Page 185 of Deacon

With my bridesmaids walking ahead of Raff and me, we made our way to the gardens, where everyone waited.

The outdoor chapel was a dream.

Set on a cliffside, the ceremony area overlooked the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.

A simple wooden arch stood framing the ocean horizon, wrapped in white and pastel green blooms and surrounded by olive trees.

Snowy petals carpeted the walkway, and rows of cream timber chairs decorated with more sprays of flowers were filled with our loved ones.

Raff and I lingered in the shade of an ancient olive tree with Lucia, our eyes fixed on the scene as we waited for our cue.

We’d kept the styling effortless: white and pastel green florals, crisp linens, and colors tailored for a Spanish summer.

The bridesmaids met up with the groomsmen and walked down the aisle.

Christina, Sofia, Roxy, Shalini, Divina, and Lucia were breathtaking in vintage olive silk slip dresses, their long, sweeping skirts glimmering in the morning light.

Opposite them, Bishop, Levi, Reign, Angel, and Davon stood tall as the best men, wearing crisp white linen shirts with the sleeves rolled to their forearms and matching slacks.

At the altar, Deacon’s ivory shirt stretched across his broad chest, highlighting his tan.

The top few buttons were undone, and his chains were on show, lending him an effortless, gangster-lean charm.

He wore linen trousers and casual slides that matched his groomsmen.

He was so handsome, composed, and beautiful that my breath hitched.

At long last, it was my turn to walk to the altar with Raff.

My son squeezed my hand with gentle pride and led me along the petal-covered path.

Angel, Bishop, Reign, and Levi sang an a cappella rendition of Jeff Buckley’s ‘Hallelujah’ as I walked down the aisle.

Their rich, blended harmonies, in the poignant, goosebumps-inducing melody, carried through the air, which made my chest swell.

Deacon’s eyes locked onto mine, and my badass rock star shook his head, entranced, tears welling in his gaze.

He pulled me close the second I reached him, his sinewed hands trembling on my waist as he drew me in.

‘You’re so beautiful, Ana,’ he whispered, his timbre thick and hoarse with emotion.

We began our waterfront ceremony in the shade of olive trees.

Jude officiated, his voice carrying over the crashing waves.

Yumi, Simon, and Théa sat together in the front row, beaming.

They’d walked with us through all these turbulent years, and Deacon and I owed them a massive debt of gratitude.

Teagan was also present as Bishop’s guest, alongside Mason, Nari, Bluey, members of the Six Sinners crew, and a few of the label executives from King & Knight Music.

Baz, Yael, and my manager Sue were with us too, surrounded by extended family from both sides.

We spoke our vows with honesty, promises forged in the fire of real-world heartbreak and redemption.

Tears filled everyone’s eyes as we exchanged our rings.

They were the same bands we wore the first time around, but reimagined and redesigned with our initials carved inside and intricate textured details mirroring our journey.