Chapter 383: Post Ceremony!!
The applause echoed through the neighborhood.
For several seconds, it seemed as though Pearl Villa itself was shaking from the happiness of everyone gathered there.
Music filled the lawn once again.
Miles stood beside Chloe, still holding her hand.
Neither of them seemed ready to let go.
Dion stepped forward with the microphone.
"Everyone, please calm down."
The cheering somehow became louder.
Dion looked at the crowd.
"Calm down dear guests."
Flora laughed from her seat.
"You are making it worse."
Dion turned toward her.
"I know."
The young people laughed.
Dion looked back at Miles.
"Brother, congratulations."
Miles smiled.
"Thank you."
Dion then looked toward Chloe.
"And congratulations to you too. You have officially taken responsibility for the most complicated man in this entire generation."
Chloe laughed.
"I think I can manage."
Dion placed a hand over his heart.
"Such confidence."
Miles shook his head.
"Stop frightening my wife on the first day."
Dion immediately pointed at Chloe.
"See? Already protecting her."
Chloe smiled.
Another round of applause followed.
The priest stepped away from the center of the stage while the music slowly changed.
The formal ceremony had ended.
Now came the celebration everyone had been waiting for.
The wedding party moved toward the reception area.
The tables were decorated with flowers and warm lights. Long tables had been arranged across the lawn, covered with elegant white cloth. Small candles flickered inside glass holders, while flower arrangements rested between plates and glasses.
The garden looked completely different now.
The solemn atmosphere of the ceremony had transformed into something warm and lively.
Children were running around.
Young people were laughing.
Older guests were talking among themselves.
Servers moved carefully between the tables carrying drinks and food.
Miles looked around.
"Mom and her restaurant staff really went all out."
Elena heard him.
"Of course we did."
Miles turned.
"Mom."
Elena walked toward them and hugged Chloe.
"My daughter."
Chloe smiled.
"Mom."
Elena held Chloe’s hands.
"You look beautiful."
"Thank you."
Elena then looked at Miles.
"And you."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"What about me?"
"You look acceptable."
The people nearby burst out laughing.
Miles looked at Daniel.
"Father."
Daniel shrugged.
"Your mother has spoken."
Chloe laughed.
"I think you look handsome."
Miles smiled.
"At least someone is on my side."
Elena immediately pointed at him.
"Do not get too comfortable. From today, she is my daughter."
Miles sighed dramatically.
"I knew this would happen."
Chloe smiled.
"I am happy about it."
"Then I have lost both of you."
Elena laughed.
"You never had a chance."
Then the music softened.
A staff member announced the next part of the celebration.
"The bouquet toss."
The young women immediately reacted.
Celina’s eyes widened.
Rose looked at Becky.
Becky looked at Alice.
Alice slowly stepped backward.
Sophia laughed.
"Why are you moving away?"
Alice shook her head.
"I am not participating."
Kate grabbed her arm.
"Too late."
Alice stared at her.
"Kate."
"No escaping."
Chloe was handed her bouquet.
She looked at the group of women gathering behind her.
Celina stood confidently in the middle.
Rose and Becky were laughing.
Alice looked nervous.
Kate was already preparing herself.
Isabelle and Sophia were standing beside each other.
June and April joined the group as well.
Chloe turned toward them.
"Ready?"
Celina shouted.
"Absolutely."
Rose laughed.
"She has been waiting for this."
Celina turned toward Rose.
"Of course I have."
Miles stood a short distance away.
He looked at the group.
Then at Chloe.
Then back at the group.
"Should I be worried?"
Dion stood beside him.
"Always."
Miles frowned.
"Why?"
Dion smiled.
"Because whoever catches that bouquet is going to become very interesting to everyone."
Flora immediately looked at Dion.
"You are not allowed to start matchmaking."
Dion raised both hands.
"I did not say anything."
"You were thinking it."
Dion became quiet.
Miles laughed.
Chloe turned her back toward the crowd.
She held the bouquet behind her.
"Alright."
The women prepared themselves.
Chloe counted.
"One."
Everyone leaned forward.
"Two."
Celina bent her knees.
"Three."
Chloe threw the bouquet.
The flowers flew through the air.
