Chapter 28: The Wedding

Azalea Johnson's POV

After that meeting with the director of NSF, we went back to pack for our trip to New Jersey, where Amber and Ian's wedding will be held. I was so excited and nervous at the same time as Alex thought it would be a great idea to tell our families about our elopement.

"don't be nervous, everything will be okay, my love," he said as he kissed my knuckles while he was driving on I-95 South. I laughed at him as I was looking outside the window. Alex looked so cool with his sunglasses on and his sleek back black hair. I could not get over the fact that he belonged to me and mine only.

"what?" He asked me as he caught me staring at him. I blushed before he turned briefly at me and laughed.

"what are you thinking about, my love?" He asked me. I cleared my throat.

"Nothing," I said.

"Are you sure?" He asked me again. I can sense that I was smiling against my better judgment.

"well, I can say that I am nervous to tell my parents. My mum would flip out," I said as I was laughing as he squeezed my hand. I looked at our intertwined hands and it was a nice view. I could live like this forever.

"don't worry. Your mum will not scream at you, I will be by your side all the time," he said as he looked at me. I smiled before I put our hands on my thigh as I looked out the window. I did not know when or how but I dozed off to a nice dream of me and Alex together on a beach.

It was nice scenery for me to see New Jersey. Even though I can come here by train, I don't usually have time to travel. Not when my sole focus was to finish my Ph.D. and get out to be a scholar, the best among the best.

"we're here," Alex said as he shook me. I must have been falling asleep the whole journey. now, I felt a little bit guilty because I let him drive all the way here without being a good co-driver to him.

"well, Ian said that we will be spending together here in the hotel since we're the only couples among the singles," he joked as he got out of the car. I laughed as he opened the door for me. I thanked him as he offered me his hand as well.

"well, we could go and mingle. Pretend to be single," I said as I looked at him. He scowled at me.

"don't ever think about it," he said darkly. I laughed.

"easy there, MacWatters, it's only a thought," I said as I was looking at him. He smirked at me before he closed the door and moved to get our luggage in the trunk. We only bought one because I was a light traveler and Alex don't have much of the clothes to bring. We had our tux and dress inside the car and I took it out to bring it upstairs.

"Hi, we were here for Ian and Amber's wedding reservation," Alex said to the reception as we were waiting for our assigned room.

"Ah, yes, here is the key and card for the electricity. Enjoy your stay, sir, ma'am," the boy said as he nodded at us. We thanked him before we moved to the elevator. Alex punched the button and waited for it.

"here, you bring this and I take that," Alex said as he took the tux and dress while handing me the luggage. I thanked him as the elevator dings and opened up. We went inside and punched number 7. Our hotel room was 701.

"that's funny. My lucky number is 7," Alex said as he looked at the card. I smiled as I brushed his arm.

"well, lucky us then," I said before the elevator dings and we went to room 701, located on the east wing of the hotel. It was nice to have a hotel next to a beach and a nice view of the sunset. I hope we get the room that views the ocean.

when Alex opened the door, I shrieked. My guess has been right. It was right in front of the ocean and I went inside without thinking. I pulled the luggage as Alex closed the door and hung our clothes in the wardrobe. I went to open the balcony and feel the breeze of the ocean. Moments later, Alex snaked his hands around my waist and kissed me on the throat.

"do you like it?" He whispered to me. I sighed as I angled my neck to let his hot breaths hit my neck.

"it's the best. I cannot believe Ian gets this room for us," I said as I turned to look at Alex. I snaked my hands around his neck but he smirked at me. I arched my eyebrow at him.

"No, no way. Did you upgrade our room?" I asked him. Alex smiled at me before nodding. I laughed before I kissed him on the lips. He pulled me closer as he broke the kiss.

"I can't let my wife sleep in a second-class room, can I?" He said as he looked at me. I slapped his chest.

"well, I can always adapt," I said.

"like water," he added.

"in a way," I looked at him. He kissed me again and this time, he scooped me up.

"Alex, we need to get ready," I said to him but I smiled as I knew what he had in mind.

"well, we still got time," he said as he kissed me before gently put me on the bed. We have time for it.

It was a lovely night as we were walking into the altar. I was one of the bridesmaids and Alex was my groomsman. I was so happy for my sister as the set of the wedding was impeccable. It was a dream come true.

we walked toward the end of the altar where Ian was looking very nervous. When the wedding march played, Ian looked at my sister as if she was the most beautiful thing in the world.

