Maxwell Blackwood stood patiently at the Altar, his eyes zooming to the door every second. He couldn’t wait to see her, his parents had kept her away from him for over twelve hours because apparently it is bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. Not like he believed in that shit but he had to respect their customs.
The small gathering of family and friends fell silent when the doors creaked open. Everyone turned towards Annabel Joseph who had just walked in with her father holding her hand. She was wearing a simple yet exquisite white gown and looked stunning in it. A transparent veil covered her face but anyone could tell that she was dazzling beneath it.
Maxwell's breath hitched. In that instant, the world around him seemed to fade away. All that mattered was Anna, her beauty chasing away the anxiety that had enveloped him before now.
As Anna reached the altar, her father, his eyes shining with pride, placed her hand gently in Maxwell's. A soft squeeze from her hand sent a jolt of happiness through Maxwell. He knew, with a certainty that settled deep in his bones, that this was right.
“Hey,” Max muttered to her with a small smile.
Anna blushed under the veil. “Hi,” she whispered back at him, with her head bowed.
Maxwell chuckled, gently squeezing her hand. “Was beginning to think that you have left me, tell me the thought didn’t cross your mind.”
Anna laughed softly. “You will not be getting rid of me anytime soon, Mr. Blackwood. I am afraid that if you go through with this, you will have to deal with me for the rest of your life.”
“Who said I am ever going to let you leave?” he whispered to her.
“Um… I haven’t asked you two to say your vows yet!” the Priest interrupted and the crowd laughed.
Then the priest, a kindly man with a warm smile, began the ceremony. He requested that they say their vows.
“Annabel Joseph, the first day I set my eyes on you, I knew my life was about to change forever. As a teenager with a rough childhood, I never believed in the concept of true love, until you walked into my life. I know that we didn’t have a great start, but I always had this feeling deep down in me that there was something much bigger waiting for us, and I am glad that I was patient to watch it play out.” Maxwell spoke from his heart.
“When you walked into my office, It was like a light switched on inside me, a warmth I never knew I craved. You make me laugh, you challenge me to be a better man, and your kindness fills every room you enter. You are my best friend, my confidante, and the love of my life."
His voice hitched slightly, then continued, "Today, I stand before you, promising to love you with every fiber of my being. I promise to be your shoulder to cry on, your biggest supporter, and your partner in everything we do. Through laughter and tears, joy and hardship, I vow to be by your side, always."
A tear escaped Anna's eye as Maxwell finished. Taking a deep breath, she squeezed his hand and began her vows. "Maxwell, you entered my life like a ray of sunshine, chasing away the doubts and fears I held close. You showed me a love I never thought possible, a love that is kind, patient, and unwavering. You believe in me, even when I doubt myself, and you inspire me to reach for my dreams. So many times we have fallen apart, but even more times we have come back stronger."
Her voice trembled with emotion as she continued, "Today, I vow to be your rock, your constant source of love and encouragement. I vow to face the future with you, hand in hand, and to build a life filled with laughter, love, and unwavering support. With every beat of my heart, I promise to love you, forever and always."
The priest cleared his throat, his voice breaking the silence that had descended upon the room. "With the exchanging of rings, you have declared your love and commitment to each other. Do you, Maxwell Blackwood, take Annabel Joseph to be your wife, to love and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, until death do you part?"
Maxwell looked into Anna's eyes, his heart overflowing with love. "I do," he declared, his voice ringing with conviction.
The priest repeated the question to Anna, and with a radiant smile, she replied, "I do."
The priest held up two golden bands. Maxwell slipped his ring onto Anna's finger, his touch lingering for a moment longer than necessary. Anna returned the gesture, her fingers trembling slightly as she placed the ring on his hand.
The priest smiled. "By the power invested in me," he began, his voice booming through the chapel, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
A cheer erupted from the crowd as Maxwell reached out, gently cupping Anna's face. He leaned in, his lips brushing hers in a tender kiss.
Just then, the door was pushed open and a young man walked in. their attention was turned to the door. It took a few seconds for the recognition to hit him, with the young man slowly approaching them, Maxwell took a few steps closer to him.
“Jake.” He called softly.
“Hello Brother.” The young man replied, different emotions etched on his face.
“Welcome home.” Maxwell said with a smile and then hugged him.
