Chapter 13: The Wedding
1259 Words
For two weeks after the kidnapping, the hospital became Aria’s second home.
Not because she was sick. But because Adrian refused to let her go home until the doctor said “100% safe.”
Every three hours he’d corner a nurse: “Is my wife breathing okay? Is the wound infected?”
The nurses already knew his face by heart.
Aria could only laugh weakly from the bed.
“You’re nagging like a mom, Adrian.”
Adrian sat on the edge of the bed, holding her hand.
“If nagging keeps you alive, I’ll nag for the rest of my life.”
Alya slept in the stroller beside the bed. Since that day, she wouldn’t leave her mom’s side for a second.
The night before they were discharged, Aria asked quietly.
“Adrian… are we really safe now?”
Adrian looked into her eyes.
“Really. Victor’s in solitary. Reza and his men are all arrested. No one can touch you two again. Not on my watch.”
Aria nodded, tears slipping down.
“Thank you for saving us.”
Adrian shook his head.
“You saved me, Aria. If you hadn’t been my shield, I would’ve been the one who died that day.”
They sat in silence. Only Alya’s breathing filled the room.
Then Aria whispered.
“Let’s remarry.”
Adrian blinked.
“Huh?”
“A real wedding. No contract. No force. Because I want to,” Aria said, soft but firm.
“Back in that warehouse, I thought… if I died that day, I didn’t want to die as a ‘contract wife.’ I wanted to die as Adrian Blackwood’s wife. For real.”
Adrian held his breath. He’d waited two years to hear that.
“You’re sure?”
Aria nodded.
“Sure. Next month. On the beach. Just us, Alya, and Dad. Deal?”
Adrian smiled for the first time in two weeks.
“Deal. Whatever you want.”
A month passed. The wedding preparations were fast, but calm.
Richard Hartono was busy picking a suit. Alya was busy trying on her flower girl dress.
Aria was picking her gown. Simple, white, long sleeves. Not extravagant, but it left Adrian breathless when she did the first fitting.
Adrian himself? He was nervous like a high school kid about to confess.
Even though this was their second wedding.
“Hello? Mr. Blackwood? Have you practiced your vows yet?” the wedding planner teased.
Adrian rubbed his face.
“No. I can’t memorize a script. I want to speak from the heart.”
The planner nodded. “Good! More romantic!”
The night before the big day, Adrian couldn’t sleep.
He sat on the penthouse balcony, staring at the sea. His right hand still had a small scar from when he’d grabbed Reza.
Aria came with a blanket, draping it over his shoulders from behind.
“Can’t sleep either?”
Adrian turned, pulling her into a hug around the waist.
“Scared.”
Aria frowned.
“Scared of what?”
“Scared this is a dream. Scared I’ll wake up tomorrow and you still don’t want me,” Adrian admitted honestly.
Aria laughed softly, then kissed his cheek.
“Stupid. Tomorrow you’ll hear me say ‘I do’ in front of a priest, family, and the whole world. There’s no turning back, Mr. Blackwood.”
Adrian exhaled in relief.
“Good. I don’t want to turn back.”
They kissed under the star-filled sky. Quiet. Safe. No threats.
---
The day arrived. Anyer Beach. 5 PM. Sunset.
The guest list was small. Family, close friends, and 20 of Adrian’s employees who felt like family too.
No reporters. No extravagant party. Just them.
Aria walked on the white sand, arm in arm with Richard.
Her dress was simple, her hair down, and in her hands was a bouquet of white lilies.
Alya walked ahead, scattering rose petals, shaking but proud.
Adrian stood at the wooden altar, wearing a navy suit.
When he saw Aria coming, he forgot how to breathe.
The priest began to speak. The ocean breeze drifted by.
“Adrian Blackwood, do you take Aria Hartono to be your lawful wife?”
Adrian stared at Aria, deep and steady.
“I do. Not just today. For life. If I had ten more lives, I’d choose you in all of them.”
Aria smiled until her eyes watered.
The priest turned to her.
“Aria Hartono, do you take—”
Aria didn’t wait for him to finish.
“I do. I want to be your wife, Adrian. Not because of a contract. Because I love you.”
Soft applause broke out. Alya ran to Adrian’s lap, shouting “Mama! Papa!”
They exchanged rings. Simple bands with their names engraved inside.
The priest said, “You may kiss the bride.”
Adrian didn’t waste a second. He pulled Aria into a hug and kissed her forehead deeply.
“Finally, Mrs. Blackwood. For real.”
Aria whispered in his ear.
“M-Mrs. Blackwood. I like the sound of that.”
The sun set behind them, spreading gold and orange across the sky.
That photo would hang in their living room forever.
That night, a small reception was held at the beach villa.
No long speeches. Just dinner, laughter, and Alya falling asleep in Adrian’s lap.
Richard stood, raising his glass.
“To Adrian and Aria. I never thought I’d see this day. Thank you for taking care of my daughter and granddaughter so well.”
Adrian stood, holding Aria’s hand.
“Thank you, Dad. Without you, we wouldn’t be here today.”
Aria stood too.
“To us. To our little family. May there be no more threats, no more contracts. Just love.”
They clinked glasses. Everyone smiled.
At 11 PM, they said goodnight to the room.
Alya was put to bed in the next room with Richard.
Now it was just the two of them.
Aria sat on the edge of the bed, still in her white gown.
“I can’t believe we’re really married again.”
Adrian took off his jacket, sitting beside her.
“I believe it. Because this feels real. Warm. And it doesn’t hurt.”
Aria looked at him.
“Scared?”
“Terrified,” Adrian answered honestly.
“Scared of losing this again.”
Aria brushed his cheek.
“Not gonna happen. This time we’ll protect it together.”
Adrian nodded, then pulled Aria into his arms.
“Welcome home, Aria. You’re home with me.”
Aria closed her eyes, content.
“Welcome home, Adrian. My home is with you too.”
That night there was no contract.
No force.
Just two people finally returning to where they belonged.
Three months later.
Aria stood on the penthouse balcony, her stomach slightly rounded.
Adrian came up behind her, resting his chin on her shoulder.
“How was the ultrasound?” Adrian asked quietly.
Aria smiled.
“Doctor says healthy. It’s a boy.”
Adrian froze for three seconds, then laughed loudly.
“A boy?! So Alya’s gonna have a little brother to bully?!”
Aria swatted his arm.
“Don’t be mean!”
Adrian kissed her stomach.
“Hey kid. Dad promises your world will be safe. I’ll protect your mom and sister no matter what.”
Alya ran in, shouting “Baby! Baby!”
The little family hugged on the balcony, looking out at Jakarta that never slept.
No threats.
No contract.
Just love, family, and a future.
And this time, nothing could tear them apart again.
*THE END*
- Writer
