Beginning to move forward, the doors open and I step out into the daylight.

Pure, golden sunlight crosses my eyes in the first initial seconds. Blinding me with strong light, it slowly wears off as we move forward. Three rows on either side of the aisle are filled with our loved ones, smiling at me with teary watery eyes that shine with pride. Delicate pink and white flowers that are intertwined rest on the back of the white seats. I hear the click of the photographer as I move down the aisle.

We had distracted the paparazzi by announcing our engagement two weeks ago - so no-one could guess that we would have a wedding so soon. Throwing them off, we've kept our wedding small and secluded. So far, so good and the glints of hope are slowly turning into a raging fire as I think we can get away with this. I know we will, everything inside of me is shouting that we will.

I'm half aware of the pressure of my Dad's hand against my own. The continuous muffled happy murmurs from my Mom. But I'm only briefly aware of it all, however, as every single minuscule detail evaporates into nothingness as soon as my eyes land on Theo. Dressed in black slacks with a white shirt and pale pink tie, his hair frames his beaming face in an array of rebellion. His eyes catch mine and I drown in their chocolate depths, savoring every moment as I realise I get to look into them for the rest of my life.

My heart pounds against my chest in an erratic thump, thump, thump, but I'm only briefly concerned that it may be audible. My dad comes to a stop at the end of the aisle and I nearly stumble forward as I continue walking towards Theo. Nobody notices it apart from him, the action making his smile wider - if that's even possible.

Kissing me on the cheek, my Dad murmurs, "I'm so proud of you." Before taking his place by his seat.

Shocked by a wave of emotion, I hesitantly clear my throat as Theo takes my hand, drawing me closer to his body. I pass off my flowers to Clara, who stands with tears in her eyes. Turning back, I face Theo and let out a breath. He's the kind of beautiful that makes you want to take a moment to appreciate what you're looking at and so I take exactly that as the officiant welcomes everybody.

I memorize the curl of his lips, the depth of his eyes. His unruly hair and the strength of his hands placed in mine. The strong body, the broad shoulders. How he calculates the right moment to squeeze my hands with the pressure that screams I love you. I take a moment to appreciate every detail that he is and as I stand there, pride expanding in my chest as I take this man as my own. We've waited three years to get married, but the wait is worth it.

I'm briefly aware of the mention of vows, but nothing kicks in until Theo squeezes my hand and takes a deep breath. My breathing stops completely as I will myself to stay standing.

Thump, thump, thump.

"Alex, it's a miracle we've gotten here," He begins and a murmur of agreement runs through the crowd. "We were forbidden in the beginning but there wasn't a single thing they could throw at us to stop me being with you. You are the person for me. My forever. My light at the end of the tunnel. I'll spend my life proving that to you. I love you, Alexandria Woods."

The tears that had been threatening to begin to slowly slip down my cheeks. Theo smiles and brushes one away with the pad of his thumb but I wave my hand in argument - there's no point anyway. I briefly take a moment to look around the room and I'm met with the sight of almost every person with teary eyes. Taking a deep breath, I squeeze Theo's hands before beginning.

"You don't need to prove anything to me Theo because I know that you love me as much as I love you. But there was never a moment our relationship felt forbidden to me, Theo. Not a single one. From day one you've made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. You've been my rock when things have crumbled down and the first person I've wanted to celebrate with when things were good. You've always been my soulmate Theo - no contracts could ever define that. I love you too much for them to ever stop us." I finish with a shaky breath and Theo looks at me with love storming his eyes.

Rings are exchanged and official words are said. None of it matter to either of us in complete honesty. Theo mouths I love you whilst they carry on with the ceremony and Clara has to nudge me in the back to say I do when I get lost in him for the millionth time. But it's our ceremony and all that matters is today we make our relationship official. I tune back into the present just in time.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Theo doesn't hesitate for a moment. Wrapping his arm around my waist, I hold onto his shoulders as our mouths clash together. His scent overwhelms me as I momentarily loose myself in him. His lips blend against mine perfectly and I internally sigh, my happiness peaking like I've never know it to before. We separate and enter into a thunder of applause. Grinning, we cheer and walk back down the aisle, our hands intertwined - officially husband and wife.

