I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe
That I'm in too deep
And jealousy, jealousy, jealousy, jealousy
Get the best in me
Look, I don't mean to frustrate, but I
Always make the same mistakes, yeah I
Always make the same mistakes 'cause

I'm bad at love

Halsey


Yusei stood at the front of the gated entrance to Aki's rose garden. Having just arrived, he looked around for any sign of Aki. He looked at his phone screen just to make sure of the time, but when he looked up he saw Aki rushing towards him. When to finally reached him, she was out of breath.

"G-glad *Huff* you could *Huff* make it." She was a bit winded, so she took a deep breath before perking right up.

"Woah, Aki take a breath."

"Can't kind of on a schedule." Aki mumbled out.

"I thought you were done planning weddings for a week?" Yusei looked at her confused.

"Um yeah. I did not realize I said that out loud. Forget it...just listen please?" Aki rambled.

"Yeah sure."

"Okay, so I know technically this isn't the first place we met, but this is the first place I began to see you differently..." Aki began.

"So, you did like me!" Yusei chuckled.

"Yeah, whatever. Shut up and listen I'm not done!" Aki playfully scolded.

"Anyways, I thought that I would never be able to act on whatever it was that I thought I was feeling. I feel like that was confusing, did you understand what I'm trying to say?" Aki interrupted herself.

"Yes, I got it." Yusei smiled at how cute she was when she was nervous.

"Oy vey, how do men do this?" Aki mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Anyways, I pushed you away and that was unfair for both of us. I suffered you hurt it was a whole mess that we could've avoided had I been willing to fight my awful past. For that I am truly sorry. However, thanks to a few voices of reason... I realized how much I was comparing you to a man that died a long time ago. I love how you are always there for me even when I was at my lowest point and I practically ran you off, but you came right back. You showed me that it's okay to rely on someone else and that my feelings are important. You know I am barren and yet you still want to be with me, even if I can't offer you everything you deserve. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Yusei-"

"Marry me, Aki. For real, this time." Yusei interrupted.

Aki laughed confusing Yusei.

"Oh, hold on!" Yusei got on down on one knee and took Aki's hands in his.

"I don't exactly have a ring on me, but Aki Izayoi, will you spend the rest of your life by my side as my wife? Will you marry me? Please?"

Aki kept laughing to the point where he couldn't tell if the tears forming in her eyes were of laughter or emotion.

"Um, did I do something wrong?" Yusei asked self-conscious. Aki finally composed herself before shaking her head lightly.

"No, that was perfect. It's just..." Aki began to giggle.

"Just?"

"You *giggle* took *giggle* my line!" Aki managed to finish her sentence without another giggle.

"What?"

"I was trying to propose to you!"

"Ahh. Oh, well...I'm not even sorry I hijacked your proposal." Yusei shrugged.

"Wait, so, is that a yes?" Yusei perked up.

"Of course, you grease monkey." Aki nodded.

Yusei got up from his spot on the ground and picked Aki up from her waist and twirled her around in glee.

"H-hey!" Aki chuckled while trying to keep a hold on Yusei's shoulders.

"Don't worry, I got you." Yusei reassured before stopping and putting her back down.

When he did put her down he realized two things; one, Aki was wearing a weird long overcoat in spring of all times, and two, they were no longer alone. Jack, Crow, Kalin, and Bruno all dressed up in suits, were behind him and behind Aki was Carly, Misty, and Sherry… all wearing formal dresses.

"So, this was a set up?" Yusei asked.

"Kind of. Except it's not what you're thinking. Your friends are here to help us." Aki said.

"Help us?"

"Yup, for our wedding."

"Wait, what?"

"I know it's kind of rushed and everything, but can you just trust me?" Aki gave him an earnest look.

"Yeah always." Yusei nodded.

Aki smiled brightly making Yusei hold his breath, completely captivated by her. Aki picked up on it and blushed.

"Um I- Is there something on my face?"

"Yes, but it's nothing bad."

"W-what is it?" Aki covered her cheeks with her hands worried.

"Your smile. I love it." Yusei in turn blushed bashful.

"Okay I think it's time to get going, before you both pass out from a fever." Sherry interrupted.

"Plus, Bruno and I really want to start our honeymoon after this."

"R-right." Yusei nodded.

"I'll see you in a bit. I'll be the one in white." Aki winked before walking off with the girls.

The guys dragged Yusei away to get him dressed.

"I can't believe you're getting married. I never thought you'd have the courage to tell a girl that she's attractive let alone ask her on a date…or marry her." Jack grumbled.

"Well I think it's great that you found the one." Bruno mentioned.

"Of course, you say that, you just got married yesterday." Crow said.

"You're just sour that you haven't found anyone yet." Bruno defended.

While Bruno and Crow bickered, Kalin was busy with trying to tie Yusei's tie. Jack simply supervised.

"I see Misty has rubbed off on you." Yusei pointed out.

"Yeah, well love changes people…even an ex-con like me." Kalin shrugged.

"It has to be exhausting being a famous model's boyfriend and all."

"Are you worried that Aki's success will be too much for you to handle?" Kalin tilted his head.

"No. I'm worried she'll be in the spotlight, because of my fault."

"Dude. She's a senator's daughter and a successful wedding planner to all types of people including celebrities, I think she's used to being in the spotlight. If I were you, I'd be more worried about the broken hearts you'll both be leaving behind." Kalin reasoned.

"Uhh."

"I'm only teasing. You're ready." Kalin patted his shoulder.

"It's time."

Yusei took deep breath in and nodded.

His friends guided him out to Aki's rose garden. Yusei saw his parents sitting at the front row of seats where he's meant to stand. He could see Aki's mother on the other side. He imagined her father was going to walk her to him. He realized his friends were his groomsmen and he had yet to do something very important.

