The Mafia’s Good Wife
Chapter 62

~ Violet -

Violet was too stunned to speak. She didn't even know where to start. She knew Damon was unpredictable and full of crazy ideas, but she never expected he was planning anything like this.

Ivy and Talia were now busy fixing her hair and dress, meanwhile, Barbara stepped forward and stood in front of Violet. Smiling at her daughter, she unclasped the necklace she was wearing and brought it over to Violet, clasping it around her neck. "Your dad got me this necklace on our first date," Barbara said as she fixed the heart locket on Violet's chest. "I've worn it ever since and I never took it off. But I want you to wear this today so you can feel him being with you too. I know he'll be very proud of you," "...Mom..."

Violet's eyes suddenly turned glassy. She wasn't expecting her mom to do this either. Violet glanced down at the heart locket and her hand reached for it. Inside the locket was a picture of her dad and mom when they were young. They looked so happy and full of love.

"So, the dress is your Something New. The ring is your Something Old. The bouquet is your Something Blue. And this is your Something Borrowed," Barbara smiled and tapped the necklace on Violet's chest.

Violet looked up and a single tear fell off her cheek. Everything was so well planned out. Damon had thought of every detail. Even down to this. Now if that isn't love... what is?

"Aw, Violet, don't cry," Ivy said as she pulled out a handkerchief and wiped Violet's cheek carefully.

Violet shook her head and a smile curved up her lips. Those were happy tears. And surely there would be more of this.

"Are you ready for this?" Talia asked as she squeezed her elbow gently.

Violet looked at Talia, Ivy, and then at her mom. Barbara was lending out her arm, her head nudging towards the church. Taking her mother's arm, she firmly told them, "I was born for this,"

~ Damon -

Damon stood inside the church, on the altar, standing next to Dylan, who was the wedding's officiant, and Liam, who was his best man. He was sweating profusely even though it wasn't that hot inside. It was Spring and the air was cool and breezy. Still, Damon was sweating because he was nervous. He only hoped that everything went according to plan and that Violet enjoyed the little scavenger hunt he prepared for her.

Sitting on the church pews were Damon and Violet's closest friends and family members. Damon invited all of his new family friends, the Irish, the Chinese, the Mexicans- everyone. Elena, the other loyal maids, and all the guards were also present. Even Luke was there amongst the crowd.

Damon didn't care about Luke being there, but he knew Violet would appreciate that, so he invited Luke over. Luke was gracious enough to attend, and he even brought a plus one along with him. "Here, boss. I think you need it," Liam's voice suddenly pulled Damon out of his daydreaming. Liam was holding onto a handkerchief. Damon took the handkerchief and wiped the sweat forming on his head. "What's taking them so long?" he hissed under his breath. Liam could only shrug in response. He'd been with Damon all morning long, of course he wouldn't know why Beau and Violet hadn't arrived yet.

After sending Violet out of the house early this morning, Damon got everyone ready for the ceremony. The maids got busy in the kitchen preparing the food, and the guards were welcoming all the guests into the church. Beautiful flowers, candles, and fairy lights adorned the walls of the church from top to bottom. But Damon saved the best flower for himself, a single violet rose worn on the lapel of his suit jacket as a boutonnière.

Looking down at his feet, Damon adjusted his suit again for the millionth time that day, feeling nervous and jittery. And suddenly, the door to the church cracked open and Beau walked in. He was also straightening his suit and tie, jogging a little to get up to the altar.

"She's in the building, boss," he whispered to Damon's ear. "Going into the office as we speak,"

"Good," Damon said in relief. "Thanks,"

Beau nodded his head and went to assume his position next to Liam. He was not just Violet's chauffeur for the day, he was also a groomsman.

Damon stared at his watch and counted the seconds that passed by. Any minute now, Violet would be walking through those doors. Damon could have picked any other place to have this wedding, but he chose the church because this was a monumental place for both of them. He remembered finding her here the first time and how their love grew from that. And of course, who could forget the infamous shooting incident? This was where Violet met him the morning of their wedding and she shot him in the chest. It may be a painful thing to remember, but for Damon, this place symbolized second chances. People go to church to repent and find salvation, a second chance at a better life. And despite everything, Violet was his salvation, so it was only fitting to have the wedding here. "Ehem," Dylan said suddenly, clearing his throat. "Please rise for the bride,"

Damon looked up to see the church's door slowly opening. The guests were rising from the pews and they all looked to the back. There was a bright light that came as the doors opened, and through the bright light, the bridesmaids entered, followed by Violet who was walking with her mother.

Damon's jaw literally dropped to the floor as he saw Violet in that white dress. Her beautiful purple eyes were shining so bright, her cheeks were blushing rosy pink, and she was wearing a smile that could go for miles. Damon's breath was caught in his throat and he couldn't stop looking at her, marveling at her like he was in a trance.

Damn. She's the single most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life... If I never see anything else after this. It's all worth it.

As she was walking down, Violet glanced around the pews and she noticed Luke in one of the rows. She nodded at him and he nodded back. She then looked around the opposite pew and her eyes connected with Elena and Dr. Lee. They both smiled and waved at Violet, and Violet waved back.

