India stood in front of a floor-length mirror, gazing in awe at the sight of herself in her wedding dress. Of all the designer dresses and ball gowns she had worn over the last year, none of them seemed to come close to her simple white gown. She ran her fingers gently along the sparkling jewels that wrapped in a line around her waist, before letting her hands wander down to the airy skirt that flowed down to the floor.
I can't believe I'm getting married today, she thought to herself.
After a few moments, her thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock at the door. She turned and walked to the other side of her room, opening her bedroom door to find Maxwell and Bertrand grinning at her.
"Are you ready?" Maxwell beamed, walking into the room and sweeping India into a hug.
After a sincere embrace they parted and Maxwell took a step back, holding India gently by the hand and gazing her up and down.
"You look absolutely incredible." Maxwell said with a tear in his eye. "Drake is such a lucky guy." He said, his voice breaking as he spoke.
"Oh, pull yourself together, Maxwell." Bertrand stepped in front of Maxwell, waving his hand dismissively as he spoke. "But... you do look incredible, India." Bertrand said, suppressing a smile. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and gazed at her lovingly, like a proud father on his daughter's wedding day.
"I actually had something I wanted to ask you, Bertrand." India said, shooting a knowing look at Maxwell from the corner of her eye.
"What is it?" Bertrand replied.
"Well, I know we got off to a bit of a rocky start, but over the last year I've come to think of you as a sort of father figure."
"I'm certainly not old enough to be your father." Bertrand scoffed.
"Just listen," India laughed, "I've come to think of you as a very young father figure and, well, if my own father can't walk me down the aisle today, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have by my side than you. So Bertrand, will you walk me down the aisle?"
Bertrand sniffed as he used his handkerchief to wipe away his tears.
"Oh, pull yourself together, Bertrand." Maxwell grinned as tears welled up in his own eyes.
"It would be my absolute honour." Bertrand said, pulling India into a tight hug.
Maxwell rushed forward and wrapped his arms around the two of them, resting his head on his brother's shoulder and blinking away the tears. They stood for a few moments, silently embracing one another and thinking about how far they had all come since they met. It seemed almost too good to be true.
Bertrand glanced up at the ornate clock hanging next to the fireplace, and gasped as he saw the time.
"It's nearly twelve o'clock!" He said frantically. "You will not be late for your wedding, not on my watch."
Bertrand took a step back and opened the large wooden door, gesturing for India and Maxwell to hurry out of the room. The trio walked quickly down the hallway and navigated the intricate maze that was the royal palace. Eventually they made their way into the gardens, and India spotted the large, elegant gazebo that would hold her and Drake's wedding reception in just a few short hours. They were met on their way to the gazebo by Hana, who looked stunning in her sea green bridesmaid's dress. The four of them walked inside the gazebo, where they could see all of the guests sat either side of a long white carpet, that led to a beautiful arch made from an assortment of pastel coloured flowers. India's heart caught in her throat as she spotted Drake at the end of the aisle, glancing around nervously as he allowed King Liam to fix his tie.
"I'll see you up there, India. You're gonna be amazing." Maxwell said as he squeezed India's hand reassuringly and kissed her cheek, before running off to join Drake and Liam at the altar. The three men hugged and laughed before Drake turned to face the altar, bowing his head as he prepared to marry the love of his life.
"Good luck, India." Hana said as the two girls exchanged a quick but heartfelt hug, before Hana moved forward to stand behind the other bridesmaids.
"Are you ready?" Bertrand asked, holding his arm out for India to take.
She glanced up at him with teary eyes, doing her best not to spoil her eye make-up, and nodded.
"I've never been more ready for anything." She said as she took his arm.
A string quartet began playing an elegant and uplifting chorus, and the small crowd of guests stood in unison. First Olivia made her way down the aisle - India had decided to make her a bridesmaid despite Drake's protests - followed by Savannah, and then Hana. The three women stood together on the left side of the altar in their identical green dresses, and then it was India's turn to walk down the aisle.
