Dianna's POV
When I reached the altar, my nerves had mostly settled.
Mostly.
The music faded behind me as I came to a stop beside Theodore. The train of my dress settled against the floor, and somewhere in the crowd a camera flashed.
Then another.
Then several more.
Right.
This was happening.
Theo stood next to me like this was just another formal event on his calendar. Black suit, polished shoes, perfectly styled hair. He looked exactly like a man who had spent most of his life being photographed.
When I finally looked at him, he was already looking at me.
Of course he was.
For a second, neither of us said anything.
To others, this wedding probably looked romantic.
But inside my head, I was mostly thinking about how ridiculous this entire situation was.
Theo leaned slightly closer, just enough that his voice wouldn't carry.
"You almost ran away."
I kept my eyes forward.
"I considered it."
"Seriously?"
"For about three seconds."
He let out a breath that might have been a laugh.
"I was ready to jump off the stage and chase you."
Theo leaned a little closer.
"Oh well, smile," he murmured.
"That is exactly what I'm doing."
He snorted softly.
"Wow. This is the happiest day of my life." he sarcastically commented.
The officiant cleared his throat politely, reminding us we were currently standing in front of many guests attending a wedding ceremony.
Theo straightened slightly.
His hand hovered near mine for a second.
Close.
Very close
"Careful. Don't touch me," I murmured under my breath.
Theo turned his head slightly, one eyebrow lifting.
"Excuse me?" he whispered back. "What do you think happens next?"
I gave him a suspicious look.
"We're standing here," he continued quietly, far too amused with himself, "in the middle of a wedding ceremony. In front of people."
"Yes," I said flatly. "I noticed."
"And," he added, leaning slightly closer, "people usually kiss at the end of these things."
I blinked clearly caught off guard.
Right.
The kiss.
I had been so focused on the contract, the rules, the cameras, and the fact that I had just walked down an aisle toward the city's most notorious playboy that I had somehow forgotten the most obvious part of weddings.
My mind instantly did several unhelpful somersaults.
Theo noticed.
Of course he did.
"Wow," he murmured, clearly delighted. "You forgot, didn't you?"
"I did not forget."
"You absolutely forgot."
"I was… prioritizing."
"By pretending the kiss doesn't exist?"
"That seemed reasonable."
He chuckled quietly beside me.
"You're the one who made the rules."
"And I stand by them."
"Bit late for that now."
Before I could respond, the officiant finally cleared his throat loudly enough to capture our attention.
We fell into a reverent quiet as the officiant smiled warmly at us.
"Before we proceed," he said gently, "the couple would like to share their vows."
My fingers tightened slightly.
Of course we had prepared vows.
It would have been suspicious if we hadn't.
Publicly, this wedding was meant to look real. Not rushed. Not strategic. Not political.
Real.
I glanced once at Theo.
He stood in front of me with the composed confidence of a man who had never once been intimidated by a crowd. His posture was relaxed, but his expression was serious, almost solemn.
For the audience, it probably looked like devotion.
Just then, the officiant turned to me first.
"Miss Beaumont."
I took a small breath as I felt the room went silent.
Rows of guests watched us expectantly. Cameras flashed softly. Somewhere near the front, my grandmother sat with her hands clasped together, looking like the happiest woman alive.
I lifted my gaze to Theo.
"Theodore."
My voice carried steadily through the hall.
"When we first met, I didn't imagine that our lives would become intertwined so quickly."
A few people smiled.
"But sometimes life moves in ways we cannot predict," I continued. "And sometimes, it places someone in our path who changes everything."
Theo's eyes remained fixed on mine.
"In the short time we've known each other, I've come to admire your strength… your confidence… and the way you face the world without hesitation."
A murmur of approval moved through the audience.
"You challenge me," I said softly. "You make me see things differently. And somehow, you make even the uncertain moments feel less frightening."
Theo's expression didn't change, but there was a faint flicker of something thoughtful in his gaze.
"I promise," I continued, my voice gentler now, "to walk beside you through whatever life brings. To support you when the world demands too much, and to celebrate every victory no matter how small."
I paused briefly.
"And I promise that wherever our journey leads… you will never face it alone. I will always be there, loving you."
The room filled with soft sighs and quiet applause.
The officiant then turned to Theo.
"Mr. Callaghan."
Theo kept his gaze on me.
"Dianna."
His voice was calm, smooth, and unexpectedly sincere.
"Before I met you, I believed that life was something meant to be lived freely… without hesitation, without restraint."
A few knowing chuckles rippled through the guests who were very familiar with his reputation.
"But meeting you reminded me that some things in life are worth slowing down for."
The laughter faded into attentive silence.
"You have a strength that most people don't see right away," he continued. "A determination that commands respect without ever asking for it."
Several guests nodded softly.
"You are thoughtful where I am impulsive," he said. "Steady where I am reckless."
My fingers tightened slightly together.
"And somehow," he added, "you bring balance to a life that has rarely known it."
The audience was completely still now.
"I promise," Theo said gently, "to honor you, to stand beside you, and to build a life where we grow stronger together."
He paused, his voice lowering slightly.
"No matter what challenges come our way, I promise that you will always have someone beside you."
He smiled. "You have my loyalty and my heart."
The silence that followed lasted only a moment before the hall filled with applause again.
Some guests wiped their eyes.
Others smiled warmly at what they believed was a deeply romantic union.
But the officiant wasn't finished yet.
He hummed in satisfaction, clearly moved by the vows that had just been exchanged.
"Now that the vows have been given," he said warmly, his voice carrying through the hall, "let us seal this ceremony with the bride and groom's first official and public kiss."
A soft murmur spread among the guests and anticipation immediately filled the room.
The officiant turned his gaze to Theodore.
"Groom," he continued, "you may now remove the veil and kiss your bride."
The hall grew still.
Theo slowly turned toward me and for the first time since the ceremony had begun, the teasing ease in his expression faded into something quieter, more composed.
He began to step closer, with his movements measured beneath the watchful eyes of the guests.
His hand lifted toward the veil.
For a brief moment, the delicate fabric shifted as his fingers carefully caught its edge.
Then he gently raised it.
The veil fell back behind my shoulders, revealing my face fully to the hall.
A soft collective breath moved through the audience.
Theo looked at me, reached forward and placed a steady hand at my waist.
Then he leaned down.
And kissed me.
The gesture was simple and respectful, yet filled with tenderness that made the audience erupt into applause the moment he pulled away.
Rose petals scattered more across the aisle as cheers and delighted laughter filled the hall.
The officiant smiled broadly before raising his hands once more.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he declared proudly, "it is my honor to present to you for the very first time. Mr. and Mrs. Callaghan."