The link of joyfulness within one another solidified in that moment, keeping us intertwined forevermore in a haze of love.

~~~~~

The soft material of my chair was the only thing keeping me upright as my Dad's booming voice broadcasts my childhood memories across the hall. Everyone here was watching, entrapped in the story about how I made my own films as a girl but I was avoiding eye contact, my cheeks hot a I looked down. Theo's hand grabs my hand from under the table as he laughs at something my Dad says, but his smile is directed at me. Reassured that he isn't put off, I sit up a bit straighter and withstand the last of the speech. Noah stands up next, a glint of warning in his eyes that's remained there ever since Theo asked him to be his best man.

"Well, where to begin," He laughs, blowing out a breath. "Alex and Noah are two of my best friends but it's safe to say that all changed when they began dating. They've become one friend as they merge together because let's be honest, Theo is whipped."

The crowd laughs and Theo shrugs, not denying it despite the tightness of his hand on mine. Noah grins at the laughter before continuing. "But that's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, they compliment each other so perfectly I don't think anyone could've expected it. Although I will miss Theo's fails at landing girls, I'm glad he managed to hold onto the right one. Guys, I'm delighted for you, there's no other couple who deserves a magical day like this apart from you two. To the happy couple." He finishes, raising a glass before sitting back down.

Oddly sweet but with insults throughout, Noah's speech was more harmless than I thought. Theo's slightly embarrassed gaze makes me laugh as I kiss him lightly, unable to help myself. He grins before standing up himself, his confidence in talking to large groups washing over him with an ability I don't possess.

"Thanks for that, Noah." He begins, turning to give his best friend a look which he returns with a teeth-baring grin of mischief. "First of all I want to thank you all for coming, it means a lot of Alex and I. Isadora and Clara, I have no idea how you managed to get Alex here on time but you did, so thank you for that." I roll my eyes as Clara and Isadora laugh, my Mom giving me a knowing look.

Noah waits for the laughter to stop before continuing. "This day means so much to both of us and I certainly never thought we would get here. In the beginning months we weren't even sure we were going to get to six months. I wouldn't of made it without Alex," He says and my breath hitches. Turning to look at me, his brown eyes swirl with love as I practically melt in my chair. "You've grounded me from day one and stayed as a constant source of admiration and love for me. I can't wait to see what the future holds and yet again," He turns back to the crowd. "Thank you all for being here to witness the beginning of it."

He raises his glass and everyone copies, clinking them together as I few people clap and cheer. Theo sits down back beside me and I turn to kiss him but my smile cuts it off seconds later. Grinning at him, I whisper, "That was so sweet."

"Gotta pull out all the cards, I'm your husband now." He grins and my stomach flips at the word.

I grin back. "Well, your wife approves."

Our smiles stayed throughout the meal that promptly started after the speeches. After eating, although not to much to cause discomfort in the dress, we all begin mingling between our tables. Taking a seat at one of my family's one, I see my cousin watching me with  smile.

"Thank you so much for coming." I grin, reaching over to hug my cousin.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," She smiles back and grasps my hand in hers. "I love the dress by the way, it's stunning on you."

"Thank you so much." I grin, feeling like my cheeks are going to burst.

She moves on but another person takes her place in the next five seconds. Mingling around with our small number of guests, I find myself thankful that there isn't lots of people. I was exhausted from just the thirty six we had invited, never mind the two hundred people guest list that Clara had compiled.

Taking a deep breath, appreciation for my setting reenters as the reception flows around me. White tables with floral, pale pink centerpieces flow around the room.  A hardwood floor compliments the dazzling golden sparkles that have been thrown around, settling on the floor like discarded confetti. Golden lights cast across the room but the dance floor at the very end promises of a good night once it arrives. Everyone who I love is in a room - happy, healthy and smiling.  Watching them with pride, love fills my chest for yet another time today.

Theo stands in the corner laughing at something Noah said as he stands in a group of guys. Noah looks in his element, which he typically is these days. His charm has been cast across the TV industry and his popularity is beginning to rise. Currently working on a new comedy series, the role he has is incredibly fitting - capturing his attention and happiness since day one.

Moving over to where the laughter seems to be coming from, I'm stopped a few times with congratulations before eventually making my way over to Theo. Linking my arm with his, he immediately looks down with a smile.

