Mia woke up to the feeling of a strong arm wrapped securely around her waist, and the sensation of fingers gently playing with her curls. Slowly, she opened her eyes and found herself met with the warm gaze of two bright hazel eyes.
"Good morning, princess," Jace's voice rumbled softly, his tone husky with sleep.
Mia, still groggy, mumbled, "It's rude to stare at someone while they're sleeping."
With a playful grin, Jace said, "Well, I couldn't help it. You're just too lovely to resist."
Mia rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at her lips. "You should go back to your room, unless you want my two dads, my godfather, and my brother to hex you."
Jace, however, showed no intention of leaving as he demanded with a pout, "Give me a kiss."
Mia playfully refused, her voice taking on a childlike tone as she replied, "I don't wanna"
Undeterred, Jace pulled her closer, his arm securing her around his chest. "Come on, princess," he coaxed.
Mia groaned and hid her face in the pillow. "Let me sleep. I'm getting married in less than four hours."
Jace crossed his arms, pouting. "I think it's quite rude that you don't want to kiss me."
Slightly amused by his dramatics, Mia turned to look at her soon-to-be husband. "You're such a big baby."
"Are you going to kiss me now?" Jace inquired hopefully.
"Come here," she whispered, pulling him closer by the golden chain around his neck, their lips meeting in a sweet morning kiss. Jace hummed contentedly against her lips.
According to tradition, Mia and Jace were supposed to sleep separately on the night before their wedding. However, it had proved impossible for Jace to resist the temptation of sneaking into Mia's room in the middle of the night. He had claimed that he wouldn't get a wink of sleep without her presence to comfort him.
"I love you," Mia whispered, her eyes filled with love as she looked into Jace's hazel orbs.
"I love you," Jace responded, his expression equally filled with adoration. "Today, you'll be mine forever."
Mia playfully brushed off his claim. "It won't be forever. You'll have to share with me when we have little blondes or black-haired children running through the halls of our mansion."
"No sharing," Jace declared possessively hiding his face in the crook of her neck, holding her close.
Mia couldn't help but let out a playful huff, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Okay, okay, you can have me all to yourself."
As they enjoyed this intimate moment, a sudden interruption startled them. Eloise's voice boomed from the hallway, "JONATHAN CHRISTOPHER BEAUFORT-GRIMALDI! IF I COME INTO THAT ROOM AND FIND YOU IN THAT BED, YOU WON'T GET MARRIED TODAY, YOUNG MAN!"
Jace's eyes widened, and he leaned in for a quick, slightly scared but passionate kiss. "Goodbye, princess. I'll be waiting for you at the altar." With that, he quickly apparated out of the room, leaving Mia with a smile on her face as she prepared for the big day ahead.
"Can I come in?" Enzo's voice filled the room.
Isabelle and Lily looked towards the door as Enzo entered, his hands playfully covering his eyes. The two women chuckled, and Isabelle teasingly said, "Stop being silly, honey."
Lily gave her daughter a warm goodbye and said, "You look beautiful, darling," before making her exit, leaving the father and daughter alone for a moment.
Enzo uncovered his eyes and found himself standing in front of the two most important women in his life. His wife, Isabelle, and their not-so-little daughter, Mia. Mia looked stunning in her wedding dress, resembling a goddess from Olympus. Emotion welled up within Enzo as he took his daughter's hands – the same little girl he used to hold and protect. And now, she was getting married.
"Tu sei bellissima, dolcezza," Enzo whispered, tears rolling down his cheeks, moved by the sight of his daughter, "The most perfect bride I have ever seen."
Isabelle, seeing her husband and daughter lost in their emotions, decided to give them some privacy. She slipped out of the room, allowing father and daughter to share a heartfelt moment together.
Enzo wiped away his tears and continued, "Ricordo ancora quando eri solo un bambino e la mia promessa che non avresti amato un uomo più di me. E oggi ti sposi, figlia mia. Non sai quanto sono orgoglioso della donna che sei diventata e quanto sono orgoglioso di tuo padre. Tu e tua madre siete le donne più importanti della mia vita. Ti amo, bambina mia."
