A/N: I'm just going to tell everything I want to tell you after ya'll read this!

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6 years later

Iris' POV

I've been dating Kevin for like six years now, and I have no idea why on earth I am palpitating on the day of my wedding. The satin knee-length robe wraps my body delicately as Karen styles my hair.

"One more strand to be fixed ......and done!" she announces.

"Can I see the mirror now?" I ask but she shakes her head.

"Not when your face is bare, woman!" she scolds. "You don't need contouring today because you already look famished!" she comments as she brings her collection of makeup into the dresser.

"What do you mean by that?!" I ask as she begins putting the primer on my face.

"Ever since we fixed the date for the wedding, you have not been eating well and a reason... has gotten skinny." she begins.

"But I wanted to lose weight before the wedding, Karen!" I argue.

"Kevin loves you with a little flab, Iris. And trust me, you look so much better like that. Why would you want to look like one of those malnourished models you see in Vogue? And that too at your own wedding!" she reasons.

"You can make me look pretty with the makeup. Forget it!" I say and she moves on to dab the foundation on my face and neck.

She proceeds in silence as the soft piano music plays in the room. Ever after Karen's coronation, I and Kevin switch our times between New York and Eponine. Karen was often busy with the country affairs but we did find plenty of time to hang out, even when I and Kevin were busy with college.

Kevin got into Harvard on a sports scholarship and I have enrolled in New York University, both of us doing different courses, so it was hard doing long distance as well. Luckily, Kevin's course was a four-year program as opposed to my seven-year medical course, so he was able to come back soon.

Yeah, I'm a med student now.

We got engaged soon after, in this beautiful place, where he set up lit candles and food and popped the question. Caspian and Karen, being the pranksters they are, took many pictures while in hiding and displayed them to the whole of Eponine. The people loved seeing us about to get married.

After all, I'm their favorite mermaid.

 So, today is my wedding.

"You nervous?" asks Karen.

I inhale before answering. "I more nervous about tonight, rather than the actual ceremony, to be honest!"

Karen laughs. "Oh, he's gonna wreck you!"

My eyes widen on hearing that. 

No, Kevin won't do that! He promised to be gentle with me.

"I hear the noises you and Caspian make almost every night. It's not like Kevin will do that!" I argue and Karen smirks.

"We'll see...." she smirks and I raise an eyebrow. "You know what's funny? The fact that you work with actual cadavers and you're not scared of that, but you're are scared of sex!"

I huff. "Jesus, I am not scared of it, okay! All I have is first time jitters and you're making a big deal out of it!" I scoff. 

"Yeah, maybe ya'll will make more noise than me and Caspian!"

My eyes literally roll to the back of my head.

"Thankfully, I don't think Kevin is as kinky as Caspian. You'll never be able to handle that!"

"Don't!" I warn. "Don't tell me the details of what happens in your bedroom! Please! The last I want is to puke before my wedding!"

Again, Queen Katarina laughs heartily.

She finishes my makeup, praising herself for her success and I turn around to look at myself in the mirror.

She did such a great job!

The girl who looks back at me is just..... me. Exactly me. Simple and elegant but yet.... beautiful. Nothing fake, nothing overboard, she just transformed me into a more....sophisticated version.

Strands of my brown hair adorn the sides of my face. My blue eyes look enhanced inside my eyelids, with thick dark eyelashes that pop its color. A light pink blush heats up my cheeks and a light pink shade of lipstick complements the blush.

"Look at you!" Karen squeals and the blush on my cheeks redden further. "Kevin's gonna fall in love with you all over again."

I giggle.

God, I miss him. It's been thirty-six hours since I last saw him. Karen, Caspian, and even Delmar wouldn't let the two of see each other until we're at the altar. 

Karen brings the dress to me, and I slip out of my robe, underneath which I wear bridal lingerie which she specifically selected for me. And I have never felt sexier. Before stepping into my dress, I take a look at my sexy self, just to make sure about what Kevin will be seeing tonight. The last thing I want is to make a fool of myself.

I get into my dress and Karen zips it up. I adjust any fabric tucked in at the wrong places and then put on my garter as well. My drop earrings are the last part and after some finishing touches, I'm ready.

"And that is more than enough for Kevin to drop his jaw on the floor!" my mother's voice echoes.

"Mom!"

"You look astonishing, dear!" my dad tells from behind her. I hug both of them, and Karen squeals, afraid that I might ruin her hard work on me.

