Bonus Chapter: Until Death Do Us Part

·Grace's POV·

This is it. Every choice I've made during my life has led to this very moment.

Right now I'm standing in front of a huge mirror, staring at a new, more mature and hopeful version of myself. It's almost funny really, how time flies when you are truly happy and content with your life.

Or mostly happy.

I won't deny that the loss of one of my best friend left a deep scar in my heart, one that will take years to heal-in case that it finally does. If it weren't for Archer helping me throughout the way, I would simply be an empty shell of skin and bones. He thinks I was his saviour. What he doesn't know is that, in the end, he was mine too.

As I said, all that happened has led me to where I am now. To my wedding day.

Five minutes ago you would have witnessed what a hectic situation looks like, but I begged my mom, dad and my four bridesmaids for five minutes of solitude. Before walking down the aisle, I needed this alone time.

The short sleeved ivory wedding dress fits me like a glove, along with the nude stilettos. Despite everyone's opinion of how my dress should be, I remained loyal to my style: classy yet stunning. A pompous princess gown isn't my thing, to be honest. And for the makeup and hair style, the almond shape of my eyes is emphasized with my signature brownish-nude smokey eye and my lips painted with the softest nude lipstick; my face framed with lose strands of hair perfectly fallen from my braided bun.

"That's all I wanted. To be the best version of myself, from now on." I think as I take in my image in the mirror. I wonder what will be Archer's reaction and if he is just as nervous as I am.

With a shaky sigh, I made my way to the hotel room door and opened it. Focused on the corridor ahead, I say as sure and elated as I'll ever be:

"I'm ready."

***

·Archer's POV·

My God. After months of agonizing wait, the time has come. I'm marrying Grace in less than an hour.

"We leave in five minutes to the church, Archer." Logan appears out of nowhere and steps into the hotel room.

"Okay."

Then, Aaron comes into view too and walks towards me. He pats my back two times and fixes the lapels of my black tuxedo, along with my dark tie. Someone must have sent me a message, because the screen suddenly turned on showing my favorite photo to date. One of Grace smiling at me while holding a cup of coffee inside a café in Paris during our last trip together.

A smile crept across my face instantly. I surely cannot wait to see her walking down the aisle towards me and tell her for the millionth time how much I love her.

"You are one lucky bastard." My childhood best friend told me.

"Lucky indeed." I replied not losing sight of the screen.

"I never thought I..." He started again. He couldn't finish the sentence, a knot forming in his throat because of the emotion.

I never thought I would see you getting married.

I never thought I would see you this happy.

I never thought I would see you again.

The possibilities are endless.

This time I turned around and looked at him: "Neither did I."

His eyes were shiny with unshed tears, proudness written all over his face. When Grace asked me to pick a best man for the ceremony, my choice was obvious. Aaron was and always will be my best friend, even after forty long years. This kind of friendship never dies.

"Okay, time to go bro." Noah declared while fidgeting with his wedding ring out of nervousness.

"Let's do this."

***

·Isaac's POV·

Wedding. A celebration of true love and never ending commitment to the person you will spend the rest of your existence with. 'Till death do you both part.

Some people find that one person, and others sit waiting for them to turn up whenever they feel like it.

I, Isaac Harris, am part of the second group, the lone wolves.

But my friend Grace is not. Today is the demonstration of the fact. She is getting married to the love of her life after all, isn't she? Archer. The perfect example of how a gentleman should be like: intelligent, caring and romantic beyond belief, successful, good looking... Damn Grace, if you don't marry that man, I will.

She would kill me right in the spot if I tried to sabotage the ceremony, not caring about being in a church. And what a church, let me tell you. It's weird that they decided to tie the knot in the church of an almost burnt correctional where, may I add, Grace was almost killed by a thing called 'the darkness' (yes, I was told the truth about what happened that horrific day, for you information).

They are just like that. A weird couple. However, looking back to when they met and the following months, I kinda feel why the want to get married there. It symbolizes their story, all the obstacles they had to overcome. Together in that same place. That's how it all started and that's how it will all end.

Throwing my cigarette out of the window and landing on the concrete, I decide it's time for me to step out of the car.

Five minutes before Archer arrives.

"Isaac! There you are!" Toli yelled at me from the entrance of the church.

"Here I am."

"Get inside asap. It's almost starting." Katie prodded, holding Iris between her exposed arms. In spite of their mad bridesmaid appearance, I must add that Grace has good taste. They both look splendid in their burgundy gowns, as well as baby Iris with her cream puffy dress with a bow in the same color as her mother's gown.