(I still remember when you were just a child and my promise that you wouldn't love a man more than me. And today you're getting married, my daughter. You don't know how proud I am of the woman you've become and how proud I am to be your father. You and your mother are the most important women in my life. I love you, my little girl.)
Mia, teary-eyed, responded, "Dad, I don't want to ruin my makeup. I love you."
Enzo held her close and kissed her forehead, saying, "I love you too, baby girl."
Just as Mia had shared a moment with her father, James entered the room, his eyes playfully covered. Mia laughed, seeing the striking resemblance between her two fathers.
"Is it my turn already?" James asked playfully.
"You can open your eyes," Mia confirmed to James.
Enzo, knowing this was James's moment, whispered to Mia, "I'll wait for you outside," and quietly left the room.
James took a good look at his daughter and, struggling to hold back tears, said, "You look beautiful, princippessa. I can't believe you're getting married today."
"Dad…," Mia began, her voice full of emotion.
"You are the best thing that has been mine, principessa," James continued, tears streaming down his face, "since the day you were born. You are my little girl, my perfect baby, and I don't feel ready to let you go, not when I just got you back. But I have to let you go because there is a young man madly in love with you waiting for you at the end of the aisle, who will take care of you and love you for the rest of your life. I love you, principessa."
"Dad, I love you," Mia said, her own tears flowing, as she carefully moved closer to embrace her father.
James held Mia tightly, his eyes closed, wishing he could stop time so he could have his little girl in his arms without anyone interrupting. For him, Mia would always be the sweet and happy girl who couldn't stop singing Queen songs with him.
Jace's anxiety was palpable as he stood near the altar of the cathedral, nervously scanning the slowly filling venue. The guest list was a veritable who's who of both wizarding and Muggle worlds. Dignitaries from various countries, renowned actors and actresses, famous singers, influential politicians, former Durmstrang teachers, schoolmates, Hogwarts professors, and countless other distinguished individuals had gathered to witness what was undoubtedly THE wedding of the year.
Cameras were clicking and flashing incessantly, adding to Jace's mounting anxiety. He couldn't help but entertain irrational thoughts. What if Mia had changed her mind? What if she no longer wanted to marry him? What if she didn't love him anymore?
"Mia loves you. Stop thinking bullshit like that, or you'll end up getting married with a black eye," Theo's voice of reason chimed in.
"I can't help it," Jace confessed, running a hand through his hair and tugging at his shirt collar.
Theo tried to ease his friend's tension, "Relax, are still many guests yet to arrive. Mia will make her entrance when everyone is seated. Just calm down."
Magnus, who had taken on the role of officiating archbishop for the day, joined the conversation with a flamboyant entrance in his archbishop's attire.
"Hello, guys!" he greeted, strutting in his costume. "How do I look?"
Theo couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "You look absolutely divine, Magnus."
"That was the goal," Magnus said, his voice dripping with pride. "Oh my, there are so many people here!"
"Of course," Jace replied somewhat impatiently, "it's a royal wedding. The guest list was bound to be extensive."
Magnus couldn't resist a playful taunt, "Someone clearly woke up on the wrong side of the bed."
"I woke up perfectly content in my soon-to-be wife's bed," Jace admitted with a pout, "until my mother decided to interrupt us."
Theo joined in the conversation, poking fun at Jace, "It was just one night, mate."
"Sure,fucking laugh," Jace replied with a narrowed gaze. "but you don't leave Daphne's side for more than a few minutes, and if you're apart, you get all grumpy."
Theo and Daphne's relationship had bloomed beautifully since their first introduction, and they had been happily dating for several months now.
"Fuck you," Theo retorted.
Jace couldn't resist the opportunity to tease, "That's what I intend to do tonight with my wife." He emphasized the word 'wife' with a mischievous grin.