"Kevin's mom gave me this..." she tells, handing me a small, sapphire studded, headpiece. "It's like a family accessory for the daughters-in-law, for them. You have to wear it."

"And that is exactly what she needs!" Karen tells, setting the piece on my head. "Wonderful! Look at her Rebecca!"

We exchange our usual sentiments, with my dad being the most emotional. He reminisces about me being a little girl, wearing a white dress, tottering around my house, calling myself a bride, and now here I am.

Delmar used some sort of Eponian magic to transform into a human because he badly wanted to attend our wedding, or in more specific words, his partner in crime's wedding. However, some of my friends have been throwing themselves at him ever since he arrived. But they can't be blamed for his merman energy.

I remember attracting monks!

My bridesmaids (friends from college) walk the aisle first with their respective dates followed by Karen and Caspian who are my Maid of Honour and Kevin's Best Man, respectively.

And when the time comes, I take my father's arm.

The doors to the altar open and my breath hitches in my throat. My eyes focus on the long aisle in front of me at the end of which stands my handsome groom.

Upon my sight of him, I struggle to hold back the tears that threaten to fall. Kevin however, literally starts sobbing as my dad walks me forward, and turns around to grab a tissue from Caspian.

My eyes focus solely on him, as I place each foot forward, praying that I won't trip. Our pace is excruciatingly slow, with me wanting nothing more than to run into Kevin's arms and exchange our vows to look after each other for life. But no, slow makes memories stay longer.

The light violin music plays the song that I had always wanted to walk down the aisle to. A thousand years. I may have mentioned it to him sometime years back, but he remembered it.

I exchange a quick with my dad before I climb the few stairs that lead me to him.

"You remembered!" I beam and he nods.

"How could I forget, babe?" he winks, grinning, although his eyes still remain glossy. And here I thought, I was the emotional one. "You have no idea how gorgeous you look!"

"I thought I saw the most handsome man in the world at the coronation. But boy, I was wrong!" I giggle. I did have a hard time fighting an urge to rip off both mine and his clothes that day, though. It was like an animalistic instinct for me. Maybe I'll tell him about that on our anniversary or something.

When our friends and family take their seats, the minister clears his throat.

"Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, and to cherish the words with shall unite Kevin Elmer Brown and Iris Charlotte Evans in marriage....."

I listen to all the words the minister voices while keeping my eyes fixed on my husband-to-be. Everything that we had been through so far, flashes before my eyes and takes me back to that day when we first met. When Karen introduced us at Coffilicious back when we were in sophomore year of high school.

The shy, nerdy Iris never knew that she would one day marry the curly-headed, green-eyed, player boy whom she never thought she would ever trust. She never knew that that boy would be the very reason she wanted to live. He seemed too playful, too flirty for her quiet nature. And yet here we are now, holding hands in the altar as we are about to exchange the vows that will tie us for life.

I pour out my heart and soul in confessing the strength of my love for him. He doesn't hold back either. After all, this is our day. Our moment to show. And then the minister spills the words that I've wanted to hear my whole life.

"..... I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The minister smiles at us both, his eyes settling on me.

Kevin doesn't need telling twice. He grins ear to ear, as he snakes an arm around my waist and pulls me flush against his body, connecting his lips with mine. I thought that he would keep it PG-13 for the congregation gathered around us but instead, he gives me all he's got.

After all, it's our first kiss as man and wife!

◈The End◈

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A/N: Oh my god! I have finally completed my first ever book. I'm just so emotional and proud right now that I managed to complete a whole story out of my mind. I have felt very connected to these characters that I created and mind you, Iris is actually the quietest and most innocent side of me. 

I started this book in March 2020 when I had nothing to do, and an idea of a trio of friends finding a gem kept hanging in my head. That was the time, I was fully into Wattpad reading and then I guessed, why not give my book a try. And now here I am. 

Special thanks to my IRL bestie Aru818 for helping a lot with this book. Caspian and Darius were the characters that weren't in my mind initially and it was her who suggested me to put in a villain and a love triangle. Her contribution to this book is loads. 

Karen was inspired by her actually, and there have been instances where I asked @Aru818 how she would react to a given situation.  

And last but not least, my readers who have read and voted since the beginning. You guys are the treasure that I will always keep in mind, and I am grateful to each and every one of you who has given this book a chance. 

Thank you very much!

- Ana Starr