"Hello," He greets, bending his neck down to plant a soft kiss on my lips. "Champagne?"

"Obviously." I scoff, taking his glass off of him to take a sip, refreshing bubbles filling my mouth seconds later.

He laughs and removes my arm to link his arm around my waist, pulling me in closer. I turn to see Isadora cheering at me, shooting me a thumbs up from where she stands talking to my Mom and Clara.

Isadora has remained herself throughout everything. Brash, blunt and passionate, her attitude has attracted quite the following across social media as she speaks out about issues that concern her. Receiving lots of support for it, her passion for what she's doing has never been higher.

My constant throughout everything, Clara, is soaring in Chemistry. She's working on an experiment for something that I don't understand but she's happy about it and her hard work seems to be finally paying off. She also been on a couple of dates with a guy who's sounding promising, although I'm yet to meet him and test him to see if he's worthy. Although saying she's completely flawless isn't completely true, she's been invited to talk at her old university and she's already asking for acting tips to hide her nerves. It's classic Clara as we like to call it and I know I wouldn't want any other best friend.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time for the bride and groom's first dance, please make some noise." The DJ announces and lights cast downwards onto the wooden dance floor only meters away. Theo smiles and takes my hand in his, leaving our drinks on a table. Moving into the lights, my hands link behind his neck as his wrap around my waist.

'At last' by Etta James croons through the speakers as the people around me fade away into nothingness, my undivided attention on the man who's wrapped me up in his arms. Usually, I shy away from dancing in public for the sole reason of that I can't do it but as we dance together, it feels like the night we said I love you to each other for the first time. Unrestricted, brimming with love and secluded, a smile stretches across my face.

My smile begins to make my face ache but Theo grins back with the same enthusiasm. My heart pounds loudly at his devilishly handsome face.

"I can't believe we're married." I say, my voice quiet against the rhythm of music coming from the speakers.

"I know. I can officially call you mine." He replies before placing a soft kiss on my lips that leaves a frenzy of excitement throughout my body.

His statement is completely true. I thought we had it when we began dating and we put secret labels on in the quite of our apartments. Life was calm when we announced it to some friends and we stayed together. It was great when we announced it to the public, the endless love and support flowing from every side drowning the minuscule boats of negativity in the ocean of our relationship.

But this, now, where we are is heavenly. Happy. Earnest. We were sending a statement out to the world that no-one expected us to deliver. We've beaten the odds, fought the battles and won the war.

Our reward was ending up together for the rest of our lives and I knew that's all I would ever want in my life. The paparazzi chased us down - chased the stars in the attempts to break us down, destroy our relationship. Turn it into another show that they could make money out of. Our refusal to go along with it radiates pride across my whole body as I come to realise that we made it.

He was the reason we were standing here today. Although he would say it was me, in my eyes he is the hero of this whole story. Making me laugh when the world felt like it was crushing my shoulders down into the ground. Holding my hand as I raised back up - not overshadowing me - just easing me up with a hand. Moments are always filled with love, no matter where I was or what stage I was on. His endless love, support and generosity made me fall deeply in love with Theo and I know that although forbidden, our relationship is the most natural progression to happen in my life.

As the song comes to an end, Theo connects our lips in one last kiss that leaves my head spinning. He laughs at my dazed look as I stare up at him with love flowing through my body like a never ending supply of golden delight. He takes my hand in his and spins me before people join us back on the dance floor. The day couldn't be more perfect and I know that from here, my joy will be never ending.

Even when the night ended, the feeling of joy continued because I may of fallen for the man I shouldn't of but he ended up being my soulmate and every trial and tribulation that we had gone through was worth it. This day proved it.

We had been caught by the paparazzi but we battled through it and a future filled with uninhibited love and freedom was waiting for us.

THE END

~~~~~
Author's Note:

Chasing The Stars is officially completed! It's a bittersweet moment, I'm gonna miss these guys :(

What was your favourite part of this epilogue? Of the book? I would love to know!

I think my favourite part was Theo kissing Alex on the red carpet :)

I hope you've enjoyed this journey, if you've made it to here thank you so much for sticking by this book!

Until next time.

Much love,

Jade x