** **
Happiness filled the hall as Anna, now Mrs. Blackwood got ready to toss the flower Bouquet, the girls took their positions, looking to catch it.
“Are you girls ready?” Anna asked with a big smile on her face.
“You bet!” Belle Squealed in excitement.
Anna laughed and with her back to them, she threw the flowers up in the air, a part of her praying that her best friend catches it.
A lot of hands went up, and Jennifer emerged victorious, holding the flowers tightly in her arms. The sound of her squealing made the whole welcome hall ring with happiness. But her happy confusion grew as her friends kept yelling and pointing and pushing her toward a certain part of the crowd.
"What's going on?" she asked, eyebrows furrowed, her happy bewilderment momentarily replacing the joy of catching the bouquet.
Turning in the direction of their pointed fingers, Jennifer's breath caught in her throat. Marshall stood there, knee bent, a small velvet box held out before him. Sunlight glinted off something inside, making her heart skip a beat.
Time seemed to slow down. The music faded into the background, replaced by a frantic hammering in her chest. Tears welled up in her eyes as she finally understood the reason for her friends' excited screams.
"Jennifer," Marshall said, his voice thick with emotion, "I love every bit of what happened here today, so how would you like to recreate with me? I know it is too soon but I am certain of what I want. Would you marry me, Jennifer Gilbert?”
Squeals of excitement erupted in the hall, including “Say yes” chants from the girls. Anna was very happy with the development and prayed in her heart that Jennifer says yes, even though she knew it was very unlikely. Jennifer was never into marriage shit, she just wanted to have sex and live a fun life, the idea of commitment had always scared her.
But to her utmost shock, the words came rolling out. “Yes,” she first said in a whisper. "Yes, Marshall, a million times yes!” She announced and the crowd screamed in excitement.
Marshall slid the ring into her finger and then he stood up and embraced her, right before they locked their lips in a passionate kiss. A smile parted Anna’s lips, she was happy for her best friend.
After the wedding came to an end, parents from both sides came to congratulate them and blessed their union once again, advising them on how to stick together as a couple and build a long lasting marriage and family.
Finally, they all returned home. Maxwell had taken Anna home with him and had also insisted that her parents spent two nights with them before leaving the country.
** **
At night, Maxwell walks out of the bathroom in a towel and finds Anna staring at herself in the mirror while gently rubbing her belly bump. She was putting on a sexy nightgown but seemed to be lost in thought and unaware of her environment.
Maxwell approached her immediately, he hugged her from behind to recall her attention and then kissed her neck. “What is my beautiful wife thinking about?”
Anna blushed. “I was just thinking about the first time I met you,” she said and they both chuckled simultaneously.
“I know, I was a prick.” He laughed.
“Not just a Prick, but you scared me. Everything about you kept me on my toes, your voice, your aura, your demeanor. I would have never imagined that there would be a day where I am so free with you, a day where the thought of being in the same room with you doesn’t scare me.”
“Oh love, but you should still be scared,” Maxwell teasingly whispered into her ear as he kissed her earlobes.
Anna let out a soft moan. “I would like that,” she muttered with a little laugh.
He kissed her neck and her collarbone, then down to her shoulder and arm. “You smell so nice,” he whispered.
“Oh, but you smell better.” She replied as she threw her head back on his shoulder and sniffed his neck.
“Fuck Ann, you drive me crazy.” He confessed.
“As I should,” she laughed softly.
Maxwell carefully flipped her around to face him and then he kissed her deeply, he lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist, the towel falling off his body. His hard cock dangled in the air.
He carried her to the bed immediately and carefully laid her down, she ran her arm through his broad chest and teasingly stroked his little monster before moving back up. Maxwell couldn’t wait to get her off that gown, he took off the little arm straps, exposing her swollen boobs and then he kissed them gently.
“Uhhmm…” Anna moaned softly, her voice doing crazy things to his body. He further pulled down the gown to her waist and kissed her tummy.
“Close your eyes baby, your mom and I are about to do some really bad things.” He whispered to the baby bump and Anna giggled softly.
“How would you like it, wife?”
“Memorable, better than anything we have had,” she demanded.
“Then you will get that, brace yourself Mrs. Blackwood, I am about to give you the experience of a lifetime.”
From a Plaything, to the Billionaire’s Soulmate; that was the story of Annabel Joseph, a love story like never before.
The end!!