A/N: First off. Fuck this chapter. I rewrote it three times aaaand I still hate it.

Kawaii-Cherri: Frustrating? It's gonna get worse but there's y'know, the wedding night yet. Perhaps... some steam to be let off? Maybe?

AnonGuest: Sickly sweet for sure! Ironic seeing as i don't like sweet things. My house of fluids has turned into a pool at this point and I'm kinda done with it all. I hope your wee one finds himself better soon, ear infection is one of the worst things! I feel for you!

Chapter 30: Bittersweet bouquet

Sebastian felt his stomach flip. It was almost time to go to the ceremony. He could only hope that Rina was having a good morning and that she wasn't regretting anything. The message she had sent back to his made him think that they really were getting married for the real reasons for almost a good half an hour before reality set in. Demetrius knocked on the door of the saloon room that they had rented to be closer to the square. 'Hey, Sebastian, are you ready? People are arriving and it's almost time. Wouldn't want you to be late,' he said with a smile. Their relationship had greatly improved and Sebastian would be comfortable saying that he really did see Demetrius as his dad.

'Yeah,' he said brushing down his suit jacket, 'as ready as I'm going to be,' he said honestly. Although he normally hated putting on a suit, even to work, today was different. He stood taller and held himself straight despite his nerves. Rina insisted that he didn't cut his hair or take out his piercings unless it was something he wanted to do. She had made it very clear to him that she wasn't expecting him to be anyone other than himself.

'Just one more thing,' Demetrius said as he pulled out a box, 'your mother wanted me to give this to you. It was your father's,' he explained as he handed it over. 'Robin gave her one to Rina, it's… a sentimental gift,' he babbles.

Sebastian raised a brow and opened the box. 'A mermaid necklace…' he said, feeling his heart clench. 'It's true, I didn't give one to Pheebs… I wasn't that prepared,' he joked making Demetrius smile, if a little bitterly. 'Are you sure? I mean…'

Demetrius shook his head, 'your father was a great man, Sebastian and… your mother feels his loss every day. She loves me, I know but there's a hole in her heart that I couldn't and wouldn't want to fill. I think it's only appropriate that you wear the symbol of your father's love on this day,' he assures.

Sebastian pulls on the necklace and feels it fall against his shirt. 'Thanks for everything… dad,' he said with a nervous chuckle as he brushes back his hair.

He smiles and Sebastian sees him swallow heavily, 'I'm so proud of you, son,' he said, clearly fighting against his emotions. They shared a loving but brief and awkward hug, both unable to convey their feelings properly. 'We don't want to be late,' Demetrius said clearing his throat as they parted.

'I don't think she would appreciate it,' Sebastian said as he wiped discreetly under his eye and coughed.

Demetrius wore a smile as he nodded walking over to the door. He pulled it open for Sebastian to walk through. Time was ticking onward and it wasn't long before Sebastian found himself at the edge of the altar, standing in front of almost the entire town. People were still arriving and some were milling around. Sebastian breathed in deeply and brushed his hair back from his face, his nerves were running rampant.

There was a small, almost embarrassed cough next to him and he looks around to see a familiar blonde. It was Haley, she gave him a small smile. 'Um. Hello, Sebastian,' she said holding a small basket. She was wearing a very stylish and pretty dress for the warm weather, perfect for the occasion without being overdressed.

'Haley,' he replied, politely.

Awkwardness bubbled up between them and Haley sighed, she looked down at her basket and pulled out a small boutonnière, it was a small light blue flower that he didn't recognise. 'I… um, I realised this morning that I didn't ever apologise to you for that morning,' she mumbled quietly as she passed it to him.

Sebastian took it from her gently and tried to put it in his pocket. 'Don't worry about it. It's water under the bridge,' he said, getting a little frustrated as he couldn't seem to get the small flower to sit straight.

Haley rolled her eyes and knocked his hand away as she stepped closer to fix it. 'That's not the point, Sebastian. The point is, Rina was right. I didn't give you the time of day and judged you unfairly. So, I apologise for treating you like that,' she mumbles and manages to get the flower to rest nicely against his lapel. She exhaled heavily and stepped back from him, flicking her hair over her shoulder. 'Anyway,' she said as if the last thirty seconds didn't happen. 'Congratulations, Sebastian. You and Rina are cute together,' she smiles brightly, genuinely. 'I kinda dig it,' she teases in a playful tone while walking away to give the other groomsmen their flowers.