Being pulled by the arm and being manhandled by Toli is one action I've getting used to since we first met many years ago. It never gets old.

As I sat in the front row waiting for the ceremony to start, I see Archer walking through the church's entrance, a winner-kind-of smile adorning his face as he greets his acquaintances. Seconds later he reached the front row.

"Hey man. You ready?" I add, shaking his hand.

"Without a doubt Isaac. I've waited long enough."

"You better go now. She must be about to enter."

Archer responded with a nod and positioned himself in front of the altar.

Just as if the orchestra had heard me, they started to play the Pachelbel Canon, signaling the bride's entrance.

Archer's face lit up as the first notes of the famous canon and his best men accompanied by the bridesmaids entered. He knew that within mere seconds, his beautiful bride would be walking towards him.

Walking towards a new future together.

Wait, did I say beautiful? Let me rephrase that.

His breathtaking bride.

Grace lit up the whole room with her elegant presence, like a literal angel: ethereal and majestic. That's when I couldn't help it anymore, I had to glance at the groom.

Boy, did he look stunned. His face showed utter adoration and something unknown to me. Something so pure and indescribable, worth the appreciation.

Love. They both were head over heels in love with each other, their expressions were the only proof I needed. In front of where I'm standing, we have Archer, subtly trying to wipe away his happy tears while admiring his soon-to-be wife - capturing every movement, every gesture, every detail of this moment and saving it inside his memory for eternity.

And behind me, Grace. She is beaming and glowing of happiness right now, not caring about the whole crowd around her. All her attention is focused on the man waiting for her by the altar. That's all that matters to Grace right now, the need to reach his side and proclaim their love once again. But this time, officially.

It hit me then, just by gazing at the two of them. Maybe it is really worth it. Maybe waiting for your one true love is worth the wait in the end.

"Dear friends and family, we are all gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of this man and this woman in holy matrimony." The preach started. "There comes a moment when decisions must be made. Two people, like you two, who love each other must ask themselves what to hopefully expect from their relationship, as their love grows and deepens, and how many risks they are willing to take. Commitment may well be a fearful gamble. Because it is the nature of love to create, a marriage itself is something which has to be created by the strongest of forces ever known by the human race. As we come together in marriage, we become a unity. Together, you shall overcome the obstacles that are thrown in your way, for as long as you shall live."

The groom mouthed a simple yet so meaningful "I love you" to her bride, which she replied to the same way. Some time later, they were asked to say their vows out loud. Taking her hands, Archer began:

"Grace, my Grace. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity, to be standing here in front of our family and friends, declaring my undeniable devotion to you. You, my beautiful angel, were, still are and forever will be the brightest light illuminating the darkest of days. Don't ever doubt my words, for they come from the bottom of my heart. Every smile you dedicate to me, every kiss we share-" He raised an eyebrow at her. "-every witty comeback of yours in response to my childishness. " That gained the laugh of the guests (even the priest, Father Anthony). "They all are heaven sent, they are what I need to keep myself going. It's you all I need. And you know what, Grace? I don't remember what fear feels like, because I have you. To go to bed at night holding you and to wake up the following day by your side. That's all I ask from life, that's all I ask from the second chance I was once offered. To be beside you 'till my final breath."

Grace is trying so hard to fight her rebel tears back, as pointless as it may be. Come on! After that speech? Even I, the love hater itself, am crying like a freaking baby. She should be getting her shit together, because it's her turn after Archer takes her hand and puts the wedding ring around her finger.

"Ever since I was a little girl, I've always dreamed of finding my prince charming. Someone who would swim the deepest oceans and climb the highest mountains in order to rescue me. In my mind, he was perfect -every girl's ideal boy. But one night, Archer, I met you. You are not perfect and neither am I. But you know what? I don't care and never had. Because we are perfect for each other. That's what love is really about, finding someone who completes you, who makes you feel wanted. You are that someone, Archer. I thank my lucky stars every night for having you beside me after almost losing you forever. So when you feel I'm holding you closer to me, it's because I refuse to let you walk out of my life. Wherever you go, my heart will follow, for you are the love of my life."

Pure adoration is what Archer's face showed while Grace was saying her vows. He extended his arm and caressed his bride's cheek lovingly as she put him the wedding ring. A gesture so simple yet so meaningful.

"Archer." The priest shook him out of his daze. The latter must have caught the hint, 'cause he nodded:

"Do you, Archer Gray Sutcliffe, take Grace Marie Lancaster to be your lawful wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

Not even two seconds had passed when he replied, as if his answer was more than evident:

"I do."

"And you, Grace Marie Lancaster, take Archer Gray Sutcliffe to be your lawful husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do." She said as eagerly as Archer.

