Baby after One Night with the Prince
Chapter 67 - Wedding Ceremony

Tanya's POV.

My skin can't help but tingle to Marco's touch, and I wonder why Marco chooses to brush my hair away from my neck. Was there something wrong with it? "Were you able to get it?" I ask.

"Yeah, it's zipped up," he replies, and upon feeling the dress is now secured, I turn round to face him. It feels strange to be in the wedding gown, and I try to hide the insecurity from the dress that shows off my small curves and cups my breasts nicely.

"Do I- do I look okay?" I can't help but ask. Marco physically takes a step back, taking in all the fine details of my gown, before returning to gaze into my eyes.

"I think you look beautiful," I can't help the light flush that I feel rise upon my cheeks in reaction to his words. However, I still wonder if something is on his mind, and Marco seems somewhat preoccupied with his thoughts.

Despite my assumption, a second later whatever I thought I saw in his expression disappears entirely, and Marco returns to look at me with a neutral disposition. Maybe it was just my imagination, and the growing nervousness in my stomach for what we were about to do.

Since this wedding is obviously last minute, the reception is small. But Caspian helped put it together in one of the forest clearings, setting up chairs, laying a carpet down for the aisle, and assembling with members a beautiful flower altar shaped in an arch. Everyone knew why we were doing this; they knew of Barlow's last wish.

And I wasn't surprised to hear that Mr. Barlow would be officiating the wedding, that man truly was a jack of all trades. Although untraditional, Marco and I had decided we'd simply walk down the aisle together, since my father wasn't around. And in all honesty, even if this was real, I still didn't think I would want my family here.

With all these thoughts swaying around my mind, I finally hear the music begin. Marco comes to stand beside me, lifting his arm to me. "Shall we?"

I inhale a deep breath of air, giving him a nod as I link my arm with his. We step out the changing room I have been in and make our way through the forest. The sun sits high in the sky today, its rays glittering down and sparkling the trees and flowers with its magical dust that gives the forest a lively glow.

The identifiable scent of blue moon flowers encompasses us as we slowly step towards the start of the aisle. It is a small crowd, Caspian, Dylan, Lisa and little Claire. They now stand upon seeing us.

Marco and I walk together down the aisle in beat to the soft elegant music that's being played. And waiting for us at the end is Mr. Barlow. He's in a wheelchair, and I can't help but notice the paleness of his skin as he grows weaker. But what draws me away from all the real issues is the smile that's on his lips, so broad and so proud, my eyes can't help but gloss over upon seeing his happiness.

This is for him after all, and if I could give him one last happy memory. Then that's what I'll do.

When Marco and I reach him, he begins the ceremony as normal, speaking as loud as he can despite his gravelly voice. "Dearly beloved and honored guests. We are gathered here today to join Marco and Tanya in the union of marriage. This contract is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities."

He smiles up to us before continuing. "I have come to witness, that these two individuals, are destined to be one. They complement each other in various ways that emanates flow, beauty and grace. They lean on each other in difficult times, strengthen one another when they must fight, and uplift each other in moments of joy. Their souls dance to the beat of their own drum, as both are loyal and compassionate beings that I've grown to love. They both somehow put up with me and I will forever cherish how they've taken care of this old man."

Our small crowd, and ourselves laugh and giggle to Mr. Barlow's words, but he continues with a smile. "And I'm forever grateful I've gotten the chance to witness this union and see it through as I soon enter into the afterlife... now enough about me, the bride and groom have each prepared vows."

Both me and Marco take turns saying our vows, both in different ways expressing our willingness to take care of each other for the rest of our lives. And then finally, Mr. Barlow says. "Tanya, do you take Marco to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others, and holding only unto him forevermore?"

I smile and say. "I do."

"And Marco, do you take Tanya to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others, and holding only unto her forevermore?"

"I do," says Marco, surprising me slightly. As I didn't expect the raw emotion to drip through into his words. It is puzzling, since Marco doesn't have to be sincere about any of this. And yet he is. He looks deep into my eyes, as if this was all real.

But I don't have time to process Marco's vows or his tone of voice. Instead, I notice Mr. Barlow leaning over uncomfortably, his head sagging so far forward that I have to kneel down and catch him, gently pressing his back into the chair. "Someone get me water!"

Seconds pass, and Caspian rushes over, and hands me a glass that I offer to the elderly man. He gulps down the liquid, before chuckling whilst continuing to cough. How he remains so light-hearted in such a serious situation, I'd never understand.

"Well, it's about time. Tanya. I'd like to speak with you alone please."

I nod in understanding and get behind his wheelchair to roll him over away from everyone else. I pull him into the sunniest part of the clearing, the rays of light shining onto his face as I set out one of the chairs so I can sit beside him. Our surroundings are now entirely quiet, and it feels like, it's only the trees that are listening in on our conversation.

"Marco is Claire's father. Correct?" I snap my head to him in surprise before he elaborates. "I see the way you look at him Tanya. The way you both move in sync with one another. And that's why I asked to be a witness to your union. I knew you'd ask Marco to pretend to be your groom."

My shoulders sag in defeat as Mr. Barlow reveals the truth, but he continues. "But I hope you can replace the courage to tell him the truth yourself one day. You deserve that happiness Tanya, so does Claire. And I know you'll be brave enough to one day reunite with Marco once more," he smiles at me. "Don't waste time on things that don't matter. You gotta chase after your own happiness Tanya. Chase after it with all your heart."

I'm utterly touched by his words. "You may not understand it, but you've been like a father to me. Truly."

He chuckles. "I've never had a biological daughter in this life. But I understand, I do see you as my daughter. And I only want what's best for you... I did have an adopted son though."

I notice that as he reveals this information to me, something stirs within him. He pauses as he debates something in his head, before finally choosing to tell me. "I think as my daughter, you should know the truth. At least before I pass," he chuckles. "I'm actually a wizard and werewolf hybrid. When I was young, and stupid, I was a terrible person. I was cruel and ruthless to anyone that opposed me. And because no pack wanted me because of what I was, I decided to create a pack of my own, made of up rogues who were of mixed bloods."

My brows raise, slowly putting the pieces together as he elaborates. "I found a boy, abandoned during a harsh winter. He was just like me. So, I adopted him and taught him much of the black magic I had mastered," he scoffs. "But, you know, people with our personalities are not so gentle."

He continues with a sad smile. "My boy's powers grew stronger each day, and so did his ambition. And eventually, he decided to challenge me for my position... I lost. Course, as ruthless as he was, he was going to kill me. But I escaped, and that's when you found me."

He takes my hand in his now, holding it close as he looks up at me. "So, you see, I was going to die three years ago. You've given me another three years of life. My death was only inevitable. My adopted son must've known I was here, and that's why he chose to poison the Blue Moon Pack's water. I'm responsible for this. You helped me escape my fate for a little while. But it's now time. I know it's time."

He gently wipes away my tears, before fishing for something out his pocket and placing the small object in my hand. I look down to see it is his badge. "I originally had two," he says, "One I gave to my son. And the second I wish to give to you, my daughter."

I'm distraught as I feel Mr. Barlow slipping away. He's still smiling as I slowly watch him close his eyes as he tilts his head to face the sun. And then, he utters a final sentence before he finally stops breathing. "You should know, my adopted son's name is Dorian."