As the minister started the ceremony, Axel did all he could to try and pay attention, but he struggled, his full attention stuck on Luna. He couldnβt get over how completely beautiful she was, and how completely lucky he was that everything had worked out between them. The ministerβs voice seemed to fade away as Axel kept his eyes on Lunaβs face, taking in every inch of her. He was in complete awe, not only by how she looked, but by the fact that sheβd chosen him to spend forever with.
Hearing the wordΒ βvowsβ was what brought Axel back into the moment. His heart started pounding in his chest, not only because he knew that he was just moments away from reading out his vows, but also because he was about to hear what Luna had written. Theyβd kept everything about their vows very secret from each other, and Axel had probably spent more time in the past few weeks working on his instead of actually doing any actual work. Luckily, H didnβt seem to mind. When Luna said she wanted to read hers first, Axel nodded his head gently, a soft smile on his face. He took a breath and let everyone else but Luna melt away while she spoke.
Lunaβs vows were perfect. So perfectly her and so perfectly them. By the time she finished speaking, he had to reach up to wipe away a stray tear. Even though not a day went by where they didnβt say how much they loved each other, they never really got as deep as this. But, that was the whole point of today. Letting out a small chuckle, Axel shook his head.Β βIβm not sure how Iβm gonna follow that up, but Iβll try my best.β
Clearing his throat, Axel pulled a piece of folded paper out of his jacket pocket, not to read off of, but just to keep him on track if he got lost. Heβd practised so many times that he was sure he had it memorised, but he didnβt want to take any risks.
βWell, shit.β he began, and he could feel his mother rolling her eyes without even looking at her, βWho wouldβve thought that a pub crawl between a couple of strangers would lead to this?Β What a wild ride weβve had. From waking up to you hitting me with a pillow, to waking up beside you every morning.β
Keeping his eyes on Luna, he continued. βThere is no other person on this earth that I could ever see forever with. Right from the beginning, youβve taken me as I am, youβve never tried to change me and not once have you ever judged me. All youβve ever done is love me, and thatβs more than I couldβve ever asked for.Β Youβre stubborn, pretty rude sometimes, and possibly the most annoying person Iβve ever met,β he said with a chuckle, βbut I truly believe that we were two halves of one soul, just waiting to find each other.β
With the folded piece of paper still in his hand, he started speaking as if it were just him and Luna there, as if it was just a private conversation between the two of them. βI knew within the first week of knowing you that you were it for me, that you were the one I was going to spend the rest of my life with.Β If we had all fucking day, I would stand here and list all of the moments that made me realize how much I love you, but I donβt think anyone wants to sit through that. So, instead, Iβll just talk about the moment that changed everything for me.β
His tone changed slightly, to something slightly more solemn, as he recalled the next part. βIt was right back in the first couple of weeks of us dating. After a fight with my mom and Maddox, I showed up on your doorstep and told you how I ended up where I was. I was honest with someone for the first time in months, it was scary and it was hard. You sat there and you listened, you didnβt kick me out, and you understood. Every day after that night, you, without even knowing it, helped me not only forgive myself, but you made me realize that it was okay to start making moves to heal my heart. I thought I had completely lost myself, but you, just by being you, helped me put my pieces back together. You embraced the broken parts of me and made me feel whole again.β
βIt was only a couple of months later that things nearly came to a crashing halt. We both realized our feelings and things took a turn. I was honestly worried that we were done and that was the worst feeling in the world. After a few days apart, once again, I showed up on your doorstep and lay my heart down at your feet. That was probably the scariest night of my life. You couldβve kicked my sorry ass out, but you didnβt. You asked me to be careful with your heart, and I promised I would. And here, today, I am making that promise to you again.β Putting the piece of paper back into his pocket, knowing he didnβt need it, Axel looked Luna straight in the eyes and smiled softly before making her a promise. βLuna, I promise to always be careful with your heart. I promise to carry it close always.β
For the first time since he started speaking, something from outside of the two of them caught his attention. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see his parents, smiling widely, holding each other, his mother with tears streaming down her face. He did his best to keep going. βYou are my best friend, my world, my everything and, most of all, my home. All I want is to annoy you every day for the rest of our lives. Iβve never loved anyone so much in my life. Thank you for just being you.Β Every day with you is an adventure and I canβt wait to see where life takes us next. I love you so much and I always will. Even if we get crazy drunk after this and I have to hold your hair back while you throw up, just like I promised back on that very first pub crawl. But, Iβll let you off holding mine back because I donβt think thatβs going to be an issue anymore, at least for a while.β
A chuckle escaped him before he got ready to drive this home. βBut, anyway. Iβve never been more ready or more sure about anything in my entire life. Plus, we still have a bunch more Disney movies to bang to.Β I canβt fucking wait for our lives to continue together.β
βAloha mau wau iΔ Κ»oe.β
Luna breathed a sigh of relief as she was finally done with her vows. She was never one who had a way with words. She expressed her feelings in a number of other ways, but words was never her best outlet. She sloppily folded her paper back up and put it back in her bra. She shook out her arms slightly and lifted her shoulders, letting out a deep breath as she relaxed.Β βOkay,β she whispered, prepared, but not fully, for Axelβs vows.
As soon as Axel started his vows, tears welled back up in Lunaβs eyes, but her gaze remained on Axel only. With each word he spoke, tears welled and overflowed which made Luna constantly wipe her face of tears and she became a sniffling mess. Somehow, someway, Axel was able to make everyone around them disappear and transport her back into the memories he spoke about, but her light brown eyes remained on him.
Towards the end of his vows, Luna was a smiling, yet tearful, mess, but his chuckle prompted a giggle to escape her. When he mentioned banging to Disney movies, Luna tilted her head where her chin touched her shoulder and she smirked, following with a dramatically seductive wink. Although her expression flicked back to one of admiration and love once he spoke to her in Hawaiian. A cheesy grin plastered across her lips before mouthing the phrase back to him, flashing the sign forΒ βI love youβ in ASL. She licked her lips and shook her head, almost in disbelief.Β βFuck, i really want to kiss you right now,β she whispered to Axel.Β βWe should move along then, shouldnβt we,β the minister uncomfortably interjected. A soft chuckle passed Lunaβs lips as she grasped Axelβs free hand, then looking to the minister as they took back control of the ceremony.Β
The minister went on with the traditional aspect of the ceremony, but Luna honestly didnβt hear a word of it. It wasnβt until He called for the rings that Luna was brought back down from cloud nine.Β βDo we have the rings ready?β the minister inquired, looking toward the two of them.Β βYes, yes, of course,β Luna said with a splash of panic in her tone as she looked to her sister beside her. She half signed forΒ βringβ and Sawyerβs eyes widened and pulled out the white gold ring, with a rose gold lining to match the metal of her own ring. A chessy grin fell on Lunaβs face again as she was handed the ring Axel would then wear for the rest of his life. As prompted, Luna took hold of Axelβs left hand.Β βWith this ring, I give you my heart,β Luna spoke softly, but just loudly enough for everyone to hear. Even though it seemed like the tears never stopped, Luna began to get a bit more teary again.Β βThis is like the adult version of friendship necklaces,β the brunette chuckled to her partner.