Marriage isn't a ring worn or a paper signed. It is not something endured but savoured. It is the union of two hearts beating as one, each that would sacrifice for the other's happiness and wellbeing. Marriage is something so beautiful that in that natural world it would be an opening rose, always with radiant petals left to unfurl to a warm sun. Perhaps that is why we give roses to those we love and often have them at our sacred unions. Marriage is the blessing we give to one another, an eternal bond of soul-mates.

Jackson stood waiting at the alter a month later. He looked at the boys who stood in a line next to him, smiling at him encouragingly. He was a nervous wreck, his hands were callous as he looked around at the scene. He had to hand it to his mother and sister-in-law for the preparations they had made in such a small amount of time. The venue was on the beach beautifully decorated in white dancing with the morning light, lilies and other beautiful white flowers decorated the scene.

He smiled as his mother and father who waved to him giving him the thumbs up as he smiled back at them. He looked around, talking to the boys as he waited in anticipation until he heard a soft song playing in the background, watching as everyone settled into silence as Jackson's hands rested in front of him. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her entourage approach the isle, her bridesmaids going on their trek down the isle. The girls smiled at Jackson giving him looks of encouragement as he watched Amy walk to him throwing flowers everywhere cutely,  he bent down as she kissed his cheek, hugging him before she went to stand next to the girls.

The soft music picked up momentum as he finally saw her, his breath catching in his throat as Mark walked her down the isle. She smiled at those around her before her eyes remained transfixed to his.

