sleeve. "She’s been waiting for this almost as much as we have."
Damon leaned back slightly, feeling the weight of the mont, not pressure, not stress, but the fullness of it. The ceremony was done. They were married. And now, it was ti to celebrate.
He looked down at Ava.
"You ready to eat cake, kid?"
She nodded fast. "Big cake!"
He looked at Svetlana. "That makes three of us."
Ava turned her head toward Svetlana, her small hand still holding onto Damon’s shirt. She stared at her mother for a second, eyes wide, then leaned slightly closer.
"Mommy..." she said softly, "you look really pretty."
Svetlana’s expression softened imdiately. She blinked once, as if trying to hold back a fresh wave of emotion, then reached out and gently cupped Ava’s cheek.
"Thank you, baby," she whispered, her voice just a little shaky. "That ans everything."
Damon looked between the two of them, his arm still around Ava, and exhaled through his nose with a small, private smile. He didn’t need anything else in that mont.
His wife beside him. His daughter on his lap. The sound of laughter, music, and glasses clinking slowly rising around the hall.
Svetlana brushed her fingers through Ava’s hair once more, then leaned in to kiss her forehead.
"You look pretty too," she whispered.
Ava grinned proudly, and for the first ti that afternoon, Damon felt like he could finally relax.
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