I could not believe but I guessed that's how it looked when you were in love with someone. I never knew how Alex would look at me when I walked down the altar. I shook my head. I don't need that thought right now.

My father walked my sister to the altar and he gave my sister to Ian before he kissed his cheek. He whispered something that made Ian's eyes pooled with tears but he shook it away. I looked at Alex and caught that he was staring at me. I blushed.

The official said something about the holy matrimony and asked the bride and groom the question. They both said 'I do' before Ian kissed Amber like she was the most fragile thing in the world. My eyes pooled with tears and when they broke off, we cheered.

we moved the ceremony to the wedding reception as it was a garden wedding. Alex and I sat at the family table with my mum, dad, Amber and Ian and maid of honor as well as the best man.

"now, can I have a toast from the family member, her sister, Azalea," the DJ said before I moved to the front. I held out my champagne as I tried to calm my nerves. I never spoke in front of everyone before but here's goes nothing.

"When I was a child, I always wanted a baby brother," I started. Some laughter came out from the crowd as I was smiling before I looked at Amber and Ian.

"but now, I was thankful that you were my sister. You made me laugh and have so much fun when our parents were not around and when you told me about Ian, I can see it in your eyes that you have found the man of your life," I said as I settled my gaze on Alex for a while.

"And I will wish that your journey ahead with Ian will be fun and memorable for the rest of your life. I love you, sis. cheers," I toasted before Amber ran up to me and hugged me. I laughed before I wiped her tears and we toasted to my speech.

I went back to my seat before Barb waved at me. She mouthed a good job before I waved at her. She turned to look at something and a scowl was on her face. I looked at her direction of staring but there was nothing. When I looked at her again, she was gone.

"now, it was time for the bride and groom to dance," the DJ said as the song of their choice played. It was Love Story by Taylor Swift. They went to waltz and when the next song played, Alex stood up and asked me for a dance.

"would you be an honor to dance with me?" He asked me. I smiled at him before I took his hand.

"it would be my pleasure," I said as he led me to the dance floor. I was smiling at him before he drew me closer. My left hand in his right and my left in his chest. He snaked his left hand around my waist.

"I know you can dance but can you tango?" He asked me before he nodded at the DJ. then, La Cumparsita played along with the speakers. The guests wooed and aaa before they went to the dance floor as well. I can see that Ian and Amber will be dancing the tango as well.

"Are you challenging me, Mr. MacWatters?" I asked him as I was smiling at him. He just smirked.

"well, can you?"

"we'll see," I said before I wrapped my leg around his calf. He smirked before I moved back to stretch my leg. This dress was not for tango but I can manage that just fine. Everyone else has been dancing along to the music but my eyes were only on Alex as he moved to twirl me around and I was spinning out of his arm before he drew me back and dipped me.

"Does this answer your question, Mr. MacWatters?" I asked him as he drew me up and I was moving my legs against his calves.

"most of it," he said. I smiled before he gripped me tighter. I smiled wider.

"now, dance like you never dance before," he whispered to me as I can sense his hot breath on me. I smiled before I went to grip his shoulder and I moved around him as I was trying to capture him in my dance. He stays his gaze as I went to twirl around him before he caught my waist and dipped me again. I smiled as we were out of breath and he pulled me up. Cheers from the crowd before we bowed at them.

"I think you know now that I can dance," I said as I looked at Alex. He grinned.

"I think we all know that now," he said before he kissed me and another cheer from the crowd. I blushed before we went back to the table. The moment has come, I assumed.

"Emily, Riley," he said. I was nervous that I could not form any word and because of the adrenaline rush that we just had.

"yes, Alex?" My mum said as she put down her champagne glass and looked at us. Dad did the same thing as well.

"we're already married," Alex said. I was biting my bottom lips as I looked at my mum and dad. They just silent before my dad spoke.

"We know," he said before my mum smiled at us.

"I'm still mad at you, young lady for eloping but what can I say, I knew just the feeling," my mum said as she took dad's hand. He smiled.

"now that we have established that, why don't you enjoy this reception as well," they said as they went to the dance floor. I looked at Alex and he looked at me. well, to hell with everything then as we went back to our hotel room and get away from everyone as we might spend our night together again.