"You have expressed your love to one another through the promises you have just made. It is with these in mind that I pronounce you husband and wife. You have kissed a thousand times, maybe more, but today the feeling is new. No longer simply partners and best friends, you have become husband and wife and can now seal the agreement with a kiss, for today, your kiss is a promise. You may kiss the bride."

In a swift movement, Archer takes hold of her wife's waist and dips her- taking my friend by surprise- and closes the distance between their lips to seal the marriage. Everyone in the room erupted in applause and cheered for them, as I did.

What a beautiful scene, I swear. I guess that shedding some tears after the vows were said wasn't enough, because I was crying again after witnessing such the act of true love.

I'm so going to scold those two love birds for making me look like a mess.

The rest was all a big blur, lots of people surrounding the happy couple to congratulate them. My cue to go.

"Isaac!" Grace shouted from behind.

When I looked at her, she smiled and continued:

"Leaving before taking a photo with all of us?" The bride smirked as if she had just caught a naughty child in the middle of his antic.

"Never, honey- the photo wouldn't be the same. I warn you though, I may eclipse you with all of this sensuality."

"I'll risk it, don't worry 'bout that."

I positioned myself in between Logan and Roland, who was holding Iris. Showing my million dollar smile, the photographer finally took the first of millions of pictures.

The only thing i had in mind during the photoshoot was: When are we going to eat?!

****

Four hours, a three course meal and a piece of wedding cake later, I can surely say that this is by far the best wedding I've attended.

It's a shame that I don't have anyone to share this experience with...

"Ladies and gentlemen! The moment you all have been waiting for has arrived: The couple's first dance together! As far as I've been told, the bride was looking forward to this..."

People laughed seeing how martyred Grace looked, Archer resting his arm around her shoulders with a smug expression. Of course it was him who told the DJ, who else?

They both made their way to the middle of the dance floor as the music started to play.

Hello reaper. Have we met? Still so many things I haven't said.

I was watching them from the bar, drowning my sorrows in Martinis. That's when a girl (who looked very familiar, may I add) appeared by my side, sitting on the stool next to mine.

"Quite the marriage, huh?" The unknown woman asked me.

"Indeed."

So please don't take her away, but if you do, I'm just skin and bones. I know that there's room...

"Bride or groom?" I questioned.

"Both. I'm an... old friend." She answered. "That kind of love is really hard to find. So pure."

"Tell me about it girl. I've kinda lost all hope."

She stared at me wearing a sheepish smile.

"Remember my words Isaac. Love comes when you least expect it, and when you find it, oh God, it is worth every second you felt desperately alone."

"If you say so..."

And now you are here, dressed in white. Guess you heard my voice on all those lonely nights.

"Trust me, I'm an expert in this field." She took me by the shoulders and turned me around. My eyes met a pair of deep gray ones. Who I suppose was the wedding planner, after being caught, smiled at me.

I couldn't help but smile back at him.

"Go get him, tiger. He's the one , Isaac." The girl prodded.

"I can try, but... how do you know my name? Who are you?"

"We've met before in the past, you just don't remember." She started walking away until she suddenly turned her head around enough to show me her face. "Oh, and my name is Ella, by the way." She winked before disappearing into the crowd.

Ella...

I looked at the wedding planner again, his smile increasing as I approached.

And you're holding on to your final breath. When you walk out the door, know that I will too.

I hope they build coffins for two.

I hope they build coffins for two.

Before willingly making my way to what may be my next heartbreak, I glance one last time at Archer and Grace as the song finishes. If you pay close attention to the signs, you will notice how much they need each other. Their love will last forever, not even death will do them part. They showed me that no matter how hard things might get, you need to keep fighting for the future you want to live. Calm your darkness, find someone who helps you get back on your feet and who does not fear helping you fight against your inner demons.

Someone who is willing to take you as you are, not minding the existence of your flaws.

Love means overcoming your deepest fears.

Love means accepting your soul mate for who they are.

Love means commitment to that special someone.

Grace and Archer have found true love.

Maybe... just maybe...we all can find it too, someday.

When it's real, you can't walk away from it.

Even if you try.

*****

A.N: Here it is, the first bonus chapter. It has been long since I last posted, but I hope it is worth it. This chapter comes from the bottom of my heart and I really hope you all notice it and enjoy it .

Love,

M³

P. S:Archer and Grace's wedding song is at the top of the chapter. Here are some photos too (I know some of you love seeing them).

Engagement ring.

Grace's dress.

Bridesmaids' dresses.

Archer's tuxedo.