My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

"Have I told you that you look absolutely stunning?" Marcus said as he helped his wife out of the car.

"No, you haven't told me that lately..." Valerie replied with a smile.

"Well, you look gorgeous, beautiful, and sexy. I don't think anyone here would believe your real age, and that makes me feel a little old," Marcus said sincerely.

"Marcus! You look very handsome and charming too... I don't need other eyes looking at you-mine are enough," Valerie said seriously.

"You're right about that, my love..."

Then, Marcus wrapped his arm around his wife's waist and planted a passionate kiss on her lips.

"Dad...! Dad!!!" Serenity shouted when she saw her father had completely forgotten they were right behind him.

"Sorry, sorry, sweetheart... I'm coming! It's just that your mother is very distracting..." Marcus said with a grin.

He walked around the car, opened the door, and finally helped the nervous bride step out.

"Ready, my love?" Marcus asked with a smile.

"More than ready!" Serenity answered with absolute confidence.

"Good... Well, the time has come..." Marcus said, extending his hand to his daughter.

"Thank you, Dad!"

"My love... You look beautiful! I'm going inside to take my seat, but first, come here I want to give you my blessing."

"Mom... You haven't done that in years!"

"I always have... But as you grew up, you kept saying you were a big girl now."

"Mom..." Serenity said, her eyes welling up with tears.

"No! No! No tears, young lady! This is a day for celebration... Besides, all that makeup Laura worked so hard on will smudge," Valerie said, pulling her daughter into a hug.

After blessing her, hugging her, kissing her, and fixing her hair a bit, Valerie went into the church and quietly took her seat.

Meanwhile, Laura adjusted the train of the dress and made sure everything was set for the wedding march. John and Maurice would carry the train, Ethan would walk ahead with the ring pillow, and Ellie had her basket ready with flowers and petals to scatter at the entrance.

"Alright, Serenity! Everything's set! Now just enjoy your day, sis! This is way better than eloping, don't you think?" Laura said with a playful giggle as she hugged her.

"Absolutely! Thank you! Thank you, Laura!"

"No need to thank me. Now, if you don't need me anymore, I'm heading inside, okay? Everything's going to be fine, and this little Serene will be just fine too..." she said, gently caressing Serenity's belly.

"Thank you, Laura! Really, thank you so much!"

Laura just smiled and walked inside behind Valerie. Both of them hurried to their

seats before Marcus and Serenity made their grand entrance.

"My love... Ready?" Marcus asked, offering his arm.

"Yes, Dad! Completely ready!"

"Alright, sweetheart... Let's go. It's time for me to give you away to that bastard..." "Dad..."

"What? Until he proves himself worthy, he's still a bastard to me."

"Dad..."

"Come on, come on, that's a father-in-law's job-to make things difficult."

"We already talked about this."

"I know, I know!" Marcus said, grinning. "Alright, let's go. It's time."

"Dad, you're impossible..."

"Not when the man inside is taking a piece of my heart with him."

"Dad, I will never leave you... But it's time for me to fly."

"I know, my love! I know... But I still hold on to the little girl who used to cling to my finger."

Serenity smiled at her father and kissed his cheek.

"I'll always hold on to that finger. The only difference is that now, someone else

will share that responsibility with you. I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, my love... Now, let's go before people start giving me dirty looks."

As soon as they reached the

entrance, the wedding march began

to play. The children took their

places and started walking. Each of

them played their role perfectly carrying out their duties with great responsibility.

Meanwhile, at the altar, Alden was already waiting. His father stood beside him, having just handed little Martina over to Emma, who had just arrived.

"How are you?" Peter asked when he noticed his son standing stiffly.

"Nervous!" Alden admitted honestly.

"Relax... Everything will be fine. And if it's not, at least it'll make for a good story," Peter said nonchalantly.

"This side of you surprises me," Alden said, taken aback by his father's attitude. "Why?"

"You seem more relaxed."

"That's how I like to live life, son... You should learn to live this way too. Life isn't

all about work, and you don't always have to be stressed."noveldrama

"I'm still not used to seeing you like this."

"Well, you should be. I've always been like this."

"Hmm?" Alden looked at him, half surprised, half doubtful.

"Come on, relax! Your beautiful bride is almost here. Let's focus on what's

coming."

"Yeah..."

"Hey..."

"Yeah?"

"I know I haven't told you this enough, but... I'm very proud of you, son."

"Thank you, Dad!"

"You're going to be a great father... to Ethan and Isabelle."

"I hope so..."

"You'll see."

Both men stood there, watching as little Ellie and Ethan walked ahead, followed

by Serenity and Marcus, and finally John and Maurice.

Marcus walked slowly, proudly

escorting his most precious treasure. With every step, a memory resurfaced—his little girl, his baby. was getting married today. He kept glancing at her, seeing her smiling, her eyes fixed on the man waiting at the altar.

Finally, as they reached the altar, Marcus took his daughter's hand. Alden stepped forward and smiled. He was mesmerized by Serenity's beauty-something Marcus didn't fail to notice.

"Alden... I am entrusting you with one of my greatest treasures. Take care of her, protect her, and most importantly, love her for the rest of your lives."

"Mr. Bartz, I will. I will love Serenity for my entire life, and I will take care of and protect our beloved family."

Hearing those words, Marcus let out a deep sigh, smiled, and finally took his seat.

"You did great... You handled it well, my love," Valerie said, taking his hand.

"Believe me, it was hard..." Marcus admitted.

"I know! I was ready to step in if you needed me."

Marcus turned to look at her, squinting suspiciously, while Valerie just shrugged.

"Valerie..."

"What? I didn't know what to expect!"

"Alright, let's just focus on the ceremony now."

The wedding ceremony proceeded just as any marriage ceremony should The priest began to speak, delivering a sermon about love-his words resonating in the hearts of every couple in attendance,