"I'm going to get ready because the last person has just entered. I love you, Jace. See you in a few minutes." Theo quickly said his goodbyes.
"You two are perfect for each other, Jace. You have nothing to worry about." Magnus offered some words of encouragement.
As the guests took their seats, Alec and Eloise approached their son, their eyes filled with pride and love.
"I'm proud of you, son," Alec said, smiling as he embraced Jace. "Take good care of Mia."
Eloise couldn't hold back her tears of joy. "Mia is the daughter I always wanted to have, and now she's going to be your wife. I love you both so much, and I wish you a long and happy marriage."
Jace's throat tightened, and he nodded in response, hugging his mother tightly. After their embrace, his parents took their seats, and he stood facing the grand doors of the cathedral, ready to welcome his bride into a future filled with love and promise.
Mia's arrival in the wedding car was a magnificent procession through the streets of Monaco. Inhabitants and onlookers lined the streets, waving the Monaco flag and showering her with cheers and applause.
Inside the car, Mia's fathers, James and Enzo, couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions, including pride and the protective instinct of wanting to keep their little girl from making such a big commitment.
"We still have time to flee," James suggested in a half-serious tone.
Enzo nodded in agreement. "James is right, you don't need to marry that blonde thief today."
"Dads!" Mia exclaimed, looking at them with a combination of amusement and indignation.
"What's wrong?" Enzo continued, feigning innocence. "We're just offering you the chance to escape, and we'll make sure no one finds out."
James chimed in, "It's true. In a few minutes, I can organize an international portkey, a new passport, and an identity card."
Mia couldn't help but laugh. "That won't be necessary because we've already arrived." She pointed to the swarm of cameras that had surrounded the car, capturing her grand entrance.
Enzo and James exited the car and waded through the journalists, eventually offering their hands to Mia. With a smile, she took their hands, and the trio began their triumphant march towards the entrance of the cathedral.
At the entrance, Mia's groomsmen and bridesmaids were all positioned, eagerly waiting to enter once the wedding march began.
Theo and Daphne led the procession, followed by Harry and Pansy. Draco and Astoria were next, then Ron and Lavender, and finally, Blaise and Luna.
"You look beautiful," Theo commented, his eyes glistening with excitement and tears. "Jace is a mess in there."
Mia embraced her best friend and responded, "I love you."
Parting from Theo, Mia walked up to her brother, Harry, who hugged her tightly. His words were filled with love, "I love you so much."
Mia chuckled and held back tears, saying, "Stop or you'll make me cry. I don't want all the photos from my wedding to be of me, crying my eyes out."
With a parting kiss on her brother's temple, she approached her fathers, Enzo and James, who offered her their arms. Mia was trembling with a mix of emotions as she took their arms and signaled to Theo that she was ready for the ceremony to begin.
Jace raised his head as the entire cathedral rose to welcome the bride. The grand doors opened, and the orchestra began to play, accompanied by the angelic voices of the choir, and one by one, their dear friends entered the cathedral, taking their positions.
Daphne and Theo were the first to enter, their smiles radiant. Daphne hugged Jace before taking her place at the altar, and Theo stood beside Jace, a grin on his face.
One look at you
My whole life falls in line,
I prayed for you
Before I called you mine,
The procession continued as Harry and Pansy made their way down the aisle, their presence marking the joyous occasion. Following them, Ron and Lavander walked hand in hand, and then Draco and Astoria proceeded, closely followed by Blaise and Luna. The groomsmen and bridesmaids took their positions at the altar, their smiles reflecting the excitement in the air.
Oh, I can't believe it's true sometimes
Oh, I can't believe it's true
Then, Mia made her entrance. Jace's heart swelled with emotions as he saw her approaching. In that moment, there was only her, and the world faded away. She was resplendent, accompanied by her fathers, and her radiant presence took Jace's breath away.
I get to love you
It's the best thing that I'll ever do
Jace started crying as Mia got closer as he realized that he was about to marry the love of his hadn't had it easy but in the end they had ended up finding each other.