She clung to Bertrand's arm as they began walking out of the gazebo and into the sunlight, and suddenly all eyes were on her. India's eyes were locked on Drake, who slowly turned around as she made her way toward the altar and met her gaze. His jaw dropped in awe as he took in the sight of his fiancée. He didn't think that she could be any more beautiful than she already was; but as he saw her flowing white dress, her brown curls weaved into an intricate braid and the enormous smile on her face, he fell in love with India all over again.
India and Drake embraced quickly as she reached the altar, before moving to stand opposite each other in front of the flowery arch. Bertrand kissed India sweetly on the cheek and shook Drake's hand with a genuine smile, then moved to stand behind Liam and Maxwell.
"Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Drake and India in marriage. With love and commitment, they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife."
The minister continued to read aloud the traditional wedding script, and after a few short minutes it was time for India and Drake to say their vows.
"It's my understanding that the couple has written their own vows, so they will recite them now." The minister said, gesturing for Drake to go first. He took a deep breath before gently taking India's hands and gazing into her eyes. It was as if everyone else disappeared as he spoke.
"Waters... I don't think I'll ever really be able to express how I feel about you. Falling in love with you over the last year has been the most incredible experience of my life, and never in a thousand years did I think I would be stood here marrying the literal girl of my dreams. Even back when I met you I thought you were too good for me, but somehow you fell in love with me too, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of you. I'd do anything for you; I'd take a bullet for you, I'd go to the ends of the earth for you. I love you, Waters. I can't believe I get to call you my wife."
India gently dabbed at her tear stained cheeks, trying to regain her composure to say her vows to Drake. She grinned at him and cleared her throat.
"When we first met, we didn't get along at all." Several guests chuckled as India spoke, "We weren't in love, but I think that's the beautiful thing about our relationship. Even when I thought you hated me you were still there for me, and slowly I realised I wanted to be around you more and more. I started to get butterflies when you walked into a room, and I started hoping I'd run into you just so we could talk. And then we fell in love. At first I could only steal little moments with you, and part of me thought that we might never get to be together - but here we are. I love you so much, Drake. I feel so lucky to have you."
Drake tried his best to hold back the tears that were gathering in his eyes, but after a few seconds he gave up. He squeezed India's hands tighter as he let the tears roll down his face.
"May I have the rings?" The minister asked as he gestured toward King Liam. Liam stepped forward, smiling from ear to ear as he handed the rings over to Drake and India. He leaned in for a quick hug from each of them before returning to his place with the other groomsmen.
"Now, would you please place the rings upon each other's fingers?"
The couple did as they were told, gently sliding their platinum wedding rings onto each other's ring fingers.
"And with that, by the power vested in me, it is my absolute pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride!"
Drake immediately stepped forward and wrapped his arms around India, dipping her into a low kiss as the guests around them cheered. Her hands found their way up to his cheeks as she lost herself in the embrace. Eventually they stood and faced their guests, and Drake punched his hand into the air in triumph. They took each other's hands and made their way back down the aisle as husband and wife.
Hours later, as the wedding reception began to wind down, Hana hugged India from behind and rested her head lovingly on her best friend's shoulder.
"This has been such an amazing day, you guys!"
"Hana, are you drunk?" Drake asked with an amused expression.
"I most certainly am not!" She replied.
Suddenly Maxwell appeared out of nowhere, moving Hana so he was stood between her and India and draping either arm around the two girls' shoulders.
"Hana most certainly is drunk," Maxwell giggled as he spoke, holding his glass of champagne in the air, "and so am I, but this really has been the most amazing day. Cheers to the happy couple!"
The three of them raised their glasses in the air to meet Maxwell's, and were quickly joined in their toast by Liam, Bertrand and Olivia. India grinned as she looked around at the circle of her friends, and she felt tears welling in her eyes for what must have been the hundredth time that day.