Several hands reached upward.
Rose almost caught it.
Kate jumped.
Sophia missed by an inch.
Alice ducked.
June laughed as the bouquet passed over her.
Then Celina stretched both hands forward.
The bouquet landed directly in her arms.
She froze.
The entire garden erupted.
Celina looked down at the bouquet.
Then she slowly looked up.
"Me?"
Becky screamed.
"You caught it!"
Rose laughed.
"Of course she did."
Celina held the bouquet against her chest.
Chloe walked toward her.
"Congratulations."
Celina’s face turned bright red.
"I did not plan this."
Miles walked over.
"Are you sure?"
Celina glared at him.
"Do not start."
Dion lifted the microphone.
"Everyone, please remember this moment."
Celina pointed at him.
"Dion."
Dion smiled.
"The bouquet has spoken."
The crowd laughed.
Becky whispered to Rose.
"She is definitely getting married next."
Celina heard her.
"I can hear you."
Rose smiled innocently.
"I said nothing."
Celina looked at Chloe.
"Your wedding is already causing problems."
Chloe laughed.
"I am sorry."
Celina smiled.
"No, actually, I am happy."
She looked at the bouquet.
"I will keep it."
"Good," Chloe said. "Maybe it will bring you luck."
Celina smiled.
"Maybe."
The music changed again.
A soft piano melody began playing.
Dion stepped forward.
"And now, everyone, please make some space."
Miles looked at him.
"What now?"
Dion grinned.
"Your first dance."
Miles glanced toward Chloe.
Chloe smiled.
"I think we have to."
Miles extended his hand.
"May I?"
Chloe placed her hand in his.
"You may."
The crowd slowly moved aside.
The music became softer.
Miles placed one hand around Chloe’s waist.
Chloe rested her hand on his shoulder.
For a few seconds, they simply stood there.
Then they began to move.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Almost as though the rest of the world had disappeared.
Chloe rested her head closer to his shoulder.
"You know."
"What?"
"I was nervous."
"About dancing?"
"No."
She looked up at him.
"About everything."
Miles smiled.
"And now?"
"Now I am just happy."
Miles gently guided her through another step.
"I am happy too."
Around them, their family watched quietly.
Elena held Daniel’s hand.
Timothy smiled from his wheelchair.
Gordon sat beside him.
Edwin watched his grandchildren with a peaceful expression.
Louis smiled proudly.
The young people who had spent years knowing Miles in different ways now watched him become something none of them had seen before.
Just a man dancing with the woman he loved.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Hope whispered to Asher.
"They are dancing."
Asher nodded.
"I know."
"Can we dance too?"
Asher thought about it.
"Maybe."
Hope grabbed his hand.
"Come."
The twins started copying Miles and Chloe’s movements several feet away.
Elena noticed.
"Oh, look at them."
Daniel laughed.
"They are trying."
Hope proudly declared.
"We are dancing too."
Asher immediately added.
"We are better."
Miles heard them.
"Better than me?"
Asher nodded confidently.
"Yes."
Everyone laughed.
Miles looked at Chloe.
"I think I have competition."
Chloe smiled.
"You might lose."
The song continued.
Miles slowly spun Chloe.
Her dress moved gracefully around her.
The guests applauded.
Chloe laughed.
"You actually know how to dance."
Miles smiled.
"I have learned a few things."
"Where?"
"That is classified."
She laughed.
"You still have secrets?"
"Apparently."
"After today?"
Miles smiled.
"Maybe a few."
Chloe leaned closer.
"I will find them."
"I know."
Their dance continued until the music gradually came to an end.
The applause returned.
Miles and Chloe stood together in the center.
Dion walked forward.
"That was beautiful."
Miles looked at him.
"You sound surprised."
"I am."
Everyone laughed.
Dion turned toward the guests.
"Now comes the part everyone has been waiting for."
A large wedding cake was brought toward the center of the reception area.
The cake was enormous.
It had several elegant tiers covered in smooth white icing. Delicate sugar flowers decorated each layer, with small silver details running around the edges. At the very top stood two miniature figures representing Miles and Chloe.
The guests immediately gathered around.
Chloe stared at it.
"Oh my."
Miles smiled.
