The Beautiful Monster

One year later

Elias was sure that he was going to pass out. How could he not? He was about to see Alyssa walking down the aisle toward him any minute now.

Donned in a black suit with a black rose attached to one of the lapels of his suit, he stood on a rooftop in the depths of New York City.

The rooftop had been transformed into the most beautiful wedding venue for that night. String lights looped all around the perimeter, lighting the roof in a golden glow.

White chairs formed rows in front of a small stage, and the aisle was full of black and white rose petals. Everything looked even better than he imagined.

His eyes skimmed over the seats full of people, finding his parents, Cole, and some of his and Alyssa's other friends.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, prompting him to turn and face Tyler, his best man.

"Hey," he greeted Tyler with a nervous smile.

"Ready?" Tyler asked him as he patted Elias' shoulder.

Elias nodded. He was nervous, but he wasn't concerned about marrying Alyssa. He just didn't want to mess up his vows or do anything else embarrassing.

He wanted today to be perfect because it meant so much to both him and Alyssa. They were finally going to get married!

Nearly a year ago, he proposed to her on a romantic, private ferry ride. He hardly got through asking her before she said yes and threw herself on him.

It had been one of the best nights of his life, and tonight would join its ranks as well. How could he forget the night that he married the love of his life?

The last year had been great for them. His company was still successful, and he was able to take more time away from work to spend with Alyssa.

He helped her develop a plan for her own clinic, which would be breaking ground in another six months. The future was bright, and they were finally out of the darkness.

"I can't believe today is finally here. We planned for months. Now, it's finally here," Elias told Tyler. He was glad that the group stayed in touch after going their separate ways after the funeral.

Even still today, Elias missed Scott, which was strange for him. He had never missed Scott before, but he remembered Scott's sacrifice, especially today.

If it wasn't for Scott, he wouldn't be marrying Alyssa today.

"I'm happy for both of you, man," Tyler said as he grinned at Elias.

"Now, it's your turn. Have you bought the ring yet?" Elias asked Tyler, raising an eyebrow at him.

Tyler chuckled in an almost shy manner. He only got that way over Melina, and Elias could tell that Tyler truly loved Melina.

"Yeah, I got it. I'm going to ask her at the end of the month. I didn't want to steal your spotlight," he smirked.

Elias laughed and shook his head, nudging Tyler. He then noticed a shift in the room. The wedding ceremony was about to start.

He straightened up and got in his spot as the bridesmaids got in position.

He smiled at Zoe and Melina as they took their spots. They wore black dresses that matched.

"Don't cry," he teased them.

The girls rolled their eyes at him playfully.

As the music started, Elias turned his attention down the aisle, feeling his breath get taken away at the sight of Alyssa in her white wedding dress.

She looked like a princess in her lace, A-line dress. The ends of the dress seemed to float around her feet as she walked down the aisle toward Elias.

She was unaccompanied, but she insisted that she didn't mind. She didn't have a father to walk her down the aisle, and it was something that she wanted to do on her own.

Elias was so proud of her and the woman that she had become. She was incredibly successful, smart, and beautiful in her own way.

He really had struck the jackpot when he met her, and he felt like the luckiest man on the planet to be marrying her.

Alyssa gazed at Elias with a warm smile as she moved to stand in front of him, giving her bouquet of flowers to Zoe. She turned back to Elias, letting out a nervous breath and mouthing a greeting.

Elias winked at her, chuckling to himself. He couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. He wanted to fall at her feet she looked so amazing.

The speaker's words floated right through his head as he focused on Alyssa and her radiant smile. He was so glad to be getting married to her finally after so many years. It had been a long time coming.

Before he knew it, it was time to exchange vows. He had been practicing this for weeks, but he was still worried that he would forget something or mess up.

He had never been this nervous before. He did speeches and presentations all the time at work, but this was different. He was baring his heart and soul in front of everyone that he cared about.

"Alyssa, you've been a part of my life for so long now. I don't want to imagine my life without you. We've been through so many things together, but we always find our way back to each other.

From the bottom of my heart, I believe that we're meant to be because there's no one else that I would want by my side,"

Elias told her, his throat threatening to tighten as he put all of his emotions into his vows. "I love you so much."

Alyssa's eyes glistened as she peered at Elias, placing her hand over her heart.

"I love you. You showed me what true love feels like. I had no idea how happy I could be until I met you.. You're the biggest adventure of my life, and I'm grateful for every second that we've shared.