That was a surprise, he thought to himself in good humour. Looking around the square he could see the entire village making their way towards seats. Even Pierre and his family were sitting at the back; Caroline looked ecstatic but her husband and daughter looked less thrilled to be there. Mayor Lewis walked over to the altar and motioned Sebastian over. It was time. Unfortunately, Mayor Lewis was the only one legally allowed to ordain so Rina and Sebastian were stuck with him.

'Alright, lad. Get in your place. Sam? Over here, please,' Mayor Lewis said simply. 'I've gotten word that the bride is on her way.'

Sam walked over to Sebastian and grinned at him, 'are you ready?' He whispered.

Sebastian's stomach did a flip and he shook his head. 'I didn't actually think this would happen,' he replied without thinking.

Sam tilted his head and put his hand on Sebastian's shoulder, 'dude? You okay?' He asks in concern. Sebastian realised what he said and how it came across.

Quickly he looked at Sam and nodded. 'I meant that I'm lucky,' he clarifies, trying to explain what he meant without having to speak for too long. Mayor Lewis was already giving them both a disapproving glance. Sam snorted and patted his shoulder in agreement, a snarky comment came from under his breath.

'You can say that again,' he teases. Only a few minutes passed and he saw Maru and the other bridesmaids arriving at the other end of the aisle. Sam rolled his eyes and turned Sebastian around, 'Rina has got to be a surprise, mate,' he pointed out. Sebastian didn't know what to do with his hands and he almost forgot to breathe when the town's local band started playing softly. It was a light styled wedding march.

It was beginning.

The bridesmaids began to walk down the aisle, Jas and Vincent at the head of the procession as the flower girl and pageboy. Sebastian could hear Evelyn making appreciative comments about the dresses and when Maru arrived next to him, she smiled brightly and gave him a thumbs up. His palms felt sweaty and he could feel the nerves pour from Mayor Lewis who waited beside him.

Mayor Lewis caught Sebastian's eye and nodded. Sebastian took a deep breath in and turned around. His mouth suddenly went desert dry. Rina was standing there, her arms linked with his mother's, His stomach did backflips and he felt his heart speed up, making him feel dizzy. 'Oh… fuck,' he said under his breath, Rina's veil covered her face but her dress was beautiful and flattering. As if she had stepped out of a painting of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty. Sebastian could only watch, enamoured as Rina walked beside Robin, her hand holding the bouquet of purple orchids that was his namesake.

The cliche was true, it was as if time slowed the closer they walked to the altar. Friends and family were already sniffing and there were smiles all around. They reached the end of the aisle and Robin kissed Rina on the cheek fondly, giving her a brief hug before moving to face Sebastian. Robin cupped his jaw softly. 'I'm so proud of you,' she said honestly, her eyes filled with what he hoped were happy tears. 'I love you,' she adds.

'I love you too, mum,' he replies with a smile. I'll wallow in guilt and self-hatred later. I'm going to selfishly enjoy this moment, he thought simply and refused to dwell on any negative thoughts further. Robin nods happily and takes a step back to join her husband in the front row.

Rina stepped forward and took her place opposite Sebastian. He couldn't help it; she looked like perfection and it completely overwhelmed him. Sebastian felt his eyes well up and he had to literally turn away from her, covering his eyes with his arm. Sam held his shoulder and gave Rina a reassuring smile. 'Dude, just breath,' Sam said softly to Sebastian.

Mayor Lewis chuckled and addressed the congregation. 'We're just going to give the groom a moment to collect himself, his bride is more beautiful than usual,' he said earning a half-hearted chuckle from everyone else. Rina turned to Maru who gently lifted her veil enough to dab under Rina's eyes; seeing Sebastian overwhelmed by her presence had set her off.

'Ah, Yoba, fuck,' Sebastian whispered in a stream as he breathed in heavily and with a cheeky nod from Sam, turned back to face Rina. 'Sorry,' he said, making her giggle.

'Don't be,' Rina replied for his ears only, wishing he could see her smile.

Mayor Lewis cleared his throat and nodded at Sebastian, who realised that was his cue to gently brush her veil back. Sebastian smiles at Rina shyly as he took hold of the soft material; it only took a small flip and rested happily against her hair. Sebastian couldn't help himself; he beamed as he saw her. The love of his life, wearing a shy smile as she whispered a hello.

'You look handsome,' she whispers without moving her lips from her smile.

Sebastian struggled to find the words for his reply. 'You look… perfect-'

Mayor Lewis cleared his throat and they both stifled a giggle as they stood up straight, as if they hadn't just been subtly scolded for talking. The music came to a lull and the Mayor began to speak. 'We are gathered here to join these two souls in matrimony. From the day that Rina joined our community, it was clear that she was going to become a large part of us. Today, we welcome her into our family, a loved one,' he babbled. Rina playfully rolled her eyes as Sebastian and he struggled to keep a straight face. Mayor Lewis turned to Sebastian, 'is there anything you wish to say?' He asked. 'Your own vows?'