"You like it?"
"I love it."
Elena looked at the cake proudly.
"It took Mrs. Baker and her team almost the entire morning."
Miles smiled.
"I knew she would make something beautiful."
Chloe looked at him.
"You knew?"
"Of course."
She smiled.
"Thank you."
Dion approached with the microphone.
"Now, before we cut the cake, I have one important question."
Miles sighed.
"What?"
Dion pointed toward the cake.
"Who is going to feed whom?"
The crowd laughed.
Chloe looked at Miles.
Miles looked at Chloe.
Chloe smiled mischievously.
"That depends."
Miles narrowed his eyes.
"Depends on what?"
"Whether you behave."
Dion immediately turned toward the audience.
"Brother, you have been warned."
Miles laughed.
The knife was handed to the couple.
They held it together.
The photographer positioned himself nearby.
"Closer, please."
Miles and Chloe moved closer.
"Smile."
They smiled.
"Perfect."
The knife slowly cut through the first layer.
The guests applauded.
Chloe took a small piece.
Miles looked at her.
She smiled.
"Open."
Miles opened his mouth.
She gently fed him the cake.
Everyone cheered.
Miles took another small piece.
Chloe opened her mouth.
He fed her.
She smiled.
Then Miles noticed a tiny bit of cream on the corner of her lips.
He gently wiped it away.
Chloe’s face turned red.
Celina immediately shouted.
"That was adorable."
Rose laughed.
"Absolutely unfair."
Becky added.
"They are too sweet."
Dion looked at Flora.
"Should we have done that?"
Flora looked at him.
"We already have a child on the way. We are past that stage."
Dion nodded.
"Fair."
The guests laughed again.
Then came the toasts.
Dion was the first to raise his glass.
He stood beside Flora.
"To my brother."
He looked at Miles.
"You survived everything life could throw at you."
Miles smiled.
Dion looked toward Chloe.
"And somehow, after all that, you found someone who is brave enough to marry you."
The garden erupted in laughter.
Miles shook his head.
"Thank you, brother."
Dion raised his glass higher.
"To Miles and Chloe."
Everyone raised their glasses.
"To Miles and Chloe."
They drank.
Then Elena stood.
She looked at her son.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Her eyes were already filled with tears.
"My son."
Miles smiled.
Elena looked toward Chloe.
"And my daughter."
Chloe’s eyes became moist.
Elena continued.
"I have spent many years wondering what happiness would look like for my children."
She looked at Miles.
"Today, I know."
She raised her glass.
"To a home filled with laughter."
She looked at Chloe.
"To a marriage filled with patience."
Then she looked at Miles again.
"And to two people who never stop choosing each other."
She raised her glass.
"To Miles and Chloe."
Everyone repeated it.
"To Miles and Chloe."
Timothy slowly raised his glass from his seat.
Gordon noticed and helped him lift it slightly higher.
Timothy smiled.
"My grandson."
He looked at Chloe.
"My granddaughter in law."
His voice carried across the lawn.
"May you live long enough to become old together."
Miles smiled.
Chloe held his hand.
Timothy continued.
"And may your children one day complain that you embarrass them just as much as their grandparents do."
The guests burst into laughter.
Miles laughed.
"Grandpa."
Timothy smiled innocently.
"What?"
Chloe laughed.
"I like him."
Timothy looked at Miles.
"See?"
Miles shook his head.
"I have been betrayed by everyone today."
Gordon laughed loudly.
The laughter slowly settled.
Miles looked around at everyone.
His family.
His friends.
The people who had walked through different Chapters of his life.
People from his past.
People from his present.
People who had once been strangers.
People who had become family.
And beside him stood Chloe.
His wife.
The woman who had waited for him.
The woman who had seen the darkness in his life and still chosen to stay.
Miles gently held her hand.
Chloe looked at him.
"What are you thinking?"
Miles smiled.
"That I am lucky."
Chloe leaned closer.
"So am I."
The music began playing again.
The lights around Pearl Villa slowly became brighter as the evening descended.
The wedding celebration was far from over.
But for Miles and Chloe, the most important part had already happened.
They had promised each other forever.
And now, surrounded by everyone they loved, they were finally beginning it.