I get to love you
It's a promise I'm making to you
Mia wasn't immune to the overwhelming emotions either. Her own tears flowed freely as she gazed into Jace's eyes. She was grateful to be holding both of her fathers arms because otherwise she felt like she would fall.
Whatever may come, your heart I will choose
Forever I'm yours, forever I do
They reached the altar, and Jace extended his trembling hand to Mia. Enzo, teary-eyed, advised Jace, "Take good care of her, Jace. She's the only daughter I have."
Kissing Mia's forehead, Enzo sat next to his weeping wife. James, however, couldn't bear to let go.
"Dad, you have to let me go", Mia told him in a soft voice.
James was frozen, the fear of letting go choking him not ready to accept that his little girl was about to become someone else's. Mia was his little girl, his principessa and he couldn't shake the feeling that he hadn't had enough time with her. He was losing her all over again.
Mia, with her hand on her father's cheek, implored, "Dad, look at me."
He met her gaze and saw himself in her hazel eyes, which were so much like his own. From her smile to her unruly hair, it was all him. Mia was so much like him it brought tears to his eyes.
"Dad, I'm not going anywhere," Mia spoke, her voice soft and understanding "I won't stop being your little girl just because I'm getting married today. You're my father, and I love you. I will always need you in my life. But I need you to let me go so I can get married. Jace is the love of my life, the one who makes me laugh and the one who makes me the happiest girl in this world. And you want me to be happy, right?"
James nodded, overwhelmed with emotion and unable to speak as the lump in his throat grew. Mia smiled through her tears and urged him, "Then let me go."
Finally, James turned his gaze to Jace, who still held his hand out to his looked at Mia the same way he looked at Lily and couldn't help but smile. Her daughter was going to marry a man who looked at her as if she had put the stars in the sky. His eyes seemed to say that she was the center of his universe, and nothing else mattered.
Slowly, James placed Mia's hand in Jace's, and their eyes met. James had one final request, his voice filled with emotion, "Don't ever hurt her, please."
Jace nodded, taking Mia's hand and they looked at each other as James sat down next to Lily, who hugged him as he wept.
"You're beautiful," Jace whispered to his future wife.
"You don't look bad either," Mia replied playfully, making Jace roll his eyes with a chuckle.
"Dear friends, here we have gathered this afternoon to unite this man and this woman in holy matrimony," Magnus began, his voice filled with solemnity and grace.
The ceremony progressed beautifully until it was time for the wedding vows. Magnus smiled at Jace and Mia, his eyes glistening with pride and joy, as Theo handed the rings to the couple.
"The love I have for you," Jace began, his voice filled with emotion, "it's a love that knows no bounds."
Mia couldn't hold back her tears either. "In times of joy as well as sadness," she continued, her voice trembling.
"In sickness and in health," Jace vowed, his voice breaking as tears streamed down his face.
"I will love you as my equal," Mia declared, her voice unwavering.
"And protect you above all else," Jace promised, his gaze unwavering as he looked into Mia's eyes.
"I will share with you my truest feelings," Mia vowed, her voice growing stronger.
"And when you speak, I will listen," Jace assured her, his heart and soul laid bare.
"I will catch you when you fall," Mia promised, her love and devotion shining through.
"And when you soar, I will help you reach your greatest heights," Jace declared, his voice filled with unwavering commitment.
Magnus smiled at the couple, a tear escaping his own eye, and he motioned for Jace and Mia to exchange wedding bands. As the rings were placed on Mia's finger, Magnus spoke again, "It is my honor to pronounce you as one."
With a joyful smile and a twinkle in his eye, Magnus looked at Jace and said, "You can kiss the bride."
Jace's smile grew even wider, and with gentle tenderness, he took his now-wife by the waist, leaning her back slightly. The entire cathedral burst into applause as they shared their first kiss as a married couple, sealing their vows with love and affection.