She was beautiful. Her stunning white lace dress was off the shoulder highlighting one of his favourite features, he watched as the train of her dress and veil combined followed after her as Mark clasped her hand tightly in his. Her hair was tied into a curly low bun, with pieces framing her face. Her make up was done to perfection enhancing her already pretty face, her eyes emphasised under the eye liner and mascara, her lips coated in a  nude colour, her pearly white teeth shining as she smiled. Everyone's attention was fixated on her as they finally reached the alter, Jackson stretching out his hand as him and Mark both helped her. She smiled at them as Mark put her other hand in Jackson's leaning in to whisper. "Look after my sister." Jackson nodded, before looking at Irene as she handed Wendy her flowers as Suelgi and Joy sorted out the lower half of her dress. The officiator turning out to be Bambam as everyone looked on shocked. "Hello, today we are here to witness the blessed union between Jackson and Irene...." he looked at them as Bambam continued. "I understand that you both prepared vows so Irene..." she looked at him smiling as Jackson squeezed her hands reassuringly.  "Our journey started abruptly, the first time I met you, I felt myself become captivated by your presence, the way in which your aura comes off to those around you is a feeling that is unreal. I remember our first date when we first met each other, the way in which I opened up to you, the way in which I opened up my heart to the possibility of loving you and being committed to you is something I've always run from. I've been scared for so long, but I never feel that with you. You make me want to be more reckless, to live in the moment and understand that there is more to life than just work, because we all know I'm practically married to my work...." she paused as they heard laughter in the crowd, she laughed as Wendy made a noise in agreement before continuing. "But more importantly, through your friendship you've made me believe that I am enough, that all my accomplishments mean something. You've taught me not to listen to the insecurities that I force myself to listen to. It's been a short while, but the damage my heart has suffered over the years is beginning to recover...to heal. I want to say a big thank you before I start my actual vows because through you I finally have a complete family. I have a mother and father who aren't ashamed to call me their daughter, they don't treat me as a daughter-in-law but as though I was always apart of your family. I have a brother and sister-in-law that I can seek guidance through, you have given me a beautiful niece that I absolutely cherish and adore with all my heart, but you've also reunited me with my brothers and given me more in the process. Mark, Bam and Jinyoung.... you've reunited me with them and I can't thank you enough for that...JB, Yugyeom and Youngjae you've gifted me as other brothers to help complete my family of sisters that have been the only real support for me. So thank you...." she took a deep breath. "From this day forth I vow to stand by your side through thick and thin, through sickness and health, through wealth or poverty I promise I will be there when you need me, I promise to laugh with you, cry with you but most importantly hold your hand through it all. I promise that I will love you and only you from this day forth even if there comes a point when you don't want me...I'll fight for you. For us.." she smiled as he wiped a tear that fell from her lotus like eyes as Bambam watched her. Everyone was in tears at her words. Bambam slapped Jackson on the shoulder "You best not hurt her." He warned quietly as he looked at him vocalising louder. "And moving onto Jackson, your vows please..." Jackson paused, his mind flashing to Youngji as he stared into Irene's eyes, her smile bright  as his own met hers. His heart kicked out the very thought of Youngji as mind was overcome by his heart. He smiled up at her. "Today, Irene, I join my life to yours, not merely as your husband, but as your friend, hopefully your lover, and your confidant. Let me be the shoulder you lean on, the rock on which you rest, the companion of your life. With you I will walk my path from this day forward. I asked myself the other day how to be a good husband, I asked my parents, I looked around and I couldn't find a perfect definition but if I could summaries it in one word, I'd say it's devotion. Devotion to each other, to life, to making things better when they fall apart. Devotion is something that I've watched you practice in everything you do, your work, to your friends and family and even to me when I haven't done anything to deserve it. So first of all I promise try and always to give you the same devotion and respect that you give to me. I vow to always protect you from harm. To stand with you against your troubles. And to look to you when I need protection, because I have faith that you are strong enough and capable enough to stand without me when I'm away. The uncertainty that I'll be leaving you with is something I wish I could erase but I can't. I can never promise I'll come home...but I can promise I'll try. I'll fight, and I'll fight my way through blood, fire and smoke if it means I can see your face again. I vow to be your biggest partner in crime. From the marriages I've watched I've learned and begun to understand that this is about teamwork, and we are in our own team. I'll be your number one fan when you feel like your not good enough, I'll cheer you on whenever I can. I'll hold your hand if you ask me to, and I'll hold the weight of your world if the burden becomes to much. I promise to be there to catch you if you should stumble, carry you over every threshold, and fall in love with you every day. But most importantly I promise that I'll be careful with your heart." She smiled her eyes watering as she smiled up at him.  Bambam looked between the two "I'm not crying..." he said, wiping away the tears "Geez are you guys planning to kill everyone before the party and food so you can get your money back." The crowd laughed as Jackson kicked Bambam causing him to wince. "Gosh someone's impatient." Jackson shook his head, as Bambam fixed his suit before standing again. "Can we have the rings...." Wendy handed Irene Jackson's as she gently took his hand. "With this ring, I thee wed, and with it, I bestow upon thee all the treasures of my mind, heart, and hands" she said whilst slipping the ring on his finger as the audience applauded. Jinyoung handed Jackson her ring as he took her hand looking into her eyes. "With this ring, I thee wed, and with it, I bestow upon thee all the treasures of my mind, heart, and hands." He smiled as the wedding band graced her milk white skin, he brought her hand up to his lips kissing the ring as his eyes remained attached to hers. Bambam quickly took her hand as Jackson looked at him fuming. "Save that for later Jack." He laughed nervously watching the murderous look on his face. "By the power vested in me i now pronounce you husband and wife.....you may kiss the bride." Irene and Jackson smiled at each other, his hands wrapping securely around her waist as hers wrapped around his neck, his lips claiming hers as their eyes closed. Jackson dipped her slightly as she smiled against his lips, the applause becoming notably louder as they heard Bambam screech. "Mr and Mrs Wang everyone." They parted as everyone's smiled cheering up at them. Jackson bent down whispering in her ear. "Irene Wang...has a nice ring to it...don't you think." She smiled back up at him "Yeah it does."

TBC

Authors note:
I've been nice giving you guys all these sweet moments, this doesn't happen often so take it because things are about to change. He was remembering Youngji whilst he was marrying Irene...what does this mean in the aftermath of their wedding, will the relative strength they built fall through? Stay tuned to find out. I hope you like this one it part of their birthday week special. Let me know what your thoughts are about this one. Lots of love.