As all of this was happening, Damon still couldn't stop looking at her. His heart felt so full and he was so grateful. After everything that happened, it was a miracle that he could still be standing there and Violet was walking towards him. The magic wasn't lost on him and it overwhelmed him to the point that tears were brimming his eyes. Yes. There were actual tears in Damon Van Zandt's eyes.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Violet reached the altar and Barbara gave her daughter's hand to Damon. Damon received her and he had to resist the urge to kiss her right then and there. There was so much he wanted to do and say to her, but all that came out was, "...Hi,"

"Hi," Violet breathed back. She noticed the tears brimming in his eyes and hers turned glassy too. "...I can't believe you've done all this,"

"Way overdue, huh?" he whispered.

"Better late than never," she said.

With their hands holding tightly to each other, Damon and Violet stood in front of Dylan- who for the first time in years, was holding a bible in his hand.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company of witnesses to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony," Dylan said proudly.

Oh yes, Dylan was not playing around. Several weeks ago, Damon asked Dylan to get licensed as a wedding officiator for this special moment. Dylan was ecstatic to do it. He was cooperative and supportive, taking his role very seriously.

"Marriage is the union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind. It is a celebration of joy - and the help and comfort given by one another in prosperity and adversity. But more importantly - it is a celebration of the most powerful force in the world, love," Violet looked at Dylan in awe and disbelief, and then she turned to Damon for an explanation. Damon only smiled and shrugged like it was nothing. But still, the irony wasn't lost on him. How crazy was it that the person who defied their love the most was now officiating their wedding? Life had really come full circle.

"... Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..."

Damon kept his eyes on Violet and tightened his grip on her hand as Dylan was talking about love. She was staring at him too and though they couldn't say the words, their eyes spoke volumes.

"I, for one, believe it is an honor for us to witness Damon and Violet's love for one another on this day. It is a love so great, it moved heaven and earth to bring us all here," Dylan said as the guests erupted in laughs and claps. He then turned to Damon and said, "So without further ado, Damon?"

Damon's lips curved into a smile as he reached into his suit pocket, pulling out a note. Violet was also smiling too, waiting expectantly.

"Violet Rose Carvey..." he said. "There are no words that can ever describe what you mean to me. You found me when I was at my lowest. I was in a dark place and you came like an angel into my life. You saw through all my weaknesses and you stayed despite my wrongs. I know our love isn't always perfect. It isn't a fairytale and it doesn't always come easy. Love isn't the absence of problems, but love is about overcoming obstacles. Facing challenges. Fighting to be together. Holding on and never letting go. It is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define, and impossible to live without. Love is work, love is forgiveness, but most of all, love is realizing that every hour, every minute, every second of it was worth it because we did it together. I love you, my beautiful, sweet girl. Only you and always you. Forever,"

Damon worked on his vow for a few weeks, and he thought he was decent, but he wasn't expecting this reaction to come from Violet. Violet's eyes were full of tears and she couldn't hold any of them back. She was crying so much, but she was also smiling a big smile.

"Wow," she said through her tears. "That was so perfectly said. What can I say after that?"

The crowd, some of which were crying with her, were now laughing too. Violet wiped her tears away and took Damon's hands again, gripping them tightly.

"Damon... I... I haven't really prepared a speech because I wasn't expecting this today, but... You are the most amazing man I've ever met. You taught me how to be brave, how to step out of my comfort zone, and most of all, you taught me how to love. And even when I got scared and I ran away, you never ran away from me. You always found me again and again. So, it is my promise now that I will never run away again unless I'm running towards you. It's always been you and it'll forever be you. I'm yours, Damon. Forever and ever,"

Damon never realized that words could affect him so much. He didn't want to be crying in front of all these people today, but he couldn't help it. Her words cut through his heart like a knife. He was oozing love and he couldn't stop it. So he just laughed it off and wiped the tear that fell off his face.

Only she can do this to me... Only her.

"So, now that we've heard the beautiful vows exchanged, Damon, I have to ask you," Dylan said as he turned to Damon. "Will you, Damon Van Zandt, have this woman to be your lawful wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the Holy Estate of Matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others keep you only unto her as long as you both shall live?"

Damon stared at his future wife and said, "I will,"

"And will you, Violet Rose Carvey, have this man to be your lawful wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the Holy Estate of Matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others keep you only unto him as long as you both shall live?"

Violet stared at her future husband and said, "I will,"

Awws and oohs were heard from the crowd as Damon and Violet kept their eyes locked on each other. Dylan, who also had tears in his eyes, turned to Liam and said, "Can we have the rings?"

Liam took out the rings from his pocket and gave one each to Violet and Damon. Damon put the ring on Violet's finger and Violet did the same for him. It was only a simple act, but somehow it felt like a surreal moment for Damon. Looking at the ring around his finger, Damon felt how real this was. And how great of a feeling that was.

"...This marriage ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise for eternal and everlasting love. And so, by the power vested in me by the State of New Jersey, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride!"

Damon had been waiting for this moment all morning long. With a big smile on his face, he leaned closer and pulled Violet's entire body down with him. He held her in his arms and he kissed her with full force, never wanting to let go. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you for the first time, Mr. And Mrs. Damon and Violet Van Zandt!"