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*PLAY THE SONG ABOVE FOR FULL EFFECT*

TWO YEARS after the unforgettable proposal, the day had finally come. The air was sweet with the smell of fresh flowers, the breeze soft and calm like nature itself was blessing the union.

The venue was nothing short of a dream: white roses adorned the aisles, soft green vines framed the altar, and sparkling chandeliers hung above, catching the sunlight and casting little rainbow prisms on the glossy floor.

Their wedding had a theme that felt close to their hearts—Princess and the Frog, white and green elegance with touches of gold. It wasn't just a nod to one of their favorite Disney stories, it was symbolic. Tiana and Naveen, like them, had to work for their love. There were trials, transformations, even dark moments—but in the end, they found something real, something magical.

Before any guests arrived, the building was quiet. D'kazi had asked everyone to wait outside for a little longer. He stood in the center of the reception hall, head bowed, Sariyah's best friend's father on one side, and a few of his closest friends on the other. They formed a circle, and D'kazi led them in a soft, humble prayer.

"Father, we come to You with gratitude. Protect this union, this building, this love. Let no spirit, no energy, no person who doesn't have love in their heart enter. Surround us with Your peace. Thank You for this day, for this love. Amen."

Across the hall, in the bridal suite, Sariyah had her own quiet moment. Makeup done, veil in hand, her heart a mix of nerves and excitement. She bowed her head and whispered her own prayer, hands folded over her lap.

"God, You've watched every step. You've seen every tear. I don't come to You asking for a perfect life, just the strength to build a beautiful one with the man You gave me. Thank You for trusting me to love D'kazi. Let this day be holy. Amen."

Before they saw each other, before the grand reveal, there was one more intimate moment planned. Just outside the bridal suite, with a door separating them, D'kazi stood on one side, and Sariyah on the other. They reached for each other's hands behind the wood, not looking, only feeling. Their fingers intertwined naturally.

"I'm not looking," Sariyah whispered, smiling through her nerves.

"Me either," D'kazi chuckled softly. "Saving that first look for the aisle."

There was a pause. They let the silence stretch, holding hands, feeling the magnitude of the moment. Then, in the quiet, they prayed together.

"God," D'kazi began.

"Thank You for bringing us through every shadow and into light," Sariyah added.

"We're not perfect. But together... we're home."

After the prayer, they whispered their private vows to one another. Nothing loud, nothing fancy—just promises from their hearts, with only a door and God between them.

Not long after, the ceremony began.

Outside in the garden chapel, guests filled the white chairs. Dominique stood proudly near the front in his tiny tuxedo, ring box held carefully in his little hands. Saleah, their one-year-old flower girl, was just finishing her nap.

Her curls were decorated with a tiny flower crown, and she giggled as the flower attendant helped her toddle down the aisle with her basket.

D'kazi stood at the altar, adjusting his cuffs, nervous energy running through him like fire. His heart raced—not from fear, but because he knew the moment he laid eyes on her, he'd never be the same.

Sariyah took a deep breath behind the entrance curtain, holding tightly to the arm of her best friend's father. She blinked back tears—not from sadness, but from everything. The weight of the past, the gratitude of the present, the hope for the future.

She didn't have blood family walking her down the aisle, but she had someone who had loved and guided her like one.

A man who supported her and made her feel like she had value when her own family tried to dim her light. She squeezed his arm, and he gave her a nod of reassurance.

The music began. The soft piano rendition of
"First time" swelled in the air.

As the curtain opened, and Sariyah stepped forward, time slowed.

D'kazi saw her.

His breath caught. His hands trembled. His eyes—those dark, protective, intense eyes—welled with tears.

She looked like a dream. Her gown sparkled like starlight, the veil flowing behind her like something out of a fairy tale. Her eyes met his and it was over. He broke. Silent tears rolled down his cheeks as he watched the woman who changed everything walk toward him with grace and strength.

The guests were moved to tears too. Cameras were banned until after the ceremony, but a painter quietly worked in the back, already sketching the moment she reached him.

Dominique clapped softly when his mommy reached the altar, whispering, "She's so pretty," before the attendant gently guided him to sit nearby.

The officiant smiled warmly. "Today, in the presence of God, family, and friends, we unite two souls who have already survived storms together."

When it was time for vows, D'kazi took a shaky breath and held Sariyah's hands.

"I've loved you through dark nights and bright days. I've watched you become a mother, my partner, my home. Today, I vow to never stop choosing you. Through every storm. Every season. You are my forever."

Sariyah's voice cracked as she spoke.

"You didn't just love me—you saw me. Even the pieces I tried to hide. You never asked me to be perfect, just honest. I promise to be your peace, your strength, your soft place to fall. Forever."

With Dominique beaming and Saleah giggling nearby, they exchanged rings and sealed it with a kiss that ignited cheers and joyful cries.

The celebration after was pure joy. There was a bounce house for the kids, a supervised play area, and delicious food. Adults danced and laughed. Friends cried as the newlyweds shared their first dance. And somewhere, on a canvas being painted live, was the eternal moment where two souls, once lost and wounded, found their home in each other.

And in that garden, under a canopy of love, D'kazi and Sariyah began not just their marriage—but the rest of their forever.

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