"I just need you all to know that you mean so much to me. I can't believe that a year ago I was a broke New York waitress, and now I'm a duchess in Cordonia, with amazing friends and the husband of my dreams."
"Knowing you has been our honour, India. An honour that I intend to keep for a very long time." Bertrand said sincerely as he took a sip of his scotch.
Olivia rolled her eyes, but the corners of her lips curled into a smile - the redhead had come such a long way in the last twelve months, and India could tell that in a strange way they considered each other to be family.
"I guess the ceremony was pretty nice. Oh, and you have to tell me who made your cake, India. The decoration was to die for." Olivia said.
"I think that might be the most complimentative thing Olivia has ever said." Drake said, clearly stunned.
"Don't let this one get away, India. You won't find wit like that anywhere else." Olivia smirked as she began to retreat from the group. "I'm going to raid the open bar before they close it down." She said, turning on her heels and heading in the other direction.
"Oh, me too!" Maxwell grinned, grabbing Hana and Bertrand by their hands and tugging them along with him.
"Well, that's probably the last we'll see of Maxwell until he's recovered from his hangover in about three days time. Same goes for Bertrand, and probably Hana too." Liam laughed as he moved to stand in front of India and Drake. He smiled at the sight of the couple, her arm linked in his and her head resting gently on his arm, and raised his glass in his own personal toast.
"I know I did the whole best man's speech earlier, but I just want both of you to know how truly happy I am for you. Both of you are my best friends - you deserve to be incredibly happy, and I can tell that you will be." Liam smiled and leaned forward to kiss Drake on the forehead, before bowing to India and kissing the back of her hand.
"Thank you, Liam. It means so much." India said, smiling.
"Now get out of here, both of you. I think you have somewhere to be." A tipsy Liam said with a wink. Drake and India grinned at each other, before making their way discreetly out of the tent and across the palace grounds. It took minutes of walking before the music and chatter of the reception could no longer be heard, and once they were safely inside the palace the couple made their way to India's bedroom.
"So, are you going to have to start calling me Walker now?" India asked, grinning as she gently closed and locked her bedroom door.
Drake sat on the bed, looking up at India with a stunned expression.
"Oh my god, I didn't even think about that! You're India Walker now... that's weird."
India laughed as she walked across the room and sat down next to her husband.
"But a good weird, right?" She asked.
"Obviously good weird, Walker." Drake paused for a moment, as if deep in thought. "You know what, I don't think I can do it. I think I might just have to call you Waters forever."
"In this scenario we're together forever, right?" India asked.
"Of course."
"In that case, I guess I'll allow it." She chuckled. She leaned over and kissed Drake sweetly on the lips, her hands slowly starting to wander under his suit jacket, tracing along the curves of his muscles. Drake placed his hand on India's chin, gently lifting her head so they were looking right into each other's eyes.
"I love you, Waters." He said.
"I love you too."
Kissing her neck, Drake slowly began to unlace the back of India's wedding dress. After a few moments she stood, letting the dress fall to the floor and stepping out of it. Drake took in the sight of his wife in her wedding lingerie, taking her by the hands and pulling her forward until she was on top of him. They kissed as she started removing his clothes one by one, until they were both laying naked on the bed, desperate for each other. Time passed in a blur, their passionate moans disappearing into the night. When they were finished they lay entwined in each other's arms, giggling at each other as they caught their breath. Drake ran his fingers through India's hair as they settled down to sleep on their first night as husband and wife. All he could do was look at her, and to try and convince himself that he wasn't dreaming; that this woman really was his wife.
"Stop staring at me." India whispered, her eyes closed.
"Get used to it, this is your life now." Drake whispered back with a grin.
"You say that as if it's a bad thing."
"This could never be a bad thing." He said, leaning forward to kiss her forehead. "You're the best thing there is, Waters."
She opened her eyes for a moment to kiss him on the lips, before allowing herself to fall into a deep sleep with her husband by her side.
