Is this destiny?

Ellie and Jasper stood one step from each other, both smiling so widely that their cheeks were hurting.

Ellie can see Mathew\'s reluctance to leave her side.

The two of them had a rocky past and Ellie was doing her best to stay away from Mathew because of how he treated her mother when she needed him: he was not there.

However, Ellie can\'t deny that Mathew was always there for her, and she knows that he protected her from the shadows many times. She was rude and heartless toward him and pushed him away every chance she got, and yet… here he is. Still by her side, available for anything she needs. Including walking her down the aisle.

Seeing this strong and powerful man being insecure and maybe even concerned for her in front of all these people, made Ellie\'s heart crack a little.

She turned to him and said sweetly: "Thanks, dad."

All Mathew\'s grievances left him. She called him DAD!

He gazed into Ellie\'s eyes which smiled back at him and gave her a small nod. "I am proud to have such a beautiful and smart daughter. I love you."

Ellie choked a bit and hugged Mathew.

"I love you too, dad.", Ellie said softly and kissed his cheek.

Mathew put Ellie\'s hand in Jasper\'s and at that moment, everyone took their seats, because the main part is about to start.

"Take care of her.", Mathew told Jasper.

"I will Mr. Young.", Jasper responded.

Mathew patted Jasper\'s shoulder and corrected him. "Dad."

Jasper was surprised by this sudden closeness. It seems that everyone is affected by this wedding atmosphere. That\'s a good thing.

Jasper cleared his throat and repeated in a slightly different version: "I will take care of Ellie, dad."

In the back, Lily smiled at the thought that she can see Jasper again and her face contorted in horror when her eyes fell on the man (aka Mathew) who nodded to Jasper before taking his seat next to Melissa.

Lily will never forget that man! He is the one who broke her legs and an arm and told her that if she ever thinks of harming Ellie, he will come back.

Lily had many theories who that man is. A lover? A bodyguard? Who knows? But she never considered the point that Ellie can have someone so scary in her family! If he walked Ellie down the aisle, that means that he is someone really close to her. Ellie\'s father? Even if he is not a biological father, he is a father figure.

Lily\'s legs went weak and she swayed. She wanted to leave this place, but her legs were not budging.

The one person more terrified than Lily at the sight of Mathew was Franco Cavadini. He recognized Mathew as well. On that dreaded night, Mathew didn\'t try to conceal his face at all. Kianis are now connected to that man?

When the initial shock subsided, Franco looked in Norman\'s direction and his face contorted in anger. Why Norman didn\'t tell him that this horrible man is Ellie\'s father? They spoke about Jasper\'s future wife (aka Ellie) and the upcoming wedding more than once. Franco remembers asking about Ellie\'s family and Norman avoided the topic. Now Franco understands why.

Considering that they all suffered similar injuries, Franco concluded that the same people attacked them. Franco\'s mind was spinning. How could Norman hide such a crucial information? If Franco knew that this devil-man will be here, as the father of the bride, Franco would not come. Oh, what about Lily? Franco glanced to the left and could not see Lily in her seat. Did she leave already? He only hopes that she will not cause any trouble. It would be better if she left.

Ellie looked at Jasper while the officiator delivered his speech and she could not believe that she is standing here, ready to commit the rest of her life to a man in front of her: her super-hot fiancé… soon to be super-hot husband.

Jasper came into her life like a whirlwind and swept her away. They met less than nine months ago, and at first, she was avoiding him because he is a player and it can\'t end well. But she ended up falling for him and his silly antics and all the love and care he showered her with… the sincerity in his eyes… and the intensity of his touch… ah, and that thumb which moves rhythmically, announcing his next breathtaking move which shakes her to the core every time.

Jasper noticed that Ellie\'s cheeks flushed slightly, and her smile became slightly mischievous. He didn\'t need to ask what is on her mind, because the fire in her eyes told him that she is looking forward to their honeymoon as much as he is… or maybe more.

They are standing one step away from each other and holding hands and subconsciously Jasper\'s thumb started moving at the back of Ellie\'s palm.

Ellie\'s breath hitched and her smile widened. Jasper is doing the thumb thing... Oh, how she wants this ceremony thing to end already.

Jasper glanced impatiently at the man who was talking forever. Why can\'t they just skip to the \'I do\' part and he gets to kiss the bride?

Sarah was looking at Aiden and his intense gaze told her that they are next. She is not sure how or why, but she had a feeling that is what he is telling her. And she was right, because even though they were in this garden in Chicago, Aiden was seeing her in a wedding dress, in the meadow, surrounded with wildflowers and smiling while making her way toward him as his bride. Perfect.

Both Sarah and Aiden were startled out of their stupor when Jasper slapped Aiden\'s arm.

"Rings!", Jasper hissed.

Aiden chuckled while fishing the rings from his pocket. Eh, only Sarah can make him so dazed that he is not aware of his surroundings.

The ceremony ended with an over-the-knee kiss which made people do the \'ahhhs\' and \'ohhhs\' while clapping.

The most enthusiastic claps came from Melissa. As soon as Jasper and Ellie ended their first kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Kiani, Melissa rushed toward them and pulled them into a three-person hug.

Jasper had to remind Melissa that they still need to sign the marriage documents so that it\'s official, in the eyes of the law.

By the time Jasper and Ellie signed the marriage documents as a newlywed couple and Sarah and Aiden as witnesses, a long queue of guests was formed, ready to congratulate them.

This \'congratulations\' was the last formal part that Ellie and Jasper need to go through.

After a lot of handshaking, Ellie and Jasper moved onto the dancefloor, ready for their first dance as a married couple… but not before Mathew gets his father-daughter dance.

The party can begin!

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