"Jack."

"What?" He answered irritated.

"Would you mind being my best man?"

"That was kind of a given, but yeah 'course." Jack answered confidently.

"Seriously? Not even a little enthusiasm or surprise?" Yusei said.

"Nah man we kind of all expected that." Crow answered.

"Unbelievable."

"I actually kind of thought you'd ask Kalin." Bruno interjected.

"Dude." Crow motioned at himself.

"Well, it's true I thought it'd come down between Jack and Kalin. I leaned more on Kalin simply, because Jack is kind of…self-centered. Plus, their friendship is kind of built on a rivalry with this kind of love-hate type thing." Bruno explained.

"Obviously, you haven't been around too long. None of us actually hate each other." Crow pointed out.

"I never actually said you hated each other I just…"

"Okay kids let's stop right there." Kalin interjected. He proceeded to take them to their places at the altar.

"Question. Who's officiating?" Yusei asked Jack.

"Trudge." Jack shrugged.

"Trudge? As in officer Trudge?"

"Yup."

"Doesn't he hate us?"

"Apparently, he's just misunderstood. Between Martha and Aki, they got him a girlfriend and he's much less angry than before. Plus, he owed Aki a favor and his girlfriend is one of Aki's bridesmaids, so he'll be on his best behavior." Jack explained.

"Hey thanks for doing this and being here." Yusei said.

"Whatever, just don't mess this up. My wife is her best friend, so you know if you hurt her and all that…"

"Hold on…are you threatening me?"

"Yeah well I know Aki and I'd pick her over you any day." Jack grumbled.

"Dude. Carly has you so whipped."

"Shut up."

Yusei and Jack took their places at the altar just as Trudge arrived dressed in suit with notecards and a book in hand. He took his place at the altar and grunted when he saw Yusei and his friends.

"I never thought the day would come that you'd get hitched let alone that I would be the one standing here as the officiant. Just so we're clear, I'm here because of Ms. Izayoi." Trudge grumbled.

"Yeah, got it."

Suddenly, a teenage girl dressed in a light pink dress and a teenage boy in a blue suit walked in. they both carried a violin and positioned themselves at the entrance of the garden before beginning to play. A bridal's march. Everyone stood and Yusei stared at the entrance waiting to see his future. The first few to enter were her bridesmaids, but soon enough he saw her.

Aki.

She walked with her father by her side. She wore a short vintage Victorian styled wedding dress. The skirt flared at the bottom and the neckline was off-shoulder or something… Yusei couldn't exactly remember. Her face was hidden under a veil and Yusei was impatiently waiting to lose himself in her eyes.

When she did finally arrive, Hideo said something, which he can't honestly remember what it was. The entire ceremony was a blur once he removed her veil. They said words and rings were exchanged. He can honestly say that whatever he said was spoken from his heart. In the moment, that was his happiest day on earth.

A year later he could honestly say, that his wedding day was at a tie with the arrival of their first child. An honest to God miracle from the heavens.


Aki was so nervous. She had managed to convince Sherry and Bruno to postpone their honeymoon trip by a day, so they could be present for her wedding with Yusei. She couldn't stop to think about the whole situation, because if she did, she would chicken out. She understood that she loved him and he loved her, but she wasn't exactly the best at explaining her feelings. When she started reaching out towards her friends, she found out that her girlfriends were the actual girlfriends of Yusei's friends.

She began to wonder if they had ever met before then maybe in the past they had, but they had been too lost to find each other. Thanks to Sherry, she was able to get word to Yusei's parents. She tried not to think about how she never actually introduced herself to them before that day. To say that phone call was very awkward would be an understatement. It went a little like this;

"Hi, I'm Aki Izayoi, we've met in a few events. Anyways, it would be lovely to have you tomorrow for my wedding to your son, who hasn't introduced me to you at all. I hope to meet you then."

Luckily, Sherry had handled it, so the phone call never actually happened, which worried Aki. What if his parents didn't like her? Should she have made that phone call? She already knew Yusei's mother...sort of. Professor Fudo had always been kind enough to talk to her at events, which helped her avoid potential suitors. However, he never once mentioned a son before. what if it was because he didn't think she'd be suitable enough for his only son? Before she could sink into that vortex of dark thoughts, Carly was rushing her to the front gates of her garden.

Yusei stood before her a little nervous. When he saw her, his cobalt blue eyes shined warmly. Those eyes helped melt away her worries. With a newfound courage, she began. She poured out her heart and right before she was about to pop the question-

"Marry me, Aki. For real, this time."

Aki laughed with relief and accepted. Then she was dragged away by her bridesmaids. Carly having appointed herself the maid of honor, proceeded to help her calm down. She explained that her parents were both there alongside Yusei's. Her mother had even sent her a blue rose necklace. Aki was relieved that her mother had finally accepted Yusei that necklace being proof of that. Misty gave her a designer wedding dress and helped her with her makeup and hair.

When, she walked down the aisle with her dad, she noticed Yusei was uneasy until he finally saw her. When, she reached him her father threatened him and she scolded him.

"You better not break my little girl's heart."

"Daddy!"

"I love her. I'll never hurt her." Yusei responded.

Yusei uncovered her face and she blushed as he whispered.

"Beautiful."

The ceremony was perfect and they vowed to love each other for the rest of their lives and even beyond that. She vowed to love him in every life after that even if she was once bad at love.

XXxxXX

The End

So, there will be an epilogue since the end was kind of abrupt, but I always did say it was a short story. And I know I said Aki couldn't have children, but I figured since they live in a time where everything is futuristic that eventually they would be able to figure something out. I'll get into it in the epilogue. Probably. I'm not sure yet, but I am sure that I'm ready to move onto my next story, so stay tuned.

Love,

MMXX