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n“Are you ready?” Cage called. He was nervous. Which was unusual for him. But that day was the exception to the rule. He wanted everything to be perfect. He glanced at his phone and tried to control the urge to check it for the hundredth time. It was time and he was freaking out.

nHe had to get it together. He should have given her more warning but he hadn’t. This felt so much more than the first red carpet he had walked on.

nKatherine was in the bathroom, getting ready. He had bought a dress he thought would look lovely on her and taken Angelina and Lily’s help to get the measurements perfect. It wasn’t a grand dress that cost a fortune. Instead, he bought something Katherine could wear later if she wanted. They had talked about the wedding and she had raised the concern about how expensive and wasteful wedding dresses were. In that light, he went with her wishes and bought a pleasant, flowy dress in a style she liked.

nThe bouquet was chosen by Lily, too, as she knew what Katherine liked. Henrick was in charge of everything else. Everyone had flown into the city and booked the small venue promptly without Katherine noticing anything.

n“Done!” she screamed as she came out. She turned to him, showing him the back. “Zip me up,” she said with a coy smile.

n“Are you trying to rouse the beast in me?” he asked, gulping. They didn’t have time for that. And he looked so beautiful that it would be blasphemous to ruin it.

n“The zipper goes down to my butt. I can’t reach all of it,” she admitted. She wriggled her butt to make a point and laughed. Cage chuckled and zipped the dress up slowly, suddenly realizing that it was happening.

nThe dress fit perfectly.

n“You didn’t specify the accessories, so I improvised.” She bit her lip and looked in the mirror. “I look like I will walk down the aisle at any moment.”

nCage pressed back the laugh and patted her back. “What accessories did you wear?” he asked. He had arranged for his mother to bring all the necessary things but didn’t give them to Katherine lest she caught wind of his plan.

n“I wore this old earring that was passed down from my grandmother, This hairpin that I borrowed from Angelina, the ring I bought off the internet, and this hairpin, too. They look good together and go with the dress. What do you think?”

nCage looked her over, not noticing the main point.

n“You look amazing,” he complicated. “Now, let’s go!” he said, pulling on her hand. She smirked behind his back.

n“Hold your horses. Are we catching a train or is your pant on fire?” she teased. She didn’t protest as he pulled her along.

n“My pant is on fire,” he admitted. They drove in silence. After months, Cage drove himself. Stephen was at the venue making sure no paparazzi or reporters had caught wind of the situation.

nKatherine didn’t ask questions and let Cage have his moment. She rolled her eyes internally when he opened the door for her and extended his hand. She grabbed it and was pulled out immediately.

nThey went through the front door of a cozy home and exited through the backyard. At this point, Katherine was slightly confused.

n‘Where is the venue?’ she thought. But when she saw the backyard, she gasped. No, it was not the people present who surprised her… she had expected that… but the decoration.

nOn one side, a long table was placed. It was covered by white sheets and the chairs looked rustic and so on point with the house. The fairy lights placed overhead caught her attention and she felt tears prickle.

nShe felt like a teenage girl who had the dream room come to life.

nOn the other side, a little stage was made and chairs of the same rustic variety placed for their benefit.

n“Surprise!” Angelina shouted.

nKatherine looked at them meaningfully. “You didn’t do a good job of hiding this from me. I am shocked by how beautiful everything is, though!” She really was.

n“You knew?” Cage yelled.

nKatherine turned to him with a sheepish expression. “Yes. Angelina and Lily asking me about any changes in size. Dad creepily grumbling about an upcoming plane trip that I wasn’t invited to. And you and Stephen running around and evading my questions. I figured.”

n“It could have been a number of things, you know?” Lily countered.

n“The white dress was a giveaway,” she shrugged. “And do you really think this would be a good idea if I wasn’t informed that I was getting married? What would you guys do if I turned into a bridezilla?” Cage’s face went pale.

n“I love everything,” she reassured. “Now, let’s get married.”

nThe others found out that she had followed tradition in picking out her accessories. Some were pleased, others shook their head at how stupid Cage was.

nThe small wedding was full of tears and joyful laughter.

nHer father even made some comments about how Cage hadn’t asked for his permission first. If he weren’t afraid that Katherine would elope, he would have fought tooth and nail to keep her unmarried.

nAt the end of the day, Katherine looked around and saw the people she loved most. She danced and sang. She drank wine. She had just gained a new family. A wonderful new family.

nAnd a man she would hold hands with until her hair turned grey and her bones disintegrated to ash.

n– – –

nThe following announcement made headlines all over the world.

nActor Cage Cavanaugh and his fiance, Miss Katherine Austen, were wed today in a ceremony at an undisclosed location. In attendance were the groom’s parents as well as his close friends followed by the bride’s family and closest friends. The bride was given away by her father.

nThe announcement followed up with a solitary picture of the groom and bride and information on Cage’s next projects and break from filming.

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