Sebastian nodded and cleared his throat as he shakily pulled out a sheet of folded paper from his jacket. 'S-Sorry, I haven't memorised them,' he whispered, feeling embarrassed. Rina's smile of amusement washed that feeling away and she simply grinned at him, holding her bouquet sweetly. He opened the paper and scanned over it. Looking up, he met her gaze. 'Ophelia,' he said softly, making her breath catch in her throat as he used her real name. He looked at his vows and sighs, 'I'm sorry, I can't read these to you in front of everyone... you're going to have to read them later,' he mumbles. His vows were written by a much more confident person and not someone who was being watched by the whole village. 'I'm just going to have to uh, wing it.'

Rina held her breath, wondering, where he is going to go with this and how much will it make me cry?

'I struggle with words, especially with you around,' he said honestly. 'Voicing how I feel is completely foreign to me. Knowing how I feel is almost alien,' Sebastian ran a hand through his hair in nervousness. 'But, uh, there's one thing I do know for sure and that is the way I feel about you,' he said simply, unable to refute his guilt. He looks away from her before exhaling heavily and reaching out to take her hand. She grasped his fingers tightly and he could feel her shaking. Gently, he rubbed his thumb against her skin. 'I, uh, I didn't think I would ever want to get married to be honest.'

Her smile and playful wince made him chuckle and he shook his head at her lightly, continuing to speak. 'The thing is… at that time I hadn't ever met someone like you. You came into my life by chance and it has been that chance that has changed my life. You're my best friend and-' he looked purposefully into her eyes, hoping and praying that what he said next would come through. 'I love you, Ophelia. I will do anything for you and I will spend every day for the rest of my life trying to be the husband that you deserve.'

There were sniffles, and it was clear that Robin was trying to keep herself together and failing. Demetrius had put his arm around her and even he had tears in his eyes. Rina's lip trembled and she bit it lightly, trying to keep her emotions back. That's right, he would do anything for me… like entering a fake marriage, she thought sadly. She was desperately trying not to cry and most of it was from happiness and the other was… guilt. Such beautiful words and she didn't deserve half of them. She knew that he was trying to make the marriage seem genuine but he sounded so sincere, it hurt.

She had to scold herself mentally as Mayor Lewis asked her if there was anything she wanted to say. Rina nodded and passed her bouquet to Maru as she took his other hand. With a deep breath, she looked into Sebastian's eyes. 'Sebastian,' she started, making him smile. 'I… always believed that love was a transaction. That I had do things and be a particular way to be of worth. With you, I've come to realise that love isn't like that at all. It's painful, confusing and completely life changing, I'd go so far as to say, effortless. You've always been there for me, in my darkest days. You are patient, understanding… handsome,' she teases making him blush, before she continued. 'All I'm really trying to say is that… I love you, Sebastian and… I don't want to imagine another day without you in my life, by my side,' she said with a shaky voice. 'You are one of the most important people in my world.'

He grins, refusing to acknowledge the small pit in his stomach. He had no doubt that Rina was sincere, it just hurt knowing that to everyone else it was a declaration of love. For him, a reminder of their friendship, his vows hadn't registered with her. Mayor Lewis turned back to Sebastian, 'do you, Sebastian Joseph Vance, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, through sickness and health, till death do you part?' He asks.

'I do,' Sebastian said proudly, confidently.

Mayor Lewis nods and looks at Rina, 'and do you, Ophelia Karrina Tyrell, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?'

'I do,' Rina replied, giving Sebastian's hands a squeeze, making him wink at her in response.

'Then it is my honour to pronounce you, husband and wife! You may kiss the bride,' Mayor Lewis said suggestively to Sebastian.

Sebastian surprises Rina by pulling her close and dipping her backwards, causing a small squeak to escape before he catches her lips with his. Rina kisses him back with fervour and there were cheers erupting from the crowd. They could hear Maru and Robin whooping and Sam let out an ear-splitting whistle. They were ignored for the moment as Rina attempted to pour her feelings into the kiss they shared. Her hands gripped his suit jacket and only when he pulled her upright, did they break apart. They both grinned at one another and breathed heavily. 'We did it,' she whispered.

'That we did,' he whispered back. 'Wife.'

Ugh. I hate writing weddings. Did it show? Why do i do this to myself?